A note received from Katherine Gimlick, formerly of Parish: ‘We all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and now are trying to keep warm.  Last Friday morning it was -25.8 here.  It has warmed up a bit but more cold is predicted over the next weekend.  We will all be glad to see spring!  Hope all is well back "home."’

Debi Rozonkiewiecz Young sent me this note on Monday evening, Jan. 19:  “Thought you guys might get a chuckle out of this.  NC is supposed to be getting 1-4” of snow.  Most schools are closed or on 2hr delays already and it’s not even snowing right now (8PM)”

While working in the capital region Mr. Marc Horning, class of 1985,  contacted  Mr. John Antoski, class of 1983, and they met and caught up over a few cold beverages in the local establishments in Ballston Spa NY on January 16, 2009. 

Girl Scouts of the Parish and Altmar area joined together for some out door fun on Monday, Jan. 19.  They went sledding and created a few ice castles at the Parish Elementary School, and later enjoyed a bag lunch and an active kickball game at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium.  Those that were able to attend were:  Altmar Girl Scout  Junior Troop 198: Hannah LaCrosse, Hartlyn Poore, Brittany Keill and leader Leslie LaCrosse; Parish Girl Scout Daisy Troop 575: Amelia Auringer-King; Bailey Nadeau; Mary Jane Thomas and Leader Patricia Auringer; Parish Girl Scout Brownie Troop 496:  Brooke Alder, Kaylee Drake-Gates, Haley Emmons, Cassidy McConnell, Peyton Nadeau, Jennie Thomas, Mariah Walts, Rhyanna Williams (and brother Connol) and leaders Mary Lou and Tia Guindon; Parish Girl Scout Cadette, Senior Ambassador Troop 710:  Maggie Allardice, Nicole Guindon, Rachel Mitchell and Leader Rhonda Fisher and daughter Kassidy.  A great time was had by all.

Howard Breeze, class of 1959 went to see Mrs. Loretta Haynes on Tues. Jan. 20: “She seems pretty perky and bright. She vaguely remembered some of the things I reminded her of. The one main thing she DID remember was when I told her about the first time in class when she checked my reading speed and couldn't believe it. She used to have sections of the Reader's Digest for us to read and then take a test on for comprehension. The average reading speed in those days was about 300 wpm. When I finished what should have been a 5 minute read in a little over 30 seconds she told me that I couldn't have really read it. I said there is a test now isn't there? She said yes and I said well let's take the test. I got a 98 on it and she wanted to know how I did it. What she didn't know was that I had a very intelligent aunt who started me reading when I was 3 and found I was a little dyslexic. Her cure for that was to push me to read faster so the words couldn't get turned around. By the time I first met Mrs. Haynes in 1956 I could read about 4000 wpm and scan at over double that. Now because of eye problems I am down to about 1200 but that's still pretty good. I still love to read and do so almost constantly. I count it as a lost day if I don't learn at least one new thing.”

The Parish Faith Church of the Nazarene welcomes Pastor Kevin Smith.  Pastor Kevin Smith  forward to being active in the community.   Pastor Kevin Smith   lives in Tully and has a lovely family.  The Parish Ecumenical group will be meeting in the near future to meet and greet our newest Pastor and to discuss the upcoming Easter Ecumenical service.

The Parish-Hastings Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Parish Community Blood Drive in memory of the Sabine twins, Kayley and Rayel on Sat. Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium 2938 East Main Street, Parish.  

 Dunkin Donuts is giving out a pound of coffee to each donor.  

Donate and you get one entry, bring a friend to donate you get two entries (plus they will have one entry of their own), be a first time donor and you get three entries; be a Double Red Cell donor and receive four chances in the drawing for a $50 gift card redeemable at the Grist Mill Restaurant.  How many “donor friends” can you recruit?  Call 625-4575 to schedule an appointment.

The Girl Scouts began their  cookie sales on Friday, January 9.  Watch out for the door to door sellers and all this snow.  There will be booth sales locally February 13 – March 22.  These delicious cookies remain at $3.50 per box.

To make this column interesting and informative, we need to hear from you, email information to guindfam@... or call 625-4575.

Blessings and Peace be with you,

Mary Lou Miller Guindon/'75
315 625 4575