Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Book Discussion for November

Welcome to the childhood of Catherine McClure Gildiner. It is the mid-1950s in Lewiston, New York, a sleepy town near Niagara Falls. Divorce is unheard of, mothers wear high heels to the beauty salon, and television has only just arrived.
At the tender age of four, Cathy accompanies Roy, the deliveryman at her father's pharmacy, on his routes. She shares some of their memorable deliveries-sleeping pills to Marilyn Monroe (in town filming Niagara), sedatives to Mad Bear, a violent Tuscarora chief, and fungus cream to Warty, the gentle operator of the town dump. As she reaches her teenage years, Cathy's irrepressible spirit spurs her from dangerous sled rides that take her "too close to the Falls" to tipsy dances with the town priest. http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780142000403,00.html

This is a fun book. I can't wait to hear what the others think.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

York Day 2

"From a spectator point of view, horseshoes is like watching paint dry", so said a pitcher from Columbia, PA. 
There were three of us sitting at a table at the Horseshoe Pitchers' Pro Tour.  One lady, knitting a complicated looking scarf http://www.michaels.com/Knit-Ruffle-Scarf/32001,default,pd.html?start=14&cgid=projects-yarnandneedlecrafts-allknit while her husband pitched in his round.  The young man from Columbia who was waiting for his round to come up and myself.
Getting spectators, other than those closely affiliated with the sport, seems to be a daunting task.  Several other events were underway at the Expo center today.  A home show; a doll show; a Christmas tree sale (?) and the pro tour.  While the pro tour event seemed to have a lot of people, the truth is that everyone there was associated with the sport.  Drawing folks from outside that close knit circle is a job that our committee will have to undertake for the 2014 Worlds. 
One of the nice things about traveling is trying new restaurants.  The Reliance Cafe was the find of the day.  Not only was breakfast enjoyed there, but there was a return trip there for dinner.  http://www.reliancecafe.com/about-us.html

Friday, November 2, 2012

York, Day 1

York, Day 1
Found out that the event venue is at Memorial Hall at the site of the Pennsylvania State Fair.  http://www.yorkexpo.com/mem_hall.html  It is just a few blocks from the hotel.  History galore on the way there, if only a few blocks.  The colonial complex is easy to spot.  http://www.yorkheritage.org/page.asp?id=5
Lunch at The Cove http://www.thecoveyork.com/home.aspa relatively new bar/restaurant well worth the stop.  I had crab legs...perfect.
Then explored Lancaster Co., and because of a slip in directions, even part of Chester Co. (almost to where I lived and worked).  Back on track, through Lancaster Co, and a great dinner at the Family Cupboard Restaurant and Buffet.  Since I've already been to Plain and Fancy; Good and Plenty and Miller's, this sounded like a new experience.  It wasn't a disappointment.  Judging from the way the restaurant filled throughout the evening, others seem to agree.
Starting in the early 60s, our family visited this area many times.  Each time we enjoyed the hospitality of the Stolfus family at their Travelers' Rest Motel.  I was thrilled to see that it is still there, now owned by two Smucker Brothers.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g52882-d611070-Reviews-Travelers_Rest_Motel-Intercourse_Lancaster_County_Pennsylvania.html
I did receive a few phone calls from friends telling me about the snow swirling around.  Hopefully that will be all gone before I leave on Sunday.