Running the Bases...

I think the girls were inspecting
the warning track, but something
tells me they were wondering
where the bust of Howard J.
Lamade went...

Girls, you're running the
wrong way......

"Safe, Safe, Safe..."

What a great Little League game yesterday. Boy, when that California team gets hot, the really roll. What a exciting weekend. Mrs. Greevy, our daughter and I spent both Saturday and Sunday at all of the Little League games. We sat right behind the Chula Vista team both nights and boy, were those parents having lots of fun. Well, as a parent, my fun came after the game as my family was invited to go down on the field and my daughter and her friend ran the bases and the warning track. Those two three-year olds were having such a great time chasing each other and playing tag. What a cool honor for those two little girls to be on such a cool playing field.

Sitting in the Rain

We sat right behind the Chula Vista team tonight and had a great time, even though the rain delay began the second game at 7. My daughter and I had a great time watching the games, sharing jokes, watching Dugout, talking with people and staying dry under the stadium overhang. What a fun evening.

Did anyone out there go sliding down the grassy hill?

Teachers Make a Difference

Over the past couple of weeks, I've talked to a number of people who have sent words of congratulations on my new job here at Schick.

I have to tell you, yesterday I received a great joy in the mail. It was a card. On the front it said simply, "Congratulations." When I opened it, it had a really wonderful message and was signed by my first grade teacher, Mrs. Betty Kramm. Mrs. Kramm was a great influence in the early growth of my life and is always keeping in touch through notes. It is that kind of lasting influence that teachers make that students remember and appreciate.

I could go on about this, but I won't. I will tell you, however, that it really meant a lot to me that the night I was hired that my 8th grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. John Raymond was in attendance. That same evening Mrs. Kay (Rose) Weilminster and Mrs. Linda Woodling, my 4th and 5th grade teachers spoke to me on the phone as they were having dinner with my folks. It was meaningful to share that moment with them.

See, special people like teachers shape our lives (and are appreciated), even years after we've spent time in their classrooms. As we head into this new school year, it is time to shape lives and build those lasting relationships by being positive influences like Mrs. Kramm, Mr. Raymond, Mrs. Weilminster, and Mrs. Woodling.

Mrs. Jafee is Daffy!!!

My sister, parents and daughter came to see my new school last evening. I gave them the 25 cent tour. My three year old told my her mother later in the evening that she saw "the students' projects."

I think that she loved the library. I'll have to have Mrs. Cozza get her a library card here. Mrs. Cozza's library has lots of books, but some of the books could be updated. I'm hoping that parents and community members will consider donating a book to our library.

I'm going to donate Mrs. Jafee is Daffy. It is a book that my sister gave me when I became Vice Principal. If you haven't read the My Weird School Daze Series by Dan Gutman, you're missing some funny stories. This series is appropriate for kids between the ages 7-10.

A quick synopsis of the story reads, "The new vice principal of Ella Mentry School has some crazy ideas on how to teach kids. A.J. and the gang have to stand on their heads while they do math! They have to take a spelling test underwater! Everybody has to do yoga! Could it possibly get any weirder?"

I'm not sure I have crazy ideas like the Ella Mentry's new Vice Principal, but give me a few weeks...to finish reading this book. I'll let you know.

Little League's in 'full swing'

Last night, Mrs. Greevy, my mother, my sister and my daughter went to the Texas v. California game. What an exciting game. I think we saw the game of the tournament, so far!

Here is a picture of my daughter in her favorite pink hat and her friend at the game. They are both 3 and didn't watch much of the game, but they had a great time. They coth commented that they had their "greens on."

Look at this Treat!!!

This past weekend I was in Kingston, Pennsylvania with Mrs. Greevy. Kingston is across the river from Wilkes-Barre. There is a bakery there called The Bakehouse. Here is a picture of me with my favorite treat from there-- The GIGANTIC Rice Crispy Treat. It is huge as you can see. It is as big as my hand and about 2 1/2 inches thick. And no, I didn't eat it all by myself. I shared.

Little League Parade & My Favorites

Those people who know me, know that when I was little I wanted to be a 'fireman.' Any chance I got to tell people about my desire to be a firefighter, I wouldn't miss the opportunity. For one of my FATHER'S BIRTHDAYS, I went to Krimm's Toy Store and bought him a Tonka Truck Snorkler that actually shot water. I had a riding toy that was a fire truck that I think mom and dad purchased at Kiddy Kar Toy Store. The old t.v. show, Emergency 51, was my favorite.

Well, last night my daughter and I went to the Little League Parade, and I was in my element...fire trucks, fire trucks, fire trucks...Here are some pictures of my Loyalsock 'friends.' Other floats were amazing, and my daughter loved seeing the bands from the area high schools and ate half of the candy that she collected.

Again, new camera. Bad pictures. I'll get better.

LANCE can't wait to meet you...

Hey Little Lancers, are you ready to begin the school year at Schick? Lance has been seen in the halls and in some of the classrooms. He's been sharpening pencils, scrubbing desks, learning your names, and helping our grounds crew plant new trees and shrubs outside the front of the building. Shick is sparkling and ready for you to join us this year!!!

If a tree falls....

Yes, it does make a noise and if three fall...

That is what happened to us yesterday as we were talking about going up the hill to survey the damage. Three additional trees from what we could tell fell crackled and crunched and snapped and crackled for about 30 seconds. We couldn't tell at first if it was fireworks or an electrical transformer popping, but it definitely added to the deteriorating woods around us.

If you look closely you can see the street below. Two weeks ago, you would not have been able to see the street through the trees!!!

If you look really close, you may be able to see my friend Mr. Fausnaught waving from the road below!!!

TORNADO OR NOT TORNADO???

My family and I just recently moved back into our house after last Sunday's "microburst." A microburst is a strong gust of wind that can be distructive. It reminded me of a tornado.

Anyways, our home was safe, but the woods on the hill of our ravine suffered from the strong winds. Our property (and about 3 others next to us) had our trees and our power poles and our powerlines ripped out of the ground. Trees, as old as 80 or more years, ripped right out of the ground and there are about 70 or 80 trees that look like they were thrown around on our hill.

I am going to climb the hill with my puppy, Brody, this weekend to survey the damage up close. I'll have pictures to show you on Monday.

Our powerlines are reconnected, but only to the trees. We have power, but PP&L said that they would have to make a road on our hill to put in new powerlines and poles.

We are just thankful that everyone is safe and that our home was not severely damaged.

Cookies on the First Day

Starting a new job. New people. New building. New EVERYTHING. I must admit that I was a little nervous coming to school on Monday, but what was cool was a nice note and awesome plate of cookies from my Mimi and Pappy and Aunts and Uncles. What a wonderful way to 'shake those butterflies away' and know that the family was excited for me to begin my administrative career here as a Lancer.



The Schick secretaries, Ms. Kuzio and Mrs. Forrester, are taking good care of me and have equally enjoyed sharing the plate of cookies with all of the teachers and staff as they enter the office.



Thanks for making my first day a special one.

Come Back and Visit

Under Construction....& getting settled....Day 3.