Chief Master Sergeant

Chief Ingram, my adorable father, said his final goodbyes to the 910th Maintenance Group at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, Ohio on Friday, September 19th.

A month prior, Scott and I joined him at the tail end of a golf outing honoring my father and 3 other men. His formal ceremony, held on August 2nd at the Air Force base, left me in tears almost the entire time.

As my father's total military career spanned almost 31 years, and culminated in a private ceremony honoring him as chief, I could not have been more proud of my father's accomplishment. The ceremony was very formal, complete with flag presentations, speeches, and award presentations to both my father and mother. Chief Ingram gave his own speech; eloquent, recounting memories, blending a bit of humor and emotion.

I am so thrilled for my father. I thank God that He has seen him through his career, and is now blessing him with time for whatever his heart desires. For now, it is time spent with my mother, his best friend Joe, golf, house renovations, and much more. I look forward to seeing my father in Columbiana for a lunch date now and then too.

Happy Retirement Chief!

The SMARTS Center: Kids By The River Opera Company

The SMARTS Center, Students Motivated by the Arts, is located in downtown Youngstown, and shares space with Powers Auditorium. Dear to our hearts, we just love the center and the gals and guys who oversee their programs. Last year, through a bit of prompting by one of my art professors, I not only signed my children up for classes, but submitted an application for teaching.

Last summer, I taught a portrait photography class for three days to middle school/high school youth. The experience was fantastic! In the meanwhile, my own children have enjoyed classes....well, primarily Annie. Annie took an art class last summer, and in the early winter took the Improv Opera Class, and Audition 101 class. She followed up with a formal (and I truly mean formal) tryout for the Jr. Opera company.

During Christmas break, we were overwhelmed to find that Annie was not going to be working on stage crew with costumes or props, but in fact would gain the lead role of Angelina in the spring opera.

Every Saturday morning, from January through April, the three girls and I would hang out at the center while Annie grew in her opera skills and prepared for her first stage performance. Once I returned from the New York mini term, we were off to final rehearsal and performance on Thursday, May 1st.

The Kids by the River Opera Company put on two operas at the new Deyor Performing Arts Center. The Jr. opera was titled "The Friendly Caper." With not a butterfly in her tummy, or at least she boasts, Annie was a natural on stage!

The SMARTS center developed this original opera company to train students in the areas of writing, singing, stage performance, props, costumes, etc. Although it is lead by the finest skilled adult instructors, the kids learn to take charge and become an integral part of the process.

Check out the SMARTS center at http://www.fpa.ysu.edu/smarts/

Posting some of my opera faves.

A Special Visit

We were thrilled to have Aunt Terri in town the second weekend in December. Lots of visiting was had....giggles and memories. Grant stayed home from school that friday to create the FAmous "snow lady" and play games. We went in search for the perfect christmas tree at a local farm on Saturday, and found the glorious "Aunt Terri Tree" in the midst of the field. What a BLast we had together. After many games of checkers, tree decorating, and presents being opened....it was time to say goodbye and send aunt TErri home to Georgia.

Thanks for a GReat weekend and for loving us as MUch as you do....