Christmas Bazaar at the Presbyterian Home in Lockport, NY and more!!!!

I always try to go to the bazaars at the Presbyterian Home because they have such great deals on mostly handmade items, and collectible some vintage) items.  I always try to arrive as soon as they open the doors, but today I was a little late.  It did not matter much, since I got some great deals:

For a mere nineteen dollars I got all this stuff:

Three  baskets that I will donate to the auction at the CONNECT LUNCHEON at church which is coming up. A lovely hand crocheted throw which I will give to Peggy for Christmas,  milk glass boot which I hope to decorate for Christmas,  a huge Christmas ribbon and BEST of all  CERAMIC LIGHT UP CHRISTMAS TREE.  I was missing the one that I gave Christa when she was here last so this is a real treat!!!!   It works just fine and I already have it set up in my family room.  The whole batch of items cost me $19.00...... with a twenty percent coupon off, the ceramic tree only cost me four dollars.  I also bought two plates of treats for the Life Group later on today.  

Elaine was working there and she took me around to see some of the Christmas decorations.  

When I said to Elaine "see you tonight"  she said "what is tonight?"  so I reminded her of the Whalen art exhibit at the Bewley Building at six p.m.    

I decided to check out Goulds CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY.  I took a few pictures.

and I also went into GOULDS FLOWER SHOP.

Later on in the afternoon I conducted Peggy's LIFE GROUP since she is on vacation.  

In the evening I went with Elaine nd Nancy to the opening reception of a Joe Whalen (on loan) exhibit  on the fifth floor of the Bewley Building.

It was a great event.  The orderves were delicious and there were plenty of them  There was music

Dave Stockton.

Nancy bought a painting

It was a very nice event.

LIGHT UP LOCKPORT: Saturday, November 25, 2017

I decided to go to this yearly event by myself this year, because I wanted to combine it with going to the library to get caught up on reading the local newspaper.

I started out at WINDSOR VILLAGE.

They offered hot cider and donut holes and were well decorated for Christmas.

Then I went to the library and spent about a half hour reading the last several days newspapers.  Then I went to THE WAREHOUSE:  which was very well decorated.  

After a short stop at Niagara Produce to get milk, I went to the Methodist Church for refreshments, music and a large collection of nativities.  

They offered hot chocolate, hot cider, cold cider and homemade cookies!!!

On the way home, I stopped for a free slice o pizza at Papa Leo's. 

Thanksgiving 2017

I was disappointed when Peggy and David decided to take a trip that would take them away from Lockport at Thanksgiving.  But, it turned out great!

I invited my cousin Becky, my friend Betty, my friend Mary Ann,. and  Lydia.  Mary Ann is still recovering from her surgery and decided to stay home and rest.  Carrie is home for the holiday so it was her and I, Becky, Lydia and Betty.

Becky and Lydia each brought a pie and Betty brought rolls and a gallon of cider.  I had done a lot of cooking and preparing this past weekend.  Our menu consisted of turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes (with cream cheese), cranberry sauce, butternut squash casserole, corn casserole and pumpkin muffins.  The pies turned out to be raspberry and pumpkin, served with ice cream (courtesy of Betty) and whipped cream.    EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS!!!!!

Becky told a lot of stories and we laughed a lot!!!!

Friday, November 17, 2017 Roswell and First English Lutheran Church Thanksgiving Dinner

I picked Barb up at her apartment and she and I went to Roswell to visit Mary Ann this morning.  We found her in good spirits and stayed forty minutes or so before heading back to Lockport.  I was still a bit worn out from yesterday so I rested for a couple of hours before getting ready for the annual Thanksgiving dinner at my friend Bonnie's church.

Elaine picked me up and we met Darlene and Peggy and David there.  It was a great meal.  We met the new vicar and his family.   There was a larger crowd than usual, in fact they had to set up an extra table.

Roswell: Thursday 11/16/17

My friend Mary Ann recently found out that she has breast cancer again.  She had  a lumpectomy and  radiation twelve years ago, and now once again she has it.  Since she does not have any family, I am trying to be there for her.

Her friend Bianca planned to come from Connecticut to accompany her to Roswell  for surgery today but her asthma is acting up and she is trying a new medicine and her doctor told her she should not make the several hour drive.  Her brother, Joe, agreed to take Mary Ann and I to Roswell.

They picked me up a little after eleven.  We arrived a little early for her scheduled arrival and she started the paperwork.  Her surgery was delayed due to the length of the previous surgery her doctor was performing.  I think she went in to surgery around 4:30.  It took three hours and then the doctor came out and told Joe and I that all went well.   Just after she went into surgery, I found this SWEET BUFFALO ROCK near the registration desk.

Joe and I saw her for a few minutes after she was taken to her room.  She was awake and could converse.  I told her the doctor had given us a good report.  We went back to Lockport and Joe dropped me off.  It was an extremely long day.

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH at Faith Tab 11/15/17

Once again, Faith Tab offered two free THANKSGIVING dinners, tonight and tomorrow night.  This morning I cooked a turkey and dropped it off early afternoon.

My cousin Becky picked me up a little before five thirty and we went over to the church.   I offered to help out since we were early, but everything was under control.

We switched tables a couple of times.  My second cousin Bridget and her son Owen and grandson "Little Owen" came.  Our table consisted of then, Becky, myself, Marlene, Peggy and David and Davids daughter Kelly and her two sons.  It was so neat to spend time with people from both sides of my family tree!  My mothers side and my fathers side.  Bridget looks so much like my paternal grandmother.  Her grandmother (Celia) was married to one of my grandmothers brothers (Frank, I think).  I never met Frank, but I remember Ceil (that's what we called her).  She lived less than a block away with her daughter Rosemary (not Bridget's mother).  Here is a three generation picture (Bridget, her son and grandson)

The turkey dinner was delicious

There were two short videos and Craig spoke.  he did a great job!.  Then desert was served.  Becky and I left right after desert.  It was a great evening.

VETERAN'S DAY PRESENTATION at Cold Springs Cemetery (11/11/17)

   When I saw a poster announcing this at TOPS, I took a picture and put it on several Lockport pages in Facebook.  Why? Because once again, my brother Mike was the speaker.

I invited Peggy and David to join me at Cold Springs, but they were late and missed most of Mike's speech.  He was great!!!!!  Here are a few pics.

also  here is one of Mike and Peg after the ceremony. 

After the ceremony, Peg and I went to visit our friend Myrna, who is going through chemo. and not feeling well.  We had a nice visit.  Then I took Peg to the church so she could unlock the door for the electrician.  

CHRISTMAS BOXES and RESTAURANT DEPOT

Every year this time, I go with Peggy to deliver the CHRISTMAS BOXES put together by Faith Tab.  We take them to a church in Pendleton.  I met up with Peg at church and helped put the boxes in her car and we headed out. 

Here are the Faith Tab boxes after we delivered them:  .

The guy helping us said that last year they collected  eighteen hundred boxes.

Then we went to RESTAURANT DEPOT in Buffalo so Peg could pick up some items for the upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner at Faith Tab.  We found most of them.  It was kind of an experience, everything is sold in bulk and you have to use these huge wagon like carts.  

They do not turn easily.  We had to go into a huge freezer to get the butter and cream cheese.   Here are a couple more pictures I took at RESTAURANT DEPOT, the first is in the freezer above where they were selling seafood.

 look at this thirty four quart pot!!!!!

The DALE!!!

Yesterday I saw in their newsletter that they planned a Swallow Screening done by University of Buffalo clinicians.  I decided to go to this.  When I got out of my car, I spotted Marlene, who was there for the same purpose.

We both had the screening and I think it was very helpful.  Alexis did  the screening and then she and I met with Caroline Lewandowski.  She made some suggestions.  

Before we made it to the screening room, a volunteer told us about a "Meet the Author" event down the hall.  I went to that while waiting for Marlene to finish her screening.  The author is a local woman, Kelly Artieri, who wrote A SPOT IN MY HEART about her special needs dog, Vinnie.

I did not have my camera with me, so I found this online.  (her hair is shorter now, I think).   I think Megan, Christa and Connie would all like this book.  

Marlene and I were heading out when a volunteer named Lorraine stopped us and tried to interest us in card playing.  I mentioned to her that my Dad used to go to the Dale to play dominoes and she insisted on taking me to the cafeteria to meet Shirley.  

Lorraine asked Shirley "who was our favorite man here at the Dale".  Shirley thought for a few  seconds and said "Bud Niethe".    Lorraine introduced me to Shirley.  Both Lorraine and Shirley commented on the fact that Dad was "such a gentleman".  I was so touched that I almost started to cry.  I told Lorraine and Shirley how important "the Dale" (Lockport's Senior Association) was to Dad.

Shirley gave me a menu for upcoming lunches and I plan to see if Marlene will accompany me some day to have lunch there.  

Turkey Dinner at Cambria Congregational Church

Once again, I got to go to this church dinner.  Elaine picked me up since I really should not drive after dark until after my second cataract surgery.  Sue and Darlene also went.

Even though we arrived late because Sue's son arrived late to pick her up, there was plenty of food left.  The meal consisted of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash and corn, roll and butter, drink and homemade deserts.  They sold extra deserts for a dollar each.

Everything was delicious.  

WINE AND CHOCOLATE PAIRING and MORE onSaturday, November 4, 2017

I started out the day by going to AUTUMN SPLENDOR Vendor Fair at All Saints Church,  I was only there a few minutes, and I purchased a small wooden snowman for Betty for Christmas.   At ten thirty Peggy picked me up to go to Gasport for the AUTUMN BAZAAR at Covenant United Church of Christ.   I purchased squash, a decorated pumpkin and some carrots.  We ran into Elaine and Nancy there.

Back in Lockport, we stopped at ALL SAINTS so Peg could pick up a gallon of chowder that she ordered.

I went home and was getting ready to lay down for a bit when Betty called and cancelled.  I immediately called Elaine and left a message asking her to join us if possible.  I was glad that she could.  

Peggy and David picked us up and we headed to Ransomville for a WINE AND CHOCOLATE PAIRING (for six) that Peggy won at the CareNet Banquet.  We met Lisa and her friend at Gust of Sun Winery in Ransomville. 

I was disappointed to find out that our pairing took place right at the bar, in front of the door, amid lots of drinking and loud talk.   Apparently, a group had arrived on a bus.  After a while they left and it quieted down some.  Each of us were able to try four wines, each accompanied by a piece of chocolate.  I tied two whites, one red and then had a white desert wine.  I cannot say I was thrilled with any of the wines, so I am glad chocolate was a part of this event.

 I think Elaine enjoyed herself, she purchased a bottle of wine.   Peggy said she may have drank a tablespoon of wine.  I drank more than her but I only finished one glass: the last one which was a desert wine.

We were  all given a souvenir glass to take home!

On the way home we all agreed that it was a once in a lifetime experience and we most likely will not do it again.  

Tour of BUFFALO CITY HALL...................it finally happened!!!!!!

Mary Ann and I decided to ONCE AGAIN try to take a lunch time tour of City Hall in Buffalo.  We have been trying off and on for a few months, but it seems that the volunteer tour guides do not always fulfill their obligations.  This morning I called and attempted to find out if todays volunteer was going to be there.  At first the answers were vague but on my last call just before Mary Ann pulled in my driveway confirmed that the tour was on!!!!!

Our tour guide was really good.

  There were several people on the tour.  We went into 

COUNCIL CHAMBERS where the councilmen meet.  

After the tour, we went to BETTY'S RESTAURANT for lunch.

We both had the chicken salad sandwich with a side salad.  It was very good.  We stopped at Paula's Donuts on the way back to Lockport.