Visiting Clevo-The UK connection

I popped into Clevo for a quick visit so see my sister Julie and her family; they live in the UK and try to visit the states annually. Richard and I came to see them last year but he couldn't join me this year due to his driving schedule.

On the way, made the usual lunch stop at Arby's
in Pittson PA (near Wilkes Barre-Scranton)

Arrived in Clevo Thursday evening after about a 10 hour drive.

Since my primary objective was to visit with Julie and her family, along with my Mom and siblings, I skipped going to see the Tribe in action (getting tickets is such a pain now-everything online and they want all your info. Not worth it. Can see it on TV or web or radio-but have to endure the homer announcer Tom Hamilton).

We all had a nice lunch in Peninsula at the Winking Lizard and were joined by my sister Mary Lynn (up from Jewett) and her daughter Monica. After lunch we stopped in the quaint nearby church, Mother of Sorrows.

When we returned home we were blessed with a nice visit from an old college friend of my sister Tina: Adriana and her two teenagers. I used to drive Tina and Adriana back and forth between Dayton and Clevo when I was working in that area and they wanted to come home for the weekend. It has been many years since I saw Adriana and I would not have recognized her if we had met on the street.

Me. Mary. Monica.

Harper is still hungry. The famous lizard (can you see it wink?).

I went with Matt & Julie and their kids to the West Side Market so they could shop and buy some meats (e.g., sausage, jerky).

It was fun to walk around and see all the different kinds of food available to purchase. Some exotic stuff too!

India, Harper, Saskia admiring the horned beast.

The famous West Side Market.

We met my brother David for a drink at the Market Garden Brewery next to the Market. This puzzled me because David was coming over in a bit to enjoy supper at the old BV Hts homestead.

Me, Saskia, Harper, Julie, India.

My brother Kurt and his wife, Peggy came over that evening and we had a big supper (Julie's Friday night pizza). Carol's friend, Tim, joined us around the campfire as we chatted and heard the Cuyahoga coyotes howl.

With mom.

Next morning (Saturday) was time for goodbyes and farewells. Another long drive back to CT. Hope to see yas next year.

-------------------------------

Links:

https://www.winkinglizard.com/locations/peninsula

http://www.motherofsorrowspeninsula.org/
http://westsidemarket.org/
https://www.marketgardenbrewery.com/

-------------------------------

Written Wednesday 25 December 2019.

Reach for the Stars

Me in front of the Spitz 512 Planetarium at the end of the show.

This was my third time attending the twice monthly planetarium shows for the public at the local college campus. The program was about different types of  stars. The planetarium is located in Nicolaus Copernicus Hall. (You know who he is, don't ya? If not, the links in the blue font will take you to where you can find out more.)

Entrance to the Engineering & Science Building
housing the planetarium/

When I arrived just in time for the 8 p.m. start, I was surprised to find the theater almost completed filled. The past shows were sparsely attended. I don't know what triggered so many folks to attend this show. However, I was able to sit in my usual seat in the back near the control console.

The Spitz machine

The show lasted roughly an hour. There was a 5th grade boy who seemed to know as much as the planetarium director. He had the right answers and it was humorous and refreshing to witness his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Once the show starts the lights are dimmed and the doors shut. When the stars are projected on the overhead dome, it is spectacular and awesome. Each time the audience is wowed. The show has typically begun with what's up right now in the night sky. However, like my previous two visits, the night has been cloudy.  The light pollution from the campus also doesn't help. So when I walked home, all I saw were clouds (thankfully,-since I ran out without my umbrella, it was only after I reached home that the rain came down).

Looking forward to the next show in two weeks.

-------------------------------

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetarium

https://web.ccsu.edu/astronomy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus
-------------------------------
Written: Sunday August 18, 2019.

Sunday at St. Andrew

I coordinated my Sunday morning walk today to try to get to St. Andrew, the nearby Lithuanian RC Church just off the multi-purpose path. The sign advertises a 9 a.m. Sunday Mass; I arrived  about 9:25 a.m. to find a bunch of cars parked out front and the doors wide open. I arrived at the "sign of peace"-which I interpret as favorable and symbolic.

Sanctuary at St. Andrew RCC.

The interior architecture was what I expected and hoped: Paintings of the saints above the columns, gorgeous stained glass windows, and a pipe organ. Unfortunately, the Mass was also what I expected: altar girl, woman Eucharistic Minister, woman organist (sappy simple trite songs). Most of the congregation was older than me and white (the neighborhood is not).

The parish was founded in (September 24) 1895 and this church was built in 1911. Unfortunately, there is no website for the church to give its history and describe the architecture of the church.

A few years ago, St. Andrew Church was merged with St. John the Evangelist Church to form Holy Apostles Parish. No daily mass or Saturday vigil; only Sunday at 9 a.m. However, the other church (St. John) has 10:30 am Mass followed by BINGO! every Sunday.

The Last Judgment by Christ the King.

I don't think the people realize what a treasure they have with this church. The closing hymn/song consisted of a single verse and then the people were heading for the exits. There is so much history and architecture here to treasure and contemplate.  Perhaps I'll try to return and make a more detailed inventory of the windows, stations, and saints.

----------------------------------------
Links:
https://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2019/05/third-sunday-in-may-no-rain.html
----------------------------------------
Written Sunday 11 August 2019

Heavenly Elephant Gals

I wasn't sure if I would ever hear from Fr. Hattie again after his last letter. But on August 3, 2019 I received an email with this letter (see below). The date, "Aug 3" in the upper right corner, is almost entirely cut-off (but in the original jpg the bottom of the letters are more discernible).

-------------------------------------

Fr. Hattie letter dated August 3, 2019 (see upper right)
received via email.

----------------------------------------

Once again, I am sharing a letter received from Fr. Gene Hattie, S.J. Below is my transcription of the letter shown above. According to my custom, I have tinted it a sort of aqua in memory of  the Aerograms that Father used to send.

My Fr. Hattie page contains a list of Father Hattie's letters that I have received and transcribed for this blog. It also contains contact information for Fr. Hattie as well as instructions for how to donate to help support his orphans in Nsumba, Uganda (Africa).

----------------------------------------

Aug 3, 2019     

My dear Rick:          Peace of Christ:

     Surprise! Many & sincere thanks for your beautiful Birthday [card] & message, appreciated more than you know. And, it arrived 'cheaply' & in good time. Another friend in the USA sent one by PRIORITY Mail at a cost of $65 and arrived in only 23 days. See how lucky you were.

     I'm looking forward to next month when 1 of my nieces & her daughter are coming to visit me. She is a lot of fun. Both are 'worshipers' of  elephants & we have plenty of them here. She has a room full of elephant statues, pictures and chairs. Near our house is where one feed giraffes with bread in your hand; an animal hospital and orphanage & camel rides. The two gals will be in heaven.

They can also see the calfs born with 7 legs...and me.

     GOOD NEWS! Most of our many governors and many government VIPs are being tried in courts for corruption in the millions/billions, but not 1 is in prison. I just wonder what would happen if ALL were imprisoned at once.

     Last week I went for a picnic with 100+ little kids & I had a ball. One small one on my lap kept pushing up my sleeve. When I asked him what he was doing, he was embarrassed & asked, 'Are you white all over or just the part we can see?'  

     My sight is rapidly going as you can see ' 'with my 2 index fingers & my 1 eye closed & they are warning me to finish. So, finish I will. Be sure that all the Pfisters [?] are in my daily Mass & prayers. Please remember them in yours. I'm 97.

Tons of love & gratitude,           

Fr. Gene, SJ                     

P.S. Thanks, too, for the Fathers Day card.

-----------------------------------------
Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2019/07/farewell-from-fr-hattie.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogram
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/p/letters-from-fr-hattie.html
-----------------------------------------
Written Sunday 11 August 2019

By Paul Mannix - Elephant,  Amboseli National Park, Kenya,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2612785

New Old Fr. Hattie Letter

Just posted a June 2016 letter from Fr. Hattie that was previously unpublished on this blog. I found it while going through my files.

------------------------
Written Saturday August 10, 2019.