More Very Sad News

Doug just phoned to say that he had stopped by Sea Hut for a sandwich. The restaurant was closing early because owner, Mr. Jim, had just passed away. Jim and his wife, Sue, have worked hard in their restaurant nearly every day since opening Sea Hut over 25 years ago. They never had a vacation together and Jim never took a sick day to my knowledge. Jim suffered a stroke and heart attack last week with no previous symptoms. He was only 55 years old. I can't imagine going to Sea Hut and not seeing Jim behind the bar, sitting at the family table reading the news, chatting with us, or eating a traditional Korean meal. Prayers go out to Sue, Jean, Irving, Kevin, Jennifer, Eddie, and all of their family and friends. Jim will truly be missed.

You may remember that wonderful photos of Jean's wedding were posted here. Click below on "older posts" and continue back to March 9, 2008 to see photos of Jim and his family on that special occasion.

Catonsville Voted One of the Best places to Live

Homemade Playdough Recipe

This morning I made a new batch of playdough for the toddlers I would see in class. My favorite home recipe requires cooking the dough over medium heat. For best results, it needs to be well-kneaded while still warm. My good friends at Sam's helped me knead, despite the fact that other customers thought we were some sort of rehab group (the warm dough IS very soothing and relaxing). Their creativity was evident. Thanks again for your help! Here is my recipe, which can be easily halved.

Place the following in a large sauce pan:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water (add food coloring as desired)
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp cream of tartar

Add all ingredients and stir over medium heat until the dough forms a large glob, usually less than 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and let dough cool a bit. Divide dough into several large balls and knead warm dough until a smooth consistency is obtained. Little children like to feel the temperature change from warm to cool.

Store in a plastic sealed container. Dough will easily last for 1 month. Let your inner child's creativity out!

Jean gets creative ....... but any suggestions as to what she created? Even she doesn't know.

Bill, how did you get inspired to make a........bagel?

Toucan Glenn

Kneading the dough.......ahhh, warm playdough

Save Arden

From Catonsville historian, Marsha Wight Wise, via email:

Hi! I read your Sam’s Bagels blog often. Keep up the good work. I love reading about my friends the Titsworths!

I would like to ask you to post something on your blog. As you may be aware there are a group of people trying to save the old Bloede property in Catonsville at the dead end of Forest Avenue, Arden, from the wrecking ball. We are in no way opposed to the PUD but would like to see the developer incorporate Arden in his plans. We have been successful in getting the preliminary Historic Landmark status in January by the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The Baltimore County Council held a public hearing on July 7th.

The Council will vote on Arden’s final Landmark status on July 29th. We need Catonsville to write Councilman Sam Moxley, and the rest of the Council members, to voice their opinion on the necessity of preserving Arden. We need to urge Councilman Moxley to draft a bill placing Arden into permanent History Landmark status.

To read all about Arden and to see the photos go to our blog at:

http://savearden.blogspot.com/

Obituary for Clyde Lanham

Below are the viewing and funeral arrangements for Clyde, Patty's father-in-law.

Hope that many of the Bagel Bunch will show their support tomorrow. I plan to be there at 4 pm.

LANHAM , Clyde F. On Friday, July 11, 2008 MR. CLYDE FRANKLIN LANHAM beloved husband of the late Minnie (nee D'Annunzio) Lanham; beloved father of Edward Franklin Lanham, Sr. and Margaret Marie Long and the late Charles Joseph Lanham; beloved father-in-law of Patricia Lanham; seven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, loyal and cherished friends.

Friends may call at the LOUDON PARK FUNERAL HOME, 3620 Wilkens Avenue on Wednesday, July 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, July 17 at the funeral home. Entombment Loudon Park Cemetery. Published in the Baltimore Sun on 7/15/2008

Old Frederick Road Scenes

I found these photos on the Baltimore Public Library's website. Volunteers scan in photos for the Legacy Website . You can see more photos of Baltimore County by scrolling down on the blog, looking on the right for "Favorite Sites" and clicking on Baltimore County Legacy Web. These pictures seem older than 20 years to me!

Frederick Rd 1990....the original Sam's replaced Hardee's restaurant

Frederick Road 1988 Traffic Jam

Monday Morning

• I am tired of writing this, but prayers are again needed. Patty's father-in-law, Clyde Lanham, passed away on Friday night. Patty, you haven't had a break in so long, you are in our prayers.
• Don reported that he has been on playground duty at the swim meets with 2-year old Cheney. He is soon joined by many other little people. Laura, you need to look for him at the playground when you want to go to the pool.
• Bill T. has offered to host a party for the Bagel Bunch at his home. Warning - he has a pool so swimwear may be involved.
• Alicia was sailing in a race this weekend at the harbor. Jean and Paul went down to Ft. McHenry around 6 pm to see her sail in, but didn't see her. Hope you finished the race!
• Dimitri verified that each bagel weighs the same.....some may appear smaller due to different textures and ingredients. He said that the price of flour has gradually increased from $25 per bag to $75 per bag. Yikes! All bagels are baked fresh daily (except for Don's).
• Gladys reports that she hasn't been rocking on her front porch due to dust from ongoing work on her street.
• I saw a broken lawn chair with a trash bag in the middle of Edmondson Avenue yesterday. Seemed to be saying that 4th of July celebrations are over.
• Allison was completing the last 4 hours on Saturday to become an official state park bike volunteer. She will donate 100 hours of her time to the park system over the next year. Congratulations!

There was much discussion about this photo (click on it to enlarge). Don clearly appears to be looking down Laura's blouse instead of at the camera. And Jack appears to be contemplating about getting a tattoo of his own.

Is Doug Andrea's replacement?

The world's oldest bagel on view now at Sam's

The three Bills of Sam's

Paul's 6 foot tall tomato plant......Doug, can you top this?

More Prayers Please

• Just last week, our entire family got together at Sea Hut. We have been eating there since the restuarant opened more than 25 years ago, and are very fond of the Yim family owners. Jean just celebrated her birthday on the 4th of July. We were shocked to learn that Jim had a stroke this past Wednesday and is in Bayview Hospital. He is on a respirator but is able to recognize family members. The family is grateful for all prayers and are seeing improvements daily.
• My other friend, Jim, is recovering from his surgery very well. He has pain (which is to be expected) but is reportedly bored sitting home during a week when the TV movies have been disappointing.
• Dorothy's sister-in-law, Jean, passed away from the injuries sustained from the car accident. Prayers to Dorothy and her family for their loss.
• Gene made it to Sam's for a visit and is awaiting more medical test results

Harold, Jean, Sarah, Paul, Katelyn and Pop at Sea Hut

Catonsville 4th of July

Better late than never, the 4th of July photos are finally posted. When I was younger, I thought that every town had a parade and fireworks, and every family had a special picnic. Now I appreciate how lucky we are to live here in Catonsville. My parents have hosted 4th of July for as long as I can remember, and I'd like to thank them for all of their hard work to keep this tradition alive. Many of the folks below have attended our picnic for 40 or more years. This year the cooler weather and the showers kept us all in the garage for dinner. As a result, we all mingled and it was an especially relaxing evening.

Bill T., Pat and Doug also had celebrations at their homes. Bill even shared his pit beef with us.

This year's flag cake

Arthur, Ed, Jim and Matthew

Jim, Eva and Dorothy

Ann, Joan and Betty Jane

Beth, Rori, and Carl

Katelyn and Harold

Donna and Naomi

Paul and Larry

Joe, Doris, Jean and Alicia

John with his bride - so glad you made it to the USA!

Roy, Kibby and Matt

Casey with his spoon glasses - too much Rolling Rock!

Julia, Sarah, Katelyn and Casey

Pop, Jean, and Paul

Asking for Prayers

Every now and then health issues seem to crop up for many cherished people in our lives simultaneously. Some are truly in crisis, some are moving toward recovery, and some have passed on. All will benefit from thoughts and prayers. We can not take our lives for granted. I pray that each of us enjoy the blessings, bagels, friends and family that surround us daily.

• Helen, mother of Lynn and Sharon, sister of Betty Jane, passed away the last week of June after a long illness.
• Margaret, mother of Denise and Nirmal, passed away last week after a two-week hospitalization.
• Our Sam's buddy, Gene, is still having chronic health concerns. Come back soon!
• Ann, Harold's mother, is recuperating from a nasty fall and is returning home tonight after several nights in Johns Hopkins Hospital.
• An old friend, Barry, is returning home tomorrow after surgery and weeks of rehab. You can read his wonderful recollections in his blog at http://barryw.blogspot.com/
• My childhood BFF, Jim, is having outpatient surgery this Wednesday and will be recuperating at home for three weeks. His insightful blog is at http://notbymyself.blogspot.com/
• My friend and co-worker, Dorothy, just got the terrible news that her sister-in-law, Jean, was struck by a car driven by a 90 year old. Jean was crossing a hospital parking lot in her walker enroute to a medical appointment when she was literally run down. Jean is in a coma with a crushed skull, broken jaw and fractured spine among other injuries.
• Prayers go out to everyone reading this.

Happy 18th Birthday, Paul!

• Welcome back! As I predicted, lawn chairs had already appeared on Frederick Road for the 4th of July parade by our return on June 29th. Heard that Gladys didn't put chairs out on Thursday, June 26th, and missed getting her traditional spot.
• Get well wishes go out to Gene who has been ill. Come back soon and feel better.
• Bill T. was delighted to purchase Charlie's truck from Patty, with the promise of free hauling whenever she needs it.
• Hope Andrea is enjoying her new job at Howard Bank. She is missed.
• Have reports that Peggy is visiting from Florida, and will be here for the holiday. She has already been to Sam's several times.
• We had beautiful weather on our cruise, but it could have been longer. I was just starting to relax! Sarah misses the food and the ability to eat whatever and whenever she wants. Unfortunately, she (and her 2 new friends from the ship) became ill on Monday night and threw up for hours. She is feeling a bit better this morning.
• Here are some of the stupid questions that the cruise director says he has been asked: "Does the ship generate its own electricity?" (No, they have a giant extension cord from port) "Do these steps go up or down?" (Both) "Does this elevator take me to the front of the boat?" (No, it's an elevator, not a transporter) "Do the toilets have fresh water or sea water in them?" (Does it matter?) "What do you do with the ice sculptures after they melt?" (Use the water in the toilets!) and his favorite, "Can I take a picture of the ship as it leaves the port?" (Difficult to do when you are on board the ship)
• FYI, the captain stated that the ship, Mariner of the Seas, takes on 500,000 gallons of fuel every 2 weeks. Guess the cost of cruising won't be getting cheaper any time soon!
• Looking forward to seeing all of my friends at Sam's soon. I missed everyone.

Paul tried out a JetSki

Paul turned 18 at sea on June 22nd

Discovered Gladys has a nice place on St. Thomas

Our ship, Mariner of the Seas, at St. Maartan's

Went swimming in Magan's Bay, St. Thomas, ranked one of the world's top ten beaches

On the mountaintop at St. Thomas

Sarah relaxes on Coco Cay in the Bahamas

Welcome, Arthur

Congratulations to Dimitri on the birth of his son, Arthur. The European pronunciation if his name is lovely, Ar-TUR.

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You can purchase tee shirts for 4th of July at Opie's and other locations around town. Proceeds benefit the parade and fireworks. Below is the schedule for 4th of July events.

9:30 am Children's Games & Races(High School Grounds - Valley Road Parking Lot)

11:00 am Christian Temple Concert
5820 Edmondson Ave.
Call 410-747-2041 for more information

3:00 pm 62nd Annual Parade Frederick Rd. (starts at Montrose Ave ends at Bloomsbury)
Come join us. We sit at the end of the route on Bloomsbury in front of the old telephone building.


6:30 pm Catonsville High School Pre- Fireworks Musical Salute

9:00 pm Color Guard Tribute

9:15 pm FIREWORKS DISPLAY at the High School
(Rain Date Saturday July 5th)

Happy Birthday to Gladys

The Bagel Bunch sings to Gladys

Andrea's last week

Gladys celebrated her birthday today. Best wishes! I wanted to find a miniature rocking chair for her but had no luck. She was celebrating with her family later today. Gladys got teased because she mentioned that she had moved Jack's rocking chair from the porch into the bedroom. She claimed it was so he could sit comfortably to put his shoes on. However, Jack missed and fell, sending one of the rockers through the wall. Poor Gladys was teased with other people's version of the incident. (see previous post, "If the chairs are rocking, don't come knocking").

Speaking of rocking chairs, the Little Sisters of the Poor is having a fund raiser this Saturday from 10 t0 2 where one sponsors people to ......rock. We have encouraged Glayds and Jack to volunteer given their rocking chair expertise!

Bill had fake amputated fingers to scare the ladies. It worked! He also told a story of showing his neighbor his Speedo by pulling his boxers down. Unfortunately, the suit had dry rot and had disintegrated, exposing Bill from the back. Most of us thought this was even scarier!

Andrea has her last week of work, All of Sam's regulars wish her the best.

I will be away for the next two weekends, so be good. This means I will probably miss the running of the chairs for the 4th of July parade, alas. Stay safe and have some laughs for me!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, Grandfathers, and uncles out there! We had a very nice luncheon with all the men in our lives.

I was surprised to learn that Scott thought Alicia was our daughter. I guess Alicia is even more surprised to think that she has traded in her wonderful parents!

Discounted Brains

Another submission from Tom in Las Vegas. Thanks!


The relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their family member lay gravely ill.Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber."I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news," he said as he surveyed the worried faces."The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant.It's an experimental procedure, very risky but it is the only hope.Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the brain yourselves.The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news.

After a great length of time, someone asked, "Well, how much does a brain cost?"The doctor quickly responded, "$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain."The moment turned awkward.Men in the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye contact with the women, but some actually smirked.

A man unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask,"Why is the male brain so much more?"The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire group,"It's just standard pricing procedure.We have to mark down the price of the female brains, because they've actually been used."

Patapsco Natural Art

• I was reading my friend Jim's blog ( see http://notbymyself.blogspot.com/) and he had photographs of artistically placed rocks in the Patapsco River. Check his blog to see an additional surprise. Sarah and I had been hiking in the state park in April and we also found several of these creations in smaller streams throughout the park. I'd like the artist to know we appreciate his/her/their work.

• I have been reading another friend's blog regularly at http://barryw.blogspot.com/. Barry has had a recurrence of melanoma and is battling some daunting health challenges. He is currently in a rehab facility in Florida. Despite these worries, Barry has posted some wonderful stories of his childhood here in Baltimore. You will be touched by his memories and by his courage. If you check out his blog, leave a comment of encouragement or a memory of your own to make him smile.

Upstream from the stone art

Sarah holds the GPS over one of the creations

Last Day of School

I have to admit that after years of working a traditional school schedule, I am programmed to expect a break at this time of the year. So I will be thinking of the kids at home after a half day starting their summer vacation, maybe enjoying a swim through the generosity of their friend, Rosa, and I will be wishing I was with them.

Sarah and neighbor , Nick, at the Honor Roll reception

Sarah won music and English awards at school

Sick Leave Excuses

Tom in Las Vegas (who would now chuckle at us for complaining about temperatures in the 90's) shared this article from Career Builders in case any of you need a day off.

“Employers are placing a greater emphasis on work/life balance, offering more opportunities for employees to recharge and return to the office more productive,” Haefner says.

So the next time you call in sick — whether you have the flu or a desire to stay in your pajamas until noon — you can decide if you want to tell the truth or a little white lie. If you choose the latter, here are some of the most unusual excuses bosses revealed.

1. At her sister’s wedding, an employee chipped her tooth on a mint julep, bent over to spit it out, hit her head on a keg and was knocked unconscious.

2. While at a circus, a tiger urinated on the employee’s ear, causing an ear infection.

3. An employee’s dog wasn’t feeling well, so the employee tasted the dog’s food and then got sick.

4. “Someone put LSD in my salad.”

5. An employee’s roommate locked all his clothes in a shed for spite.

6. “Stuck on an island – canoe floated away.”

7. An employee was upset because his favorite "American Idol" contestant was voted off.

8. “I didn’t think I had to come in if I had time in my vacation bank. I thought I could take it whenever I wanted.”

9. An employee said he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest up for the company’s holiday party that night.

10. A groundhog bit the employee’s car tire, causing it to go flat.

Sad News

(photo courtesy of http://whatsgoingoncatonsville.blogspot.com/)

Remember all of the blue bows on Frederick Road store fronts reminding us to pray for baby Jeremy Morse? Sadly, little Jeremy lost his fight for life yesterday. Dr. Ben Carson performed neurosurgery to attempt to stop bleeding in his brain, but the damage was too severe. Please keep Amy and Scott and their family in your prayers. You can read more about Jeremy and write a note of support to the family at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeremymorse. His story has touched more than 75,000 people around the world, most of whom only knew Jeremy from the Internet.

Happy Birthday, Pat!

Another reason to celebrate! Sam's folks were happy to celebrate Pat's birthday and to see the beautiful addition to her home. Everyone enjoyed good food and company. Hope you celebrate many more, and thanks for the kind invitation!