June 2016 Vuecrest View Newsletter
From: David T. Pitkethly [mailto:dtpit@u.washington.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2016 12:53 PM
To: 'everyone@vuecrest.net' everyone@vuecrest.net
Subject: June 2016 Vuecrest View Newsletter
June 2016 Vuecrest View Newsletter
July Meeting
The July Board of Directors meeting will be at the home of Rick and Dana
Adell at 9619 Hilltop Road on Thursday, July 7, 7PM. Due to the holiday
week, it may be rescheduled. An email will be sent out to confirm the final
date. Stay tuned.
Mark Your Calendar
The Vuecrest community picnic this summer will be on August 28th. Complete
details will be in the August Newsletter.
Many Thanks
Beautiful new plantings are arriving to grace our west entrance. Many thanks
to those who organized this!
City of Bellevue Parking Fines Increased
Starting May 1st all standard parking infractions have been pegged at $40.
Those ticketed for misusing residential parking zone permits will be fined
$250.
Be Safe Booklets
The Bellevue Police Dept. has recently given us over 200 booklets to be
distributed to each home. These booklets share important information about
how to prevent/deter crime in our neighborhood. They will be distributed by
volunteers and left by your front door. Please keep an eye out for them, and
take a minute to peruse the important information they contain. DTP
TID-BITS!
JUNE IS BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER!!!
June is bustin' out all over -
All over the meadow and the hill
Flowers bustin' out on bushes
And the roughen river pushes
Ev'ry little wheel that wheels beside the mill.
June is bustin' out all over -
The ocean is full of Jacks and Jills
With the little tail a swishing
Ev'ry lady fish is wishin' that a male would come
And grab 'er by the gills.
Because it's June... June, June, June
Just because it's June, June, June!
( Carousel / Rodgers & Hammerstein/ 1956)
Time to BUST-OUT and get a Junein
there is so much to do in our lovely
city!
Starting RIGHT now! Are you ready to hang and chill to some cool vibes?
Its not too late (THIS weekend! NOW!) to catch the last couple nights of
outstanding national and regional musical talent at the Bellevue Jazz and
Blues Festival at Meydenbauer Center. Special pricing for students. Read
about it at:
http://www.bellevuedowntown.com/events/bellevue-jazz-blues-festival
http://www.bellevuedowntown.com/events/bellevue-jazz-blues-festival ******
Stay in that hurry-up mode and you might be able to snag last-minute tikkies
for the greatest garbler, warbler, incoherent, logo-pathetic creative
hippie-genius of the 60s Robert Allen Zimmerman! WHO??? You know
Bob
Dylan! But you gotta move FAST...Hes like a rolling stone (1965)! Could
he sing then? Can he sing now? Does anyone care?? Hes BOB DYLAN! See him at
Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Saturday night, June 4. ***** Are
you ready to unleash your inner Zorba! (yes, you know the tune; 667 Broadway
performances, nominated for 12 Tony awards and won 5) .Enjoy wondrous Greek
food, beer, wine, music (I can almost see the Acropolis from my window!);
its all happening June 3-5, Noon to 5PM at 1804 13th Ave, Seattle. Details
can be had at http://www.biteofgreece.com www.biteofgreece.com but why
bother
just GO and enjoy! Always free admission. ***** Also on Saturday,
June 4, is the Main Street Choco Walk, 1 - 6PM, and isnt this just the VERY
reason why we love living in Vuecrest??! Stroll down to Main Street and
enjoy sampling chocolates and local wines as you take in the flavor and
panache of Ole Bellevue. I cant think of a better way to spend a sunny
(Yes! It will be!) afternoon! ***** How about some water-play? Take in the
Sound Rowers and Paddlers Lake Samammish Race. Get this: its a boat race
open to ANYONE with
whatever! Boat, canoe, rowing shells, surf skis, inner
tube
milk cartons?! It just needs to be a human-powered vessel (that means
YOU, no doggie-paddling pooches in harness!). Its on June 11, with a 10 AM
start time, and race lengths are 3, 6 or 13 miles. More info at:
http://www.soundrowers.org/wp/race-schedule/lakesammamish
www.soundrowers.org/wp/race-schedule/lakesammamish.
Whats summer without camp Days for the kiddles! How wistful are we about
camp days? Some memories never fade, even if we wish they would! I achieved
that rare status of a decade-long summer Camper Queen! My parents couldnt
think of what else to do with me for those 3 months
. Yes, yes, they
insisted with unbridled enthusiasm: Camp is SO MUCH FUN! (wrong), Youll
make NEW friends (wrong again), Youll remember the experience FOREVER
(Bingo!, they got it right that time!). So off I went; Camp Hochelaga, Camp
Brown Ledge, Camp Four Winds, then there was Drama Camp, Music Camp, Puppet
Camp, Drum Camp (training for a Marching Band future), French Camp, even
Harp Camp where it was assured Id be ready for the philharmonic in just 3
weeks! I learned how to fold a cootie- catcher, make lanyards out of plastic
gimp and smear on baby oil mixed with iodine to fake a tan. All experiences
which have added profoundly to the depth and breadth of my very being
Thanks Mom and Dad!
So, here are some camps for todays modern kids, where they really will
learn something and most probably, come away with terrific memories- Join
Bellevue Art Museum for a fun summer of creativity, hands-on art making and
museum exploring. Open to kids from pre-K to upper elementary, but space is
limited. Details and registration at http://www.bellevuearts.org
www.bellevuearts.org. ***** Also, consider Youth Track Classes in Redmond at
the Velodrome at Marymoor Park (And its great summer fun for everyone to
watch the evening league races). One week camps for ages 9-16 years for
$125. Also Try the Track introductory class, for FREE. Various weeks
available thru June, July and August. More info at
http://www.velodrome.org www.velodrome.org, or email at
mailto:juniors@velodrome.org juniors@velodrome.org. ***** The Bellevue
Boys and Girls Club offers many year round programs, but their summer camps
always rank high in popularity. They are a non-profit organization and bring
great enrichment to youngsters lives. Log on to their web-site at:
http://www.bgcbellevue.org www.bgcbellevue.org and check their schedules.
They offer 3 camp sessions that meet at the South Bellevue Community Center
or Hidden Valley Clubhouse. For grades K-6, the focus is on cooking,
photography, science, art and sports; a separate K-4 program has a weekly
theme, such as leadership, life skills, fitness and health, and a weekly
field trip. Traveling camps are for grades 5-9 and participants will travel
daily to various locations in the greater Puget Sound area where they learn
and have fun at the same time. These camps are very popular so sign-up the
kids while they still have openings! ***** One more possibility, if your
little urchin is a budding Mozart
or Elvis
or Justin Timberlake/Brittany
Spears Music Works is a non-profit music school, located near downtown
Bellevue that offers music-themed day camps for all ages, instruments and
abilities. Check out their Jazz Camp, Gotta Sing! Voice Camp, Piano Camp
etc. More info available at: http://www.musicworksnw.org
www.musicworksnw.org ***** (Frankly, what is really needed here is a Geri
-Camp where us Senior Campers can just relax and reminisce about the old
days, you know - before we were expected to answer emails, send texts, and
post our latest selfie on Facebook
Id almost forgotten how simple life was
back then!)
Lots of great books out there and plenty of peeps who love some, hate
some and are eager to tell others just what they think! Join the Book
Lovers Happy Hour on Wednesday June 8, 5-6:30PM. Just drop in, enjoy the
free appetizers, reward you hard day with a glass of wine and make new
bookie-wormy friends. Held at Stone Lounge, 1120 Bellevue Way NE, right
across from the post office. Maybe youll see Melissa Hambleton there, our
C.LC. (Contributing Literary Critic)!
Speaking of books: Livre! (French), Kniga! (Russian), Kitabu ! (Swahili),
Libro! (Spanish), Kniha! (Czech), Bok! (Norwegian)
and you can find them
all, and lots more (DVDs too) at the World Languages Book Sale on Friday
and Saturday, June 17-18 at the Bellevue Library. They even have on books
how to learn those languages, so maybe its time to revive and refresh that
8th grade French or Spanish and sharpen your mind with a new linguistic
hobby.***** But wait
more about books!! Take your kids and drop by the Book
Exchange at the Library on Thursday, June 30. Bring up to 5 books in good
condition (elementary, middle school or high school levels) and trade them
out for some new to you titles. It all happens in Room #5, and the focus
is on kids ages 5-18.
Its fresh fruit time at all the Farmers Markets! Thats a sure sign
that ruby-red strawberries, juicy peaches and luscious raspberries are
ripening and will soon be ready for us all to enjoy. Dont miss out, many of
these delights have a short season, like my favorite apricots; they always
seem to be gone before Id even realized they were here! (I planted a little
fig tree last fall, having reaped the sweet rewards from a neighbor who
shared hers generously with me, when we lived in Bridle Trails. At this
time, I already see 4 little figlets intent on donating their corpus fructum
to MOI later this summer. Okay, so its not a big harvest but if it
increases exponentially, I should have more than enough by the time I turn
100!). ***** As Im sure you know, our fair city of Bellevue has a
wondrously fresh Farmers Market every Thursday from 3-7PM at the
Presbyterian Church at 1717 Bellevue Way, just ½ mile north of downtown.
Alas, we must say good-by to the downtown Bellevue Saturday market. Due to
inadequate funding and decreased staffing, it has been cancelled for the
upcoming summer. However, another option is just up the road on 156th. The
Farmers Market at Crossroads is open every Tuesday from 12-6PM. Cut out that
coupon from the Sunday ads for a 40% discount at Michaels or Joanne Fabrics
and, after enjoying the produce, flowers, tea, honey, crafts and food trucks
at the Open Air Market, use your coupon to get some new ideas for your free
time (WHAT free time??!! Aint got none!) ***** SIFF (Seattle International
Film Festival) in conjunction with the Kirkland Performance Center will be
showing many old, classic films almost daily from June 2 12. Check out
http://www.siff.net www.siff.net for details and pricing. ***** And why
not a short trip to downtown Seattle to the beautiful Benaroya Hall for some
truly classic and classy listening: Ravel on June 6! Brahms and Dvorak on
June 7! Beethoven, June 9-10-11! And what could be more enjoyable than a
summer concert under the stars at Marymoor Park listening to the always
delightful Gershwin melodies on Sunday, June 26, starting at 4PM. Tickets
avbl. at: www.marymoorconcerts.com/events
http://www.marymoorconcerts.com/events . Be sure to check out their entire
summer schedule. ***** Does YOUR pooch have what it takes to be GRAND DOGGIE
MARSHALL??? Just such a Canine Extraordinaire is being sought to lead the
pack in the start of the Four on the 4th Dog Jog and Walk! Email a photo and
a brief paragraph by June 15, explaining why YOUR Fido can best fulfill that
task to: http://www.facebook.com/events/1619999281589868/
www.facebook.com/events/1619999281589868/ and register for the events at
http://www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/four-on-the-4th/overview
www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/four-on-the-4th/overview (and, of course,
you can vote for your own darling via social media starting in June).This
fun event benefits the Humane Society in Bellevue and starts at 9AM on
Monday, July 4th at Ashwood Park. Doggie Marshall duties include starting
the jog & walk, and serving on the Costume Contest Judging Panel with their
human. And
of course
looking Marshall-oidal! ***** Got a kid who is into
robots? (Did you know the word robot was originally created by those
clever Czechs? It was first used by the Czech author Karl Capek in a play he
wrote in 1920. The word itself refers to a peasant who owed compulsory
labor, called robotnik). You can enjoy the Seattle Bot Battles at the
Seattle Center Armory on Sunday, June 19. It features a 12x16 War Arena
with bot pit. Its fun and its free! Youll find lots of very interesting
stuff to see and do with your young robotnik. So why not Bond over Bots
sounds like a good idea for both parents and kids!
http://www.westernalliedrobotics.com www.westernalliedrobotics.com *****
Great summer weather will bring out all those car-buffs, and dont they love
to show off their babies!!! The 10th annual Fenders on Front Street will
have hundreds of vintage and classic cars on display from 8AM - 3PM on
Sunday, June 19th. Its a Fathers Day event designed for the whole family;
there will be live music, activities for all ages and an award ceremony
and,
did I mention
Fantastic CARS like youve probably never seen before??!! Its
all free, so get ready to kick some tires and lift a hood! More info at:
http://www.fendersonfrontstreet.com www.fendersonfrontstreet.com *****
Lets talk DANCE! Do you think salsa is only that bowl of red stuff you dip
your chippies in??Think again and get ready to move were talking HOT!
HOT! HOT! On Saturday, June 18 starting at 5:30, get your oh-so-precious
limber body to the Salsa Marina at Marina Park in Kirkland. This is the only
outdoor salsa event on the Eastside! You can watch professional
performances or join a free Zumba or Salsa class, depending on your own
personal wiggle-o-meter. A dance floor is laid over concrete so bring your
dancing shoes and join the fun! ***** Do you have some little person in your
house who is doing handstands on the kitchen counter? Or back flips over the
family dog? Then head right down to Meydenbauer Center where Laluna Rythmic
Gymnastics presents their show-stopping Laluna Kiss 2016 on June 19. It
features the 2001 & 2002 World Champion Simona Peycheva from Bulgaria. She
will be introduced by Arzu Karaali, world-famous Olympic coach and
choreographer. Laluna Gymnastics also offers summer camps for your budding
gymnast. Learn more at http://www.lalunagym.com www.lalunagym.com . *****
Are you HUNGRY??? GREAT! And are you HUNGARY??? Get the perfect antidote for
both at Crossroads Center Stage (Crossroads Mall on 156th ) Saturday, June
18, 6:30PM. We saw the Kisbetyarok Hungarian Family Dancers perform last
year and their foot-stomping, hand-clapping, skirt-swirling and
cossack-kicking excitement is so infectious, youll want to shake out those
creaky knees and join their Hungarian Conga Line! Its free, its fun and
its for the whole family! Catch a snippet of their fantastic presentation
at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_XriC78GXI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_XriC78GXI *****
Another exciting program (think: Dancing with the Stars) at Meydenbauer
Center is the 26th Annual Spring Showcase on June 25 & 26; both days feature
shows at 2PM & 5:30PM. See dancers ages 3-18 show off the skills theyve
learned over the years in multiple styles of dance, including ballet, tap,
jazz, lyrical, modern and hip-hop. http://www.dancetime.com
www.dancetime.com Admission $20 Adult, $10 age 6 and under. ***** Have you
indulged in this new rage of getting in touch with your inner child thru
coloring books? (Frankly, I have no interest in ever communicating with my
inner child again -She was annoying enough oh-so-many years ago and I doubt
shes improved any!) Psychologist Carl Jung, founder of analytical
psychology, prescribed coloring to his patients to calm and center their
minds. Join Heidi Heth for a free, fun and relaxing Night of Coloring on
Wednesday evening, June 22 from 6:45-8:45 at our local Bellevue Library.
Its free and all supplies provided for the first 25 attendees. Adults only
(make your kids jealous when you put YOUR own artwork on the refrigerator!).
***** You know its summer when you go to the annual Strawberry Festival at
Crossroads on June 25 & 26. Enjoying those edible delectable morsels on
shortcake is just the start! This is a wild weekend of fun and games for
all: clowns, music, balloons, face-painting, pony rides, mini-golf, power
jumping, trains, car shows, you can even grind corn, seal up a time capsule,
build a toy boat and milk a cow! Vendors galore! Its a family event so GO!
GO! GO! ***** I started sewing when I was 10 on my mothers old treadle
sewing machine, and I havent stopped yet! It has been a delightful and
useful hobby and brought me tremendous satisfaction over the years. In my
day, such homey skills were taught in Home-Ec (or Home-WRECK, as we used
to call it!). I think that has gone by the wayside, as has shop for boys,
but theres still an opportunity for learning at Pacific Fabrics and Crafts
on 140th Ave. NE. Kids Beginning Sewing starts on Monday, June 6 and runs
for 4 consecutive Mondays, from 4:30- 6PM. Learn more and sign up at
http://www.pacificfabrics.com www.pacificfabrics.com ***** Whew
Even Im
exhausted writing about all these great events. So heres a suggestion for
some Chill-out Time. Consider Pilates at the South Bellevue Community
Center. All fitness levels welcome and you can choose what works best for
you: full class sessions, 5-class flex card or single class drop-in. Youve
got nothing to lose and so much to gain! Pilates is well known for
strengthening core muscles and improving balance and flexibility. In this
class, they combine it with yoga and barre exercises. Call 425-452-4240 to
register. ***** North Bellevue Community Center offers Gentle Yoga by
Wendy, specifically designed for seniors and others who appreciate a gentle
approach. Get all the details at 425-452-7681. Ahhhhhh, breathe slowly
are
we relaxing now?? ***** Both the north and south Bellevue Community Centers
offer SO many classes (gardening! Cycling! Art! Tennis! Knitting! Theater!
etc. etc.), please check it all out at http://parksreg.bellevuewa.gov
http://parksreg.bellevuewa.gov ***** Hankering for a little quiet time at
home? KCTS 9 gives TV watching a REALLY good name! Here a few oldies but
goodies that might transport you back a few-plus years. If youre an old
Carol Burnett fan, tune in on Friday, June 3 at 9PM for her Favorite
Sketches presentation. Joan Baez turns 75 (YE GAWDS! Our original
flower-child??) and will host her own birthday party on Saturday, June 4 at
8:30. She has invited dear friends such as Judy Collins, Jackson Browne,
Paul Simon and others to join the festivities. And its probably best to set
your DVR for this one; no one who remembers the Kingston Trio could possibly
stay up late enough to watch their terrific revival, airing on Saturday,
June 11 at 11:30 PM. (The last time I stayed up that late was when I took a
trip to the east coast, and had to reset my watch 3 hours ahead
.and then
suddenly
it was MIDNIGHT and I WAS AWAKE!)
QUIRKELS !!! Yippee! Happy Palindrome Week! Those are the calendar days
when the date is the same if you read it forwards or backwards makes a
great day to get married (spouse less likely to forget future
anniversaries
but then
maybe not-) There are TEN of them this month: all the
days between 6-10-16 and 6-19-16. So
go get married!
or just do something
memorable. Heres a couple palindrome sentences just to keep you
entertained: Madam, Im Adam and A man, a plan, a canal: Panama. Can you
do one?? (I cant the best I can come up with is the name of my dear but
long gone Uncle Otto!) ***** I have lots of little hummingbirds at my
feeder and plants. Theyre here, theyre hungry and they are a joy to watch.
Keep in mind that their little wings flap 70 times a second, their little
hearts beat up to 1260 beats a minute and they fly 25-30 MPH. Now, dont you
think they deserve just a little libation?? Mix up some sugar water with a
couple drops of red dye, and fill your feeder. Then sit back and try to
remember when/if YOU had so much energy! (Annoying fact: not only do they
NOT mate for life, but those males are such philanderers that they will go
after any female they can attract; not even sticking around when the
itsy-bitsy babies arrive! Such ROGUES! RAKES! DEBAUCHERS!)
CONTRIBUTING LITERARY CRITICS
Maisie Dobbs Jacqueline Winspear
With SO many fabulous books being published daily (or so it seems!),
sometimes it is hard to commit to a series. ALL those emotional
entanglements, unreasonable demands on your time, AND the literary jealousy
(What??? Youre cheating on me with another BOOK??? One thats SINGLE??)
So, if I start a series, I want it to be worth it, darn it! Here is one
series that is worth all the hype, and more: Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline
Winspear. Maisie Dobbs starts life as a servant, in turn-of-the-century
England. Her story, as she climbs to a different level of life, becomes a
nurse in WWI, and then starts her own business as a private investigator, is
always well-written, well-situated in the historical events of the time, and
ALWAYS meaningful and interesting. If you are just being introduced to
Maisie, I envy you at least a dozen books in her series await your reading
pleasure! YES, they MUST be read in order! Happy reading!!! // Melissa
Hambleton
Dark Money by Jane Mayer
The focus of this recent best seller concerns the successful efforts of a
few very wealthy American families to utilize their deep pockets to promote
ultra-conservative principles. Billionaires Charles and David Koch have led
the drive and their rise to power in the political arena is unparalleled and
astonishing. In just a few years time their influence has propelled
Republicans to domination in state legislatures and governorships in key
states. The strategy that these billionaires employ is to invest their money
with like-minded supporters at a very basic level. These ideologically far
right-wing proponents in turn fund state and local elections, colleges and
universities, and media outlets. The ultimate goal is small government, free
markets, minimal regulations (particularly environmental), and reduced taxes
(particularly for the rich).
This book is very well documented with personal interviews and
publications. Jane Mayer has written for the Wall Street Journal, the
Washington Post, and the LA Times; and she has received many awards for her
books and feature articles. If you enjoy knowing more about the in-depth,
dark money side of politics, this book is for you. You can reserve it at
the Bellevue Library, but be patient. There are currently over 150 holds. //
David Pitkethly
*****************************************************************
VINTAGE VUECREST: Imagine this: it was a gorgeous day in spring, blue
sky everywhere and a blazing sun that hadnt been seen in months. Were all
in short sleeves and comfortably sitting under a wondrous wisteria-covered
pergola with the Seattle skyline smack in our line of sight. Suddenly, Im
distracted and my eyes focus up, up up! Bob suddenly stands and points to
the sky: Look at those eagles; look at them soar and circle, I cant
remember when I last saw that, and theres 4 of them! I fix my eyes on the
spot but then 2 smaller black V shapes appear to the west and join the
first group. They come closer and we watch as they circle overhead, round
and round, right over the house. What a delightful way to start our
conversation!
Bob and Joy Lona have lived at 9600 Evergreen Drive since 1993.
They originally hailed from Texas where Joy was in executive sales with
Eastern Airlines, and Bob was a chemist. In 1978 they moved north and found
a lovely home in Medina. They were both clever at
buying/fixer-upping/selling but the homes they remodeled didnt capture the
magnificent Seattle view they had longed for
until this sweet Vuecrest
rambler, on its own promontory, caught their attention. Bob was a chemist
with the Washington Dept. of Health but retired 3 years ago; and Joy, with
her Masters degree in Interior Design, opened her own business, Monte
Interior Designs, and it still keeps her busy. Their lovely yard is a
testament to their natural ingenuity and sense of design. The large hewn
cedar pergola that sits on the high point of their property was hand built
by Bob and positioned so aptly as to allow expansive views to the SW. A
small water pond gurgles as we chat. A warm waft of fragrance is carried on
a breeze from the pink ornamental cherry tree and hydrangeas that abound.
They have created a serene sanctuary and I felt honored to been invited in.
Conversation flows easily as they share travel stories about their trips to
Italy and Hawaii. But their love for the NW remains foremost in their minds
as they recount pedaling around the San Juans and Butchart Gardens on their
tandem bicycle built for 2.
These are their memories from the early days at Vuecrest:
-
Moving day to Vuecrest! Neighbors from Medina helped them with their
move and brought all their kids with them. While the adults unloaded boxes
and furniture, this large passel of children played on the lawn. A neighbor
walked by, introduced himself and said: It sure will be nice to have
children here, there just dont seem to be too many in Vuecrest. Joy had to
confess, apologetically, that none of the clan was theirs. They had only one
son, who had already moved away. -
Joy served on the Vuecrest board shortly after moving to the community,
first on the Architecture committee and then later on Landscaping. During
her tenure, there was only scant turn-around in properties so hiring outside
architects and lawyers as consultants was just a twinkly little idea in the
future. Ninety percent of the houses still carried their original exterior
looks. The streetlights were battery powered and needed frequent battery
changes. One day, Joy noticed that the city was about to dig a repair line
underneath the Park Road from the south esplanade to the north. She was
instrumental in getting the city to include (at the city's expense) new
electrical conduit and wires along this same excavation to electrically
connect both esplanades. Her foresight now enables us to enjoy ambient
lighting at our lovely erntrance as well as seasonal displays. Asked how she
did that, she replied "I told the city contractor on site that we (Vuecrest
owners) had been taking really good care of their city property along these
two esplanades for the last 40 years and that I thought they might want us
to continue to make it even better with more 'safety lighting' along their
streets." Thanks Joy!!! -
Joy recounts that a dear friend of hers from Medina had often suggested
they go to Vuecrest to view the Christmas lights because it was one of the
prettiest displays in the whole town. Why was that? I asked. Joy said the
many of the original VC residents were shop keepers from Bel-Square who had
wanted to find homes close to their stores. When they found they had extra
lights not needed in their store fronts, they would bring them home and
create delightful holiday lighting displays with the extras. -
Joy pointed out some small wild strawberry plants that were growing in
the rockery and between the sedum - See that? Thats the legacy of Patrick
Downey. I hadnt heard of him before, so I asked her to tell me more. She
related that Patrick Downey was the original owner of the Vuecrest land,
where he raised cattle and planted strawberry fields. It was then sold to
Rogers and Barber, and then the plats were resold to developers. (more
historic details can be found at: www.vuecrest.net/museum
http://www.vuecrest.net/museum .) I thought about the good fortune Bob and
Joy would have quite soon when those luscious little juicy treats would be
ripe and ready for plucking in their yard.
It was time for me to head home but something stuck in my mind as I walked
across my own yard. Then I saw it, peeking out from under a large rock: the
small filigree tendrils of a strawberry plant that I had spotted last
summer. It seemed so odd then, where had this little interloper come from?
But now, it was clear, I was the interloper. This little burgeoning bud of
sweetness was here long before me
or you or any of us had settled in on
Vuecrest soil. Thanks, Patrick. What good fortune that we still can enjoy
the very fruits of your labor!
June 19, Sunday, is Fathers Day, a special day to honor the wonderful man
in our lives, without whom, we would NOT be here! And lets not forget the
step-dads, grandpas and uncles who may hhave brought their own wisdom into
making us who we are today.
There's a man at my house, he's so big and strong
He goes to work each day, and he stays all day long.
He comes home each night looking tired and beat
He sits down at the dinner table and has a bite to eat.
Never a frown always a smile
When he says to me: how's my child?
I said that I've been studying hard all day in school
Tryin' very hard to understand the golden rule
I think I'll color this man father
I think I'll color him love,
Said I'm gonna color him father
I think I'll color the man love, yes I will The Winstons/1969
****************************
Have a wonderful June! Mara