I just had to take the time to talk a little about my wonderful day at the Saratoga Springs Rotary Foundation brunch.
I, along with Libby Smith-Holmes, were honored by the Rotary at its fund-raiser Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Needless to say, I was not only surprised by the honor, but was shaking in my boots that morning.
Greg Greico, Rotary vice president, is a wonderful, humorist speaker. Me, I'm just the opposite. I'm a writer. At least I was for many years at The Saratogian.
I had asked my former boss at the paper, Managing Editor Barbara Lombardo, to give a talk about me. We have been friends since she arrived as a cub reporter. I used to fix her tags sticking out of her blouses. I'd even take home her coffee cups when they started to change color. So she knew me well.
I sat at one of the two main tables with Barbara and her husband Jim; my good friends Joe and Kathy Condon (he's that spectacular voice on 95.5 etc.); my sister and brother-in-law Edie and Bob King; and my loves of my life, my husband Augie and my son Dan. (I also have another son and two daughters all of whom are distances away, but remembered me warmly on that day.)
After, a scrumptious brunch, and Greg's funny-witty introduction, Barbara stood in front of the microphone to give her warm speech. I was shaking in my shoes. Not because I was concerned about what she would say, but because I knew I would have to speak next.
To make matters worse, she started off by calling me "Lady," the name that was affectionately given to me by my late brother-in-law. It has stuck and lovingly used by all the members of my family.
I lost it. While trying to hold back any tears, I managed to get to the podium.
I had my speech in front of me, but literally don't remember how I got through it, but I did. I could have gone on and on, but knew I had time restraints.
So many people made my life a happier one during the 25 years I spent as a society writer. I met sooo many wonderful people.
All ended on a high note. The Rotary including Florence Andresen and Gina Michelin, who co-chaired the event, gave me a gift that I will cherish forever - my own recognition for all my hard work.
Thanks Rotary. Thanks Barbara. Thanks Linda Toohey for suggesting I become the society writer. And thanks to all the people who attended, sent notes and gave me praise after each column was written in the paper. I am now, hopefully, a better person because of the wonderful years I spent writing something I loved to do.