As I promised myself politics would not be included in my blog this week, I will only say this: Donald J. Trump is now President of the United States.  Say a prayer, take a deep breath and let us start on the road to first uniting our friends and family instead of badmouthing and unfriending on Facebook those who do not agree with our opinions. These people are close to you! Charity, compassion, understanding and love begin at home! 

As I write this blog tonight, we are in the throes of a Nor’easter!  The South has been hit hard as well as the Eastern coastline.  I am keeping my eye on the huge trees in the neighboring properties surrounding my home and garage and wonder which one, if any will fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you…

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Well, we received another reprieve of two days of 60+ degrees weather.  I put down the convertible top and worked on my winter intake of Vitamin D “the sunshine vitamin”!  I even gave my grandkiddies a ride with the top down.  My grandson was thrilled to be able to see the world of Staten Island so clearly (Uh, oh! Does that mean a future motorcyclist in the family?!) AND he held his little sister’s hand as he pointed out different things on her side and then his side of the car. We visited the playground at Bloomingdale Park, and it was packed!  It was so glorious to have some sun and heat in January without flying to Florida.

Did you take the winter walk through Willowbrook Park with the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods on Saturday?  One of my…

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Watching the snow fall this weekend was lovely until I realized I would have to cancel plans I had made and do chores around the house instead. 

 

 

 

 

Did you get to the Tavern concert at Historic Richmond Town this Saturday and listen to the Wahoo Skiffle Crazies?  Did the kiddies enjoy the Five Senses at the Tottenville Library or play Table Tennis at the Stapleton Library.  Did you attend Wealthy in 2017 at the South Beach Library or join the Knitting & Crocheting Club at Great Kills Library or update your Resume at Port Richmond Library?

I attended a meeting last week where people were discussing how there is nothing for their kids to do and no place for them to go.  I was surprised because I bet if their friends said, “Let’s go…

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I pray, my gentle readers, that your New Year’s Eve celebrations were enjoyable and shared with people you love and care about.  I attended a party (the first in many years) and had fun with my family and friends of the hosts and watching the children of different ages entertaining each other.  It was wholesome, and most of us lasted till midnight. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is always emotional when the clock strikes midnight as I fight to hide my tears. What will my life be like and that of my family? Who will be around, who won’t? Our family will have a wedding in May and a birth in June, so those are two blessed events.  I predict 2017 will be great and I will only think pleasant, positive thoughts!  Will you make resolutions,…

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I hope your holidays were blessed and joyful.  Did you enjoy FREE admission at the Staten Island Children’s Museum on Monday?  Or visit Ocean Breeze Park at 625 Father Capodanno Blvd. and check  out the many programs that are offered there?  My 5 year old grandson very proudly announced that usually he only has Saturday and Sunday off from school. But this week, he said, he will have so many more days off and doesn't have to return until “next year”!  I asked him if he will miss going to school.  He tentatively replied, “Yes.”  I know Gerard and many other students as well as educators will be happy to have this week off to rest, play and recharge their internal batteries. 

My sister, brother and I took a quick trip to Manhattan on Monday (walked over…

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What did you do this week?  Decorate a tree, string lights on your door front, build a gingerbread house, bake a lot of cookies?

 

 

 

 

 

Or visit the Christmas Wonderland display at 107 Sharrotts Rd. by Joseph DiMartino in memory of his wife, Debra Ann, a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the World Trade Center?  You still have a few more days to enjoy this show!  It is FREE but a donation box is present if you want to give to the Nalitt Institute's Outpatient Children's Cancer Unit at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The holidays should be a time of celebration and joy, engaging…

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The Salem Evangelical Church presented the Live Nativity this weekend—Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for the 10th year on the church’s front lawn at 634 Clove Rd.  To say this presentation was absolutely beautiful and touching is an understatement.  On Sunday night, as the snow lightly fell, the story of the birth of Christ was told as if it was happening in the present, with the three kings and visitors to the manger and the llamas, pony and donkey beside them.  I was moved to tears as the church choir sang Christmas carols. After the performance, the children pet the animals.  All were invited inside for homemade cookies and hot cocoa, a musical performance on stage and/or a visit to the worship center.  Another skit about the life of St. Nicholas was…

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Did you enjoy the Tree Lightings at Borough Hall, the Conference House or elsewhere or attend Christmas shows or Fairs?  Below are some photos from various Fairs I attended.  Check out the "Pennies for Pilgrims"! The Youth Group of Christ Church of New Brighton are raising money to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Joan of Arc in France.  They hand made all of the items for sale at their table including beautiful earrings, knitted/crocheted scarves, hats and animal toys. 

 

How about the City of Science: Staten Island, last Sunday at the South Shore YMCA?  One of my gentle readers told me his family enjoyed the science exhibits including the human brain, sheep brain, robotics demos and more and shared photos from this awe-inspiring event. 

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How many of you ate a vegetarian, pasta or any other kind of food instead of turkey on Thanksgiving this year?  If you have photos showing alternative food choices, I will post them.  I can honestly say I enjoy turkey but love those crispy pieces of skin as a side dish.  Yummy!  Here are photos from my family's Thanksgiving featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, creamed white onions, lots of veggies, a large healthy vegetable salad, homemade pumpkin, cherry, mince, apple pies, moonshine cake and rum cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Did you prepare yourself for the holiday by Line Dancing at Christ Methodist Church on Wednesday or Yoga on Thanksgiving morning with 5 Boro Power Yoga or Family Hike with the JCC or the …

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This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving Day.  I hope you, my gentle readers, will find the time to give thanks for your life, your family, friends and neighbors.  As good or bad as you think life is at times, there are others who have nothing or much less than anything you can ever imagine.  Please remember those in your lives who are in need of companionship; maybe a phone call or a visit would make their day.  Holidays can be lonely.  If you can, invite someone to your home or volunteer to serve food at a community food kitchen. 

Did you take a walk through one of our many parks on Staten Island or join Staten Island OutLOUD for one of their events or attend one of the many Christmas/holiday Fairs all across the Island?

 

 

 

 

 

See…

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