Tag: Kiran

Montgomery High School Academic Award Presentation

Kiran is one of 70 National Merit Scholarship Commended Students from Montgomery Township High School.

And she received honours award for Foreign Languages; German in her case.

Language Honours. Kiran did well in German. —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO1250), © Khürt L. Williams

Kiran is a 2019 National Merit Scholarship Commended Student

Last night we attended our final Montgomery High School Bands Spring Concert. Our daughter and our youngest, Kiran, is graduating this summer and in the fall will start attending Oberlin College and Conservatory in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin, where she will be studying the classics, awarded her a scholarship.

Montgomery High School Wind Ensemble —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.002 sec at f/5.6, ISO12800), © Khürt L. Williams

Kiran started with the High School Band program in her freshman year, qualifying and playing with the marching band. She initially played alto saxophone but switched from alto saxophone in 7th grade to tenor saxophone then switched again from tenor to baritone saxophone in 8th grade. She was very excited to be in the band. She had challenges making friends in high school, but the band provided her with a home. She worked hard and eventually became a band captain. She loved giving back, volunteering to play in any band program for which she qualified. She played in the Marching Band at football games, the Stage Band, the pit band at high school plays, the Wind Ensemble for concert performances, and marched with the band during Veteran’s Day observances at Montgomery Park.

Montgomery High School Wind Ensemble —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO4000), © Khürt L. Williams

Last night during her the final performance with the Wind Ensemble, she introduced the piece of music the musicians were about to perform. The music, Unquiet Hours, was composed by David Biedenbender. The musicians dedicated their performance to mental health and Kiran was chosen to explain to the audience the challenges of mental health and the reason why the band decided to dedicate their performance to mental health.

—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.009 sec at f/5.6, ISO12800), © Khürt L. Williams
Kiran talking about mental health and introducing the next pice of music, _Unqiet Hours_. —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.011 sec at f/5.6, ISO12800), © Khürt L. Williams

Last night after the final performance with the wind ensemble and stage band, the band program director, Mr. Adam Warshafsky, announced that some of the band students had were awarded National Merit Scholarships. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that our daughter, Kiran, was one of them.

We are so proud of her and what she has accomplished for herself.

Montgomery High School Band Graduating Seniors —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.010 sec at f/5.6, ISO12800), © Khürt L. Williams

Lunch at Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette with Bhavna and Kiran

Aunt Chubby’s

Went here for breakfast on a Saturday morning shortly after reading about Aunt Chubby's in MercerMe. I enjoyed my first visit so much that I took my family back several times even after road construction on CR 518 cut Hopewell Township off from Montgomery Township where I live.

Aunt Chubby’s —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (38.8 mm, 0.000 sec at f/4.0, ISO800), © Khürt L. Williams

The staff and management were friendly and willing to give me an abbreviate history of Aunt Chubby's. I was introduced to several local business owners, all of whom had a story to tell about Chubby's Luncheonette, the name that was used when the current owner's aunt ran the place. I don't remember the old Chubby's, but from talking with several patrons, it seems a lot of work has been put into restoring the bright and straightforward interior while keeping some of the charming features of the old restaurant. The vibe reminded me of when I lived on the island of Bequia, where everyone knows your name and neighbours look out for each other.

Aunt Chubby's —FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2 @ (50 mm, 0.010 sec at f/5.6, ISO2000), © Khürt L. Williams

On my first visit, I sat at the counter and ordered the "Cheesy Grits and Greens" with an egg on top and a few slices of bacon. It was delicious and was my instant favourite. I could tell that quality ingredients were used to make the food. The menu offers updated modern versions of luncheonette classics. The service was very attentive. Many of the ingredients on the menu were sourced locally with the eggs and meat coming from sustainable sources.

  • Eggs: Joe Grinbaum, Ringoes, NJ
  • Pork: Greenflash Farm, Skillman, NJ
  • Beef: Bridgepoint Run Farm, Montgomery, NJ
  • Bacon: John F. Martin & Sons, Stevens
Aunt Chubby's Cheesy Grits and Greens —FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2 @ (50 mm, 0.010 sec at f/5.6, ISO5000), © Khürt L. Williams
Aunt Chubby’s Classic BLT —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (38.8 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Aunt Chubby’s Grilled Cheese with Gruyere and Fries —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (38.8 mm, 0.002 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams

For subsequent visits with my family, we sat at one of the tables near a well-lit window. I love the way the light streams in. After I raved about my experience on my first visit, Bhavna and Kiran agreed to have a late brunch with me at Aunt Chubby's Luncheonette. The welcome was just as warm and friendly as the first time I visited. I had a cappuccino and a grilled cheese sandwich. Kiran had a BLT sandwich. Bhavna had a cheese omelette wrap. I loved my food.

Aunt Chubby’s —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.017 sec at f/8.0, ISO800), © Khürt L. Williams
Aunt Chubby’s —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.013 sec at f/8.0, ISO800), © Khürt L. Williams

We ate, drank a few cappuccinos, and hung out for a while. I felt comfortable. Like I had been coming here for ages.

We will be back.

Aunt Chubby’s —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (33.2 mm, 0.002 sec at f/4.0, ISO800), © Khürt L. Williams
Aunt Chubby's Pastries —FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2 @ (50 mm, 0.010 sec at f/5.6, ISO1000), © Khürt L. Williams
Aunt Chubby’s —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (31.1 mm, 0.003 sec at f/4.0, ISO800), © Khürt L. Williams