On March 3rd I flew to Atlanta, Georgia to visit my college friend Starr and her husband Don at their new home at Lenbrook a retirement facility.
They live on the eighth floor of the newest tower of Lynbrook and their view of the Buckhead area is spectacular! Buckhead is known as the “Beverly Hills of the East.” It is an area surrounded by elegant tree-lined residential streets and some of the most remarkable architecture and landscapes in the south. It has great restaurants and shopping! Not a bad place to hang your hat.
Don relaxing 
Starr 
Katy 
A view of the dining room and living room which overlooks the Buckhead area
Another reason I went to Atlanta is to wish another friend Gerry a 89th Happy Birthday! Actually Starr planned a little birthday luncheon with only four of her friends, since she had been recently sick. We had a great time and Gerry was surprised and very happy about the event.
Beth,Starr, Gerry, Mary Ann 
Beth, Starr, Gerry, Mary Ann 
Beth, me, Gerry, Mary Ann 
me, Gerry, Mary Ann, Starr ( Beth is taking picture)
Starr and Don brought a program to the attention of Lenbrook called “Backpack Buddies.” It was started two years ago by Ronald and Samra Robbins who launched a program that altered life for dozens of families at Dunwoody’s Kingsley Elementary School. Their Backpack Buddies program at Congregation Beth Shalom began by providing weekend meals for 50 children at a school where more than half of the student body qualified for free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
Lenbrook embraced the program and I helped them pack up about forty eight lunches that were delivered to Dresden Elementary School.
Another program Don has been involved with for the last twenty-five years, through his Rotary Club, is hosting and being the Master of Ceremony of the annual Beauty pageant at Pruitt Health nursing home in Atlanta. Each year, between 25 and 35 nursing homes across Georgia elect to participate in the MS. GHCA Pageant. Each facility holds an in-house pageant to determine who will advance to the state-level event. These local pageants involve interested participants dressing in long, formal gowns, sharing their personal history of community service, career accomplishments and family achievements, and sharing or showing off their favorite hobbies. A panel of judges made of local community leaders pose questions such as what they like most about their skilled nursing facility and how they continue to help others in need. Family and friends are invited to the pageant, and the winner is presented with a crown, sash and flowers.
This lady was the winner! She was from Rhode Island, has a master degree and worked in the health care profession all her life. She said she has traveled the world and has had a marvelous life thanks to her lord! She was a charmer and will advance to the State Pageant. I’m so glad Don asked Starr and me to be one of the judges, it was emotionally rewarding!
Maureen, me, Martha, Starr 
Maureen, me, Don, Martha, Starr 
Don, Martha, Maureen 
Maureen and Don 
Starr and Martha 
Fine Dining at Lenbrook
Our last night in Atlanta Starr and Don invited Martha who also lives at LenBrook and went to Auburn with Starr and I. She also invited Maureen, another friend to dine. We all had dinner in the Fine Dining Room at Lenbrook and had dessert in their Apartment afterward. What a wonderful way to end a perfect visit with “bestest” friends!
New Orleans, Louisiana 
Matthew Kelly
Starr, Don and myself drove back to New Orleans and Mandeville, Louisiana for two days of fun and a Prayer Event we had been looking forward to for months. My daughter Jete’ and her husband Tommy’s turned their beautiful home over to us for the weekend after first delighting us with raw oysters and fried fish. Such a treat!
Starr, Don and I went to “The Dynamic Prayer Event” at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic church in Mandeville on Saturday, March 7th. It was an event we will not forget. It was powerful, soulful, deep, and emotional. I wish everyone I know and love could have heard it (so) if you click on this link dynamicprayerevent.us you can see it and hear it. Get comfortable and be prepared to love the message and the messenger!
I’ll end this blog with this message from Matthew Kelly:
Thanks for following my Blog! See you again soon so stay tuned for Katy is Eighty and living life well!
Katy is Eighty 
Katy, I loved your blog Friendships Paint yeh World Happy! Match!!!! It was all about us and our long wonderful friendship. We loved every minute of our time together with you both here in Atlanta and in Mandeville and New Orleans! Let’s do it again after they conquer this virus…. 🙏for our leaders and especially President Trump. They are trying so hard to save our country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Starr I will remember our trip together this time as one of my all time favorites! We did so many things together that made me a better person by giving and learning godly lessons. There is no better way to be with those you love and I love you and Don to the moon and back!
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