September 2006
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

With a beautiful breeze coming in my kitchen door, humming birds “fighting” to get a perch on my feeder, and just realizing that it was 58 years ago today (8?21) I was walking down the aisle to be married, it is a bit hard to concentrate on writing our monthly visit. However, I’ve convinced myself there is no more time to say “I’ll get at it tomorrow”, so here I am!

Our 8 th Annual Apple Valley Bluegrass Festival is history, and I want to thank everyone who stopped by at my table, to say hello, renew your membership, dropped off your questionnaire, etc. THANKS to Joanne Barthlemow for the (always welcomed) Note Cards, and to Ellen Owen and Bruce Cutler for their donations towards expenses of our newsletter.

I was so sorry to learn that Alice Mechlenbacher fell and broke her leg when she got home from the Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival. Also, Jackie Kelley wasn’t feeling up-to-par and was unable to come this year. Cards were sent to these people, along with wishes from us all for speedy recoveries.

Back a few months ago, I wrote in the Ramblin’ that when Dale Barnell renewed he did so as a family membership because he was going to get married soon. Well, folks, I met his wife Audrey, and Dale you made a good choice – she’s a “neat gal” and we wish you both the best always.

I am asking each of you to please keep our dear friend Andy Pawlenko in your thoughts and prayers, as he’s not feeling the best.

The following is an email that I received from Sharon Foultz, and want to share it with you. “On Sunday, July 9 th at the Fiddlers Hall of Fame in Osceola, I had an older than me gentleman come over and tell me he admired the hat that I was wearing. For more years than I can remember I have worn a POW hatband on my hat. He proceeded to tell me that he had been a prisoner of war for 18 months. We talked for a little while and he went on. One of my uncles was a prisoner of war, and I never had the chance to say thank you to him for serving as he went to be with the Lord many years ago. So….I went looking for the older than me gentleman, walked up to him and gently touched him on the shoulder and said, “I want to thank you for serving our country.” I really think it made his day and I know it made mine.” Yes, Sharon I’m sure it did.

Joy Crouch reports that she had lots of sales at the “Flea Market” table, and feels it was a success. On August 17 th, Joy had a heart catherization, and all went well, and no additional stents are needed at this time. She is still undergoing more tests to see why she has chest pains and shortness of breath so often. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Joy; as you are needed by so many.

Kathy Kellish called to report she has a wonderful time at her 1 st Annual event held at their farm – especially seeing our president riding in a cart drawn by a miniature horse! As she said – “Ed’s his own boss and does things that perhaps he shouldn’t be doing after his recent surgery”. Don’t we all do that tho? She also said that Lee Hathway, one of our members is living in a house on their farm.

A couple that were greatly missed at our festival – Bob and Donna Walter, returned from the winter spent in Alabama to find their summer camp had been “overtaken” by carpenter ants. I talked with Donna last week and she said they are making good headway, but have lots more to do. One of our former members years ago, George Crawford from Unidilla has been helping Bob. Donna recently spend a day in the hospital in Syracuse for tests due to being so dizzy, and at the present time Bob has some sort of an infection. Please keep them both in your thoughts and prayers and they plan to be at our September 10 th meeting.

When I received Betsy VanNostrand’s renewal, she sent her new address and a generous donation towards postage. She says she keeps busy by volunteering at the hospital 3 days a week and goes sailing every chance she gets. Thanks for your donation Betsy, and that schedule will indeed keep you young! Others who sent donations towards postage with their renewals were: Carol McGinley, (most generous Carol); Stuart McWhorter; Dean Bartholomew and Pat McLaughlin – THANKS FOLKS, for your thoughtfulness.

I had hoped that my note of encouragement sent to Bill Szabo urging him to come to our festival would work, but didn’t. You were missed Bill, as was our dear ones, Olive and Vernon Loucks.

Once again, Lois Artlip gave me a check to cover the mailing of our September newsletter. THANKS Lois, you are a gem. (I also sent her a special thank you by mail.)

Well folks, before I got around to typing this visit, I received the following email on Tues., Aug. 22 nd from our member John Hornyak – “Hello Helen: - on Saturday, 19 August, at 6:30 pm, I lost my wonderful Mother. She passed away unexpectedly after having been discharged from the hospital on the previous Thursday at noon. She was 93 years, 89 days with us and will be terribly missed. Services are 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (8/23) from the Fiore Funeral Home, 303 Main St., Oneida, NY. Friends and relatives may call at the funeral home one hour before the service.” Our thoughts, prayers and sincere sympathy are with you John. I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Snider years ago, and know how much she will be missed – especially by John. It was the loving care given by John that allowed her to be able to say in her home until the Lord had need for her in his beautiful garden. John, I know your grief is tremendous, but hope in time, knowing our thoughts and prayers are with you, will help ease that terrible pain of loss. We do care. Expressions of sympathy were sent to John from CNYBA, and you can send one to: John Hornyak, 205 Gordon Ave., Sherrill, NY. 13461-1414.

Well folks, this covers all the notes regarding news I have for this month. Please mark your calendar now, and plan to attend our meeting on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 th at the Cato Masonic Temple. WELCOME to our new treasurer, Cathy Campbell, and board members, Peter Carr and Donna Light. THANKS to Bob Simmons and Neil Shortslef for your past 6 years of serving as board members (each of you) – a job well done! I’m sure there will be a report on the success of our 8 th Annual Apple Valley Bluegrass Festival, plans started to be made for our Annual Christmas Party in December, (I will not be the chairman this year), and a date set for a Jamboree in Oct. or Nov. Plan to come early and enjoy the Mason’s All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast, served 8-1. They are going to be serving it buffet style, and are adding delicious home fried potatoes to the menu. Music usually starts around 10 and goes straight thru until 5 pm, sometimes in all 5 rooms…hope to see you there. Until our next visit – What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic? (Sanka). - (Helen)

PS – While reading this over for typo errors, etc. I just realized that I hadn’t THANKED Carl and Suzanne Stump for their constant checking and concern if I was ok at the table. Suzanne brought me cold bottled water, and Carl helped set-up my table, and thanks to one of our members (can’t remember their name for sure) for the nice tarp they loaned to put on the table, as the edges were very rough. Also to Norm Volles and Dale Barnell who manned the table while I went for the “pause that refreshes” and for food. Speaking of food, what I had was delicious.

Helen
(Helen Weldon)