The Singing Men of Arkansas

We had one of those "small world" experiences Wednesday night, April 28. I read in a paper that a group called "The Singing Men of Arkansas" was going to sing in Killarney. When I got on their web site, I found that they were from NWA - sort of connected to 1st Baptist in FV. Even more amazing, their director is Mike Bedford and a member is Stan Bedford. We bought Color Mate Photo in 1990 from Jack and Vicki Bedford. Stan and Mike are Jack's brothers. So, of course, we went and had a great time. First, they are a great singing group, so if you're in NWA, look for a performance. And, what fun visits we had. Stan owns Bedford Camera and Video stores in Springdale, Rogers, FV, Ft. Smith and LR and we did lots of business with him, so we knew him pretty well. He was amazed to see us and very appreciative that we had looked him up.


  

Above, Mike Bedford, director; Jonathon Storey, accompaniest; the choir in action singng the song written by Vicke Bedford. And, just above - Stan Bedford, Patsy (Baldridge) Bedford, MFE, DS, David Sager.

We also met several other members, wives and mothers. We found that another member, David Sager, knew Dana pretty well in SS Kiwanis. And, Mike Bedford's wife was married to Mitch Baldridge, who was a partner in 2 B's Auto with our friend Dennis Bergthold (Mitch died several years ago). And to top it off, they sang a song written by Vicki. As I said, what are the odds that in 2010 I'd be sitting in a church in Killarney listening to a group for NWA sing a song written by Vicki Bedford. I love the way life provides these scenes for me!

Clara's Visit

Clara Hogan is the daughter of Jan's sister Tara. We knew her sister Molly well, but Clara was born after we left Iowa City - I had met her once at Jenifer's wedding. She is doing a semester in Brussels and for her Spring Break she toured Europe ending up with a 36 hour trip to visit us. Well, fate intervened and the volcanic ash crisis let us keep her for 5 days and gave her a much better view of Kerry! She handled it well, though obviously a bit frustrated - her fellow students were stranded all over Europe, some alone, so we were glad she was with us. She eventually got back to Brussels via train, ferry, train, train - about a 28 hour journey. Lucky she's young!

The first evening we went to Fenit and Ardfert. The next day we went to Dingle (the original 1 day tour we had planned!). That evening we went across to our local pub for a going-away gathering for Kate, so Clara got to meet a few of our friends. Above she is on the beach we call Ryan's Daughter's beach.  To the right, MFE and Clara at Kilmalkedar Church. Below right , the mountain climb up from the falls just before the Conor Pass.Below left, some brightly painted lambs near the church.

On Friday she and Dana went to Killarney and toured Muckross House and Ross Castle while I worked. Dana says this is his best picture ever of Ross Castle! Left and right - Killarney Lakes.

It was a beautiful day and he got some very nice flower shots.

Saturday we went to Ballybunion  - above and at top of the post the traditional Virgin Rock picture! Also, here's a shot of Nun's beach, the one near the end of the Cliff Walk. There was so much more beach exposed than usual - it was hardly recognizable.

Sunday back to Killarney for Torc Falls, Ladies View and Moll's Gap. This picture is Ladies View - notice the Muslim visitors enjoying the sights! Monday she spent the morning trying to arrange transportation then took an early afternoon bus to Dublin.

New York Trip - Central Park

We flew to New York on the day after St. Patrick's Day - sort of funny, since many people from Ireland go over for the big parade. We arrived at Gustavo and Renata's apartment in time for dinner with Renata - G. was in Brazil, and returned the next day. They have a gorgeous apartment on the Hudson River, just behind the Lincoln Center and just a few blocks from Central Park. So, on Friday, our first day, we spent almost the whole day in the park. It was beautiful - 70 degrees and sunny and we really enjoyed it. We walked nearly the whole park. Obviously, Dana took thousands of pictures, so we will give you a sampling.

This first street scene is at the 59th street entrance. The globe is in front of one of many Trump buildings. We had coffee/coke and enjoyed the street musicians.



 Then we set off walking. Here are some beautiful scenes and statues. I took the one of Dana taking a picture after a lady stopped me and asked if I was with him. When I said I was, she said she was a professional photographer and that a picture of him would be wonderful, so I took it.

And here are my favorite statues - Hans Christian Andersen and the Ugly Duckling (and me - no comments please) and Alice in Wonderland.

We went out of the park and had lunch, then walked some more. We saw the John Lennon memorial, which is right across from the Dakota where he was shot. and We walked all the way around the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, with beautiful views of the skyline, including the one at the beginning of this post and the one behind us in the shot below.

We walked out of the Park and into Times Square, stopping to rest at the Rockefeller Center. Since this was March 19, we saw many signs of Irish celebration, including these 2. Then we bought Metro passes and went home - a wonderful day!

New York - Days 3,4 and 5

On Sunday we again hopped on the subway. First top was Grand Central Station.

We then went further south to the WTC site, the Brooklyn Bridge, Pier 17 (where we had a bite at an Irish pub) and Battery Park. To the left - the church near the WTC site, where firemen's boots were hung on the fence - and some never came back to get them. It was a miracle that this church survived intact and was able to serve as a main location of assistance. Below left - the WTC site - constructing a new Tower 2. Below right, the park near the subway stop.

 Right and below left - the Brooklyn Bridge - an amazing structure. We walked only about 1/2 way - it is VERY long!

 Right, Pier 17. Below Statue of Liberty
from Battery Park.

Monday was our first (and only) rainy day. We still enjoyed walking around Greenwich Village and Soho. Dana was doing memories, as he lived in that area for a few months in the '70s. We enjoyed a great lunch at a bistro. Then Dana went home to cook and I toured the UN - I have great memories of doing this in the 60's with my mother, so I enjoyed memory lane - and did enjoy the tour again.

That evening Dana fixed dinner and cooked a blueberry pie for Gustavo. We had their Brazilian friend, Adrian up to share the pie.

Tuesday we again headed south and stood in line for discounted Broadway tickets (even discounted they are breathtakingly expensive!). We were able to get tickets to Chicago,our first choice. We then rode a bus all the way north to Harlem, then went back to the apartment to rest and get ready for the theater. It was wonderful. We were on the third row. We both love the music from this show, and they did it very well. There was an understudy playing Roxie and she was really great. What a treat!