June 2008
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

I thought when it was time to have another “visit” with you all, we would be enjoying warm weather. HOWEVER, as I start writing this on 5/19, it is a very dark, cloudy, COLD and WINDY day – not expected to hit 50 degrees! As the weather forcaster said last nite – we had May weather in April, and April weather in May – I agree. We can't control it, so enough said on that subject! I'm going to try and keep the news, notes, etc. I've received since March in date order, and know some it, some of you already know about.

On March 27th , I received an email from Brenda Wrench, saying Ted had undergone surgery to reroute his pacemaker leads so they wouldn't zap him, and also put in some stints where needed. On April 25th, received an email telling all that they had a good trip home from Florida and that Ted was doing fine. In the past few days, I have had a couple of emails from Brenda telling about Jim Callhan - I apparently didn't get the first email telling what his problem was, but the emails now indicate he is gaining some. If any of you know him, please email Brenda at: wrenchranch@webtv.net to get the details on what the problem is. I tried, but got no response, and I do not know the gentleman.

When George Reese sent his renewal, he included the following message to share with you all – “Hello Helen – Mabel and I are doing ok. I have been in the hospital a couple of times since last I wrote you, mostly due to heart related problems. Right now everything is going ok. We just had our first measureable snow since we have been down here, 3 to 4”, but all gone the next day. Our weekly jam session is going well. I really enjoy them---get to go to some other jams in Lexington with Sherri and Joe on occasion. Am really sorry to hear of the many changes in the club. Know that leaving the Masons was unavoidable but not having a festival and not getting a newsletter every month is regrettable. I, for one that lives away, looked forward to getting your column every month plus other things going on made a bright spot in the month. News that is 3 months old just doesn't do a lot for me, and I'm sure a lot of others feel the same way. Give our regards to the other folks that remember us.” (Sincerely, George and Mabel Reese.) I sent George a “Thinking Of You Card” when I sent him his dues card and receipt, and hope he continues to stay well and out of the hospital.

Off and on thru the months, Maryan VanDusen and I have had telephone conversations, and I learned that their daughter Nada had spent some time in the hospital in late March, and since then she seems to be better than she has been in a long time. Let's keep prayers going for her, that she will continue to do so. The “little one” that Maryan and John have is now a “big one”. Has to with the loving care given to him by that couple!

Altho Carl Leege is unable to attend our meetings, he sent his renewal in April because he still feels “attached to CNYBA” thru the “Ramblin' with Helen” column. He also spoke about the excellent coverage in the Dec. issue regarding the passing of our beloved Andy Pawlenko. Carl has been a member since the early 70's, and got interested in the music by listening to Bill Knowlton's “Bluegrass Ramble” while driving home from his work in Rochester to Wolcott on Sun. nites. He attended the first festival held at the late Frank Saplin's farm, and was sold on the music and our organization. His wife Clara is now in a nursing home in Canandaigua , NY .

I had a nice note from Bert Mehlenbacher, written April 12 th to let me know his dear wife Alice is now in a nursing home in Rochester – at Brightonian, 1919 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14620. Bert has moved to be closer to her at: 81 Linden Ave., apt. 002 , Rochester, NY 14610. This couple have been members for well over 25 years, so please take a moment and send a card or note to each of them. Thanks Bert for your very kind words regarding my work for CNYBA – they do help to try and make my decision as to how long more I will continue a bit more positive.

I hope many of you heard about Mary Anne and Jack Burn's 50th Anniversary Party on Sat., April 19th at the American Legion in Marcellus. I sent a card from our association, and folks, hope it was a huge success and that lots of your family, and bluegrass friends were able to join you.

When B. Joanne Baxter sent her renewal on May 7th, she included a nice note telling about going to one of Ron and Nancy OneSong's Concerts and how they discussed the fact of no festival at LaFayette this year; the change in meeting places, change of our president, etc. and all hoped that CNYBA can come back to be an active club again soon. As she said, folks are getting older, busier with other activities, and now the cost of gas! She had to end her note as she was going our to work in her flower bed – more power to you Joanne and hope that garden is a beautiful one this year.

I had a nice note from Peg Miller, along with their renewal – she felt badly because late in sending it. That indeed is a problem with getting a quarterly newsletter. I removed 18 names of members whose membership was due in Jan. and Feb. as those folks did have a reminder with a highlighted label in the March issue. All of those whose memberships are due in March, April, May, June and July , will have their dates highlighted on the June Issue. P L E A S E just take a moment to mark your calendar that your membership is due and send it to me – early is fine too! (51 labels will be highlighted).

I know our acting president, Dennis Crawford, has worked hard to spread the word that our dear member Olive Loucks was going to celebrate her 90 th birthday on May 23rd , and a card shower was suggested. I understand that she and Vernon were at the May 11 th meeting and an “early” celebration was had! Congratulations Olive – you are indeed a dear lady and friend to all – may you enjoy God's richest blessings and celebrate more birthdays. Folks, if you didn't know about it, you can still send a card to: 629 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango, NY 13037.

I felt badly that I was unable to attend the May meeting due to no offer of a ride, but thanks to Neil Shortsleff for an offer to ride with him, I was able to go to the Annual Meeting on April 13th. CONGRATULATIONS to our new slate of officers who will take over in September. I'm sure they will be listed elsewhere in this newsletter, and I truly feel their goal is to get our CNYBA back on the right track. Please give them a chance, and offer to help them.

Just this past week, I had an email from Joy Crouch, telling me that when she had her yearly mammogram, they found a lump, and she is waiting for an appointment for a biopsy. Please keep Joy in your prayers, as she has such a strong faith that prayers did help her beat her last bout with cancer, and that they again will help her thru the days ahead – let's hope and pray it is not cancerous.

Since our last newsletter, we're happy to WELCOME new members: Ron & Shelly Coleman; Barb & Tim Stevens; Jim and Karen Brower; Peter McDonald & Family and Greg & Joyce Rundle. A big THANK YOU to the following who included donations when they renewed: Martin Lovell; Lou Steigerwald; A. Fred Castle; George Reese; Bob Deverell, Bob Wright; Dale & Audrey Barnell; Roger & Roberts Ward and Paul Jantzi.

I just had a nice visit with Kathleen Mayhew, another longtime member, as she called to ask a question about our Bakless Bake Sale Fundraiser. She had never heard of one and wondered if it was going to be a monthly thing. I assured her it was a one-time (per year anyways) effort and a suggestion I was so happy to see given a try. Thru my Eastern Star Chapter in Cato, we have one each year and have never made less than three hundred dollars with a membership of 90; so hopefully with our much larger membership, and everyone's cooperation, our treasury should receive a big increase.

I am typing this on the 20th, and last evening I had an email from Shirley Stevens asking if I had a way to go to the picnic on June 8th . She is planning on going for awhile, but has a playing gig later in the day, but still offered to come to Cato for me and find me a ride home. I told her not to plan on that as she has a full enough day. I don't want anyone to go out of their way to accommodate me, but if someone is going thru Cato, or near enough to do so, then I would appreciate an offer to be able to go to our meetings and events. My plans are uncertain for June 8th right now, but as the time gets closer, one might check with me. THANKS.

I heard from a couple of members via email that the Jamboree was a success, and that there are others in the planning stage. I thought about you all and even got home early from working the Legion Pancake Breakfast in case the member who promised I would have a way did find one, but heard nothing. Oh well, maybe things will work out so I can attend the next one.

Well, folks, it's been nice visiting with each of you and I urge you to support the Benefit for VERA HOUSE put on by Friends of Bluegrass under the direction of Ed Campbell at the LaFayette Apple Valley Festival Grounds on July 31st , Aug. 1st and 2nd , along with all the other festivals throughout Central New York. Have a wonderful summer, and if our paths don't cross before, perhaps they will at our September 14th meeting. Again, I'm sure elsewhere in this newsletter a site and time will be given, as understand we have a new location for that date.

Helen
(Helen Weldon)

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