July - 2005
RAMBLIN’ with Helen...
As I begin my monthly “visit” with you on July 2nd, what a beautiful day it is! The terrible hot, muggy last days of June has been replaced with a much cooler breeze and bright sunshine. Hope each of you in your own way survived that hot weather, but am sure it will be back with us soon. Oh well, as I’ve said before, the weather is one thing no one (not even the government) can control!
On June 6th, I received the following email from Peg Miller: “Well I guess it’s my turn to be pampered for awhile!! Seems like I decided to practice my high dive on the curb coming out of Eckard’s. The only thing is there was no water in the parking lot! I wiped out, breaking a few fingers, taking a layer of skin off my right shoulder and left knee, and watching while the legs of my brand new white jeans became cut-offs! The best part? The performance was smack dab in front of a parked ambulance whose attendants were just coming out of the grocery store. They made quick work of taking all the vitals, strapping me to the backboard and off we went. Of course everyone from around here knows what summer construction is like on the road to the hospital, Need I say more? After a 5 hr. stay in the emergency room, they sent me home with fingers taped together and a plaster cast from fingertips to forearm ‘till I can see an orthopedic surgeon which will be Wed. Now this is a challenge since I have no absolutely no coordination with my left hand but I am learning!! Hunt and peck isn’t so bad, it’s trying to manipulate the mouse that takes the skill. Since I can no longer drive, Jerry is doing what he can in the Roadtrek. He can’t drive my car as he can’t feel the brake in that but has more foot room in the van which makes it easier. My friend Linda will be taking me for Dr. appointments, and that this thing isn’t too long lived!!!!!!!” I’ve kept in contact with them off and on throughout the month, and on the 30th, received news that both are doing fairly well – Jerry goes for therapy on Mon., Wed. and Fri., and Peg on Tues. and Thurs. and of course they are on opposite sides of the city; but as Peg says, it is helping and that’s what counts. They are going camping at Montour Falls for the 4th of July weekend, as many of their friends will be there for it is a MDA Fundraiser – something they do each year. Folks, all of us are so glad to hear you both are “on the mend”, and keep it up.
I received the following “note” from the family of DeEarl “Sam” Webb – “THANK YOU” for the beautiful write-up in the newsletter, and will write later to let you know how we are all dong. Expect to be in Norwich on June 25th” – signed: Dale and Norm Webb, Lin & Daphne Little and girls, Eilene Little & son, Candy Little, son and daughter. You all are in our thoughts and prayers that each day helps to ease the pain of loss I know each of you are feeling, and can assure you that time indeed does help.
A big “THANK YOU” to Bert and Alice Mehlenbacher and Carol McGinley for their generous donations included with their renewals; and to Jean and Stu McWhorter for their SASE – folks every little bit helps us to “Keep Bluegrass Alive in 2005”! I have received two gift memberships in June: Ed Horton (who used to belong, and as I’ve written in the last couple of Ramblins’ in slowly recovering from surgery) given by Bruce Cutler and John Hornyack, another former member; and Tom Russell who gave another friend one. Folks, doing this makes a nice gift, and helps us too – keep it in mind for those who have everything…
I am always glad to receive news from members telling of their experiences, etc., and the following is a reply I received on 6/22 from Donna Walter, after sending them a “WELCOME HOME” email: “Thank You for your welcome home letter. It was not so hot on arrival. The well was dry, roof leaked and we had mold, toiled cracked, washer leaked, grass 3 ft. tall, hot water tank crapped out and mice had been here. That is all nothing, compared to the fact that our daughter Jennifer was bitten by a bat and is undergoing rabies treatment. She WAS HOSPITALIZED TWICE – THE SECOND TIME IN SERIOUS CONDITION, BUT IS DOING OK NOW. She sure is traumatized from it, and I guess I can’t blame her. The trip up was so hot and the refrigerator died in the motor home. We stopped at the Windegap festival and it was soooo hot and rainy. Like a steam bath with a little mud thrown in. We got back here and had to have the furnace on!! But, I will not complain about that. We plan to go to the Norwich festival to help those folks who are trying so hard to make it go. We WILL BE AT OUR FESTIVAL, so will see you there, if not before. This week and next are brutal – 2 graduations, 1 wedding, 1 50th anniversary, festival, motor home repair, car inspections and the car has a recall. BUT, WE ARE DOING FINE, SO THAT IS BEST!” – love, Donna.
Please note : I have decided, starting with the September Newsletter, that any news items having a date, phone number and location, will have to be sent to me by mail or email to: helwel80@yahoo.com. I am only human and am the first to admit I do make mistakes, but others can too. My sincere apologies to Bibiane Bouthillette for having the wrong phone number in the notice of the Wednesday Night (April-Oct.) Jam Session at the Hillview Baptist Church Hall, O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville, NY. (off rt. 48 near Soroco). All are welcome, listners as well as players. Phone 454-3897 or 626-2594. I hope you didn’t miss too many calls, Bibiane, and “double-duty” this month will compensate from the error. Thanks for your very formal written notice, and hope this will take care of any mis-understanding between us.
Thanks to Joy and Ray Crouch for coming my way so I could go to our Annual Picnic, which was not very well attended. I along with some of our other members who were there, hope we can move it back to Mercer Park in 2006. The ham was delicious Marion, and a special thanks to you and Sam for all you both did for it – especially those tables and chairs for us to use while eating. When Pete Carr sent me the checks for the postage and mailing of this newsletter, he included a note saying: “They had a great time at Norwich and there was a big crowd. We are going to Montour Falls this weekend and Tioga Center the next weekend – the Good Lord Willing”. Pete and Mary, we all pray you can indeed make these places, as no one deserves it more than you do.
During the next few weeks, I will be working on the final plans for our Annual Christmas Party on Sun., Dec. 11th at the VFW Post in Baldwinsville, with James Reams and the Barnstormers as our featured band. Speaking of this group, they will be at the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Festival in Rome on July 23rd and 24th – if you have a chance, check them out there.
This will be my last chance to urge each of you to please consider giving Ed a call at: 315-673-4180 or John at: 315-252-0610 to let them know you will be glad to volunteer your services at our festival. Many hands do make light work - it is OUR festival and can only survive and grow by working together. As I’ve said elsewhere, I am doing my best to work out a way to be there and help – but is so hard when one has to depend on others to get from one place to another, and would rather do most anything else than ask for help. Also, get you advance ticket requests in now – send payment with stamped self-addressed envelope to CNYBA, % of CATHY CAMPBELL, 5697 N. Manlius Road, Fayetteville, NY. 13066 – ($25.00. is the cost).
Before typing this “book” on the morning of July 4th, I read in the paper where Hope Shortslef’s father, Charles Cooper of Sterling, passed away on July 3rd. He is survived by his wife, another daughter Faith, a brother, sister, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two stepgreat-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Services will be 4 p.m., Tues., July 5th at Foster Funeral Home, 837 Cayuga St., Hannibal, with a calling hr. from 3 to 4 prior to the service. Burial at Sterling Center Cemetery, Sterling. Expressions of sympathy will be sent to Hope and her family, and urge you to take a moment to do so too: 1403 Old State Rd., Sterling, NY. 13156. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family, Hope.
Well, folks, this is indeed long enough of a visit for this month, my hands are numb from typing, and am sure you are more than ready to quit reading – I hope each of you have a fun-filled, healthy, and relaxing summer. Please send me any news of any kind so I can keep all informed, and until our Sept. Newsletter - may our paths cross, and if not, please know each of you are in my thoughts and prayers always.
Helen
(Helen Weldon)
CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
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