Cincinnati and Mimi Avner Strauss

Blind and confined to a wheel chair, Mimi is the most positive ancient woman I've ever met -- love her dearly.  We talk about Pittsburgh and relatives and she remembers all the people and places mentioned and she makes additions to the conversations.  I learned Aunt Sadie's husband had an affair!!!!  Aunt Sadie, my grandma's sister, suffered serious post partum depression and thus lived at Dixmont outside of Pittsburgh. Great being with Mark and Mary Jo. 

On the way home, we stopped at Beef House, the icon of a restaurant on the Indiana/Illinois line which we adore.  They serve these amazing rolls which they distribute frozen in many locations around the State so I picked some up at College Hills Meat Market to take to the UUBN Thanksgiving dinner.  Man, are they delicious.  Looking forward to making them when the girls are here in late December. 

Allen Avner from Champaign, was to come over for Thanksgiving but he developed some health issues so could not make it.  Another beloved Avner.  His wife Elaine passed away last year.  Allen asked us if we would like a crystal vast Hilda and Sammy Swartz presented to them as a wedding present.  It came yesterday!  It is very heavy -- Atlantis crystal is made in Portugal because of the high quality of lead and silica. 

A Musical November

On November 3rd, our 100 voice Civic Chorale performed a beautiful Christmas Concert with unusual arrangements of carols, including 2 movements from the Haydn Creation we performed with full orchestra and Concert Choir in October.  

 When Neal called last year to announce the Seattle Symphony would be doing the Berlioz Requiem, one of favorite pieces, without hesitation we said "We'll be there!"  The Robert Shaw/Atlanta Symphony is the baseline performance but this group was better mostly because the 120 voice chorus was light, fast, and they used dynamics to the fullest.  Two antiphonal brass groups were in the first balcony near the front, one on each side, and two were in the back of the first balcony, one on each corner.  The tenor for the Sanctus, shown on the program cover was beyond words. With the 10 timpani and an extended orchestra, we were almost blown out of our seats.  Never heard so many bravos! We wish Seattle would make a CD!

FYI, the link above takes you to a marvelous site -- The London Symphony with Sir. Colin Davis -- the  4 brass antiphonal choirs in the balcony come through famously. 

De Valkyrie at the Lyric Sunday, November 26th.  Can't get enough of The Ring. Fabulous performance, had me in tears at the end when Wotan kisses Brunhilda's eyes shut and banishes her to a deep sleep high on a rock for 18 years, however  she is protected by a circle of fire.  Poor Daad could not make the trip because of awful flu -- but I was able to do the trip by myself and did just fine!  I called the Lyric and donated his ticket and they will send us a letter in January so we can count it as a charitable contribution.

Phyllis Aldrich, Carol Carroll and Me

Years ago I worked for Phyllis Aldrich at the BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services)  in the field of of gifted education in upstate New York.  This was my first job in gifted and I can truly thank Phyllis for introducing me to this field!  Carol Carroll an accomplished pianist and amazing piano teacher whose students perform in several recitals throughout Saratoga Springs was the third person of our terrific team.  I have saved materials Carol sent me about her students and recital programs.

Phyllis was married to Sam Aldrich, a cousin of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, with Sam instrumental in CAPTAIN getting seed money.  A Harvard trained attorney, Sam did not like the field of law and instead wanted to devote his life to public service.  When CAPTAIN began, Sam was Director of Youth Services throughout NY state.   Sam passed away this past year.  His memoir, Dancing with the Queen, Marching with the King is fabulous!  Queen Elizabeth, Martin Luther King.

Though unclear, this photo shows the three of us at lunch -- simply a marvelous and momentous reunion.

Me, Phyllis in back, and Carol.  Lunch, Friday the 13th
at the Old Bryan Inn 

CAPTAIN -- 40 Year Anniversary Gala

You may want to refer back to the May 23rd post.   The Gala was incredible!  This link takes you to an article about CAPTAIN and the Gala.
The Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Club was the perfect venue for the Gala and the elegant array of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, fruits, and desserts, cash bar with approximately 350 CAPTAIN supporters made for a big, happy party.   When the formal program began, Executive Director, Sue Catroppa asked me to stand -- the first and primary founder of CAPTAIN!  Everyone applauded.  The founders were asked to make the first cake cut.  I felt honored.   

Me and Donna Rudzinski.  Donna and her husband were in a
horrible automobile accident and therefore I was alone to lead the
development of the program. I missed having her by my side.
It was so good to see her!

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, End of August Through September 6th 2017

Rockport, TX

This is the first time  in history two category 4 hurricanes came one after the other, first Harvey and then Irma.

Harvey was the largest hurricane ever recorded in TX and wrecked havoc on Rockport, TX where our friends the Rev. Dr. Ruth Gnagey and Dr. Bill Gnagey take their winters.  We visited them last year and fell in love with the place.  They are serious birders!  The UU Church in Corpus Christi is 40 miles from Rockport and is okay.  Horrid calamities in Houston as well. 

The island of Barbuda in the Caribbean was totally devastated.  Other Caribbean islands were
affected -- St. Johns and St. Thomas. 

Houston, TX

Then Irma came which devastated Key West and other parts of Florida.

Between both Harvey and Irma, 71 are confirmed dead as of September 6.

Many communities opened shelters.  Yesterday we heard 8 people died in a Texas nursing home because there was no electricity meaning no air conditioning and no power to administer various treatments.  Many people have no homes to return to!  Oh Mother Nature!

Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017

History was made on this day
Earl Hill, Cousin Patty's nephew whom we've known ever since he attend RPI in Troy NY, is an independent consultant who travels the world examining nuclear power plants.  Earl and his daughter, Linneah, stopped here and had dinner with us on their way to Carbondale to witness the eclipse.  But they stayed in Champaign for the night and then drove south the next day. 

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Laurie at Eliza June's Baby Naming Ceremony, 8-13-17

Neal "wearing" Eliza June as he and Laurie make apple sauce
 with apples from their yard way down the hill.

Hummer on Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

Dredging the Charterwood Farms Small Pond

More Oldies

Laurie and me tubing down the San Marcos River. 
Picture taken at Red's Texaco.  Late 70's I think.

Pete Hines first visit to 4600 Gardenville Rd. 
Digby and Pete talked about septic tanks.  April 2, 1966

A tired baby 1 year old Laurie after
tons of cake and fun.  October 12, 1968