Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009 St. Hyacinth's Parish Picnic



On Sunday, June 28th, St. Hyacinth's Church held their annual summer parish picnic. The raffles, child-centered activities, and polkas kept those in attendance busy. But the main reason people were packed into the church parking lot was the food. The Polish plate which included kielbasa, two pierogi, a generous helping of kapusta and a slice of rye bread was the crowd's favorite.



The line for the pony rides seemed to never diminish. All the kids left the ring with a smile.



Several parishioners drove their classic cars to the picnic.



Live entertainment was provided by the Fritz's Polka Band featuring special guest, Rocko Dorsey.

Milli's Graduation Pancake Breakfast



To celebrate Milli's graduation from high school, her family opened their backyard to friends and family. From 9am til Noon they served a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast.



Food Tent


The menu which included New Hope Mills pancakes, farm fresh eggs, link sausage and fresh watermelon featured Milli's family's homemade maple syrup.



Breakfast Entertainment


Between 10am and Noon entertainment was provided by Sara Horner and her bandmates.



Table Setting


Linen covered tables adorned with fresh cut garden flowers splashed by a warm sunny breeze made for a pleasant seating arrangement.



Clothesline Timeline


Attendees followed a clothesline timeline of Milli's childhood portraits to the sign the guest book.



The Graduate


Happiness is a Class of '09 Pancake!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

2009 Syracuse Jazz Fest



After coming through a thunder and lightning storm, Tom, Michael and I drove into the Onondaga Community College parking lot under sunny skies. The weather would hold for the entire concert.



Michael and I purchased two lamb gyros. The real reason we come here. Returning to our seats we passed this huge banner of guitarist Hiram Bullock hanging between the two stages. Impressive.



Guy in the straw hat stage right was born in Glasgow, Scotland.



"Joanie" Mahoney, the County Executive of Onondaga County and the first woman to hold this position, here with her family.



Spyro Gyra



Spyro Gyra


Check out this jam session:

Jazz Fest Jam Tribute to Hiram Bullock and Michael Jackson

We had a great time. The music especially Bobby B.'s tribute to Michael Jackson was outstanding. Gyros were scrumptious. The crowd was appreciative. The traffic home was sparse.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Gov. Sarah Palin



Auburn New York's First Annual Founders Day - June 6, 2009. With a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the statehood of Alaska. Honored Guest - Gov. Sarah Palin.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Sunflower


Sunflower


Haughtiness


Helianthus


No, the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets,
But as truly loves on the close,
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose.
Thomas Moore, 1779-1852


The Sunflower is native to America, its home the vast space between northern Mexico and southern Canada. Even 3000 years BC, the wild species was already being cultivated by native American Indians. It was an important source of food and medicine as well as a pigment for body paint.

The Sunflower surely has a rgiht to feel haughty for it is by far the tallest plant in the garden. Its size is not its only asset, however, for every part of the plant is used in some way: the seeds for eating and making oil and soap; the leaves and stalks for fodder and making cloth and even as a substitute for tobacco.



The genus name of Helianthus comes from two Greek words, "helios" meaning sun and "anthos" meaning flower. It was worshipped as the symbol of the sun by the Incas of Peru and later by North American Indians. There is a classical legend that Clytie, a water nymph, was changed into a sunflower having died of a broken heart at the betrayal of Apollo, the sun god.



The sunflower's Italian name is "Girasole" because the flowers really do turn their heads to follow the sun's daily course from east to west.



Vincent van Gogh re-established the sunflower's popularity in the 19th century by using it as motif in its own right. Like no other flower, the sunflower typifies natural vitality and an affinity with primitive nature.

Monday, June 01, 2009

CCC Trail Revisited

A Fitting Tribute


Ruth Sara Goldman, a fixture at the Cayuga Community College Nature Trail until her death in 2007, was honored by her friends and family members who placed new exercise equipment in her memory on the trail.



Marty Goldman and his wife, Wendy, look at the sign commemorating Marty's mother, Ruth Sara Goldman, as the as “the unofficial caretaker of the Cayuga Community College Nature Trail” before the start of the dedication ceremony of new exercise equipment in her name on Sunday.

Photo Credit - Jill Connor / The Citizen