March 13 Gathering Ground Report

GATHERING GROUND REPORT - MARCH 13, 2024

 

The sun was not shining in my eyes on the way to Windsor Locks from Granby.  My working days, typical daily trek, when at both Hamilton Standard and UTC Fuel Cells in South Windsor, led me morning east toward rising sun and evening, west toward setting sun.  The sun at certain times of year was "in your face" at several intersections when commuting in these directions in the morning and then, of course in the evening.   Sometimes causing the coming to or going home commute to be delayed by some minutes to save the experience of a blinding commute at some times in the 30 minute ride.  Today, with the clock change, I was able to make it to Schoephoester Rd before being blinded in front of Bradley Airport entrance.  I survived again!!

Sunny day, sunny smiles: Jerry, Bill, Jo-Ann, Pete

 

Norm, Bill, Jo-Ann and Pete were on board for the morning greet and eat.   Pete found the corned beef hash was curiously home-made and therefore very tasty!!

Discussion of how we all still have relatively full calendars even though some have been retired for 30 years (Norm).  Displaying our phone screens proved that point with several around the table.  The other half reported that the paper calendars provide the same but were parked at home so therefore not visible when challenged at the table.  And, the paper keepers were very happy with their analog agendas.

Dave O., we missed you again.   Next month will be a warmer day, so hope you can make the trip to the Gathering Ground Restaurant

One of pictures in the photo section is of the new complex on Spring Street across from the Gathering Ground Restaurant, that is currently starting its construction to house a new Police structure and a new Senior Center, both for the Windsor Locks community.

Construction under way

Solar panels were discussed by Jerry, Jo and Pete.  Jo and Pete have them, with Pete having several years experience and beginning to worry about maintenance with several of the companies leaving this business sector.   Jerry has a plan to pursue panels with the rebate still available and the price of electricity steeply rising in Connecticut.

360 Federal Credit Union was another topic, with some pros and cons left on the table.  Many have found the staff is now more like a commercial bank instead of the typical feeling of a Credit Union.   The bill pay feature of its banking system gets high honors with several positive commenters from around the table.

CHEERS!  Jerry: "Bonus pic with home made beer from garden grown hops ingredients.   Label design complements of youngest son holding out for six pack price for art work"

 

 Your Scribe

 ~ Jerry

February 14 Gathering Ground Report; Photo Gallery

  GATHERING GROUND REPORT - FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Valentine's Day at the Gathering Ground restaurant in Windsor Locks was another great day for a visit with old friends from Hamilton Standard.   Norm, Bill, Jo-Ann and Jerry broke a record by keeping the conversation going till after 10AM.  50% of the conversations were about health issues, 40% about old stories at work (mostly Norm) and 10%....i forget..

The second shovelable snow day in Connecticut this year.  The inches in the state from 2" to 15".   Heavy at the shore areas, and with Farmington having a 15.5 inch measure.  Vermont, ZERO, the skiers are not happy..

Jo-Ann brought in a few bowls as a thanks for Bill gifting his end grain cutting board last month.  Picture is in the photo's section.  Both the bowl and the cutting board are gorgeous!!   Bowls are clay, glaze and fire.  Board is Ipe, walnut, maple, and oak (and glue and Odie's Oil).

Jo the potter, also reported that when she is in charge of 'lighting the Kiln', it is around an eight hour project from the time to light, to the high burn, then settle into the Kiln temp for firing the clay objects.

Bill also is cabinet building and installing at Judy's upgraded kitchen.  Perhaps pictures in the future.

Tim O surprised the table by calling in to say HI to the crew around the table.  Norm had just left so it was the three for the telecon.   A quick update on what's happening in Hampton and current health situation(s) (two way update).   He did say he got to see Steve Roit a couple of weeks back.   And had an answer to a tax question that Jerry had asked the previous day.  My check is in the mail....

Just a note, the parking lot in front of 1A was about 50% full at 7:30AM.  Good to see all of those folks contributing to the Raytheon products that are so popular in this world.  And a thanks, that they are also helping to fund our Social Security checks every payday.

Your Scribe

 ~ Jerry 

 

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PHOTO GALLERY

Talented Craftspeople: Jo-Ann's Bowls and Bill's Cutting Board

 

 

Jerry's Notes: 

"Ran out of paper....so I found an old 5081 card in my glove box so I could chronicle the breakfast chatter."

(Editor's note: Jerry, great example of sustainability, but I think there's enough money in the budget to buy you a reporter's notebook)