by Rosalyn B. Queen Alonso

As promised last week, I am hoping to bring you a full report in this week’s Grapevine.

It seems the first part of this New Year is full of hope and promise. We have just about completed our move and have spent the first night in our new home. I do not know how ironic this is, but it seems we have moved to Rainbow Road and just maybe we will find the pot of gold. I have truly learned that moving is not for Sissy’s and if you have a good friend like Ruby Oldaker, then perhaps you will get things complete. We have downsized from a five bedroom home to a three bedroom home and everything is on one level. It is impossible to move everything but I am trying to get rid of items that I just will not use. I hope that many of my friends will benefit from the items that they can use. There is a lot of paper work that only I can dispose of and I am trying to do this in an orderly manner. I know that I am still keeping things that I should not, but it is so hard to just toss everything.

This first week also brought in the swearing in of my grandson Ben as a member of the WV House of Delegates and my son Mike is starting a new job in Charleston. This brought back a lot of memories as I recall going to Charleston for the swearing in ceremony of Mike. I will miss Mike’s daily radio show but I have good memories of the 500+ that he did have and I am very proud of the content of his show and the issues that he brought to the listening audience.

January 15 is Martin Luther King Day and there are many events planned observing this holiday. February is designated as Black Culture Month and the PWA of Harrison County is planning their Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrating ten African American women from Harrison County. For more information or to get tickets for this luncheon call 304-624-6881.
This week in history will see the swearing in of a new governor of West Virginia and a new president of the United States. I hope for a smooth and peaceful transition and that we will all unite for the good of our state and country.

My nieces Bridget and Vanessa and my nephew Vincent planned a wonderful surprise 80th birthday party for my sister Joan. It is also the birthday of my brother Bill, who turned 63 but could not make the trip here from Florida. We will celebrate with him next month when he makes his trip to West Virginia. Joan, who is a cancer survivor, is facing hip replacement next week. Keep her in your prayers for a successful surgery and a complete recovery.

I do not think that we can complain much about the weather, but do not forget that this is good soup weather. Soup and a sandwich is a great meal during these winter months. I also recommend making minestra or pasta fagioli. This past week after my doctors appointment, Ruby and I had lunch at Oliverios and the French onion soup was to die for. It was accompanied by those famous bread sticks and served with a salad … it made a wonderful meal.

There are still many boxes to unpack so I must get back to work and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”