A Snowy Day

Yesterday I took my neighbor John to the Rotary luncheon. The program was about RYLA - a Rotary Youth Leadership conference held at Westminster College each summer. Three of the junior from Mars Area Schools who went last summer were on hand to talk about this life changing experience they had in becoming aware of their potential as future leaders. It was nice to see Madeline (the Campbell's granddaughter) as one of those who went.

Afterward I drove to our rehearsal place to retrieve my music from Monday night only to find that the school was closed because of the snow storm. Agh! It was a little dicey driving there too. But we made it back just fine.

Dee had gone out to do some shopping and have lunch at her favorite Asian Restaurant. She also found some great material to change the feel and look of our computer table. Good selection. We spoke with Sherron Curdie about getting together for the Steeler's win in the Super Bowl. We'll be going to their place for the game on Sunday afternoon. (However, I'm preaching at both services on Sunday while our pastor is away, so I'll be focusing on that in the early part of the day.)

Even though I shoveled the snow and cleared out the driveway and sidewalk, they were covered again by evening. This snow was a little heavier and so more difficult to move around. Good exercise though. We spent the rest of the evening watching television and completing the fringe on the new tablecloth.

Beaver, PA is a Quaint Town

On Monday we drove to the little town of Beaver. we'd been through there once a couple of months ago and it looked like a nice little town with lots of stores and a quaint main street. We had lunch at Cafe Kolache http://www.cafekolache.com/

It was great - Our sandwiches were made of "slightly sweetened yeast dough" filled with ham and cheese (mine) and tuna (Dee's). The tortilla soup was hot and filled with goodies as well. I bought a pound of their Cuban coffee (Prestogeorgeos) to make my next batch of cold brewed coffee. (brewing now as I write) The owner, Hugh, mentioned they have entertainment every Saturday night in a coffee house atmosphere. You can find what's happening on their website too.

We walked the town going in and out of the stores. A nice leisurely afternoon. The GPS worked great and made the trip that much easier. In the evening I had Barbershop Chorus practice. We're learning the love songs for "Singing Valentines."

Tuesday Dee had to work, so I did some PR for the Singing Valentines by going to the local Cranberry Chamber of Commerce "networking" luncheon at the municipal center. It was a "first" for me as I experienced business people networking. We were each given 60 seconds to "pitch" our product. We also were able to pass around brochures if we wanted to. I had a nice "card" that explained what goes with the singing valentine and a phone number. Then time afterward and prior actually, we could connect with people we wanted to further talk with. My product is "entertainment" by the Bogmeisters Chorus, and the "singing valentine" emphasis. It was fun (although there was not actual lunch this time). They meet weekly on Tuesdays at 11:45. I'll likely go again.

In the evening Dee and I began working on our info for the taxes. It went well since she'd kept things organized each month, identifying things that we'd need to refer to now. We watched a couple of recorded programs and hit the sack, knowing snow and ice were on the way.

This morning my driveway is an ice skating rink, and my car outside is encrusted with ice. Looks like an igloo.

First Anniversary !

Yesterday was Sunday and with it came a morning of worship followed by a stop to see Dee at her workplace. Still checking out their cheese section and learning all I can.

In the evening I took part in a "Week of Christian Unity" service at a local church in Mars. There were 13 pastors involved and a guest preacher. Members from area churches formed a "massed choir" and the quartet from our Cranberry Barbershop Chorus sang two selections. "Hush," and "The Irish Blessing" at the close of the service. Here's a picture someone took of them singing. It was a great evening of praise, singing and hearing from The Word.

Today is the First Anniversary of Kerri and Patrick. Whew! so much has happened since this time last year. Great memories of that special night too. Congratulations Kerri and Patrick !

Wedding Day for Danielle and Brett

Yesterday we went to the wedding of Dee's grand niece, Danielle. It was in Worthington, PA. We weren't sure of how to get there so we decided to go via 95 to 422. That worked well because we were on all major roads. We returned home a different route and found that the way home was 20 miles shorter. The wedding was very nice with about 40 people in attendance. The reception was in the church fellowship hall. Here are a couple of photos from the wedding.

All the food was prepared at the church by the families of the bride and groom. The bride's grandmother, Donna, made the cake in NC and then iced it just before the wedding. Yummm. It was good to see the family again as the nephews and niece came in from NC, and OH and the their families tagged along for the ride. It was good to be able to go to such an event and be a spectator with no responsibilities for the festivities. Usually I'm in the middle of it all as a "host pastor", so this was great!

Later when we got home, we decided to stay inside and keep warm. We watched a 2 part movie La Femme Musketeer then went to bed.

Visiting with Fellow Clergy and PR

Yesterday I went to the Pittsburgh Clergy meeting for Baptists at Mt. Lebanon and learned about what's happening in the churches of my denomination. While there I sat next to the minister from the Monongahela church where my mother attends. After the meeting we talked briefly about her. I asked him if he knew who she was. He said, 'You mean Toots Aiello." I said yes. He said he's talked with her on several occasions and she always seems to have a look on her face of "Wonder why you're talking with me." Any way, I'd mentioned a couple of things about her and described where she lives and encouraged him to connect with her again. I mentioned that her Sunday School class is the main connection point. He noted that no one in her Sunday school class attends worship. That they pretty much stay to themselves.

Here's a photo of the Bogmeisters from Monday night.

During the afternoon I began to do some PR for the Singing Valentines following up leads and calling people at the various media outlets - newspaper, magazines and TV. I also began a log of what I'm doing in that regard so I can follow up where I'm waiting for a call back or looking for an email in response to a request.

I received an email from Pastor Jim asking me if I'd preach for him on March 22 while he's away. I said "sure." That'll be different from when I preach on the February 1 date. In March both he and the Assistant will be away, so I'll be doing the whole thing. Shouldn't be a problem though, just a little more to do. We have two services so I'll lead and preach at both.

In the evening Dee and I went to a local mega church "open house" as they completed the construction of an addition and were having appetizers, tours etc. I'd been wanting to see the inside of that church anyway, so this was a good excuse to go. They seem to have it all. Special areas for little kids; teen area with multiple TV screens (like about 10) for gaming (I noticed 4 Wii set ups) a small stage for events. There were dozens of huge TV screens on the walls throughout the gathering areas. The main building has a 1,400 seat auditorium and a 300 seat one as well. The new addition has 500 seat auditorium for overflow worship seating, or for a second service going on simultaneously. Their PR even indicates a "Cafe worship" service at the same time for those who want a more intimate small group worship experience. Quite the place.

Back home, we watched a couple of shows we recorded of "Burn Notice." Then turned out the lights.

The Jersey Boys

Yesterday I went to the local Clergy meeting at St. John's Lutheran Senior Life Center. We planned the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" service for this Sunday night. During the meeting I suggested the quartet from our chorus could sing and the clergy thought that would be a good idea. So they're now in the program. There was also a senior care person (Janice Rodgers) there from the local PACE program for elder care. She talked about the services they offer in Butler County. She also mentioned some new "talking pill boxes" that help people with their pills. Later I called her and talked with someone in her office. The lady in the office said she had heard about them, but wasn't sure they were actually on the market yet. However, she did mention some "pill dispensing systems" currently in use that involved the client filling the "machine" and then it would dispense the pills as needed. Sounded interesting. They were in the price range of $50 for set up, and then $40/month range. I thought it was interesting. Then, I went home and while Dee was at work I finished the window "file" project in the living room windows. And I watched the inauguration on television.

Later in the evening Russ and Kathy G. came by for dinner (Dee made lasagna, a nice crisp salad, and then a fancy dessert with blueberry ice cream.) Yummm. Afterward, we went to the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh and saw the show "Jersey Boys". It was a musical about the lives of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The singing was awesome. The story line was actually a sad one. And the language was pretty bad. Despite the language, we really enjoyed the music as it was the music of our era growing up.

Music and Learning

It's Monday morning and a lot has happened since my last entry, not the least of which the STEELERS WON and are headed to the Super Bowl!

On the home front, I traveled to Columbus Ohio to attend the Leadership Academy for officers in the Barbershop Male Choruses of our district. There were about 170 men there. Being new to the hobby, I realized that there is much to learn and many ways to get our name out before the public. I spent a total of 5 hours over three sessions with P-R experts and tried to soak up their wisdom and insights. In some ways it was overwhelming because there are so many options to explore.

I also attended seminars on leadership and how to navigate the http://www.barbershop.org/ web site. But my favorite seminar was titled, "How to Keep the Bar in Barbershop ;)"

We also heard some great singing and participated in ringing some awesome chords. Here is a photo of the group watching the Singing Buckeye's an award winning chorus. And a couple of amazing quartets.

My daughter Kerri started a blog about her preparations for giving birth in April. She calls it "The Adventures of Baby J." and you can read her entrys at http://theadventuresofbabyj.blogspot.com/

It's been bitter cold out in the single digits until yesterday. We also got about 4 more inches of snow. But the roads are clear and I'm learning that they can handle snow better around here than in NJ where we used to live. Attendance at church seemed a little off, but it was good to be there to hear the choir, talk with a few friends and hear the sermon on John 1:35-51. I saw both of the men I'd invited to chorus practice and was able to reconnect with them briefly.