Amazing Gifts

We all can sort of visualize and feel the thrill of hitting a triple, getting someone out at third base, catching a grounder or sliding into home plate at the last second.  We can burst with pride when our swimmers pull with all their might to tag the next relay teammate to win a race or see the collection of ribbons declaring ever improving time scores with increasing laps.  We can understand with amazement the strength, concentration, determination of our champion rock climber, our golfer, our cheerleader and most of all our scholars...but unless you see the production it is hard to imagine the overwhelming delight of young people, singing, acting and telling a story on stage that moves you to tears.

This happened to me last night when Grandad and I went to see Andrew perform in The Red Phoenix Theatre Company's production of Les Miserables.

I knew little about the famous play.  I knew some of the story, had seen bits of the play on television, but never really understood all of what was going on.  I knew it was, for the most part, difficult singing, a long show and I anticipated it being even harder to appreciate because junior high and high school students were performing  it.

Well, like Susan Boyle's 2009 audition on Britain's Got Talent when she sang Les Mierables', I Dreamed A Dream...I was blown away!  I was excited to see Andrew sing with such sincerity and passion, to watch him take on characters so unlike himself, convincing us that he was brutal, a drunken womanizer, a brave but frightened soldier and then a dead one.  His choral work has really paid off this year, as he took on the challenge of making his part hold up to the standards of the lead players.  Again, I was blown away!

This truly gives you a flavor of what we saw last night, just on a smaller scale...



Andrew has two shows today in which so much energy will be shared and burned  for a sold out theatre.  Break a Leg, Andrew, to you and the rest of the cast.  Thank you for sharing your remarkable gifts.

Starring... 

(Well, from Mimi's point of view)  

ANDREW S-C!

For further information:  http://www.14thstplayhouse.org/14thcalendar.asp?date=6/29/2012&id=1197

Ford's a winner!

Kudos to Ford!  This past weekend he found out that he wowed 'em on his SAT exam and he also performed super well on the baseball field!   Nothing like a successful weekend!

Summer Joy

Kate's Simon has a birthday today.

Happy Birthday, Simon!  Wish I could make you a cake and help you blow out the candles.  May all your wishes come true.

Joe and Mike won the Druid Hills, Father/Son , Father's Day Golf Tournament.

Congratulations Guys!!!

 Keegan  has a gift and is using it in a kindergarten preparedness program this summer!  The 4 and 5 years olds attend school from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. where Keegan was carefully selected as a student volunteer and acts as a teacher's aide in the classroom.    From the head of the program; his praises are being sung for the excellent job he is doing!  After class he then heads to the baseball field for All Stars practice every day from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.  Keep up the good work Keegs, we're proud of you!

Andrew (seen here in the stage production of OKLAHOMA) is in rehearsals with the Red Phoenix Theatre Company, getting ready to present LES MISERABLES on June 29th and 30th, at the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta!  Break-a-leg, Andrew! 


Send me your news of swim meets, rock climbing, baseball, camps and exciting adventures so we can all enjoy what you are doing.  I hope everyone is getting excited about our GRAYTON trip coming up soon!

 With Love and Gratitude, 

Mimi 

(...and special heartfelt thoughts for LOP from Merry) 

An Audience with the Queen on her 85th!

 Our Queen Mother turns 85 years young and we had a celebration!

 Mom, Judy, Louis, Hugh, Natali, Terrence and I met on the top of Mount Eagle to unite our best wishes.

 We had a delicious meal at a lovely restaurant called High Point...

Where once again her children said thank you for a life time of devoted motherhood.

Happy Birthday, Mama.  You are loved and endeared.  Long live the Queen!

Mimi's 65 Years Old

In a birthday wish, my sister reminded me to count the pennies, a ritual my grandmother used in her primary Sunday School class when a child had a birthday.  From the "birthday chair" we counted our age out in pennies then gave the treasure as a love offering when the plate was passed.   Last night, from my chair of honor at the head of the table, I counted my blessings.  They were many.  For those near and far, thank you for making my life so very special.  Thank you for coming to celebrate me.  Thank you for your gifts, cards, phone calls, e-mails and video chats.  You made it great to be 65!  (That and my first check from Social Security.)

I love you all...Mimi

Tid Bits

 The S-C family are seeing the Grand Canyon among many other beautiful sights while on vacation.

 Issy is ripping through the water, winning for her swim team.

 The Pedersen boys are in the play-offs. Good luck, boys!

(I know Joe and Ford are playing too, but as of this writing I haven't heard a status report.)

 Andrew starts  drama camp, Red Phoenix Theater Company, as soon as he returns from vacation.

Morgan is off this weekend to Texas,  for the Divisional round of climbing competition.  Good luck, Morgan!

 Special announcement from Mike...

Houck l Regas LLC - Trial Lawyers

Wednesday 

Brad Houck and Mike Regas are pleased to announce the formation of Houck | Regas LLC, a trial firm dedicated to representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death matters involving automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, and defective products. Their office remains at 2 Ravinia Drive, Suite 1020, Atlanta, Georgia 30346, (770) 392-6080.

Mom and I are gratefully celebrating our 65th and 85th birthdays the 9th and 13th of June!  (There is a party in my heart and head for all these things!)

50 Years A Yale Man!

There is much to be said for being taught by teachers who have high expectations of their students' ability to learn.  There is much to be said for the opportunity to learn from teachers who have achieved excellence in their fields.   There is much to be said for doing your best when the best is made available to you.  This may have required extreme effort and expense, but there is really something good to be said about the results.

I have just spent the weekend with the 1962 men of Yale; and from my view point, although they were very privileged, they have given back over the years, far more than they have taken.

I am grateful for the opportunity, through my Yale Man, to have been welcomed into the inner circle.

.

Join me for a look back at our weekend, lunches and dinners under the big tent in Davenport quad, faces of old friends, walks around campus while going back and forth to lectures, musical reviews (featuring reunion Whiffenpoofs from years gone by), museums and other activities of Terr's 50th 1962 Yale Reunion!

  

The number one song in of June of 1962 was, I Can't Stop Loving You,
by Ray Charles.