Stephanie in Clarinet Academy at OSU

Updated 7/2 with additional photo, links to audio

Stephanie this month attended a five-day residential music program at Ohio State University, called Clarinet Academy.

"It was an opportunity for high school students to learn, and practice their skills," reports her mom, Cathy.

"One of the things Steph enjoyed most was meeting other students from all over Ohio and even some from out of state."

"Besides attending classes with faculty members, Stephanie participated in a quartet. On the final day of the program, the students performed the pieces they had learned in a Finale Concert."

Cathy has shared two video selections from that concert. Click the titles to open them in separate windows. (You may need to click again on the videos to make them play.)

• Stephanie in the quartet's performance of Mozart's Serenade No. 10, "Gran Partita"
• The entire ensemble performing "Entrust Thy Ways" by J.S. Bach

And here's a link to a site where you can download a zip file containing the official audio recordings of all the performances in the final concert.

Christine, James visit Disney's worlds

Christine and James recently got to spend several days at Walt Disney World in Orlando, exploring the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center and Hollywood Studios.

They spent the most time at the Animal Kingdom park, viewing the wide variety of animals in recreated habitats - and exploring the just-opened World of Avatar section.

Based on the movie about the planet Pandora, that section mixes earthly-but-exotic with artificial-otherworldly flora and fauna, much of which glows in the dark. A river-raft ride includes a close look at Disney's most-advanced animatronic character ever, the Na'vi Shaman of Songs.

Here are just a few of the photos Christine took, plus a brief Disney video clip of that shaman.

Liz receives Professional Engineer license

Liz has achieved an important credential in her field: She recently passed the Maryland licensing exam and is now officially a Professional Engineer.

According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, "To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years, pass two intensive competency exams and earn a license from their state's licensure board. Then, to retain their licenses, PEs must continually maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers."

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Liz has worked since 2012 for WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff, first in Maryland and currently in New York. She is studying part-time at New York University toward a Masters degree in transportation engineering and planning.

Shannon graduates from USAF tech school

Shannon, who entered the U.S. Air Force just after Christmas, this week completed training as a pharmaceutical technician at the Medical Education and Training campus in San Antonio, Texas.

"Congratulations to my amazingly resilient daughter who is officially graduating from Tech School today at the top of her class," proud mom Mary wrote on Facebook.

"Keesler AFB Biloxi Mississippi in two days," Mary added, so we're guessing that's the next posting for Shannon, now with the rank of Airman.

Nolan discovers Charleston, S.C.

On the occasion of his Aunt Lizzie's graduation from Elon University, Nolan took his first airplane trip this month, flying to North Carolina with his parents, Gerrit and Angela, and his grandfather, Owen.

After the commencement ceremonies, they traveled down to the family's house in Charleston, S.C., and Nolan explored the city with his parents.

As Gerrit posted on Facebook: "Bringing my son to our house in Charleston that I've been visiting for nearly 30 years has been one of the most exciting experiences I've had as a parent so far. This city means so much to me and to see the pure excitement in his eyes every day when we step out onto the streets has been a real trip."

2017 edition of Doug & Lisa's Preakness party

Lisa (above with friends Hillary and Shelley and mint juleps) and Doug once again played hosts to a large gathering of family and friends on the day of the Preakness Stakes, May 20.

The weather was pleasantly cool, and the party spread throughout the house and grounds.

Gathering to watch the race

Liz and her friend Sarah supervise the pool

Here's video of the scene as the crowd watched the race.

As you might guess from her reaction, Christine was one of those who picked the winning horse, Cloud Computing.

Meanwhile, breaking a 10-year streak, Liz (right, with mom) did not pick the winner this year. It doesn't seem to have affected her good cheer.

Along with food and drink, highlighted by Lisa's fresh-mint juleps, there were indoor and outdoor games, including croquet action that continued until it was too dark to see any of the balls or wickets.

Are Grandmom & Pop providing croquet tips?

After dark, those same players had a little marshmallow roast, while card games broke out inside the house.

Many thanks to Lisa and Doug for their magnificent hospitality!

(Photos by Dan and by Hillary)

Lizzie graduates from Elon University

---Updated 5/29 with more photos---

Lizzie graduated May 20 from Elon University, where she majored in education. The photo above, taken as Lizzie reviewed the program before the ceremony, appeared in one of the local newspapers, the News & Record of Greensboro, N.C.


Lizzie's father, Owen; brother, Gerrit; sister-in-law, Angela, and nephew Nolan all traveled to North Carolina for the big event.

It was the 127th commencement at Elon, and according to the university, the largest ever, with nearly 1,400 degrees conferred. More than 10,000 people gathered for the ceremony.

Brian's psychedelic cats become Internet stars

For a little over a year, Brian has been taking photographs of cats - mostly Hans and Matilda, the family pets of Marie, Brian and Xander - and turning them into multimedia art pieces.

Brian uses photo effects and animation software to create psychedelic videos and records music to accompany them, then posts them on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube under the name Electric Catnip.



Several months ago, Marie says, Brian's creations suddenly began to "go viral" and draw a large following. As of today, over 188,000 Facebook users have "liked" the Electric Catnip page. The most popular video, "Catnip Rising," has been viewed more than a million times! Hundreds of others follow Electric Catnip's Instagram and YouTube accounts.

Brian has now released an album of Electric Catnip music (available on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon etc.) and opened an online shop on Redbubble offering various items imprinted with his "cat dreams."

Dan & Julie enjoy sunshine & music in New Orleans

Listening to music in Jackson Square

Dan and Julie are back from a mini-vacation in New Orleans, where they spent most of their time listening to live music. They were there for the French Quarter Festival - four days filled with music on stages set up in parks and on the streets.

The Preservation Brass playing in Jackson Square

An amazing 190 acts performed at 23 locations around the French Quarter. "We only caught about 10 of the festival performances in the three full days we had," says Dan, "but we saw plenty of other music day and night."

Singer Aaron Neville and his band at Woldenberg Riverfront Park

"We spent two evenings checking out bands in clubs along Frenchmen Street, plus the various bands playing out on the street. We took in a show at the famous Preservation Hall. And we saw more musicians in the streets at every turn.

Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns

"In all we must have caught at least 25 bands, not counting the ones whose music was spilling out into the streets as we walked by various bars."

Music and dancing in the streets

Although they spent most of their time in the Quarter, Dan and Julie also took a quick ferry ride across the river and back to get another view of the city...

...and took a street car out to the Garden District to look at some of the old mansions and an example of New Orleans' above-ground cemeteries.

And they enjoyed some fine (and pricey!) meals at restaurants including Tableau, Bourbon House, Court of Two Sisters and Borgne.

It was Dan's first visit to the city, and Julie's first in a long time. The biggest stroke of luck was the weather - sunny with temperatures in the low 70s and pleasant breezes every day, making for a very enjoyable stay.

Dan will probably post more pictures soon, so check back!

A band plays amid the statues of jazz greats in Legends Park

Stephanie, Cathy take band trip to Disney

Stephanie and her Hilliard Darby High School bandmates marched through the Magic Kingdom last week as part of the band's semiannual trip to Walt Disney World. Stephanie is front and center in the photo above, and at right below.

Once again, Cathy was part of the team of parent chaperones for the adventure. We're sure there was plenty of hard work involved, but these photos show there was time for fun too.