Text Box: SMITH FAMILY NEWSLETTER December  2007

Text Box: Peace on Earth & Good Will to Men..!  

Text Box: On 12/07 Buddy & Shirley and Bob & I had a very nice tour of the State Capitol and grounds in Phoenix.  We didn’t realize it until we got down there, that it was also the anniversary of the bombing of Peal Harbor.  The Flagship,  USS ARIZONA was sunk in that attack resulting in the death of 1,177 men.  There were special programs both on the grounds and inside involving some of the survivors of that event along with the

Text Box: Phoenix the Capitol of Arizona

Text Box: Well, we started out December with a bang!! Remember the storms early in the month that moved east with rain snow and ice? Well, Arizona got a year’s worth of rain, about 5 inches half way through the month.  That was the first time I ever saw it rain more than 5 drops at a time in AZ!  This was a month just chuck full of happenings.  December was a continuation of last month as far as socializing with our 400 Family and our bio family members.  It was also the site of our Christmas and New Year’s Gathering.  Rather than highlighting too much here, I will begin telling you what we did.

Text Box: Just Hanging Out Together!

Text Box: Besides trying to keep dry the first part of December, we got an  occasion phone call announcing a spontaneous 4’oclock or we responded to someone’s idea for an activity.  Right at the beginning of December, we all met at Ironwood RV Park for a social hour and to help Paul celebrate his birthday.  On another day we all got together to celebrate the SUN coming out and the Eisslers joined us by driving up from Casa Grande. As the month progressed and the late afternoons became cooler, the 4’oclocks became 3:30 o’clocks! Then  

Text Box: local news media.  This was clearly one of the more interesting Capitols with a museum depicting a history of the area and the multitude of memorials  inside and outside the building.  They spanned history from the early pioneer days to more modern times.  Through this they seem to try to demonstrate the multi cultural influence  in the development of the state through its people.  Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.  This is one of the few States where the Territorial Capitol is in the same location as the later State Capitol. There is so much to talk about, I could probably fill this whole newsletter, but this in not practical.  There are a couple of things I would like to include, however.  There is the presence of the ‘Merci Box Car’ and then the memorial to 911.  The original Capitol Building is primarily a museum which holds this treasure among others.   This is a box car sent to the State of AZ as well as other states from the people of France  thanking the American people for the  food sent  following the devastation of WWII.  This was the first time we were able to view  actual contents of one of these cars which included hand made items, family treasures and gifts from the heart.

Text Box: On the grounds there was a memorial to 911 which included a piece of one of the twin towers.  Coming from NY, I appreciate the sense of unity and community this demonstrates. The State House and State Senate House were separate buildings to the left and right of the original Capitol.  The grounds hold numerous memorials to various groups as well as the anchor belonging to the USS ARIZONA.  Following our self guided tour, we all set out to satisfy our hunger and introduced Buddy & Shirley to SWEET TOMATOES , a wonderful soup and salad restaurant on our way home.  Yum!! I even had a coupon!   GO TO PAGE 2

Text Box: Barbara remembered Ray’s addiction to decorating for Christmas and was happy to accommodate him by inviting us all over to watch him decorate her house!  Afterwards we all went to the Old Country Buffet for dinner.  He had a blast!! Barbara warned us not to even think about leaving town before the ‘undecorating party’ takes place!  There was no

Text Box: doubt in my mind that Bob & I were going to see a local theater production of ‘ A Christmas Carol’, my favorite Christmas Story besides the ‘Nativity’.  When I asked our friends, three other couples wanted to go also.  I had never seen a theater production of this story and the Hale Theatre, where it was being presented, is the oldest continuously operating private theater in the country.  It was a theatre in the round which we had never experienced also.  What a great show!  It was fabulous and the theatre in the round made the audience really feel like we were involved.  Bob & I liked it so much we plan on seeing different show when we come back in January.   To the right on this page is a summary of our tour of the Capitol in downtown Phoenix in the company of Shirley & Buddy Barbie.   Paul & Angie along with Barbara & David volunteered to host the Christmas Gathering here in Mesa.  About 15 couples attended and started to arrive on the 21st.

Text Box: I decided I wanted a ceramic Christmas tree but could not find one as they went out of style about 10 years ago.  Ray & Karen found one for me.  We found some new lights at a local craft store and it is as good as new.  It fits just right on the steering wheel cover.  I think it is evident that we have had a nice time hanging out with our friends over the holidays!