January 2007
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

As we start a new year, my hopes and prayers are for each of you to have a “better” one is every way possible. HAPPY NEW YEAR to EACH of YOU.

Our membership lost two dedicated members in December. John Hornyak, a long-time member and supporter e-mailed me on Fri., Dec. 1st telling of the passing of Edwin A. Horton (56) of Norwich, N.Y. early that morning. Eddie had been a patient at the Veteran’s Home in Oxford for several months. Eddie served his country in the Pacific during the Vietnam Conflict, always a quiet, contented, unassuming soul, who especially loved and supported music and radio stations. He was also a member of PENNY, and attended ours and their festivals as long as he health enabled him to. He leaves his wife of 22 years, Pat, and an 89 year old father who is currently hospitalized with terminal bone cancer. Calling hours were at the R. J. Fahey Funeral Home in Norwich on 12/5 and services and burial were on the 6th. Expressions of sympathy (still not too late to send Pat a note) to Mrs. Patricia Horton, 185 Grotsinger Rd., Norwich, N.Y. 13815. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of CNYBA were sent to Pat, along with a note to John Hornyak, one of Eddie & Pat’s dearest friends; and who I know was a great help to Pat during the past months of Eddie’s illness.

When I received my yearly Christmas card from long-time member, Dot Malouin, she included the obituary of her dear husband, Al, who passed away Wed., Nov. 29th at the Birchwood Care Center in Fitchburg, MA. Al was born Feb. 25, 1923 in Saint Lin, Canada, served in the US Army during World War II, and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, four sons, five daughters, five brothers, three sisters, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son, four brothers, and two sisters. Funeral services were held on 12/2 at Higgins O’Connor Funeral Home with calling hours an hour prior to the service. Memories were shared by several family members, and the soloist was Alton “Bear” Bancroft Acker from Amherst, MA. I know many of you remember Dot & Al from their attendance years ago at the live taping programs at WCNY/TV, and they attended our festivals for many years. Please take a minute and send Dot a note to 5 Power Mill Rd., Phillipston, MA 01331. I’ve been privileged to have corresponded with Dot over the years, Dick & I visited their home, and know first-hand what a wonderful devoted “team” they were as man & wife. I know mail will help—so please send Dot a note.

On a “happy note”, had an e-mail from Howard Bonner telling me that his son Scott and his wife presented him with a granddaughter, Marina Sharon, on 12/4. She weighed 6 # 13 oz., and Grandpa said the mother and baby were doing find BUT Daddy was a mess! Wonder how grandpa was? Congratulations to all Howard & hope you get to see that “little gal” soon.
THANKS to each of you who sent me Christmas Cards; your kind words re: newsletter, Ramblin’, etc. are greatly appreciated. The following asked me to pass on their greetings to CNYBA members: Soc and Jan Nellis—“A very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year”. Mike Hadden from Canada—“Merry Christmas and all the best in 2007”. Homer Reynolds—“Say Hi to all the gang”; and George & Mable Reese—Mable wrote “George has a pacemaker and defibrillator and is doing much better”. George wrote that “he, Joe and Sherri got a good “pickin session” going and is doing real well”. So glad to hear this George, as know you missed those pickin sessions. He also said he just found out about Jean LaBow. Have no idea what that is, so hopefully someone will let us know.

Bert Mehlenbacher was coming up to Rochester for the holidays and expected to see snow for the first time in 16 years…do you think he saw any?

Bruce Cutler called me to report the passing of Benjamin Cady, Jr., better known as “Uncle Ben” on December 20th. He was very well known in the Boonville area, and also a big promoter of true Bluegrass and Old-time Country legends. May he rest in peace.

Belated Birthday Greetings were extended to our “sound man” Ray Crouch, who reached the ¾’s century mark on Dec. 5th.

A BIG THANK YOU to Roger & Roberta Ward, Ray Pickard, Neil Shortslef, Shirley Miller, Jack & Mary Anne Burns, Mike Hadden, Scott Langille and Thomas Burr for your monetary donations toward postage. When Mary Phillips sent her and Ted’s renewal, she included a book of stamps which sure helps me out (mailing back receipts and dues cards). She also said Andy continues to work hard at his therapy & says it’s so “good” to be home. To those of you who include a SASE – a thank you also.

I finally received a copy of the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association’s newsletter. Sometime ago I had asked Carl to send me one, as I send them one of ours, but no results. I finally sent him an e-mail and received a reply that he had been sending it to PO Box 491, B’Ville, N.Y., so hopefully Pete has gotten them.

I had an e-mail from Melinda on Sun., Dec. 10th , the youngest daughter of our board member, Chuck Foultz and his lovely wife Sharon, telling me they were in a bad automobile accident near Adams Center Saturday evening, resulting in Chuck being admitted to the hospital with a bruised lung and some fractured ribs. Sharon wasn’t admitted, but was badly bruised along with two fractured ribs. I received the following e-mail on Dec. 22nd from Sharon – “Hi Everyone, thank you for your prayers. Chuck is doing much better. His rib seems to be healing nicely. He went out and bought us a new car today, 20006 GMC envoy. (That made him feel better.) I have an infection in my lower left leg where I got scraped. So I’m a hot packing. Dr. said his 3 fx ribs took 6 months to heal. I guess that means my 2 fx ribs ought to heal about the same amount of time cause he’s younger than me, ha ha…However I believe if I can have everyone I know praying it will heal faster. Then I can drive our new car. I really miss watching my daycare children. They are just next door at Jan (my daughter’s hourse) but I went over once and they wanted to come home with me, not a pretty scene. I wish for you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy healthy New year. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Love to all of you.” Chuck sent me a picture of his truck which was totaled. As I told both of them, you can replace trucks but not people. They can be very thankful they are both on the road to recovery; and folks our thoughts and prayers are with you both.

WELCOME to NEW MEMBERS: Don Hagen, Dolores Connors, Jim Clark and Gordon Dobbins. Gordon’s membership was a gift from Chuck Foultz—always a good idea for someone you know who might like our music and help us carry out our purpose of promoting & preserving Bluegrass and Old-time music.

I had a nice e-mail from Donna Walter, and she wrote: “We are both doing fine and finally catching up with the earlier rat race and two time changes. They have a couple of little boys down the street, and their “Santa” presents are at Bob & Donna’s house, and Donna says she’s just as anxious or even more so to see their reactions as both are betting new bikes. As she says, their innocence warms your hearts.”

Several of the neighbors were going to get together for snacks and a good visit. Since our last visit my grandson has been in the hospital for a bad infection, but is now home and doing much better. Thanks for all your concerns and prayers.

Helen
(Helen Weldon)