Jan.27-Feb.2, 2006

WOW! What did you think of the weather on Saturday? Fantastic! I thought I fell asleep and woke up and it was spring. . It was great and everyone enjoyed it. We wish for more and perhaps we will get a little, but the calendar says winter is not over yet. So keep the snow shovel handy and a broom along side it.

Milford Joe fired up his Buick Park Avenue and gassed her up and we were off to Staten Island. Emotions were mixed, as we would be going to his sister's and attending her son's memorial plaque dedication. Richard T. Sclafani, a 10 veteran of Ladder Company 103 and Engine Company 290and just 37 years old.

We found JoAnn depressed, but religiously answering the many phone calls that came in. It was hard as the dedication was just 1 year and a day from the day Richard was killed fighting a basement fire in Brooklyn-Jan. 24, 2005.

A bus was available to take folks to Richard's Fire Hall on Sheffield Ave., Brooklyn. When we got there, there were people everywhere. Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta, Chief Peter Hayden and UFA Stephen Cassidy each addressed family, friends and fellow firemen with pride and love for this fallen hero. Some 9,000 people came to honor him. He was a brave man and did his job with love and compassion and vigor. He will be missed, but the plaque will remind those who see it in the fire hall that he died not in vain. JaAnn stood with her daughter, JoAnn Asch, as she delivered a message of love and honor for her brother. There was not a dry eye in the place and not a sound other then her voice. The Mayor announced that a street where the family lived would be renamed, to Richard T. Sclafani Drive. JoAnn brought a needed piece of equipment for the department and the firemen had another plaque for the fire engine. Following the dedication, the bus drove everyone to Russo's o the Bay, for a wonderful buffet. There everyone was able to mingle, reflect and remember.

On our return trip home, I noticed the snow had almost all melted leaving behind something I hate to see- garbage, cans, bottles, etc. along the roads and in the gutters. It costs money to pick all this up by state or county workers. A number of people in need of extra money will spend time and effort in retrieving deposit items, but the rest remains. Organizations clean up some on a program of Adopt a Highway. This should not be necessary if everyone took home what was brought in the car in the first place. Let's take pride in the beauty area we live and keep our roadways clean. Thanks in advance.

Dorothy Manley is a very civic minded and busy Senior Citizen, always helping out a friend or neighbor. She has had a busy social life of late. She helped Mary Harvey celebrate her 80thh birthday and then returned a few days later to help finish the birthday cake. She had a nice visit with Robert Sickler of Schuyler Lake one day and the she took it upon herself to visit Betsy White and on another day visit her son. Go for it Gal! I hadn't been home long when I had a feeling that I should check on Nancy Bowers of Schenevus who was diagnosed with colon cancer early this month. Many of you took my lead and prayed for her. I called the Blakes there and Uni told me that she was home and would probably not last an hour or so. I immediately told her I was coming and hailed Joe, who wanted to join me. I didn't tell him how bad she was, but he noticed I was driving faster then usual. Uni greeted us at the door with the news that Nancy slipped away quietly with long time companion, Don Blake at her bedside. A church couple was tending the children upstairs, the Hospice folks were gone and now it was quite. Uni had told Nancy I was coming and Uni said she said she wished I would. She wanted to see me when she was feeling better. And so it goes, another friend has gone to her reward. In the future I will share what a great gal she was.

I do a lot of shopping at Aldi's and every week I get a couple of dozen Goldhen's eggs. I hadn't noticed what was written on the top of the carton as I am usually in a mad dash, but I DID after visiting in Schenevus. Right on the top of the carton is: "This is the Day which the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it."-Psalms 118-24. I immediately thanked GOD for the blessings of the day. Incidentally there are some great recipes on the bottom of the carton as well.

Joe's daughter, Missy and her two two-year old twin girls spent a few days with him. Both girls have asthma ,but it didn't seem to stop them from having a good time with grandpa. They set up a campground in the living room and played and watched their favorite videos- Cinderella and The Ice Age. They are good girls.

Thought for the Week: If you love them, let them know. . .