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

My Wubble

Laurie, Tim and the girls were here around my birthday, and presented me with a few terrific gifts, the best was a Wubble.  Last time when we were at their house, there were 2 Wubbles in their big room and I went nuts over them.  Apparently one of the girls was invited to a birthday party and the Wubble was to be the birthday present, but they learned there were to be no gifts and thus they decided to give it to me!

 

Daad's Detailed Account of the Pittsburgh Trip

THE PITTSBURGH SAGA: July 14-18, 2017

Uncle Bro suggested to his twin that we all convene in Pittsburgh for a long weekend. It suited his attending a Classic Car Event and Race in Schenley Park. I told Meema that if she wanted to do it, she’d have to be the organizer at our end. She did a fine job with the weekend, and got Laurie & family involved, also. It was a truly memorable weekend. Included were: Jan Hyde; Judy Hyde + Ed Hines; Laurie + Tim Ackermann and Signy, Roslyn, &  Liesl Ackermann.

We had the girls (Signy, Roslyn, Liesl) at our house for the week before. They stayed with us after their Madeline Island adventure during which Laurie nearly cut off her thumb with an ax! She had to go to a hospital emergency, taking the Madeline Ferry back to Ashland, then stayed overnight in a motel because they missed the return ferry. After a glorious week with the girls, we flew from BMI to PIT on Friday, July 14^th. It’s always great to fly with the girls! We stopped at the PIT Airport to get something to eat at their good food court, got a premium car with GPS, and wended our way to Pgh via the Parkway (I-376). It was of course under construction, bumper to bumper going out, off & on going in. We got that wonderful view of the city from the Ft Pitt Bridge, then straight ahead on Liberty Ave, right on 6^th Ave, out Bigelow Blvd (the beanie [Arena] is no longer), Baum Blvd, Penn Ave to the Spring Hill Suites at Bakery Square. Uncle Jan was already there, having driven his Mini-Cooper that day from Brooklyn. The girls went exploring, got stuck in a stairway that went nowhere, finally exited via the fire escape (alarm didn’t sound), and Roslyn broke out in tears when she saw how mad we were (worried about our girls!). We 7 had a late dinner at the “Social” eatery at Bakery Square.

Sat. We all drove (two cars) to Westview Cemetery to Mim & Digby’s graves. It looked beautiful, but they had lots of rain earlier in the season.  Then into town, dropping off Jan at his car show in Schenley Park, then to Bellefield Ave where we spent an hour in Heinz Chapel, meeting a young couple doing their wedding rehearsal, hearing the mighty organ play the Lohengrin Wedding March, & showing Laurie, Tim, & girls the Chapel. MARVELOUS. We walked over to the Cathedral of Learning & took the elevator to floor 36, then a little elevator to floor 40. We then drove up to Mt Washington (Duquesne Hts incline too busy). We found the Grandview Saloon & had a wonderful lunch. Fabulous views of downtown Pittsburgh! Then back to motel for quick rest, picked up Jan, & drove to West Station Square to catch the Gateway Clipper & a 3-hr Captain’s Dinner cruise on – Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio!

Sun. Kids did Kennywood Park. Jan & Judy drove to 4600 Gardenville Rd, Caste Village, etc. I slept (!), then had lunch at Panera’s on the 1^st floor of the Spring Hill Suites Bldg. After a rest, we + Jan drove to Squirrel Hill & had dinner with Feinerts at the Smallman St Deli (not good).

Mon. We + Jan drove to Indiana, PA to visit Ina Rae Abrams in her new place, like a one-floor condo but with good basement where Stephen, Meredith, & Maya Camille stay. Jan drove on to NYC & home. We returned to Pgh & had dinner at the Eat ‘n Park in Edgewood. We drove around Shadyside, past 507 Shady several times!

Tues. We checked out, did the Rodef Shalom Biblical Garden, had lunch with Feinerts at the “Social” at Bakery Square, drove to the Airport, & flew home. PIT to ORD to BMI, arriving at 10:35 p.m.

Meema Sang in the Heinz Chapel Choir Every Tuesday at Noon

She always wanted to be married there.  And on June 26, 1966 she married the love of her life, Ed Hines in Heinz Chapel.   Our friend Tom Clark sent us this link that tells about the restoration of Heinz Chapel.

Thank you, dear Tom.  By the way, Tom was in our wedding!  

Pittsburgh Trip, July 14th - July 18th 2017

My twin, Jan, fondly known as Bumpkin,suggested we travel to the Burgh because there was to be a big car event in Schenley Park. Great idea, Uncle Bumpkin!

After Laurie/Tim and the girls spent time at Madeline Island Camping, they drove back here and left Signy, Roslyn and Liesl at our place.   They returned to TX making it through in their trusty Odyssey in one day!  We flew to Pittsburgh on Friday, July 14, and we all met at the Spring Hill Suites in Bakery Square.

At Westview Cemetery at Digby and Mole's Graves. 

There is a row of 15 ginkgo trees that line the road 

in back of the graves!

In Heinz Chapel

4600 Gardenville Road, not in the best shape

At the Biblical Garden at Rodef Shalom.  Oh how I love this Garden.

We ran into Rabbi Walter Jacob in the lobby!  Which reminds me

I want to send another donation to Dr. Jacob.  Once he wrote to me

"Judy, you always have a home here."

Wonderful picture of Uncle Bumpkin and Tim Ackermann

Eliza June Hines born in Seattle, June 17th 2017 -- Laurie and Tim's wedding anniversary date!

Eliza June with her big sister, Gabriella

Eliza's first yawn!

Eliza wearing Feinert's bib purchased at Rodef Shalom Gift Shop. 
 Proud Daddy!

Eliza's first picture -- still at birthing center

12 Thunderbird Drive, Ballston Lake, NY

Laurie and Neal -- Remnants of the three-level tree house Daad built are still there! 

 

CAPTAIN -- Facebook

CAPTAIN's Facebook page is comprehensive.

Upon returning home, Sue Catroppa called to ask if I would like to be the honorary chair person of a gala they are celebrating in October to commemorate 40 years of service.  No work, just be there!  In the meantime, I found contact information for Donna Rudzinski, another person who was instrumental in the founding of CAPTAIN, but sadly, she had to leave the group early-on because her husband was in a dreadful motorcycle accident.  So I was on my own, however had a small board of directors who were wonderful.  As Sue said during our visit, "I am the missing link" on their detailed Excel spreadsheet listing all important steps in the development of the program. 

CAPTAIN

Pete and Pat Simpson who live in Clifton Park, south of Saratoga Springs, was our last stop before flying home.  Pete is a long-time friend of Ed's who went to Deerfield as well as Colgate.   Pete said, "Judy, do you know what has happened to CAPTAIN over the years?"

When Ed was offered his first professor-ship at SUNY, Albany we moved to Clifton Park as well.  It was a bedroom community with little for teenagers to do.  A few of us met and started CAPTAIN,Community Action Program for Teens and Interested Neighbors offering a Friday Evening Drop-In Center at the Junior High with pizza and we hired one counselor who had hours after school in a small office at the Town of Clifton Park building.   However, before we went ahead to develop the program, we did a survey with the students which told us the need was there.   To add to the fun, we invited teens to the Town Hall to create a name for the program and that is how the name CAPTAIN came about.

I contacted CAPTAIN and introduced myself as one of the founders, and was connected with the Executive Director who was more than happy and surprised to hear from me.   CAPTAIN has a budget over 2 million dollars!  We met for over an hour and learned of the multitude of services CAPTAIN offers.  From their website:  "We are a volunteer-driven nonprofit, helping young people and their families navigate the rough waters of poverty, substance abuse, homelessness, violence, academic challenges, family dysfunction, human trafficking, and more.  CAPTAIN has developed into one of the most recognized and highly respected volunteer-driven organizations serving the principal needs of youth, individuals and families in Saratoga County and beyond."

The name has been slightly changed:  Community Action for Parents, Teens and Interested Neighbors.

Sue Catroppa

CAPTAIN has more than 50 volunteers.

One food pantry

More items -- diapers, shampoo, etc.,

Fresh foods