The annual “Parish Area Picnic” will be held on Monday, March 2, in the Alice Hall at Zephyrhills City Park on State Road 54.  Beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Bring your own table service, dish to pass, something to drink and your smiles.  Please bring guests if you wish. 

Larry Lewis has retired, so you will need to put up with John Piseski, the West Amboy kid.  There will be some great entertainment this year and some door prizes, so please join them for another super day of fellowship.  Call or email John  813.782.1008 or jpiseski@...

The Parish Special Olympics and Training Club has been practicing hard for the winter games.  Two coaches and four athletes went to Rochester, NY for the weekend of Feb. 6 for floor hockey skills.

Athletes: Kim Rude earned a 3^rd place medal.  Jim Smith and Nancy Mitchel each received a 4^th place ribbon and Jon Michael Harlsy a 5^th place ribbon.  Jan Morse and Arlene Harlsy are the coaches.  The group stayed at the Hyett Hotel, it was beautiful.  There was time on Friday and Saturday to enjoy the hot tub and swimming in the pool after the competition. All had a great time.  They will be starting their Spring practice soon.  They are in need of help for both Parish and Oswego Training Clubs.  Call  625-7578.

I have received notice that Charles “Chuck” Morse, class of 1929 passed away on Jan. 28.  He was 96 years young, Chuck was a man that to be admired.  Until 2005, when he moved from Ohio to SC, Chuck would drive to Parish from Ohio to attend the annual Parish/APW Alumni Banquet.  It was a joy to hear his memories. 

CHARLES WILLIAM MORSE, 96, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at his home in Bluffton, SC., with his loved ones around him. He was born in Hastings, NY., on April 3, 1912, the son of the late William C. Morse and Jennie Spicer Morse. He was married to the late Virginia Kaufman Morse for 59 years. He worked for International Harvester Company for 43 years. He was an avid golfer and served as the past president of the Brittany Spaniel Club. He was the owner of two national champions He was a Mason, a member of the Al Koran Shrine of Cleveland.  He attended the University of Rochester ona basketball scholarship.   He is survived by his wife, Olive Morse of Bluffton, SC.; one stepson, Charles Hocevar of Hilton, SC.; two stepdaughters, Margaret (Peggy) Wade of Swansea, IL., and Carrie Spisak of Bluffton, SC.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A graveside memorial is planned in the spring in Hastings, NY. Any donation should be made to Island Hospice, 300 New River Pkwy., Suite 7, Hardeeville, SC 29902, would be appreciated.

Max and Maggie Swartz of Rochester spent several days this week with their Grandparents Fred and Bridget Swartz and their Aunt Kathy.

The Parish Senior Dining and Activity Center was a hub of activity on Thursday, February 19 with two special guests.  Supervisor Stephen J. Stelmashuck was there to visit and answer any questions. Julie Raner is a gifted musician, entertaining the diners with beautiful music on her keyboard.  Julie is a band teacher at Mexico Academy, also the organist for the Parish-Hastings Presbyterian church. 

Nancy Bookheimer will be joining the Parish Senior Dining and Activity Center on Thursday, March 5 as the third in the series of readers from the Parish Writers group. 

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. (OCO) has designated March 2009  as March for Meals Month.  Each day, the dedicated staff and volunteers of the program serve meals to 600 seniors throughout Oswego County. Through congregate dining facilities and deliveries to homebound seniors, the program has provided over six million meals to Oswego County seniors.   Keep watch to see how the Parish Senior Dining and Activity Center will be participating in this fundraising event throughout the month of March.   Mayor Leon Heagle will be assisting in the local meal deliveries in Parish on Wed. March 18.

The APW Class of 1959 is looking for classmates John Walts, Judy Harter, Ray Brown and Pat Gilmore.  If you have any information contact Mary Lou at 625-4575 or guindfam@....

The APW Band Booster Club is holding their annual Hershey candy bar sale through February.  If you need candy email them at cjenkins103@... or phone 271-8367 .  The next APW Band Booster meeting will be held on Thursday, March 5  at 7 p.m.  For more information contact Shirley Jenkins at above contact information.

The Greater Parish Area Chamber of Commerce has announced “Parish Irish Days” to be held on  March 14-15!!!  The parade will be held on Sat. March 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at Dill Pickle Alley with vendors and activities taking place after at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium.  On Sunday morning there will be a pancake breakfast held at the Parish Fire Station from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.  The Irish Days activities of fun may end with a Bright Star Productionz mystery dinner. If you would like to participate contact Dan Dalin, president at 625-4955.

The Parish Relay for Life Committee will launch its 2009 fundraiser at a kick-off "25th Birthday Celebration" March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School, County Route 22, Parish.  Come join the party, and enjoy the fun!

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