Generous Donations..

Recently at a community planning meeting the idea of a "Wish List." Well thanks to the generosity of a few people two of the biggest items on our wish list were recently donated.

Have a look..

Brian and I were happy to go and pick up the donated refrigerator for the Pride Center.


We were a bit nervous while driving down the steep icy hill by the Pride Center, but we made it.


Brian and I were so excited to the the brand new stove that was donated.


Here is the fridge in its new home.


Youngstown Cityscape generously donated flower bulbs to beautify the outside of the Pride Center.


After all of the moving and cleaning of appliances we were so excited about the turn out for Movie Night. The movie we watched was Mamma Mia and there were a total of 18 of us there. The food was great and so was the company, this was the largest movie that we have had so far!





THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND PARTICIPATION.

Grand Opening of the Stonewall Community Center

This morning I had to get up early to start cooking the cake for the grand opening of the Stonewall Community Center. We were also celebrating our annual holiday party. I made a double layer white cake with strawberry and cream frosting. It was soooo good!



Plenty of people showed up and brought so much delicious food. I also made a huge pot of haluski.

Laura got up and explained her wish for everyone to participate in Operation Holiday Cheer. Laura worked hard to provide every one at the party with cards and addresses of local soldiers who are serving overseas. Laura delivered two touching speeches about the importance of letting the soldiers know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.


Everyone was listening carefully to Laura's instructions on how to send a card and holiday cheer to our troops. Laura stressed that we are all her extended family.


After her speech we got back to eating listening to music and talking! Everyone was full of food and getting tired close to 9:30PM.

At about 5 minutes till 10:00PM there was a loud smash and the sound of glass shattering stopped the laughter and music.
After a few seconds everyone ran outside to see two men wearing hooded sweatshirts walking far down the street proud of the fact that they just shattered our window and knocked down our "Pride Center Event" sign. The men were too far away to identify and they disappeared.

Here are pictures of the rest of the grand opening of The Stonewall Community Center and holiday party.


We got all the shattered glass cleaned up.



I am not sure why but the police man asked if we even wanted to make a police report. He said they would probably never find out who did it (even though the tracks in the snow were clear as day).

After we DID CHOOSE TO MAKE A POLICE REPORT we were given this piece of paper.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

National Day of Protest Against Prop 8 in Y-Town

Here are some pictures of the local protest against Prop 8.




Here is the story from the Jambar. I would like to correct the number of participants the reporter stated in the story. There were actually close to 50 people there.

Two Proud Mothers...

The soldier pictured in the story below is the son of our very own Laura Bentley-Davis and Kay Davis. Care packages are a wonderful way to brighten these soldier's holidays away from home. If you can send any of the supplies listed in the article below or even a Christmas card it will show how much we appreciate and care.


"SPC E4 Joshua J. Bentley
HH C1-21 IN BN
Camp Liberty, Iraq

APO AE 09344

Serving as a gunner on a mine roller in Iraq.

Attended Austintown Fitch High School.

Resident of Columbiana. Son of Karen and Laura Bently-Davis, also of Columbiana."




"Operation: Holiday Cheer — Now the fun begins

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Family and friends responded to our promotion of Operation: Holiday Cheer by providing their soldiers’ addresses.

Now, the fun begins for the readers. Spread your holiday cheer with cards, letters or gifts to these servicemen and -women. Parents and teachers, you can help your children and students experience the spirit of giving. Club members, it’s a perfect project for the holidays. While you’re at it, send us pictures of your project, and we’ll post them online.

For kids and grownups alike, it’s an opportunity to convey the best gift of all — your support and thanks for the sacrificing they’re making on our behalf. To view the information for each soldier, mouse over the photos or gift box icon above.

USPS TIPS AND GUIDELINE FOR SENDING PACKAGES

The U.S. Postal Service offers the free Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box for sending packages to military personnel serving overseas. Features include:

• Measures 12-by-12-by-51⁄2 inches.

• Features the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block.

• Postage is only $10.95 when used to send to APO/FPO addresses.

USPS also offers free package pickup from your home or office at a time and place convenient for you. To schedule pickup or for other pickup options, visit usps.com.

Packaging:

There are certain things to keep in mind when sending packages overseas:

• Temperatures in the desert often exceed 100 degrees.

• The box should be strong. Cushion contents with plastic foam or bubble wrap to keep items from shifting. Fragile items should be double boxed, with cushioning inside and between the boxes to absorb shock.

• Battery-powered items can get turned on during shipping. Remove batteries and wrap them separately.

• To seal the box, tape the opening and reinforce all seams with 2-inch-wide tape, using clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do not use cord, string or twine.

ADDRESSING:

Print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion.

Be sure to include a return address.

Cover the address with clear tape to protect against moisture.

SEND BY:

To ensure delivery of your cards, letters and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the USPS recommends the following deadlines for mailing:

APO/FPO AE Zip Codes 090-092, 094-098, 340, 962-966:

• Express Mail by Dec. 18.

• First-Class Mail (cards and letters) and Priority Mail by Dec. 11.

• Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) by Dec. 4.

• Space Available Mail (SAM) by Nov. 28.

APO/FPO AE Zip 093:

• Express Mail not available.

• First-Class Mail (cards and letters) and Priority Mail by Dec. 4.

• Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) by Dec. 1.

• Space Available Mail (SAM) by Nov. 21.

REMEMBER:

Every country has customs regulations regarding incoming mail. Before sending a letter or package to one of our troops overseas, visit http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm, contact your local post office or phone the Military Postal Service Agency at (800) 810-6098.

APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms.

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR SOLDIERS

The two items most requested by soldiers, especially those in Iraq, are baby wipes and phone cards (international cards are the best value). Other items that are favorites of our troops:

FOOD/SNACKS

(No pork or pork products;

nothing that can melt)

Cookies and hard candy.

Fruit-and-cereal bars.

Dried fruits.

Trail mixes.

Nuts.

Beef jerky and Slim Jims.

Chewing gum.

Coffee and powdered creamer.

Drink mixes.

PERSONAL

(No aerosol containers)

Toothpaste and brushes.

Shaving gel and razor.

Deodorant.

Hand sanitizer and hand soap.

Combs.

Aspirin or Tylenol.

Eyewash drops.

Sunscreen.

Lip balm with sunscreen.

Hand and body lotions; face moisturizers.

Baby powder and foot powder.

MISCELLANEOUS

CDs and DVDs.

Video games.

Games and cards.

Magazines and books.

Sunglasses.

Flip flops.

Paper, pens and stamps.

Gym shorts, socks and T-shirts."

Source: http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/nov/16/operation-holiday-cheer/?print

Join the Impact/National Protest against Prop 8 Preparation

Family and friends gathered last night at the Mahoning Valley Pride Center to prepare for the national protest against Prop 8. The one overall feeling that I took away from last night was that we are normal people. We are NORMAL PEOPLE, last night we came together to make signs that we will use to convey our messages of equality, but intermingled among ideas for quotes and statements to put on signs were concerns about missing Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty. Intermingled among the fumes of markers and glue being used to construct signs were conversations about how our work days went, how our grandchildren are doing and how it was way past our bedtimes. We are normal people is what I got out of yesterday, we fight for equality, and we are normal people.

Here are some pictures from last night, have a look:

Amazing end to an amazing week....

Last night, the week culminated in a candlelight vigil honoring the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard. We had a wonderful lineup of speakers including: Rev. Martha Munson , Dr. Cyndy Anderson, Bob Holmes, Chris Campf, Nicole Peterson, Brian Wells, Diana Shaheen, Kim Welter, Rev. Jim Ray, and a musical tribute by Rob Joki.

Personally, I was moved by every single one of the speakers. Each of them did a wonderful job providing information and sharing personal experiences.

Here are a few pics of the speakers...




After the speakers were done there was a moving performance by Robert Dennick Joki and a candlelight vigil. Here are some pictures...


Oh yeah there was a dessert buffet and I must say GRAPES + CREAM CHEESE + CRUSHED UP BUTTERFINGERS = "OH NO SHE DIDN'T" I think I personally ate about 4 lbs of that!


Here are some pictures of the COME OUT DANCING event from the night before.



(***I just wanted to say that this was a celebration of the GLBTQ community & our AMAZING allies, so I must include this disclaimer appearance on this website does not imply sexual orientation, if any one's picture appears on this blog and you would like it removed please contact us and we will remove it immediately.****)