By Sabina Cardali
Cupid came in with his shining ribbon to start the year 2001. Three zeros in a row just had to be broken. If you haven't made your resolutions yet, what are you waiting for? Even if you feel you are perfect, let's put all that extra ability in new ventures and new endeavors. Let's spread your joy to every corner and to everyone around you.
I heard raves from everywhere about the live nativity at St. Paul's. The people were ecstatic and so were the animals, as they lay comfy on their hay in the church.
Congratulations to Joe Hruska, who once again was elected treasurer of the Masonic Lodge and to Greta Hruska as secretary of the Eastern Star Chapter.
A speedy recovery to Jean Johnson.
The Whitestone Bowling Alley is keeping up with the holiday spark with Patti McCarthy bowling 210 and Greta Hruska bowling 204.
My holiday was filled with the love and joy of being with my family in Las Vegas – daughter Angela, son-in-law Paul, and grandsons Eric and Brian. Of course, my grandsons had my schedule all set up. We took them to see “The Rugrats go to Paris,” “102 Dalmatians,” “The Grinch” and “The Emperor's New Groove.” Of course, all this was heaped with popcorn. It was nice getting reacquainted with Fr. Robert Petekiewicz, pastor of Our Lady of Las Vegas, and also Fr. Kevin McAuliffe, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who had also baptized Eric. We saw Scrooge, Babes in Toyland, Melinda the Magician, the Blue Men Group, Pinocchio, the Adventuredome Theme Park. We saw Thanksgiving and Christmas school pageants at Rhodes School. Eric was overjoyed to be picked to be St. Joseph at church school.
It's an annual delight to watch “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, George Baily discovering “It's A wonderful Life”, and “Miracle on 34th Street”.
One of the highlights of our trip was a ride on the airship, Vegas.Com. It was thrilling seeing the strip and all the lights at night. Chief Pilot Paul Adam really gave us a truly smooth ride. Of course, Brian was told he could talk with his earphones on and believe it or not, he spoke the entire hour.
Happy Birthday to Great Grandma Mary Hubner Jack and Robert McIntyre.
Congratulations to Marilyn and Charlie McIntyre on the birth of their son, Anthony, over 9 pounds, who joins his brother Andrew.
I hope you have made or are making your resolutions for 2001. Some suggestions: Treat people like you want to be treated. Teach the children. Give special care to the seniors. Do it all with a smile and joy and you will be made happy. Remember, we are all one family.
It has gotten cold and fuel is expensive. Some heating tips follow to lower your heating bills this winter which were put out by the Office of Energy and Community Service: 1. Insulate attics and walls. 2. Seal around areas where heat can escape, such as windows, doors, bathroom vents and chimneys. 3. Check the manufacture's label before insulating your water heater, and set the temperature to about 120 degrees. 4. Properly maintain your heating system. Have it inspected and cleaned annually, and replace furnace filters once a month during the heating season or as needed. 5. Clean warm air registers, baseboard and radiators as needed, make sure furniture, carpeting and drapes do not block them. 6. Reduce the thermostat setting when everyone is asleep or away from the home. Consider installing a programmable thermostat. 7. Install storm windows and lock your windows to create a tighter seal, use drapes and shades at night to conserve heat. 8. Close the damper on your wood stove and/or fireplace when not in use. 9. Consider using compact fluorescent bulbs for most commonly used lighting. 10. Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Look for appliances with the Energy Star label.
SABINA SAYS…The year that has just passed brought sad occurrences for me. I lost my mother Angela and Cupcake. There were so many ways that Mother was so special in handling people, loving them and teaching them in her quiet way. There will always be a special place in my heart as well as in Heaven for her.
