Hi All,
Hope everyone is surviving the rain and heat ok... I love this weather, the heat anyway... the rain is meh.
Anyway, here is the summer issue for you...
I am going to scale back a little on the cafe, to a twice a year publication. I have some book ideas in the works and starting in August, I want to work on this blog a bit.
That being said, I am taking submissions now for the next issue which will be published in January 2020. Email them to me at holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Enjoy the rest of your year... see you soon!
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Planetarium
Under the cool dome where I sat,
imagining stars could still exist
behind blue sky, my high school
class, disappearing under ballooned ceilings,
darkness, overtaken by constellations,
drawing the way out from East Pittsburgh
in pinpricks of light.
Orion, Andromeda, Cassiopeia.
I drew gods in study hall, mermaids,
men with horse legs and wings,
leaning back on the auditorium chairs
while the cataclysm broke loose,
universes, rupturing in ear shattering bangs,
the narrator reminding us how small we all were,
how momentary in the blur of manufactured light,
switches flicked on, bringing me back
staggering onto the school bus,
my head down, I kept falling,
spiraling in dreams above the mill towns
and rooftops where I lived, the hills of coal
and skies burning with the fires of Carrie, Braddock,
ghosting Pittsburgh in shadow, ash,
dreaming I could be somewhere, anywhere but here.
Robert Walicki’s work has appeared in over 50 journals, including Pittsburgh City Paper, Fourth River,Chiron Review, and Red River Review. A Pushcart and a Best of The Net nominee, Robert has published two chapbooks: A Room Full of Trees (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014) and The Almost Sound of Snow Falling (Night Ballet Press), which was nominated to the 2016 List of Books for New York City’s Poets House. His first full-length collection, Black Angels, is now available from Pittsburgh’s Six Gallery Press.
imagining stars could still exist
behind blue sky, my high school
class, disappearing under ballooned ceilings,
darkness, overtaken by constellations,
drawing the way out from East Pittsburgh
in pinpricks of light.
Orion, Andromeda, Cassiopeia.
I drew gods in study hall, mermaids,
men with horse legs and wings,
leaning back on the auditorium chairs
while the cataclysm broke loose,
universes, rupturing in ear shattering bangs,
the narrator reminding us how small we all were,
how momentary in the blur of manufactured light,
switches flicked on, bringing me back
staggering onto the school bus,
my head down, I kept falling,
spiraling in dreams above the mill towns
and rooftops where I lived, the hills of coal
and skies burning with the fires of Carrie, Braddock,
ghosting Pittsburgh in shadow, ash,
dreaming I could be somewhere, anywhere but here.
Robert Walicki’s work has appeared in over 50 journals, including Pittsburgh City Paper, Fourth River,Chiron Review, and Red River Review. A Pushcart and a Best of The Net nominee, Robert has published two chapbooks: A Room Full of Trees (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014) and The Almost Sound of Snow Falling (Night Ballet Press), which was nominated to the 2016 List of Books for New York City’s Poets House. His first full-length collection, Black Angels, is now available from Pittsburgh’s Six Gallery Press.
Circling
Here, where our future waits,
past this run of fading highway
and devastation, roads
splitting open from another rough winter
of long hall trucks, past the bleached out salt
burnt grass, silos of salt.
Through hollowed paths of breaking gravel
and further down, into the inferno, seventh circle
of hell in this mud thick valley. Somehow we'll drag
our exhausted asses upright on mouthfuls of gas station coffee,
never thinking there wasn’t a way out of this life,
all of us waiting for the backhoe to bear down,
take out the rest of the trees in front of us
ready for our part in this to begin
where those few remaining maples
stood in front of us, stripped bare
at the edge of this construction site.
A hawk above it all, circling.
Robert Walicki’s work has appeared in over 50 journals, including Pittsburgh City Paper, Fourth River,Chiron Review, and Red River Review. A Pushcart and a Best of The Net nominee, Robert has published two chapbooks: A Room Full of Trees (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014) and The Almost Sound of Snow Falling (Night Ballet Press), which was nominated to the 2016 List of Books for New York City’s Poets House. His first full-length collection, Black Angels, is now available from Pittsburgh’s Six Gallery Press.
past this run of fading highway
and devastation, roads
splitting open from another rough winter
of long hall trucks, past the bleached out salt
burnt grass, silos of salt.
Through hollowed paths of breaking gravel
and further down, into the inferno, seventh circle
of hell in this mud thick valley. Somehow we'll drag
our exhausted asses upright on mouthfuls of gas station coffee,
never thinking there wasn’t a way out of this life,
all of us waiting for the backhoe to bear down,
take out the rest of the trees in front of us
ready for our part in this to begin
where those few remaining maples
stood in front of us, stripped bare
at the edge of this construction site.
A hawk above it all, circling.
Robert Walicki’s work has appeared in over 50 journals, including Pittsburgh City Paper, Fourth River,Chiron Review, and Red River Review. A Pushcart and a Best of The Net nominee, Robert has published two chapbooks: A Room Full of Trees (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014) and The Almost Sound of Snow Falling (Night Ballet Press), which was nominated to the 2016 List of Books for New York City’s Poets House. His first full-length collection, Black Angels, is now available from Pittsburgh’s Six Gallery Press.
You Spin Me Right Round
I had the pleasure of meeting DJ Jess a few years ago. She was the DJ for my wedding. When planning for my big day, I wanted to go against the grain. I did not want ordinary or traditional at my wedding. Meaning, I am not the woman who wanted the chicken dance or the bouquet toss. I also noticed when going to bridal expos and other weddings, the majority of the DJ’s were male which made me think I wanted something different.
I remember when my fiancée at the time (now husband) and I had a meeting with the event planner and the “DJ”. All I knew was we were going to go over things such as the music selection etc., and I did not even know the name of the “DJ”. I recall DJ Jess first introducing herself, and I had the thought “OMG! I am intrigued that she is a female!” I knew she was going to be perfect for the occasion because not only is she professional, but she was willing go against the traditional wedding grain.
The venue we had chosen, gave us this form for the DJ to follow prior to our meeting. I wrote really big on the bouquet toss section NO WAY! DJ Jess saw that and busted out laughing! I knew from that point on she was cool, and was going to give us what we wanted. She really did an outstanding job!
Needless to say, we now follow each other on social media, and I saw her post this picture (right) With the caption:
“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy, but most importantly, music. For the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning” -Plato
“Shout out to my mom and dad for putting on the music, giving me the headphones, and setting up the trampoline so I could move. These are my DJ roots.”
During the interview, I had asked DJ Jess about the that picture and caption, and she told me...
DJ Jess: The seed that grew the roots was most definitely planted when I was a little girl. I grew up in a very musical family, which mainly trickled down from my father. He was in a band from the time he was a little boy. As a husband and father, he played in a wedding group called The Harmony Band. I can still remember the dates I had with my mom when he was out at a gig. How ironic is it that my husband does the same thing with our children?
There was always music playing in my childhood home, and one of my favorite things to do while the sounds filled the air was to put on my parents’ headphones and jump on the trampoline. I can still remember how I would get lost in the instruments and vocals. I loved it loud and I still do!
Over the years I have had the privilege to see how your career has progressed. Are you a sole proprietor of your business?
DJ Jess: Yes, it’s just me! Sometimes my home office is lonely, but at least I get to work in my pajamas.
I know you have done events such as Women Who Rock, Las Vegas, opened for a national artist, radio jockey, participated in the Pride Parade. Can you go into detail about these events?
DJ Jess: Could this list be any better? You just named a few of my most favorite events I’ve performed. Although I specialize in weddings, I adore traveling to DJ and working iconic functions.
Most recently I did the Pride Parade aboard the Tito’s float. A company from California reached out via email and I couldn’t respond quickly enough. I managed to rock an upbeat set and create a club atmosphere all while the float traveled through the slightly bumpy streets of downtown. My usual dance moves were really just me falling back as the float stopped.
Women Who Rock was a beneficial concert at Stage AE for Magee Women’s Research Institute. I found it on Facebook and reached out to the organizer to offer my services. The collection of talented women artists in attendance was mind blowing; Lyndsey Smith, Melina Bowser, Women’s A Capella, Sweet Adelines International, and of course, Shelia E. My opening set was a little over an hour and featured women artists from Aaliyah to Alanis. I played at least 60 different female artists, so it was quick mixing!
And the radio show… Speaker Honey. This is something I’m hoping turns into an even bigger adventure in the future. I would love to be on the radio full time eventually. For now, I curate Hip Hop, Neo Soul, and Funktronica mixes Thursday’s from 4-5PM on WMCK FM. It’s an online station based out of my hometown area, Mckeesport.
As for Vegas, that was one of the most groundbreaking gigs. Mainly the 2018 performance, where I was part of The Peavey DJ Takeover. I had 15 minutes to perform, and even though my hands shook the entire time, it went perfectly. I’ll never forget how I felt when I got down off of the stage. It was the turning point to seeking out and making it a goal to do the events we’ve reviewed.
Could you tell me about the hard-work side of being a DJ? I know it can't be all fun.
DJ Jess: One of the most enticing features of starting my own company was and still is the ability to make my own schedule. I’m a mom and a wife, and my children are growing so quickly. I don’t want to miss a thing, if I can have a say in it. Work/life balance is a priority.
With that said, I do get consecutive days off where I can plan the best activities. I wake up with my children every morning and put them to bed most nights. But-that time off means sometimes I have to hustle-hard. I’ll book back to back 12-hour days. I’ll grab a random Thursday gig on top of planning my radio show. Events and monumental performances seem to come in clusters. Being mobile means I bring everything an event needs for the performance. This means anything from a ceremony set up, regular DJ set up, and up lights. It’s just me and it’s a lot of physical work. That’s the part that gets me sometimes, how incredibly tired I am after working insane hours.
Jess, I was honored to do this interview with you! I can’t wait to see what else you do in the future!
DJ Jess: Thank you for having me, this was so fun! You can find my work at the following links:
Facebook
YouTube Channel
DJ Jess' Website
Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry. She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.
I remember when my fiancée at the time (now husband) and I had a meeting with the event planner and the “DJ”. All I knew was we were going to go over things such as the music selection etc., and I did not even know the name of the “DJ”. I recall DJ Jess first introducing herself, and I had the thought “OMG! I am intrigued that she is a female!” I knew she was going to be perfect for the occasion because not only is she professional, but she was willing go against the traditional wedding grain.
The venue we had chosen, gave us this form for the DJ to follow prior to our meeting. I wrote really big on the bouquet toss section NO WAY! DJ Jess saw that and busted out laughing! I knew from that point on she was cool, and was going to give us what we wanted. She really did an outstanding job!
Needless to say, we now follow each other on social media, and I saw her post this picture (right) With the caption:“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy, but most importantly, music. For the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning” -Plato
“Shout out to my mom and dad for putting on the music, giving me the headphones, and setting up the trampoline so I could move. These are my DJ roots.”
During the interview, I had asked DJ Jess about the that picture and caption, and she told me...
DJ Jess: The seed that grew the roots was most definitely planted when I was a little girl. I grew up in a very musical family, which mainly trickled down from my father. He was in a band from the time he was a little boy. As a husband and father, he played in a wedding group called The Harmony Band. I can still remember the dates I had with my mom when he was out at a gig. How ironic is it that my husband does the same thing with our children?
There was always music playing in my childhood home, and one of my favorite things to do while the sounds filled the air was to put on my parents’ headphones and jump on the trampoline. I can still remember how I would get lost in the instruments and vocals. I loved it loud and I still do!
Over the years I have had the privilege to see how your career has progressed. Are you a sole proprietor of your business?
DJ Jess: Yes, it’s just me! Sometimes my home office is lonely, but at least I get to work in my pajamas.
I know you have done events such as Women Who Rock, Las Vegas, opened for a national artist, radio jockey, participated in the Pride Parade. Can you go into detail about these events?
DJ Jess: Could this list be any better? You just named a few of my most favorite events I’ve performed. Although I specialize in weddings, I adore traveling to DJ and working iconic functions.
Most recently I did the Pride Parade aboard the Tito’s float. A company from California reached out via email and I couldn’t respond quickly enough. I managed to rock an upbeat set and create a club atmosphere all while the float traveled through the slightly bumpy streets of downtown. My usual dance moves were really just me falling back as the float stopped.
Women Who Rock was a beneficial concert at Stage AE for Magee Women’s Research Institute. I found it on Facebook and reached out to the organizer to offer my services. The collection of talented women artists in attendance was mind blowing; Lyndsey Smith, Melina Bowser, Women’s A Capella, Sweet Adelines International, and of course, Shelia E. My opening set was a little over an hour and featured women artists from Aaliyah to Alanis. I played at least 60 different female artists, so it was quick mixing!
 |
| Photo Credit: Jake Klein Photography |
As for Vegas, that was one of the most groundbreaking gigs. Mainly the 2018 performance, where I was part of The Peavey DJ Takeover. I had 15 minutes to perform, and even though my hands shook the entire time, it went perfectly. I’ll never forget how I felt when I got down off of the stage. It was the turning point to seeking out and making it a goal to do the events we’ve reviewed.
Could you tell me about the hard-work side of being a DJ? I know it can't be all fun.
DJ Jess: One of the most enticing features of starting my own company was and still is the ability to make my own schedule. I’m a mom and a wife, and my children are growing so quickly. I don’t want to miss a thing, if I can have a say in it. Work/life balance is a priority.
With that said, I do get consecutive days off where I can plan the best activities. I wake up with my children every morning and put them to bed most nights. But-that time off means sometimes I have to hustle-hard. I’ll book back to back 12-hour days. I’ll grab a random Thursday gig on top of planning my radio show. Events and monumental performances seem to come in clusters. Being mobile means I bring everything an event needs for the performance. This means anything from a ceremony set up, regular DJ set up, and up lights. It’s just me and it’s a lot of physical work. That’s the part that gets me sometimes, how incredibly tired I am after working insane hours.
Jess, I was honored to do this interview with you! I can’t wait to see what else you do in the future!
DJ Jess: Thank you for having me, this was so fun! You can find my work at the following links:
YouTube Channel
DJ Jess' Website
Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry. She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.
Musings for Moms - Summer Vacation
I am a month into summer vacation for my boys and we have been doing some fun things to keep entertained. I like getting them out and about - instead of just playing video games all day long or worse watching YouTube videos about the video games that they play.
We have gone to a few more movies since then, went to the history museum, walked around a college campus and got milkshakes. We've gone to the wave pool and lit off fireworks on the 4th.
I don't understand it...
We started our adventures on the last day of school with lunch and a movie. They had a half day of school. I have been doing this tradition with my oldest son for a few years now, and this was the first time my youngest (who just finished kindergarten) joined us.
We will go on our family vacation soon, but these are just the little memories that I am making with them. It's fun and we have been enjoying it.
It doesn't matter what you do - meaning if you take them to the park, or take them on some grand adventure... it's that you make the time and the memories, because that is what they will remember when they are older...
Enjoy the rest of your summer, get out there and do something!
Also, Check out my new site, Musings for Moms, Starting August 1st, I will try to post there a few times a week.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Letter from Editor - Spring Issue 2019
Hello everyone,
And with the season change, comes a new edition of the Holiday Cafe.
Another great issue, if you ask me. As I keep saying, without you I cannot do this... please send in your submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com -
Thank you,
Nicole
Nicole
Lisa DiGorio Celebrates 40 years of Dance
For the past 40 years Lisa DiGorio has taught young children and adults how to dance, showing her students a love of music, rhythm, ballet, jazz, tap, and so much more. In return, her students let her mold them and create wonderful choreography while leaping and spinning and dancing their hearts out.
I have written a few times in the past two years about how I am taking dance classes again after a long hiatus. When I was a little tyke, Lisa was my teacher in one of her original studios in West Mifflin. It has been an exciting journey getting back into dance thus far, mostly because of the great group I dance with and my amazing teacher.
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Lisa, you know amazing is an understatement, as her dancers and staff would tell you. Words cannot even begin to tell you how much admiration the students have for Lisa. The amount of heart and soul she puts into each and every dance number that she choreographs is off the charts. Not to mention the love she has for each of her dancers and the studio itself.
Besides getting ready for the spring show, which will feature songs from 1979 to celebrate her 40th anniversary, Lisa has been busy with her ALLSTAR Dance Team that competes against other dance schools in the region. Lisa and her team have won numerous awards and accolades over the years, including, Best Choreography, Class Act, Entertainment Award, Excellence Award, and Top Choreographer.
The event, Ignite Dance “Live”, will shoot in Pittsburgh with teen sensation JoJo Siwa and Dance Moms. This isn’t the first time the ALLSTARs have been on the show. The first was during a two-part episode that aired April 28 and May 5 of 2015 when Lisa and her ALLSTARs competed at the Starbound National Talent Competition in which the Abby Lee [Miller] Dance Company also participated.
Lisa’s ALLSTARs were handpicked by event coordinators, along with nine other studios, to participate in the Ignite Dance event. Lisa was specifically asked to have her group of dancers showcase solos, duos, and small group performances. The ALLSTARs will showcase nine numbers at the event.
If you are interested about dance classes, The Lisa DiGorio School of Dance is located 580 Old Clairton Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236; website or Facebook page or call (412) 650-9986.
Nicole Leckenby is the co-founder/editor of The Holiday Cafe. She works full-time at the University of Pittsburgh and she has two amazing boys at home that keep her busy, along with a whole host of other things.
 |
| Pictured above - most of the ALLSTAR DANCE TEAM |
I have written a few times in the past two years about how I am taking dance classes again after a long hiatus. When I was a little tyke, Lisa was my teacher in one of her original studios in West Mifflin. It has been an exciting journey getting back into dance thus far, mostly because of the great group I dance with and my amazing teacher.
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Lisa, you know amazing is an understatement, as her dancers and staff would tell you. Words cannot even begin to tell you how much admiration the students have for Lisa. The amount of heart and soul she puts into each and every dance number that she choreographs is off the charts. Not to mention the love she has for each of her dancers and the studio itself.
Besides getting ready for the spring show, which will feature songs from 1979 to celebrate her 40th anniversary, Lisa has been busy with her ALLSTAR Dance Team that competes against other dance schools in the region. Lisa and her team have won numerous awards and accolades over the years, including, Best Choreography, Class Act, Entertainment Award, Excellence Award, and Top Choreographer.
The event, Ignite Dance “Live”, will shoot in Pittsburgh with teen sensation JoJo Siwa and Dance Moms. This isn’t the first time the ALLSTARs have been on the show. The first was during a two-part episode that aired April 28 and May 5 of 2015 when Lisa and her ALLSTARs competed at the Starbound National Talent Competition in which the Abby Lee [Miller] Dance Company also participated.
Lisa’s ALLSTARs were handpicked by event coordinators, along with nine other studios, to participate in the Ignite Dance event. Lisa was specifically asked to have her group of dancers showcase solos, duos, and small group performances. The ALLSTARs will showcase nine numbers at the event.
If you are interested about dance classes, The Lisa DiGorio School of Dance is located 580 Old Clairton Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236; website or Facebook page or call (412) 650-9986.
Nicole Leckenby is the co-founder/editor of The Holiday Cafe. She works full-time at the University of Pittsburgh and she has two amazing boys at home that keep her busy, along with a whole host of other things.
The Accidental Resort
The late Gordon Gibson was a legend. Like many successful entrepreneurs, Gordon had weathered perilous swings of fortune that took him from rags to riches several times.
Many said those harrowing experiences had also enriched a wicked sense of humor. Gordon’s seemingly dour visage camouflaged that sense of humor, known at times to rear up and bite the pompous and the unprepared.
One evening, Gordon told some friends a revealing story: how his family came to own, almost accidentally, a luxury resort on the island of Maui in Hawaii, and how it factored in a favorite exercise of his ‘gotcha’ sense of humor.
Years earlier, Gordon had purchased some ocean front property on Maui as a winter get-away for he and his family. Not surprising, their vacation home became popular with their extended family and friends, and in time also with their married children and grandchildren and of all their children’s friends. To accommodate the crowds, a few guest cottages were built. Then, more were built. Eventually, Gordon and his wife realized the whole thing was getting out of hand. Something had to be done.
One day, the couple decided the property should be turned into a resort. Why not make some money to offset the ballooning costs of their winter getaway? they reasoned. Plans were drawn up. They decided renovations should include a swimming pool. Two sons staying there at the time were recruited to help retrieve an old US Army surplus D-9 bulldozer Gordon had found abandoned in nearby underbrush. The three men spent weeks restoring the bulldozer and then used it to build a magnificent swimming pool in the shape of the island. And then in his typical entrepreneurial fashion, once they no longer needed the refurbished D-9 Gordon sold it to a local construction company for a tidy profit.
The resort flourished. As the years passed, Gordon and his wife began spending more and more time there, eventually retiring to their resort. By then the Gibson’s had become quite wealthy.
Few people knew Gordon was an avid gardener. In Maui, he could thoroughly enjoy his hobby. His favorite place was outside, often with garden hose in hand, watering the abundant flowerbeds. His usual mode of dress: shirtless, an old floppy straw hat covering his scraggly mane of silver/gray hair, stained shorts, and beat-up sandals.
One day, his gardening revere was interrupted by an expensive new sports car pulling up behind him. A horn beeped.
“Boy!” he heard a woman’s voice call out behind him.
“Boy!” the imperious voice repeated almost immediately. “Come here!”
Gordon turned. The driver was an expensively dressed matron in her late 50s. He could see from her manner that she was accustomed to issuing orders and being obeyed. Gordon, by then in his early seventies, pointed to himself, gesturing, ‘Me?’ The woman nodded impatiently, waving her hand for him to hurry over to where she was sitting in her flashy new white sports car.
Gordon turned off the garden hose and calmly walked over.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” the well-tanned six-foot resort owner asked politely.
“Yes, you certainly can!” she replied haughtily, by now even more impatient. “I’m a guest here, you know. You can earn yourself five bucks by washing my car.”
Gordon concealed his surprise and amusement.
“Of course, ma’am,” Gordon replied, keeping a straight face. A plan took shape in a mischievous corner of his brilliant mind.
The woman told him abruptly where and when to pick up her car. On his arrival, she gave him detailed instructions on how to clean the almost spotless car, and issued a strict warning to drive her newly purchased luxury vehicle with extreme caution.
The idea of washing her car appealed to Gordon’ delightful sense of humor, and to his fondness for the absurd. So, he washed it, personally. Gordon admitted later he did struggle with a temptation to stick the hose in the car, turn on the water and walk away. Instead, he returned her spotless car, being sure to collect the $5. He thanked the woman profusely for his reward.
Gordon enjoyed even more what came next.
Their resort had a tradition, as did many others, of regular luaus. They were a mix of Hawaiian tradition and resort hospitality, designed to encourage guests to mix and mingle. After a social hour, an MC on a raised platform called everyone together for the evening’s entertainment.
Seated in front of the stage in the first row was the owner of the sparkling clean sports car, now elegantly dressed in evening clothes and flashy jewelry. She had been thoroughly enjoying herself, flaunting her assumed charms during the social hour to men scattered through the large audience. A few announcements by the MC were followed by the introduction of their host.
Out of the shadows and onto the stage bounded Gordon Gibson. He strode over to microphone, placed not by accident directly in front of the self-important woman. Gordon looked down directly into her eyes, and smiled.
He confessed later the look on her face was priceless.
James Osborne is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller THE ULTIMATE THREAT. His latest novel, SECRET SHEPHERD, is the second in his Maidstone Series and was named recently as Best Mystery Novel of 2018 in an international poll of readers and writers. The first in the series, THE MAIDSTONE CONSPIRACY, was also an award-winner, receiving the award for Best Contemporary Fiction Novel of 2017 in a readers’ survey based in London, UK.
Samples of his work can be found on his Amazon author’s page: www.amazon.com/author/jamesosborne. Osborne’s varied career includes investigative journalist, college teacher, corporate executive, business owner and army officer.
Nighttime Sky
A few weeks back I was walking home from my dance class and the sky was a gorgeous red ... sadly my phone couldn't capture the full effect, but a friend (Thanks Phil!) of mine was able to edit the picture to make it look how it should have...
Before edits ...
Before edits ...
After edits...
Poem Melody by Ms. Ceili
Crying For Spring
Swimming in black soil beneath wintering
skies, shoots once again harbour petals so
frantic to live they scream a cry for the spring
that will not come. Instead, frozen snow
buries all proof of their existence in its blanket
of silence.
Spring Concert
Symphony music awakens images of the
language made by spring storms raw upon
weathered rocks of seas reflecting ebony
darkness.
Lost Lines
They are ghosts that whisper haunting words
to me - words that I cannot hold in my head
long enough to put pen to paper. Like water
seeping thought cupped hands, they fill me up,
then escape me just as quickly.
Ms. Ceili began her writing adventure when asked to write about her life on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland. Since "Noria's" publication in 2009, McCollonough has written and published several books for readers of all ages. You can connect with McCollonough on Facebook at htpps://www.facebook.com/mccollonoughceili
Swimming in black soil beneath wintering
skies, shoots once again harbour petals so
frantic to live they scream a cry for the spring
that will not come. Instead, frozen snow
buries all proof of their existence in its blanket
of silence.
Spring Concert
Symphony music awakens images of the
language made by spring storms raw upon
weathered rocks of seas reflecting ebony
darkness.
Lost Lines
They are ghosts that whisper haunting words
to me - words that I cannot hold in my head
long enough to put pen to paper. Like water
seeping thought cupped hands, they fill me up,
then escape me just as quickly.
Ms. Ceili began her writing adventure when asked to write about her life on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland. Since "Noria's" publication in 2009, McCollonough has written and published several books for readers of all ages. You can connect with McCollonough on Facebook at htpps://www.facebook.com/mccollonoughceili
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Musings for Moms... What are we eating?
Recently I have seen a lot more posts on Facebook and on the World Wide Web about how this company or that company is putting harmful things into our food. For example, the article about the weed killer RoundUp being found in a number of children's cereals, and the very popular Cheerios.
There is article after article that lists what foods are harmful and which have carcinogens in them and all I can think, once I get past my initial anger about the fact these companies are feeding us poison and could kill us, or at the very least make us very sick is why aren't these companies doing something about it.
Call me crazy, but if the internet was filled with articles that said my company was feeding people, KIDS, carcinogens, I would be all over that. First and foremost, finding out how said poisons were getting into my product and putting an immediate stop to it. Then you do damage control, clear your companies name and ensure the public that the issue has been resolved and will NEVER happen again.
I haven't seen that though, just the articles stating that there were issues to begin with. Why are companies not doing anything about this? Are they just trying to make the most money possible and they don't care that people are getting sick from their foods?
If these reports are indeed true, then these companies need to stop lining their wallets and fix the problems... Immediately. Companies need to stop taking shortcuts to make profits at the expense of consumers.
If these reports are indeed true, then these companies need to stop lining their wallets and fix the problems... Immediately. Companies need to stop taking shortcuts to make profits at the expense of consumers.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Letter from the Editor - January 2019
Hi All,
I sort of took over this issue... I guess this time around I had a lot more to say than usual. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. There is a great interview from Dahntahn Donuts and an amazing piece of art that is posted as well.
The next issue will be out in April... if you have anything you would like to submit, please email your submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Stay warm and see you all in the spring.
Nicole
I sort of took over this issue... I guess this time around I had a lot more to say than usual. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. There is a great interview from Dahntahn Donuts and an amazing piece of art that is posted as well.
The next issue will be out in April... if you have anything you would like to submit, please email your submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Stay warm and see you all in the spring.
Nicole
Dahntahn Donuts Interview Questions
Food trucks have recently surged in popularity. How did you come up with the specific idea of a donut truck?
Once decided on the food truck concept we started looking at what types of food trucks already existed in the Pittsburgh market. We noticed that while there were come dessert trucks, which is what donuts could be considered, there were really no morning trucks! So we asked ourselves what quick fresh breakfast item people love and could quickly grab and share with friends and coworkers, and that’s donuts of course!
Your website mentions monthly specials. Can you give us any details as to what those monthly specials look like?
We are always thinking of new and exciting ideas for our monthly special. We have had raspberry tart which was a great donut with graham cracker crumbles and raspberry drizzle. Currently we have a delicious blueberry lemonade while we try to channel a summer vibe! It’s a light, refreshing lemon icing with crumbles of blueberry pop tarts on top! It’s refreshing with both tart and sweetness!
The Dahntahn Donuts menu is full of specialty donuts like s’more, pb&j, and maple bacon. Where do you get the inspiration for your unique donut recipes?
We spend time just kind of trying new things when working on the truck. We also wander isles at the grocery store and think “what would be good on a donut?!” Of course, we always are also open to suggestions, look at classic favorites, and check out donut shops when traveling for work or vacation! We love talking with other shops.
All of your donuts are made-to-order. Do you actually make the donuts in the trucks from start to finish, or do you simply top them on the spot for customers?
Everything is made start to finish FRESH on the truck every day. We get to an event about one hour before window up. The batter is mixed fresh and then placed into the fryer hopper. Each donut comes off the line and then is topped right on the truck! Donuts are finished with toppings as they are ordered. Lots of times the donuts are so fresh we have to warn customers to be careful as the donut itself is still very warm!
Does it ever become difficult to make donuts in the confines of a truck?
Space wise, not really. Where we struggled originally, though, was making sure we were level! The donut fryer needs to be almost perfectly level so a leveling system was something we had to figure out and fast!
What exactly is your donut sundae?
One delicious mess of six donuts! Our donut sundae can almost be topped to match any premium donut. The donut sundae is a boat filled with six fresh donuts and smothered in delicious toppings! This is great to split with friends or family especially at events or festivals! We recommend forks and napkins for this one!!
Your website says you like to serve customers in “fast, simple, and convenient locations.” Where can customers most often find Dahntahn Donuts on a daily basis?
Dahntahn Donuts can be found all over Downtown, Oakland, North Hills, and South Hills. Several days a week we are specifically requested and booked outside of complexes or buildings around the Pittsburgh area. Businesses and complexes book us often to come set up outside their locations. We are always open to working with and talking with new potential locations. You can track our location on an awesome app called Mobile Nom that shows you where trucks are and when they are open for the day and upcoming days.
What types of events do you most often cater?
We have done bridal and baby showers, weddings, birthdays, family picnics, and Corporate events so far! Anything you might need donuts for, we are glad to work with you and come up with the right fit!
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Come find us! Check out our social media pages, give us a like, and see what’s new. We love meeting Pittsburghers and people just visiting the city. We also are constantly announcing specials and flavors on social media so give us a follow on Instagram @DahntahnDonuts or find us on Facebook!
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, yet still harbors a deep love for poetry. She is the author of the Children's book, Before the Sun Wakes Up. Her work has been featured in Totally Allure, Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine and The Holiday Cafe.
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, yet still harbors a deep love for poetry. She is the author of the Children's book, Before the Sun Wakes Up. Her work has been featured in Totally Allure, Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine and The Holiday Cafe.
The Homestead
Mary has been painting since the age of 12. Throughout her life, she dabbled in oils, and now, since she has retired, Mary has been at it full time. Her mediums have expanded to include acrylic and pastels. Three years ago, Mary became a certified Alexander wet-on-wet* instructor.
Additionally, over the last few years, Mary has been exhibiting all over the Pittsburgh area.
For eight years, she has been teaching acrylic painting at Pat Catan’s, as well as various companies that offer painting parties, and through her own DaVine Creations-paint parties in the home. Her recent endeavor is teaching at Paint Parties and More located in White Oak, PA.
Mary has more exciting news in the paint arena as she began free painting lessons on her YouTube channel. The painting above is an example of one of her finished paintings that she instructs via her YouTube. She does this as a step-by-step process using acrylic paint. It’s fun and simple, and most people can accomplish the painting as she provides outlines that help the viewer draw the actual subject. All materials used are listed for the viewer’s convenience.
If you would like to learn to paint, check out her channel. All one has to do is subscribe and enjoy the journey.
Musings of New York City
I had the fortunate opportunity to take my oldest son to New York City for a quick trip. We boarded a bus at 11pm one cold rainy night in December to wake up in New York City at the crack of dawn the next morning.Way back in September he came home from school talking about September 11th and the events that took place that day, a few days later it was brought to my attention of a great bus trip that was going to be going to the city in December.
So I went home and asked if he wanted to go... of course he did... so I made the arrangements. I have never been to NYC either, so I was equal parts excited and scared... mostly scared that I didn't want to get lost or the even more important, somehow get separated from the boy. Excited because I wanted to see every possible thing I could in the short amount of time I was there. I knew that wasn't possible, but I was going to try.
Our first day there we walked and walked and walked some more... clocking in over 20,000 steps. We saw the Empire State Building, the tree and ice rink at Rockafeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Macy's windows, the iconic ball for New Year's was already up and waiting for the countdown. I hailed my first ever cab and funny enough we ran into some people that we know (who live on our street). We went to the M&M store and Hershey's store. We checked out the Lego store and Disney. Then we crashed and needed food... Bubba Gumps was our dinning choice. The kid said it was the best fries and chicken fingers he has ever had.
We still had a few hours to go before we would get to our hotel room and neither of us were going to make it...
We eventually made our way back to get picked up and headed home. Of course we couldn't leave without seeing one scandalous thing though right?? I mean we were doing really good... he didn't even notice the guitar playing cowboy that wears nothing but his tighty whities in Times Square...
But then... we went to the McDonald's and he went into the men's room to wash his hands... Let's just say what he saw in that bathroom made him laugh and made me cringe... He of course had to FaceTime his dad right away and tell him the story too... he ended up texting it to him though...And, let me just say right here, that he was on his very best behavior the entire time. He listened to my every word, held my hand without any issues, he's nine so sometimes it can go either way about holding hands... He did question me a lot if we were lost and continuously made me prove on the Google Map that I knew where I was going. So little faith in my navigating abilities, so I told him the story of when my mom gave me and my grandmother the wrong directions to get home from West Virginia and how I had to use my old school atlas to get us home... that calmed his concerns.
We had fun and the only complaints from either of us were when we were just too tired to go any further... We both want to go again next year... see some more of the things that we missed out on this time around...
So what is the point of all of this?? Well, I guess mostly that if you get the opportunity to take your child and do something amazing with them... do it... don't wait or put it off. It doesn't have to be a weekend trip just do something, a meal, a movie, a trip to the museum. Life is a precious thing, take the time to enjoy it with your child or children... they will thank you for it.
Holiday Traditions
The month of December was incredibly hectic to say the least, but there were also plenty of quality moments and family traditions. My sister came over one day and we baked Christmas cookies together. We went to a few local Christmas outings where we saw Santa and another event that had an ice sculptor.
We decorated our house for Christmas and presents were wrapped. Traditional Christmas Eve and Day meals were prepped and made. One of my absolute favorite meals of the entire year is the Feast of the Seven Fishes with my family. While we don’t do the ‘traditional’ fishes and we have adapted it to the ones we enjoy, it is one of my favorites. Then we hightail it over to the husband’s parents for a huge spread of ham and potatoes and so much food, I feel like I need to be rolled out of there by the end of the night.
But isn’t that what the holidays are – eating a ton of food with your loved ones. I know, it’s more than that…
Another one of the things that is slowly starting to become a Holiday tradition for me, being the second year in a row that I have participated in it with my dance class… (yes, I am still dancing, I wrote about it last year and I still love it).
The Monday before Christmas my class went to a Lawson’s Nursing Home to perform for the residents. There were probably about 15 or so men and women gathered around to watch us perform our Christmas Show dances.
While the space was small and we had to be extra mindful not to leap into an unsuspecting person’s lap, the residents seemed to enjoy themselves. One woman was very inquisitive, she wanted to know about us. After going through our dances, giving introductions and taking the group selfie in front of their Christmas tree, we left the home to go back to the dance studio.
Going there, makes me miss my grandparents but I leave with my heart filled… and that my friends is why I participate in this night. It’s not the party or gift exchange that we do afterwards (yes, December is a big foodie month for me.) it’s the doing something nice for other people – visiting and doing something as simple as performing a few dance numbers for someone that might not have family that visits them…
The holidays aren’t just about monetary things and I am glad I can be a part of something that means more than a monetary gift.
We decorated our house for Christmas and presents were wrapped. Traditional Christmas Eve and Day meals were prepped and made. One of my absolute favorite meals of the entire year is the Feast of the Seven Fishes with my family. While we don’t do the ‘traditional’ fishes and we have adapted it to the ones we enjoy, it is one of my favorites. Then we hightail it over to the husband’s parents for a huge spread of ham and potatoes and so much food, I feel like I need to be rolled out of there by the end of the night.
But isn’t that what the holidays are – eating a ton of food with your loved ones. I know, it’s more than that…
Another one of the things that is slowly starting to become a Holiday tradition for me, being the second year in a row that I have participated in it with my dance class… (yes, I am still dancing, I wrote about it last year and I still love it).
The Monday before Christmas my class went to a Lawson’s Nursing Home to perform for the residents. There were probably about 15 or so men and women gathered around to watch us perform our Christmas Show dances.
While the space was small and we had to be extra mindful not to leap into an unsuspecting person’s lap, the residents seemed to enjoy themselves. One woman was very inquisitive, she wanted to know about us. After going through our dances, giving introductions and taking the group selfie in front of their Christmas tree, we left the home to go back to the dance studio.
Going there, makes me miss my grandparents but I leave with my heart filled… and that my friends is why I participate in this night. It’s not the party or gift exchange that we do afterwards (yes, December is a big foodie month for me.) it’s the doing something nice for other people – visiting and doing something as simple as performing a few dance numbers for someone that might not have family that visits them…
The holidays aren’t just about monetary things and I am glad I can be a part of something that means more than a monetary gift.
Nicole Leckenby is co-founder/editor of The Holiday Cafe. She works full-time at the University of Pittsburgh and she has two amazing boys at home that keep her busy, along with a whole host of other things.
Pap
I published this piece a few years back, in the first issue of the Holiday Café actually. This February marks the 25th anniversary of my grandfather’s death… I cannot believe it has been 25 years… all the things he missed seeing…
To update the first paragraph of the original story… I found the statistics for 2018 on the National Cancer Institute’s website … In 2018, an estimated 1,735,350 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 people will die from the disease. We need a cure and we need to end this horrible disease.
Over 1.5 million people will be diagnosed in 2010 with some form of cancer and nearly one out of every four people in the United States will die from cancer. Shocking statistics, perhaps, but the number of those who die from this horrible disease is dropping. Medical advancements and early detection are keys to going into remission and beating cancer. Unfortunately, the medical advancements were not as they are today back in 1994. When I was a toddler both of my parents worked, which meant I obviously had to have some sort of adult supervision during the day. Mom would drop me off at my grandparents and then she would catch the bus downtown to go to work. I think I was pretty fortunate to have my grandparents watch me when I was a youngster. Especially since I am sure daycare was not as popular back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and not as regulated and managed as they are today.
It’s weird the things that you remember from childhood. I remember watching my mom walk to the bus stop from my grandparent’s place. And other things like my grandmother making me lunch and creating a little table out of a chair so I could watch TV and eat my lunch in their living room, or begging my grandfather to play Barbie’s with me or the very distinct layout of their home, even how there was a mirror above where the sofa was located.
I also vaguely remember my grandfather getting sick for the first time. I remember things like him lying on the sofa and my grandmother changing his bandages. I remember the word CANCER being spoken in the house. I didn’t know what all this talk of cancer was though… I wasn’t even in Pre-school yet… I was just learning my “near” and “far” thanks to Grover on Sesame Street. I could tell it wasn’t good but I just didn’t know how bad it really was. I was kept in the dark about it for the most part, mostly due to my age. My family didn’t want to tell me all the gory details, and I don’t blame them. At the age of three I wouldn’t have been able to comprehend what was truly going on or the severity of it.
I would think to myself, my grandfather is a strong man, he is very tall and he fought in WWII, he will fight this cancer thing too. Like I said, I had no idea the severity of cancer so I thought it was just like a bad cold or an infection or something of that nature; I had no idea that he had a tumor the size of a grapefruit taken out of him. For the most part, I was right about my pap fighting cancer. He went into remission after several chemotherapy treatments.
For the next 14 years my grandfather would go in and out of remission. Every time the doctor would give my family the bad news, I would just tell myself that my grandfather is a fighter he will survive this, he did it before he can do it again. He won’t quit, he won’t die, he just won’t. He went into the hospital, and we would visit, I always hated going to the hospital – something about that disinfectant smell that freaks me out. It makes me ill, that smell, makes me queasy almost paralyzed. When I was young the doctors wouldn’t let me go into his room. I sitting in the waiting room at Montefiore Hospital as my mom and grandmother would take turns visiting my pap. I also remember a stuffed animal in the shape of a cat that I was given to keep me occupied. Over the years every morning mom and I would go see my grandparents before she would go off to work and I would go off to school. By this time, I was in high school rebellious and angry at the world like all teenagers. We found out that pap had cancer again and he wasn’t getting better this time; he was getting worse and could barely get out of bed. In all the years I had never seen him this sick before. Not eating, not drinking, and not moving. It wasn’t the cancer that was killing him; it was an infection that he somehow got while in the hospital. He was given hospice care and could stay at home.
I remember that cold February day like it was yesterday. My sister and I didn’t go to school that day; it was cancelled because of snow/ice/freezing temperatures. We stayed at my grandparent’s house, I remember locking myself in my old bedroom, curling up in his chair (that was moved there when I moved out) and crying a lot, streams and streams of tears running down my face. I didn’t want him to die but this would be it, this would be the end of his fight. I knew it and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I remember the nurse patting me on my shoulder, telling me it was going to be ok. I didn’t believe her. How could it be ok? I was about to lose my grandfather…
My father came by and took me for food. I would just go home afterwards because mom said she and my sister would be going home shortly. I got home from dinner and mom was still not there. Then the phone rang. It was my sister; I could hardly understand he over the violent crying sounds she was making. She told me to sit down… that is when I knew it… that our grandfather had just died. It was all very surreal, like a scene out of a movie or something, when the bad news is about to come, you tell the person to sit down. Why? It didn’t help me take the news any better. We were both crying hysterically on the phone. Neither one of us wanted to hang up the phone.
I knew he would not be suffering anymore, that this was a better alternative than going through all the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, but damn it I am a little self-fish. I didn’t want him to die. I wanted him to be there when I graduated, when my sister graduated, and for all the other important events in our lives. I knew he would not be suffering anymore, that this was a better alternative than going through all the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, but damn it I am a little self-fish. I didn’t want him to die. I wanted him to be there when I graduated, when my sister graduated, and for all the other important events in our lives.
We buried him on that Valentine’s Day.
It has been 18 years since that fateful day in February. It’s funny the things that remind me of him even today, a TV show re-run or seeing a train from the line he worked, or his birthday. A few years back a friend was having a psychic party, and I went to just see what it was all about. Not that I believed in such things mind you. The woman was very spiritual; she told me a few things about my grandfather then mention that his spirit is with me. Whether she was full of malarkey or not, it was comforting to hear.
Nicole Leckenby is co-founder/editor of The Holiday Cafe. She works full-time at the University of Pittsburgh and she has two amazing boys at home that keep her busy, along with a whole host of other things.