Susan Mangigian, Chester County Life

I went to the Post Office today and got a chance to stroll down memory lane.  I went to buy stamps for a promotional mailing and there, in all of his blue-eyed handsomeness was the The Chairman of the Board!  When I was growing up in South Philadelphia, Sinatra was always on the radio.  Sid Mark did a radio show every Sunday... Sundays with Sinatra and every Friday evening... Fridays with Frank.  He always spoke lovingly about Old Blue Eyes and there weren't many Italians who didn't idolize him.  For my 16th birthday, my boyfriend at the time surprised me with 3rd row seats to see Frank Sinatra in concert with Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald.  I was so excited, a trip to the moon couldn't have beat the feeling I got when Frank came out on stage.  What a presence!  What music.  What a memory!  In case I didn't adequately thank you for one of the best gifts I've ever received, thank you Billy Perri! 

To purchase Sinatra stamps and other merchandise, and to enter the Sinatra Style Sweepstakes, go to usps.com/sinatra.

Ben Franklin was a very wise man.  He said many things that are quotable, but here's one we can all learn by:  "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do."  Now, don't get me wrong.  I complain.  I complain a lot.  In fact, if I didn't complain, I probably wouldn't have all that much to say. 

I try never to condemn and criticize, but I am probably doing better at the not condemning part than I am with the not criticizing part.  When I correct my children, I'm sure they see it as criticizing.  I guess there is a fine line between criticizing, which basically means to find fault with, and correcting bad behavior so that they will grow to be successful adults.  And being married to me for 23 years, I'm sure my husband would tell you that I find fault with lots of things! 

But I like to think I try to do the right thing.  I like to think that I build up those around me much more than I complain about them or criticize them.  As a friend, I try to do the right thing.  As a mom, I try to do the right thing.  As a daughter, sister, wife, cousin, aunt, I try to do the right thing.  As a Realtor, I try to do the right thing.

So, if you catch me doing the wrong thing, please call me on it.  Ben Franklin may be right that any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, but how else do we learn and grow as human beings unless we make mistakes and someone has the courage to let us know about them?  Just do it gently.  Do it with love and respect.  

RE/MAX PREFERRED

With two offices to better serve Delaware County, Chester County and the Main Line.

Newtown Square office

The RE/MAX Building, 12 St. Alban's Circle, Newtown Square, PA  19073

West Chester Office

Goshen Executive Center, 1450 E. Boot Road, Suite 600-A, West Chester, PA  19380

Should you, or any of your family or friends need assistance with any real estate needs, please refer them to me at RE/MAX Preferred and know that they will be treated professionally and courteously throughout the entire process.

Think warm weather, sunny skies and a wonderful real estate market!

Belle Voix Jazz Concert and Wine Tasting

This Sunday, May 18th 3:00 p.m. Join us at the Cultural Center at the Chester County Historical Society for a wonderful afternoon of jazz and wine. Belle Voix a powerful jazz ensemble will be performing accompanying a wine tasting by Chadds Ford Winery. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Call today to reserve your seat!  Sunday, May 18th 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center at the

Chester County Historical Society

Location
225 North High Street
West Chester PA 19380
610-692-4800

What a wonderful day it was in Philadelphia! 

 A school bus with 48 chirpy women and young adults left RE/MAX Preferred's parking lot at 7:20 this morning raring to go for a great day down in Philadelphia.  We raised almost $2000 for Breast Cancer Research, we got exercise, and we talked and laughed and had a wonderful time!

One of my heroes is Abraham Lincoln. 

How wonderful it was to run into this statue while I was down at the race.  He once said that:  "All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother".  Wow - so true for me as well as for Mr. Lincoln!!  Mother's Day, Abraham Lincoln, sunny skies, what more can you ask for?  The statue had a tribute... To Abraham Lincoln, from a grateful people.  Thank you Mr. President, you lead by example and we are truly grateful.

Even the Philly Phanatic got into the act! 

Karen Hockenberry and I raced up the Art Museum steps!!  What a view from up there!

I remember it being a lot easier to race up those stairs in 1976, when Rocky was in theaters.  

I graduated in 1976, at 16 years old.... surely I didn't need to bend over and catch my breath back then!  In any case, we made like Rocky and jumped up and down out of sheer joy to be there, alive and part of this marvelous group of humanity, walking for such a good cause on such a beautiful day.

On the back of many of the participant's shirts were the names of people they were walking in honor of.  Many were survivors, which is very hopeful.  But far too many people had the words "in memory of" before the names of their honorees.  Two young ladies wore signs that said "For Mommy, we miss you - 1974 to 2008".  

I ran into my friend Becky, a breast cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed over 4 years ago and is currently undergoing chemo.  She has been on this current program for over one year.  She took off her hat to show me that her hair is a little thinner than before.  I told her that she was beautiful and most especially beautiful because she is still here, with her huge warm smile and kind heart. 

Here are some pictures of some of the ladies on the bus. 

 And thank you to Scott, our driver from Krapft buses.  He was wonderful! 

To find out more about the Race for a Cure, go to http://rfcphl.convio.net/site/TR?team_id=21300&fr_id=1020&pg=team.