SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS HAS RIZ...I WONDER WHERE CARY IS??

Happy Spring!  This Friday, I'm at the Taste Of Wine from 8:00-10:30. With luck, the patio will be open.  Saturday night I will be at River Rats, VFW in West Carrollton from 8:00 to midnight. But the BIG NEWS about where I am, is that I am BACK to work full time in the telecommunications field again!!  I am absolutely thrilled!

Last month, I helped to host Angels for Ashlynne, a benefit for a 5 year old little girl who had been injured in an accident. We raised over $5500 that day.  Thanks to Vic and Ron for joining the huge crowd of supporters who were there for Ashlynne. 

Angels for Ashlynne

I am participating in a fundraiser for Ashlynne Fink, a 5 year old from Beavercreek who has had a serious injury and is undergoing another extensive surgery.  The fundraiser is March 13 at Scor (soon to be called Romer's) in Bellbrook.  There will be food, raffles, games and a silent auction.  I will be hosting Karaoke from 6:00 - 8:45 PM.  You are invited to join us and participate in this worthwhile event.  Here is your chance to be an "Angel on Earth" and help to make a difference in the life of a child and family. 

Cary

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

Brenda and I just returned from a 4 day trip to New Orleans (NOLA) for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. This was the opening weekend for Mardi Gras and the town was decorated for the carnival. Mardi Gras is always a major event in NOLA and with the Saints playing in the Super Bowl, the city was in a frenzy of energy and excitement.   Yes, I was one of the men to wear a collection of beads all weekend. Somehow, this seems perfectly normal when in New Orleans!

I did not sing Karaoke this weekend, although there were certainly karaoke bars on Bourbon Street. Instead, we spent a wonderful evening at the Hotel Monteleone at the piano bar. We met some very friendly locals there, who were so proud of their city and very welcoming to us.

 We have always found people in NOLA to be exceptionally happy and inviting. We sang for hours. The highlight of my evening was playing my harmonica and singing Piano Man on the mic. 

The excitement of the upcoming Super Bowl continued to build throughout the weekend. "Who Dat!" became the new "hello" as people greeted one another on the street. Chants of "who dat" and the music of "When The Saints Come Marching In" were heard everywhere.  People poured into the city and everyone was dressed in gold and black. Even dogs were dressed for the big game!!  

Brenda and  I were dressed for the big game too!   

We were staying at the Ritz Carlton and we watched the game at their Super Bowl party. The rest is history!  The Saints DID march in and they won their first Super Bowl.  The town was euphoric. We joined thousands of others on Bourbon Street to celebrate.  

What a night! What a trip! What a town!! Congratulations Saints and Congratulations NOLA. We can't wait to return. 

Hope to see you soon! I'll be at Scor this Wednesday, if the weather cooperates. 

Cary

WINTER EVENINGS

How are you spending your winter evenings?  Are you out on the town, vacationing some place warm, or staying home in front of the fire?  "Judy, Judy, Judy" is having a great time in Florida, and we heard she just bought a condo down there....another "snowbird" flies to Florida. Judy will need to start singing that song now.  Brenda and I are often "out and about" and this past week was no exception. We had a nice crowd at Scor last Wednesday, and we celebrated George's birthday. George comes every week with Johnny Kay and Diana, and he always sings from the table. Maybe this is the year we will get him up on stage!  We seem to draw new singers and listeners to Scor every week, which is fun!  Friday night, we were at the wine bar celebrating Mike Nolan's retirement from the Sheriff's Department. You may recognize Mike's name, as he is a new trustee for Miamisburg.  

Saturday, Brenda made a big pot of chili and we actually got to spend an evening at home.  We spent hours making Valentines for our nieces and nephew in Las Vegas.  Their names our Autumn, Austin and Alexis. We call them our Awesome A's.  Their Valentines were each  10 little heart  pages of photos and sayings.  We sure do love these children!  Here are a  few samples of the photos we included:

Awesome Austin: We will always be teammates. Be my Valentine. 

                                                                

 

             

Be my Valentine, Awesome Alexis. You are always tops in my book!

Awesome Autumn: I am smitten with you. Be my forever Valentine.

So, how are you spending the winter evenings?  I'll be at Scor Wednesday night if you are ready for a night out.  No karaoke this weekend. Brenda and I will be at the biggest Super Bowl party in the Nation. Check back for photos next week!

Musically, Cary

Music Soothes The Soul

Cary's grandmother passed away quietly during the early morning hours today.  She was at peace and ready to move on. We visited Mama over Christmas in the nursing home. She was ill then, and we knew that she would be passing from this world in a short time. She had been drifting in and out for several days, and was very weak and unable to talk.  The family thought she may be unresponsive to us.  It was Christmas Night, and I asked Cary to sing Christmas carols to her. He gently sang to carols, and Mama responded by smiling and nodding and making eye contact. Afterwards, she managed to say "I love you".  There have been many studies showing that music helps to bring calmness to those who are actively dying and that it eases their pain and stress. We certainly experienced the wonder of that on Christmas Night. 

They say that people die how they lived. Mama was such a sweet and loving lady, right through the end.  We will always remember the first time Cary took me to Evansville, 16 years ago. Mama held our faces between her hands, looked us in the eyes and said "do you two love each other"?  No one had ever asked us that before, so it was quite a "moment" and neither of us were sure how to respond! But she knew, even before we did. We will miss you, Mama. You have touched our lives forever and we have many wonderful memories to sustain us. 

Brenda

Healthy Resolutions

Happy New Year!  Like so many others, did you make a New Year's resolution to focus on your health in 2010? There are  a lot of health benefits that you can get from singing! Singing does the following:  Gives the lungs a workout
- Good flow of oxygen to the blood system and brain
- Tones up intercostal muscle and the diaphragm
- Posture correction and back straightening
- Stomach and bladder strengthening
- Good exercise for abdominal muscles
- Great aid to communication and breathing
- Helps reduce the feelings of depression
- Neurological improvement
- A good therapy for those who have had strokes resulting in speech impairment
- Improves confidence and discipline
- Strengthens the immune system.  And, don't forget to sing for pure entertainment and fun!   I hope to see you soon!

Musically, Cary

Ringing In (and singing in) the New Year

It's always good to welcome new singers. Last week, some of Brenda's co-workers joined us at Scor. One is no longer a karaoke virgin. It was a fun, festive evening for everyone. 

We'll be singing at  Scor this Wednesday evening, with only one more night left in 2009! New Year's Eve, we  will be ringing in the New Year and singing  karaoke at River Rats, West Carrollton VFW.  It is open to the public, with food served at midnight.   Join us if you can!

Brenda and I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year full of happiness and good health.

Cheers!  Cary