New Years Eve and Happy New Years Day — (partial restaurant review)

New Years Eve, Patt and I went to Raleigh First Night with Michael and Robin.  Here we are getting good luck for the year by touching the Raleigh Acorn.   Note from the winter wear we have on it is one cold afternoon.  (it got colder too)

Of course I tried on one of the costumes that was available for the "Peoples Parade" — Michael passed on the opportunity but did stand with me.

and here is one of the entries, — we did watch the parade of "peoples"

my "head passing by,  see the opportunity I missed.

 There was of course street food, music venues, street performers, and rides.  It is quite the show.

On the capital grounds an Event artist set up and painted during the evening.  He puts on quite a show.

and this is the scene he is painting which is to his back.  The evening is a big deal in Raleigh, one we take in only the first part of.  Staying out late is something we have done, but don't do so much any more.  Besides, I heard Mississippi State, one of those SEC teams was going to lose a football game that evening and I wanted to watch.

Of course New Years Day, to continue to ensure good luck for 2015 I ate ham, cornbread, black eyed peas, and collard greens.  Good!!!!!!  Better than Goo-oood!  Grea8.  I like ham, greens, and peas with cornbread.

New Years Day evening  was a first Thursday- which meant that it was "serve at the ARK day".  So Patt and I went, as has been our custom, to the homeless shelter to serve dinner.  We have been doing this since Stephen was in diapers.  First we were at the shelter for men, then coed, and for the last many years women.  It has been in many locations.  This is the current one - of course near some railroad tracks.  The entrance is not so welcoming, but it is secure- from the inside.

The dining room.  Michael and Robin have served with us for the past 20 or so years.  Tables are set and ready to go.

Plates are served,  this is BBQ from the Pit, over the years, the menu has changed.  The clientele   unfortunately has not changed so much.

This was our last scheduled trip to the ARK.  We are now officially retired as full time volunteers.  In the future our efforts there will be in the role as substitutes.  It was a good run, one we enjoyed and sponsored by our church.