February 2009
RAMBLIN’ with Helen...
|
February 2009 |
RAMBLIN’ with Helen... |
RAMBLIN’ with Helen:
Since the deadline date of to send material to our editor is fast approaching, decided to start our monthly “visit” on the 17th. Looking out either window of my apartment, the bright sun shinning on the snow is enough to blind you, BUT if you were to step outside, one is well aware that winter is still here. We have been having temperatures in the single numbers during the day, and minus ones at night, which only means my electric meter keeps going round and round!
On January 3rd, I received an email from our long-time member, and well known musician (used to have her own band) Carol McGinley, telling me that she would be relatively incommunicative for awhile due to a fall on Dec. 30th and fracturing her right wrist. (of course she is right handed). They put a splint on in the ER, and the plan was to get a permanent cast on ASAP, but she had to see her own doctor first, and the surgeon was out-of-town until Jan. 5th. Carol, I hope the pain meds did last until you were able to get to see a doctor. Our thoughts, prayers and wishes for a speedy healing are with you.
Speaking of Jan. 3rd, I wish to THANK EACH and EVERYONE who answered my daughter’s request for a “CARD SHOWER’ for my 80th birthday! Our president’s was the first one I received, so knew she, with the help of my granddaughter had succeeded with her plan. You’ve heard of the saying – “12 Days of Christmas”, well, I had “12 Days of Birthday” and more, as from the 3rd until the 16th, I received at least one card each day, and on the 2nd the total was 40 all at once! Someone went into our local post office and told them they needed a stamp to mail me a card, and they said they were well aware of it! I haven’t gotten my mail yet today, (just can’t make myself go out in that cold), but so far the grand total is 128 cards!! SPECIAL THANKS to our member Lou Cicconi who sent me a $1.000. a week lottery ticket and hope it was a winner. Lou, it wasn’t the big winner, but it was a $2.00 winner!
Ed Zacholl, another one of our members sent me a nice letter and a CD of a song that he wrote a few years ago about my Ramblin’Column which he knows everyone enjoys as much as he does. Ed is a musician and song writer and has been playing around the Syracuse area on and off for over 25 years. He has a band named Z-BONES that plays mostly rock music, but he’s always loved bluegrass and folk music. When his rock band isn’t booked, he gets together with a few friends to play our type music, and they call themselves THE CASUAL DUO, TRIO or QUARTET, depending on how many folks he can round up. THANKS, Ed, for the CD (really is neat) and your very kind words regarding me and the Ramblin’.
BERT MEHLENBACHER was one of our members whom I sent a Christmas card too, and I received a nice thank-you note from him. He tells that he left for Florida the 2nd week in December, the weather is great, he plays golf a couple times a week, and am sure he is enjoying, and even playing lots of good bluegrass music.
I was sorry to have missed the January meeting, as it wasn’t due to not having a way, as Pete Carr called me on Sat. and offered to come and get me. I didn’t like the weather forecast, so told him to wait until better weather and then I would accept his kind offer to come and get me. As it turned out, I’m glad I was home to receive the call from my sister-in-law telling me that my brother George (who had a massive stroke on Nov. 19th) had passed away at 1:15. She had called me on Sat. to say that due to sudden changes in his status, he had been put on comfort care. The calling hrs. and funeral service were on Sun., Jan. 18th at the funeral home in Phoenix, and burial with military honors will be in the spring. With no chance of any type of quality life in his future, it is indeed a blessing, but shall miss those visits when he came to Cato to get his car serviced, to play golf, go to an auction in the vicinity, or just to bring me homegrown vegetables, and black berries.
Joy Crouch called me the day after out meeting to tell me she had only one more radiation treatment and that her burns were healing rapidly. I sent her a reply and asked her to let us know when and the results of her MRI, and received an answer that the MRI won’t be done for awhile yet, but LIFE IS GOOD, and GOD IS GREAT! Please keep her in your prayers that the result will show that the cancer is gone.
I had a nice email from Jerry and Peg Miller on Jan. 8th saying they arrived in NC., and were settled in their snug little cabin. They have had some strong winds, a bit of snow, but NO shoveling, and will be back the 1st week in April. Donna Walter called and said they arrived, and were settled in, and she was attempting to make herself (with Bob’s help) clean out at least one drawer or cupboard a day. I told her that is what I do now and then, and by the time I’ve gotten to all of them, it’s time to start over! Do have a good winter folks, and keep in touch.
WELCOME to Diana Carpenter from Boonville, and THANK YOU to Raymond and Belle Brown for your generous donation towards expenses when you sent in your dues. Speaking of dues, I have only received 10 renewals since our last newsletter, so PLEASE check your label, and if circled, take a minute and send them to me. Remember, if there are no changes, you don’t have to cut up the newsletter – JUST SEND YOUR CHECK, as I have all your information in my card file.
When long-time Wally Meir of Weedsport sent his renewal, he included a note saying he’d like to sell his stand-up base and could I help him with this. I emailed for information, and here it is: Wally bought it from Bob McBlane in Preble, NY about 10 years ago for $2,000,00. It is a second hand plywood German made instrument that Bob set up for me with a new bridge and strings. I never really played it as I started having back problems and so it sets on my living room floor. I have several instructional video and DVDs that would be included. Not knowing an asking price, Wally contacted the one whom he bought it from, and he suggested that he sell it for the same price he paid for it. Bob is a dealer and repair person for string instruments and seems to think that there is a market for this instrument and that it should sell at the price of $2,000,00. I also mailed this information to Anne and asked her to put in a separate item with the facts, as felt it would attract more attention on our website, than if it was only in the Ramblin’. So, if any of you might know of anyone who might be interested, please let them know about this instrument. For further information, please call Wally at: 834-9229, email at: wmeier@baldcom.net, or write to: PO Box 186, Weedsport, NY 13166.
Yesterday afternoon, (1/16) the phone rang, and it was MIKE HADDEN from Canada calling. Mike told me he has been a member since the early 90’s, and that our beloved Thayle Phair gave him an application at the festival in Govenuer. Each year when he renews, he always sends $10. in US cash in a Christmas Card with a nice message regarding the Ramblin’, etc. When I got his renewal this year, his stamp had not been canceled, so I took it off and sent it back with his card and receipt, telling him it wasn’t anything I could use, but knew he could. We had such a nice visit regarding all the festivals there used to be, how bluegrass is alive and doing very well in Canada, and he wanted me to express his wishes to each of you for a wonderful year in 2009. I asked about Howard Bonner, (whom I know many of you know) and he said he seems to be doing very well.
I also had a call from Lois Artlip asking if I got the pkg. of blank cards and stamps that she had sent me in Nov., as she didn’t bother to insure them. I told her I indeed did get them, and sincerely thought that I had mentioned them in the Dec. newsletter, but after checking out both the Nov. and Dec. issues, find I did not. My sincere apology Lois, and assure you both helped, and the cards will continue to help. She said she had a good Holiday Season and spent some time out-of-state visiting her son and daughter and their families. Better late than never – thanks so much Lois.
During the week, I received a phone call from Shirley Miller, asking me to verify Deanne Hubbard’s address. as Shirley’s letter in which she ordered some of Andy’s CD’s had been returned – not at that address. I called Deanne, and she emailed me (I was probably online she she tried to call me back) that they have been having some substitute mail carriers delivering the mail, but thinks she has gotten it straightened out now. She told me the sales of the CD’s are going very well, BUT she will be very glad to send you one if you haven’t ordered yet – 1092 Co. Rt. 85, Oswego, NY. 13126. Shirley is going to send another letter. While talking to Shirley, she said they went to the Bill Knowlton’s radio show taping at WCNY and both bands were excellent.
I also had an email from Bill telling me of the recent passing of the Delaney Brother’s mother. Our sympathy goes out to both of them. Well folks, this ends all the stickm’ notes, emails, etc. that I had in my folder so guess it is time to bring this visit to a close. THANKS to each of you who have sent expressions of sympathy to me in the passing of my brother. With his passing, both of my living siblings live a long ways away – one in Texas and one in Kansas, so shall really miss George, but know he is in a far better place. To all of you folks in the sunny south enjoy it, and those here in the frigid north, please keep warm, don’t overdue in shoveling, and to everyone please keep in touch, as it is the only way my Ramblin’ will continue. Until our next visit – HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY – and here is how one child answered the following question on her science test: How can you delay milk from turning sour? Keep it in the cow! - Helen
Helen
(Helen Weldon)
Want to Join the CNYBA? Click for application!
Ramblin' Archives
January 2000 | February 2000 | March 2000 | April 2000 | May 2000 | June 2000 | July/August 2000 | Festival 2000 | September 2000 | October 2000 | November 2000 | December 2000
January 2001 | February 2001 | March 2001 | April 2001 | May 2001 | June 2001 | July/August 2001 | September 2001 | October 2001 | November 2001
March 2002 | April 2002 | May 2002 | July/August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November 2002 January 2003 | February 2003 | March 2003 | April 2003 |May 2003 |June 2003 | July/August 2003 | September 2003 | October 2003| November 2003| December 2003
| January 2004 | February 2004 | March 2004 | April 2004 | May 2004 | June 2004 | July/August 2004 | September 2004 | October 2004 | November 2004 | December 2004| January 2005 | February 2005 | March 2005 | April 2005 | May 2005 | June 2005 | July - August2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005
| January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July/August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006
| January 2007 | February 2007 | March 2007 | April 2007 | May 2007 | June 2007 | July August 2007 | September 2007 | October 2007 | November 2007 | December 2007| January 2008 | March 2008 | June 2008 | September 2008 | October 2008 | November 2008 | December 2008 | January 2009 |
CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved.
CALENDAR / CLASSIFIEDS / SCRAPBOOK / RADIO / FESTIVALS / MUSICIANS / LOCAL JAMS / OFFICERS / JOIN /