November 2006
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

After joining five other ladies at the Rec room here at the complex where I live to pass out “goodies” to all the “trick-or-treaters”, decided there was still time to write my monthly “visit” to you all. We didn't have nearly as many this year, but the “little ones” are so cute and really enjoy going around the table to each one for something to put in their bags. My trip to Rhode Island was wonderful and the colors were at their peak in many places. My greatgrandson Andrew is quite a soccer player, and we had all we could do to keep his younger brother Matthew from joining him on the field. We all went Duck Pin Bowling, a very popular pastime in the New England States, and yours truly was the only one to get a strike! This game is played with a much smaller ball, with no holes, the pins are lighter, but the alleys are uniform length, with padded bumpers so the ball can't go into the gutter – truly a life saver! Andrew is having his 8 th birthday party there on Nov. 4 th, the third year he has chosen to do so as all the kids just love the bowling.

Please remember, THERE IS NO MEETING in CATO on SUN., NOV. 12 th , due to no heat as the new boiler isn't installed yet. I phoned Ed when the Master of the Lodge called and said that the boiler couldn't be fixed, and after talking to some other members, he called back saying that since there wasn't anything urgent, he had decided to cancel the meeting rather than finding another place to meet. He urges all officers and board members to make a special effort to attend the Nov. 26 th Jamboree, in case a short meeting should be necessary.

Another over-due THANK-YOU is needed to be sent to Joy Crouch for the picture that appeared in last month's newsletter of the Irene Thurston Award winners. My daughter copied it off and even enlarged it to an 8 x 10, which I sent to Bob and Donna Walter. Speaking of them, they have left for their home in Alabama for the winter.

Other members who have gone south are Bibiane Bouthilette, George Hall, and Elthea & Frances White – folks enjoy the warn, snow free weather and will look forward to hearing of your safe return in the spring.

Thank you to Bob and Carol Jeannin for the email they sent to me regarding Dusty Bevins passing. They were traveling and didn't have my phone number of email address until they got home. As I've told you all many times, I would rather hear a dozen times regarding someone than not hear, so never hesitate to call, email or write to me. I love all three methods!

I had a nice visit with Mary Carr on the 30 th, when she called to thank me for the sympathy card I sent at the time of her sister's passing.

Maude M. Breeds Kirtnacher, 84 of Baldwinsville passed away on Oct. 17 th after a long illness. She was survived to 2 daughters, 4 sisters, 2 grand children and 8 great grandchildren. Calling hours were 4-7 on Fri., Oct. 20 th , at the Faladeau Funeral Home, in Baldwinsville, and services were 11 a.m. on Sat. the 21 st , with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park , Warners, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Hospice of CNY, 990 7 th North St., Liverpool , NY. 13088-6148. Included in the obituary was a picture, and one knew right away she was a sister to Mary. At the present time, Mary is entertaining a bad cold, and am sure a note or call would be appreciated – 2177 W. Genesee Rd. , Baldwinsville , NY 13027 or 315-635-5800. Hurry and get well, Mary.

Congratulations to Joy and Ray Crouch, who celebrated their 23 rd wedding anniversary on Oct. 15 th. I told Joy to “hang in there” and in 2 years we all will celebrate with them! BE SURE to get your reservations with remittance to Mark Sostrin for our ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY that will be on SUN., DEC. 3 rd . These need to be to him by Nov. 25 th . This “fun-time” event has always been well attended, and folks, I ask you to continue to support it, and I am looking forward to having time to visit with each of you this year. SEE YOU THERE.

Here is an update on our dear member and friend, Andy Pawlenko. He was moved on Sat., Oct. 7 th to Manor at Seneca Hill, Room 210B, 20 Manor Dr . , Oswego , NY 13126 . His phone number is: 349-5456. His sister Mary reports he is so glad to be closer to home, and is working very hard at therapy to learn to walk and looking forward to being able to return to his own home. If any of you are in the vicinity please stop and see him. I continue to send cards and jokes from my emails. Andy, I've neglected you lately, but promise to do better real soon!

THANK YOU to Gert Rozelle, Richard Crowley, Perry & Caren Cleaveland, Leslie Lash and Mr. & Mrs. John Lighthall for your additional donations towards postage included with your renewals. Speaking of renewals, folks, I am concerned about them not coming to me in a timely fashion…PLEASE CHECK YOUR LABEL, and RENEW if it is marked, as have never had so many to mark before. You all are important to our association.

I received a nice note from Dora Tupper when she sent her renewal, saying she'd like to know who coined the word RETIRED. .she can't imagine how she ever found time to work! Keep busy Dora, I keep telling myself that is what keeps me young!

THANKS VERNON LOUCKS, for your kind words regarding the newsletter when you sent yours and Olive's renewal. I think of you both so often, and pray our paths may cross again real soon – you both are such dear friends to us all.

In last month's newsletter, I wrote about a letter I had received from “Soc” Nellis when he renewed, and remarked that like him, Bradley Kincaid was one of my favorites. In the mail, I received a tape, “Radio Memories” of songs he sang when he guested on Checkerboard Time years ago. Soc says this is a rare tape, and one of his favorites, and I can assure you I know why, and Soc it is one of my favorites also. THANKS SO MUCH FOR IT.

Here are some more members who need a Special Thanks for their most generous donations towards expenses included with their renewals: Carol Grant, Dale & Sarah Lyndaker, and Elthea & Francis White.

I had a nice long letter from Gert Rozelle, a long-time member when she renewed telling me she had Sinus Surgery on July 7 th, and is feeling much better. She stays close to home as she helps and visits with her siblings who live near and all are in various stages of poor health. She has her name in for Senior Housing, but there are 14 ahead of her on the list so may be awhile. However, Gert it is amazing how fast those lists change, so just have faith. She, like me dreads to see winter come, but that is one thing we can't cancel!

I had an email from Carl Stump asking if I remembered Steve Weih, a banjo player from the Rome area, who moved to Wyoming 10 or 12 years ago. I don't, but perhaps some of you do – anyways, he has a web site: www.acousticfriends.com and would like to hear from Central New York Bluegrass Fans.

I want to share with you a note that I received from our member Nancy Powderly, and thank her for the notecards. Nancy wrote: “I volunteer at Highland Hospital here in Rochester for the Arts In Health Care Program (Healing Arts). Since you seem to send out a lot of greeting cards, I thought I would send you a pack of our cards that we made. They are prints of assorted tiles that patients made here at Highland . After the ceramic tiles are painted, we have them fired in a kiln and we put them up on walls in the hospital (called Hope Walls). If anyone visits anyone at Highland , they can see them on various walls, especially at the front entrance. Art can be very THEAPUTIC! Her daughter is a member of a Bluegrass Band in Madison , Wisconsin and they play every Tues. night at Wonder's Pub, so if any of you ever are in Madison please check them out.” Nancy also had some very nice comments regarding the Ramblin and our newsletter for which I thank her for.

I want to thank Bob Sykes for the copy of the program booklet from the Marcellus Grassroots Music Festival held on Oct. 14 th . I hear it was a huge success, and thanks also for the nice two- page ad that promoted our CNYBA.

A last minute email I received reports that Ted and Brenda Wrench made it to Zypherhills, Fl. Ok, but had lots of mechanical problems including a 4 ½ hr. trip from N. Florida to Zypherhills with no reverse! So glad you make it folks, and am sure some work will be done before you start home in the spring.

The last letter I want to share with you is from “Wren Doubler”, a relative of Uncle Dave Macon, and the mother of Duke Doubler, whom I wrote about a few years ago when he was and won a battle with cancer – Dear Helen – “I think it is about time I let you know what's been going on with us this summer. My dear husband, Alvin , age 83, died suddenly here at home on May 7 th . He had a seizure and was gone when they got him to the hospital. The shock of him going so fast has been hard for me to deal with. Then exactly 12 weeks later I had to watch my second son Duke die from his second bout of cancer at age 52. My children have been great about staying with me, checking in on me, etc. but I say lonely. I went to Uncle Dave Days for 4 hours on Sat., and they had a short memorial service for 5 people that has passed away during the year, all of them had always helped with UD Days. Alvin is resting near my parents, in the same row with Uncle Dave.” Your friend, Wren. Wren and I exchange letters at Christmas time, and always reminisce about the good time we had when they visited my home years ago while visiting upstate as guests of Bill Knowlton. I also was a guest in her home when I went to Uncle Dave Days in 1989 – she is a good friend.

Well folks, I am sure by now you all are saying – “will she ever shut-up”! I am going to do just that after these final reminders – Remember: NO MEETING at CATO on SUN., NOV. 12 th ; RON and NANCY ONESONG at VFW Post 153, 55 Woods Rd. , Baldwinsville , NY . On SUN., NOV. 26 th , 2 to 6 pm. (possibly a short meeting); ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY on SUN., DEC. 3 rd at VFW Post 153, 55 Woods Rd., Baldwinsville, NY. Since our party is on the 1 st Sunday, President Ed says we will NOT HAVE A MEETING on Dec. 10 th in CATO – you all CAN DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THAT DAY!! I hope each of you have a BLESSED THANKSGIVING with family and friends, and will be back to “visit” with you again before Christmas. REMEMBER OUR SERVICE MEN and WOMEN.

Helen
(Helen Weldon)

CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved.

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