June - 2005
RAMBLIN’ with Helen...
Is it ever going to warm up?? I’m sure many of you will agree it’s time to be able to turn off our heat, since it is June!! However, I’ve heard and read where we can expect a dry, hot summer, so perhaps we’d better enjoy what we are having now – and of course there is nothing any of us can do about it anyways.
It seems that all the notes and calls I’ve received since our last visit have resulted in the following deaths in our bluegrass family. Thoughts, prayers and expressions of sympathy are with each of them. Joanne Baxter lost her oldest son, (one of four) on Jan. 10th due to bone cancer. He was only 55, and had a stem-cell transplant 3 years ago last Dec. (his own cells), but the cancer returned the week of Thanksgiving. Joanne made a couple of trips to Dallas, TX., and is so thankful that he didn’t lay and suffer a long time like her husband did, but says losing one’s child most certainly “does a number on you”, no matter the amount of one’s faith. How true Joanne.
Dean Barthlemow lost a brother in May, and his wife Joan a cousin in May.
I received a letter from Dale Webb telling me that her husband DeEarl “Sam” had a heart attack on May 9th, and was waiting for him to stablize so they could move him to the University Hospital in Syracuse. She asked for prayers and cards, so I sent a card and emailed some members, asking them to email others, to get some more cards on the way, but apparently the Lord had other plans, as “Sam” passed away on May 12th. He was survived by his wife of 28 years, two sons, two daughters, his mother, two brothers, two sisters, five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were Monday, May 16th at the G. F. Zimmer Funeral Home in Chittenango, and the burial was in the Whitelaw Cemetary. In her letter, Dale wrote that he was all “hepped up” about going to festivals this year, and they had tickets and cabin reservations already made for a few. She also said he is the one who rides around on a 3-wheel mobility scooter and uses a cane. They both cherish the friendships made of many bluegrass fans as well as band members. Dale, you will find that the “bluegrass family” are very caring and supportive, and pray this will help you in the days ahead. Cards and notes can be sent to: Mrs. Dale Webb, 7424 Sandy Hatch Rd., Chittenango, NY. 1307. Please take the time to send one to her.
A BIG THANK YOU to Betty Humphrey for the 4 stamped envelopes she included with her renewal, and to Bob Treat for his donation towards postage along with his renewal.
A.J. Noto, with the “String Theory” Band asked me to let you know that they have a link on our website (www.cnyba.com) under bands, and hopes all will check them out. He also reports they are very busy playing at various places. It is always good to hear from our Band Memberships, and especially to hear they are active!
I had a nice conversation with Emma Teachout recently, and she is doing ok, but wishes she could gain some mobility faster. Emma, guess you will just have to believe as the saying goes – “all good things takes time”. She was able to go out with her family for Mother’s Day, and it was so good to hear her voice when I answered the phone.
Peter Hoysic, our beloved “Doodle-Do” Fiddler also called me, and folks his wonderful sense of humor is a sharp as ever!! He says he is able to “putter around” with his plants, but has to be so careful as he is prone to falling very easily. Do take care Peter, we don’t want to hear of any broken bones, and look forward to that promise that you will come to Cato sometime soon.
I hope many of you are planning on going to our ANNUAL PICNIC on June 12th, and the location sounds very nice. Only time will tell if I’ll get there to see you all, but hope I can. Also, please remember our festival is fast approaching, and we need EVERYONE OF YOU TO HELP. Please give Ed Campbell or John VanDusen a call and offer your services NOW. You will notice that there are several festivals featured in this newsletter, and I tried to be fair in coverage to all. Most of them are full page copy when I get them, so have to go to Staples and reduce them in order to get them all in. Some are even bigger, so of course they take up more room. For future coverage, I can’t urge you enough to get your copies to me as soon as you can, so I can be sure and get them in early enough to take care of the early cut-off dates for tickets, etc. I have tried my best.
Please support as many of them as you can, and hope to see you all at our own APPLEVALLEY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL on AUG. 4th thru the 7th in LaFayette, NY.
Helen
(Helen Weldon)
CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
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