SALEM OHIO DAY in SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Saturday, February 11th - 
We always look forward to Salem Day in Florida as we never know who we are going to see that we do not normally see when in Ohio. And we do not get here every year. So it is fun!!

Restaurant at Shell Factory in N. Fort Myers
where the dinner was held.

Think it is a tourist area!

Yummiest cake ever!!

About 80 attended, compared to the last time we were
here when 129 attended. They are just
beginning to arrive.

We were first greeted by Marian Beck's daughter, Shelly, who lives near Columbus with Marian across the street. The Beck's have been friends of ours for years, especially through Boy Scouts. It was great finding out that Marian is doing well. I do talk to her on the phone every now and then.

Audrey, Gary and Shelly

Along with Shelly and her husband John, we were greeted by Dale and Teresa Ozimek.
There were others greeting also as the committee of long standing has changed. They do a wonderful job.
They had a 50/50 and some prize drawings which I was lucky enough to win four tickets for the Neil Diamond Tribute to be held at Salem's High School Auditorium on May 7th.  Hope that we are in Salem to take advantage of this. Gary also won and got a package of cards with a different pencil drawing on each of Historical Homes in Salem, each done by a different artist. They are beautiful!! One was done by J C Siembieda. There were six winners from our table, which seemed very unusual. I am sure that everyone else thought so also!

Shelly, Theresa and Audrey

While we were catching up, Gary was doing the same with Tim Dean, who is a friend from way back in school and in Gary's early years at First Friends Church on E. Pershing Street.

Tim Dean and Gary

We chose a table and greeted others as they joined us. We knew the Kellys from First Friends and I knew Genesta from Farmers/Bank One/Chase through our banking years.

Genesta and John Vokovich,
Jim and Nancy Kelly

Charles Alexander

After a very delicious dinner, we had entertainment by Charles Alexander from Salem's class of 1966. I realized while he was talking that he was a son of Connie Alexander who we served with us on the Habitat for Humanity Board for many years. I was saddened to learn that she had passed away this past fall, right after Thanksgiving. His music was enjoyable and we hope that he will join us again.

I should be getting an email with a picture of all of the Salem attendees.  When I get this, I will add it to this Blog.
Adding group picture of Salem Day

Our next outing is tomorrow with dinner at Homer Restaurant in Sebring, Florida for all of the Ohio people who are here in Craig's RV Resort.  Gary goes to coffee each morning and was surprised to find that about a third (?) of the park are from Ohio.
We also go to Bingo on Monday evenings and surprise, I won $20 last evening. We spent the evening sitting with our neighbors who are from Indiana.  Since we do not have much shade near our motor home because of the angle that we are parked, we are not outside much!! I miss sitting out to read.
Wonder what else we will find to do the the last two weeks in this location?