The Haasienda on Shroyer…

The day is rather quiet, but has definitely been busy.  A trip to the store to buy a hose for the front yard, followed by mowing, trimming and blowing the front yard.

Now, I am seated on my deck.  Lunch is completed.  The dogs are lounging around the deck, panting in the mounting heat of the early afternoon.  I may take a nap before teaching seven straight hours without a break.

Tomorrow, I will hopefully find me working, and visiting my creative place that I have desperately missed.

Thursday’s teaching day will commence at 9:00am, but end early so I can travel to Beavercreek High School to serve as the MC for their choral awards.

Friday evening we will support my middle school saxophone students, and director, Aaron Jacobs, for the middle school OMEA large ensemble contest.

Saturday evening will hopefully find us attending THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Dayton Playhouse, following a morning of completing the construction of the new corner fence.  Monday evening, I cemented the posts, but will need assistance with attaching the cross rails.

The day is quite beautiful, and the gentle breeze keeps the wind chimes singing a frequent line.

The week was busier than usual, but sped by so quickly that I had to continually stop to remind myself what day it was.

Monday I purchased my impatiens from the Fairmont Industries plant sale – my annual purchase – and completed a good deal in the front yard.

Tuesday I baked cookies for the students and staff of Fairmont industries, and completed a few tasks around the gardens in back.  The raised garden near the fire pit has new plants.

Wednesday I spent the entire school day at a middle school to serve as a mock-judge as each band prepares for contest in a few weeks.  I was so tired I fell asleep at 8:45pm, and woke at 10:45pm to find Quintin already asleep.  I only saw him as he walked out the door for school, said good bye as he left for percussion auditions.

Thursday I taught all day and night. I was exhausted, but it was the only time I had actually gotten to spend any decent amount of time with Quintin.  We grabbed some Taco Bell, and several movies, settling down to watch NATIONAL LAMPOON’S FAMILY CHRISTMAS VACATION.  I love this movie, and now Quintin is hooked on it, as well.

Friday was spent with more impatiens-potting, mulching, teaching, and missing a program at Beavercreek. I thought it began at 7:30pm and it actually started at 6:00pm.  I am not a happy camper at the moment.

Tonight, we will join Aaron Jacobs at Wright State University to watch a student written/directed musical at 11:00pm.  I love these late shows the students produce, as they are generally quite good.

This weekend we will hopefully replace the rotting corner-fence out front, and add a new one to the back yard at the foot of the deck so the pups won’t continue to jump off the deck, creating bare patches.

This is a wonderful project by Richard Chenoweth.  Please take a few minutes to read the article, and watch the video:  The Most Beautiful Room in the World

I am now the proud gardener/owner of Mary Todd Lilies thanks to Jim McCutcheon & Debbie McCutcheon!

Be watching for these in the front yard of The Haasienda!

‘Mary Todd’ has stunning large 4- to 6-inch bright yellow softly ruffled and crimped blooms. A stately maintenance free beauty with prolific repeat blooms over a long period. Excellent for landscaping and erosion control, each plant will provide a huge splash of color in your garden. Mary is a strong grower that multiplies quickly, crowding out weeds.

According to Oakes Daylilies, the Mary Todd Lily is one of the most popular of all time, and winner of the 1973 Award of Merit, and the 1978 Stout Medal, daylily’s highest award (from their catalog of MANY varieties, only a handful have won two awards!). 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Jim & Debbie!!!

Mary Todd Lincoln

In 1986 or 1987, I was doing research for a music composition project while a student at Ball State University. My project was based around the life of President Lincoln, and eventually transformed into the musical, LOVE IS ETERNAL: Mary Todd Lincoln.

In the course of research, I discovered there was a polka commissioned in honor of the First Lady, entitled, The Mary Lincoln Polka.  I set out to find a copy, or recording, and was always told it no longer existed, or by some Lincoln scholars that it never existed, ever.

Around 2002, following a few more requests for verification, I received a Xerox copy of one page from the score!

Twenty-five years later, I have numerous confirmations that there is, indeed, a Mary Lincoln Polka, and many have heard the music.  I sadly, have not.

Jim McCutcheon, guitarist

Once, while visiting a very popular eatery in Kettering, Ohio, The Peasant Stock (now Figlio’s in Towne & Country plaza), a good friend and popular guitarist, Jim McCutcheon, was entertaining the appreciative diners. Jim was graciously taking written requests from the guests, and I scribbled, “Please play ‘The Mary Lincoln Polka.'” I will never forget the hysterical look that came across Jim’s face as he read the note before searching the room for where I was seated.  It will always remain one of my favorite, more milder  pranks!

Here are some recent findings to support the existence of The Mary Lincoln Polka…

From ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S CLASSROOM

On February 5, 1862, there was a major ball at the White House to show off Mary Lincoln’s redecoration of the interior. As part of the night’s festivities, the Marine Band, under the direction of Francis Scala, premiered one of his works, “The Mary Lincoln Polka.” Upstairs, Willie and Tad Lincoln lay feverish with typhoid. Tad survived, but Willie did not. After his death on February 20, Mrs. Lincoln could not bear the thought of the semi-weekly concerts. “It is our especial desire that the Band, does not play in these grounds, this Summer. We expect our wishes to be complied with,” Mrs. Lincoln wrote to Lincoln aide John Hay in late May 1862. After Hay wrote Mary Lincoln asking if the Marine Band could resume its concerts in Lafayette Square, she replied: “It is hard that in this time of our sorrow, we should be thus harassed. The music in Lafayette square, would sound quite as plainly here. For this reason, at least, our feelings should be respected.”

The Marine Band concerts were moved that summer. In August 1862, Stoddard wrote: “The Saturday evening musical promenades are held in the Capitol, instead of the White House grounds, this summer, and the Marine Band discourses sweet music to gay and wandering crowds; but the striking features are changed.

Transcript from the PBS documentary, ABRAHAM & MARY LINCOLN: A HOUSE DIVIDED:

Narrator: On the evening of February 5, 1862 Mary Lincoln organized a glittering reception in the East Room. Her lavish renovation would at last be on display while the Marine Band entertained with music specially composed for the occasion “the Mary Lincoln Polka.”  

Linda Levitt Turner, Biographer: Mary Lincoln’s Grand Gala Levee was plotted for months and months and months. And it was such a grand party that it was the kind that people invented an excuse to be out of town if they weren’t invited. On the table were models out of spun sugar of Fort Pickens and another one of the Ship of State and then over here was the terrapin and over there was the turkey and there was the ham and there were the shrimps and there were the oysters.

Narrator: Mary herself appeared in a white satin dress with a neckline so low that her admiring husband asked her if some of what he called its “tail” shouldn’t be sewn to the top. She had hoped that this splendid evening would finally make her not only the “First Lady” of the land — but the Queen of Washington Society, as well.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian: The reception had glittering men and women, fine dining. It was the moment of triumph that Mary had so yearned to find. This would be her crowning glory.

Narrator: The festivities went on ’til three in the morning. One newspaper called the ball “a brilliant success”: “Primarily we must remark the exquisite taste with which the White House has been refitted under Mrs. L’s directions… Mrs. L. possesses as rare a beauty as the Empress of the French.”

But Mary and the President spent much of that evening upstairs in 11-year-old Willy Lincoln’s bedroom. Their son was ill with what the doctors called “bilious fever” — typhoid.

During the days and nights that followed, Mary never left Willy’s side. As she nursed him, some newspapers savaged her for having entertained so lavishly in the midst of war. “Disgraceful frivolity, hilarity, and gluttony,” said one.

Another charged that the evening had been worthy of “a woman whose sympathies are with slavery and with those who are waging war.”

All the while, her son grew weaker. At five in the afternoon on February 20, Willy Lincoln died.

The evening teaching schedule ended early since students are with choirs competing in the OMEA state competition, or performing in musicals.

The deck is peaceful… birds are singing… a breeze has conquered the humidity… the speaker from the track meet next door at the high school is keeping me posted of the events… the traffic is busy on Shroyer Road… Navi is perched at her backyard guard station at the edge of the deck, preparing to tackle anything that enters the yard… Chief is asleep on his back (?)… Flyer is nestled at my feet, snoring… the skies to the south have darkened and thunder is rumbling, announcing the impending storm… this is such a beautiful afternoon…

A moment ago, after writing the above paragraph, I recalled the theme of my horoscope from earlier this morning:

It’s important to remember to appreciate beauty today — the creativity you’re nurturing needs some aesthetic inspiration to fully flower. Natural beauty is the most effective way to do this, so try to find time to take a walk and enjoy the day. Even if you can get outside for only ten or fifteen minutes, the fresh air and light exercise will serve you well. Try to time it in the middle of the day, when you will likely need a boost in your energy level.

For once, I can buy into this horoscope!

Photo from yesterday…

Each week throughout this current school year, 53 students, arriving for lessons, stepped over the threshold that leads into my home. This number does not include the accompanying parents, siblings, and sometimes, friends.

I have eleven seniors this Spring, and six of these students have been with me since they were ages 5-7, beginning their musical careers with piano lessons. That is a good deal of threshold crossing into my home for each of these students!

This is always one of my favorite times of the year. And, it is always one of my least favorite times of the year.

It is exciting because there are so many musical productions, concerts, auditions, and other wonderful activities that accompany the full arrival of Spring. The air always seems so energized.

However, as my fellow teachers can attest, it is also a bittersweet time of the year.  Our “kids” have grown up, are ready to graduate, and step across the lesson-threshold one last time. As I sit through these final performances of musicals, concerts, and a few commencement ceremonies, there is always a point when my mind retraces the years with each student. I am terribly happy for them, but a little wistful that our last few moments together as student and teacher are nearing.

The past several weeks I received six emails from former students who are graduating college. They are preparing to step over another threshold for the final time.  Two will graduate with music education degrees, and four with musical theatre degrees.

It is refreshing to receive their feed-back, and to know that many of the seeds of their successful high school, and collegiate years were planted in my ten-by-ten study. I am so excited for their futures, and will follow them closely as I do countless other students who are now teaching, or performing, or writing, or directing.

To my current high school seniors, and the dozen-plus former students graduating college… I am proud of each of you, and am grateful for the many hours spent together in lessons.  As you stand at this current threshold, transitioning into college, or career, savor the moment – even if you are a bit scared. This is one of the most exciting moments of your life!  And remember, there will be many more thresholds to cross.  Celebrate each one.  

Know you are loved…

Mr. Haas

Darin was born in Elwood, Indiana in 1964. Since he premiered the same night as the television sitcom, BEWITCHED, he has been a lifelong fan of the program. Darin Jolliffe (pronounced, “Jah-liff”) was adopted by his step-father in 1984, and added the name “Haas” (pronounced, “Hahz”) to his birth name. However, as a teacher he is known just as “Mr. Haas.”

At 48, Darin is a private teacher (voice, saxophone, piano), a playwright, a musical theatre director, a band booster, works with the Beavercreek High School show choir, and a volunteer with ACTION Adoption Agency where he often teaches classes, and served as president of the board for three years. In 2009 Darin directed his 85th musical production which was also the 60th anniversary premiere of the musical SOUTH PACIFIC.  He is currently completing the writing of a musical on the Wright Brothers, the Lincolns, Father Flanagan, and several projects on the back burner. Music is a major component of family life in the Haasienda!

Darin’s 3 loves…

• Being a dad
• Being an uncle
• Being a teacher

Darin enjoys a wide variety of activities, especially when he and the boys are doing things together. They love going to historical sites, out for ice cream/coffee, to movies or local events, cheering family friends on in shows or sports, walking the dogs, hiking, going to Kings Island or Indiana Beach amusement parks, or spending time with family, and family friends. Darin can be found watching a Netflix documentary or History Channel documentary, or reading books on American history, presidents, the White House, or biographies.

Jose, now 21, was adopted in 2004 from Oregon when he was twelve years old, and adjusted wonderfully to adopted-life.  He graduated from Fairmont High School in June 2011. Two weeks later he was transported to Fort Benning in Georgia to fulfill the 18 weeks of basic training with the national guard. The biggest thrill for Jose during high school was marching with the award winning Marching Firebirds where he was in the front-line percussion as a marimba player. He also performed with the regionally award winning Fairmont Percussion Ensemble.

While in high school, Jose willingly accompanied his dad to ACTION Adoption to assist with the younger children while their parents are in training or support group, and often joined his father when training prospective adoptive parents.

While still serving in the National Guard, and attending classes at the local Sinclair Community College, Jose is also finishing up his training with the Ohio Police Academy.  Jose lives in his own apartment near The Haasienda.

Quintin, now 17, arrived at the Haasienda in December 2010 when he was 15, and quickly transitioned from New Mexico to Ohio.  Within a month of arriving in Ohio, Quintin auditioned on guitar for, and was selected for one of the area’s largest church’s youth band. His budding personality and quiet coolness quickly wins over hearts of teachers, friends, and anyone who meets him.

May 2011, Quintin joined the marching band’s percussion section where he is a part of the battery on cymbals.  From November to mid-April (2012), Quintin rehearsed, and performed with Fairmont’s highly competitive indoor percussion which was ranked Mid-West champions, and ranked 12^th in the nation. He is thoroughly enjoying his freshman year of high school for all the music and art opportunities that are available.

When not spending time with Dad, and friends, Quintin skateboards, sketches pictures, or composes new songs on the guitar.

Flyer, 11 years old, was adopted by Darin in 2001, and has been an absolute delight. She is trained to respond to her commands in English, German, and Sign Language. Flyer loves spending time with “the men” and especially loves going on trips to visit Grandma, and other family members in Indiana. August 2010 Flyer developed pancreatitis and nearly died; however, despite losing her sight, she rebounded beautifully. 

Chief & Navi, born November 2010, arrived at the Haasienda in February 2011. They quickly became household fixtures, and are quite popular with all Darin’s students. They are doing a great job with their commands, even learning some of their commands in German and instructional sign language.  They love going on the family walks in the evening, and spend most of their time relaxing on the back deck, chasing one another around the back yard, or staying near Dad. Now almost fully grown, “the kids” are much larger, much more playful, much more trained, and still, much more a hand-full!

If any woman deserves Mother or Grandma of the Year, it would be this woman. Darin’s birth father left the family when Darin was 12. His mother did a wonderful job of raising her children as a single parent, and served as a wonderful role model as a parent. In 1981, Grandma joined the Elwood Police Department while still managing a busy home filled with children, and their many friends. In February 2012, Grandma retired from the police department, and moved to Fowler, Indiana to live near Darin’s younger brother, Destin, and his family. Although her children are raised, they often turn to her for advice, and she is highly involved in all the grandchildren’s activities. Grandma frequently travels to Ohio to watch Quintin’s (and formerly, Jose’s) marching band contests, or Darin’s theatre and music activities. The success of her two sons, and now their children, is easily traced to Grandma.

Darin’s brother & sister-in-law

Uncle Destin is Darin’s younger brother, and is married to Aunt Stacia. Uncle Destin is ending his career as a high school-middle school principal to become superintendent of schools. In 2010 Uncle Destin was one of Indiana’s 2010 Principals Of The Year. He has been nominated again for Indiana’s 2011 Principal of the Year. Destin is currently completing his doctorate in education while remaining extremely active with his family. Aunt Stacia, an educational therapist, is currently a stay-at-home mom, and keeps busy with their sons, Parker, 7, and Freddie, 5, and Carolyne, 2. The end of January, they are expecting their 4th child.  Uncle Destin & Aunt Stacia are very involved with their school corporation, their community, and their church. They live on a beautiful farm that has been in Aunt Stacia’s family for over a century. It comes complete with barns, a pond, tractors, and a landscape dotted with wind turbines. Due to the very similar family values, and ideas on parenting, Destin & Stacia also are on our family Godparent Team.

Being in the Jolliffe-Haas family…

• means you are very loved, accepted, and special…
• means being part of a tight-knit family team that thrives on time spent together in a variety of activities…
• means cheering one another in their events…
• means being honest with one another, and ourselves…
• means celebrating one another’s victories while being sensitive to one another’s moments of need…
• means laughing – a lot…
• means picking up after our selves, taking responsibility, and doing our best…
• means learning about family, friendships, and most importantly, our selves…
• means learning about the world around us and how we each fit in as individuals, and as a family team, and as a community…
• means learning to be the very best we can be as individuals…
• means most importantly – always knowing we are all loved.

 Those serving on The Godparent Team with Uncle Destin & Aunt Stacia are:

Bill & Kay Hetzer

Darin has been dear friends with the Hetzers since 1996.  In 2000 and 2001, Bill and Kay adopted two sons, Joey & Chris, through ACTION Adoption Services. The Haas and Hetzer boys grew up together, and always had the common bond of adoption journeys. Bill is retired from the United States Army, and is a teacher. Kay, very involved in music, is also a teacher. They are also very proud grandparents!

Jeffrey Carter

Darin met Jeff in 2004 when he returned to Ball State University for the Ball State Singers’ 40th anniversary performance. Jeff and Darin became immediate friends, and Darin coached Jeff through his own adoption process. Jeff now lives in St. Louis, MO, where he is the director of music for Webster University, and a nationally-renowned conductor. Jeff is a busy world traveler, and visits The Haasienda as often as he can so he can see his nephews!

 Aaron Jacobs

Aaron Jacobs is the newest member of The Godparent Team.  Aaron, an outstanding band director at a local middle school, also studies voice with Darin.  Both Jose & Quintin look forward to seeing Aaron at lessons, or at the numerous music events.  In the fall you can usually find Aaron playing and marching with the alumni band with The Ohio State Marching Band. This fall, Aaron will return full time to Wright State University where he will complete his graduate studies, and serve as a conductor.

 Brian & Joanie Pollock 

Joanie & Brian Pollock have lived all over the United States, even Alaska, as an Air Force family. Now, they live in Beavercreek, Ohio, right next to Kettering. Brian’s career still keeps him at the base, and Joanie is a social worker for Catholic Social Services. Their eldest son, Tyler, is a senior & soccer star at Butler University, and Zach, now in college, is one of Darin’s former students, was one of the Miami Valley’s strongest teen performers. Brian and Joanie are currently adopting a 17 year old African American son who is in show choir and musicals. Our families do a number of activities together, and enjoy the fun of teenage sons.

Pati & Mike Rogers

Pati and Mike Rogers are very active band parents with two teenagers in the band program.  Mike is a brilliant mechanic, and drives the marching band’s semi-trailer.  Pati is a phenomenal photographer, and is the band’s photographer.  The Rogers are a fun family, and have ‘adopted’ Quintin as one of theirs.

Steve & Shawnee Breitenstein

Steve & Shawnee Breitenstein, and their two children, Lauren and Patrick, live in nearby Beavercreek, Ohio.  Shawnee, a former band director, is now a full-time band mom, and along with Steve, a businessman, volunteer many hours to the middle school show choir where their son is a featured singer and dancer.  The Breitensteins are very active in their community, schools and church.

Tom & Heather Bridgman

Tom and Heather, like the other godparent team members are busy as a band and show choir family. Their daughter is in Beavercreek HS’s show choir and concert band, and their son is in the middle school show choir. Tom is in business, and Heather is a technology director for Ohio’s Autisim & Low Incidence.  They are an active family in school and church.

Tony & Susan Saliba

Darin has known the Saliba family for many years having served as a teacher and director for two of their three children.  Tony is the dean of engineering at The University of Dayton, and Susan is the program director for The University of Dayton’s Research Institute in Engineering.  One son is a senior in college, one a senior in high school, and their daughter is a freshman in high school. Show choir and church activities keeps this family quite busy.

~ A.C.T.I.O.N Adoption Services~

 Mary Tarlano   Patricia Hill (director)   Angela Brosh

 ACTION, Inc. is a private non-profit adoption agency licensed by the State of Ohio founded and operated by adoptive mothers/licensed social workers.  ACTION provides a wonderful support group for both parent, and children, each Friday night, and hosts a wonderful Christmas Party for all their adoptive families each November during National Adoption Month.

A.C.T.I.O.N. believes that all children have the right to a loving, caring and supportive family to aid in their growth as moral, functional members of society. They value their commitment to aggressively recruit families for waiting children across the United States in order to create Forever Families.  ACTION believes in educating perspective and adoptive families as well as the community on adoption.

 Darin teaches pre-adoptive courses, and the boys often assist with the children’s program, or hang with other adopted teenagers.

 ACTION’s Website:  http://www.actionadoption.org

Watch the  2012 Jolliffe-Haas Family Holiday video:

Yesterday evening, I read about all the things my St. Louis friend, Jeff Carter, had completed in his own yard.  This morning I was motivated to take advantage of the beautiful weather, and impending rain showers, to hit some areas in my own backyard.

In July 1974, my grandparents took me to Virginia and Washington, DC to visit my Uncle Ron, stationed in the Navy at Norfolk.  During our travels we stopped at Jefferson’s Monticello, and Washington’s Mount Vernon.  While waiting in line at Mount Vernon, I was fascinated with a familiar leaf on a shrub.  My grandmother, a wonderful gardener in her own right, explained this was the holly bush.  Since then, I have always wanted a holly bush. I wandered through the Meijer home/garden suite, having difficulty in deciding what should be done.  Normally, I confer with my neighbor, Bob “The Lawn Guy” before doing anything too invasive; however, this morning, I was on my own.

While roaming the garden center, I found holly shrubs – 3 for $10.  I bought six plants.  Now, they boarder the little patio above Logan’s grave, and will hopefully, after spanning outward, will frame it completely.  I would like to purchase one of those round, glass colored balls to place on top of the pedestal once I repaint it.

I completed a few other needs in the back yard, and then touched up some items in the front yard.  The fence I built several years ago is rotting, and must be replaced.  Hopefully, that will be a weekend project.

I do enjoy being the chief gardener at The Haasienda!

I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. Now it’s syncing.

When chemists die, they barium.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst kind.

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a type-O.

PMS jokes aren’t funny. Period.

We are going on a class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there’s no pop quiz.

I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

Broken pencils are really pointless.

I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? The saurus.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

I dropped out of Communism class because of lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York’s police stations have been stolen. The police have nothing to go on.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are sketchy.

Venison for dinner again? Oh deer!

The earthquake in Washington was obviously the government’s fault.

Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.

Velcro. What a rip off!

For all my photographer-friends!

This is a wonderful easy, quick volunteer opportunity, or even a ministry. Please read the following information!

From: Linzy Munger <linzy@afamilyforeverychild.org>
Sent: Fri, April 27, 2012 12:40:21 AM
Subject: We need Ohio Volunteers!

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”   ~Paul Caponigro

Many of the children we work with everyday are only presented to potential adoptive families by a case number and a list of emotional or behavioral diagnoses.

With the help of our volunteer photographers we are able to present these children through pictures in the best light possible, expressing both their joy and personalities that often gets over shadowed because of their sometimes difficult past. We would like to thank our volunteers for giving their time to help us accomplish our mission of helping find families for every waiting child in foster care.

Currently we are searching for volunteers in Ohio, particularly in Columbus and surrounding cities.

Are you a photographer willing to volunteer?

Do you know someone who might be willing to make the difference in the life of a child by taking their photos?

Please contact Linzy Munger at linzy@afamilyforeverychild.org!

We would love to hear from all that are interested!

Thank you again, we appreciate everyone who is interested in finding forever families for the children waiting in foster care.

Linzy Munger

A Family For Every Child

Executive Assistant &

Recruitment Coordinator

880 Beltline Road – Springfield, OR 97477

(541)343-2856 | FAX (541)343-2866

www.afamilyforeverychild.org

The Fairmont Band Boosters are beginning their frozen food project, Friday, April 13th, 2012.  Once again, the boosters are pleased to work with the local company, Schairbaum Enterprises.

The French Bread Pizzas have been great sellers since our local company began selling them in 1998.  The sale last year was very successful and there are now additional items featured on this season’s “The Frozen Favorites” brochure.  These convenient, quality items are still very reasonably priced from $14 to $18.

Aunt Annie’s Pretzels also include a “bonus coupon” whereby you can receive a free pretzel at any of our retail stores when you purchase one.

With this “Frozen Favorites” brochure, you can stock your freezers while helping to support the Fairmont Band Department.  This is a great opportunity for my son to earn funds for his marching band and winter percussion accounts.  The more items sold, the more funding allotted to Quintin’s account.

Orders are due by Tuesday, April 24th, 2012.

Let’s get started with your order:

• Please look through the chart & brochure below
• select your items
• tally up your order
• make your check payable to: FAIRMONT BAND BOOSTERS
• mail your order & check to  Darin Haas, 3159 Shroyer Road, Kettering, OH 45429

SCHAIRBAUM Frozen Favorites Fall 1-2

SCHAIRBAUM Frozen Favorites Fall 3-4

The day was productive. Not as productive as I had originally hoped, but things were accomplished.

I managed to complete:

• grocery shopping
• miscellaneous shopping
• scattered grass seed
• watered seeded areas and flowers
• was surprised by a thoughtful gift and card
• wrote some blogs
• made whole wheat spaghetti, fettuccine, and beef chunks for supper
• nursed a sinus infection all day

The big item of the day was making anchors for four outdoor solar lights. I placed these lights along the flagstone walk; however, they are a pain to pull up from the ground when I mow. So, I put on my creative cap, and decided I would experiment. I bought four $2 flower pots, made my own Plaster of Paris, made temporary string grids, and inserted the solar lights. I plan on pouring on a layer of glue and spreading store-bought rounded glass stones, or stones on top. We’ll see how this works!

Tomorrow, Friday, Quintin has percussion rehearsal from 9:00am-9:00pm. I will cut tons of lilacs and prepare in bouquets for some to swing by to pick up, and I will deliver several to some friends. As the afternoon begins, I will have coffee with a friend who lost her fury pal of ten years earlier this week, try to write, and prepare for the busy weekend. I will be working the volunteer table for MEPA on Saturday for approximately 12 hours, and again on Sunday for about 10 hours.

And, then on Monday, it is a non-stop push until mid-June with no breaks!

“You know he always salutes just to me.”

That was Mrs. Shirley’s story, and she was sticking to it.

It was a regular Friday scene at Panther Stadium during four years of football.  The band would finish half-time, pass before the cheering crowds, and a darling grandmother in the stands would wait for her salute from the drum-major.  After receiving her salute, Mrs. Shirley would turn to those seated near her to remind them that the drum-major saluted her – and only her!

In my younger years, Mrs. Shirley was the lovely woman who greeted Mother while shopping in downtown Elwood, always patting the back of my head, or scratching the top with her fingernails.  In elementary school, and junior high, Mrs. Shirley became more commonly known as Kim & Brent Boston’s grandmother who often visited the Elwood roller skating rink across from Callaway Park on 19th Street.  Mrs. Shirley’s daughter and son-in-law, Carole & Bruce Boston, owned the fantastic family gathering place which was a terrific source of entertainment in the 1970’s.  I always felt special because Mrs. Shirley greeted me by name; however, I honestly believe she knew almost every kid’s name. Still, to a second grader, that was special.

In high school, my very special relationship with Mrs. Shirley began.  At the 50-yard line following the marching band’s half-time show, I saluted as the band passed the stands in final review.  That was my moment as drum-major, and it was Mrs. Shirley’s moment, as well.  It began as a joke: “I know you are just saluting me after half-time.”

Before too long, I was saluting Mrs. Shirley, directly.  When the drum-majors would offer a pre-show salute, or salute at the end of a number (which was standard procedure in that era), my salute was directed at Mrs. Shirley.  And, of course, the final salute following the half-time show was shared with Mrs. Shirley.

Yesterday evening, March 28th, Mrs. Shirley quietly left the stadium at 5:20pm.  I offer this blog post as a final salute, a tender, loving farewell to a special lady.

Mrs. Shirley, I know the angels are celebrating your arrival, and showering you with salutes.

God bless you, Dear Lady…

Salute…

I grew up in a wonderful town right smack-dab in the middle of Indiana.  In fact, Elwood, Indiana is called, “The Heart of Hoosierland,” due to the intersection of two major highways, State Routes 37 and 28.  As a kid, I always loved my hometown’s title because it gave us an easily located spot on the map.  Although it is still an easy location to describe to my fellow Ohioans who inquire about where I grew up, I now find the word, “heart,” is more descriptive.

Willkie returns to Elwood, August 1940

Perhaps the most incredible moment in my hometown’s history was August 17, 1940, when Elwood son, Wendell L. Willkie, returned home in triumph to accept the Republican nomination as a candidate for President of the United States, racing against incumbent president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  The stories surrounding the legendary Willkie Day are some of my favorites. 

WENDELL L. WILLKIE, PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER

All through high school, I worked at the Elwood Public Library, an original Carnegie design.  I was often assigned to the Elwood History Room, and basked in the collected legacies of my community.  I was blessed to come in contact with countless citizens during my tenure at the library, and though many of those grand folks are no longer with us, I cherish their spirit.  Through these characters from the script of my youth I gained so much insight, and an even greater love for Elwood.

Growing up in Elwood was pretty typical of any other kid living in the Midwest in the 1960’s through the 1980’s.  We swam at the city pool, skated at Bruce & Carole Boston’s roller skating rink, played baseball, enjoyed playtime at Callaway Park, had marching band practice, participated in or watched thrilling parades, attended the Spring home show at the armory, watched Fourth of July fireworks, and went to schools rich with educational personalities.

Every August, Elwood added a touch to Central Indiana life that clearly put the stamp on the community,

A familiar St. Clair specialty

 distinguishing it from others: the annual Glass Festival parade and celebration, and the smell of spices added to the cooking tomatoes at several of the local canning factories.

Elwood was once home to several plate-glass factories, as well as several glass blowing companies, primarily the St. Clair Glass Company – The House of Glass.  In 7^th grade my science fair project was “The Making of Glass,” for which I received grand champion.  My mother, and grandpa, took me to the glass factory where I interviewed Joe Rice, and was even allowed to make my own paperweight.  Still to this day, I get excited when I spot a St. Clair glass piece at flea markets or antique stores.

The tomato industry has been a staple in Elwood for nearly one hundred years, perhaps longer. I know many of my family members had seasonal jobs at the canning factories, supplemented by hundreds of migrant workers who arrived each summer to pick the tomatoes.  My great-great-grandfather, Joel Monroe Jones of Boone Township, was instrumental in launching the arrival of migrant workers this summer of 1905. The Hispanic families stayed in cabins that had been abandoned by the Miami Indians when they were forced to leave their hunting trace for western territories. I don’t believe I’ve ever stepped foot in Fettig’s Canning Factory, nor the current leader, Red Gold, headquartered in Elwood, but the scintillating aroma that wafted over the town each August was a signature smell.  I think the scent from the canning factories is one of the most welcoming, yet, now, wistful smells, second only to my mother’s Este Lauder’s Youth Dew.

Elwood, when I was younger, was a mecca for beautifully designed, and well-maintained buildings that were indicative of that era of grandeur, the 1880’s thru 1920’s.  Even the older elementary schools, and the Central and Wendell L. Willkie schools in the center of town were great testaments of a community’s dedication not only to education, but beauty, and perfection.  The design for many of the buildings piqued my great interest in architecture, and the scenic interiors of the buildings were equally sensational.  Sadly, the majority of these buildings no longer stand.

We were also very fortunate to have been blessed with a Carnegie library. I worked in this astounding beauty throughout my entire high school career. 

The Variety Show's Glass Baby Food Jar Stages

The true beauty, and inspiration of Elwood, Indiana, went far beyond its fascinating history, community events, tomatoes, glass, and wonderful architecture.  The true gem of Elwood was, and has always been, its people.  There were always so many wonderful people in Elwood, and fortunately, I am connected with a majority of these fine folks on Facebook.  So many of these gems impacted my life in one way, or another, and I still treasure what I have carried through life from so many of these individuals, and families.

Growing up in Elwood was, quite simply, idyllic. I am sure I would have had a great childhood in nearby communities Alexandria, Tipton, or Anderson, but thanks to my ancestors, many of whom were pioneers of Madison County, and the townships of Boone, Van Buren, Monroe, and Duck Creek, I was blessed to be raised in Elwood.  It could not have been a better childhood.

As an adult, I have been fortunate to live in two super Ohio communities, Centerville, and now, Kettering.  I have fantastic neighbors, not unlike Luther & Ida Myrick, Dick & Betsy Herndon, and Don & Susan Fortner, the Poynter, LaPierres, Welchers, Wolffs, and so many others.  We have great schools, many events, beautiful homes (the architecture for public buildings is somewhat sparse), many local sports, a great marching band, and tremendous individuals who add so much to our daily journeys.  Although Kettering, Ohio is currently my home, it will never match the depths of all I treasure in my hometown of Elwood, Indiana.

I miss the Elwood Glass Festival, and seeing the familiar faces at the park.  I can never replace the delicious meals at Mangus Cafeteria or Wolff’s Restaurant.  I recreate in my mind the echoes of the Panther Band and all the familiar sights and sounds of the annual Variety Show, especially the baby food glass jar stages created by the phenomenal trio, band directors Clifford Brugger, Rex Jenkins, and choreographer Tudy Smith.  And each August, I do miss the smell of the tomatoes when the spices are added.  Most of all, I miss the faces so familiarly attached to my youth.

Within a few months, my immediate family will be entirely removed from Elwood.  In fact, it will be the first time in nearly one hundred fifty years that my own Clary-Noble-Greenlee-Ball line has not resided in Madison County, or nearby Boone Township where eight generations of my family rest peacefully in the tranquil Forrestville Cemetery, surrounded by the heritage of so many of our family’s farms.

Though my visits to Elwood will naturally become more infrequent than my current half dozen, or so visits each year, I will never be truly disconnected in spirit, nor in my deep-rooted devotion to the community, and most importantly, the numerous individuals who added their own imprint on the mosaic which depicts my life.  These loving, inspiring folks are truly the “heart” that places “The Heart of Hoosierland” on the map.

One month ago, on February 26th, a seventeen year old boy was gunned down in Sanford, Florida.  Why? The answer is not exactly clear, however, it appears that racial profiling may have been the root to this young man’s murder.

The country has sung out in unison against this heinous act, and even our president spoke up, giving this young man a place in humanity.

One of the major symbols of this out-cry has been “the hoodie.” All sorts of photos have been crossing my Facebook feed of

Racism is NOT a disease with which we are born… it is taught. Even in 1949, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II weighed in on racism with the song, “You’ve Got To Be Taught” from SOUTH PACIFIC (co-written with composer Richard Rodgers, and co-writer/director Joshua Logan).

When my one son was in 8th grade, he let his hair grow to shoulder length.  One day, we were walking from Kroger, and he stopped to tie his shoe as I continued walking.  He had not yet caught up with me when a police officer, driving by, slowed down and kept a vigilant eye on my son.  It took me a moment to realize why the officer was eyeing my son.  I immediately realized my son, of Hispanic descent, was a victim of profiling.  I was infuriated, and called to the officer, “You can stop profiling my son!”  The officer was taken aback by my comment, attempted to stutter something, and drove on.

Profiling is not just a racial cancer.  Profiling spreads to all areas of our world, and in all areas of our lives.

I am always amazed at how abruptly Spring can spring.  Overnight, there seem to be surprising changes, and the world suddenly has a little more color, and beauty.

This morning, as the grey skies lightened a bit, I could see the magical transformation that greeted this day.

The lilac bush should be in full bloom this weekend.