The Ellises of Jay Street...

The Ellis Building, on the right, at the intersection of State Street
and Erie Boulevard, in Schenectady, around 1968

I recently published a blog post about Alan and Corinne Luke, two friends of my parents.  It has triggered memories of several other couples with whom my parents socialized -- what we today might refer to as "hung out with."  One of these couples was Bill and Eleanor Ellis.  A search for Bill (or William D.) Ellis in Schenectady, New York, yields very little.  What does show up are a number of newspaper articles describing golf tournaments in which he (Uncle Bill to the Mead children) was either an official or a participant.  A search for Eleanor Ellis in Schenectady results in the same findings.  And indeed, my memory of the Ellises is that they were people of liesure.  They lived in a beautiful building on Jay Street, near the main Post Office in our fair city.  I believe it was the apartment building now at 49 Jay Street.  The numbers in the addresses may have changed since the 1950's, when I last visited the Ellises.  I don't believe they had any children, and as a result they really showed their affection for the Mead kids whenever we visited them, which was fairly often.

49 Jay Street

One measure of how close my parents were to their acquaintances was whether the friends got invited to Lake George in the summer when my folks rented a cabin on Basin Bay.  The Ellises were there every year, which tells me they must have been close friends.  I once asked my father if Uncle Bill Ellis worked and was told that he maintained his rental properties, one of which was the "Ellis Building" at the northeast corner of the main intersection in town -- Erie Boulevard and State Street.  Apparently the Ellis Building was a source of drama in the 1970s.

According to information on Schenectady's digital archive site, "The Ellis Building was built around the time that the Erie Canal was dug through that part of the city in 1825 and was considered to be one of the last surviving buildings from the Canal era. From the beginning, public sentiment was against the proposal. One local attorney who opposed the demolition of the buildings argued that it would "increase the size of the hole on our main street," and pointed out that the buildings "form a façade that gives our main street the appearance of a street rather than wasteland."   The proposal in question was to demolish several older building to create downtown parking along both Erie Boulevard and State Street.  The discussion continues, "By 1974, the city's Urban Renewal Agency [URA] had taken title to the Ellis building and was now insisting that these buildings make way not for a parking lot, but a "modern office building or a shopping complex."  But the city still felt that it would need the Bucci building to create a parcel that would be large enough to entice developers. The owner of the building, Earl Bucci, fought the city for years to prevent them from taking his property through eminent domain. The sentiment of the of the city was expressed by Councilman Ray Vacca who said, "Fight them" which was followed by Councilman Charles Seber who suggested that the city should "Demolish the building and let them take us to court." Councilman Erwin Shapiro thought that even though the building had three tenants, it looked bad and that "a vacant lot would look a lot better."  A number of residents continued to fight to keep the historic Ellis building and sent in an application to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wayne Harvey, vice chairman of the Schenectady Bicentennial Commission pointed out the irony of a city being nominated as a National Bicentennial Community while seeking to tear down so many buildings that were linked closely to the city's history. He said visitors could be taken to the site of the old train station or the Ellis Building to view the plaques and the pictures of what was once there and the city could say, "Isn't the plaque interesting?" or "Are not the pictures great?" The visitor would then be told by the city, "We had the building but we tore it down."  But the city council remained determined to get rid of these buildings. One exception was Councilman David Roberts who thought that the city should at least have a proposal for redeveloping the properties before rushing to demolish them. Later he stated that he had "been 'besieged' by phone calls from residents all urging preservation of the building."  But after owning the building for a number of years and allowing it to deteriorate further, the city stated that they just didn't have the money to sustain the building. After years of protests (and urging) from residents to save the building, Councilman Erwin Shapiro admonished the "anti-demolitionists for 'doing a great injustice to the city. When you let the city spend a great deal of money to buy the building knowing that it was to be demolished, you've done a great disservice to the majority of the city taxpayers, you should have come forth earlier.'"

Demolition of the building

The demolition contractor chose the first day of Spring in 1975 to begin the job. On the following day the Schenectady Gazette featured a picture of the Ellis Building being torn down with the caption titled: "Super Spring Cleaning." However, Earl Bucci continued to fight the city's attempts to take over his property, eventually taking it to the state's highest court.  By 1976 the city was insisting that they needed both sites to attract a developer.  The new plan: A rail transportation center with a 900 car parking garage. Soon after the city found a developer, the firm was indicted for fraud by the county, although the charges were later dropped. In the end, Bucci lost his court fight and the city started demolition in August 1978. Unfortunately the city was never able to interest a reputable developer in the site. Later modest landscaping improvements were added — despite the mayor's protests; in the end the buildings were sacrificed for fewer than fifteen parking spaces. Plans being drawn up now would place an office building on the site as part of the new Western Gateway Transportation Center."

A parking lot now resides on the site of the "Ellis Building"

Uncle Bill had inherited his wealth from an uncle, William D. Ellis, his namesake, who was the last President of the Schenectady Locomotive Works before it became the backbone of the American Locomotive Works in 1901.  That uncle left an estate of over $2 million in the early years of the twentieth century.

Unfortunately, Uncle Bill had a tragic dark side.  He was an alcoholic who struggled with his addiction throughout his adult life.  Sometimes when we would visit Aunt Eleanor in her apartment on Jay Street, Uncle Bill would be gone.  He had gone to a "farm" to be "dried out," and she was more than willing to share that with our family.  As was common in those days, an alcoholic could go through life with periodic episodes of sobriety, punctuated by binges and periods of detoxification.  All my recollections of Uncle Bill are of that pattern.  I never heard of his finding long-term recovery.  He passed away in 1980, so obviously he had lived through all the drama of "his" building's demolition.

Aunt Eleanor died in 1992.  In the Schenectady Gazette for March 10, 1992, was the following:
"A private service will be held for Mrs. Eleanor Rice Ellis, 84, formerly of Balltown Rd., who died Sunday at St. Clare's Hospital after a long illness.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Ellis lived in Schenectady most of her life.  She was a former member of the Mohawk Golf Club.  Her husband, William D. Ellis, died in 1980.  Survivors include a nephew, Robert J. Raab, of Chicago.

Burial will be in Vale Cemetery.  There will be no calling hours.  Arrangements are by Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street."  Rest in peace, my beloved "non-relatives."  I often wonder how your path crossed that of my parents.

The Cardboard Fort...

H.S.Barney Co. in 1937

In my home town of Schenectady, New York, there were three substantial department stores -- The Carl Company, Wallace's Department Store, and the H.S. Barney Company.  This was in the 1940's.  There was full employment because of war production at both ALCO and General Electric.  All three stores had thriving toy departments, but the best of the three was Barney's.  Toys were on the fourth floor.  And Miss Mayer, the department manager, always ordered the right stuff.  We, the Mead children, loved to go visit Miss Mayer.

A similar cardboard fort

My brother Bill was about 6 years old when he saw the CARDBOARD FORT at the Barney's toy department.  It was close to Christmas.  He hinted to my parents about how much he needed that fort, but he couldn't be positive that they understood its importance.  Then he had his stroke of genius.  He'd buy the fort and give it to my mother for Christmas.  She wouldn't have the time to play with a fort.  She'd most certainly give it back to Bill with her thanks for such a lovely gift.  And thus was born the Mead Family Tradition of the CARDBOARD FORT.

Whenever someone in the family wanted something special for some occasion, we'd simply buy it for another family member.  They would express delight over their "cardboard fort!"

I had shared this story with Mary Ann not long ago.  Today, Lo and Behold, I received a cardboard fort from Goldie, my Golden Retriever, as a Father's Day gift!  I opened a large bag and retrieved a gun that launches tennis balls, then a bag of tennis balls, then a chew toy, then another, and then some smoked chew bones, and a large ball with a rope strung through it, and then some Greenie teeth cleaning snacks!  Just what I had hoped for -- my very own cardboard fort!

One really cool gift I received is a "Selfie Stick."  Here's a picture of my cardboard fort loot taken with the stick...

The Lukes

703 Union St. in Schenectady -- The last residence of the Luke family

One of the questions that I find myself asking over the years is how my parents and some of their friends initially met.  One couple with whom they were quite close were Alan and Corinne Luke, and I have never known how the Lukes and Meads became acquainted.  Alan in particular had a significant influence on my brother, as he had attended and played football at the Naval Academy, had served in the navy during World War II, and introduced both my brother Bill and me to the Naval ROTC scholarship program.  We both applied for and were awarded Navy scholarships due to "Uncle" Alan's influence.

My recollection is that the Lukes had two children, a daughter, Helen, who passed away at a rather young age, and a son, whose name I believe was Richard.  Alan had left the Naval Academy because he had become convinced that the Washington Arms Conference had pretty much eliminated the possibility of future naval wars.  He had somehow associated with the Reporter Press, a legal printing firm located in Walton, New York, and was a very successful sales representative.  He was extremely personable and never met a stranger.

Both Alan and Corinne were active in animal protective organizations.  For several years, they both served as honorary directors of Animal Protective Services of Schenectady, Inc.  All the time I remember visiting them, they had standard poodles -- first a black male named "Java," and later one of Java's offspring, another male named "Javert." (Named for the police inspector in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, who becomes, over the course of the novel, obsessively concerned with the pursuit and punishment of the escaped convict Jean Valjean.)

Uncle Alan was an individual whom I would describe as a "binge student."  He would develop an interest in some narrow subject and obsessively study it for months.  Some of these topics included the British Royal Family and the Civil War.  I recall him and my sister Ann discussing the finer points of the Royal Family for hours.  His interest in the Civil War led to a months-long trek during which he toured dozens of historic sites and battlefields with Aunt Corinne during the Civil War centennial years 1961-65.  When I was in college at Rochester, I always looked forward to visiting the Lukes when I would return home.  I could always count on a scintillating conversation, tips on good books to read, insight into current events, and a few stout beverages.

Uncle Alan had a superb sense of humor and loved practical jokes.  He and my mother incessantly played jokes on each other.  He even trained the dogs (He called them "the boys.") to participate in some of his antics.  On one occasion, during a cocktail party with some of Corinne's most distinguished friends, Javert descended the stairs with a bra in his muzzle.  We all knew who trained him in this "retrieval."  Once, when I was visiting, Uncle Alan dropped a bottle of gin, which smashed on the tile floor.  Without hesitation, he said, "Quick, Corinne, bring the vermouth!"

There is an ultimate cosmic connection with regard to the Lukes.  Corinne passed away in 1972.  Many times in this blog, I have mentioned the Gardners, "Pink" and Eleanor, who were another couple in my parents' social circle.   Uncle Pink had passed away in 1969.  As fate would have it, Alan Luke eventually started dating Eleanor Gardner.  They married a couple of years later.  Alan died of cancer in 1976.  I visited Eleanor in about 1984.  She shared a lovely thought.  She said, "I'm a very lucky woman, Bob.  I had the privilege of being married to two of the most wonderful men who ever lived."

A Visit to La Belle...

The Bullock Museum -- Home of La Belle

Last November, I wrote about Mary Ann's visit to Texas and my fascination with the wreck of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's ship, La Belle.  Mary Ann and I visited several museums that exhibited La Belle artifacts.  The ship, the last of four that started out from France in 1684 as part of La Salle's expedition to find the mouth of the Mississippi, sank in a storm in 1686 in Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast.  The wreck was discovered in the 1990's and is now being reconstructed at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.  Since I was going to be spending the weekend of 21-22 March in Texas, I decided to drive to Austin to see the reconstruction effort as well as some of the artifacts on display.  My friend and colleague Jerry Hendrix was planning to be alone for the weekend (his Better Half was in Huntsville tending to a sick grandbaby), so he decided to join me for the adventure.

I had gotten tickets in advance for both the museum and for a film that complements the La Belle exhibit.  We drove to Austin on a dreary, rainy morning, stopping for a great breakfast at a truck stop near Pleasanton, Texas.  We arrived in Austin and proceeded to the parking garage, which is adjacent to the museum.

The building is impressive (as are many things in Texas).  The $80M building was completed in 2001.  It is named after former Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, who championed its creation.

Jerry and I first proceeded to the film, entitled "Shipwrecked" and shown in the Texas Spirit Theater.  This is a modestly-sized theater that I would describe as "total immersion."  It has three screens that surround you in front and the seats are motion-capable.  At one point in the film, during a storm at sea, I felt splashes of water!  The film, allegedly based on fact, tells the story of a young boy who is part of La Salle's ill-fated adventure, survives the voyage and loss of his ship, and is captured and adopted by the Karankawa Indians, who populated the Texas coast in the 1600's.  He eventually makes his way into the hands of Spanish explorers, to whom he tells his remarkable survival story.  It is a short film, about one-half hour long, but very nicely produced.

The hull of La Belle undergoing preservation
"Freeze Drying" at Texas A&M University

We proceeded to the current display of La Belle and her artifacts.  This is an unusual exhibit because the public is able to witness the reconstruction of the hull, over 600 pieces that survive, as it takes place within the museum.  The pieces that were retrieved from the bottom of Matagorda Bay have been conserved with a special polyethylene glycol technique that preserves the wood and enables it to be displayed with no further degradation.  

When we arrived, one of the museum workers (many of whom are faculty and students from Texas A&M University's marine archeology department) was working on the hull.  When the reconstruction is completed, the assembled hull will be moved to an adjacent 3-story high gallery, where the remainder of the hull shape and masts will be mocked up to illustrate the overall size and shape of the ship.  The overall effect should be incredible.  And the public will be able to walk through the ship, as a glass "deck" will reside over the preserved portion of the original hull.  The artists' renderings give us an idea of the final setting:

The final display will allow visitors to "enter" the hull on a
transparent floor above the remaining hull timbers.

The artifacts on display were carefully assembled in well-labeled acrylic display cases arranged for convenient examination by the public.  There were nearly 2,000,000 artifacts found in La Belle's wreckage, so the items are quite varied, ranging from ceramics and glass objects to weapons, cookware, navigational instruments, shipboard hardware, jewelry and decorative items.  I was amazed that even some organic objects survived 300 years underwater.  There was a very recognizable boot and some fragments of cloth on display.

In front of the area in which the hull was being reconstructed, a large display cabinet contained one of the spectacular La Belle models that have been constructed by Mr. Glenn P. Grieco of the Nautical Archeology Department at Texas A&M University.  Mary Ann and I had seen another of his models on display at the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, Texas.  These models are beyond spectacular!

I highly recommend a visit to Austin to see this amazing exhibit.  If you can't visit, get one of the fine books that are available describing the expedition, the horrible outcome (for the French), and the remarkable discovery and salvage operation.  By the way, everything in the exhibit is labelled "Property of the Government of France."  Texas and France agreed to legal terms that let Texas be the permanent caretakers of this French treasure.  Under maritime law, because King Louis only "loaned" La Salle his ships, they remained the property of the French Government.  Had the king sold them to La Salle, Texas would have had salvage rights.  Yet here is La Belle on display in Texas rather than in some French museum.  I guess possession really is 9/10 of the law!

The Autorino Autoharp...

The "Swoopy" Michael Autorino Autoharp

In the early days of using the internet, in the days of dial-up connections, there was a users group called the "Cyberpluckers."  It was a group of Autoharp enthusiasts who exchanged ideas, news, encouragement, and questions.  I became a member of that group.  I couldn't precisely identify the date I first got involved, but I'd guess that it was in the early 1990's.  I stayed involved for two or three years until the internal sniping and bickering became too unpleasant to bear, at which time I quit monitoring the on-line activity.  My recollection is that it was hosted by Texas autoharp performer Lindsay Haisley, who was something of an internet whiz and is still a wonderfully talented performer.  My association with the Cyberpluckers did have one very favorable result -- I became the owner of a rare and beautiful custom instrument.

In 1991, I opened an office in Germantown, Maryland for my employer, Camber Corporation.  A well-known autoharp enthusiast named Eileen Roys held an annual open house for autoharp players at her home on Kent Island, Maryland, only a couple hours' drive away.  I had known Eileen for several years, having met her through the Augusta Heritage Arts Workshops in Elkins, West Virginia.  She had invited me to the open house each year, but I had been unable to attend.  But this time was different.  I was near enough to attend.  So it was, that in February, 1992, I found myself at Eileen's open house.  There were probably fifty autoharp players in that one location -- something I had never witnessed (before or since!).  I happened to sit down next to a fellow named Drew Smith, a well-known performer from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey.  Drew and his lady friend had ridden down from New Jersey on a Harley-Davidson!  That's dedication.

Drew Smith

When Drew Smith took his autoharp out of its case, I noticed that it was like none other that I had ever seen.  At the time, I recall thinking, "It's swoopy."  The edges were all curved in graceful concave arcs.  The edges of the frame and the back of the instrument were beautiful walnut.  The soundboard appeared to be quarter-sawn spruce.  I asked Drew what kind of instrument it was.

Drew informed me that the autoharp had been built by a now-deceased builder named Michael Autorino.  He said that Autorino had lived and worked out of a shop in Montgomery, New York.  He was a minister (I seem to recall Methodist) who built instruments -- dulcimers (both mountain and hammer), psalteries, and autoharps -- all to help support his life and ministry.  Drew also showed me the clever tuning system designed by Autorino.  The tuning pegs are hidden under a trap door at the bottom of the autoharp,  The strings are oriented upside down when compared to a conventional instrument.  This substantially cleans up the appearance of the instrument.  And in the hands of Drew Smith, the autoharp really sang!  Drew plays in a rather unconventional style with an index finger pick that is much longer than any others I've seen.  What he accomplishes with that "spear" is absolutely astounding!

Fast forward a few months.  I'm perusing the Cyberplucker forum when I see an inquiry, "Has anyone ever heard of Michael Autorino?"  I recalled the name from my conversation several months earlier with Drew.  I responded to the individual who had posted the query.  It turns out he was a beginning autoharp player who had seen a consignment autoharp at a music store in southern Connecticut.  It was a Michael Autorino harp but the young man couldn't tell me anything about the type of wood or the condition.  He did provide me with the name and phone number of the music store.  I called them and was informed that they still had the autoharp, it included a hard shell case, it was made of walnut, was in excellent used condition, and had no cracks.  I bought it over the phone for the asking price of $350.00 plus shipping.  When the autoharp arrived a couple of weeks later, I was sure I had done the right thing.  It is a beautiful instrument with a lovely sound.

I restrung the instrument, made new chord bars with fresh damping felts, and have spent countless hours enjoying it.  I've run across a couple of other Autorino harp owners in the last 20 years, but they are few and far between.

A search for the terms "Autorino" and "Autoharp" on Google turns up an interesting newspaper article.  This appeared in the Daytona Beach Morning Journal on November 2, 1983.

"Woodworker Makes Music
DELAND -- A woodworking specialist from New York has opened The Butternut Shoppe in the McPhail Industrial Building on Langley Avenue at the Deland Airport.  Owner Mike Autorino makes dulcimers, psalterys, a custom autoharp called an Autorino harp, and other traditional American musical instruments.  He also manufactures custom cabinets and countertops.  Autorino came here with 18 years experience in his business."

The tuners, hidden beneath the trap door

Lucille Reilly, a well-known dulcimer and autoharp player speaks of buying her first hammered dulcimer which she "purchased in 1978 from Michael Autorino (1917-1987)."  That is the only reference I have located that would indicate when Mr. Autorino passed on.  Regardless, he left a legacy of treasured instruments for those of us fortunate enough to own one.

A Master Calligrapher...

Mr. Louis A. DiGesare

I attended Mont Pleasant High School with a classmate named Richard DiGesare.  We were fairly close friends at the time, but like so many high school friendships we have lost touch over the years.  I believe that Richard went to work for the General Electric Company and moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts after our paths separated.  But the other day, out of the blue, I thought about Richard (amazed that I remembered his name!) and his father's unusual occupation.  His dad, Louis DiGesare, was a professional handwriter.  He worked full-time at the General Electric plant in Schenectady writing formal documents -- certificates, awards, recognitions, diplomas and the like.

I performed a Google search, which resulted in the following newspaper article.  It appeared in The Morning Record of Meriden, CT, on Wednesday, January 27th, 1965.

"Calligraphy is Fast Becoming a Lost Art in the U.S.A.

By Joy Stilley

SCOTIA, N.Y. (AP) – The ancient art of calligraphy isn't yet a lost art, but it’s losing fast to modern machines and techniques.Calligraphy is a flowery, ornamental kind of penmanship much favored in bygone years for fancy documents.

Among the most skilled practitioners of the craft of beautiful writing is Louis DiGesare, at 57 still a youngster among the few remaining members of a profession which is attracting no new recruits.

A Lost Art

“It’s becoming a lost art,” laments DiGesare.  He estimates there are only about 20 master penmen left in this country.  “Most are well along in years, and when the present group is gone there will be nobody to take their places.”
With the costly and time consuming handwork falling out of style, the very-narrowing group pursuing it are finding it harder and harder to buy supplies such as fine papers and fine inks.  “My pen point supplier recently informed me that they were ceasing production because there are so few left who do this sort of work,” said DiGesare.“I ordered five gross of points and I have about that many on hand, so I should have enough to last a lifetime.”

Mr. Louis A. DiGesare, surrounded by the tools of his trade, circa 1965

Work in Demand

However, as an expert at illumination, ornamentation and engrossing as well as producing the hairlines and shades of fancy penmanship,  DiGesare’s work is still very much in demand.

His is the hand that fills in names on diplomas, as well as creating original diplomas for photoengraving.   His work includes producing certificates, scrolls, resolutions, testimonials, mottoes and banquet name cards.  

The artist has a large assortment of oblique pen holders to which the point is attached at an angle in order to make the light and dark lines and swirls which form the letters.

Favorite Pen Holder

His holders are of all sizes and shapes for different work, mostly of hand-turned wood except for a few plastic ones.  His favorite is one he has used for about forty years.

DiGesare makes his own inks from powder and water, which he boils, strains and bottles.

As a youth, DiGesare became interested in handwriting and took a course in business and ornamental penmanship by correspondence from a school in Kansas City.

Practices Constantly

From there he went on to learn the more difficult calligraphy by reading, talking to experts, studying others’ works, experimenting and practicing.  He still practices constantly to keep his touch.

As a past president of the International Association of Master Penmen and Teachers of Handwriting, DiGesare is happy to see a resurgence of interest in penmanship in the schools today.  He advocates a return to the old push-pull and ovals exercises.His four children, now grown, practiced what he preaches.  During summer vacations, they worked on penmanship an hour a day.

As for their father – when he writes to them nowadays, he uses a typewriter, pleading lack of time.

But his signature and the addresses on the envelopes are always hand-done works of art."

A further search yielded this gorgeous hand-lettered certificate presented by the IAMPETH in 1968, declaring him to be the "World's Best Ornamental Penman."  

According to Dr. J.M. Vitolo, "Louis DiGesare, an early IAMPETH member was considered by his peers in the to be the last of the great Ornamental Penman shown here in the 1950's with pen in hand. The specimens were penned by him. Taken from the HJ Walter Scrapbook from the IAMPETH Archives."

I further found an article in the Schenectady Gazette in 1973, in which is described the wedding of Louis' son Lawrence, and by that time Louis had passed away.  His was a life full of self-discipline and remarkable creativity and beauty.

The Marathon Birthday Celebration...

I recently celebrated one of those "milestone" birthdays -- three-quarters of a century.  How does a person ever make that sound smaller?  I guess it is what it is.  All I have to do is overextend myself on physical activities and I can feel the proof of the number.  I was not eager for people to make any big deal out of this event.  It was as if I thought if we let it pass quietly, maybe it wouldn't really be true.

The Balloon Corsage - Wow!

Some people apparently didn't see it the same way.

On my 60th birthday, the folks at work had ambushed me by having a Dolly Parton impersonator (a couple of her features did, in fact, remind one of Dolly Parton.) enter a conference room in which I was holding a meeting with my customer at the time.  This robust lady proceeded to take up residence on my lap and serenade me with "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" while my co-workers streamed into the room.  One gent even video recorded my embarrassment so they could extend their appreciation of my birthday.  I decided that this year, I'd simply take the day off.  There'd be no way my colleagues could pull another caper like that.

I fully expected Mary Ann to outdo herself in the gift department.  She is, after all, the Ebabe of Ebabe's Gifts.  She didn't disappoint.

The first surprise occurred on the day before my birthday.  When I showed up for work, I found my office bedecked with streamers celebrating the aging process.  The floor was covered with little confetti cutouts of the number 75.  There were cards on my desk.  The Mary Ann elves had been at work.  Later in the morning a bouquet of balloons was delivered.  More laughs.  Then, I heard my co-workers gathering in the conference room and was summoned to hear the almost-all-male-IT Department-choir sing it's rendition of Happy Birthday.  We all enjoyed the cake that Mary Ann had arranged.  So much for secrecy...

Mary Ann's Gift Trove

The next morning, the day I had taken off, was no disappointment.  As I entered the kitchen I was greeted by the Sesame Street gang singing their version of the birthday song.  On the love seat where I normally sit to watch the morning news, there was a mountain of gifts topped by several cards.  I slowly opened each card and gift so that Mary Ann and I could enjoy the moment.  We spoke of gratitude for health above all things.  There were clothing items, shirts, gloves, and even a baseball hat that says "HEMI," referring to my under-construction hot rod.  And there was a new, larger GPS for my truck.  There were gifts from family members and lots of thoughtful cards.  After the gifts were opened, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and I spent much of the day in my shop working on woodwork projects.  I thought my birthday was over.

Part of the feast in preparation by
Master Chef Noe Morin

As they say on the TV commercials, "But wait! There's more..."

The following week I was going to be working in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Unbeknownst to me, the Corpus crew was planning even more festivities.  I flew in earlier than planned because of threatening weather in Huntsville.  I went to work on Monday unaware of the celebratory plans being worked in the background.  At lunchtime, I was summoned to the conference room where a feast had been prepared.  The Corpus Christi crew knows that I love Mexican cuisine.  There was a spread of home cooked food fit for a three-quarters-of-a-centegenarian!  Home cooked fajitas, stuffed jalapenos, salads, guacamole, casseroles, and spectacular desserts, were all laid out in a beautiful presentation!

And on a table separate from the rest of the feast was a gorgeous cake with an image of me in my 1932 Plymouth coupe.  Next to the cake was a framed "Fact sheet" of all the interesting things you could ever want to know about 1940, the year I was born.

To everyone involved -- Thank you sincerely!