News From Browntown

News From Browntown and Cockeysville!

Congratuations to Kris on being included in the art show! We will be there.

Yesterday evening was a real trip down memory lane! Aunt Stella and Aunt Vickie came to Browntown. They had supper with us and we watched the family DVD (they were so impressed, Win) and talked over old times. Aunt Vickie is 65 years old and Aunt Stella is 76. Hard to believe it has been so long we have known them. Vickie is the same but Aunt Stella has had numerous health problems. She had colon cancer last fall, is diabetic and needs knee replacements. She is also slated for some testing in May for a suspicious growth that was discovered just before she came for her visit here in VA. She walks with a cane, reminiscent of Nana. All that and she is still the same - quite cheerful and perky - interested in everything that you all are doing and wants all the details of your lives. Uncle Mario is not well either and is losing his sight. He cannot drive any more and, from the way it looks, Stella probably is not up to much driving either.

Lisa's son, John Thomas, came along with Stella and Vickie this trip. He is nine years old and was quite well-behaved. Stella informed us that he is "a little bit autistic". Actually he was obsessed with grocery shopping lists on the internet most of the evening and entertained himself quite nicely - he was thrilled when Dad printed out his five page shopping list from Pea Pod and Stop and Shop web sites. Also very affectionate and seemed to enjoy being with "my family" which he declared several times as he planted kisses on the cheek all around throughout the visit.

Dawnie and Chrissie are both doing well. Both married for many years to original spouses and Chrissie has 3 sons. Dawnie has no children.

It was a good visit and I am planning to go up to Connecticut sometime before the end of the year to visit. It seems doubtful that Stella will make another trip here considering her health as it is now. Even if she improves somewhat marginally she will still have much responsibility with Mario so I am thinking she may not get back to Virginia as her own life becomes more complicated. She has been a wonderful friend through the years to all of us and I think the world of her.

Emma requested addresses so here they are:

Stella and Mario Uttaro
54 Elton Street
New Britain, CT 06053

Paul Berry
2471 Gooney Manor Loop
Bentonville, VA 22610

As usual, we forgot to take pictures of all of us at last night's gathering. I will see Stella again before she leaves Friday and will try to remember to get some pix to post.