RAMBLIN’ with Helen...
After a very busy, tiring, but most rewarding week at our Eastern Star Grand Chapter Session at Saratoga, NY. I’ve had a bit of a problem making myself get at this month’s Ramblin and finishing the newsletter. I did manage to get 4 –1/2 pages done prior to leaving on Oct. 23rd, and am so glad I did! However, when catching up on the newspapers (always check the obits to see if I’m listed or anyone I know is), was so sorry to see that Phyllis Oster, wife of our member Ronald Oster, passed away on Oct. 24th after a courageous battle with cancer. Phyllis was a graduate of the Cato-Meridian, and I worked with her mother for years at the Cato Show Printing Co. She was survived by her husband Ronald, son and daughter-in-law James and Becky Oster of Canastota, two grandchildren, one brother, aunts, uncles, a niece and several cousins. Funeral services were held at noon on Saturday, Oct. 29th at the United Church of Canastota, with interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Expression of sympathy were sent, and am sure Ronald would appreciate cards at – 3179 Clock Road, Canastota, NY 13032.
On Thurs., Oct. 27th, our long-time member, Herbert Phillips passed away. He is the brother of Ted Phillips, and is survived by his wife Verna and three daughters. Services were Mon., Oct. 31st, 10:30 a.m. at the Hannibal United Methodist Church. I talked to Ted, and he said his brother has been failing for sometime. Expressions of sympathy were sent to both families, and am sure Mrs. Phillips would enjoy cards or a note at: 731 Co. Rt. 85, Oswego, NY 13126.
Before I left for Saratoga, I had an email from Perry Cleaveland telling me of the passing of Elton Clohecy, the long-time companion of our member of many years, Shirley Miller. Up until Elton’s health prevented them from coming, they were always at our jamborees, Christmas Party, etc., etc. I sent a card and note to Shirley and urge you to take a moment and do the same: Shirley Miller, PO Box 332, Waterloo, NY 13156 as know they would help ease the pain of the loss of her dear friend.
Now, on a more cheerful note – THANK YOU to: Dale and Sarah Lyndaker, Richard Ryczek for your most generous monetary donations that accompanied your renewals; and to Jessie Fish; Stuart Johnson; Roy Murphy and Dick DeNeve for your monetary and/or stamps included with your renewals. All are greatly appreciated and help so much each month with expenses.
Along with her renewal, Jessie Fish included a nice newsy letter, and am sure if you were closer, Jessie, you would be at all of our events. As she wrote, Binghamton is a bit of a jaunt for convenient participation. I hope your health will be much improved and that you will be able to make our festival in 2006.
I had it on my list of ‘TO DO’s” to give Betty Humphrey a call, but she beat me to it – and am so glad to report she is doing much better, and hopes to soon be up to doing some singing and playing again. She is back playing at her church, and that is most certainly a blessing for her and for the members. She wanted to remind everyone that there will be NO WED. NITE JAM SESSION at the Hillview Baptist Church, on O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville, NY until APRIL 2006, as Bibianne and George have gone south!!
I had an email telling me that Ted Wrench is scheduled for a pacemaker to be implanted on Nov. 9th, as his heart is only working at less than 25% - let’s keep him our prayers that this will be a successful solution to his problem.
Joy Crouch is recovering nicely from her recent hernia surgery, and Joy, if you’d be sure and follow doctor’s orders, you will recover just fine! I’ve sent the appropriate cards to those mentioned, and hope each of you will let me know when someone needs to be remembered. I am busy, BUT NEVER TOO BUSY when it comes to sending cards – just let me know.
Our dear friend and member, “Bud” Shortslef also recently had hernia surgery, and hope by now he is back home after having some extended therapy. Please send a card to: Ward Shortslef, 15119 Sterling Center Rd., Sterling, NY 13156. Bud, you are missed and in our thoughts and prayers always.
Jerry Miller had cataract surgery on Sept. 28th, and emails revealed he is doing fine.
Sharon Foultz sent me a copy of the reply she received from WCNY/TV regarding her request for them to broadcast the ‘BLUEGRASS JOURNEY’ program, and they indicated it may be done so on 1/1/’06 in the afternoon. Perhaps of more of us took the time to request it, it will becoma a reality. Send a note to: WCNY TV/DT, 506 Old Liverpool Rd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
I want to send a THANK YOU to Bob Sykes for sending me a copy of the “Bluegrass Goes To School” program. It was a very professional one, and they “out-did” themselves with the 2 full pages they devoted to CNYBA! (I’ve received 2 new memberships from it already), and on behalf of our association, thank you for doing this for us. Bob included a note saying it was a huge success, and thanked us for promoting this endeavor in our newsletter. That’s what our newsletter if for , and so glad our efforts helped out.
Following is a copy of a note I received from our long-time member, Norm Hasman when he sent his renewal. Oct. 10, 2005 – Dear Helen and People of CNYBA: First, I want to thank all of you for your dedication to the Apple Valley Festival. As Nada and I are away most of the time, we want to thank you for your Rambling, as it is our only way to keep up with our bluegrass friends. I was disappointed with the CNYBA, as our people DID NOT SUPPORT our music at Gouvernor – THANK GOD for our Canadian Friends. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY. With love and God Bless from 2400 miles away, Norm and Nada.
I neglected to mention in the Sept. or Oct. newsletter, that starting in Sept. we have a group of young girls from the Bal-On-Sen Triangle in Baldwinsville who are waiting on table at the Mason’s Pancake Breakfast that preceeds our monthly meetings in Cato. They are doing their best, and all the “tips” they receive are being put into their treasury to help towards the expense of going to their yearly convention. Two of them are the daughters of last years Master, and one is the Beloved Queen of their Triangle. I know first-hand how happy these girls are when they keep “adding” to their cup of tips – thanks to each of you who contribute to this worthy endeavor.
Well folks, I think I’ve covered all the news I’ve received or heard of except for the following: I understand there was a very poor turn-out at our Jamboree on Sun., Oct. 23rd with Andy Pawlenko and The Smokey Hollow Boys as host band. I feel partly to blame, as just didn’t have the time to do additional publicity before leaving for the week; BUT I covered it well in the Oct. newsletter, so ALL OF OUR MEMBERSHIP WERE WELL AWARE OF IT…I “BEG” you not to “let me down” like that for our Annual Christmas Party on Sun., Dec. 11th. I’m already so worried and find myself waking up nights wondering what will happen if we don’t get the usual reservations?? PLEASE HELP by sending your reservations to me NOW – all the details and blank are elsewhere in this newsletter. T H A N K Y O U ! ! (Andy, I am so sorry things turned out the way they did, as you and the band most certainly have always been there for us, and hope sometime in the future, we can make it up to you.)
Until our next visit, please keep those emails and calls coming my way regarding our members, and may each of you have a wonderful THANKSGIVING with lots of good food and fellowship with family and friends. I hope to spend it in Rhode Island with my oldest granddaughter and her family, which includes two darling great-grandsons!!
Helen
(Helen Weldon)
CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved.