CNYBA News

	September 2007
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

It has been a long time since my last “visit”, so will try and keep my news in date order. In the July/Aug. newsletter I neglected to tell you that Howard Bonner from Canada suffered a heart attack while attending the festival at Stone Mills and had open heart surgery in Syracuse . I talked to his daughter Kim recently, (Howard has gone to SIT at a nearby festival) and she said her Dad is gaining, but trying to make him do as he should is a full time job! I heard there is talk of having some fundraisers for him, as his insurance didn't cover him outside Canada , and his surgery was over $80,000. Let's keep Howard in our prayers.

On July 2 nd , our long time member, Homer Reynolds had angioplasty, and a couple days later, called to say all went well, and now he has joined may others by having to take the “Purple Pill”, the miracle drug for acid reflux. Homer sounded good, and wanted to say HI to all who remember him. For all of us who do, how could we forget you Homer?

On July 29 th , I received an email from Andy Pawlenko's sister Mary Phillips, saying that Andy was finally at The Manor at Seneca for rehab. Right after the Madrid festival, he was admitted to University Hospital for some planned surgery, which sadly didn't go as expected. I've kept in contact with Mary, and Andy is working so hard at his rehab, hoping to be able to return home. At our festival, a card, started by John and Maryan VanDusen was signed by many and sent to him, as this was the first festival Andy and his band has missed. Andy's address is: The Manor at Seneca, 20 Manor Drive, Oswego, NY 13126, Room 210 and his phone number is: 315-349-5456. P L E A S E – keep in contact one way or the other with him, as he needs this along with our prayers.

On July 30 th , I had an email from Joy Crouch asking for all of us to put Ray in our prayers as he had just been diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma on one of his kidneys, which will have to be removed. For those of you who were at our festival, one look told you that Ray is very ill, but true to his always being there for CNYBA, was at our table of salable items. Since then, Ray has had bone scans, a renal scan to be sure the good kidney will be able to handle the extra work, and is tentatively scheduled for surgery on Aug. 29 th at Oswego Hospital . PLEASE KEEP HIM in your PRAYERS, and send mail to: 3105 County Route 45, Fulton, NY 13069.

Had a nice letter from Emma Teachout who remains about the same, and keeps busy with all the activities there at Buckley Landing. She sends cards to those I write about in the Ramblin, and folks, if one who is in a nursing home herself, can do this, then you can to! She says “The Salmons” and “The Misfits” have come there a couple of times to entertain and were enjoyed by all. Emma, I enjoy your letters, and don't worry, YOU WILL continue to get the newsletter.

Another letter from Sharon Volles, reports her Mother is failing more each day to that dreadful disease of Alzehimers, – please keep he family in your prayers – especially Sharon and her daughter Dawn who is her Grandmother's nurse 5 days a week. As usual, Norm visited with me at the table on Sat. at our festival, and thanks Norm for being my “gofer” for lunch, etc. It is always so good to see and visit with you.

Speaking of our festival – THANKS to all of you who took time to stop by to join CNYBA, renew your memberships or just to say HI while I was there on Saturday. It is impossible to mention you all, but must say George Hall and Bibianne don't change from one year to the next, (however George says he walks slower..); David Prine sure looks good, and what a joy to see and talk to Mary Anne Burns, who was sitting outside their motorhome.

It was good to see Ted and Mary Phillips, and to have a chance to talk to Mary in person regarding how Andy was doing. Mary, thanks for taking the card through the crowd to be signed for your brother, and as you said, it was good therapy for you also. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

The Annual BUD ARTLIP Award was presented to Dean and Joanne Bartholemew for all their “behind the scenes” work at our festivals the past several years – truly well deserved.

We wish Brenda and Ted Wrench good luck at their upcoming Labor Day Gathering, and hope Brenda who suffers terrible back pain will be getting some relief with the new morphine patches her doctor has prescribed. If not, then surgery might be next – keep her in your prayers.

THANKS to the following who have sent donations totaling $94. since our last visit – Joseph Greco; Howard DeGroff; Craig Ferguson; Norm Richardson; Dora Tupper (most generous); Paul Powers; Thomas Myer; Ellen Owens; Pat McLauglin; Nancy Brown; Steve Leherman and Shorty Colty. WELCOME to the following new members: Margaret and Bob Macmanus of Marcellus; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Waldron of Fulton, (gift of Robert Hook); Steve Lehrman of Katonak; Jan Kelley of Ithaca; Joyce M. Rafferty of Ticonderoga, (sister of the late Dusty Bevins); and Phil Pittenger of Pennellville, whom I

used to stay with years ago when his folks went out for the evening back in 1946-1947! He said he had been intending to join for some time, and was on our website, and decided to do so. So glad you did Phil, and enjoyed our email visits over doing so.

Joyce Rafferty belonged and paid for Dusty Bevin's membership for years and wrote she rejoined as she missed the Ramblin.

Thanks to Pat Ferguson for her most kind words regarding “my wearing of many hats to perfection and efforts spent for CNYBA” when she sent Craig's renewal. Folks, all I can say is I try and only time will determine my continuation of doing so.

Please REMEMBER to PAY THE NEW MEMBERSHIP RATES when RENEWING, but DO RENEW..we need everyone's SUPPORT.

Come to our MEETING in CATO on SUN., SEPT. 9 th – plan to take in the All You Can Eat PANCAKE BREAKFAST, enjoy good music, MEET YOUR NEW OFFICERS and HELP PLAN THE FUTURE of CNYBA. At this meeting, IMPORTANT DECISIONS WILL BE MADE, including A NEW MEETING LOCATION, whether or not there will be a 10 th ANNUAL APPLEVALLEY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, and hopefully PLANS our NEW PRESIDENT has for CNYBA.

I can assure you this meeting will be a difficult one for me, as I am sure it will mean the end of coming to our Masonic Temple the past 31 years for our meetings, BUT I also know that changes are good, and if it means the future and growth of CNYBA, then it will be for the best. As you know, I don't drive, and since there is no one from Cato that attends our meetings, I must accept the reality that it will probably be my last chance to attend a meeting, but hopefully we will be able to keep in touch thru email,, phone calls, etc. So, until our next visit – PLEASE come to Cato on SEPT. 9 th , and help CNYBA to prepare for the future.

Helen
(Helen Weldon)