IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH YEARLY RUMMAGE SALE

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church . Highland Park, Illinois.

Rummage sale for mens department.

Rummage sale for housewares.

Rummage sale for womens and shoes department.

Rummage sale for teenager, women.

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

This first weekend in September, is always the annual summer rummage sale of our parish. This is a big event for the parish because plenty of people comes including those coming all the way from the city of Chicago and other outlying city. We are one of the biggest and the help of the police is needed to conduct and direct the traffic.

The place is at the gym of the parish and it is a huge place and the entire area is devoted to the items that has to be sold and dispose of. My family is in-charge of the men's wear and my wife is in-charge of women's shoes and hand bags and purses.

Surprising, people of all walks of life comes to this yearly rummage sale, because not all of the item that is on sale is dirty and used. Contrary to others way of thinking that rummage sale is always old clothes and smelly and dirty, this ones are not .

In the adjoining room of the gym are individual classrooms that are designated to hold and sell Women's High Fashion Clothes, there is a room devoted for Jewelries and Notions, there is a room for Computers and Nintendo and Electronic games, there is a room for Children Books, and Children Clothes, we also have a room for Books and Reading Materials. The entire parking lot at the back of the church is devoted to Furniture and other big items. Last year we have a running speed boat that was donated and sold by the church. This year we have car that is running and in good condition.We made good last year and hoping to top the earnings last year for this year's funding for the church.

One cannot imagine what people will donate to the church. There are complete sets of china for servings for 8 people. There are endless microwave and beddings, including kitchen stuffs that is still in the box with their tag prize on it that is beautiful and clean. Silver wares are tops. I bought last year some silver wares and it is very good condition.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, the time of this rummage sale comes again. Lots of parishioners have volunteered their time, including my entire family, almost every year to take care of the men's wear department and footwear for women's. I hope we make good profit this year. Our church needs more money to keep it going.

Sincerely yours,

INFRATERNAM MEAM

MY LOVE AND YEARNINGS FOR CHERRIES

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

My back door neighbor has a cherry tree and I have three apple trees at my back yard. We are trying to compete with each other when it comes to the fruits of our trees. I was talking to her this morning and was asking her why has she not harvested yet the cherries. She was telling me that even the cherries is already red, it does not mean to say it needs to be harvested. She said the cherries has to be harvested by the end of August. She said to me also, that just like me I will not harvest my apples even it's already red, because the harvest season for the apples are late September.

When I went to Vancouver BC before my surgery, I took the flight via Seattle, Washington and boarded the bus going to Vancouver BC. The landscape was so beautiful and when I left the boundary of USA in Tualip, Washington, there I saw the many cherry plantation along the route and of course the most sought after Washington apples.

When I arrived in Vancouver Bc, and stayed at my uncle's house in Surrey, BC, my cousin took me around the neighboring plantations and showed me the large tract of lands that is solely devoted to cherry plantation. Majority of the plantation in the environs of Brisith Columbia is owned by Indians from India. The fruits are not yet ready for picking and I was told it will be harvested starting August. I was told also that half of the produce goes to the United States.

This morning I went to the grocery and yes, there is an abundance of cherries on sale which was formerly $3.99 a pound but now it is on sale for $1.09 a pound. My friend at the wholesale grocery where I go said if I wait for another week, the price will go down to $0.99 a pound. I cannot wait, I love cherries very much.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, I have hoarded cherries in my fridge and my two sons who went home to the Phils. yesterday, took with them a case of cherries for their grandparents and cousins. Did you know also that cherries is good for those who have kidney stone problem and for those who are having a hard time moving their vowels, this fruit is good to eat.

Sincerely yours,

INFRATERNAM MEAM

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!!!

My favorite things from the corner French Pastry Shop in my neighborhood. When I had surgery, my friends brought to the hospital these goodies which they know I love very much.

Top to right.....raspberry tart, then in middle mango tart, then raspberry tart

Down left to right .....cluster of Jonathan apple tart and in the center is peach tart.

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

I still have the gift certificate given by a friend of mine last week and since I am now required by my Physical Therapist to go out and walk as far as I can, I decided to take a walk during noon time with my dog Bombo towards the downtown area of my place which is only a block away from my house.

It was a very humid and warm day. The weatherman said this will be going on for the whole week and the air conditioner in the house is blasting.

So I went walking with my dog to the french pastry shop. I have to leave my dog outside by the door of the shop and walk thru. There were arrays of sweet things that is really making me swirl. I have diabetes type II bu i can eat sweet in moderation since I am not taking insulin. These pastry shop is just right because their sweet things are not very sweet. I was given some item to taste and if I am not ashame, I will eat the entire sample plate.

I saw the mango tart immediately and pointed it to the baker, then the rest is history. There are lots of strawberry tart but I cannot eat strawberry. It has lots of uric acid in it and will not make me walk. I will have a gout attack.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, my craving for sweets for today has been solved. I am worried if I don't watch my appetite I will gain weight. I am still on medical leave of absence because I am still undergoing therapy for four weeks, three times a week at the physical therapy department of the hospital near my house.

I wish you are here to share the Sweet things with me.

Sincerely yours,

INFRATERNAM MEAM