The Youngstown Treatment

Mary and I kept my parents busy this Memorial Day weekend as we showed them the many sites and splendors of the Mahoning Valley.

On Saturday, we checked out Mastropietro Winery in nearby Berlin Center. A couple of trays of wine samples and bread, cheese, sausage and crackers was a touch more than $20: A real bargain!


Me, Mom and Mary at the winery. Click on the picture to read more about Mastropietro Winery.

Saturday night, we enjoyed a terrific evening of food, drinks and music in downtown Youngstown at the Rosetta Stone Cafe. Read all about the new downtown nightspot here:

Rosetta Stone Cafe

On Sunday, we headed to the Butler Institute of American Art for the unveiling of a painting of middleweight champion Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik. Kelly is the pride of Youngstown (and sat directly in front of me).


Prior to the ceremony, my Dad shot this picture of Mary and me holding a print of the painting . Click on the picture for the Butler's Web site.


I shot this picture of the Champ and the artist, Ray Simon, with my cell phone. Click on the picture to check out the Champ's Web site.


How close was I to the Champ?


Here is a close-up view of the painting. Click on the picture to check out the artist's Web site.

All in all, Mom and Dad are getting a great tour of everything the area has to offer!

More later,


Mark

Beautiful Scenes

While I was busy toiling away at the office Friday, Mary and my parents – visiting for a few days from Florida – toured one of the great Ohio natural wonders: Mill Creek Park.

My Dad's pictures are incredible! Here are a few (to learn more about the park, just click on a picture):


The Old Lanternman's Mill


Bridge Over Calm Waters


A Covered Bridge

To have such an incredible natural resource so close by is just one of the cool local amenities.

More later,


Mark

This New Bathroom

Our first major house project is done! And just in time for company!

What started as a small project to rehab the master bathroom morphed into a major repair effort as we ended up having to tear out some tiles, redo some plumbing, sacrifice small animals, etc.

Ah, the joys of homeownership. And by "we," I mean our new best friend, Steve.

There are many tales to share and we'll be posting pictures of the FIRST overnight guests soon! Until then, enjoy the before and after shots.

BEFORE

Old blue bathroom.

AFTER

New spiffy bathroom.

More later,

Mark

Happy Mother's Day!

On this day that we all honor our very special moms, enjoy this little tribute to the official Mom of Mark's World:

Don't send a lame Mother's Day eCard.
Try JibJab Sendables!

We love you, Mom!

More later!


Mark