Special treat at Frank's guitar workshop

Frank's workshop is a bit of a hideaway and worth the visit.  He's agreed to open his workshop to us starting noon on Saturday for a couple of hours.  Come by to see his collection, the restored carriage house and fine guitars all in different stages of construction.  He's also offered to have a friend come around to play jazz guitar during our impromptu tour.

To get to Finnochio's workshop (I am tempted to call him Geppetto), walk up the hill from Centre Square, left onto South 4th Street, a right onto Pine Street.  It's between S 4th and S 5th on Pine Street. When you've reached the white, yellow and black checkered pole, walk left onto the short gravelled driveway.  You can't miss it.

Wedding map

Click here for a search enabled map of Easton.  You'll find the ceremony, restaurant and hotels already marked:
http://www.weddingmapper.com/easton/pa/visit/0ccyak

About our wedding location

Our location spoke to us on a number of levels:  first, it's not a banquet hall or other pre-packaged venue. Of course this means some resulting creativity, short cuts and compromises as far as any traditional wedding day expectations.  We started out like a pair of rebellious teens, not wanting to do much traditionally.  Meanwhile, it turns out some rituals are there for a -helpful- reason and we've embraced them.  So expect a mix of what's customary and have fun rolling with the rest.  You'll see.

What the location has that we love are its two block walk from home, it's beautiful, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places to boot.  The Third Street Alliance for Women and Children is the only social service program in the United States operating in a historically preserved house.  Like many non-profits it struggles with limited resources and so, last but not least, celebrating there is our way of giving a little back to Easton, which has given us so much.

Their centennial anniversary takes place the same week as our own celebration.  For 100 years, Third Street has opened its doors and arms for women and children in need.  If you'd like to learn more about this remarkable organization's mission and a history of the mansion, please go to the jump (click "Read More").

What's going on Saturday?

If you're spending the weekend, you may be wondering what there is to do. As any Eastonian will tell you, there is plenty to keep you entertained. Here is a list of the highlights. All but the Brewfest and wineries are within walking distance of downtown. The one event not to miss is the cocktail gathering for absolutely everyone 4:30PM-6:16PM.  Click on "Read More" for the list and an interactive map

Wish List

In lieu of traditional party favors, we are making a contribution on our guests' behalf to two organizations, the TWAAYF Orphanage and Schools On Wheels. The orphanage was brought to our attention by Richard's cousin, Beatriz, currently in Kenya. Richard's brother, Michael, has been volunteering this past year at the L.A. branch of Schools on Wheels. For more information, or to make a contribution instead of a wedding gift to us, please read Beatriz' and Michael's letters below. These organizations don't have a means of tracking your donations on our behalf, so we won't be able to thank you individually for your contribution.  We are grateful for your generosity to others in need.

As for us, we don't need more than we already have. We are grateful that you will celebrate this special day and many more to come with us. If you would still like to express best wishes, we would welcome contributions to our honeymoon. Our plan is not to have a plan. We're renting a car and braking wherever the smell of yummy food draws us, wherever the view of the ocean calls us, wherever a medieval Pousada welcomes us for the night. We chose Rainfall Of Envelopes as our honeymoon "chip-in" registry. 

Ceremony and Reception

Third Street Alliance
41 North Third Street
Easton, PA 18042
610-258-6271

Sunday, October 18, 2009
11:00 A.M. Refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, be merry!
12:00 P.M. Ceremony
12:30 P.M. Food, music, dancing, be married!
4:30 P.M. Wish the wedded couple a Bon Voyage

Attire: Semi-formal

Accommodations

Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel
140 Northampton Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610 258 6350

Lafayette Inn
525 West Monroe St.
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 253-4500


Hampton Inn Easton

3723 Easton Nazareth Hwy

Easton, PA 18045

(610) 250-6500

Directions

From your house or the airport to us, click here for Google directions.

The Charities

From Beatriz:

I have been really moved by an orphanage on the Coast of Kenya. It was started by two brothers who were street boys themselves. By the grace of God they survived and were helped by a priest and later the Red Cross. In their early twenties they took on children who themselves would have become street kids. From that they started an orphanage. I am impressed by how young and motivated they are. They are eager to become self-sustainable and do not want hand outs. In just a couple of years they have rented a house which they hope to buy, rented an office, and opened a preschool. They get by on practically nothing but keep on going. 

In Kenya there is soo much corruption and abuse. Unfortunately I got to see it up front and personal. It is really sad. But I am confident that this program is good and clean. There is a VSO volunteer there, Hannah, who assures me there is no corruption. The two times I have visited the program I have been moved by the kids. They are happy and healthy. When I visited the first time I watched the boys who run it, who are all in thier early twenties, do the washing, cleaning, cooking and play with the kids. That is a rare scene in Kenya, to see men doing domestic jobs! They read to the kids at bedtime and help them with their homework. It is really amazing! 

From Michael:

I am writing you in order to tell you a little about the non profit organization, School on Wheels  I have been a part of in this past year. Since January, I have been tutoring children, k thru 12, who are currently living in Los Angeles homeless shelters. In California, mothers and children are the highest growing homeless population. School on Wheels helps children all over Southern California by providing him or her with any school supplies (backpacks, pens,etc) he or she may need. Then a child is matched with a volunteer tutor and provided with 1 on 1 tutoring and counseling. At the shelter I work with in Glendale, tutoring is provided for monday thru thursday for any child needing help. The tutoring room was built by School on Wheels and our study room has a computer with internet all possible with the generous contributions from School on Wheels patrons. At this time, I am working with a wonderful autistic child, Adagio and 3 other children. So on behalf of Adagio, Yachua, Ruth, Danny, Wanyeih and the countless other children who I feel have benefitted by this wonderful organization, I urge you to visit the website and do whatever you can. I treasure the opportunity that this organization has given me by allowing me to possibly impact their young lives.  I glean so much by working with them. Their strength and resilience under difficult circumstances are a lesson we can all learn from.