Last Friday evening, October 5, we witnessed the victory thanks to tickets Carly procured in the Indians' lottery. (Thank you Carly!) It was a remarkable pitcher's battle with defining moments such as in the 8th inning when Grady Sizemore stole home on a wild pitch to tie the game at one each. In the top of the 9th inning, the Yankees had two outs and a player on base when power hitter Alex Rodriguez stepped to the plate. He faced the Indians' Fausto Carmona who had pitched the entire game and had a pitch count just in the low 100s. In a drama that had fans holding their breath, Carmona threw eight pitches to A Rod resulting in a three and two count. Then Carmona threw a ninth pitch. A Rod swung and missed and Jacobs Field erupted. Amazing! The Indians finally won 2-1 in the 11th inning when the Indians had the bases loaded and Travis Hafner hit a line drive to right center.
(Photo hint: Left click once to enlarge photos to full screen.)
The Bob Feller statue at Jacobs Field sports an "It's Tribe Time Now" shirt. Jen, Dave, Lois and Barb show their spirit. "I can't bear to watch," says Lois. "Tell me what happens." Tom and Carly cheer the Tribe on to victory. The 7th inning stretch at Jacobs Field.
The weather was picture perfect in Cleveland on Sunday, September 30, as Carly, Tiffany and Barb helped Jim celebrate his birthday at a delicious brunch at Hecht's in Ohio City. Then, Jen and Tom joined Barb and Jim in the Dawg Pound at Cleveland Browns Stadium. They watched the Browns defeat the Baltimore Ravens 27-13. Jim tried his hand at some sports photography as seen below. Left click on each photo to increase to full screen size.
Big Dawg leads the Dawg Pound in a cheer for the Browns. The Browns' Jamal Lewis scores a touchdown with a one yard run in front of the Dawg Pound. Kellen Winslow (University of Miami alum) makes a 49 yard reception at the 3 yard line in front of the Dawg Pound. The "Bone Lady" is a Dawg Pound regular attendee. Jen enjoys the Browns' win over the Ravens.
The weekend of September 15-16 was LOTS of fun! On Saturday evening we attended Carly and Tiffany's 2nd Annual Clambake. The event featured not only delicious clams but also marvelous lobsters (many lobsters!), mussels, potatoes and corn on the cob, all cooked to succulent perfection in a process that featured a fire pit in Carly and Tiffany's brand new and spacious patio. The food was cooked in the pit with seaweed to add moisture and flavor. Plus, the menu also included chicken and sausage cooked on an outdoor grill. Everything was very delicious and the atmosphere was wonderfully festive!
Then, on Sunday, we watched the Browns beat the Bengals 51-45 in an offensive showdown in Cleveland Browns stadium. (Only the third game in NFL history in which two opposing quaterbacks each threw five TD passes.) We expected clouds and perhaps even some rain. But the sun came out early on in the game and stayed with us to watch the action. A great time was had by all at both events.
Tiffany and Carly move lobsters from the cooking pit to platters. Pulling seaweed out of the pit after the cooking. Jen, Tom, Carly, Anne and Barb in the kitchen giving the delicious feast its final preparartions. Jessica and family. Sam, her Dad, served as the grill chef. Tiffany with her Mom, Laura (left) and her Aunt Pam. Don gives Becky some tips on how to eat lobster while Joe has second thoughts. Preparing the buffet line. Barb and Carly strike a pose. Unveiling the pit.
Today students returned to Lakewood High School for their first day of the 2007-08 school year. Barb and other faculty members are ready to begin a new term. At the same time, finishing touches are being made on several new school buildings including the Garfield and Harding Middle Schools.
Barb gets ready for a new school year.
The new Garfield Middle School.
Facade of the orginal Garfield Elemantary School, now the main entrance to Garfield Middle School.
The new football field behind Garfield Middle School. Workers are completing the installation of artifical turf. All Lakewood middle school football games will be played here.
Looking down the new football field toward Hazelwood Avenue.
The front of the new Harding Middle School, built on the site of the old Madison Elementary School. The old Harding Middle School is now a pile of rubble.
Last week Jacob and Jonah Zoll visited us for a few days. We had a great time during their stay. Activities included an Indians baseball game with John, Jacob and Jonah's Dad, helping Carly install a brick patio at the Brayton house, a cookout at Carly and Tiffany's, and a beautiful day at Cedar Point where we were joined by Anne and Schuyler. The weather was picture perfect and the lines relatively short. And in addition to all that, Jacob played in a Coast to Coast Equipment softball game, the team's first game! All in all, we all had a great time!
In the bleachers at Jacobs Field. With Carly and the Coast 2 Coast Equipment softball team. Jacob and Jonah prepare to ride the Calypso at Cedar Point. With prizes won at Cedar Point!
We recently vacationed at the Marriott Seaview resort on the New Jersey Shore near Atlantic City. We were joined for several days by Melanie and Mo, and by Jeff, Lexi and Michaela. Everyone had a great time! We played golf, visited a spa and walked the boardwalk in Atlantic City (and stepped into a casino or two). We also visited Ocean City, a national wildlife area along the shore (in view of Atlantic City) and Cape May. Cape May is famous for its Victorian architecture and is where Michaela demonstrated how to enjoy the tasting of a lemon (see video below).
Then we traveled to Oceanside, NY to celebrate Michaela's first birthday. It was a wonderful event! It included a rousing game of corn toss.
The wedding took place in New York at beautiful Water's Edge, overlooking the East River and Manhattan. Approximately 130 guests enjoyed an outstanding wedding event! Here is a video of THE wedding dance!
The 7th inning stretch at Jacobs Field.
