The Branan Blog

Born Unto You - Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

Tribute to Ma Branan by Maddy McClellan

Our grand-daughter, Maddy, (Emily's daughter, age 13), recently wrote a short paper in school about her grandmother.  Here it is.

At 86 years of age, frail and fragile, she had the personality of a young lady with everlasting energy at the climax of her life, and in a way it was.

My great-grandmother Lucile "Ma"€ Branan was an amazing and accomplished woman with so much faith, wisdom, and love under her belt.  Ma's life was the perfect example of a loving woman who cared for everyone and lived life to the fullest.  Although my grand grandmother was only a part of my life for a few years, she demonstrated to me so many traits of life, and, love, joy, and always putting others before herself. Her southern accent always warmed up the area whether a living room or a nursing home. 

She grew roses in a rose garden that was full of glorious color and magnificent smells.  Whenever she knew her grand-babies (as she called us) were due for a visit, a mouth watering array of meals especially her signature desserts were guaranteed to be present. 

Ma was a woman of faith, hope, and especially love her entire life.  She truly made a difference in her community and is greatly missed.

Madison K. McClellan

THE Dinner Club

Pictured here are 16 of our 22 members....4 were unable to come bacause of conflicts and one couple became sick yesterday (but her husband still brought their dish).  In an effort to maintain a wide diversity of professions/careers ...we have an attorney, 2 CPA's, an Opthamologist, a Neurologist, a Manufacturer, a Cattleman, President of a College Foundation, and several semi-retired or retired members.

In early 1982 (almost 26 years ago), we put together an idea for an informal Dinner Club….of married couples and I wrote some simple guidelines (which later became known by the group as “The Bylaws”).  The “Bylaws” helped outline what type group we hoped to form and how things might operate.  We started with a few couples and let them (over a period of years) help pick others to join (approved first by the existing members).  We’re still using the “Bylaws” today, but we’re not “sticklers” for adherence on every single points….but they sometimes help solve what we are about.

The original purpose of the group was to expand each of our number of acquaintances, making new friends, and enjoying the company of each other….and it has worked very well.  It was formed as a social endeavor (and not for the purpose of establishing business relationships)….although several members have done a bunch of business with each other after developing nice friendships.

Basically, the group now consists of 22 people (11 couples) who host the group once a year in their home.  We sign up for a “cycle” a year in advance so the new schedule is predetermined each year.  We purchased enough silverware initially to accommodate over 30…and pass it around…so that members can use if if they wish or need.  The “Host” prepares the meat, the “Helper” calls each couple in advance to see what dish they wish to bring…which helps assure we have a variety.

In October of each year, we have “Ladies Night” for a special evening and go to a nice restaurant.  For Ladies Night this year we went on a river ride on the Withlacoochee River and gathered back at Stumpknockers for a seafood dinner.

I know there are lots of Dinner Clubs and lots of different ways to do it.  Each group must decide on how they wish to form their group.  One thing that seems to have made our group successful is a great group of people, some “structure”…based on the original “Bylaws”….and some follow-up.  I’d highly recommend your participation in an existing group….or you may wish to form a new group.  It can be a very fun experience!

2008 Calendars

For the past 25 years, I have prepared a single page yearly calendar ...which can be handy in many ways ...to check dates, major holidays & events, and to be used to jot down vacations, Industry Events, sales per day, etc.   It is not a detailed appointment log...but lends itself to share or disseminate selected information to others in your organization or family.

Many people have used my calendar for their company and personal use.  Here are the 2008 editions.  The one marked Calendar-2008  is the standard print version.  The one marked Calendar-2008 Word  (created by son, Mark) is the version that YOU can edit in "Word" to add your own events, etc.

To access them, click on the links above PLUS I have listed these in the chart on the left side so you can grab them at any time.

Jewelled Christmas Tree!!

Several years ago, Mary-Ellen constructed a neat Christmas Tree using family costume jewelry, which we then framed.  The base is masonite (so it stays flat) then velvet material was glued to the board.  Each piece was then carefully arranged into a design and affixed to the material with glue.  We've enjoyed having the tree on display in our home during the Christmas season!

CEST LA VIE!!

Life is rarely as we would like it to be, rather exactly as it is.  Anonymous

Tim Tebow Wins Heisman Trophy!!! GO GATORS!

Tim Tebow has been an outstanding Quarterback for the UF Florida Gators in 2007, passing for 29 TDs and running for 22 more scores.  

He was named the winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy tonight in New York!

He is also an outstanding young man!

Congratulations Tim Tebow.

 

GO GATORS!!!!

Erma Bombeck - If I Had My Live To Live Over!!!

Erma Bombeck...housewife turned humorist/writer had lots of neat things to say about living life.  After she found out that she had cancer, she wrote a piece entitled, If I Had My Life To Live Over.  Here are a few lines.  To see the balance of this short article, CLICK HERE   She died in 1996 at age 69.

• If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

• I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

    I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

The Good Wife's Guide

This old 1955 magazine article will most likely NOT be popular or applicable today!  Published 50 years ago!  Shows things were quite different then than today.  (It's not for certain this article is genuine although it shows the big diversity of thinking between now and 50 years ago).  Click on the image for larger view in a separate window.  To read the text more easily, go to TEXT LINK    

Retirement?

There seems to be many forms of retirement and the one someone picks depends on their previous experience plus current interests, hobbies, health and financial situations.  Some retire early, some later, and some never officially retire.

Some people retire and just goof off not having a plan from one day to the next what they’ll do….some watch lots of TV, fish, boat, write, gather with friends, etc.  Some find a new profession or money-making pursuit and head in that direction.  Many travel, some get heavily involved in a hobby or some do volunteer work.  All the retirement “directions” can be rewarding….depending on each individual’s inclinations and health and/or finances.

I recently heard of a guy who retired, then spent 6 months golfing every day, then spent 6 months as a “couch-potato” watching TV, then 6 months traveling with his wife….only to decide he hadn’t found satisfaction….and returned to his original company as a full-time consultant/employee.

I spent my primary working life in the family wholesale distribution business, then for 15 years had a professional photography studio and advertising agency…selling trade show displays on the internet and around the world.  When I retired, my wife TOLD ME I had to have an office outside the house so I wouldn’t vegetate there.  We enjoy doing things together but I have my own time most days and she does her thing…then we spend lots of time together each night and weekend....and we take an occasional day off....or take a short trip.

For my own “retirement”, I’ve always been an entrepreneur and it’s been hard to “slow down”.  While I don’t work as hard as I once did, I am involved in a number of activities.  I have primarily pursued real estate investing and am usually in my office 6-7 hours a day. I have a small office building with 6 tenants and other rental property….and I buy, “fix”, and sell houses.  I enjoy computers (Macintosh of course) and photography in addition to short excursions with my wife…..some shopping, eating out at favorite spots, sometimes to a movie.  We enjoy gathering with friends who have common interests.

But to say I am fully “retired” in a “typical” manner does not yet fit my current inclinations.

Christmas Card

Here is a copy of this year's Christmas Card which we send primarily to family.

August Rush Movie

Here's a really good movie we've seen.  Would recommend. 

The story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist and a sheltered young cellist who have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a mysterious stranger, August uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth. 

Opened 11/21/07.  PG - some thematic elements, mild violence & language.  Tom: Heart-warming story!

Pancake Day Collage

Here are a number of photographs I took at Pancake Day and put them together into a collage.

Ocala Kiwanis Pancake Day

Pancake Day was another trememdous success this past weekend with Club Member (and Vice President) Phil Olstein as chairman.  The annual Ocala Kiwanis Club Pancake Day was started in 1958.  Profits from Pancake Day are used to help finance Camp Kiwanis….a beautiful camp located about 20 miles east of Ocala on Mill Dam Lake.

We are grateful for the many contributions made by various people and companies in the area as sponsors as well as providers of supplies to help make the Kiwanis Pancake Day a huge success.

The camp was built during 1949 by Kiwanians and volunteers.  We have always had the full support of the Marion County School Board and through this cooperative effort the program of the camp has operated since that time.

During the summer, the camp operates for five sessions as a camp for children ages 8 through 13, with many individual and group activities including Archery, Riflery, Arts and Crafts, Nature Crafts, Swimming, Canoeing, Firearm Safety, and an optional primitive camping program. Over 500 children attend the camp each summer with well over 150 being sponsored by the Kiwanis Club at no cost to the children or their parents.

In 1977, one of our members, Ken Whitsett, manufactured the Kiwanis Super Stacker. It is an extremely sophisticated machine and runs at about 1/2 revolution per minute. The variable speed revolving griddle is heated continuously by three adjustable burners. The machine can cook 750 to 1,000 pancakes per hour (depending on how fast the machine is being run) which can feed 250 to 300 people per hour.

I've been a member of the Ocala Kiwanis Club for 38 years, serving as President in 1977 and Lt. Governor in 1979.

The WebSite for the Camp Kiwanis is:  CLICK HERE for Camp Kiwanis Site

Stonewood Grill & Tavern

At the suggestion of some friends, we tried the Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Gainesville.  They are open at noon on Sundays and evenings other days.  It is located on west University Avenue (Newberry Road) in the Theater Complex about a mile east of the Oaks Mall.  The interior is nicely appointed and the food is REALLY good.

Mary-Ellen had the Herb Encrusted Grouper which was VERY good and I had a 6 oz Filet Steak which was awesome!  There are currently 17 locations across Florida.  It is "rumored" that they will come to Ocala in the future.

The Gainesville location is at 3812 W Newberry Road.  Phone 352-379-7206.  The Stonewood website is at www.Stonewoodgrill.com where they also list all their locations.

The menu is a bit pricey but the quality of food helps make the prices quite appropriate.  If you go there, note the "auto" door openers on the bathroom doors...activated by waving you hand in front of the controls...which I hope will be widespread in the future.