Georgetown & Scott County have a museum located in Georgetown. It is in the old Post Office building on Main Street. Each year they have a dinner for the members and board of directors and officers. We attended this year's dinner last Friday, April 15, 2011, held at Georgetown College Leadership and Conference Center.
The same caterer usually provides the food when you attend a dinner at this conference center. It is alway good home cookin'. This year we had salads, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans (love these, they are always a little sweet) and cheese cake for dessert. This is the only caterer in Georgetown and they do a really good job.
Seated at our table for dinner and the program were the Suffoletta's (they own the furniture store in town), Sue Toncray (she is widow who owns property in Sadieville and her husband was a founder of this museum), Betty Lou Graves (she plays lovely piano music while we arrive and mingle) and another couple (I can't remember their names). These were delightful dinner companions and we had fun conversation.
The Annual Meeting followed the dinner. The new officers were introduced and the new board members were introduced. Claude is now a member of the board of directors for the museum.
Then the program was introduced by Joe P. Rhinhart. He sat at our table last year and is a fun character. The program focuses each year on something about Kentucky. This year Joe arranged a special guest speaker, Nick Clooney.
If that name sounds familiar, it is because he is the brother of Rosemary and Betty Clooney and the father of George Clooney. His assigned topic was the childhood of himself, Rosemary and Betty before anyone was famous.
They all grew up singing together from the time they were little bitty kids. Nick freely admits that Betty and Rosemary were the world class singers. He can sing well enough but he was never in the world class catagory that Betty and Rosemary were. His life led him to the broadcast business. He has a wonderful speaking voice and I could easily see where it would be great for the broadcast field.
He spoke of their grandfather who was a true character and touched their lives in a profound way. One of the stories he told use was how his grandfather took them to the river. They are from Maysville, Kentucky along the Ohio River. He had the three kids put their hands in the river and feel the water with their hands. Then he told them how the water that touched they hands would take a part of them down the river, eventually to the ocean and around the world. These are my words but his intent. Then he told them to always remember where their hands went into the water. Like...remember where you came from, stay grounded and remember you are a part of the world. It was a tender story and he ended his remarks with the comment "Remember where each of you put your hands in the water."
I was impressed with his love of his sisters. Betty passed away in her forties. He assured us her voice was always a great as Rosemary. He also stated that as long as he lived and was able, if anyone asked him to speak about Rosemary, he would do so to honor her. I was impressed with the true love and care he had for both his sisters. No jealousy or envy, just pure love and care.
I could have listened to his stories for a lot longer.
The final portion of the program was a vocalist, June Williams, singing some of the most popular of Rosemary Clooney's well known hits. A couple we were asked to join her in. I love music and found this little program a total surprise and an absolutelyy delightful evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment