UP, UP AND AWAY — Jeanne Mallin recently celebrated her 86th birthday. She’s been an active and beloved member of Congregation Ohev Sholom for more than 35 years according to Rabbi Scott White, and she has many friends among the members. One of those, Bob Magoon, wanted to do something special to help her celebrate this birthday. He said Mallin had told him she always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride so she could feel the wind in her face. So he arranged to take her on her dream ride on June 15. As they sailed the big blue sky they dropped manna, or in this case matzah, from heaven. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both of them!
SINGING FOR CHARITY — The Country Chicks, made up of five Glaser sisters and a neighbor friend, have entered the Town Center Plaza SING 2011 Contest. The winning group will take off with a Grand Prize Package of $20,000 for their favorite charity, $5,000 in Developers Diversified Realty MasterCard Gift Cards and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a song with Emmy-award-winning singer/songwriter Kevin Briody. Mom Lori Glaser said the girls immediately wanted to enter the contest in the hopes of winning the Abby’s Run for the Heart — an event initiated in 2003 to raise money for pediatric heart diseases. The Glaser’s oldest daughter, Abby, died in 2001 from a disease called viral myocarditis, a virus that quickly infected her body and attacked her heart causing her sudden death. To date, fundraising efforts have raised more than $600,000. While the group may sing a little out of tune, they are garnering lots of votes. Voting continues through July 15 and you can vote for them at www.towncenterplaza.2011sing.com. You’ll have to register and look for The Country Chicks and hit play.