March 2007
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

Since our last “visit” ole'man winter most certainly has made its' presence known – far too much for yours truly! First things first – last month, I forgot to thank John Peterson for the five beautiful “Get-Well” and five beautiful “Sympathy” cards that he included with his renewal. These two type cards are ones I have a hard time keeping on hand, and John, they were certainly welcomed… THANK YOU.

I received a nice long letter from Sharon Volles, a charter and honorary member, who, like so many, has had to become the caretaker for her mother, who has dementia, and can't be left alone. A few days after Thanksgiving, her father, who is 89, fell and broke his left leg vertically, and is in the Iroquois Nursing Home, thus making it necessary for her Mom to come and stay with Sharon and Norm on Nov. 30 th . As Sharon wrote, this has put a strain on all, and the hardest part is seeing a vital woman, full of fun, a great golfer and who loved all 29 members of her family (from sons, daughters, in-laws, grand and great grandchildren), just sit, not doing puzzles, reading and letting personal daily care go. She has made sure her Mom has gotten to see her husband everyday but 3, when no visitors were permitted. A brother and sister who live nearby had made it a point to give Sharon breaks each week, which is a big help, but 24/7 care is not an easy undertaking for anyone. I sent a nice “Thinking of You” card and letter to Sharon , and know cards and notes would really be a big “morale” booster to both her and Norm – please take a moment and send one to: 3780 Otisco Rd. , Marietta , NY . 13110, or phone 315-696-8388. Sharon doesn't have email, and says the US Mail and phone are her lifelines. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Sharon and Norm.

Thank You to Homer Reynolds for the beautiful valentine, and also to Vernon and Olive Loucks for their card. Vernon wrote if he could have 2 Valentines, I'd be the second one! I also received valentine cards from Sharon Volles, when she sent a “Thank You” for the card and letter I sent, and from Kathleen Mayhew when she sent hers and her daughter's renewals. THANKS TO ALL.

I had an email from Bruce Cutler, telling me that he and Connie had a good time on their cruise, and visit to Grand Ole Opry where they saw Bill Anderson, “Little” Jimmy Dickens, Lori Morgan, “Riders In The Sky”. Speaking of this folks, I've had phone calls and emails regarding who to make checks out to for Connie's CD “Plenty of Time”, so after checking with Bruce, they can be made out either to Roland B. Cutler, or Connie Lea Cutler – ($15.00) and sent to: PO Box 351 , Lyons , NY 14489 . If you haven't ordered yours, please consider doing it now.

Lyle Hobart called me on 2/12 to see how much snow we had, and said they were about 2 miles from where the terrible damage was done, but fortunately, they had none, and NO SNOW either! They often see Bert Mehlenbacher where they go to enjoy bluegrass music on Sat. nite, and on Feb. 10 th , they went to a Bluegrass/Old Time Country show that raised $1300 for those who lost everything in the storm.

I received an email from Peg and Jerry Miller on 2/7 saying they are enjoying their little cabin in Horse Shoe, NC. She said it had been chilly there, but only a dusting of snow one day. They have a new great-grandson, Ryan Thomas Cawley, born on Jan. 9 th , and weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. She sent a picture, but is really to dark to print, but YES, Peg he sure is a cutie, and CONGRATLATIONS TO YOU BOTH.

THANKS to Lou Cicconi for your kind words included with your renewal, and to Martin Lovell, Ray & Belle Brown, Aaron Moen and A. Fred Castle for your monetary donations included with your renewals.

At our Feb. meeting, I was asked if I knew about the health problem that Bill Knowlton was having. I didn't, but after being told, emailed Bill to see if I could mention it in my Ramblin' and he replied a short mention would be appreciated. In Bill's own words – “I'm only a mere, run of the mill, prostrate cancer patient, but fortunately what I have is “very common among semi'elderly farts like myself; 250 thousand males run into this thing every year.” They found it early, and he has an ultrasound scheduled for march 21 st , and early in April the seed treatment. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a successful recovery.

Last month, I mentioned about Sharon Foultz's brother-in-law being mugged, and seriously hurt.Sharon sent an email that he was recognizing everyone and has to wear a helmet to protect his skull – but not quite the one he was used to wearing as a motorcycle rider! A later email revealed that he was able to return home, and Sharon wanted me to thank everyone for their prayers. I emailed Sharon , asking about their snow fall, and she said they had several feet of snow on their 3-1/2 story high roof, and prayed to God for help, and he sent wind, so some of the snow moved to another area!

Joy Crouch, who had been in California , came back from 50 degree weather and no snow,, to 4-5 ft. of snow, and said Ray snowblows the driveway 3 to 4 times a day. Their dog walks across the snow and looks in the dining room window – during the summer, Joy who is 5'2” can't see in the windows from the ground! She reports a good time while out there, and got to see several of her relatives. Welcome Home Joy!

I'm writing this “visit” on 2/20 and this morning had an email from Maryan VanDusen saying their “baby” had been in the hospital for 4 days, was now back home with them, and he needs all your prayers and positive thoughts. You have them Maryan.

I had a nice visit with Neil Shortslef at our last meeting, and he said that Andy Pawlenko is having therapy 3 times a week, continuing his treatments, and most determined to get better. We're all “pulling” for you Andy – just keep him in your prayers.

It was good to see Carl Stump at our Feb. meeting, and Carl, keep up the good work on the MVBGA newsletter – it's looking better and better! (My Southern Tier one arrived in pieces in a plastic bag this month, so can't comment on theirs, since the new officers took over.)

My grandson is doing as well as can be expected for what he has been thru. He was at Strong Memorial in Rochester from 1/29 to 2/15, and on 2/5 he had the major surgery done, so we are in hopes this will enable him to really start on the road to recovery. Please keep him in your prayers .

After much discussion, it was voted at Feb. meeting to raise the membership fees in September . I didn't write them down, but will get the increases, and keep you posted, as those whose memberships come due in Sept. will be the higher price, and each month thereafter, all memberships as them come due, will be at the increased fee. These increases are necessary to let us continue to support and promote our purpose – promote and preserve bluegrass and old time country music.

I hope each of you gives the request on the front page from our secretary some very serious thought and then decide to act. I am fully convinced that it is really “Do or Die” as they say – and only you as members can decide which. SEE YOU IN CATO on SUN., MARCH 11 th .

Helen
(Helen Weldon)

Want to Join the CNYBA? Click for application!

November 1999 | December 1999

January 2000 | February 2000 | March 2000 | April 2000 | May 2000 | June 2000 | July/August 2000 | Festival 2000 | September 2000 | October 2000 | November 2000 | December 2000

January 2001 | February 2001 | March 2001 | April 2001 | May 2001 | June 2001 | July/August 2001 | September 2001 | October 2001 | November 2001

March 2002 | April 2002 | May 2002 | July/August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November 2002

January 2003 | February 2003 | March 2003 | April 2003 |May 2003 |June 2003 | July/August 2003 | September 2003 | October 2003| November 2003| December 2003

| January 2004 | February 2004 | March 2004 | April 2004 | May 2004 | June 2004 | July/August 2004 | September 2004 | October 2004 | November 2004 | December 2004

| January 2005 | February 2005 | March 2005 | April 2005 | May 2005 | June 2005 | July - August2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005 | January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July/August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | January 2007 | February 2007 | March 2007 |