New England 6

JUNE 1-12, 2025 

Jimmy’s Funeral was a military send off which always stirs me deep inside - 3 gun salute, soulful bugling of taps, marching in step, crisp hand salutes, solemn folding/presentation of the flag and bullet casings, et al. This will hopefully bring some closure for his beloved family and friends... 

 

Afterwards, we went to the Captain Charles Leonard House, an old stage coach stop, for a buffet and a look at the house.

 

Great picture of the four sisters together...

Musical Theater Dancing class is my next attempt to keep moving. I was planning to teach Western Line Dancing in the church community room, but when I stopped in to drop off the paperwork, I saw a class happening with people moving. It was an OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) class on musical theater dancing. PERFECT! I absolutely love theater and the thrilling music that goes with it. So I took this as a sign and withdrew my application to teach in lieu of a professionally prepared class. Can’t wait to start next week. 

 

John and Eileen’s 60th Anniversary Weekend was held at Lake George, New York. If you recall, Rich and I spent many a day in Surprise, AZ with them. John’s mother was Rich’s mother’s sister and so it goes. The cousins grew up together in Whitehall, NY and it is amazing how many links there are to these folks. Sister Eileen and John’s wife, Eileen, have been BFFs since childhood; they all went to school together in Whitehall. 

 

We arrived on Friday and spent time with Eileen (sister) and Steve at their home and had lunch together.

It is always a trip down memory lane with these folks as they have so many people they know, owning a local popular diner where everyone knows everyone and everything about them. Sadly, the conversation often comes down to who is ill, or just died, and recall of every family’s status. We know we are blessed to wake up in the morning and put our feet on the floor. 

 

Checked in at the Inn at Lake George at 3pm and waited for the bar to open at 5. This little boutique hotel was the perfect size for the 30 party goers to eat, drink, and be merry. 

What a pleasant surprise when we entered the bar right on time to find Rod and Steve sitting at the bar. These are dear friends and former neighbors of John and Eileen in Surprise. However, they moved to Charlotte, NC 2 months ago to get closer to their families. We first met them on Thanksgiving  2021 when we gathered round the table filled with a plethora of delicious foods which Steve (chef), Matt (son) and Sue (daughter-in-law) prepared with loving care. They are all foodies and take great pride in their culinary creations. We spent the evening catching up with them while sipping on $10 wine, $12 Titos and $15 pizza! It was a great kick-off to this mystery weekend about which we discovered more details. 

We took a ride along the Lake Shore Drive to Bolton Landing in the rain after an early breakfast. The Sagamore Resort is located down a long driveway toward the lake. It turns out that Rich used to work here as a boat cruise chef back in the day. We drove in with permission from the gate guard to check it out.

Stone churches are very common in this area due to the glaciers 12,00 years ago which left stones everywhere. Farmers used them when they cleared land to build stone walls to mark their property. 

Mansions also made of stone quarried nearby.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at cousin David’s house for a nice visit. 

We can look forward to a commisioned drawing of his gazebo by Rich Colomb.

We got back to our room and rested a little - then I took a walk since it stopped raining. Here is a tour of Lake George Village:

Warren County Court House Museum

Para-sailer in spite of the chilly, dreary day. My daughter, Shannon, and I parasailed tandem there to celebrate her graduation from high school - many years ago. 

Minne-Ha-Ha - we also took a cruise on this vessel back then. 

Fort William Edward where The Last of the Mohicans movie was filmed. 

Canoe Carving

Our party invitation instructed us to meet in the bar at 4pm Saturday; John and Eileen would arrive at 5pm. So naturally we went down at 2:30 even though the bar doesn't open until 4pm in hopes of meeting people as they straggled in rather than all at once. I have heard the names of the family members, but have not met so many of them. We watched as they set up the buffet and cake table with a picture of the bride and groom’s wedding day. A cute little lavender Polaroid camera was used to take developed pictures to sign/message for a small album keepsake.  

The special couple with a replica of their cake…

These the Trainors - Eileen and siblings...

Open bar from 4-7 with a delicious meal catered by Ridicci Italian Restaurant (Glens Falls) included salmon, pork, chicken piccata, meatballs w/rigatoni, salads and a delicious chocolate and white cake made for a memorable culinary event.

Skene Manor in Whitehall was the last gathering of this celebration. Judge Joseph Potter, NY State Supreme Court Judge, built it in 1872-74 for a mere $25,000. The gray sandstone was quarried from Skene Mountain by stone cutters from Italy. The roof is slate and there were 8 fireplaces originally - 7 remain. He and his wife, Catherine, lived there until 1902. After a couple of other owners, Clayton Scheer opened the very first restaurant in 1946, naming it Skene Manor. It operated under several other owners until 1980.

This gorgeous historic home fell into disrepair in the early 1990s and concerned citizens organized S.O.S. (Save Our Skene). Trustees now volunteer to serve light lunch on Sundays and care for the structure. 

 

Entry hall

Gift Shop which used to be a bar in one of the restaurants. 

Theresa, Rich’s wife, donated this couch years ago to the manor - it was her mother’s and is stuffed with horsehair. 

Dining room

China Closet of tea cups

Tea Pots

Sitting Room

View of the village, Champlain Canal, and Rich’a high school is amazing - better when the leaves are down in the Fall. This canal used to be loaded with yachts. 

Meet Isabella Annmarie born 6/9/25 - Rich’s first great grandchild. 

BUB (Berkshire Ukulele Band) is an enjoyable group of musicians - ukes, guitar, harmonica, u-bass, mandolin, banjolele, and voices, of course.

Musical Theater Dance Workshop is my choice of movement this summer with George Pinney as our leader. "Nominated for a Tony Award and National Broadway Theatre Award in choreography for blast, George received an Emmy Award for outstanding choreography for the PBS broadcast of blast.” It is pretty amazing choreography including marching band instruments, flags, et al. He’s the real deal. I put a link in the body of this email. This is a participatory workshop with the emphasis on the joy of moving in space in a group dynamic.

 

I went to my first class with confidence since I have been Line Dancing 3 days a week for 5 years now. I knew that this would be very different, but I love theater music and dance enough to give it a try. It was a workout indeed with no breaks (water or sit down) until 70 minutes in. George did indeed choreograph a waltz from A Little Night Music for us which we accomplished and after the break, we did some Rockett (low-kick) lines to New York, New York! I was sweating my butt off in the end - well worth it though. I finally realize the value of the ballet classes I took as a child. 

 

June 12, 2025

Can’t believe it is 5 years ago today that Rich and I first met in person at Lilac Park with masks on due to Covid! It’s been a fun ride… ❤️❤️

 

New Engalnd 6

MAY 2025

 

Mom’s 95th birthday bash was a huge success! 

As family members filed into the Locker Room Bar & Grill, I asked her what she was thinking. She said, “I can’t believe how big our family is!” Seeing everyone in the same room is a rare occasion which we hope to do more frequently in the future. 

Niece Michelle brought a ring light allowing us to take pictures in a bright, cascading light illuminating the subjects:

Mom and daughters:

Mom and grandchildren:

Mom and great grandkids:

Terri and Jim’s visit came to a close much too early for all of us. They used our motorhome which was set up in the front yard as their living quarters, making it an easy commute after cocktail hours. 🤣 They were able to visit with sisters and Mom while regularly breaking bread with us, which we all do so well. Forgot to get a picture of the food, but this is what was left! 

It is always hard to say goodbye, but this time is without a clear plan in sight for the next visit. 🥹 Time will tell. 

 

Perry’s birthday on Mother’s Day was a fun day. This year it actually fell on Mother’s Day. There were 14 of us at Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant in S. Glens Falls. The food was terrific and when they found out it was his birthday, they brought out the big sombrero and a shot of tequilla with traditional lime and salt. He knew exactly what to do too. 

We went back to his house for homemade from scratch chocolate cake and ice cream which young Nora provided. After that we went to Whitehall to spend the night. In the morning, we went over to Rich's sister, Eileen’s, in Queensbury so she could pick out cards from the racks we brought with us. 

The doorbell rang, and this time it was cousin David stopping by to visit, knowing that we were there. We didn’t see him at all last summer, so he looked a lot healthier this time since he is walking 5-6 miles four times a week to stay in shape. 

 

Then a light lunch at Sally’s Hen House

We went back to Whitehall to help Nora with clearing a lot of items out of the house to share with the appropriate family members. We got a lot done inside and outside of the house. Stayed over one more night to work on the lawn, etc. 

 

Thankfully, the weather was good so I was able to get a walk in each day. Whitehall is a town much like Lee - small town, everyone has nicknames, historical setting… there used to be 22 bars, 3 supermarkets, a fire station, a police department, numerous restaurants, and a gas station on every corner. But now most of the store fronts are vacant, there is no supermarket at all. There is one Stewarts Convenience Store, 2 funeral homes, an American Legion, an Elks Lodge, and a lot of dilapidated buildings amongst the gorgeous historic sites. Observations during my walks...

 

Lee may be Gateway to the Berkshires, but Whitehall is the Gateway to the New York State Canal System. Lock 12 is still operational.

Whitehall is also the Birthplace of the United Sates Navy.

Whitehall was originally named Skenesborough, divided in two by the Champlain Canal which connects the Hudson River to Lake Champlain for commercial and strategic transportation. This little log cabin sits on the edge of the canal alongside the lumber yard. 

This spacious venue also sits on the water, but is rarely used. There are charcoal grills on a pole anywhere there is a bench in Riverside Park. 

Skene Manor sits high on the thickly wooded hill looking down on the township. This is where we are going in June for John and Eileen’s 60th Wedding Anniversary after party - can’t wait.

French Catholic Church that Rich attended as a child. 

The Armory, which we can see from the den of Rich’s house, is rarely used for gatherings anymore. 

Love this house across the street which Rich’s parents lived in at one time. 

Nora, Rich’s granddaughter, graduated from Hobart University in Geneva, NY. Rich went over in the motorhome to stay at a KOA for 2 nights. The 3-hour ceremony was at 9am - thankfully, her last name starts with a B so someone can scoot out after she receives her diploma. 

Proud Grampa💕

Proud Mama💕

Jimmy’s Celebration of Life was held at the Knox Trail Inn - it was truly amazing! He would be so proud of his family for all they did to make it so memorable. The anecdotes told by his 3 sons-in-law made you laugh, cry and then pause to take it all in. The common theme was “life lessons,” “Jimmy jokes,” and how he always referred to my sister as his “bride."   

Trip to open camp in Raymond, Maine was successful. Sister Leslie and Johan, and my son-in-law, Dave, made the 4-hour trek to get it done. As my generation is getting to an age that prohibits us from doing the heavy lifting, we are happy to have help from the next generation. Amazing how the benches and boats all seem heavier every year. Dave certainly pulled his weight and we fed him (and ourselves) well. Leslie tends to “feed the world” and never disappoints with her homemade cookies, carrot cake, and then bought a delicious berry pie at a local market while there. It was in the 40’s and very windy the first day, but on day 2 it let up a little and the sun came out to warm things up. Thankfully there was little to no rain which was our biggest concern. Last Fall, Dave stained all of the decks. This trip he power washed and stained the docks and float, then power washed the boats. 

1st Lee Farmers Market 2025 was a miserable, yucky, windy day and Rich still set up at 7am. I walked down in the misty rain at 8:30 and helped finish up. We were so happy to see Snack Attack Richy there ready to sell his hot dogs, burgers, nuggets and sausage. He was in a terrible accident last Fall, but has fully recovered by the grace of God. He added a new item to his menu - homemade chili and it was really delicious. He puts a good amount of cheese on top and a stick of Vienna bread to finish it off. He also insists on providing us with coffee and donuts each market AND we tested the chili. I don’t know how we are going to keep the weight off this summer! 

The crowd was lighter than usual due to the weather conditions, but we still had a stellar sales day. That is very refreshing...

Memorial Day weekend was cold and wet. Sunday we drove the motorhome to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to set up for Nora to use this summer. She is starting a traveling nurse job in Binghamton for 14 weeks, so she found a really nice KOA an hour away. The ride was long, but beautiful - just spitting rain and highlighting the gorgeous greens of the forest of trees. 

Nora and Matty…

Pool is Opened. It has been open for a few days so Zachary earned the title of “First One in the Pool 2025.” I think it was a shock to his system as he scurried out and ran around the yard in a split second. 

BUB (Berkshire Ukulele Band) has sessions Tuesday evenings and I was determined to check it out. It takes 15 minutes to get there and I wish it was in the afternoon, but… it was a nice group of about 12 players/singers, with an additional guitar and harmonica player. When we did introductions, Steffi was very excited about having just returned from Sarasota, FL where a uke group, The Sun Coast Sand Fleas, plays every Monday at 10am on the beach and about 100 attend! This is terrific news for when we go south in November for the winter. 

Rich got creative again. All of the tools, supplies, paints, brushes, saws, sanders, nuts and bolts came out to create Ship Wrecked... 

Keeping in touch - I am happy to have had phone conversations with Wyoming Cindy and Montana Nancy 💕

Spring is in the air with this fledgling Robin in my cabana.

Picture below was taken one week ago today. A few days later, one was on the ground expired.

Regarding my attempt to lose weight and walk daily, a few things interrupted my streak, but I am determined to keep the weight the same or less than when we got home… It ain’t easy!!