Check out my new listing in Emerson Valley—199 Spring Street!

This beautiful, elegant one-family center-hall colonial in lovely Emerson Valley is situated on an irregular 100’ x 130’ lot, offering privacy in a cul-de-sac of three homes in total. With over 5,000 sq. ft. of livable space, it is set high on the hill a good distance from the street, eliminating noise and pollution and with ample space for parking near the house.

 

The high-ceiling foyer and grand entrance welcomes you to the formal dining room with Butler’s room, an open-concept living room with custom built-ins, a gas fireplace, an oversized eat-in kitchen including custom cabinets, wet bar, granite countertops, laundry room and includes a ½ bath powder room. Sliders…

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A Brief History of Veterans Day (borrowed from “Military.com”) end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

 

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday…

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This has been one heck of a week! In all my years on this earth, I have never experienced a pandemic--schools are closed, as well as businesses, houses of worship, libraries, gyms, restaurants, bars, casinos, and functions, events, fundraisers have been cancelled. Supermarkets have been ransacked by hoarders for toilet paper, cases of water among other essentials. We are being warned not to congregate in large groups because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and yet, crowds of people are waiting in lines just to get into grocery stores each day!

Needless to say, this week’s events will be abbreviated, and I will be on hiatus for the foreseeable future. I have left a few outdoor events on the list, but I advise you to call beforehand if you want to attend.…

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I was delighted to see my outdoor plants budding and blooming and the weather becoming mild. Some of my aches and pains seem to have eased, also. Now is the time to start planning seeds indoors to transplant outdoors after the last frost. I started the lettuce (Romaine and Butterhead) in bowls of water on my window sill and have moved quite a few into a large pot. I will separate the different kinds of lettuce into different pots, though. I also grow parsley in a pot and use the crop for all my recipes. You can virtually grow anything--basil stems, Sweet Potatoes, Ginger, Carrots, Green Onions, Celery, Leeks, Bok Choy, a Garlic Bulb, Basil, Lemongrass and Mint and save your money. Below are some photos of my indoor starter garden. Check out the internet…

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Thank you to Dorcas Meyers for sharing photos of the “Black History Month: Celebrating Unsung Community Leaders Making a Difference” event at Dreyfus Intermediate School, IS 49. Hosted by the African-American community and the JCC Beacon program, the honorees were Minister Robert Perkins—Community Service Award, LRaye Means—Entrepreneurship and Community Service Award and Elijah Scott-Pyle, Youth Community Service Leader Award. Congratulations to all the honorees--you are inspiring! Read about the event at: https://www.silive.com/news/j66j-2020/02/ecbaae917c4628/three-honored-thursday-for-outstanding-contributions-to-the-staten-island-community.html

 

People ask me, “How can I receive the “Weekend Events” blog. If you enjoy reading…

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Did your kiddies have a wonderful President’s week off, sleeping late and enjoying no homework? I appreciated the empty roads, no school buses blocking every street I happened to be on and hearing the happy sounds of children playing outside in the parks and yards.

Do you live in the moment? Do you practice mindfulness, relaxation exercises, yoga, meditation, prayer? A few years ago while I recuperated from surgery, a neuropsychologist invited the Rehab patients to a Mindfulness session. I (Doubting Thomas) immediately pegged it as quackery; after 30 minutes, I was a disciple. The pain was gone. When my family wanted to visit, I tried to dissuade them. They persisted! As soon as the kiddies arrived they hugged, kissed and cuddled with me; the pain…

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Did you attend Prompted: A Creative Writing Session at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library  on Friday or join the Friends of the Olmsted-Beil House for "Love in the Writings of Frederick Law Olmsted and Other Staten Island Love Stories" on Sunday?  For those of you who love “love letters” and wish you could write something memorable to your dear ones, these events are a good start. I have received a number of love letters in my life and have kept and cherished but a few. The cards and letters that have really touched my soul were handmade and written from the heart. I searched today for cards and/or letters that were sent to me by loved ones over the years.  

 

The most special letters I have received were written to me for no special occasion…

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Did you attend any of the arts & crafts events this week? Adult Craft: Make Your Own Bracelet at Great Kills Library, CloseKnit at the Noble Maritime Collection, Kinetic Geometry for teens with MakerSpace at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, Valentine’s Card-Making Event at Every Thing Goes Book Café, Crochet 4 Kidz Club at Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, Crazy Little Thing Called Love: How to Write Your Own Love Song at West New Brighton Library, Victorian Valentine Workshop at Historic Richmondtown, participate inFull Moon Drum Circle at Every Thing Goes Book Café, or Staten Island OutLOUD’s: Local Mariners, Local History at Leidy's Shore Inn or enjoy Spoken Word at Art on the Terrace or finally sign your kids up for the Zimmer Club Free Youth Program?

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I personally witnessed, along with many other hardy (and hearty) folks, Staten Island Chuck, our favorite prognosticator, predict an early Spring, on a damp, cold Sunday morning 02/02/2020—the first global palindrome day in 909 years!  I’m thrilled that warmer weather is coming soon.  As for the palindrome day, we won’t experience this unique phenomenon for another 101 years on 12/12/2121. That’s a fact!  Following are some photos from the event.

Awhile ago, I told you about meeting Mona Oman, a commercial artist and mother of two, beautifying the side of a building on Henderson and Davis Avenues.  As soon as those rare, odd winter days in the 50’s surprised us, Mona would seize the day, arrange her paints and carry on with her…

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Did you take advantage of the free mammograms and breast cancer screenings last week? If not, call State Sen. Andrew Lanza’s office at 800-564-6868 for an appointment that will continue throughout the year. The Zimmer Club Free Youth Winter Program should be on your to-do list for your children under the age of 18. Check out their site info@aezyouth.com; get your kids away from their electronic devices, out of the house and into fresh air with these exciting programs. They will thank you later. Did you attend Direct Connect with Borough Hall on Sunday for a meet and greet with our Borough President James Oddo and his staff or welcome in the Year of the Rat: Lunar New Year events with Staten Island OutLOUD at the Greenbelt Nature Center or at Snug Harbor…

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