OLAF FUB SEZ: According to author and essayist Michael Arlen, born Dikran Kouyoumdjian on this date in 1895, “It is amazing how nice people are to you when they know you’re going away.”

Letter-icy

In the AM when I get The News,

There are things for me to pick and choose.

For instance, the Jumble to figure out

And what the Scrambled

Word is all about.

When the weather is bad, I turn my attention

For a longer time of puzzle occupation.

I may try some thing called Wishing Well

And Cryptoquip, too, for a little spell.

True, important other tasks await me

And yet it seems that lately

The letters found in the alphabet

Supersede in all importance greatly!

—Dorothy Fleckenstein Hrycik

LOST AND FOUND— From Emporium, Pa., Brenda Mullins writes that she enjoyed a recent visit for a wedding in our fair city, except for one little hitch. She puts it this way:

“After the reception, we were going to walk back to the hotel, but instead jumped into a van/taxi that was sitting curbside when we came out of Pearl Street Grill on Saturday night. He very kindly took all eight of us back to the Hyatt safe and sound. Problem being, the next morning I realized my Olympus Stylus digital camera and leather case had fallen out of my purse and obviously on the floor in the back seat of that taxi.

“I have tried calling several taxi companies, but none have seen my camera. I’m thinking maybe our driver and taxi was an independent and I was hoping in that . . . someone, somewhere may have found my camera and they’re not sure who it belongs to. I really don’t even care if I get the camera back, it’s all the memories that are on my memory card from years gone by and from that fun night in Buffalo! If anyone does happen to know of this camera, you could call me at (814) 594-0404. Thanks a million.”

CENTURY SONGS— The Canisius College Chorale, under the direction of Frank Scinta, brings its repertoire of nearly six centuries of sacred and secular choral selections to historic Corpus Christ Catholic Church, 199 Clark St., in Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore District, for a performance at 7:30 tonight as part of the church’s 100th-anniversary celebration. Admission is free. All are welcome.

BEST FLOWERS FORWARD— The African Violet& Gesneriad Society of Western New York is meeting at 7:30 p. m. Tuesday in the cafeteria of Depew High School, 5201 Transit Road. This month’s program features master grower Doris Brownlie speaking on “Growing to Show.” As usual, there’s a leaf exchange, blossom show, tips for beginners and a repotting station. All are welcome. Refreshments are served. For info, contact Paul Kroll at 652-8658 or e-mailpfkroll@roadrunner.com .

MILESTONE MOMENT —Celebrating her 100th birthday Sunday in Seneca Health Care Center in West Seneca was Jennie Basile, who worked for Herr Manufacturing Co. for 50 years and served as secretary and treasurer. Never married, in retirement she traveled extensively with tour groups, visiting Hong Kong and Thailand, Turkey and Greece, and Rome, where she saw the pope. At Seneca, where she has been a resident for three years, she enjoys bingo, Red Hatter tea parties and church services. Her secret of a long life? “Staying active definitely helped,” she says.

STRING THEORY— Guest speaker for the November meeting of the Niagara Frontier Chapter of N. Y. State Women Inc., formerly Tonawandas Business&Professional Women, is Mary Cay Neal of Kenmore, who founded Buffalo Suzuki Strings 40 years ago and pioneered the Suzuki violin teaching method in Western New York.

The meeting, open to working women on the Niagara Frontier, will be at 6 p. m. Tuesday in Pane’s Restaurant, 984 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda. Nonmembers are welcome, but reservations are required. Call Alice Ellman at 695-2742.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Alyssa Sole, Katrina Ziolo, Elaine Lewandowski, Ed Kosobucki, Sister Elizabeth Kovacs, Michael Haggerty, Eric Skierczynski, Judy O’Leary, Thomas Victor, Marilyn Brady, Terry Dubey, David Callman, Kathy Davis, Vera Canada, Lora Morales, Kevin Coffee, Esther Fleckenstein, Dan Farry, Liam Allman, Mary Fial, Theresa Manzella Romanowski, David Hall, Peter Dembik, Carol Hageman, Mike Durant, Marlene Bellow, Jeff Kohler and Alicia Webster-Pointer.