Halloween 2009 in photos (Updated 11/5)

They came from the Bat Cave and NCIS, video games and classic stories. Check out this year's crop of Halloween characters!

Send your photos, videos or spooky stories to birchstreetweb@gmail.com

Cleopatra
and
her
pumpkin

A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich
Vivien writes: "When my friends and I stayed together the costumes looked great; however, when we separated, no one could tell what I was."

Pirate Shanna and friends

Abby from NCIS

Leon from Final Fantasy 8

A dangerous-looking bunch

Christine's crowd

Robin's ready

Woah... another Robin!

Bat Dad and Robin!

Bat Family and Grandwizard

Robin and Grandma

Fear the pumpkin!

Postcard from Yonkers

Daniel writes:
Aunt Pat visited us last Wednesday. She had come to Yonkers for a luncheon reunion with some friends from high school and stayed overnight at our house before heading back home. Here are some pictures taken in our kitchen.

Click the pictures for larger views

Recently I attended the fall convocation at Lehman College, at which a former student of mine, Steve Mirsky, science editor of American Scientist, was awarded an honorary doctorate. I don't know when or ever that I'll wear my academic regalia again. Here's a picture of me in all my glory with Lorraine.

A great day for a walk, and a cause

Sunny skies and mild temperatures greeted the crowd of walkers raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association at the 21st annual Memory Walk through Manhattan's beautiful Riverside Park on Sunday.



Shanna organized a family team that included her parents, Kevin and Kathy; brother Kevin; cousin Genevieve and Uncle Dan.



Shanna's efforts raised $645 for Alzheimer's care, support and research, well exceeding her original goal of $500.

"Thank you for all of the support and donations," Shanna says. "I really appreciate it."

(Above: Kevin writes the team's slogan on the Memory Wall.)



For more information, click this logo to go to the team web page:

Previous articles:
Team reaches its goal, but more help is welcome
Join Memory Walk 2009
Memory Walk 2008

Marching bands say goodbye to Giants Stadium

Much fuss was made about Bruce Springsteen's recent shows at Giants Stadium being the final concerts in that building, which is to be demolished next year. But in fact the last musical performances at the facility were those of the 46 high school marching bands that played there Oct. 20-21 in the USSBA Yamaha Cup competition.



The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Raiders band performed Tuesday night. Above, the band takes the field. Below, Christine and one of her band mates wish each other luck before the show. It was the second time in Christine's three years with the band that they played at Giants Stadium.



The object next to Christine is a prop that figures in the "secret agent" theme of the show, which includes music from Mission Impossible, James Bond movies and various other spy programs. The band will perform in the New Jersey state finals Oct. 25 and a Northeast Regional competition in Allentown, Pa., on Nov. 1.

Watch the show:

Wednesday in the park with Xander

Dan took advantage of a day off work this week to visit daughter Marie and grandson Xander. It was a beautiful, warm October day and they enjoyed some playground time.

A beautiful Aruba getaway

Gerrit returned last week from a getaway to Aruba. "It was 10 days of beautiful weather, snorkeling, tropical drinks, golf, sunning on the beach and Caribbean music with my girlfriend Angela and other members of her family," he writes.

"We stayed at the Divi Aruba Phoenix resort in Palm Beach, Aruba. This was our 2nd year in a row at this resort and would not choose any other in the future.

"The staff and environment are terrific and really capture an 'island feel,' whereas many of the other resorts provide over-the-top luxury which, in my opinion, takes away from the experience. We hope to return next year as well!"

Patrick in goal as Fordham Prep beats Xavier

Patrick is the backup goalkeeper on the Fordham Prep varsity soccer team this fall. During this week's game against Xavier, his team pulled out to a 3-0 lead and the coach put Pat in goal for most of the second half.

Pat made two saves as his team completed a 4-0 shutout. It got him a mention in the Journal-News article about the game.

Brian on track to become NJ Transit locomotive engineer

Brian has been hired by NJ Transit into its Locomotive Engineer Training Program.

After taking a preparatory course at Mercer County College earlier this year and doing very well, Brian was accepted into the program and his class began this week.

"As you can imagine we're very, very happy," writes Marie.

"Brian started work on Tuesday and it's been great. He likes the group of guys he's in class with. The first few days have just been administrative and union stuff; they don't start the training program in full until Monday (10/19). He's expecting to have a lot of homework over the weekend -- there's a ton of reading involved."

The program takes about 20 months, leading to an exam for a federal locomotive engineer's license and then assignment to one of NJ Transit's 11 rail lines.

More photos from Xander's California birthday

Xander and his parents are back in New Jersey now and have sent along some more pictures from their visit to California.

Balloons at Grandma's house

Pumpkins!

Here's a nice photo of the trio during a visit to Natural Bridges state park on the coast near Santa Cruz.

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Click this little picture to see more!

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Memory Walk 2009 team reaches its goal - but more help is always welcome

Shanna is very happy to announce that her family's Memory Walk 2009 team has officially reached its goal of raising $500 for the Alzheimer's Association. "Thank you to all that have donated and given support. It is really appreciated."

Of course there's still time to join the team for the Oct. 25 walk in Manhattan's Riverside Park, and/or to make a donation. To find out more, go to their team page at the Memory Walk web site.


This is the second year that Shanna and her brother and parents have formed a team to participate in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in New York's Riverside Park on Oct. 25. The Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million for the cause.

Read Shanna's report from last year's event

Hearth and home

As their wedding date approaches, Genevieve and John have been setting up their new home in California.

Here are a few photos from Moving Day.









Setting up the kitchen

First meal in the new home

Starting to look comfy

Photos from marching band season

Christine is midway through her third season in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School marching band. Dan has served as chaperone on a couple of the trips to competitions, giving him a chance to get some behind-the-scenes photos. Above is a shot of the band warming up before a competition on a rainy September night in Piscataway.

Click here or on the photo to go to an album of Dan's photos. (There's one shot that zooms in on Christine playing flute during the Hillsborough competition.)

Ending a great run as chair of annual art show

Dolores has “officially” retired as chair of the Rehoboth Art League Outdoor Show, after 16 years. "We have raised many hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, resulting in many additions, improvements and benefits for the grounds, as well as for the artists," Dolores said.
A view of the show, from the RAL web site.

"I received many awards and thanks during August from the board and members alike. It’s hard to give it up, but I’ll enjoy being just another artist at the show from now on."

Here's a photo of Dolores listening to (and waiting to pay) the musicians of Bitter Creek, a bluegrass group that entertained the shoppers at this year's show.

Xander celebrates 3rd birthday California style

Marie, Brian and Xander are spending a week visiting family and friends in California, where they celebrated Xander's third birthday on Sunday. More details as we get them, but meantime here are a couple of photos via Marie's facebook page.

Go speed racer!

Walking with Dad at Gilroy Gardens