Author: donnacornick

I met with Mike Autenrieth, NPS, who was my initial contact here and got a copy of my volunteer service agreement with beginning date of 9-18-2017. There is no ending date and I will just be on hold until next year. Said good-bye til Oct 2018 

Then I began my day with my usual walk through Rose Garden, paying respect at the graves, down the driveway, around Springwood and Library/Museum.  About 2 miles.

Springwood 

This acternoon, I met with Paul Laurelli who is the Gardener for The Rose Garden and Caretaker for the Grave site. He gave me this framed photo that he had taken.  What kindness and generosity in this special place. 

Then as I was going into the museum to serve as docent, I ran into Paul Sparrow, Director of the Library/Museum and we talked for a few minutes. I told him how much I treasured being here and planned to come back next year. He said he would look forward to seeing me next October. 

Then he said, “This is a sacred place.” 

Beginning of my last week in Hyde Park. It will be very sad to leave this special place.

This morning I went to church at St. James  Episcopal Church. Reverend Chuck Kramer is back from his trip to Ireland.  Yea!! Intetesting sermon on Celtic reference to “thin veil”.  A place where the veil between the holy and the human is traversed. 

Reverend Chuck reminds me of Nathan at Episcopal Church of the Advocate in Chapel Hill.  In style,  delivery,  message. Felt right at home!

I met friends, Dick, Linda, their son, John, and we had delicious lunch at the IceHouse restaurant in Poughkeepsie.

View from IceHouse looking at the Walkway Over The Hudson

Icehouse outside dining

Pretty day on the water

Mid-Hudson Bridge (officially the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge)

Cruise boat, Manhattan, out of NYC.. Classic Harbor Line

At Poukeepsie, after lunch, Linda, John, Dick, and I walked along the Hudson.

We asked a lady to take our photo. She suggested that we act silly, for an action shot….oh so easy

Ended today with my usual walk down the driveway at FDR Home.

Another beautiful morning for a walk with Ranger pal, Victor, along the driveway at FDR Historic site. 

Then we went to the Poughkeepsie Train Station to pick up folks coming up from NYC to Hyde Park for the day.

Then to Top Cottage with Carol and Carlos 

View from Porch at TC.

Fala at TC

 TC Pig (pigs are among the many things that FDR collected)

Victor was the tour leader and as usual, was outstanding. 

Carlos and I decided to hike down from TC to Val-Kill which is about 1 mile 

A beautiful afternoon, so we took a picnic to Norrie State Park, located on the banks of the Hudson.  Wine, cheese, bread, Prosciutto, grapes, chocolate cake, Apple cake, etc. Feast!

  Another Magnificent Day 🌞

With Carol and Carlos. Breakfast at Eveready diner in Hyde Park. Super breakfast.

Tour of Val-Kill and Stone Cottage.. Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage.

Stone Cottage

Dining room at Val-Kill

Living room at  Val-Kill

Val-Kill cottage

Views of Hudson from Vanderbilt. Weather was magnificent.  Sunny, clear, breeze in the 70s.

Roosevelt pew (39) in St. James Episcopal Church

Dinner in Rhinebeck at Market St. Restaurant.  With Dick, Linda, Carol, Carlos and me.  A fabulous  restaurant. 

Perfect ending to a delightful day

In the morning we completed touring the FDR Museum. Total of about 4 hours over 2 days..so much to see and comprehend.

For me, the most meaningful item in the museum is the actual desk and chair used by FDR in the Oval Office. 

And seeing the worn fabric on the arms of the chair.

Then we had lunch at Culinary Institute of America at Caterina de’ Medici. 

  Beautiful campus, superb food, wine, service.

Caterina de’ Medici

Tour of the kitchen

Lovely campus

Walk  down to the Hudson after lunch on a gorgeous day.

Then a tour of CIA with cake and chocolate on display.

Full day..fun day..

Hanging with friends from Georgia, Carol and Carlos.

Spent a couple of hours in the Museum

Tour of Springwood with Ranger Bob

Beginning of tour at the Wallace Visitors Center.

Springwood

Drove through grounds at CIA.

Children’s Hour.  Wine and cheese near dusk in front yard at FDR Historic site

42nd wedding anniversary.. 

 Bride, Groom, Bridesmaid.  42 years later. Selfies are hard after vino!

Awesome day with special, dear, dear friends.

Led two tours of Springwood today and backed up 2 more. Busy day with 50 folks in each tour. But all was fine and enjoyable. But tiring..like teaching a brand new class of students. 

Some sweet person left ER a flower today.

Friends from Georgia arrived and we are headed out for a beer and dinner

Then to Wallace Center for webcast. Excellent presentation  Ken Burns is so incredibly articulate.

THE VIETNAM WAR WITH KEN BURNS AND LYNN NOVICK Moderated by Cokie Roberts

For all of us who are dog lovers, I thought Fala deserved  an exclusive blog. 

Murray the Outlaw of Falahill 

FDR with Fala. (August 8, 1940).  Paw in Hand

Life-size statue in museum.

Dog tag…White House

Fala White House Dog  MGM movie

Ok..it is cold today.  In the 50s, windy and cloudy. I am going in search of another sweater. Found one at a consignment store (thanks Michele)

I backed up some tours today which means that I stayed on the 2d floor of Springwood and answered questions. So between tours, I decided to make videos of some of the bedrooms and the lift.

The noise you hear are from fans.

FDR bedroom.

ER bedroom. 

FDR  Boyhood bedroom. 

 
FDR wheelchair in the lift.  The lift was installed for the purpose of moving heavy trunks used for travel.  FDR used it to pull himself to 2d and 3d floors using the ropes. It was never motorized. 

Sunday is a day when many in our country worship in various manners.  Sunday is often a day for prayer.

So I thought it was appropriate to share President Roosevelt’s eloquent D-day prayer, June 6, 1945.

(Video from the Map Room, FDR Museum)

For the entire prayer,  (7 minutes)

Remembering a Great President .

Continues to give me hope for better days