9/25/2016

Weekly Update 9/25/2016

My cousins, Ellen & David Norton, were here from Sunday evening until Thursday morning. It was great to have them here! We did quite a bit in the three days they were here. We went downtown a few times, and toured DH, the Owens-Thomas House, and both the art gallery at the Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center. We also drove out to Tybee to see the ocean and the lighthouse (none of could climb to the top, so we just drove past it), and Bonaventure Cemetery. We had some great lunches: The Pirate's House, the cafe at the Jepson, and the Pink House.  

I made them do their own cooking and cleaning - nice hostess

looking at some of the art in the gallery at the Jepson

On Tuesday, I had already made plans to go to the Massie School Reunion. Although I'm not an alumni, because I'm a Friends of Massie, I was invited. It was very interesting to listen to people who had attended school there, or taught there, to tell of some of their stories. The school closed in 1974, so many of the students have since passed away or moved away, and there were not many who came, but it was a great program. Massie School was Savannah's first public school, opening in 1856. It is a historic building that now houses a wonderful visitor center.  

a former student reminisces about his school days at Massie

At BC, the Historical Society has commissioned some restoration to one of the bronze busts of a “resident” who was important in Savannah's history: General Robert Anderson was the first chief of police for the city. His monument has been deteriorating, and to try to curb the destruction, we funded a clean up. I was there for three days in a row to check on it. It looks great and I think this may prove why the BHS should use some of the donations for fixing some monuments.

doing the work...

it looks so much better, and it's better protected after the work is complete

My friend and mentor at DH, Dottie, retired this week. On Thursday evening, there was a party to celebrate the time she has been with Davenport House, and all the work she has done, and to wish her well in retirement. An hour before I was to be there, it occurred to me that I was supposed to make an appetizer. Crap! So I went to the Publix, bought some crackers and dip, and took that. Classy, Wilma! In spite of my slight efforts, the party was a success with many people in attendance to wish her well.

best wishes, Dottie!

I did more this Friday than I did the whole month of June. At 10 am, there was a Georgia Historical Society marker that was unveiled on Broughton Street to commemorate the 1960 protests and sit-ins in Savannah. It began with a slide show presentation about the protests, and that was followed by some speakers who participated in the demonstrations. Very interesting! Then I had to return to the condo to change and get ready for DH. I did meet friends at The 90 for a glass of wine after I finished my afternoon tours. Then The Lucas Theater was having a celebration of the 95^th year of the theater. There were food trucks, live music, costumed actors in the streets, and the movies Camille and Gone With the Wind were shown. Camille, starring Rudolph Valentino, was the first silent movie shown in the theater when it opened in 1921, and GWTW as the first movie shown after the theater reopened after extensive renovations in 2000.What a long day that was!

this marker is on the side of a SCAD building on Broughton St

some of the things going on along Abercorn St for the Lucas celebration

watching Camille before GWTW at the Lucas

I had to give a tour at BC on Sunday afternoon. That meant I couldn't go to Coach's to watch the Bills first win of the season. But who knew they would win? After I got back home, June called. Jimmy has been in the hospital for a week, because he broke his leg (he's really not in the hospital any longer, but he will be in rehab for a few weeks). She wanted me to come over and watch a movie. Then Tom called, and invited me and June to have a pizza with him before the three of us watched the movie. His condo it great! And the pizza was served on china! I guess I won't be able to have him to my condo for a meal! The movie was The Legend of Tarzan. Except for the gorgeous Alexander Skarsgård, the movie wasn't very good.

I received a notice from the NY State Retirement System and I'm getting a raise! $8.75 / month! What shall I buy first? I can't wait to see what my medical insurance will increase, but I'm guessing it's gonna be more than $8.75.