October 2006
	RAMBLIN’ with Helen...

It hardly seems possible it is time for our monthly “visit”, but thru my procrastination and the calendar, it is! I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful fall days, and get to enjoy some of the beautiful foliage. I only have to look out my kitchen window to see several beautiful trees.

Fist, I am happy to report that it was the decision of those present at our Sept. 10 th meeting, to have a 9 th Annual Apple Valley Bluegrass Festival on Aug. 2-5, 2007. How wonderful it would be if many more would volunteer their services for this one – have it a huge success and then in 2008 have a BIG 10 th ANNUAL ONE! We can do this with YOUR HELP…

Betty Cranston, thanks for your kind words when you renewed your family membership; also for the 11 postage stamps to cover mailing your newsletter for the year. The Cranston's spend the winter in Florida, but their family sends the newsletter down to them.

John VanDusen called and asked me to include a thank-you to Dave Nichols in this newsletter. After the Sept. issue had gone to the printers, I realized I had forgotten to include one, so will just have to blame it on a “Senior Moment”! I am so glad John called, and Dave, I am so sorry it is a month late, but as the saying goes – “better late than never”.

Along with their renewal, Vernon and Maxine Nafziger asked me to convey their best wishes to all of you who work before and after our festivals. They were happy to hear our 8 th one was a success, and hope to stay “in shape” so as to come to our 9 th one. Maxine has arthritis in her knees and ankles, and like each of us, they are getting older day by day! We all hope to see you folks there in 2007.

I am so thankful that Dick DeNeve called me regarding the passing of Dusty Bevins, and emailed me a copy of his obituary. It is because of folks like Dick, that I am able to keep this Ramblin a monthly item.

As you can see elsewhere in this newsletter, I am not taking the reservations for our Annual Christmas Party. A BIG THANK-YOU to MARK SOSTRIN, who stepped forth and offered to do it. I did contact the VFW and worked the agreement for the buffet and price, but Mark has and will handle the rest of it. IF ANYONE OF YOU are crafty and have an idea for a table favor, please contact Mark, as know he will appreciate it. I've enjoyed doing it over the years, and will miss it, but due to “doctor's orders” I must start to learn the word “NO”, and this endeavor sounded like the best place to start. Hope all of you will support this “fun event”, and look forward to having lots of time to visit and socialize with each of you.

THANK-YOU to Gen. and Mrs. Bob Purple, Sturt Johnson, Thomas Russell, and Bruce Rich for your monetary donations towards postage that you included with your renewals.

Speaking of renewals – PLEASE CHECK YOUR DATE – if it is circled and the renewal box is highlighted in yellow, it's TIME TO RENEW, and there are many of you that will see both this month. THANK-YOU..

Had a nice long letter from Dale Webb along with her renewal, and she was so sorry to have to miss our festival. She was in the hospital on her birthday, (July 28 th ), for high blood pressure, and went thru many tests, scans, etc. Thankfully, they found nothing seriously wrong – just stress from worrying about things that are out of her control to change. She is now going to the First Baptist Church in Chittenango and attends the Bluegrass Jam there on Sunday nites, 7 to 10, and reports it is very nice. Her oldest son and family have just moved to Tennessee, so know Dale is pretty lonesome right now. Please keep her in your prayers.

CONGRATULATIONS to Bob and Donna Walter, on being chosen for the annual “Irene Thurston” Award, given yearly by our dear friend and member, Bill Szabo. It was so nice to have them at the meeting to receive it, and this couple over the years have supported all our events, donated many hours of service at our festivals, etc., etc., etc. – most deserving folks!! BILL SZABO was the chosen one this year to receive the Annual “Bud Artlip” given in memory of Bud by Lois. I've sent his plaque, along with a nice Congratlulations card to Bill – also a most deserving recipient!

Please mark your calendar and support our Nov. 29 th appearance of Ron & Nancy OneSong at the VFW in Baldwinsville. They donated their services at our last “All-Star” Jamboree, and they are the last of the three bands that we agree to sponsor in return for an appearance.

It was nice to receive a nice long letter from Socrates Nellis when he sent his renewal. Nellis, you are always so generous with your kind remarks about the Ramblin and thanks so much. Since he and his wife Jan can no longer attend festivals, etc. he listens to records, cassettes, and CD's. The day he wrote the letter (9/3), he was listening to a CD of Doc and Chickie Williams, whom he has seen in person many, many times. Doc is now 92, and Chickie is bed-ridden, due to a severe stroke many years ago. Doc has a new book out detailing his 70 years plus in Country Music. Another favorite, Bradley Kincaid came back into his world, thru a new CD and cassette of his music. (Bradley Kincaid is one of my special favorites also). The Nellis' live in the Southern Tier, and were so fortunate not to have suffered any damage from the terrible flooding back in June, but some of their relatives did. He wrote about all the damage, and many places are still not back in business, and some may never recover. They live in Sidney, so were not far from where that road collapsed, and have just gotten the second lane opened for traffic. Thanks also, Nellis for the book of stamps – they are always in need, and help so much.

I will not be at the Oct. 8 th meeting, as I will be on my way home from visiting my granddaughter, her husband, and my two adorable great-grandsons, Andrew and Matthew. Andrew is playing soccer, and is so thrilled to have his “Great Helen” and “Aunt BJ” coming to see him play. When Andrew was little, he just wouldn't say Great Grandma, and insisted on Great Helen, so it has stuck, and now Matthew follows suite – of course this proud great grandma doesn't mind at all! Matthew was 3 on Sept. 11 th , and is a very active little boy. Since they live in Rhode Island, don't get to seem them very often. My Eastern Star activities are in “full-swing”, with homecomings, and then Grand Chapter at Saratoga on Oct. 21 st thru 25 th , and then the receptions for the new officers, etc. begin. It has been a busy year, but a very rewarding one, as my youngest daughter, Betty Jane has been the District Deputy Grand Matron for our district, and we have gone to many official state and district meetings. One of these will also keep me from being at the Nov. 12 th meeting in Cato, so am asking all of you to come in my place to these two meetings!!

I must send a thank-you to Mary Phillips, Andy's sister, who has been so faithful in keeping in touch regarding how Andy is doing. PLEASE, PLEASE read about Andy elsewhere in this newsletter, and send him a card, and keep him in your prayers.

OTHER REMINDERS: Come to Cato for the breakfast and meeting on Oct. 8 th ; if possible attend the Marcellus Grassroots Music Festival on Oct. 14 th ; (they give us a 2 page free ad in their program booklet), Ron and Nancy OneSong at the VFW in Baldwinsville on Nov. 29 th , and our Annual Christmas Party on Dec. 3 rd , also at the VFW in B'ville.

Until our next visit – What do you get when you cross a Snowman with a Vampire? FROSTBITE...

Helen
(Helen Weldon)

CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved.