July 6, 2007

July 6, 2007

Hi Everybody:

I am more than halfway through my contract and the time is flying by. Joe is preparing for his visit in late July. Our itinerary is taking shape. He is coming in on July 24th. We fly to Rochester on the 25th and will spend 8 days there, then rent a car and drive to Brattleboro for 2 days (July 31st and Aug 1st), one day in Beverly (August 2nd) with Bill and Robin, then two days in Boston August 3rd and 4th with Jack and Margaret and as many of our friends as we can visit—we will probably go to some central places and hope people can stop by and see us, and spend the last day in CT (August 5th) with my family. Then back to Rochester to return the car and on to NYC for 2 days. Our gardener will stay and watch the house so Joe is comfortable leaving it for 18 days. I will stay in NY a bit longer to work and Joe will go back after having a wonderful visit. In Nosara, Joe is having a great time getting food going at the pub. The menu so far is: Andy’s famous beer battered fish and chip platter, and 1-2 German dishes. It sounds great and like all Joe’s ideas concerning the pub so far, the food is a big hit.

Here in NY, I am learning about fundraising. As I have told everyone, Nosara has tremendous needs for all kinds of services. I have been going to the Foundation Center, a library for philanthropy, fundraising and non profit management. It is an interesting place, I am learning a lot and hopefully I will be able to apply some of my new knowledge. I look forward to coming back to Nosara and reconnecting with everyone.

Life in NY is good. I can get around easily on the subway and I go around the city regularly. By now I have visited most of the neighborhoods and many places. Last month I went to Gaetana’s, Tedi’s friend’s bar in the village and I had lunch the other day with my friend Lousia from Nosara—a place in the East Village called “A Lovely Day.” I have a new Baba friend, Viola, a dancer who lives up the street from me. Anne’s daughter Laura stayed with me for a few days in May and I went to my cousin’s birthday party in June. I paid big money to see “A Chorus Line” on Broadway which was excellent and I look forward to some of the free events taking place over the summer. I see my brother and sister and their kids in CT fairly often which is great. I find people in NY very friendly but busy. My apt is great—too bad the regular tenants are coming back and I will have to find another place the end of August. I think my friend Anne will be visiting her daughter in Sept and I plan to go for a visit up to Boston in Sept or Oct to see my friends for a longer visit. Please send me an email or call--my phone and email are at the top of the title page. Joe and I look forward to seeing each other and our family and friends in the northeast within the next month---we hope everyone is doing well…xxxooo Joe and Helena