LAKE WALES, Fla. — With the temperature in the 90s, it is time to head north.
Yes, I know, reading the Gazette every day, the high 80s are in the forecast for several days in Pennsylvania.
My travel plans have been altered due to my grandson, Nate, who is a catcher on the Saucon Valley High School baseball team.
Saucon Valley finished first in the Colonial League and Nate was a force on the team, batting over .400 for the season and defensively had a good enough arm that runners had second thoughts about stealing bases.
Tuesday they will battle Palisades in a playoff game and I will get an opportunity to see Nate play.
Originally I had planned to take the western route through Charlotte, N.C., and visit a cousin who lives near Lake Norman.
But the opportunity to watch Nate, especially in a big game, made it easy to change directions.
So, this morning I bid farewell to Lake Wales and started up the coast bound for Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
There aren’t many Indiana Countians left from the 39 mostly “snowbirds” that were here during the winter months.
Former Saltsburg residents Arlene and Jerry Clawson are permanent residents along with Maxine and Bill “Bart” Bartlebaugh, who lived in Homer City.
And “Bart,” who is battling health problems, asked to pass along his appreciation for all the notes of encouragement he has received from his Indiana County friends.
“It was good to hear from them and I thank everyone.”
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Congratulations to Nancy Sherry-Helsel and Jerry Gillette, who co-chaired the Miracle League of Indiana County project.
The field, located at the YMCA of Indiana County, was dedicated Saturday after two years of planning, construction and fundraising, the area that Sherry-Helsel and Gillette were really involved.
Gillette, a retired engineer, provided his expertise on a daily basis in the construction of the field.
Sherry-Helsel’s son, Mike, was instrumental in building the Miracle League Field in Cranberry Township, one of the first, if not the first, in western Pennsylvania.
These fields provide the opportunity for people with special needs to experience playing baseball in a league-based environment.
The games are played on a specially designed rubber turf field, the most expensive item of construction.
And of course, Eric Neal, executive director at the YMCA, also played a major role in building of the field in the front yard at the Y and he certainly should be recognized for his efforts.
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To all the moms out there, today is your day and hopefully you are surrounded by family and friends who are putting a smile on your face.
Enjoy.
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