September — A Month to Dye for

Mike HennesseyOP-ED

Where has the month gone? 

Over Labor Day weekend, Pauline and I attended my 50 high school class reunion. 
I couldn’t believe how young we looked as a group, realizing, of course, most the girls probably dyed their hair and possibly even some of the guys.   

I was thinking about dying mine to cover just some of the gray, however, on second thought, I figured that I’ve earned every one of my gray hairs.  One thing I do have going for me is a full head of hair, which is more than some had. 

Even better than a young looking class was the fact that those of us present were healthy.

Hopefully the ones who didn’t make it to the reunion are the same.  Some have had their problems, but they recovered. Others aren’t moving as fast as they did.

By the grace of God, all of us were able to enjoy two great days.   

Friday night we had an informal get together at a local pub in Piqua, with pizza, wings and salad being the fare for the evening.  We had a great time reminiscing about classmates, teachers and school activities. 

A New Look

During the day on Saturday, one foursome played golf; some toured the newly renovated hotel, now called Fort Piqua Plaza.  No longer a hotel. it’s the Piqua Library, a ballroom, meeting rooms and a banquet center. 

Evening activities took place at the home of one of our classmates, where food, drink, laughter and reminiscing were the agenda for the evening.  It was a really great event.  Somehow I won the distinction of being in charge of our next reunion.  It’s going to be a cruise, to celebrate No. 52 in May of 2011.

On Monday, Sept. 7, Pauline and I moved our granddaughter, Heather, back to Eastern Michigan University for the start of classes on Wednesday.  She did receive some good news. The job she had at school last year was funded so she will have it again this year.  That will help.  I’m happy to report all is going well with her classes.

Dedicating a Few Days

Friday the 10th I volunteered for an event downtown, called Urban Nights, working for the Friends of the Arcade.  I have been with this group since its inception, over two years ago.  The group’s original goal was to save the beautiful arcade in Dayton. Now the objective is helping the new owners promote interest in the facility.  Tours were available, and over 2,000 took advantage of the opportunity to view the interior. 

The 17th was birthday of our eldest daughter (Heather’s mother) birthday, and the 18th was Heather’s 20th birthday. 

I remember the night I spent at the hospital waiting for our first child, Darlene, to arrive.  Heather was our first grandchild.  At that time, all three of us (Darlene, Pauline and I) were working for the same company.

Am I getting old, having a 20-year-old  granddaughter?  Must not, as my younger sister would have to be older, since she has great-grandchildren. And she  claims to be young.

The Model “T” Ford, which I wrote about last week, was sold on Sept. 18.  The car has been in the family for 39 years, and it was painful to see it go; however, I still believe it was the correct decision.

Last Saturday, I worked at Autumn Fest for the Learning Tree Farm, and again on Sunday afternoon.  The Farm provides children with hands-on experience, in a typical farm setting.  I’m vice president of the Learning Tree’s Board. I believe that along with serving, comes a responsibility to help with events.

Sunday morning I volunteered at a car show in Carillon Park.  I did serve on the board of Dayton History, of which Carillon is a part, and still help them, when needed, with special events.  This is a very prestigious car show, with only about 200 cars being invited to display.  Cars come some distance to participate in the Concours d’Elegance, the third weekend of September.  No, my Model “T” Ford wouldn’t have been invited.

Tonight, Pauline and I are going the Dayton Women’s Club to have a spaghetti dinner and play bingo for prizes. 

A friend of ours is President of the Women Club, and she invited us to their fundraiser.  Since I’m interested in seeing that historic facilities are preserved and the Club is in a beautiful historic home, we will be there to support their efforts.  Who knows? We might even win a prize.

This weekend, as well as next, I will need to work around the house, doing all the fall things that must be done prior to the cold and snowy (according to the weather forecasters) during winter months ahead.  This is especially true, since our cruise will take most of the following two weekends in October. 

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net