What’s happened since our move to Rockport, MA
This post has been long over due, but that happens when you have many things on your plate… like selling your home back in your hometown, cleaning out and packing for the big move, renting a U-haul and transporting all your furniture and memories, and finally making your new home just what you want it to be. After all this chaos, we settled down and found time to do some new and exciting things in our new town… Rockport.
Jodi and I in the Spring of 2011 were invited to participate in the Rockport Innkeepers Charity Scholarship Candle Pin Bowling Tournament at the Cape Ann Lanes. This was our first attempt at bowling with a ball half the size of a regulation 10-pin bowling ball, combined with the tall skinny pins that are called candle pins. Our team was called Inn Sane (The Inn on Cove Hill sponsored team). Lets just say for the record that a 100 pin score is very good. We had a great time doing this event and meet many people who made us feel very welcomed in Rockport.
During the spring, summer and fall months we spent most of our weekends and some of our weekday evenings at Front Beach and Long Beach. Since the beach is just a 4 minute walk from the house, we did this quiet often. Jodi’s parents and Aunt Pearl came out for a week in August and helped us out greatly with painting our picket fence.
When it came to Boston sports, we didn’t drop the ball in cheering on our favorite teams in person. With the arrival of spring my cousin Paul and I attended the Red Sox – Toronto Blue Jays game in April, and the Baltimoire Orioles game in May.
Jodi, myself, my cousin Paul and our friend Jim Murphy attended the Red Sox-Yankees game on August 20th (a 10-4 Red Sox win), the Cleveland Indians game on Wednesday night August 3rd. The Cleveland game was organized and paid for by the company that I work for as our employee night out at the Ballpark.
The Fall signaled the start of the defending NHL Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins season to begin as I attended the Bruins – New York Islanders pre-season game on September 23rd.
With the arrival of winter and the NHL season in full swing it was off to the Toronto Maple Leafs game on December 3rd (the 100th consecutive sellout) along with Jodi and my sister and her boyfriend Todd when they made the trip out to Rockport for a weekend visit.
This year marked the first time that I only attended one New England Patriots game. Bill Waters and Mike Grisanti made the trip out for the weekend as we took in the Patriots 2011 season opener on September 18th when they hosted the San Diego Chargers.
July 4th brought a new experience to the celebration of the birth of our country. We attended the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Rockport’s Dock Square by the town crier dress in period costume. The event was followed by a long-standing tradition in Rockport, the Annual Fireman’s Parade and a picnic hosted by our friend Maureen (who happens to live right on the parade route) and concluded with a bonfire at night on Back Beach.
The musical highlight of the summer was the New England Country Music Festival concert headlined by Kenny Chesney and the Zack Brown Band at Gillette Stadium on Friday night August 26th. I drove into the city that day and Jodi took the “T” from Rockport into Boston and meet me at my office building, and with a quick stop to J. Pace for some takeout in South Boston we were on our way
Jodi and I signed up to volunteer at the Shalin Lui Performance Center as ushers, ticket greeter and concessionaires. We have since been elevated to Concession Managers and have met many wonderful people and seen some world-class entertainment.
We are currently into our second winter here in Rockport and compared to last year we have had no snow.
During the Christmas season we entertained my family when they visited for the Tree Lighting Ceremony weekend of December 3rd. Our friends Hal and Mary Ann Bronk payed us a visit the following weekend, as we participated in the Seashells and Jingle Bells tour.
Our first experience in Rockport was our first vacation staying at the Linden Tree Inn on King Street, that is when we meet the innkeepers Penny and Larry Olson. The first time we meet Penny, she made us feel welcomed and at home in Rockport. Our stays at the Linden Tree set the foundation for what we feel for Rockport and the people of our new town. The town of Rockport is a picturesque postcard of what you would want in a small New England seaside village. The town is an artist’s haven, and is evident in all the galleries and shops located on Main Street and Bearskin Neck. The Motif #1 and Rockport Harbor continue to be the most photographer in all of New England. The quaint shops on Bearskin Neck along with Front Beach and Old Garden Beach offer everything you would want to complete a great day at the sea. After Penny and Larry retired, they sold the Inn to Jon and Dawn Cunningham. Jon and Dawn extended to us the same feeling we got from Penny and Larry, that this is the town that we eventually would like to move and retire to.
After a family get together in Boston and a Red Sox game, which included my cousin Paul from Toronto, Jodi found the Inn on Cove Hill for us to stay after the Red Sox game for the weekend. Since Jodi did not go to the game, she rode the metro from North Station in Boston to Rockport the next morning to check us in and spend the day at the beach. After meeting Betsy and Frank for the first time, they made us feel the same way as the first time we visited Rockport in 1987. After our stay, we continued to go back to the Inn on Cove Hill, sometimes two or three times in the same summer. Betsy and Frank became like family and encouraged us to buy the “Sally Webster Inn” from Kathy and Fitz. Purchasing and running a Bed and Breakfast was the original plan for our retirement to Rockport. But the inn was not ment to be and we continued our search for our dream home.
Our dream home was found in our second year of house searching on August 4, 2010. On our last full day of vacation, our second trip to Rockport that summer, Jon had called Jodi to tell her he wanted us to look at one more home before we left. While I was at the beach soaking-up the last of the sun and sea breeze before we would come back again next year, Jodi called and said that we had an appointment at 5PM to see the house. A thunder-storm passed just 30 minutes before Jon picked us up for our appointment. With Jodi in a cast and navigating around with crutches from a prior accident, we made our appointment. Once we entered the house we could see this was the house for us. Since the ground was wet from the rain, Jodi fell flat on her face in the house due to the hardwood floors and wet crutches. Jon our real estate agent and Kim Lorden, the owners real estate agent were horrified that she hurt herself, but I just picked her up and said I think she just fell head over heals for the place… and rest was history, this would be our home. The home we bought, just happened to be the home of national recording artist Paula Cole, who Jodi and I credit in making the home what it is today.
The home according to all records and deed searches indicated that the home was built prior to 1789, but the oldest deed transaction took place on August 15, 1789, when Samuel Tarr purchased the home for 28 pounds. The home was sold to Jacob Storey on April 30, 1799 for $400., John Turner on July 22, 1813 for $380., John Pool on September 5, 1814 for $520., Thomas Tarr on February 17, 1832 for $550., John Rowe on April 23, 1861 for $600., Cyrus Fellows on June 16, 1874 for $2,500., Clarissa and George Grover on January 24, 1895 for $1,200., Loring Grimes on May 5, 1908 for $1., Jennie Grover on December 1, 1914 for $200., I. Percy Fears on March 17, 1917 for $0., Rufus and Catherine Remick on April 3, 1934 for $0., Albert and Muriel Remick on August 11, 1948 for $0., Everett Shores on August 26, 1977 for $40,000. Grammy award-winning recording artist Paula Cole had purchased the home in 2004 and sold the home to Jodi and I on September 17, 2010.
The home is located in the historic district of Rockport on Main Street and is walking distance from Front Beach (3 minutes), 
Rockport is a very dog friendly town (also know as dogtown) and dogs are welcome in most stores and business with their owners while they shop, pay bills or do their banking. Lucca, our golden retriever is a regular visitor at the ACE True Value Hardware, Rockport National Bank, Town Hall, Animal Krackers Pet Store and the Cumberland Farms where he gets treats at every visit.
We started our afternoon by taking our private entrance with elevator for lunch at the Pavilion Club restaurant located behind home plate. Phyllis, our waitress was very friendly and made the dining experience enjoyable. After lunch we stepped out through the doors of the glass enclosed restaurant to out seats for batting practice. After batting practice, we stepped back inside the Pavilion Club and strolled through the Red Sox Hall of Fame featuring the plaques of all the Boston Red Sox players that have been honored as some the great players in Red Sox history. The bathroom trip was an experience, since it was a private bathroom for club pass holders only and featured marble counters, no lines and clean. While at our seats we were offered waiter service, which we took full advantage of so we would not have to miss a play.
The game itself lived up to what you would expect from a national game of the week broadcast.
After checking with the Baseball Hall of Fame and a couple of other websites to see who would be appearing in Cooperstown for the 2010 Induction Weekend, I stumbled across a name from the Boston Red Sox infamous past. The year 1986 to most Red Sox fans elevated losing to an art form… and all it took was one play. Yes, I am referring to the famous play involving Bill Buckner in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, with the Red Sox on the verge of taking the series from the New York Mets and ending the drought dating back to 1918. A seemingly routine ground ball by Mookie Wilson found a way to escape Bill Buckner by rolling under his glove, scoring Ray Knight and eventually ending any chance the Red Sox had of winning the series. As that painful moment unfolded on the TV, the world for one man and entire fan base changed forever.
The four (4) hours spent in Cooperstown on July 24th, was filled with many memories, as I meet several Hall of Famers and former players, like: Ricky Henderson, Dwight Gooden, Rollie Fingers, Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Ferguson Jenkins, and many more.
Sox take the opening game 4-3 behind David Ortiz’s first home run of the season. John Lester was on the mound for the Red Sox while Jeremy Guthrie hurled for the Orioles. As in the past, the Baltimore bull pen let down the Orioles in the opener by walking three consecutive batters in the bottom of the 8th, resulting in an unearned game winning run for the Sox.
With my Red Sox nation card in hand, Paul and I were escorted up the Green Monster for the Sox batting practice prior to the gates opening-up to the general public. After a couple of opportunities to catch a home run ball, Paul and I managed to hold onto one apiece for our first Major League baseballs ever grabbed at Fenway Park.
Tim Wakefield made his last appearance as a Red Sox starter, as he would be designated to the bull pen after the game to make room for Disuke Matsuzaka. Hernandez was on the mound for the Orioles and pitch a solid game. Unlike both Friday and Saturday, the bull pen held their own and was supported by a two run homer by Miguel Tejada resulting in a three run top of the 10th breaking a 4-4 deadlock.
Spending the afternoon in Woodstock is like being in a Michael J. Fox “Back to The Future” movie, except we didn’t fly into town in a time traveling DeLorean. We just flew (OK, we drove) down the New York State Thruway to Exit 20 and made the 9 mile trek on Route 212 from the toll plaza back to 1969.
Woodstock is a town that has embraced its past and still lives it today in the stores and people of the town. Music is still, and always will be, the highlight of this artist colony. The names of performers that continue to perform in Woodstock will only make you say WOW!, I have to see them, or, I remember those days and the songs. The place to see the names of the past and names of today perform in an intimate setting is the Bearsville Theatre. 
A great way to spend a throw-back afternoon in Woodstock is to shop the downtown and its unique boutique shops. Stop at the Woodstock Wine and Liquors at 33 Tinker Street and pick-up a bottle of wine from their extensive offerings. Then just walk out the front door and go next door to C’est Cheese at 65 Tinker Street and pick-up some goat cheese, blue cheese and maybe some other cheese that strikes your fancy along with some crackers from the knowledgeable staff at this small and personable cheese shop. Don’t be in a hurry, time runs a little slower here, just soak up the atmosphere. After making your purchases, head down the road to the Bearsville Theater at 291 Tinker Street and park in the lot behind the radio station 100.1 WDST. Here you will find stone benches and a running stream to enjoy a scenic picnic.
A shop that should not be missed by the ladies is the Loominus Handwovens at 18 Tinker Street. Here you will fine hand-made (made directly in the shop), scarves, jackets and throws. Visit Loominus at 
As for the game itself, the Bruins struck first with a power-play goal at the 14:08 mark of the first period as Dennis Seidenberg one-timed a slap shot just inside the blue line past Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff assisted by Dennis Wideman and Mark Recchi. After one period of play, the Bruins headed to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.
The Bruins lit the lamp at 4:24 of the third period as Patrice Bergeron, assisted by Dennis Wideman banked a wrist shot off a Calgary defender from the low right face-off circle to pad the lead at 4-0 Bruins. Mark Recchi while falling to the ice just left of the goal net while in a battle to control the puck from a Calgary defender lifted a shot past Kiprusoff at 5:51 for the final goal of the afternoon. Recchi was assisted on the goal by Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron. Tim Thomas was flawless in goal stopping all 31 Calgary shots to preserve the shutout.
Then the celebration started for the 17,565 in attendance. I witnessed what I have been waiting 40 years for… the Bruins mascot dancing on the HD scoreboard screen with the words “Bruins Win!” as the backdrop with “Dirty Water” by The Standells blasting from the TD Garden speakers.
Class is now in session for Jodi, myself and the 10 of our friends with “Late Night Catechism” at the GE Theatre, taught by ”Sister” played by Colleen Moore dressed in the traditional full nun’s habit. The performance opened with “Sister” informing our class (The audience) that she was going to take over the evenings instruction for the parish “Father” due to his previous poker commitment. That set the tone for this class about religious instruction with ad-lib and slapstick comedy overtones set in a simple, but traditional classroom stage set. Lets just say “religious instruction with a twist”.
One of the features of the show that allows for the audience to open-up and participate with some of the questions presented by the “Sister” are the religious trinkets that are given to the participants for playing along with the show… like the glow in the dark rosary or the laminated religious cards for example.
A few highlights of the performance that had the largest response was the section call “Saint” or “No-Saint”, the “Gang of Nuns”, “Jesus’s Banquet Party with his 12 friends” that was crashed by Mary Magdalene, and the burying of Joseph upside down in the front yard to help sell your house were not only funny but memorable.
With the feel of basketball madness in the air and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference 2010 Basketball Tournament underway at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, it was time to jump head first into the world of college basketball and attend the Semi-Finals. The days first game paired Siena College (#1 seed) against the Rider University Broncs (#5 seed), while the second game matched Fairfield University (#2 seed) against the Niagara University Purple Eagles (#6 seed).
Siena started slowly for the second night in a row falling behind Rider just as they did the previous night in the quarter finals against Manhattan with poor shooting. The shots continued to clang off the rim for Siena allowing Rider to take advantage of the disgruntled Saints wows in building a lead that would carry them to the end of the first half with a 30 – 28 lead. Siena again came out cold in the second half missing shot after shot, until the 10 minute mark… and then their offense clicked with Clarence Jackson hitting a couple of crucial three pointers and Ronald Moore hitting a three pointer along with a few field goals that lead to a 16 – 0 run and not only closed the gap, but put the Saints up by 11 points. The play continued to be steady on both sides and eventually lead to a 72 – 62 Siena victory, advancing them to the Championship game against Fairfield University, who came away with a hard-fought, entertaining and intensely played victory over the Niagara University Purple Eagles 69 – 63.
Now it is time to watch Siena on ESPN Monday night March 8, 2010 at 7 PM as they battle Fairfield for the MAAC Championship and the automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
With no particular plans for Valentines Day, Jodi decided that a trip to New York City to see a Broadway show would be a fun and memorable day. With that idea in mind she began banging away at the computer keyboard the day before (Saturday, February 13) looking for tickets that were not in the price range of $120. or more. With no success she began looking at the Off-Broadway shows that may still have availability for a Sunday (Valentines Day) performance. With nothing available for the performances that interested her, Jodi settled on a Broadway Show that we would not have selected if the other choices were available “
Sometimes in life you need to take a break from the seriousness of being an adult and take a journey back to when life was about wonder and magic. The Disney and Cameron MackIntosh presentation of “Mary Poppins” allows you for a few hours to take that magical journey, all you have to do is “Play The Game” and you will soon realize that “Anything Can Happen if You Let It”.
The stage sets were the best that I have seen on Broadway, both extensive and with great detail. Accompany that with the beautiful architecture of the New Amsterdam Theatre, and you have the recipe for an enjoyable afternoon on Broadway.
After arriving at the Grand Central Station with walked up to the 
After the performance we bought four bags of sugar-coated roasted nuts (peanut, cashew and almond) from the street vendors that have the carts named “Nuts 4 Nuts”, we walked down to Rockefeller Center and watched the skaters on the ice rink and strolled around to see the set of the “Today Show” and the sites around that area of the city.
Since it was getting around 5:00 PM we caught the subway train to 4th so we could make our 5:30 PM reservation at 
That sinking feeling you get when you see the puck pass through the goal line as Vancouver ties the game with 4:42 left in the third period, wiping out what started out as a two goal Boston Bruins lead after the first period of play. That is what disbelief feels like when you start the descent to another Bruins loss. How can this happen, in a game we totally controlled. Don’t worry my cousin Paul says as, there is still time left to pull out a win. After regulation we are still tied at 2-2. OK, there’s still overtime… still hope… wrong again. Then the inevitable happens, the Bruins go down in flames in the shootout. This looks to familiar I said… Oh, I saw this before on November 27th against the New Jersey Devils.
The game started out with promise of a long-victory when the Bruins stormed out of the gate playing intense high-flying hockey. They light the lamp at 1:56 of the first period with a power play goal by Zdeno Chara, assisted by Marc Savard and Marco Sturm. Chara scored the goal when he received a beautiful cross-ice pass in front of the goal from Sturm for the open net tap-in. The Bruins struck again at 14:20 of the period with a Michael Rider tip-in from a wrist shot by Marc Savard from just inside the blue line that made its way past Roberto Loungo while being screened in front of the goal. Vancouver closed the gap to 2-1 when Mason Raymond received a pass from Ryan Kesler on the right side of the goal and skated untouched in front of the net to lift a wrist shot over the shoulder of Tuukka Rask. The Canucks tied the game at 15:18 of the third period when a slap shot by Tanner Glass was deflected by Pavol Demitra standing in front of the net. The scoring play was the result of a broke stick slap shot by Sami Salo at the high right circle that found its way to Tanner for a desperation shot on net.
After a scoreless overtime, the inevitable happened in the shootout. Pavol Demitra beat Tuukka Rask for the only goal made as the Bruins Blake Wheeler, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron could not get one past Roberto Luongo.
So while we are enjoying a family dinner at Rose’s house, an ambulance passes by, I said, “there goes another Bruins fan… a stroke victum” then another and another. Everybody almost chokes laughing for my out-of-the-blue comment that took on the tone of a joke, little did they know I was serious. Well desperate times require desperate measures, when the cousins and I go to the game in March… I am bringing the rosary. My mother says, maybe I should wear my dad’s old Bruins hat… what the heck I am desperate. The record stands at 0-(and one more to many to count) in the past 40 years.
The seats we had for the game were located right behind the goal that the Bruins shoot twice, Section 7, Row 7, Seats 1-2.
Cruising the Caribbean in 2010
Jodi and I spent our 26th wedding anniversary on a Caribbean Cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Cruises ”Summit”. It has been awhile since we last trekked down to the Caribbean for some sun and fun. Our trip started on January 7th, our anniversary date, as we boarded a Delta flight at 6:00 AM from Albany, New York to San Juan Puerto Rico with a connection in Atlanta.
We arrived in San Juan at 2:30PM (1:30 PM our time back home in Amsterdam) to overcast skies with temperatures in the mid 80′s, but a far better forecast than our weather back home. After checking in at the Hotel El Convento, a converted 16th century convent that would be our home for the next three days, we set out across the street to the San Juan cathedral, the final resting spot of Juan Ponce De Leon the explorer. After visiting his tomb and lighting a candle for my dad and other family members, we continued to walk and explore the sights around Old San Juan.
Day 2, we spent in Old San Juan visiting the San Cristobal Fort along with a walk to El Morro. We continued to explore Old San Juan and shopped until the early afternoon. Since a light rain shower appeared, we then took a cab over to the Bacardi Rum Factory to take the free tour of the factory with the emphasis on the Bacardi family and the process of making rum. We were smarter on the way back and took a cab to the ferry dock and boarded a ferry to the Old San Juan port. The total cost of the trip back was half of what we spent for the cab over to the Bacardi factory.
Day 3, we went for a hike around the port area and around the old city wall of Old San Juan. The amount of cats that live in the rock area around the walls was staggering, we must have seen hundreds. My guess is that they are there for rodent control, since the locals feed them.
Day 1 of the cruise we spent on Saint Maarten. We spent most of the day at Orient Beach under a rented umbrella and lounge chairs. After swimming and walking the shoreline, we had lunch at Kakao Restaurant and Bar located just off the beach behind our lounge chairs. After the beach experience, we took a cab to the downtown shopping area to buy a few items and then headed back to the ship.
Day 2 of the cruise we spent on Dominica. We spent the day on an excursion to the underground swimming cave (the site used in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean ”Dead Man’s Chest” and the hot springs (a natural bathing spring pool with a water temperature of 110 to 125 degrees. The springs are naturally heated by the volcanic underground. After our excursion, we headed back to town to by some handmade crafts from the local vendors. The feature item that we purchased was a hand sewn doll with native attire. The headdress of the female doll tells the story if a woman is either married or single based on the native culture.
Day 3 of the cruise we spent on Grenada. This is the island of spice, and since Grenada was famous for its spices, we decided to take the spice tour offer by the cruise ship. This took us on a very scenic ride through a good part of the island to reach the nutmeg plantation. Once we were at the nutmeg plantation, a very informative presentation of the plants that are used to create the spices we cook with everyday like bay leafs, allspice, cinnamon and cocoa just to name a few was given by the local workers. We then boarded to bus to the nutmeg processing factory that produces one-third of all the world’s consumption of nutmeg. It was amazing to see that the entire process is still accomplished by hand, just as it was a hundred years ago. After several purchases, and with a time left to explore, we headed back to St. George’s for some shopping and sightseeing. While Jodi had enough and went back to the ship, I managed to head up the hill to Fort George, the scene of the assassinations that started the U.S. Invasion of Grenada back in 1983. The history contained withing those walls is hard to put in writing, it is more a feeling. After checking out the hurricane Ivan ravaged churches and buildings still showing the effects just as they did right after it hit the island, it was time to check out the national soccer stadium and the local outdoor fish market before heading back to the ship.
Day 4 of the cruise we spent on Tobago. After the ship had docked for the day at 7:30 AM, I ventured off on my own to see what was available by the local crafters in the main town of Scarborough, while Jodi and our friends Leonard and Sue Ann from Houston, TX. were still getting their day started. While exploring, I found a local native who made sandals out of his 8′ x 10′ shed, so I asked him if I could take some pictures of him, his sandals and shed site, so it would be easier for the girls to find him later in the day to make their purchases. After our group meet on the ship after breakfast, Leonard, Jodi and I ventured off in a taxi to tour the island and the cocoa plantations. Our driver Chris gave us more than we were looking for, as we kind of spent the day as locals. Our first stop was the national stadium were the Trinidad and Tobago National Soccer Team plays their home games. After a short photo stop it was off to a cocoa plantation field. Chris then made a quick stop to get air in the cars tires at a local body shop, lets say tire rims are a hot item in Tobago. On our way back to the town we stopped at Fort Gamby and climbed the coastal lava formations, then it was a stop to a local pastry shop that had no sign indicating that it was a business, basically it looked like somebody’s personal residents, but once inside we found some of the best pastries and fish sandwiches you could set your eyes on. A quick stop at a local café owned by a friend of our driver Chris, Leonard was able to buy the prized cocoa balls produced on the island and the reason for our trip to begin with. The cocoa balls are the main ingredient to make what the islanders call cocoa tea ( hot chocolate). Fort George was our last stop on the island tour, and the view capped off a great day in Tobago. After our taxi adventure we headed back to town for some extra spice and music shopping, etc. Then it was time to board the ship and head to Barbados.
Day 5 of the cruise we spent on Barbados. Today we ventured off to the beach as we hailed a taxi from the port with Leonard and Sue Ann. Our beach destination was Payne’s Bay and the St. James Hotel. After we set-up for the afternoon with our rented lounge chairs and umbrella, Jodi and I decided to walk the beach up to the Sandy Lane Resort to reserve a table for lunch. The Sandy Lane Resort is one of Barbados’ resorts for the rich and famous. Lunch was spectacular with various offering of top-level food, including grilled barracuda, swordfish, lamb chops and more. The seafood salad filled with lobster meat and scallops was the highlight of the buffet. Everything you would expect from a buffet set on a marble patio with a price tag of $150.00 U.S. per couple was available. Who knows maybe you might see Barbados’ native Rhianna there. But the highlight of the lunch was the wild monkeys that roamed the resort while we were eating lunch. These monkeys roam free on Barbados and come and go as they please. It was amazing that they would allow you to get within two feet of them. The photos that we were able to take of the monkeys would qualify for National Geographic. After lunch it was back to the beach for more swimming and then back to the ship for our trip back to Puerto Rico.
Day 6 of the cruise we spent at sea. The day at sea allowed us to relax in the sun and recharge our batteries from all the exploring we did on our time in the islands. The Salsa band was the entertainment highlight on the ship for the week.
Jodi and I attended the opening of the Broadway musical “Wicked” performed at Proctors theatre in Schenectady, New York as part of the St. Mary’s Hospital of Amsterdam Foundation event and fundraiser. The evening was a group fundraiser for the Foundation that featured two tickets to the performance and a cocktail reception held exclusively for Foundation contributors. At the reception we were treated to a special appearance by the author of the novel Gregory Maguire. It was fascinating finding out from him that he was originally from Pine Hills, a suburb of Albany, New York. He explained to us a few behind the scenes features of the novel and a little about his family. Mr. Maguire had spent some time in London, prior to settling in Concord, MA. for the past 15 years with his wife and three children. As an added treat, Mr. Maguire had personally signed the evenings playbill for us as a souvenir. I have not read the book, but I have heard that it is very well written. It was nice to see a famous writer so down to earth and more than willing to answer any questions you might have regarding the story and the theatrical performance.
As for the performance, it was “Wicked” good!!! The set design along with the musical support were a compliment to the fine performance by the actors. Helene York (Glinda) and Marcie Dodd (Elphaba-the wicked witch of the west) put in a performance that sent the performance over the top. I will not get into the details of the musical, as to not take away any of the suspense if you plan on seeing it in person.
The weather was cold and damp outside, but the action was hot in the Garden on Friday, November 27, 2009 when the Boston Bruins meet the New Jersey Devils for their “Black Friday ” faceoff at high noon.
The seats for the game were fabulous, Loge 7, Row 6 just left of the goal at ice level in the zone were the Bruins shoot twice.
With the drop of the puck to start the third period, it was announced that Devils goalie Martin Brodeur just recorded the most minutes ever played in NHL history, passing Patrick Roy. The Bruins silenced the Devils faithful 12 seconds later with a one-timer by Blake Wheeler off a pass from Marc Savard to tie the score at one apiece with 19:48 left to play in regulation. The rest of the period featured numerous quality chances by the Bruins, only to get turned away by Martin Brodeur.
With the game in a 1-1 deadlock after regulation, a 5 minute overtime was played with neither team recording a game winner.
After the game Paul and I were off to dinner with the family in Winchester which is located 12 minutes outside of downtown Boston. After dinner it was time for me to head back to Amsterdam after one last look at the Christmas Tree in Quincy Market and a walk through Christopher Columbus Park on Boston Harbor.
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