Text copied from the original Birch Street Web site where it was published in summer 2007;
some formatting has been lost
The Archives
Highlights of back issues
Posted June 2007
Lizzie and Becky will be heading to New Brunswick, Canada, soon for curling camp. As you may know, they and their parents, Doug and Lisa, belong to the Potomac Curling Club based in Laurel, Md.
In March, Becky was part of a team representing Maryland at the U.S. Curling Association Club National Championships in St. Paul, Minn.
Lizzie writes: "Becky and I are really excited for camp -- the Canadian Olympian medal winners are coaches. We met them at camp last year, and we really learned a lot."
Also thanks to Lizzie, we learn that Doug and Lisa were among the Potomac club members who took part in a bonspiel - a curling competition - in Pittsburgh June 28-July 1. Their team was runner-up in the first event, and their photo is currently featured on the Potomac Curling Club Web site.
Christine won a red ribbon (2nd place) in a riding competition May 26, 2007, at Watchung Stables in Mountainside, New Jersey, where she has been taking riding lessons for several years. She'll be returning for a week of riding in July, and will have a week of riding at the Girl Scouts' Camp Hoover in August.
Daniel has been a member of the American Chemical Society for 60 years, and on May 23, 2007, he and Lorraine were among the guests for a luncheon at the Tavern on the Green in Manhattan. It was an event sponsored by the New York Section of the ACS to honor 50- and 60-year members.
At the event, Daniel met a chemistry professor from Manhattan College, a 50-year ACS member, who remembered teaching Kathy when she was a student at the College of Mount St. Vincent, which shares some courses with Manhattan.
Next Friday (June 1) Daniel and Lorraine will head to Rose Hill for the Fordham University Alumni Association's Golden Ram dinner. Golden Rams are alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. "I'm Class of 1947, so this is my 60th year," Daniel writes. "Hard to believe how many years have gone by."
Rebecca celebrated her birthday on Thursday (May 24, 2007). As faithful readers of this site know, she is finishing her sophmore year at Towson High School in Maryland, played tuba in the school's recent band concert and was part of the Potomac Curling Club team that took part in the U.S. Curling Association Club National Championships held in St. Paul, Minn. in March.
Christopher celebrated his 10th birthday on May 5, 2007. As part of the festivities "he had a couple of friends sleep over Saturday night but there was very little sleeping on their part," reports his mom, Cathy. Shown here in his current school portrait, Christopher is a busy guy these days. In Cub Scouts, he's a 2nd year Webelos, getting ready for the move up to Boy Scouts. "We have lots of camping trips coming up this spring," Cathy says.
"Also he is playing saxophone in the school band and continues to take piano lessons. He was also in the chess club at school this year." Christopher is an avid reader, and enjoys TV and computer games in his spare time.
Andy succeeded in winning promotion from Orange Belt to Green Belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do on April 19, 2007.
Under the demanding eye of Master Yoo at the Martial Arts Institute of America school in Scotch Plains, Andy performed admirably to win his new belt and a trophy. Here he demonstrates his forms at home after his promotion.
The committee invited Dolores to return during the show to demonstrate embroidery techniques. That trip was on a lovely, warm spring day, with no ice at all. People from all over the country attended, watched her work and asked questions -- and possibly someone decided to try stitching some day.
Dolores and other members of the Embroiderers Guild of America conducted a Children’s Needlework Tea and Workshop at the Maryland Historical Society, in conjunction with the opening of a major exhibit at the Society of “School Girl Samplers.” Girls aged 6-9 attended, with moms and grandmoms, to enjoy tea, cookies, and peanut and jelly sandwiches and learn to do a few simple stitches on a bookmark. “It was fun for all, and especially delightful to see our students “turned “to stitching,” Dolores said.
In an annual tradition, Dan and Christine attended their hometown Girl Scout Father-Daughter Dance on March 29, 2007. Two dances are held each year, one for Brownies and their dads, the other for older Girl Scouts and their fathers. For Dan and Christine this was their seventh year attending one of the dances.
As in past years Christine had a great time on the dance floor, sometimes with friends (as pictured) and other times with her ol' Dad. This year the event for older scouts (mostly middle-school-age) was held at a local catering hall, which contributed a full buffet dinner -- a nice step up from the sub sandwiches of past years. But of course the important part of the event is not the food; it's the chance for some quality time for dads and daughters. And on that basis it's been a big success every year.
Doug and sister-in-law Lisa were expectant parents at the time; Elizabeth was born Oct. 30 of that year.
So here's to three of the people who will have the chance to affect the fate of our nation nineteen months from now: Vivien, Kevin and Elizabeth.
I I I
Vivien marked her 18th birthday on March 28, but barely had time to celebrate. She headed early the next morning to Washington, D.C. as leader of a 14-person delegation to a Model United Nations Conference at George Washington University.
Vivien is president of the Model UN Club at the School of the Holy Child in Rye. The conference had a packed schedule of committee meetings and other activities over a four-day period.
Vivien is one of the many family members looking forward to graduation in June. With her high school diploma from Holy Child she'll be heading to the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in the fall.
I I I
Kevin's birthday was Friday, March 30. He's been busy wrapping up his last year at Iona Prep, where he is president of both the science fiction club and Gamers Republic, a club which focuses on computer games and programming. He and his friend, the VP of the club, have been working on their own computer game program which is currently being 'beta tested' online by other users.
Kevin hasn't made his final decision on which college he will be attending in the fall, but is sure he will be studying computer science. Among the options he's considering are Fordham, Manhattan and Manhattanville.
I I I
Elizabeth will be graduating from Towson High School and is looking at college choices including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Penn State University and the University of Maryland. She is planning to study architecture.
After an eventful 10 months in Sparks, Nevada, Marie and Brian moved back to California in February along with young Alexander. They found a very nice duplex rental in Morgan Hill.
"We're really loving our new house," Marie writes. "It's a huge step up from anywhere else we've rented. All the fixtures and appliances are nice and new."
Brian and Marie are now taking a larger role in the family business, Regal Ribbons, which has its shop in the same town. "Bridal season is starting, so work has been very busy," Marie writes. "We're doing well, and Brian is very happy with the work environment."
Brian worked for Regal Ribbons previously before going to work as a printer for Block Graphics in Paso Robles, Calif. It was Block that later closed that plant and transferred Brian to a new plant in Sparks. However, the company was then sold, and the Sparks plant was never properly staffed; Brian was its mainstay, and as soon as he gave notice that he was leaving, the owners decided to close the Sparks plant.
Of course the highlight of their brief residence in Sparks was the birth of Alexander on Oct. 4. As he approaches the 6 month mark, "Xander is getting really big," his mom reports.
"He's a little over 16 pounds now and wearing 6 and 9 month sized clothes." His top front teeth are starting to come in, too. These two photos are from early February.
Friends and family can get more information by contacting the Birch Street Web.
March 25, 2007
Andy went on his first Boy Scout overnight camping trip in March as a new member of Troop 33.
The troop headed up early on the morning of March 24 to Alpine Scout Camp, in northeastern New Jersey along the Palisades.
After setting up camp, Andy set out with his and another patrol for a day of hiking. The plan was for the younger scouts to take a one route while older scouts took a longer route. But there was a bit of a mix-up, and it seemed that the younger group, including Andy, took the long route. Tiring, but a lot of fun, Andy says.
They followed one trail that wound down the from the ridge of the Palisades to the bank of the Hudson River below, where they had a picnic lunch beside the Alpine Boat Basin. Then they hiked south along the river a couple of miles to another trail that climbed back to the top of the cliffs, and finally back north to their starting point.
Back at last at the campsite, the troop built a campfire, cooked dinner, and then put on a series of skits before retiring to their tents for the night. There was a bit of rain during the night but fortunately nothing heavy.
The trip wound up next morning with breakfast and breaking camp. Andy said some of the leaders remarked that this camp-out had more work and hiking, and less fun and games, than some of the troops trips, and perhaps wasn't the easiest introduction for new Scouts. But Andy enjoyed himself and is looking forward to future trips with Troop 33.
Andy just recently moved up from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Having earned his Arrow of Light award, he qualified to bridge up to Boy Scouts before turning 11. He was scheduled to receive the award patch at his pack's annual Blue and Gold dinner on March 16; unfortunately the dinner was postponed by a sleet storm and is now scheduled for late April. Meantime, at a Troop 33 Court of Awards on March 27, he received his Scout badge as he begins his Boy Scout career.
Andy (2nd from right) with members of his Webelos den after participating in a Pinewood Derby in February, just before moving up to Boy Scouts. < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">
March 13, 2007
March 24, 2007
Christine's Girl Scout Troop 441 had a very successful Cookie Drive this year. In addition to sales to family and friends, the troop held "booth sales" outside local shops on March 17 (once the sleet storm cleared out) and again on March 24, and did quite well on both dates. People just can't resist those cookies!
Here Christine and her friend Allie wait to greet the next customer, wearing St. Patrick's Day headgear.
You have reached The Archive, the repository for former postings after they are removed from the news pages of The Birch Street Web. Enjoy the memories!
As posted in April, 2007
This spring will see an amazing number of graduations among the various branches of the family connected by the Birch Street Web. We count eight grads-to-be; if we're missing any, please correct us.
Genevieve graduates from Cornell University with her bachelor's degree in archaeology and art history. See the article on this page about her plans for the fall.
Her sister, Vivien, graduates from School of the Holy Child in Rye, N.Y., and plans to attend the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in the fall.
Their brother, Patrick, graduates from 8th grade at Our Lady of Fatima school in Scarsdale, N.Y., and will be a freshman at Fordham Prep in September.
Shanna graduates from SUNY-Purchase and heads into the working world, seeking a job in broadcasting or public relations.
Her brother, Kevin, will graduate from Iona Prep in New Rochelle, N.Y., and is planning to study computer science in college. He's looking at Manhattan College, Fordham University and Manhattanville College.
In New Jersey, Christine will be graduating from 8th grade at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, where her brother, Andy, will move up from 5th to 6th grade. Christine will start at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in September.
In Maryland, Elizabeth will graduate from Towson High School in June, where her sister, Becky, will be a junior in the fall. Elizabeth has decided she will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall, where she plans to study architecture.
In Massachusetts, Gerrit will be graduating in May from Nichols College in Dudley, where he has been majoring in sports management.
Originally posted in April 2007< xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">
Hugh and Dolores have recently returned from Kansas City Missouri where they attended The Assembly of The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN). While there, Dolores taught a class in design to NAN-certified judges and students studying for certification. She also took classes with two teachers who taught using their unique stitchery designs.
Dolores is a member of the Board of Directors of the organization and serves in several other capacities, so she attended a number of meetings associated with the group.
Hugh busied himself working with The Exemplary -- the NAN Needlearts exhibit. He helped to hang and light the exhibit. The Exemplary displays art needlework pieces submitted for judging and view by exhibitors from all over the country. Additionally, the exhibit features the work of two members of NAN selected to receive the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. Dolores was the recipient of this prestigious award in 2005.
The Exemplary exhibit also includes a selection of art needlework that the organization has selected to include in their permanent collection housed in the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at North Carolina State University. Dolores's piece from the museum collection was seen in The Exemplary in 2005 and 2006.
For more information about NAN, The Assembly, and the Exemplary see the organization's Web site at http://www.needleart.org.
While in Kansas City, Dolores and Hugh visited the Nelson Atkins Museum of Fine Arts. This museum houses a very fine collection of artwork, comparable to the best museums in Baltimore. Hugh also had an opportunity to visit the Liberty Museum, the nation's memorial to World War I. He found it to be a most impressive history museum.
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