Soptember 30, 2010

Tonight we had a 2010 Founders Day Committee meeting and accomplished a great deal of discussion about logistics. The mayor, police chief were there and all the special events of the day were discussed along with advertising and last minute details such as portable restrooms, water and electricity for food vendors and special guests such as authors and dignitaries. It should be a  fun time for all involved.

September 29, 2010

Spent another 4 hours working on the wheelchair ramp, took care of some business orders at home, then went for a soothing cup of coffee. Got back in time to prepare beans and rice with sausage for the working lady.

September 28, 2010

This is our second full day of construction and the circular wheelchair ramp is taking shape very well. We should be able to finish up tomorrow if the treated lumber holds out. We will cut the 4x4's to 32" and add hand rails and wheel stops. Stay tuned for the final photo.

September 27, 2010

We have finally started to make good progress on the curved wheel chair ramp we are building for Clyde Skenks mama. The ramp must follow the curve of the sidewalk which is almost a full 90 degrees. Hope to have it finished by Wednesday. Missed Kiwanis because we were "under the gun" to finish the first and second section today

September 26, 2010

After church this morning I checked on the progress of the Knights Room and it is looking great. Will need some more paint and a threshold for the front door. Headed off to get some lunch and will go to the Mobile Museum while Deb is working. Sure did enjoy our leisurely Saturday in Fairhope.

September 25, 2010

Saturday was tour day of five different homes with model railroad layouts. Most of them were in Fairhope and Point Clear. Deborah came along and we had a great day eating lunch with members of the club and shopping later at the shops in Fairhope and stopping at Bass Pro Shop to get a birthday gift for our son, Mark,

September 23, 2010

Today was spent shooting a transit line to determine the slope of a wheelchair ramp the Knights of Columbus are building for an elderly lady. Then it was off to Lowes to buy 4X4's, 2X6's and concrete anchors to start the project. We also picked up another two boxes of wood flooring to finish the Knights room.

The photo today is from a group of pictures our daughter sent of our granddaughter, Debbie Jo.  I call this one: Rapunzel in the tower.

September 22, 2010

Upon arriving at my church this morning, I was amazed at how great the new flooring in the Knights Of Columbus room looked. Everyone has worked hard to acheive the remodeling of the old school building at St. Thomas. After "watching" my buddy, Frank Coate change out the ballast transformer in a ceiling fixture, we headed over to an elderly woman's home to measure for a wheelchair ramp. A quick trip to City Hall to check my mail, then on to the bank and it was almost time to take my bride out for dinner. With a good meal finished, we drove down to Serda's for coffee and a listen to the songwriters that show up every Wednesday evening.

September 21, 2010

And so it begins. . . as summer officially ends and fall starts without notice in Alabama, the pumpkins appear. This is the front of Fresh Market, imploring you to take home TWO;  I guess one for the front door and one for a pie!  In the meantime we are sprinting for the deadline on Founders Day. . . much to do and very little time before October 30th.  The people waiting until the last minute to obtain a booth, petty arguments between members of the committee and the same usual suspects ramroding the action. What a rush!

September 20, 2010

At our Kiwanis meeting we heard from two ladies heavily invested in lecturing on Autism. Ginny McKinnley, who has an 18 year old autistic son and Robin Blackwell, having a grandson suffering from the same condition gave us some reasons why, and in what percentage, this occurs in children. The Kiwanis, having a great deal of concern with children, were particularly interested in this report. These children are not retarded as some observers believe, but are unable to express their feelings or needs in a rational way. Yesterday afternoon Deb and I attended our Citizen Of The Year: Nell Autrey's reception

put on by the Citizen Of The Year Club. It was an enjoyable event. 

September 19, 2010

I was up this morning at 5 AM to get ready to attend the Methodist Men's Breakfast, where I spoke about the Chamber. Don't even ask me how tired I am at 1 PM in the afternoon!  Deb and I had lunch with the Czajkowski's. Charles and I are knights together and Deb and Margaret are in the ladies Auxiliary.  This afternoon, we will head to the Civic Center to add our congrats to Nell Autrey on her Citizen Of The Year reception being thrown by Barbara Pulliam.

September 18, 2010

It's Coastal Clean-Up Day on our waterfront at Brooks Park. Ms. Lisa Brazzleton sent out all the tee-shirts, paperwork and testing equipment to get this yearly project started. Some of the ground workers picked up a significant amount of paper and plastic, while those working the waterways pulled out an entire child's kitchen set from the bogue along with cans, rope and bottles. Carnes Craig provided chili-dogs and chips with plenty of water to keep folks hydrated.   Pictured are volunteers and the testing of the water for impurities.

September 17, 2010

Last evening Deborah and I were invited to the Municipal Dinner hosted by the cities of Mt. Vernon and Creola. It occurred somewhat simultaneously with a 2010 Founders Day meeting scheduled for that same time slot. Mr. Henry Phillips, one of our fine councilmen, asked that we drive him to the dinner, since he has a hard time with his night vision. So I took him to the Founders Day meeting, gave my report, then swung back and picked up Deborah who had just come from downtown. The dinner was excellent, good networking with friends and Commissioner Merceria Ludgood brought us up to date on what was in store for Mobile County. Our friend, Adam Bourne, was voted into office as President of next years Municipal Association.

September 16, 2010

The Chamber Of Commerce lunch today by sponsored by the Chickasaw  Development Corporation and catered by Rogers Barbeque. We presented a plaque to Mike Sweet for their brilliant work in building seven brand new homes in the area when other cities have had a marked downturn in home sales. By using creative financing, all but a couple have been sold.
It was the occasion to honor Ron Bush Inc. for Business of the Month in our

city. They contribute greatly to this community. Our main speaker was Judi Gulledge, director of the Mobile Carnival Museum who spoke at length about their role as historians and keepers of the ceremonial robes and
scepters from all of the past Mardi Gras events. Yes, Mobile was the first city to have a Mardi Gras and No, Joe Cain didn't start the celebration, but brought it back after the Civil War to lift spirits.

September 15, 2010

After getting a hundred or so newsletters, forms and letters copied for the Chamber, I dropped by City Hall to leave some Commercial Board papers for Carnes Craig and pick up the Board mail.  If Deb feels up to it, we will catch the Songwriters Night at Serda Coffee downtown later.

September 14, 2010

We attended the Saraland Chamber Of Commerce today where Mayor Ken Williams and Commissioner Merceria Ludgood were the speakers. Both talked about the rapid growth in Saraland where Mayor Williams surmised that 80%

of the Thyssen Krupp permanent workers have settled in Saraland. They confirmed that I-65, between Hwy. 158 and Celeste will become six lane and that new turn lanes will be added from Hwy 43 to Celeste. Williams danced around about a new addition to Saraland which he refused to announce at this time. (Rumors on the floor was a 5 story Conference Center to be built by a large hotel chain) Lunch was catered by Wintzells.

September 13, 2010

At Kiwanis today we were pleased to have Kuran Holden from the Mercy Ships speak to us. These ships go from port to port in African Countries and perform surgeries for people with cleft palates, tumors, deformed limbs and spread good will from the United States to that land. Kuran brought his wife and two sweet children to eat lunch with us and as always, they were a delight to see. The club voted to give them a $100. donation at meetings end.

September 12, 2010

After Mass this morning Deb worked on her Womans Club  year book and we had a friend drop over for a glass of wine. I received pictures from my reunion last week and here is one from the old "Geezers" club with the guys attending Columbia Military Acadeny at the same time that I was there.

September 11, 2010

This was opening night for the Mobile Symphony at the Saenger Theatre. Scott Speck directed several familiar movements including Capriccio Italien Opus 45 by Tchaikovsky and Pines Of Rome by Respighi. The crowd was delighted with both and after the concert a private party was thrown for the musicians and season ticket holders. Wine and heavy hors de oeuvres were served.

September 10, 2010

After a busy day for both of us, we went to the LoDa Art Walk, downtown, for a quiet dinner at Spot Of Tea and a walk through the gallery. Too bad we were so full from dinner since the gallery always offers some mighty fine snacks. The facade of the building has changed with a new sign and awning across the front. Our big surprise while going back to the car was seeing Jim Hayward, one of our favorite artists, exhibiting in the NoJa courtyard. We immediately invited him to exhibit at the Founders Day event and he agreed to do so.

September 9, 2010

This evening Deborah and I attended "40 Days For Life", an alternative to the abortion clinic campaign done during the Fall and Spring. I ran into some of my Knights Of Columbus dignitaries including our State Deputy: Ray Carney and

State Secretary: Joe Behr. We met at the Original Oyster House in the private room where we enjoyed a delicious crabcake and shrimp dinner. Earlier today I had diagnosed the problem with the library video system as a faulty cable and met with Michelle Adams, principal of Chickasaw School Of Math and Science about her sound system.

September 8, 2010

We had a good Industrial Development Board meeting last night, welcoming our two new members: Doc Greene and Kristi Lanford. Our speakers were Bill and J.B. Baltz from USI at the Port Of Chickasaw.They spoke of the work they have been doing, erecting their permanent offices and warehouses and the many vessels being renovated and cleaned in Berth 4. There were several guests including Adam Bourne, Margaret Czajkowski, Sherrie Graham and Tina Alexander along with Code Inspector Carnes Craig.  Today at Kiwanis we had general elections where Ervin Dailey became president and Carnes Craig vice president. Secretary Adam Bourne and treasurer Jim Trout remained the same.

September 7, 2010

At Garden Club today, we elected new officers. Cathy Johns is now our president, Marilyn Jones our vice president and Barbara Pulliam our
secretary. The program and refreshments today were furnished by our outgoing president, Ervin Dailey. We voted to participate with a booth in the Founders Day event and also plant daffodils in back of the Smalltown/Downtownsl plaque awarded by Governor Bob Riley.

September 6, 2010

There is nothing better than a good horror flick to scare the dog-squeeze out of you and this seemed to be the best opportunity the see "The Last
Exorcism". If I have bad dreams it can only be blamed on me. It's a

scintilating little flick about a previously bad preachers boy who take a film crew on a con-man exorcism just to show his tricks of the trade.  Unfortunately for him and the crew, the sixteen year old girl is really posessed and, as they say: "hilarity ensues".The ending works out not to be good for anyone.

September 5, 2010

Last night we dropped by our newly found Saturday night hangout, where a birthday bash was underway for Clyde Napp, a just turned 70 year old rhythm guitarist with the Country Music Association. Clyde is pictured with a couple

of his comely grandaughters who arranged the suprise and the guitar shaped  and "young portrait" cakes.  After Mass this morning we went out for breakfast and later I am shown preparing to "feed my homies" on Labor Day Sunday.

September 4, 2010

I was going to try to make it over to Ocean Springs for their fall festival this morning, but they wanted me to help out with the Knights Of Columbus meat distribution. Just the smell of those freshly smoked ribs, Boston butts and hams made us all salivate. While I was there, Mayor Pittman and Carnes Craig came by to pick up their Labor Day goodies. Now I'm off to get a large glass of iced tea and maybe nibble on some ribs.

September 3, 2010

It's just about time for tree planting sponsored by Home Depot at the schools again.  Michelle Adams reminded me that the new Chickasaw School of Math and Science will be initiating a vegetable and flower garden for the children.

I will be meeting with Michelle Tuesday to find out what type of sound system she is looking to purchase and looking forward to a great Labor Day weekend.

September 2, 2010

Today I set about getting caught up on correspondence, billing and office tasks. During the evening I attended a 2010 Founders Day Committee meeting at the library. There appeared to be a lot of bickering and the only thing decided was to use the band from the Country Music Association. I will call them tomorrow and let them in on the good news.

September 1, 2010

I had a meeting with James Moon who wishes to open a tire shop at 209 West Lee Street, next door to Hurricane Electronics. He would be selling mostly used tires (tires that were replaced from warranty where only one of the four was defective) and some new tires. I explained to him that the property would have to be kept extremely clean and be presented to the travelers on Lee Street as tidy and professional. The Commercial Board will meet when the two members on vacation return.