April 2004
A TRIBUTE BENEFIT by friends for Ardy/Andy Pawlenko Sunday, April 25 th 1:00-5:00 pm at the Elks Lodge, Route 104W and West Fifth St., Oswego, NY. Musical entertainment all afternoon. $5.00 per person or donation. Contact: Mary Phillips (315) 593-1003.
REMEMBER OUR ANNUAL MEETING Sun., April 18 th in Cato.
Please note: Anything for our website is to be sent to Shirley Stevens, PO Box 536, Liverpool, NY 13088 or e-mail her at: ncnyshirl@aol.com .
RAMBLIN' WITH HELEN
By Helen Weldon
As I sit here at my kitchen table, collecting my notes and thoughts for the “Ramblin”, I can see many geese landing in the cornfield across from our driveway. This is the time of year when their “chatter” is welcomed; as a sure sign that SPRING is at our doorstep! I received an email late Sat. evening, the 27 th , from MARY PHILLIPS (Andy Pawlenko's sister) telling me that ARDY PAWLENKO lost her hard-fought battle with cancer that afternoon. A memorial service was scheduled for Sat., April 3 rd , 2 p.m. at a church in Hannibal, with a reception following. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy and his family. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to: 1092 County Rt. 85, Oswego, NY 13126. The “Tribute Benefit” for April 25 th will be held as planned, and this should be a “must” for us all to show our gratitude to Andy—who has done so much for our association over the years. Expressions of sympathy were sent to our member ROY “Butch” DePYSTER on the passing of his brother Ronald, on March 1 st after a long illness. He was survived by his mother, 7 sisters, 2 brothers, and the funeral was March 5 th at the Farron and Son Funeral Home. During one of the wekly phone visits with DONNA WALTER , when she calls to inquire as to how Thayle is doing, I learned that she recently had a heart catherization, and thankfully all was ok. She has to have some more tests, and possible surgery before they head north, so please keep her in your prayers. At our last meeting, MARYAN VanDUSEN told me that our dear “Doodle Do” fiddler, PETER HOYSIC had been in the hospital, where they had to implant a pacemaker, but is now home. They had been to see him, and the dr. told him he should be able to be out working in his plants and shrubs real soon—the best “medicine” for him! I remembered him with a card from the association, and try to send at least one every ten days to THAYLE . JOY CROUCH and I went to see her on March 15 th , and even though communication between was nearly “nil”, we know she knew who we were by the expressions and smiles on her face when we talked to her. She did say “Joy”, and “pretty” when she felt of my coat when I leaned down to give her a hug. Hopefully, I'll be able to stop on the 5 th when I plan to take the newsletter to the printer before going to the eye doctor. This has been a very “trying” time for my daughter, who does so much of this newsletter on her computer, as she started a new job; and her roommate has been in the hospital for 8 days, during which she suffered a stroke. However, things have a way of “falling” in place, and know it will be done and mailed in time. A big THANK YOU to DALE BARNELL for his extra donation when he sent his renewal; RICHARD RUGER for his book of stamps, and a SPECIAL THANKS to BILL SZABO for the roll of stamps with his renewal. Speaking of RENEWALS , once again a reminder that you DON'T have to CUT your newsletter to enclose the application blank. IF there are any CHANGES with you address, phone number, email address, etc., just PUT THEM ON A SLIP OF PAPER along with your check, as I have all the information needed in my card file. I had a wonderful surprise on Sunday morning, March 21 st , when I answered the phone and EMMA TEACHOUT was calling from the nursing home. She sounded so good, and said they are in the process of trying to get her transferred to an Assisted Living Home in Pulaski. Please keep this possibility in your prayers, as it is a long trip from Pulaski to Minoa. Emma has had two serious back operations, but is now able to get in and out of bed, bathroom, wheelchair, etc., with no assistance, but has to have someone with her before doing so. THANKS to two members of our “breakfast group” I was able to attend the HARMONY and McCARTHY-PAISLEY Show at the Port Byron American Legion on March 20 th . As near as I could figure, “Bob Hayden agrees also), there were between 100 and 125 present, all seemed to have a good time, and the REFRESHMENTS were “AWESOME”! A SPECIAL THANKS to Pete Carr who came home my way, thus saving the “gals” a trip to Cato, and then back to Weedsport and Port Byron. Pete has also agreed to come this way for the BOB PAISLEY SHOW on April 17 th , so am looking forward to another enjoyable evening. Speaking of that event, BRUCE CUTLER would like to find a ride. He is willing to pay for the gas. If anyone can help him, please contact him at: 315 946-4647, 5 Ditton St., Lyons, NY or email: BruceCutler@USAdatanet.net . Folks, you can GIVE a MEMBERSHIP to CNYBA as a BIRTHDAY GIFT , or for any occasion. That is what FRANK HOWLETT, Sr. did for his son FRANK, Jr. who lives in Louisville, KY. WELCOME to FRANK and the other following new members: MARTIN D. and GAIL A. EWALD of Camillus; FRANK TRUAX of Hannibal; SUE BARRINGTON of Cato; DONNETTA SKELLINGTON of Pulaski, GARY SKELLINGTON of Altmar, and CHUCK and SHARON FOULTZ of Pulaski. Chuck and Sharon, honorary members of our association, have decided they want to take an active part; so have become a family membership. I had a very nice letter from CAROL McGINLEY, when she sent her renewal, and Carol we do miss you not being able to be more active due to working nights. Carol has had to start allergy shots, and expects to have surgery on an old shoulder injury, the rotator cuff. Hopefully both will allow her to resume some of the things she enjoys doing—especially playing the guitar and singing. Keep her in your prayers, and perhaps a “Thinking of You” card or note would brighten her day—311 Chestnut St., Fulton, NY 13069. I had an email from JOYCE RAFFERTY , sister of DUSTY BEVINS , telling me that VERN YOUNG will be at the CHILSON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ; and Dusty hopes to live to introduce him! We hope you do too, Dusty. Watch for further details. DON'T FORGET our APRIL 18 th MEETING, (the 3 rd Sunday due to Easter falling on the 2 nd ), and CATO STAR CHAPTER #234 will have a BAKE SALE along with the MASON'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST. We have good cooks in Cato, so hope you will find something you like. Also remember it is ELECTION of OFFICERS , and to date need a candidate for V.P., as ED CAMPBELL has agreed to run for PRESIDENT. THANKS ED , you are a life-saver! We may also need a board member, but time will tell on that one. I had a lovely EASTER CARD from HOMER REYNOLDS, and he sent a picture of his plum tree in full bloom, beautiful, as so are his daffodils, all in bloom. I'm still waiting for some “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR” —this is your newsletter, and a chance to express our opinion, so please do so. I had a phone call from our member JOE MERCADANTE asking if I knew of someone who gave banjo lessons, and I assured I would try and put him in contact with someone. I've emailed John Wilmot regarding this, and here is Joe's address, phone numbers and email address if any of you can help him – 6781 Forest Ave., PO Box 215, Verona Beach, NY 13162 (315 761-0606), (cell phone 794-8544) and email jmercada@twcny.rr.com . Save SAT. JULY 10 th for the 1 st Annual OAK MT. BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, at the Oak Mt. Ski Center, Speculator, NY. Featured bands will be THE DELANEY BROTHERS, THE ATKINSON FAMILY and STUMP HOLLOW. Gates open at 10, live music from 12 to 6. Adults $12, children 6-12 $5, under 5 free. For further information, website address: www.oakmtski.com or phone 518 548-8796. Hopefully I will get a flyer on this to use in our May or June newsletter. DON'T FORGET the BOB PAISLEY SHOW on SAT., APRIL 17 th and be sure to bring your promised “goodies” to Sue; our MEETING IN CATO on SUN., APRIL 18 th , and the TRIBUTE BENEFIT by friends for ARDY/ANDY PAWLENKO on SUN., APRIL 25 th . All of these are featured elsewhere in this newsletter. I URGE every CNYBA Member who CAN'T ATTEND the ARDY/ANDY PAWLENKO BENEFIT in PERSON to SEND a MONETARY DONATION (no amount is too small) to MARY PHILLIPS , 368 County Route 85, Fulton, NY 13069 BEFORE APRIL 25 th – the sooner the better! Believe me folks, NO ONE IS MORE DESERVING, and if you never do another thing I ask of you, PLEASE DO THIS ; and BE SURE and MARK IT from a CNYBA MEMBER. YOUR ASSOC. HAS SENT A DONATION , and I will report on that in the May newsletter, along with a donation that was also made to help Thayle. My daughter and I are going to work at this benefit, and I hope to see many, many of you there. Well folks, my arm is tired of writing, and am sure you are tired of reading, so will end our visit for this time, and remember – Everyday you should reach out and touch someone somehow… Helen
SPECIAL NOTCE: Upon returning home Sun. April 4 th , from being out of town for three days, I had a message on my answering machine telling me of the PASSING of THAYLE PHAIR on SAT., APR. 3 rd . After talking to her daughter, Roberta, I found out that her CALLING HOURSE are WED. APRIL 7 th , 4 to 6 pm, with the funeral service immediately following, at the FARRELL FUNERAL HOME, 197 South St., Auburn, NY. Due to our newsletter being already to take to the printers on the 5 th , I made room to get this information to you. The MAY NEWSLETTER will have a TRIBUTE to this dear one, who meant so much to so many. (Helen)
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