Backyard Bliss

Greetings from upstate NY! Curtis, the Ryans and I got in at about 5:30 PM local time yesterday, and after checking in to our hotel, were immediately whisked away to the beautiful home of Al and Tia DeRosa in Rochester. Cars were parked as far as the eye could see in their neighborhood. Fortunately, there was room for us to park on the grass to the side of the driveway. Over 75 people in the ever expanding organization of Joe and Jackie Vona showed up for the food and fun by the pool.







Some of Rochester's finest were on hand, including Dave and Kathy Lipinczyk (first IEs enrolled in Rochester!), Joe and Angel Neidert, Brad and Marcie DeWal, Dave Debole, Mike and Brenda Dunbar, Fed and Mary Ann Stiles, Rick Schoberlein, Frank and Julie Showers, Kathy Crandall, and of course, Joe Vona's enroller, Andy Kirsch! Okay, so I missed a lot of people, but that gives you an idea.





Great food, splashing in the pool, a spontaneous game of whiffle ball featuring both adults and children, recipe sharing, and of course brimming Zrii enthusiasm took us into the night.





One of the culinary highlights of the evening was "Bud's Dip," which has a legend all its own, and of course, Kathy Crandall's chicken wing dip. This chicken wing dip was all the buzz when we arrived at the party. But when we tried it for ourselves...oh my, I can still taste it. Incredibly delicious! Thank you Kathy for letting me share the recipe with all of Zrii Nation. Write this down everyone, and you will be the most popular person at your next party:

Chicken Wing Dip

1 1/2 cups Buffalo Wing Sauce
1 8oz. block of cream cheese
1 1/2 cups blue cheese salad dressing
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
5 boneless/skinless chicken breast
cooked and shredded

Heat all the ingredients, except the chicken on the stove over medium heat until well blended. Then stir in the shredded chicken. Serve in a crock pot to keep warm with crackers and celery to dip.

Thanks again to Al and Tia DeRosa for playing hosts to such a great party last night. The energy and the company were delightful. You created an evening that will never be forgotten!

Many of our family members here are in law enforcement, keeping Rochester and surrounding areas safe. We always feel so secure in their company. They are some of the best people we know, with great values and a very strong work ethic and sense of mission in Zrii.

We enjoyed a sneak peak at the ZriiVost with a few of our leaders in the area last night before retiring. We also threw our arms off with that football as the kids ran under the lights. Angel Neidert, if only we all had a tight spiral like you! I think even Curtis was jealous of your John Elway-esque motion. Can I mention Elway's name this close to Buffalo??



There is so much excitement around Zrii in this area, and it is very contagious. Our hotel here is right off the 390, the main artery going through Rochester. Text messages around Zrii Nation here have been a blaze the past few days with the ZriiVost in the parking lot of the Marriott. We can't wait for the meeting here in a few hours. Hope to see you there!

Type to you tomorrow,

Clint (Foghorn Leghorn). Some people even call me Macaulay Culkin ?!?!?

P.S. Hats off again to our driver, Steve Gainey, who on this leg has logged 2280 miles - so far. Not quite half done. Nice work Steve! He can tell you all about the heartland, including Denver, Omaha, South Bend, and Cleveland. Steve is a total pro!