We picked to have Mom's memorial service at Central Church of the Brethren as this was my childhood church. This congregation was our family growing up.

Our dear friend and Minister, Becky Rhodes, will be leading a very uplifting service in honor of my Mother.

We have chosen to have Mom's Celebration of Life at the Olde Salem Brewery. This very building, is where Mom's parent's once owned and operated a pancake house circa 1960's. This pancake house was called the Capital. Everyone knew they could go to the Capital to get a wonderful hot breakfast and hear my Popou (Greek for Gandfather), speak about the old days in Greece and his journey to America. He was very proud of where he came from, but he was even more proud to have been given the opportunity to come to America and to have the freedom to become an entrepreneur. He was a poet at heart and would often write poems for his patrons.

He also had a knack for telling people's fortunes as they dined. If a patron was willing, he would flip over their coffee cup and proceed to read their fortune through the coffee drippings.

It was truly an experience to dine at the Capital and I am happy we can toast to Mom in this very spot.