International Macon Cherry Blossom Festival 2014

The Mayor of Macon-Bibb and His Bride/

The 2014 Royal Court for the Festival.

The Senior Queen and her Court/

Mr. Stembridge displayed his pride in the Mercer
University Basketball them who would play their
second game in the 2014 NCAA Finals versus
Tennessee later on Sunday.

Visitors from several out of town Festivals attended the First
Weekend of the Festival.  Here are several who enjoyed
the lunch and the great home made ice cream which featured
a cherry flavor.

Mr. Bill Fickling with several members of the Festival Board.

Alan Walden with his guest.

The previous fourteen pictures were the guest at the Luncheon provided by Mulberry United Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia.  They also hosted the Opening Worship Service for the 2014 Festival.

International Macon Cherry Blossom Festival - Saturday - 22 March 2014

Today I post several pictures from the second day of the Cherry Blossom Festival.  The weather on Saturday was perfect and there was an abundance of activities for everyone, visitors and local citizens to enjoy.  My Bride and I started the day by participating in the annual Pink Pan Cake Breakfast at Central City Park.  For many, many years the Macon-Bibb Firemen have been making these pan cakes and they are delicious.  The breakfast sausage from a butcher in Wrightsville, Georgia is just spicy enough to be a real treat.  After that My Bride and I took the 2014 Reigning Royalty to several events in Macon.

Shown here is the 2014 Queen and three members of the Court.  The
fourth member was being interviewed for a Citizenship award entitled
"The Golden Eagle" which is a program by "The Telegraph" to recognize
graduating High School Seniors every year in many fields of Citizenship
and Academic Excellence.

This picture was taken in the Gazabo near the Walter
F. Georgia School of Law on Macon's Coleman Hill.

After a Breakfast to welcome the guest from other
cities and festivals we attend some of the Cherry Street Activities
on Saturday afternoon.

On of the fun activities was the children's sidewalk
chalk art contest.  Citizens of all ages have activities
to enjoy every festival.

Here is the complete Royal Court, except for the Senior Queen and her
Court.  The Little Miss and Little Mister 2014 for the
Festival posed with the Royal Court.

The Royal Court assisted the annual Bed Races on Cherry Street
by selecting the Bed which was the most decorative.

In Macon, Georgia even the male gender gets involved in the
appropriate selection of wardrobe to salute the Pink
Cherry Blossoms.

In summary, Saturday was a wonderful day and the Royal Court and the Senior Court enjoyed the "Hromovystia Ukranian Dance Ensemble" at Porter Auditorium at Wesleyan College.  This group from Chicago was fabulous.  Everyone in attendance was amazed by the program these College Students performed.  The perfect conclusion to the first Saturday of the Festival.

Art For Your Suit Case - Middle Georgia Art Association Gallery

The Middle Georgia Art Association at 2330 Ingleside Avenue in Macon has a special show and sale of "Art For Your Suit Case" so that visitors to the International Macon Cherry Blossom Festival may acquire art work of small size to place in their suit case.

The Gallery has over 100 items available. 

The pictures below show what is available to Visitors to the Gallery.

The prices are reasonable and the items are produced by
the Members of the Middle Georgia Art Association.

Macon Water Authority - District Three Candidate

Today, March 20, 2014 Alan Thiese qualified for
the District Three Seat on the Macon Water Authority
Board.

Voting for the primary will be held on May 20, 2014.

Plenty of Fun in Macon-Bibb Georgia



The first image in this post is of a Clivia Flower.  We have enjoyed this plant which blooms once a year in either March or April.

The second image is of a Shamrock Plant in bloom.  It blooms several times each year and this year it has provided a wonderful display on Saint Patrick's Day.

I certainly have the Saint Patrick Day Colors in bloom in My Home here in Macon-Bibb.  Over the past weekend we enjoyed over 1.7 inches of rain.  As I post this Blog entry it is raining again. 

You will note the title of this post:  Plenty of Fun in Macon-Bibb Georgia.  On Saturday, March 15, 2014 I noted an event in promoted in "The Telegraph" with the title of "Macon Kiwanis Art and Talent Showcase" which was to be held at Stratford Academy.  This was an official Cherry Blossom Event and the price of admission was 'free.'  My Bride and I attended this wonderful event.  The Talent Contest consisted of Scholars from Bibb County who are enrolled in the Public and Private Schools.  It was a wonderful display of the talent that these young people have developed.  In addition to the Talent Showcase there was an Art Contest with seventy entries. 

The talent showcase consisted of vocal and instrument performances as well as one monologue.  Several contestants sang and also performed on an instrument.

I summary a Wonderful Evening. 

On Sunday evening, March 16, 2014 My Bride and I attended the Stained Glass Production at the Grand Opera House in Macon, Georgia.  This was a Hayiya Dance Theatre, Inc. production.  It was a wonderful event and featued eight segments entitled:

Listen Lord - A Prayer

The Creation

Noah Built the Ark

Go Down Death

The Prodigal Son

Let My People Go

The Crucifixion

The Judgement Day

I include the following quote by Pilar Wilder, the Artistic Director of Hayiya Dance Theatre, Inc.:

"(Stained Glass) based on churches' tradition of telling stories from the Bible through visual arts in stained glass.  And we are all 'stained' glass in that as human beings, we are a reflection of God, though not flawless like him.  All people have the potential to be beautiful, and when you have that beauty within, it shines out."

I listened to our President's Press Conference on Public Radio Yesterday.  The Press Secretary informed us all that the upcoming election in Ukraine to determine their future would not be in accordance with their Constitution.  It would be an illegal election according to our President.

Then I thought about that statement for a few moments.  I am aware that our U. S. Congress and our President placed into law the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a few years ago.  Yet our President keeps adjusting the milestone dates of certain procedures without authority from the Congress.  As I understand it, this is also contrary to our U. S. Constitution.  A law once enacted cannot be changed at the whim of a sitting President.  This is not in accordance with our Constitution.

Duh!!!!!   I am at a loss for words.  Here we have a President who thinks the rest of the world should adhere to their respective Constitutions while we have what appears to be the number one "Constitution Buster In Chief" right here in the United States of America.

I do not understand it, but then I am also aware that while I voted for a President in every election since I was 21 years of age I get the impression that we now have a President who thinks He is A King!!!  What a sad situation for America.  I just hope that "We The People" realize the gravity of our current situation during the election cycles of 2014 and 2016.

The United States of America Needs A President- Not a King!!!!

2014 International Cherry Blossom Festival - Macon, Georgia

My Bride and I are ready for the 2014 Cherry Blossom Festival.

The pink is adorning our Mail Box!!!

The Spring Flowers and the Poodles as well as the
Japanese Magnolia Blooms are sure signs of Spring!!!

Enjoy the Season and the Festival.

Who Shall I Vote For This Fall - Congressman from District 2 - Georgia?

I recently learned that our President did not include the Savannah, Georgia Harbor Improvement Project in the next Budget.  This project has been studied for over fourteen years and as recently as last Fall our Vice President indicated that this was a necessary project to improve the economy in the South East U. S. A. 

Yet the recent action of our President overlooks the economic impact.  It is anticipated that this project would cause the development of over 350,000 jobs once the Harbor is deepened so that larger ships could operate our of Savannah.

While the State of Georgia has over 200 million dollars ready for this project our President has seen fit to eliminate over 400 million dollars from the next budget cycle.

I can not undertand how our President could throw my current Congressman, Congressman Bishop under the bus.  What was/is our President thinking.

Not only does the State of Georgia deserve better, but the whole Southeast U. S. A. would benefit of a deeper port in Savannah.  Besides that, as the Commander in Chief, our President must certainly be aware that "Military Materials/Equipment from Fort Stewart and Fort Benning are shipped through this port.  We must always be ready to support our Troops no matter where they are sent.  Or is the President and the First Lady merely providing lip service when they Say They Support Our Troops.  My take on this situation is that actions speak much louder than words.  The President Must Act to put the over 400 million dollars in the Budget to improve the Savannah Harbor.  I feel bad for my Current Congressman, Mr. Bishop; however we must look forward and elect appropriate indivduals who will stand up for "We The People!"  I have yet to hear or read in the media any comment/s by my current Congressman.  Therefore we must heed our gut reactions when these type of events are performed.  We must stand up for America.  How about you?

Inflation - A Shocking Truth

Everyone is aware that it now cost 49 cents to mail a letter or
a bill.  Today I conducted some research to ascertain how
much mailing a letter a bill payment in 1940 would cost. 
I selected 1940 because that is the year of my birth.
The cost to mail a first class letter/payment in 1940 was a mere
three cents. 

I then consulted the world wide web and check out the
inflation calulator.  I learned that three cents in
1940 had the same buying power as fifty cents does today
so it appears the Postal Service is right on target in
charging .49 to mail a letter today.

Alan Celebrates

18 February 2014 - The United States Postal Service
delivered a Rooster for my 74th Birthday.  The
Rooster was from my Sister in Iowa.

As you can tell it is nice and warm in Middle Georgia.  I am enjoying
my afternoon Coffee on the Deck here in West Bibb County.

Later in the evening, which was actually the eve of my 74th
Birthday some Friends stopped by and we enjoyed cake and
conversation along with Coffee.

As I have told my Grandson who resides near Dublin, Georgia
when you have the choice, always take the Ice Cream.

It was a lovely day.  I post this entry on my actually Birthday, February 19th.  My youngest son left me a message saying that My Bride should prepare food for me today, my special day.  However, that was not to be in as much as she had a "Convention Meeting" to attend.  I enjoyed a lovely breakfast at "Burger King" savoring the $1.00 Sausage Biscuit and the Senior Coffee.  After a work event at the Church we attend I enjoyed a lovely Lunch at Chick-fil-Lay here in West Bibb County.  I enjoy their Chicken Sandwich and their White Milk.  My entire dining experiences thus far today cost me less than $6.00.  As my oldest son reminds us that he is "Low Maintenance," I can certainly say that today I am living my life following his example.

Affordable Care? Tell Me The Truth!

Please Help Me Compute This.  The State of Oregon has expended over $160,000,000.00 to set up a program so that their Citizens can acquire Affordable Medical Care under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that our Government established a few years ago and as of today, no one has been enrolled.  This is an interesting situation.  The back up plan has applicants completing a 20 page document which then takes hours to process.  So far about 35,000 Oregon Citizens have applied using the back up plan.

I am under the impression that the Oregon program entitled "Cover Oregon" is a waste of taxpayer monies.

A waste of money that Oregon acquired in part from the Federal Government.  A lot like the water running out of this pipe.  It is unfortunate that the Citizens of Oregon are being abused by this scheme.  However it is also my understanding that citizens in other states are often facing the same problems.  So today I ask this question:  "When will this madness end?"  Is there any hope for the Affordable Care Act?   Surely the Government can resolve this problem. 

Going Green in Georgia

Everyone knows that I post picture and comments to this Blog as the Flower Child.  Today there but a few flowers blooming in Middle Georgia.  Therefore I will wait a few days to provide some flower pictures.  In the meantime I post these pictures of green plants which are placed in my home to make the air better to breath.   

A Tale of a Dining Experience - Two Cities in Georgia

The picture displayed above is of this Post's Author.  This Person does exist and he resides in Middle Georgia, U. S. A.

You may be wondering about the title of this Post?  I have waited over a month to post this entry simply because I desired to be a bit more mellow in my comments.

On 4 January 2014 the Wonderful Children of My Mother-in-Law arranged a gala birthday celebration for their charming Mom.  Because of travel and lifestyle considerations the event was held at about Noon at Logan's in Warner Robins at 2701 Watson Blvd.  When we arrived the tables and chairs had been placed in the party room with appropriate placement of napkins, peanuts and flatward.  They were ready for our group.  The food was good and the service was very responsive to the needs of the patrons.

On 11 January 2014 the Members of a local club here in Macon had arranged for an End of the Year 2013 Awards Night at the Logan's at 3933 Arkwright Road in Macon.  We arrive about 45 minutes ahead of the requested time to learn that the party room had not been set up.  The place was not that busy and they quickly set it up for us.  Tables, chairs and peanuts as well as the required dining equipment.  No problem!!  We only needed half of the space and we were informed that another group would be seated in the party room.  No problem!!  We adjusted our program schedule to have our Awards presented prior to eating so as to not impact the others using the room.  No problem!!!  We then ordered our food and beverages.  No problem.  But the other group started arriving and we waited and waited, as well as waited some more.  When the food arrived we had to let the server/s know what we ordered so that we could eat what we had ordered.  No doubt the kitchen/wait staff had a lack of communication.  No problem.  We ate and enjoyed the food.  Then the Problem.  No one appeared to really know where our checks were or when they would be delivered to us!!!  A real problem.  We waited and we waited.  Finally the duty manager became involved.  After still more time expended, the checks were constructed based on what we stated we had ate.  Not a very nice experience.

The title of this Post is "A Tale of a Dining Experience," and now you will learn why. 

I really am concerned about the level of service we received in Macon, Georgia.  Why?  While the wait staff appeared to be friendly they had no clue as to what was required to provide customer service.  Maybe the kitchen staff was unable to function as one would expect at a casual dining facility.  It was evident to me that they were ill prepared for a group.  We did make arrangements in Macon beforehand, just as we had also done for the Warner Robins event. 

It this disconnect the result of the level of education required to function in either of these two cities?  Is this disconnect the result of poor hiring practices?  No matter the cause of this situation I would suggest that the management of the Logan's Organization check this situation out personally.  Their firm's reputation is a direct result of the level of service they provide at all of their establishments. 

During a recent meeting of our Club here in Macon we decided to conduct our Annual Awards Night at a much more responsive organization.  We will be doing a Pot Luck event.

Now to be fair to the management at the Logan's in Macon, they did provide each of us with a discount coupon for a future visit to their Store.

However to be fair, I also suspect that I will conduct my dining out events at another venue here in Macon.  As regards our Club, we have taken action to prevent another Awards Night from becoming a disaster.

So the question remains, how can there be such a difference of dining experiences in two cities in Middle Georgia that are only about 29 miles apart?  

Alan's Families

Alan's Current Family.  This picture was taken in 1989 as
we gathered in Iowa to celebrate my Parents 50th Wedding
Anniversary.

Alan Thiese and second wife, Janice Marie Brown Bozeman, and sons Shield Loyd Bozeman III (L) and Michael Alan Thiese (R)




The above photo was taken in Clayton co. IA at the 50th Wedding anniversary of Ferdinand Otto and Gertrude L. Thiese, Alan's parents.



Alan Thiese was born February 19, 1940 on a farm near Clayton, Iowa. An at home delivery tended by a Louise Liers, Midwife. Parents: Ferdinand Otto and Gertrude L. Thiese.

This picture was taken in 1969 while I was
stationed in London, England.  This is my
First Family.
Alan Thiese and first wife, Jeannette Mildred Burger holding their daughters Carolyn Ann (L) and Susan Lynn (R)

Alan's Parents and Siblings



Alan's Parents on their Wedding Day - 3 May 1939

Ferdinand Otto Thiese & Gertrude L. L. Borcherding

Trinity Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, Iowa, May 3, 1939

L-R: Hulda Thiese Fischer, groom’s cousin; Harold Borcherding, bride’s brother; Gertrude & Ferdinand; Lillian Andregg and Herbert Borcherding, bride’s brother



Ferdinand Otto Thiese – born December 22, 1914 & died December 24, 1999. Buried at Ceres Cemetery near Guttenberg, Iowa. Obituary



Gertrude L. L. Borcherding – born October 2, 1917 near Osterdock & died April 16, 2000. Buried at Ceres Cemetery.



This picture was most likely taken in 1953.
Standing: David LeRoy and Alan Frederick Ernst


Seated: Vivian Lillian, Angela Marlene, John Paul and Thelma Jean

Alan with his Siblings and Parents - Picture taken in
1973

This is the Thiese Farm as it appeared in May of 1972.  I
was home on leave from the U.S. Navy.