OUR GRANDSON, RICHARD'S EAGLE COURT OF HONOR

We delayed our trip to warmer Florida to be sure to be present for our grandson, Richard's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. With many family and friends to see yet, it was not difficult to fill the time. However, it was difficult to stay warm at times! We learned the meaning of dressing in layers.

JANUARY 16, 2016 - COURT OF HONOR, Troop 2 of Salem, Ohio

While waiting for Ceremony time, we spent some time in the fellowship hall looking at pictures of Richie's life as scrapbooked by Grandma W. and at Richie's Eagle Project completed for the church.

Sister, Miranda and mom, Lynn

Pictures of the project in progress.
So glad that pictures were taken as I did not
get these in his personal albums.

Hardwood floor for a future cafe' and two back boards.
The corner on the right side is probably to be a project
for another scout in the near future (to have tile floor
and cabinets for kitchen area.

As seen from the opposite end when you enter
from the elevator area.

After the presentation of colors by the boy scouts of Troop 2, Rick Lutsch, Assistant Scout Master, introduced Jeff, the Troop 2 Scout Co-ordinator and Youth Director of the United Methodist Church and Ben, the Asst. Sr. Patrol leader..

Jeff, the Scout Co-ordinator and Youth Director
of the Church.

Ben, the Asst. Sr. Patrol Leader 

Ben had stories to tell of his first introduction to scouting and what affect Richie had on the beginning of his scouting life. It sure sounded like they have a very good relationship.

Then Richie was introduced to talk about his appreciation of all of his scout leaders and what it has meant in his life. I was so pleased with his confidence in speaking.

Rick Lutsch and Richie -
Richie has tried to slide right into the use of his
proper name, but the scouts still hang on to the nickname.

Mr. Lutsch also told stories of many camping experiences in Richie's life.  His sister, Miranda, was in awe at some of the stories told. I think that she was amazed at his character. He's always been the little brother to her. I am taking the liberty of copying her comments made on Facebook.
"Words cannot express how proud I am of my brother. Today I learned so much and heard people say and share amazing stories about him. He is the most caring, quiet, compassionate, kind person I know. He has accomplished so much already and hasn’t even graduated high school yet. I’m so happy for him. Congratulations again Boo, I love you so so much!"

Mr. Larry Cecil, Scout Master of Troop 2, then took over to give the Charge to the Eagle. In his talk he briefly told of the rough year that the Troop had when loosing fellow scouts in an accident when kayaking, and about Richie's feelings involved when he was told that his Eagle Award had been approved. I don't think there were many dry eyes. His talk then lightened the mood when sharing Richie's life, before presenting his mom with the Eagle ribbon to be pinned on Richie's shirt. Of course, then Mom and Dad were presented with their Eagle pins as well.

And the stories and meanings continues with Mr Cecil.

Mom Pins on the Eagle Ribbon

Richie's turn to put mom's Eagle pin on her.

Dad congratulates his son after receiving his Eagle pin!

The event then moved to the fellowship hall, after all of the congratulating handshakes and hugs, for sandwiches and cake.  Richie's aunt Barbara cut and served the cake for him. Thank you Aunt Barbara! And a wonderful time of fellowship followed. It was a great day.
Toward the end Mrs. Vadino stopped in to congratualte Richie. I was so glad for the few minutes to visit with her.

The weather held out as good as could be expected for that time of winter.  Only a little sleet rain/snow.

The local newspaper came in to take some pictures:

Richard, Richie, Lynn and sister, Miranda

A THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED FOR MAKING THE EVENT SUCH A SPECIAL MEMORY FOR RICHARD, JR AS WELL AS FOR MOM AND DAD!!

Our visit in Ohio is rapidly coming to an end. Since we know there is more severe winter weather ahead, we will be anxious to head south on Monday, January 18th.

Uncle Victor, Grandpa Wyatt, Richard, Lynn and Richie.
Sorry that Miranda and Doug could not attend!

Since Richie loves Chinese Buffet, we went to dinner on Sunday after church at the Royal Grill Buffet in Boardman to visit one last time and to say our goodbyes until May when we will return for graduation.  

BEGINNING NEW YEAR - 2016 !!

The New Year began with anticipation of a big important day for our grandson, January 16th. Hopefully the weather will hold until after that day before more severe winter sets in.

January 2 - we attended Gary's Class of '63 luncheon at BB Rooners. It was much better attended, with 21, than we had expected. We sat across from Rudy and Cecilia Hrovatic and spent much time sharing traveling good times and locations. They will soon be leaving for Ft. Pickens FL near Pensacola where we will be. It was a fun time.

January 3 - After church at First Friends we picked up Victor and drove to Niles to meet with Audrey's cousin and his wife at Applebee's.

Cousin, Larry, Gary, Victor, Audrey and Larry's wife Betty.

We had a good dinner and a great visit.  Hopefully we will get to go on farther north to their home in May or June while we are in Ohio again. Victor was their ring bearer 39 plus years ago and it is good for him to get to know them better.
When we got back home to Victor's, I got busy and printed out the invitations (one at a time) from the computer for our grandson's Eagle Ceremony that is coming soon.

January 4 - Gary had lunch at Bob Evans and a good visit with Pastor Pete of First Friends Church.

January 5 - Audrey attended the Home Saving & Loan Retirees Luncheon. We never know what the entertainment will be, so I was pleased that it was of interest to me. A retired main office employee, Howard Friend, gave a very interesting talk of his time serving the country during WWII until he was returned back to the states because of a severe leg injury. (Gary would really have enjoyed this also, but spouses were not invited.)

Howard Friend

Howdy, smiling in the center with his leg in traction.

After my luncheon, Gary went out to meet with the guys for First Tuesday on Tiffany Square in Boardman. First Tuesday is a group of men who at one time worked at E W Bliss in Salem. It is a great time for them to keep up with all of the news.

January 7 - Gary went to lunch with a friend, Dan.

January 8 - I went scrap booking at Michele's Scrapbooking Memories shop in the Alliance Carnation Mall. I hustled that day to get as much done as I could as I knew that I had to leave early. When leaving, I drove to Stage Coach Inn in North Georgetown for fish dinner with our son, Victor , Gary and Gary's friend, Rick.  It's always a good visit.

January 9 - Gary, Victor and I went to the Cleveland RV Show for a few hours of going through new RV's and looking a the newer products out for our life style. After we left there we stopped by a used gaming shop on Rocky River Rd for Victor to look around.

January 10 - After church at First Friends, we stopped by Gary's sister, Janet's, to visit a bit and stopped at Walmart. When Eugenia texted that they were home, we went there for a great visit and lunch of turkey/chicken soup.  We always look forward to those visits and the catching up.

January 11 - My day to have the car! To hear Gary tell it, you would think that I have the car all of the time. ( I just manage to pack all of my fun into two days so that I do not have to drive back and forth from Cornersburg to Salem so many times.) This day it was a haircut first, then a visit with a church and RVing friend, Diane. She has since had to quite traveling and is stuck pretty close to home now with 24/7 oxygen use. She seemed good this day and we spent time catching up. This was followed by Bible Study-prayer and praise at Cheryl's house. I will miss this group when we head south. I then again stopped by Janet's to visit and fill in time until my TOPS group meeting in the evening.
Victor has downloaded a program called Livingstrong.com on my i-phone so that I can keep track of my calories just like he is doing. Unfortunately, he has put on a few pounds from all of the eating and baking that I did while in his house for three and a half months and all of our dinners out. It will be interesting to see how we progress from now till May.  The program lets you figure manual calculations, search other lists, or scan barcodes on foods. I love the barcode method! I notice that Victor is doing his even before he eats.

January 13 - We stopped by Janet's again to visit and took her a flowering plant for her birthday.

January 14 - Began with a trip to Hobby Lobby to find an inexpensive album cover to put our grandson, Richie's, current 'work in progress' to be able to show it at his ceremony on Saturday. Later that day we met with Audrey's cousins and sister at O'Charley's in Niles for dinner. We really got cramped in a corner which was not conducive to a lot of visiting from one end of the table to the other. We really needed a round table. The next time we will know!!

Cousin's wives, Barb and Judy, my sister, Pearl and myself.

Victor next to my cousins, William and Tom.
They were close to my brother who passed away in 2013.
I have a great appreciation for that dedication from them.

We are quickly approaching the Eagle Ceremony which we are really looking forward to. We will share that in the next Blog. It is time to clean up and pack up here at Victor's. I would imagine that he is looking forward to having his home back in order as he knows it! It has been a good visit though!!

Take care and stay warm. We notice the colder weather approaching and the dampness along with it!!

ENDING 2015 and BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR in OHIO

December 27, 2015
The year is quickly coming to an end! Being tired of ham and sweets, we decided to take Victor and go to O'Charleys after church. The fish was good!!

December 28th,

Carol who is in the Bible Study that I have attended for the past three months, had a birthday.

Ann, Anna, Renaye and her granddaughter

Renaye and her grand daughter,Cheryl, Carol and Judy.

The group decided that this would be our Christmas celebration as well as a special day for Carol by going to Annabell's for lunch.  Very good atmosphere and fellowship there! I got to say "Hello" to Susie, the owner, but I think that she did not remember who I was. She had rented from us when we had the duplex on W. School Street many years ago when she was single.
The next couple of days were spent getting Gary's sister, Janet to a couple different doctors. I think that she is on the right track now and has some medication that will take care of her skin problem. It's been months coming on, so I am sure that it will take time to heal.

December 30th
We finally had a Salem branch Home Savings get-together of former employees. There were twelve of us and we enjoyed the evening at Ricky's English Pub. There surely was no shortage of conversation. In the process of coming up with names of all who worked in Salem sometime during my 28 years there, my final total is 52 names.  We were surprised, but I will try to get contact numbers for more of them before May when we will be back in Ohio.  We hope to get together again then.

December 31st
We decided to join a group of friends at the Conser's to celebrate the incoming year. Of course, there is always good food and much conversation.  Then several of the group decided to play Skip-bo, which is new to us. I watched and hope to get in on the game the next time.

Sandy, Carol, Bonnie, Nile, Don, Gary, Gary R and Gordon.

Gordon, Vivienne, Sandy and Nile.

Plans for New Year's Day, nada!!  Just a day to relax, read and watch TV with Victor.
Hope that you all had wonderful holidays!!  We wish you a Blessed and Healthy New Year.