Been there, done that.  That kind of has been my theme.  If you are entering into the 75th year of your life, there is not much you have not done or experienced.  On Sunday evening I learned about something that I did not know about. My son, Mike Queen, had purchased a table for a banquet that was being held to celebrate Young Life.  He served as a host and had seven seats available.  Mike called and invited us to attend.  We in turn, called John and Cheryl Mehaulic to accompany us. Former Clarksburg Mayor Patsy Trecost and Liberty High School parents John and Michelle Wickline also joined us.

 

I can honestly say that I had never heard of Young Life before that.  Young Life is designed for kids to capture the moment in living a life centered on a relationship with Christ.  It is a student-led organization.  From face-to-face conservation after school to club meetings on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, students involved with Young Life can let loose in laughter and crazy fun.  Seven young adults told the audience about their association with Young Life and how amazed they were to see Jesus touching so many lives. Nathaniel Lutyens is the Area Director and he can be reached at nlutyens@wv26.younglife.org. I would encourage everyone to learn more about Young Life and what we can do to support the organization.  Once again, the Bridgeport Conference Center served a delicious dinner. We enjoyed having the opportunity to visit with Theresa and Dan Westfall, Mrs McClain and Steve Wickland, who were also in attendance.

 

The Lions Club of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Women's Club held their annual spaghetti dinner this past week.  We attended and had a wonderful opportunity to meet some of our old friends that we have not seen in a while.  When leaving we stopped to talk to Coleen Hammond who works at the Center and I was so pleased to hear she follows the Grapevine every week. It is so rewarding to hear that so many of you look forward to reading the column.  For those of you who may not know you can read it in the Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal, the Value Guides, and on line at Connect-Bridgeport and Connect- Clarksburg.

 

One of our own Harrison County girls works with the WVU Girls Basketball program.  That is none other than Toni Oliverio who is the Director of Operations for Girls basketball.  It is always nice to learn that one of our own is contributing to a successful program.  Thanks Toni.

 

Be sure you have your calendar marked for the Old Fashion Hometown Reunion that will be held in East View at the Community Center from four to six on Sunday, September 28.  We will have plenty of food and entertainment by Janice McGee.  Come and meet all your old neighbors and you do not even have to be a product of East View to attend. The event is being hosted by the Queen family. For information call me at 304 842 2662.  It’s all free.

 

The Italian American magazine has announced that a soon to be published study, Daughters, Dads and the Path Through Grief,  on the Italian American  father-daughter relationship and its influence  throughout a women's life will be available.  The study completed by Donna H. DiCello, Psy.D., and Lorraine Mangione, Ph.D., explores the complex relationship between Italian American fathers and daughters. For more information contact donnadicellopsyd@gmail.com.

 

I was cleaning out the freezer the other day and ran across some items that should be used, so I took a bag of shredded beef, added some fresh tomatoes and due to the absence of cabbage I opened up a bag of frozen kale, emptied it all in a stock post, added a few other vegetables and had a great pot of vegetable soup.  I want to tell you what a great change the kale added. I may never use cabbage again. You know its soup time and how nourishing it is to our bodies. Soups also freeze well, and try putting it in individual bowls when you just need something hot for yourself for lunch. Or if you are still working an individual serving is great to take to work.

 

Hope to see you all in East View on Sunday and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."