Fourth Street Beat - Dec 1999

Fourth Street Beat Update

Last issue before the millennium. May blessings surround you in the new year.
Some news is old, some new I've left it all in.

Well! this was kinda fun. Sharrie was on national T.V.  Sunday morning, 8/29/99. The program was "This Week" with Cokie Roberts and Sam Donaldson. She participated in a focus group political discussion. She was asked by New England Interviewing and received $50 for 2 hours work. There were 13 people (all Republicans) with an interviewer, asking all sorts of political questions, i.e. who would you vote for, why, mostly about Bush and recent talk of drug use…would it influence them. Very interesting. All had mikes on and a mirrored wall. George Stephanopolis was behind the wall sending questions in to the moderator. Sharrie got to meet him as she came out of a ladies room! I taped it Sharrie…if you didn't!

September - THE STACIE/WOODY WEDDING. As you were almost all there, I'll just repeat that it was great! Waveny was an absolutely gorgeous place on an absolutely gorgeous night. I think we all felt "veddy high society" which helped create lots of dancing and comaraderie.

10/9/99 THE KATIE/MICHEAL WEDDING. It was a wonderful wedding. Family were Mom, Susan, Billy, Nancy, Grace, Abby, Bill and I for Mike and Joan's Mom, Eddie, Karyl, Peyton, Joan's sister Kathy, husband Dennis, daughters Kimberly w/her husband, Jennifer and Allyson w/their male friends. It was a lovely ceremony ... drew tears from Mom as priest spoke of marriage, etc. Katie looked beautiful…almost looked like her, lovely long hair was curled strand by strand. Gown just lovely and perfect for her. Joan was a beautiful mother of the bride and Mike handsome in tux (his haberdasher Dad would've been proud). He had a head cold. Wouldn't know to look at him, but appeared to have fever, etc. Reception was lively! After great food choice of salmon, prime rib or chicken cordon bleu- lots of dancing! The little girls (Grace and Abby) got into the spirit eventually and it worked out very well to have our room upstairs. They'd want to go up the elevator every now and then - …we'd draw (Grace did a picture of the bride and groom for them) and then go back down to dance, etc. Abby discovered her dress swirled out when she twisted back and forth). Debbie et al were missed as were Bob et al.

We had Mom and Susan in ME (Kittery before the wedding), NH, MA and RI. Covered a lot of ground and did a great deal. A great visit with Susan…and I loved having Mom at our house!

and on 10/12/99 having brought Mom home from Mass., we went to Bates Monuments in Springdale and ordered Dad's headstone. Mom asked, out of curiosity, how much it would cost to have someone lift her parents stones and clean them as they were quite sunken. This nice guy, who's a classmate of Mike's, said "let's go." Mom was startled!! He just said, "let's go do it. Don't worry, I'm not going to charge you." And over we went to St. John's Cemetery, to the Poltorak site and he, with his helper, dug up the stones, but earth under them, went back for grass seed, etc. So Emilia and Anthony are lookin' good.

10/15/99 Beverly wrote: Ron finally just got some WORK! He is doing one consultancy job for JBL speakers that will probably lead to lots more, plus had a story ok'd by Star Trek, plus will be writing one new story for VHI, a new sci-fi/rock & roll series that he should get in on the ground floor on. Thank God, many prayers have been answered. B.

10/20/99 note from Beverly said that Ron's doing great. Really enjoying the work, enjoying being creative again, plus they have health insurance back, etc… The other big news is that Bev got PUBLISHED. "My first byline", in Oct. 22 issue of Christian Science Monitor, the Home Forum section. "You can either get it at the Reading Rooms or the library. I know the newsstands here generally don't carry it."

editors note: Can tell you that this article is worth everyone going out of their way to find and read. Beverly has a lovely way of expressing herself and it's quite touching. Uncle Ed had it in Adeline's hospital room. Read it aloud and very moving!

11/1/99 from Susan in Hawaii: "My hula halau is currently practicing for our Ho'ike, which is our performance of our hulas for our family and friends. Anyways, as we have been practicing, I absolutely love it because my memories of dancing (even though I was nervous as heck) for the family come back to me and also dancing for Jack. I thought I would share that nice thought. Please share with those who would enjoy hearing that!!!"

11/16/99 Aloha to you all from Susan!!! again. "Well, the movie I was an extra for is out. The Bachelor. I saw it a few days ago with my friends and it was funny and very cute, but there was no possible way I could find myself. I wanted to let you all know in case you were hoping to spot me. A fun experience anyways!!"

Harry and Patti were on a cruise to the Greek isles and said it was incredible!!! Then then went to Napa to visit Patti's daughter before returning home.

11/9/99 Lisa had a fall, around same time as Aunt Adeline's. "I was going out to Chris' car tonight and stepped on the flagstone step but (this is the second time this has happened) my foot got wedged in between. Anyway when I hit the ground I didn't break anything since I hit the grass but I sprained my ankle and twisted my bad knee(the one from the accident in '83 at Killington pin still in there) so I am going on line to try to remember how to wrap the ace bandage. We will pray for all the things you have listed in your note God is always there for the strong in faith. Blessings, L, C & R. Read 1 Peter Chapter 3."

11/9/99- Susan sent this fun note: "Halloween was super fun and guess what. I, (having not planned it at all, in fact 10 minutes before it started) entered a costume contest. I was all decked up in my Mary Katherine Gallagher outfit and played the character to a tee! IT was sooooooo fun!! I fell all over the place!! (now with many bruises) And guess what… I won first place and $500. ISN'T that amazing. My friends were awesome!! THey cheered soooooo loud for me and it was by audience partici- pation!!! SO Fun! I thought you would enjoy hearing this fun news!! Love to you all!!!"

11/18/99 Terry P. sent this note: "Happy Thanksgiving to all. We are off on another adventure, this time heading with Marianne's Mom, brother and some friends to a house in Tuscany to eat our tacchino. We leave tomorrow. But we'll be thinking of you all, thankful for your love, support and your deliciously warped view of the world."

11/10/99 John Mahoney named "Pilot of the Quarter" for Southwest Air. Nice, eh? Congrats, John. He also won a drawing - 3 day, 4 night stay in Cancún. They might do that while I'm out there in March. Bob and Cathy have been there any tips??

Education Beat

September Chris Wood is going to prestigious American Boys Choir School in Princeton NJ….. he had to audition, Wood's decided they couldn't afford it, and the school wanted him so badly….. they kept going up in the financial aid…..wow ! what an honor….good luck Chris. The school tours the US and out of US. Christopher is very excited and the Wood's are really sad! He will be near Dee and Andee……2 hours….

8/30/99 Marilyn wrote: day one of no Chris! - In answer to your questions, he could stay for three yrs until 8th- then they go off to their own high schools or continue in private schools most do not go on in music but have learned valuable, one of a kind things there and carry a lifelong love of singing and self-discipline among other things - He has many interests and will be able to nourish most of them there in addition to things we couldn't have provided for him only 80 kids so very protected and - secure- we are dying to know how he is and it feels like part of our heart is missing- but time will pass and we will chat with him very soon and then see him on 9/16!- Keep praying for him especially. Update is that he seems to be thriving at the American Boychoir school.

9/13/99 - opened up "Gracie poltrack's penguin page" on the internet and was pleasantly surprised to see such a darling picture of her!! Have to admit, tho', that I couldn't relate to much of what she spoke of except the Backstreet Boys. My Grace has made me aware of them.

10/7/99 while Susan was here, which we adored by the way. Susan had long chat with Carolyn Fergusen who helped her tremendously with her plans for Lesley College and working in the area…I think Susan decided to apply to both Lesley and U of H and for jobs in both areas and see where she's hired. Pretty much decided she'd go for master's in Creative Arts and Learning/Literacy.

10/10/99 Too those who don't know….Chris Wood went to NYC to Lincoln Center to rehearse a Disney Concert…. they call it a runout"….wow ….he's really getting a lot of experience and will be singing with the NY Philharmonic..

11/10/99 -Also from Marilyn: "Lib didn't get her grade yet but she just did a poster about the quote "he who owns a printing press, owns the world" or something like that we just returned from a concert with the American Boy Choir and oh my gosh, it was so awesome! The first section was very traditional sacred music including a mass by Fauré, then part two was African, American and Gershwin songs, complete with choreography- the boys were indescribable and we met several after which was fun- the Ohio boys were interviewed by the director so if Chris had been here, he would have been one! They did "Siyahamba" in a way I will never forget that piece just speaks to me!"

11/14/99 Sean Mahoney was honored. His art teacher gave 1st grade drawings to her friend at the West Valley Arts Council. The art director chose 2 pictures, had them framed and they are on display complete with a ribbon! I believe they were at the Children's Hospital.

11/16/99 Chris Russell was in the paper. On Veteran's Day, the middle school kids that are attending the youth group that Chris P. helps lead visited St. Luke's church and shelter for the homeless and destitute in the South End of Stamford. The dozen kids, ages 11-14 cleaned and polished the small church(I peeked inside when they were done, it was beautiful and smelled sooo clean) and worked outside raking leaves and putting them up in bags to be hauled away by the City of Stamford. When they were done they all went to Bobby Valentine's Sports Cafe for lunch and then went back to our church (Grace Evangelical Free Church) for games and sports activities. The whole day was in the Stamford Advocate yesterday staring on the FRONT PAGE and ending on page A14. Uncle Ed called last night to say how proud he was of his great nephew Russell Poltrack.

Health Beat

In case you didn't ask, and I forgot to, Pat's been enjoying her laser surgery results: "It's great! I see 20/20 out of my left (or is it my right?) and 20/25 out of the other! I do need reading glasses (the 125X ones you can buy at the pharmacy) but that's because I'm over 40 and they can't correct both far and near vision…… would recommend it to anyone….. it was very easy to adapt to not having something hanging off my face all the time…..I had it done last August and it doesn't seem to have changed at all and I think they will do "adjustments" at a reduced rate if you need it."

6/8/99 Susan Carr wrote: Thanks for … - your concern for my cough…. TOO BIZARRE - I have asthma!! For years growing up I would have bouts of bronchitis esp. in the winter… I wonder now if it was asthma then? I always thought that asthma was wheezing! I am on four medications that work wonders…absolutely no cough at all. The plan is to get down to one med. in about a month. I have a mild case I guess but it was a bit out of control. I think of your dad everytime I take the inhaler. and wonder how he is….. all sounds scary. So things are good here…. and having this under treatment is great… love susan

10/28/99 Aunt Adeline was in hospital, as most of you know, following a fall. Went to see her and despite a black eye, I thought she looked adorable!! At home now and has had "live-in" help (at her expense) and home health 3 times a week. Quite alright. Must be hard for Adeline to give up her independence.

Of Interest

In case you aren't aware, and I've done my best to be sure you ARE aware, Bob Janis has a CD out.

Andee and Steve will tell you all about their trip to Italy. It was quite spectacular and they got to spend an hour in the Pope's private quarters (tho' he was not present).

11/17/99 Bob Janis wrote: "Hi, I lost my NE mgr and will be in NYC 11/16 for candidate interviews. I'm going to Newc on Wed to sell Rick Franco some wine then see Mom for afternoon and dinner then back to NYC. yea!!!!!!! Really glad to have the opportunity."