Landmarks, A Party and Signs of Spring

Anyone who grew up in our city will recognize this landmark - which was once a popular choice for wedding receptions, family dinners or an evening to relax with a drink and live entertainment.

And, as you can see from this picture - and most of you probably already know - it has been vacant for several years and is currently boarded up and fenced in.  It seems sad to me, since I have many fond memories of this building - as mentioned above.  I think my earliest memory involves my oldest sister taking me there in her brand-new car to pick up Kentucky Fried Chicken.  This was at the time when KFC wasn't shortened and was quite a novelty.  The entrepreneurial gentleman who owned this building at that time had a drive through space where KFC was handed out the window.  Of course, it wasn't long before KFC moved to its own location - nevertheless that was my first taste of the Colonel's creation - and it happened at this building.  A few years ago, during the winter when we were in Florida, I received an e-mail from Auntie Colleen saying that an ornamental section of the entrance had collapsed.

Now, more bad news regarding this local landmark.  Just over a week ago, another portion of the structure was destroyed by fire.

This was the entire south wing of the building - as you can see in this next photo....

...and sadly, now I am expecting to see a wrecking crew in there any day........marking the end of another chapter in our local life.  But - onward to happier items in my list.  Our nephew has announced that he will be relocating to New Brunswick!  He has worked for more than a decade as a sous chef at a local Casino.  He began this career as a dishwasher and recently won an award for Manager of the Year!  Now he is heading to New Brunswick for a promotion to the next level, a nice pay increase and the expectation of becoming the Head Chef within a year!  We are quite proud of him and wish him all the best.  It will be a huge change for him and his family.

Here they are at a gathering hosted by his parents, Uncle Len and Aunt Karen on the weekend.  There was a lot of family gathered there and we had a nice visit with all of them.  Good Luck to Kevin, Ginger, Taylor and Trenton!

There are various signs of spring around our house - like the tiny sprouts on this little tree that Poppa planted last spring..

 .................. but this is one of my favourites!

Poppa and Squeegie preparing pork chops on the barbeque - yummie!  They did an amazing job of our first barbeque of the spring!  A couple of days later there was another signal that spring was finally arriving in earnest.  I heard some noise , looked out into the yard and saw this.........

..........Poppa and Squeegie in their shirt sleeves cutting the grass!  Spring has sprung for sure!