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.