vividreports: Happy Birthday, Ray

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Happy Birthday, Ray

On Sunday, Ellen and I drove to Darien, CT to Ray Feinland's 90th birthday party. It was quite a party - upwards of 70 people were there - in a banquet room at the same restaurant where we attended a Seder Meal last spring. All the Feinlands were there, of course: Ray and his wife, Doris, their four children, Laura, Robin, Gary and Jerry, all their spouses and children, siblings, cousins, and lots of friends, most of whom we didn't know. Tamar and Max both performed on instruments, as did some other grandchildren, and Ellen and I were invited to sing in a choral tribute to Ray, lyrics by Robin, set to the tune "Mame," accompanied by Jacob (Gary's son) on cello. Ray himself proved to be a stand-up comic with great timing as he rehearsed what it's like to be 90. There was dancing - Josh (another grandson) had collected a virtual history of pop tunes spanning Ray's life - and there was also an annotated slide show of his life. So it was quite the shindig! I don't expect to be around for my 90th, but who knows? It was fun to be at Ray's.

Max on flute . . .

. . . and Tamar on piano.

Ray and Doris dancing.

Then on Monday, after our Osher Arctic lecture, we turned around and drove to Monterey, MA to the Bidwell House Museum, where we met Katie and Savanna, and their friends, Pam and Nikki. Montery is in Western Massachusetts not far from the New York border. The Museum had been the 18th C. home of Congregational minister, Adonijah Bidwell. Two NYC artists had owned it in the mid-20th C., and had sunk their talent and many $$$ into a gorgeous restoration not only of the house but all Rev. Bidwell's possessions, which had been itemized at his death. Which is why it is now a museum. It was very interesting and a treat to the eyes, and with an informative docent as well. Afterward, we had a snack at a nice place in Gt. Barrington, MA, nearby. Then Ellen and I drove home via Bennington, where we visited Mary Anderson, whose husband, John Nissen, a dear friend, died five years ago this weekend. A full, special day.