MS. LIBERTY TURNED 125!

The Statue of Liberty celebrated its 125th anniversary three days ago, October 28, 2011.  Vince and I did not go to the said celebration, but since I am awed by the beauty of this iconic symbol of freedom and friendship between France and the United States of America, I would like to give tribute to the lovely Ms. Liberty with today's post.

Vince and I took a trip to the Statue of Liberty National Monument in summer of 2010.   The national monument tour basically covers Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty is situated, as well as the former immigration depot, Ellis Island.

In this trip, Vince and I climbed up to the pedestal (or the platform) which the statue is standing on.  We would have loved to climb up the 154 steps more from the pedestal to the torch but this would require a three-month reservation which unfortunately we failed to do.  The trip was very informational.  I learned a lot of details pertaining to the statue including its history, symbolism and construction.  The Ellis Island was equally an interesting, touching and memorable tour especially from an immigrant's viewpoint.  It was in that island where fate of millions of immigrants to the US was decided upon during the 19th and early 20th century.

Feel free to visit Statue of Liberty fun facts for some trivia, but allow me to reiterate here Ms. Liberty's vital statistics and beauty secrets ;)

1.  Overall, the statue stands 305 feet 6 inches tall from base of the pedestal foundation to the tip of the torch.

2.  Ms. Liberty, from her heel to the top of her head, stands 111 feet 6 inches.

3.  Ms. Liberty's face measures more than 8 feet tall.

4.  Ms. Liberty's waistline measures 35 feet.

5.  Ms. Liberty's crown has seven rays, one for each of the seven continents, each measuring up to 9 feet in length.

6.  Ms. Liberty's complexion is originally reddish brown in color, and its current light green color is the result of natural weathering of copper called patination.

A replica of Ms. Liberty's face inside the statue's museum.

That's it for today.  Belated happy 125th anniversary, Ms. Liberty.  May you continue to reflect liberty and freedom from oppression and tyranny.  God bless the USA!

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To read more of my travel stories, please click here:  TUESDAY TRAVEL 

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♥ ...EVERYTHING WORKS IN YOUR ARMS ♥

♪♫ Come on get higher, come on get higher

Come on get higher, loosen my lips

Because everything works, love

Faith and desire in the swing of your hips

Everything works in your arms ♪♫

Dear Vince,

It has been a year now since we exchanged  "I do's."  Looking back, who would have thought that we could pull off a wedding like that with only 28 days to plan and prepare? :)  Everything happened in a whirlwind.  We got engaged in September, and  barely a month after, we were marching down the aisle to forever!  We lacked a lot of elements in our wedding, but what the heck, there was the bride, the groom, the minister, and witnesses, and that's all we need to get married, right?  It would have been nice if we could have brought in more friends, coworkers, relatives, and most especially, my parents and family in the Philippines, but the circumstances just did not allow that to happen.  Anyways, we can always plan a second, third, fourth, fifth, and so on and so forth, wedding celebration, so no worries :D  I loved every single moment of our wedding.  It was just imperfectly perfect - like us!

Our first year of marriage has been blissful.  We have encountered some small spats and adjustment issues every now and then but there was none beyond the normal.  Thank you for being a very loving and caring husband - you spoil me a lot but not excessively much.  I hope you won't get tired of pampering me and making me always feel special (and pretty, and sexy!).  Thank you for always being there for me and for putting up with my mood swings and hormone fits.  I appreciate you being a very responsible husband looking after our needs (and wants).  Thank you for showing me the world and exploring it with me.  I know that I still have a lot to learn and improve in me as a wife, and again, thank you for your patience and understanding, as I strive to be the kind of wife you truly deserve.

Vince, I feel so very blessed having you in my life.  If there's anything else I could ask for, it's that we remain faithful to each other, staying true to the promise we made a year ago,  no matter what life brings us or where it takes us.  I pray that God's grace be always with us to keep our marriage strong and unmovable throughout time.  We've only just begun and we still have a long way to go.  I'm looking forward to facing million more milestones together with you.

I love you very much, Vince :)  Ask me to marry you again, and I'll say yes in a heartbeat!  Happy first anniversary, my love.

Love, your K

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Feel free to click the link below to view more of our wedding photos:

WEDDING PHOTOS SLIDE SHOW

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Photo credits: Jennifer Newberry Photography

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♪♫ DO-RE-MI ♪♫

I was quickly browsing my Facebook this morning when I randomly hopped upon Flights "R" Us Travel and Tours page.  They are selling discounted tickets for The Sound of Music Manila, which is currently being played at the Resorts World Manila.  I checked out the poster and among the names I recognized were Chris Villonco, Audie Gemora, Pinky Amador, Pinky Marquez, and Debra Liz.  The ticket prices seem to be very reasonable (VIP for PhP2000 - original price).  I mean, if I remember it right, the F4 in Manila ticket prices were sold for more than PhP2000, and yet a lot still came to the concert to listen to Dao Ming Xi and his gang's songs with lyrics that Filipinos couldn't even properly pronounce.  So, if you think about it, PhP2000 is very much worth it to spend in support of the local artists, right?  Your LSS (last song syndrome) will at least either be "Doe a deer a female deer..." or "When the dog bites, when the bee stings..." and not "Oh baby, baby, My baby baby, Wo jue bu neng shi qu ni..."  LOL.  

Speaking of The Sound of Music, two years ago, Vince and I watched the Canadian production at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. As part of his birthday treat to me, Vince bought us tickets to the said musical.  The role of Maria was chosen by the public through a television talent show, "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" which was co-produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The lead role went to Elicia Mackenzie, but it was her alternate, Janna Polzin, who Vince and I saw performed.  Overall, the production was fabulous - the actors/actresses were great, and the props/set were amazing. I've seen the movie and the cartoon version a lot of times but never really saw it in theatre until then.

Early this year, Vince and I saw another musical called, "In The Heights" at the Hershey Theatre. Interestingly, I read in Wikipedia that there had also been a Filipino production of this award winning musical, and casted Nyoy Violante for the lead role, Usnavi. Apparently, it ran for a limited engagement from September 02 to 18, 2011 but will return to Manila in March 2012.  The story revolved around the characters' lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights, Manhattan.  The play featured Hispanic culture particularly the importance of family and friends expressed through lively Latino music and grooves in a modern Western setting.  Considering how the Spaniards contributed greatly to traditional Filipino values, I'm pretty sure that Filipinos would be able to relate well with "In The Heights."

Musical plays and theatrical shows are very entertaining forms of arts.  I think every once in a while it's good to have a break from the boob tube and reels and indulge yourself into pure talent without the cheese of showbiz ;)  And for the record, I just want to make it clear that I have nothing against F4; in fact, I think Vaness is the cutest of them all, because he can speak English and he had a Filipina teacher.  Hehe!

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COTTON FIELDS AND PECANS IN GEORGIA

Vince and I saw a lot of cotton fields in Adel, Georgia.  We don't see those in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, so we were quite amused particularly with those cotton bales, which at first we thought were "cement blocks" laid on  cotton fields.  Hehe!  So anyway, when we did our tour with Hood Real Estate, Vince mentioned that the cotton fields were something new to us.  The real estate agents willingly stopped by at one of the fields, so we can take pictures and do a little cotton "harvesting" as well.

Another produce/farm that we saw a lot in Georgia is pecans.  Pecan, according to Wikipedia, is an Algonquian language, which means nut requiring a stone to crack.  So, when we saw the signboard below, the real estate agents had to explain and assure us that, no, they don't buy/sell crack in Adel, Georgia, just pecans.  Hehe!  And yes, as you can see, we took a picture of it :D

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NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IN WASHINGTON, DC

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, DC, in remembrance of Japan's gift of cherry trees to the United States of America on March 27, 1912, in an effort to enhance friendship and celebrate continued closed relationship between the two nations.  This is a two-week festival which begins on the last Saturday of March.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade takes place on the last Saturday of celebration. Coinciding with this parade is the celebration of Sakura-Matsuri Japanese Street Festival.

Vince and I took a trip to DC in time for  this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Japanese Street Festival.  The chilly weather did not hinder people to come to this event and jam packed the streets of DC.  The Japanese Street Festival was also a big hit with different cultural showcases including stage shows, entertainment, arts, and of course, Japanese cuisine!  As that was my first time to visit DC, Vince and I did a Segway tour around the city, and while on tour, we were able to catch parts of the parade as well as the street festival.

Pagoda gift from Japan at the West Potomac Park

Next year marks the centennial anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  I can just imagine how grand and star studded the celebration will be.  What's good to know though is that, despite World War II conflicts, the Pearl Harbor attack, and all that in the past between the two nations, they managed to come to terms and be at peace with each other ;)

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To read more of my travel stories, please click here:  TUESDAY TRAVEL

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PEE WEE FOOTBALL GAME

the rival team in its blue and orange uniform

When Vince and I interviewed in Adel, Georgia two weekends ago, part of our itinerary was to watch a pee wee football game.  Our interviewer, Michael, is an avid football fan.  He played when he was in high school and college, and now, he coaches the neighbouring county's pee wee football team where his 8-year-old son currently plays for.  On the second day of our interview, we went to his son's game.  That was the first time that I watched an actual football game.   I thought I would get bored especially that I wasn't really familiar with the rules, but interestingly, I enjoyed the game that I even cheered on whenever a team would score a touchdown.  Thanks to Vince who explained to me the basics of football, and the little cheerleaders in their pompoms and short skirts who amused me with their cute moves ;) One thing I can say though is that football is a very physical sport.  Even with those 8-year-old boys and under, I witnessed a lot of tackling and bumping, and I heard more than once from the coaches and spectators that, "It's legal to hit someone in the mouth."  Hehe!  However, when a player got hurt during the game and was taken off the field to sit it out, all the other players dropped down on one knee and clapped for the injured kid.  Awwwwww :')

Anyway, here are a couple more photos I took during the game:

the quarterback got tired and had to take some rest on the side!

And yes, Michael's team won!  Hooray for the Rebels!

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GLOVE, STRAW AND MARROW

Another foodie adventure I can't afford not to share in my blog is that one time when my BFF and I went out with the *Magic Onions for dinner, and we had fun sucking bone marrows like there's no tomorrow!

The good thing about dining out with the *Magic Onions is that each of them being pure Chinese who immigrated from different parts of China, they know their native cuisine so well, and so they also know which places in Toronto serve it authentic or not.   Usually, when we go out with the *Magic Onions, we leave it up to them to order, and they would do so in their language/dialect.  Every once in a while my BFF and I would attempt ordering in Chinese, but unlike my BFF, who most of the time succeeded (his tongue is more complex than mine - he speaks Tagalog, Ilocano, English, a little French, fluent in Spanish, more fluent in Bekimon), the farthest I've done is asked a glass of water.   Hehe!

One time, we got tired of Asian Legend (our regular Friday after-game hang-out place) so we decided to eat at somewhere new.  We went to another Chinese restaurant in North York - Finch Avenue and Yonge Street, the name of the place unfortunately, I failed to get.  I remember the store signs were written in Chinese, and I didn't ask for English translation.  The restaurant was okay, nothing too fancy, but with the good Asian population in North York, customers were in and out when we went there. 

So anyway, BFF and I were both intrigued when, other than chopsticks, we were also given a bunch of gloves and straws.  Followed soon was a bowl of flavored pork bone/hocks.  All set and ready for dinner, we were then told by the *Magic Onions that the gloves was so that our hands will not get dirty when we hold the pork bones, and the straw is to suck/sip the marrow out.  BFF and I eagerly put on a glove in one hand, stuck a straw into the bone, and sipped all the marrow we could get, just like the way you would to sip fresh coconut juice.  Haha!

The glove, straw and marrow  experience kind of reminded me of Bulalo (Filipino Bone Marrow Stew).  Only, we Pinoys do not use straw when eating Bulalo, but we "taktak" the bone to get the marrow out or "sungkit" it with a fork.  LOL.  So for that, I'd like to say kudos to Chinese brilliancy ;)

*Magic Onions - the volleyball team I used to play with for pick-up games when I was in Toronto. 

Julio at Julia - Kambal ng Tadhana :D

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To read other foodie adventures, please click:  GASTRONOMY MONDAY

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BASKETS OF GOODIES AND OTHER TREATS PART 3

For the past three consecutive weekends, Vince and I had been out of town for job interviews/site visits. The experience was altogether new to me, so allow me to spill some of the details of my recent adventure, and let you know why these are no ordinary interviews ;)

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INTERVIEW #1: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania


INTERVIEW #2: Rushville, Illinois


INTERVIEW #3: Adel, Georgia

Vince and I didn't have a good start for this interview. Thursday afternoon, I was rushing to get my work done and finish packing at the same time. We left home a little past 4:00 p.m. and we're supposed to be at the airport by 5:00 p.m. at the latest. Along the way, I was praying for our flight to be delayed as I was so positive we already missed it. When I checked in at the airport while Vince parked our car, I was relieved to find out that our flight indeed had been delayed. That's good news. The bad news is, we might not be able to make it on time for our connection to Valdosta in Atlanta.

True enough, with our flight from Harrisburg delayed for an hour, Vince and I missed our connection in Atlanta. Unfortunately, that was the last flight, and the earliest flight the following day would be at 9:45 a.m. and would arrive in Valdosta at 10:45 a.m. Our interview was scheduled at 9:00 a.m., so rather than staying overnight in Atlanta, we decided to rent a car and just drive to Valdosta, which is about a three-hour drive or so. When we tried to get our checked-in luggage, the attendant informed us that it's already too late and they're not bringing baggages out anymore, so we had no choice but to pick it up the following day at Valdosta. We were so torn on what to do because whichever way, we won't be able to make our 9:00 a.m. interview, especially that Vince's suit is in our checked-in luggage. Vince informed the hospital CEO about our situation and went ahead with our decision to drive that night. Being that too late already, the supposed-to-be three-hour drive stretched to almost five hours. We stopped three times at hotel parking lots along the way, so that Vince could take a nap. By the time we got at Hilton Garden Inn in Valdosta, it was almost 5:00 a.m., but I perked up a bit when I saw these presents courtesy of the hospital waiting for us at the reception:

A basket full of pecan nuts, a tumbler, and a coffee pack.

We really appreciated the fact that the hospital accommodated us very well and adjusted our itinerary, as the flight delay and suitcase mishap really threw us off the schedule. Our interview was moved from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Our itinerary included:

1. Lunch with the CEO of the hospital and his staff.
2. Tour of the hospital.
3. Meeting with CEO.
4. Tour with real estate agent wherein we got to see several gorgeous houses for sale and apartments for rent.
5. Tour around the community and the school system.
6. Dinner with hospital staff including CEO and his wife, and a physician with his wife.
7. Breakfast with the CEO at IHOP.
8. We went to the CEO's son's peewee football game, and there we met the rest of his family and in-laws.
9. We had lunch with the CEO and his family.
10. Vince played golf with the CEO and another physician, while two ladies from the hospital took me shopping with them.
11. We attended an annual social event/dinner sponsored by the hospital.
12. We went to the CEO's house for an after-party. Vince and the boys (CEO, Dr. J and Mr. Mailman) watched football on TV while me and the girls (wives and a couple more guests) huddled over drinks and chips in the kitchen. Of course, the only drink I had was bottled water.

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Did I mention that all expenses we incurred during these interviews were paid for by the potential employers? They even made the necessary travel arrangements like our flights, hotel accommodations, and car rentals for us. I know, right? I have a friend who has bee going for interviews same as us, and he got an invitation from Hawaii, so his potential employer flew him from Georgia to Hawaii, and he stayed there for five cool days! Nice, eh?!

Anyway, all three interviews went well. They were kind of draining and exhausting especially with those places where we had to fly but overall it was a great experience. We got positive feedbacks from all three hospitals and the challenge we are currently facing is to decide which offer we are going to accept. It's hard because each of the three has something advantageous than the other two, but ultimately, we have to choose one. Vince has been in touch with each of them, and hopefully with God's leading, we can soon let them know what our decision is :) And you, guys, will definitely know whatever it is we decide upon *wink*

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BASKETS OF GOODIES AND OTHER TREATS PART 2

For the past three consecutive weekends, Vince and I had been out of town for job interviews/site visits. The experience was altogether new to me, so allow me to spill some of the details of my recent adventure, and let you know why these are no ordinary interviews ;)

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INTERVIEW #1: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania


INTERVIEW #2: Rushville, Illinois

With the intention of doing a side visit to Missouri, Vince and I chose to fly from Harrisburg to St. Louis on Thursday. Our potential employer booked for us to stay in Marriott overnight, and the following day, we drove for about two hours or so from St. Louis to Rushville.

Our itinerary included:

1. Meeting with hospital CEO.
2. Tour of the hospital and clinic visit.
3. Lunch at Cafe from Yesterday with several hospital staff including a physician, CEO and board members.
4. Tour around Beardstown with a real estate agent.
5. Breakfast at Deb and Di's Restaurant with hospital CEO and a board member.
6. Meeting with Dr. Russell Dohner.
7. Tour around Rushville with a real estate agent wherein we saw several houses and some are by the lake.

Our accommodation was at The Scripp's Cottage, and this basket of goodies courtesy of the hospital was waiting for us at the cottage:

This basket full of biscuits, pastries, chocolates, cheese and candies
with a bottle of wine and two glasses made me say, "Cheers!"

We were also given a pouch bag containing a fleece throw, tumbler and reading materials about the community. What else can I say but, "Thank you very much!"


INTERVIEW #3: Adel, Georgia

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Did I mention that all expenses we incurred during these interviews were paid for by the potential employers? They even made the necessary travel arrangements like our flights, hotel accommodations, and car rentals for us. I know, right? I have a friend who has been going for interviews same as us, and he got an invitation from Hawaii, so his potential employer flew him from Georgia to Hawaii, and he stayed there for five cool days! Nice, eh?!

Anyway, all three interviews went well. They were kind of draining and exhausting especially with those places where we had to fly but overall it was a great experience. We got positive feedbacks from all three hospitals and the challenge we are currently facing is to decide which offer we are going to accept. It's hard because each of the three has something advantageous than the other two, but ultimately, we have to choose one. Vince has been in touch with each of them, and hopefully with God's leading, we can soon let them know what our decision is :) And you, guys, will definitely know whatever it is we decide upon *wink*

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BASKETS OF GOODIES AND OTHER TREATS PART 1

For the past three consecutive weekends, Vince and I had been out of town for job interviews/site visits. The experience was altogether new to me, so allow me to spill some of the details of my recent adventure, and let you know why these are no ordinary interviews ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INTERVIEW #1: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

Wellsboro being in the mountainous area of Pennyslvania, Vince decided to rent an SUV. Lebanon is only about a three-hour drive away from Wellsboro, so we weren't too worried about travelling. We left our home late on Thursday night and made few last-minute stops at the mall before finally heading to Wellsboro. Our potential employer booked a room for us at Penn Wells Lodge, and by the time we got there, it was already past midnight. Sitting on top of a dresser inside our room were welcome presents from our potential employer:

pretty arrangement of daisies, mums and the likes :)

basket of chocolates, nuts, and other goodies with $50 gift card for select local restaurants

Our interview itinerary included:

1. Breakfast with several hospital staff including physicians and CEO.
2. Tour of the hospital and clinic site.
3. Meeting with more hospital staff for explanation of benefits, policies, system, etc.
4. Meeting with CEO.
5. Lunch at Wren's Nest in Blossburg with a couple of hospital staff.
6. We looked at a couple of houses being rented out by the hospital.
7. Dinner at Timeless Destination in Wellsboro with several hospital staff including physicians and their wives.
8. Tour with a real estate agent who showed us other more houses and properties being sold and/or rented out around the Wellsboro/Blossburg area.

Coincidentally, I have a friend who lives in the area and works in the same hospital Vince and I were interviewing for, so we had a reunion with her and her family. They were kind enough to show us other places like the Pennsylvanian Grand Canyon, biking and hiking trails, parks, etc., and we attended church together on Sunday morning.


INTERVIEW #2: Rushville, IL


INTERVIEW #3: Adel, Georgia

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Did I mention that all expenses we incurred during these interviews were paid for by the potential employers? They even made the necessary travel arrangements like our flights, hotel accommodations, and car rentals for us. I know, right? I have a friend who has been having similar interviews like ours and he got an offer in Hawaii, and so his potential employer flew him from Georgia to Hawaii and he stayed there for five cool days! Nice, eh?!

Anyway, all three interviews went well. They were kind of draining and exhausting especially with those places where we had to fly but overall it was a great experience. We got positive feedbacks from all three hospitals and the challenge we are currently facing is to decide which offer we'll take. It's hard because each of the three has something that's advantageous than the other two, but ultimately, we have to choose one. Vince has been in touch with each of them, and hopefully with God's leading, we can soon let them know what our decision is :) And you, guys, will definitely know whatever it is we decide upon *wink*

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DEB AND DI'S RESTAURANT

Two weeks ago, Vince and I were in Rushville, Illinois for a job interview.  Rushville is a very small town in Schuyler County with a total recorded population of 3300.  Honestly, I was surprised to see such rural place here in the United States.   For the most part of my life, I lived in the city - Manila and Toronto.  When I moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, I thought Lebanon is already too rural for me, but when I saw Rushville - oh my - this place is just rural in every sense.  It's one of those places where everybody knows everybody.

On the second day of our interview, Vince and I had breakfast at Deb and Di's Restaurant along with Lynn Stambaugh, Culbertson Memorial Hospital CEO, and Jim, a board member.  The place was nearly packed when we came in.  The table beside ours was occupied by a big party of old ladies, and like I said above, everybody knows everybody, so Lynn was able to name all of them - one lady used to be her babysitter, another was her math teacher, and so on.  She tried to piece up the connection between the ladies to figure out what could the gathering be about, but one of the ladies said it's just their "monthly birthday."

So anyway, Deb and Di's Restaurant is a traditional American restaurant.  I ordered the Link Special which is composed of two sausage links, two eggs, and hashbrown (or fries).  Vince and I were itching to take pictures for posterity's sake but we were quite embarassed because: 1) we were interviewing with a potential employer; and 2) locals were most likely not accustomed to seeing Asians clicking their cameras to take pictures with and of anything, for example, a platter of a traditional American breafkast.  I'm sure you all know what I mean.  Hehe!  We waited until we parted ways with Lynn and Jim before we hurriedly took pictures outside the restaurant ;)

We were only in Rushville for barely two days but that short of stay was enough to break a city girl's heart.  Vince and I really ached for them that before we left we prayed that God answer the town's need particularly for doctors who will be dedicated in taking care of the townsmen's health.

Other than eating at Deb and Di's and meeting the charitable Dr. Russell Dohner, I have a couple more Rushville stories which I will share in the future, but that's it for today, my dear blogging buddies. Ciao for now! :)

To read more about my foodie adventures and travel stories, please click here:

GASTRONOMY MONDAY 

TUESDAY TRAVEL

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NUIT BLANCHE

Nuit Blanche, which literally is White Night in French, is an all-nighter arts festival.  In Toronto, Scotiabank sponsors this annual free event wherein for one sleepless night, hundreds of artists and spectators get to transform Toronto into a big gallery celebrating contemporary arts from sunrise to sunset.

Last year, I attended Nuit Blanche with a bunch of friends.  Our first stop was at the intersection of Yonge Street and Bloor Street where lots of people lined up to find out what their future holds as foretold by a giant wooden sculpture of kortune fookie.  Yes, you read that right.

We saw a lot more exhibits on the streets but apparently "The Aurora" was the blockbuster of all entries last year.  Believe me, we almost got into a fight while lining up to see this art exhibit of feathery things and bottles filled of who-knows-what liquidy thing hanging on the ceiling.

The chilly fall weather bit us so soon that night, so my friends and I didn't go far into the streets of Dundas, King and Queen where more exhibits were displayed.  We warmed ourselves with hot coffee and chocolate in Starbucks and then headed home. 

Free glow lights from Scotiabank!

Nuit Blanche is a fun festival especially for art enthusiasts.  I missed this year's festival but I read that it was more edgy with pyrotechniques and live performances on the streets.   Oh well, I'm just hoping I can attend another Nuit Blanche in the future :) 

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DR. RUSSELL DOHNER, LOVED BY ALL

Dr. Russell Dohner proves that for the price of a fancy cup of coffee, you can be "loved by all."  

Dr. Russell Dohner, MD - Rushville, IL

A fake license plate hanging by the clinic's window greeted us, "Dr. Dohner, Loved by All."  I was excited and yet a bit apprehensive with the thought of meeting Dr. Dohner having heard that he has grouchy 85-year-old nurses manning his clinic.  My husband, Vince, wasn't a bit fazed though.  He even made sure that I grab the camera as he was so determined to take a picture with Dr. Dohner.  I tried to object but he assured me with his, "It's alright," so I obliged.

Lynn Stambaugh, CEO of Culbertson Memorial Hospital, led us inside Dr. Dohner's clinic.  She glanced around the waiting room and pointed out to us pieces of furniture which have been there for as long as she can remember.  Dr. Dohner delivered Lynn as a baby, and several decades after that, he delivered Lynn's daughter.  Lynn had previously mentioned to us that you can't find modern technology in Dr. Dohner's office, i.e. no fax machines or computer of whatsoever; he uses rotary dial phone and traditional index cards for patient's records - and he likes to keep it that way.  What struck me most among all the stories that we heard about Dr. Dohner is that he only charges $5 per clinic visit, which is just about the same price I would pay for a Starbucks frapuccino.

A few patients were waiting when we entered the clinic.  A white-haired, hunch-postured nurse was attending the reception area.  Lynn casually asked for Dr. Dohner and let her know that she's bringing people inside his office to meet him.  The nurse attempted to negate Lynn but she just went in anyway heading straight to the back of the office and halfway, we were greeted by Dr. Dohner.

I felt a light in my heart when I saw Dr. Dohner.  I was expecting to see a grumpy old guy who is too busy and probably wouldn't want to be bothered but he was far from and quite the opposite of what I pictured in my mind.  He was very welcoming and was quick to start a conversation with us.  He willingly showed us around his clinic.  He showed us pictures of him on his graduation and when he served in the World War II, pictures of his family, and other nostalgias.  Sticking on his clinic wall's are Biblical posters as well as pictures, postcards, notes and letters from his patients and friends.  Dr. Dohner was glad to show us a miniature calesa, postcard and a picture of Barasoain church, which were given to him by one of his patients who went to the Philippines to meet his Filipina girlfriend whom he met online, and then eventually got married.

We had heard so much of Dr. Dohner during our interview with Lynn the previous day and speaking with him face to face was just a punctuation mark to everything.  We learned that he has been retired for quite a while now but continues to work so hard, and that he hasn't had a vacation for ages.  He wanted to be a cardiologist and when he initially came to Rushville, Illinois, he said he'd only practice as a family physician for five years, but ended up staying there and caring for the community for more than 55 years now.  He was featured on television three times and is a recepient of various quality care awards.  He has donated a lot to his community, and true to the sign that hangs by his window, he is indeed loved by all in Rushville, Illinois.

Of course, while Vince and I were awed to meet such gentleman and all-ears listening to Dr. Dohner, the white-haired hunch-postured nurse was mumbling on the background, "I hear that story every day."  Well, we don't.  I grew up in an era where the likes of Dr. Dohner is a rare gem.  It is very touching and inspiring to know that in this harsh, modern society where "seems like everybody's got a price," people like him, albeit rare, still exists.  It was truly an honor and privilege to meet Dr. Dohner.  I hope that one day Vince and I can serve our community the way Dr. Dohner does.

Other worthwhile articles about Dr. Dohner you might want to read:

TODAY SHOW - MSNBC - dated December 07, 2010

WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - dated May 18, 2006

PEOPLE MAGAZINE - dated July 20, 1983

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My share for:  WEDNESDAY WHITES

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