October 31, 2010

Halloween and we are having great fun. This morning Deb and I attended a Quarterly Communion Mass at Little Flower Church on Government St.

where we had breakfast afterward and heard from some Knights Of

Columbus friends, This afternoon we ate an early dinner with Charles and Margaret, came home for dessert and made ready for the "trick or treaters".

October 30, 2010

If I had to render an opinion, I would say that the Founders Day was a qualified success. While there were a few mistakes made, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Shown are the historic marker dedication, an appearance by Eddie Eagle and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Amy Pittman, who in recovering from a almost fatal motorcycle accident. The Chamber Of Commerce did well for the upcoming year.

October 29, 2010

This afternoon I set up sound systems, loaded water into coolers and cleaned up the historic Chickasaw caboose in preparation for tomorrow's Founders Day.

 And this evening Deborah and I attended a party at Frank and Mary Lu Coates home. Great food, wine and beer and some excellent company. The place was decorated beyond reproach. . . vampires, pumpkins, ghosts. Frankenstein's monster and that was just in the front yard. Gave us a chance to unwind after a busy day.

October 28, 2010

I tried to get into the City caboose museum to clean today, but my key wouldn't work, so I'll get one from somebody tomorrow. Had some coupons printed for the University Of Mobile band to use Saturday and we grabbed some coffee to cancel the 2:00 PM drags. Spent a good deal of time finishing paperwork and I'm ready to install sound equipment tomorrow. Founders Day is almost here.

October 27, 2010

Since the Owner of Quality Cleaners was out of town during the last Chickasaw Chamber Of Commerce meeting, I delivered the Business Of The Month award to them personally. Ken McWain runs a great establishment frequented by hundreds of Chickasaw residents. Because his employees are

always courteous and smiling, it was an easy decision to give them this plaque. Receiving the award is Ashley McWain, Ken's daughter.

October 26, 2010

I showed up at the council meeting tonight which was poorly attended. There were no general problems except a gentleman who is extremely dissatisfied with our garbage service and complains that one councilman won't accept "outside calls" while the other hangs-up on him. Both Mickey Day and Ross Naze disputed his claim, one commenting that he must have called the wrong number and the other saying that the man "cussed" him out. On a happy note, we praised a group of eight seniors belonging to Master Game Seniors who
managed to take awards in bowling and walking. Six of the eight are pictured above receiving applause from the courtroom.

October 25, 2010

At Kiwanis today, Rev. Spencer Walker spoke about the trials and tribulations they have had getting into their new church, Center Point Assembly Of God. They found out that the land they had purchased, which is about twelve acres, was essentially deemed as "wetlands". This forced them to deal with the Army Corp. Of Engineers and ADEM, who can be particularly picky about what can and cannot be done to interfere with those wetlands. After much negotiation and the use of other Chickasaw churches, Spence decided that God used this to bring their members closer to the other church congregations.

October 24, 2010

Last evening we attended the Mobile Piano Recital at Davidson High School Performing Arts auditorium. It was kind-of-a "Ferrante and Teicher on

steroids" type festival with up to twelve artists playing at the same time. Our friend Jackie Benson was one of the participants. Today, St. Thomas Catholic church had their annual Picnic at Amelia Park in Saraland. There were tables and tables of good food as well as grilled chicken and good friendship. The Czajkowski's and the Barnes sat with us at the event.
Pictured are Deborah, Margaret Czajkowski and her niece.

October 23, 2010

Today was Harvest Day for Saraland with entertainment and merchants down at the end of Walmart's parking lot. There were lots of food and the kids were having a great time. The event was Emmcee'd by Mandy Miller

Trout Whigam who is a natural for that kind of gathering. It lasted from 9 AM till about 2 PM.

October 22, 2010

Last night I attended the Mobile Co. Municipal Association dinner with some of my friends and was pleased to help celebrate Councilman Adam Bourne being sworn-in as the new president. Several Chickasaw councilpersons attended as well as our mayor and his wife. A resolution

was read to make past president Troy Ephraim: president emeritus. The dinner took place at the Mobile Co. Greyhound Race Track VIP room, owned now by the Tribe of Poarch Indians.

October 21, 2010

In today's meeting of the Chamber Of Commerce we honored the Chickasaw School Of Math and Science by presenting a savings bond to Brandon Derr, an exceptional student, and giving a gift certificate to Rhonda Stacey, his teacher. Our speaker was Colonel Hudson McDonald, a retired engineer who was responsible for the Army's development of "night vision" goggles back in the 60's. McDonald will also be on hand at the Founders Day, October 30, to sign copies of his book. The meeting was sponsored be Sevren Trent (management company for Prichard Water & Sewer) and catered by Tyners with their famous chicken casserole.

October 20, 2010

Had to pick up some plants as "givaways" for the Chamber of Commerce meeting tomorrow. When I delivered them to the Civic Center, they were giving flu shots, so I availed myself of their service. Tonight is another Founders Day 2010 meeting; time is getting short so we are having them more often.

October 19, 2010

This has been an office day for me. Paying bills, trip to bank and Post Office and having copies printed for the Chamber meeting on Thursday. For those of you who have asked, my son-in-law Stuart is doing well after several hours of surgery today to place pins in his broken leg and shoulder. He suffered a motorbike accident Monday on his Vespa. It will more than likely put him out of work for six months.

October 18, 2010

Today at noon we met for Kiwanis Lunch. We decided to have our "soon to be famous" pancake breakfast Saturday November 20, from 7-10 AM. We also voted to send RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) a check for $300. and will be scheduling our Christmas Party for one of the Mondays in December at Catfish Junction along with our favorite DJ "dance-party" dude.

October 17, 2010

This evening Deborah and I attended a Celebrate Life Banquet at the Battle House Hotel. We were extremely impressed with the number of young people attending which affirms our feelings that the youth of today still have parental as well as self taught morals. The Speaker: Shawn Carney and Bishop Rodi gave us inspiring messages to put to the test.

October 16, 2010

It's Saturday night, so it must be pickin' and grinnin' night at the Mobile Country Music Association. We enjoyed all the good music, but were devastated to hear that our friend Carol Hillman is going into Springhill Hospital for open heart surgery on Monday. They need to repair the valve that leads to her lungs. We wish her God Speed and hope she is well soon. 

October 15, 2010

Tonight we went to a 50's sock hop social where folks drank rootbeer floats and Mad Dog-20/20. It was a blast with lots of dancing and fun. I think they played the "Stroll" about 20 times. Father Saucier made several comments about who he expected to be at confession tomorrow.

October 14, 2010

This morning at 8 AM the Chamber had it's second Small Business Workshop of the year. Coffee and doughnuts helped ease the pain of

getting up at 6:30, but not that much. Sherrie Graham gave a good class on marketing to out-think your competitor, paying special attention to the

extra "outside the box" ideas to keep your clientele and have them refer new customers to you. Chamber members should not miss attending these low-cost workshops.

October 13, 2010

Doctors appointment, then R&R with Deb who had a free day. Went by the Knights room and door was wide open; Frank just forgot to close it after he had hauled equipment from room to room. Deb dropped me off at City Hall to pick up mail, then went to get her hair done. More vendor applications have arrived for the Founders Day event.

October 12, 2010

I visited the Saraland Chamber Of Commerce luncheon today where Dr. Rubenstein was the guest speaker. He is on the city council and presented a power point video on "Saraland-Poised for Success" He recounted the city having received a 100 % grant for sidewalk for the city, a new proposed downtown square in the works, and successful "domino" annexation of neighborhoods asking to be included into Saraland service base. He introduced

 as a surprise speaker: Mike Dow, former Mobile mayor who assured us that the NASCAR sports complex would begin building soon. Mike Dow is the dude sitting at my table who looks unhappy to be in Saraland.

October 11, 2010

Went to Kiwanis lunch courtesy of Carnes Craig since my auto had a flat

tire. We took a quiz prepared by Ervin Dailey about our international 

meeting and the associated personnel. The annual Pancake Breakfast was discussed and we will shoot for early December if the Civic Center is available. Chief Reynolds informed me about an attempted breakin at Little Caesars Pizza which failed. This is a bad time of the year for attempted robberies. 

October 10, 2010

This morning I attended a Regional meeting for the officers of the Knights Of Columbus. Most Of the Southern Alabama councils were represented by their Grand Knights who discussed goals and projects designed to keep attendance high for their fellow knights. There are wine tastings, dances and Christmas programs already set to inspire the guys and their ladies into service toward their church and council.

October 9, 2010

Since I have a regional meeting tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM in West Mobile, we decided to attend Saturday evening Mass. After church we went into town to grab a bite to eat and listen to some live jazz guitar. It was a fun evening and we shared some of the best seafood nachos I've ever eaten.

October 8, 2010

Field trip to Fort Morgan penninsula for a fantastic lunch of gumbo, crab, shrimp, catfish and hushpuppies courtesy of Gus Lind. That is the perfect place to sit in the brisk, autumn air, watch the hummingbirds and fill your belly with southern seafood gumbo. Right next to the water with friends and

an ice cold glass of tea.

October 7, 2010

Every now and then I find myself with two events scheduled for the same time slot. This morning the Chamber Of Commerce had agreed to provide lunch for the City Of Chickasaw employees and the Industrial Development

Board had a consortium lunch for Port owners. But through impeccable timing and good sense, everything came out "smelling like a rose" I first delivered our promised desserts to the First Baptist Church for the city lunch and chatted with friends, then high-tailed it over to Nu-Star (formerly GAO) to meet with the Port owners. Good crowd turned out; excellent meeting moderated by Sherrie Graham and hosted so graciously by Allen Brown of Nu-Star. Next consortium scheduled for February 2011. top photo-consortium bottom photo-dessert ladies.

October 6, 2010

Last night the Industrial Development Board met to determine the possibility of a tax abatement for Arc Terminals, the corporation who purchased the assets of the now defunct Dunhill Terminals. The facility would be a storage only property with no sales tax of product being available to to the City Of Chickasaw. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the fire and safety precautions not undertaken by the previous owner and the need for the new company to adhere to Chickasaw's ordinances on buuilding permits. Guests

at the meeting included Ross Naze and Sherrie Graham.

October 5, 2010

Last night we had a very interesting Planning Commission meeting where we made plans for future high-rise buildings in Chickasaw such as

condominiums, hotels, commerce centers, etc. They will be designated as

R-4 or R-MU zoning, and I am glad we are preparing for what the future holds for Chickasaw. Then this morning Frank Coate and I finally put the finishing touches on the wheelchair ramp and presented the bill for materials.

October 4, 2010

At Kiwanis luncheon our new president, Ervin Dailey, brought up helping Kathy Couey financially with the Halloween Parade for the kids by contributing $50. toward candy. Our state governor, George Givens, spoke about visiting all the other clubs and gave us some positive news about the Fort Conde club. They are the club sponsoring the Golf Tournament, in which we participate. We also discussed sending a card to Barbara Trout, recovering from her recent surgery.

October 3, 2010

Ya know, I'm real sorry we missed Reba at Bayfest. . .I heard she was excellent. I did get to see her studio in Nashville some years ago with some audio friends and she is an impressive lady. However, keeping in context, we chose a little more relaxing venue with front row seats at the Mobile Country Music Association. And this morning I had the treat of conducting the first Knights Of Columbus meeting in our nearly finished room.

October 1, 2010

OK, this is the last picture of the wheelchair ramp built by the Knights Of Columbus (namely Frank Coate and me) and even though the top board has not been put on the rails, you get the idea. It was kind of hard working by myself the last two days while Frank is in North Carolina, but we are for all practical purposes, "wrapped up". Looking forward to that

steak dinner Deb promised to cook for me.