At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I lit a candle and said a prayer for a troubled friend. Radio City Music Hall was closed that day and I never made it back to see the Rockettes. I walked on Broadway, did a little dance on 42nd Street and strolled along the observation deck of the Empire State Building.

Say, I care Nick Valenti wanted this press release sent everywhere. I’ve had some fun with this.

“New York, New York/It’s a wonderful town/the Bronx is up and the Battery’s down.” I love the Internet when it can tell me what movie this song is from and what “Battery” means.

I already knew about the Bronx, which is New York City’s northernmost borough. The Battery is the southern tip of Manhattan, facing New York Harbor, and was named for the artillery battery that was stationed there to protect the harbor.

What film is the song from? “On the Town,” a 1949 flick starring Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Jules Munshin, Ann Miller, Betty Garrett and Vera-Ellen. It’s about sailors on a 24-hour leave from their ship.

I’m no sailor but I had a good time in New York. But, concrete canyons and driving forever to get anywhere on a daily basis didn’t appeal to me. So, I clicked my heels three times, said “There’s no place like home” and landed back in Ottumwa.

It’s a wonderful town, too. You and I are here.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.