Ye Olde Front Page
Flashback
This is a cut-and-pasted copy of the original main-index page of the Birch Street Web as it appeared Thanksgiving 2008. That was the last update of The Front Page as it was phased out in favor of a new blog-style home page (birchstreetweb.blogspot.com).
NOTE: Many of the links on this copy don't work. You should be able to find all the content through the current home page.
The original appearance of the page has been modified to fit this "Google sites" page. Some photos and other elements may not appear correctly.
Index Pages
Browse these categories for links to all our content
* The Front Page *
The Birch Street Web
A family site for keeping in touch - Since March 2007
Welcome PageNews & NotesBirch St. GalleryBirch St. TVAbout usContact us
News & features
Happy Thanksgiving!
Best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday. We hope everyone gets to spend some time relaxing with family and friends. Wherever you are and however you celebrate, have a happy Thanksgiving - and please write in to tell us all about it!
Some features appear under more than one heading. The latest updates can always be found on The Front Page.
The Whaddyaknow page has been revised. Check it out!
BE A CORRESPONDENT!
The author’s primary thesis is that the media and digital revolution touted as a great boom to education has not fulfilled the promise, and, in fact, has stifled important learning from books, magazines, newspapers and other hard copy sources. (Posted 11/16/2008)
In his other life at The Star-Ledger, Birch Street Webmaster Dan is moving from the news pages to the editorial/opinion pages. (Posted 11/24/2008).
A half-hour program on MTV called "The Britney Collection" features some of Britney Spears' fans -- including Shanna -- talking about the pop star and her hit music videos. Click for more info.(Updated 11/21/08 with video)
The Birch Street Web depends on you! Please Send us your news, your photos, your links to interesting Internet sites, your chatty missives about nothing in particular... whatever you'd like to share with far-flung family members. Just click here to e-mail to the editor.
LINKS
BKM Music - Featuring the music of brothers Brien and Kevin
28music - The web site of Gerrit's band, Twenty Eight
nj.com - The web site of The Star-Ledger, the newspaper where the editor of the Birch Street Web also works
Loggerhead Marinelife Center - A sea turtle rehabilitation and education facility on the oceanfront in Juno Beach where Nanette is executive director.
No Raisin - For those with a taste for the absurd
With the beginning of the New Year, they'll be New Jersey residents again. Read more. (Posted 11/16/2008)
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Announcing: A new format for our site
The Birch Street Web continues to evolve. Since it began in March 2007 the design of the site has changed several times. Now we're changing again.
This "Front Page" is being phased out in favor of the new "Birch Street Web blog." It serves the same purpose, showing the latest entries at the top and letting you scroll down to go back in time to earlier articles. It also allows you to search for articles by category, by date and even by keyword. And you can easily add your own comments to any post, making this Family Web Site more interactive.
At the moment, everything on the new blog page is also here on The Front Page -- BUT NOT FOR LONG. Soon the blog will replace this page as the starting point to find everything on The Birch Street Web.
So check it out. And please keep sending in your news and notes, musings and missives, photos and videos, to keep the site fresh and help us all Keep in touch.
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Kevin and Kathy marked their 25th wedding anniversary on Oct. 8. Shanna and Kevin treated them to a celebratory dinner. Details here. (Posted 11/10/2008)
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Shanna, Kevin and their parents took part in the Memory Walk to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association on Oct. 26 in Manhattan's Riverside Park. Read Shanna's report. (Posted 11/8/2008)
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The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Band moved up to a higher level of competition this year, Christine's second year as a member of the flute line. See the news, photos and videos here. (Posted 11/2/2008)
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Brien has sent along photos he took this summer in Noyac. Check them out here. (Posted 11/1/2008)
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Andy takes flight on way to merit badge
Andy got to co-pilot a small plane as he earned the Boy Scout Aviation merit badge, one of six badges he earned this summer. Details and photos here. (Posted 10/8/2008)
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Becky in parade honoring Olympian
When Baltimore threw a welcome-home party for Michael Phelps, winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing games, Becky and her Towson High School Marching Generals band mates were in the parade. In this news video, watch for the sousaphone (tuba) player closest to the camera as the parade goes by. (Posted 10/8/2008)
Anniversary party for Kathy & Ted
Kathy and Ted were treated to dinner by their children in celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary. Read more here. (Posted 10/7/2008)
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Genevieve adds duties at Boston's MFA
In addition to studying for her masters and working as a teaching assistant at Tufts, Genevieve is now wearing a couple of hats at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Read more here. (Posted 10/7/2008)
Dan traveled to California in mid-September to visit with Marie (who was celebrating a birthday) and Brian, almost-two-year-old Xander, and Dan and Eyvonne. See more here. Posted 9/28/2008.
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In memory of Austin
Family members gathered at Resurrection Church in Rye, N.Y., to say farewell to Austin, father of Austin and Owen, grandfather of Rachel, Gerrit and Lizzie, brother of Daniel and Annamarie, and "Uncle Austin" to so many of us. Born Nov. 20, 1917, Austin passed away on Sept. 9. We have dedicated a page of this site to his memory and invite all family members to add their remembrances. (Posted 9/28, updated 9/29/2008)
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Midsummer on Long Island
Summer is coming to and end but here's a look back at the week of July 26-Aug. 2. Posted 9/1/2008.
(Click once to see the slideshow on this page, or double-click to go to the photo album for larger images.)
Dan, Julie, Christine and Andy spent a July week on a road trip to Saratoga, Quebec and Maine. Photos are here, more details to come. Posted 8/22/2008.
Another birthday, but who's counting?
Birthday girl Dolores and her husband Hugh pose outside their Rehoboth Beach retreat with daughter Julie, son-in-law Dan, and grandchildren Andy, Christine and Stephanie on July 13. (Click on the picture for a larger view.) The visitors helped Dolores celebrate her birthday weekend with dinner at the nearby Just in Thyme restaurant, despite her protestations that there was no reason to make a fuss over "just another number." Posted 7/14/2008.
Birthday at the beach
Lorraine celebrated her birthday July 7 with a pleasant afternoon at the beach - Mecox Beach on the ocean at Bridgehampton. That was followed by dinner at Il Cappuccino in Sag Harbor with husband Dan and son Dan. Posted 7/8/2008.
Hugh and Dolores spent a week in mid-June cruising aboard a sternwheeler on the Willamette, Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon and Washington. Updated 7/3/2008.
Happy birthday to Brien
Kevin and Kathy played hosts for a small gathering July 28 to celebrate Brien's birthday the day before. Fittingly for the long-time Yankees fan, he and Kevin and Dan watched the Yanks beat the Mets in a "subway series" game. That was followed by cake and other appropriate festivities with Kathy and Ted, Lorraine and Dan, and Kevin the younger joining in. (Posted 7/2/2008)
Birch Street TV has video of them performing at their piano class recital in early June. Here they pose with their teacher. Posted 6/14/2008.
For a second year, Andy went with his Boy Scout troop on a weekend camping trip featuring a day of whitewater rafting. Posted 6/8/2008.
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Christopher and his 5th grade band mates performed in the Cecil Manor Elementary School Spring Concert last month. Birch Street TV has the video. Posted 6/6/2008.
Brien sends along a report of his visit to Aunt Pat, Mary Lorraine and the rest of the Saratoga-area branch of the family. Posted 6/5/2008.
The end of the spring term brings a slight break in the action for Dan, who says he's been "crazy busy" with school and work. See Page Two. (Posted 6/1/2008)
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Previous Feature Articles
Commemorating Memorial Day - As in years past, Christine and Andy took part in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Memorial Day Parade. This year Christine marched with the SP-F High School Marching Band, while Andy and his Boy Scout Troop 33 participated in Fanwood's memorial ceremony before joining the parade. Posted 5/26/2008.
Still flying after all these years - Julie and Dan saw the Eagles put on a three-hour show of their classic hits plus new material on May 24, 2008 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Read Dan's review. Posted 5/26/2008.
Christine the equestrian - Christine was among nearly 300 riders to take part in the annual Spring Troop Show at the Watchung Stable. She's been riding there for the past seven years. Posted 5/25/2008
The famous Preakness Party - Doug and Lisa hosted their annual party on the day of the Preakness Stakes, Saturday May 17. See the photos and video inside. Updated 5/22/2008.
Playing hard on the soccer field - The Sports Page has been updated with a couple of action photos of Christine in a tough game between her team and a crosstown rival. Posted 5/11/2008.
Spreading springtime glee - The Male Glee Club of Yonkers put on its annual Spring Concert on Sunday May 4 in Yonkers. Check out the video featuring two of the numbers. Posted 5/10/2008.
Christine's art in high school show - A couple of examples of Christine's work were included in the 2008 Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Art Show. Posted 4/24/2008.
Promotion at Saratoga YMCA - Mary accepted the position of "Youth and Family Sports Director" at the YMCA of Saratoga. Posted 4/22/2008.
Stephanie advances in karate - Stepanie was awarded her orange belt in karate in December 2007 and advanced again in April 2008 to her "camo" belt. See details and photos here. Posted 4/20/2008.
Gerrit's band releases debut album - Twenty-eight, a five-man rock band featuring Gerrit on guitar, has just released its debut album, Road to October. Posted 4/29/2008.
Celebrating a great birthday- Dan/Dad/Grandpa was feted by family members April 12 in celebration of his birthday on the 7th. Posted 4/13/2008. Video added 4/16. More photos added 4/17.
Christine's confirmation - Christine was confirmed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield. Posted 4/6/2008.
Xander's cruising along - Marie has sent along a new batch of photos of Xander so we can all say "wow he's getting big!" Posted 3/28/2008.
Dolores a 'legend' of needle arts - At the annual assembly of the National Academy of Needlearts, Dolores was named the first recipient of the organization's Living Legend award. Posted 3/28/2008.
Chris and his mates are kings at chess - Christopher was part of the Cecil Manor Elementary School Chess Club team that finished in first place at the county chess tournament March 18. Posted 3/22/2008.
Lots More Inside!
Use the index pages to find it all.
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Updated 11.24.08 / Copyright 2008 Birch Street Media / All rights reserved
