Tuesday, April 28, 2009

This week from Athens . . . & Atlanta too.

We have had more of our share of news in Athens this past week . . . what started out as a fun-filled week with the annual Twilight cycle race/festivities and then Matthew & Knowshon having a life-changing day earlier on Saturday turned into tragedy with the shooting at the Town & Gown Theater on Saturday afternoon. I have students that had the professors class and friends that were friendly with the theater group. My friends grandchildren are friends with the children left behind. Please keep those two children in your prayers . . . .

But on a much happier note . . . . here's what has been going on with me.

I recently 'graduated' from The Good Grape course taught by retired physician and wine expert, international judge and author Vince Masters and his wife Judy.
After much classroom time this semester, we enjoyed a great evening in their backyard tasting everything we had learned about [or so it seemed].

My house mother buddies, Ann, Dottie and Nena took these classes too.


Check out these reds . . I liked The Lackey shiraz best of these three; 2006 South Australian.




Then, in honor of the Twilight cycle race, I took a tour of the Terrapin Brewery Company that was formed in 2002 in Athens. For $8 you get a Terrapin beer glass, 8 tickets for draft beer of every variety, live music, college students and those of us who are not college students.



Lucky for me, I found Matt Matheney to give my extra tickets to!




In case you don't know about Twilight, hundreds and hundreds of cyclist began arriving in Athens mid-week ready for the race through downtown on Saturday evening. Downtown streets are blocked off beginning on Friday, it's a carnival atmosphere, vendors everywhere and people milling all around town, in and out of bars and restaurants. It is a great weekend - one you all should try and attend!


On Friday night there were jazz concerts all over downtown. One of the best jazz ensembles was from Ft. McPherson Army base - they were fabulous and had marvelous vocalist too. Officer V could croon Frank Sinatra like you've never heard!



Saturday celebrated the 26th year of Care Affair, our Tri Delta alumnae sponsored charity event for CURE & the Children's Cancer Clinic. Held at 103 West this year, we all had a blast while we raised lots of money. Polly, Becky, Patti Roberts, Patty Green & Martha Wilson

Polly, Tom Wilson, Becky & Rob Eckerd [Congrats to Rob & Maggie expecting baby #2!]




Celebrating with Donna Edwards Ray, Karen Hoey McCrae, Lynn Craddock Lanier, Dianne Howard Bain & Deborah Dendy Ashendorf.
Congrats to Susan Stewart Miller who served as Co-Chairman this year!

The students have their last classes on Thursday; finals start on Monday and ZTA house closes on May 9. In case you get a copy of Bulldawg Illustrated, a weekly paper during football season and monthly the remainder of the year, check out page 14; the ZTA gals surprised me and nominated me for UGA Fan of the Week. I guess it was a slow month . . .

Hope you all have a great week. Miss you . . .

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

HALLELUJAH Tri Delta!

After OVER 3 YEARS of working on the Tri Delta House Corporation, we have FINALLY gotten Mayor and Commission approval from Athens-Clarke County to start our renovation! It has been an arduous process - if not for working with a fabulous DDD team of Sherry Whitehust Gaby, Sandy Bossert Boyles and Karen Schofield . . . this would not be happening! Celebrating our success . . . Lee & Sherry Gaby, David Matheny, me & Bret Thurmond.
Sherry has served as House Corporation President and she is a Saint! Deserves awards and many riches!

David is our Athens architect and Bret our civil engineer. Make no mistake - after all of this time, I am up close and personal with these two guys! We couldn't have done it without them - that's for sure.

Our Atlanta architect, Norman Askins, was invaluable to us working on the exterior design renovation.
Me with Sherry, David, Norman, Deborah Dendy Ashendorf and Karen.

Go Diamond Dawgs!


Everyone is loving the UGA Baseball games! It has been an exciting season to say the least. During the weekend games against LSU, I tailgated with Mary Huggins, her son Row and his girlfriend Raven. Just another beautiful day in the Classic City!