May 30, 2011

Spent some time sorting tools and watering plants between episodes of Pawn Stars today, then Margaret and Charles Czajkowski picked me up this evening to go out to dinner. Thought we would drop by Callahans afterwards, but they were closed for Memorial Day. So we did the next best thing by coming to the house for a glass of wine.

May 29, 2011

Today was Quarterly Communion (that is when all the Knights from different churches meet at a predetermined chuch for Mass and breakfast). We attended Holy Family Church in Mobile and helped them 
celebrate membership drive for their K of C and enjoy a good meal. My Deputy Grand Knight and Secretary were there along with others from St. Thomas. We always enjoy the fellowship and chance to talk about projects.

May 27, 2011

Today I finished the cost proposal for Mobile Museum Of Art and prepared for the Memorial Day weekend. Mayor Pittman and the City Attorney Jay Minus requested some of the Knights smoked Boston Butts for the July 4th holiday. They are offering slow cooked Butts, Hams and Ribs (fall off the
bone tender). Debbie is going to run up to Atlanta for a couple of days and I will be cleaning out my boat and garage.

May 26, 2011

Spent the day working up two new acoustic treatment proposals for clients. One is for my church and the other for an office building. Had to take some measurements at the church and discuss colors with Father Saucier. Then later in the afternoon, I picked up some coffee for my dear wife and a drink for the hard working man of the house.

May 25, 2011

Deb had the day off so we packed a brown bag lunch and set out for Bienville Square to listen to jazz during the lunch hour. One of the popular groups, Roman Street was there doing everything from Carlos Montoya to George Benson. The squirrels enjoyed the small pieces of sour-dough bread and we enjoyed the music. first pic (the duo) second pic (Deborah tips the band) She's the one on the right.

May 24, 2011

Celebrations of a years work for the Woman's Club was held nast night at Catfish Junction in Saraland. President Barbara Pulliam praised its members for the hard work at Founders Day Cake Walk and the Spring Yard Sale which brought the club over a thousand dollars for scholarships. Deborah, Nancy Elliot and Nell Barnes were also honored for serving on the scholarship committee. Kayla Skipper was the recipient of the award.

May 23, 2011

Today at Kiwanis we were honored to have Ed and Olivia Humphries from the International Foundation speak to us. They congratulated District 14 (Chickasaw and Citronelle) for our success with "Skip A Meal" day. Kiwanis is partnering with UNICEF in a program known as "Eliminate" to make sure all third world country mothers receive the tetanus vaccine. Mothers with tetanus giving birth condemn the child to death within three hours.  We also voted on contributing $1,000. to Kathy Couey for the J. C. Davis auditorium summer recreation program for children.

May 22, 2011

A perfect afternoon to get in nine holes as long as you park the cart in the shade. Course was packed with families teaching their kids how to play. The lady I talked to in the Pro Shop said she told her daughter to how to clear her mind, concentrate and in giving her an example, overshot the green right into the sand trap.

May 21, 2011

The other day we met at the Saraland Civic Center for the Shell Chemical CAP meeting (Community Advisory Panel) The discussion centered around what we would need from Shell (if anything) to increase interest and attendance from within the community. A motion was suggested for each member to bring in another prospective member at the next session and to appoint a governing panel consisting of its members.   On Saturday May 21, the Kiwanis held their 5K Freedom Race from the Civic Center at 8 AM. Runners were served beans and rice after the race along with pizza and beer to go with their medal achievement.

May 20, 2011

Today was our 2011 second quarter Port Of Chickasaw consortium, originally started by the Chickasaw Industrial Development Board to promote a dialogue link between the city and the Port. USI's principals JB and Bill Baltz were kind enough to facillitate the meeting and provide a tasty lunch. Several committees were formed to explore railway traffic reports and form a governing staff. Our next meeting will be August 19, 2011 at City Hall.

May 19, 2011

Today was the Chamber Of Commerce meeting sponsored by our friends at Intertek and catered by Saucy-Q barbeque. Mayor Pittman opened the meeting by pointing out the new businesses and structures in Chickasaw and then introduced Rob McElroy, an inspirational speaker from Daphne Utilities. After Rob spoke, Major Ted Morris from the Salvation Army spoke about the incredible tornado destruction in North Alabama. Chamber President Terri Pringle presented Major Morris with a check from the Chamber for $1,000. to help with the homeless survivors.

May 18, 2011

After picking up some printing this morning, Deb and I drove to Fairhope for lunch and to watch her do some shopping (a sport in which she excels) We hit almost every clothing store and antique specialty shop in town, On the way back we stopped at Serda's for an afternoon coffee and got her home in time for American Idol.

May 17, 2011

This afternoon, Mayor Byron Pittman arranged to have Shane Nelson speak to a courtroom of invited guests. Shane is a career football great from Corpus Christi, Texas having a college stint at Baylor University, then on to the Buffalo Bills for seven years. He is now a motivational speaker and uses video archives of Nick Sabin from Alabama to illustrate how important self confidence with team cohesiveness is to become successful to your place of employment or your city. It was a two hour endeavor which seemed much shorter due to his dynamic presentation.

May 16, 2011

The main event at Kiwanis today was the presentation Of the Officer of The Quarter Award. Chief Mike Reynolds inrtoduced winner Sergeant Dennis Sullivan who started out at the bottom over ten years ago and who has  through grants  and military salvage been able to add over a million dollars worth of assets to the police and fire departments of the City Of Chickasaw. Some of those items include a Fire/Rescue boat with twin Cumming diesel engines and a Hummer police vehicle. Other business was to move the Kiwanis CD to New Horizons Credit Union which will require a personal account.The assignment of duties for the 5K Freedom Road Race include Sylvia Heard and Jim Trout at the water table, Horace at resistration and me, Adam Bourne and Cecilia Ann Dailey at the food tables. What better assignment than to put me in charge of the FOOD table.

May 15, 2011

After church and a brief meeting of the St. Vincent De Paul Society we headed downtown to the special opening and fund-raiser of Barton Academy. We were there about 45 minutes early so Deb decided we needed to photograph Christ Church, a block south of Government on Church St. (first picture) Moving on to Barton Academy we ran ino Dr Roy Nichols and Adam Bourne's friend, Ken Meggison. Of course, it was vital to take a picture with the pretty young ladies out in front of the historic school.

May 14, 2011

It was certainly the right day and the perfect weather for the Mobile Botanical Gardens tour. Just amazing how many beautifully groomed estates there are on Old Shell Road. My friend, Jim Hand, owns one of the properties and we had a good time exploring all the gardens, some of them rose, some of them vegetable and all of them meticulously manicured with care. It was hard getting me away from the pool, but we picked up many great landscaping ideas.

May 13, 2011

Tonight was ArtWalk on Dauphin Street and we stopped by to visit our friend, Ruby Moore at Spot Of Tea. We were asking about her son Tony who was injured last year in a bad accident. He is coming along OK, but still hasn't been able to return to the restaurant. Deborah bought a chance on a home-made quilt and we spent a while at the art gallery. Afterward we went over to Serda for some coffee and dessert. By The way, last night Google had shut down the blog for maintenance, so I was "frozen out" along with several more million people.

May 11, 2011

The Seniors had lunch today at Brooks Park. Everyone brought something and there was a plethora of food, even banana pudding and layer cake. We had a short meeting to decide on whether we wanted to adopt a room of our own at the church school building. A nice, cool breeze was blowing in off the ChickasawBogue and everyone was quite comfortable. Now it's on to the bank and postoffice.

May 10, 2011

My two friends, Margaret and Charles Czajkowski, came by to take me to lunch. Charles, knowing I was born in Pittsburgh, PA. many years ago took me over to Spanish Fort to meet Benzie, also from Pittsburgh who owns a pizza restaurant and bar. We had a great time and the "Tomato Pie" was

excellent. On our way back, we stopped at the Spanish Fort Chamber Of Commerce, where Charles is a member.  Tonight is Council meeting in Chickasaw.

May 9, 2011

Todays Kiwanis meeting was devoted to business, with discussions about our "Reading Is Fundamental" program and donations of school supplies to our local students. A motion was introduced asking members be informed and allowed to vote before any items are purchased by the club. We took in more sponsorship money for the Freedom Run which will be held May 21, 2011 at 8 AM. 

May 8, 2011

This morning was our breakfast for Mom's which the Knights prepared with the help of some of the Ladies Auxiliary. Pancakes and sausage was the order of the day and everyone enjoyed the treat. Deborah got home from Dillards around 7:00 PM and we enjoyed a couple of steaks and Sunday evening television.

May 7, 2011

Watched some do-it-yourslf shows this morning then helped Knights and Ladies Aux. set up the cafeteria for tomorrow.  Since Deb got home a little late, we high-tailed it to the Huddle for some chow and it's early to bed this evening.

May 6, 2011

Had to travel downtown today to take care of some business such as buying forty pounds of sausage for the Mothers Day breakfast, As I was filling up with gas, a man at the next pump in a 24 ft truck complimented my little Mazda convertible. I thanked him and added: "I'll bet you are putting more than $10. worth of gas in that bad boy"  He countered with "It's up to $159.32 so far, but you're paying for it. I work for the State" The only thing I could stammer out was: "In that case, enjoy your ride!"

May 5, 2011

Welcome to "Cinco De Mayo". Deb and I are always the couple to get caught-up in an excuse to celebrate any kind of holiday. Even a Mexican one. There is nothing like having an Dos Equis and Margarita along with some Chile Relenos and Tacos. We visited La Cazuella in Saraland this afternoon before Deborahs favorite TV night of "Houswives Of New York".

May 4, 2011

Wednesday evening I presided over the church Parish Council where we decided to have Life Touch take photos and prepare our chuch member book with phone numbers, addresses and family information that we have printed every five to six years. Ronnie Burnett outlined possible dates and times and services provided by the publisher after which we voted.  May 29 will be the date for quarterly communion at Holy Family Catholic church and this coming Sunday is free breakfast for all Mothers in our cafeteria  at 8:30 to 10 AM. Men and children pay only $3. for pancakes and sausage.

May 3, 2011

Garden club meeting this afternoon had a good turnout and featured speaker Debbie Forward from the Mobile Garden Club Tour. We voted to purchase ten group tickets for the 13th and 14th of May to attend. One of the homes we will visit belongs to a prominent doctor and his wife, who had been asked for nine years to show her beautiful garden, but never felt it was pretty enough.
She died this year as the tour was being planned and her husband and grounds keeper decided to open the yard in her behalf for the tour.We also voted unanimously to read a letter at the Council meeting condemning the
placing of two "Porta-Potties" next to the American flag at Brooks Park right in the middle of the parking lot.

May 2, 2011

Today was business meeting Monday at Kiwanis. We held elections and Carnes Craig is our new president with Horace Allen affixed as our Vice

Prez. I've been stuck at the house most of the day while they install my new double glass low-e windows. Tonight is a Planning Commission meeting at City Hall.

May 1, 2011

While I was in Birmingham, I had a chance to visit the Sports Hall Of Fame. They had set-up the opportunity for us to have lunch there Saturday and the place was a real treat. Pictured is a statue outside the building of Bear Bryant and Shug Jordan posing with a football player and the other shot is  a multidimensional sculpture of the "Bear" in an interesting setting.