Newsletter #2, sent 05/14/06

From Hope: This Newsletter is very long, and spans over 3 weeks. Since I offered you my excuses in the 2006 #1 Summer Newsletter, I'll not repeat. From now on, I will try to be more timely in sending these tidbits out to you. Harold Buechly (W05, OH) will put the 2006 Summer Newsletters on a special web page, much like he did last year. More info on that in the next Summer Newsletter. Harold also suggests that I re-print my Newsletter guidelines. This, too, will come to you later.

Since so many like to have the B/G Lot #s, and summer states included, it would be extremely helpful, and time saving for me, if you would include yours, and those of other B/Gers you write about when sending items to me. If you don't see a Lot # listed, or a state listed, it is because I don't have that info in my files.

I've had a few requests for an address to mail a sympathy card to Karen Marquardt's (C37, Res) family. I have no address for any of her children. Here is the address for her sister, who has stayed with Karen for a few months each winter: Nancy Herbst, 8900Jacquis Rd., Winneconne, WI 54986. I trust she will share your cards and messages with Karen's children and the rest of the relatives.

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From Chuck Smith (former B/Ger, 322, CO, Jewelry Designer, sold at B/G Craft Shows) phone call 4/24: There were 4 men from Colorado Springs on an experimental cancer drug program. Chuck reports that he is the only one of this group still living. He goes for a chemo treatment every two weeks. He has a 2 hr wait, 4 hr treatment, then Doctor, then chemo for 2 hrs. He said that 4/27 marks 2 yrs on the experimental cancer treatment program, and that date also marks his 90th birthday. He has a power chair for use outdoors in his yard. Another power chair, "that turns on a dime" for indoor use. He sold his 2003 Suburban because Barb (his wife) was no longer able to climb into it. He now drives a 1991 Cadillac, which he doesn't much enjoy, but Barb finds it so much more comfortable.

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From Len & Mary McNeice (Former B/Gers, E21, ON, CAN) 4/21: Like you in Texas, Hope, we are having warm weather and high gasoline prices. Martha (Roniger former B/Ger, Apt W208, KS) was telling us (4/20) about paying US $2. 67 per U. S. gallon. I told her our present price, after doing all the conversions it would be U. S. $ 3. 56 a U. S. Gal. So, you can see why I am riding my bike a lot. We are both well, and having a good social life, mostly bridge. What am I saying. . . ALL bridge!!

Glad you are looking forward to spending your summer with Gregg (my son). Like you, we enjoy being with our kids, and appreciate the good relationship we have with them. Maybe it is good because we live a long way from all of them. Take care Len/Mary

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From Marv & Odean Freeman (former B/Gers, in Ohio) 4/22: A brief update on our daughter Ann. Please continue to hold our daughter Ann Wolf, up to God, in your prayers. Praise the Lord she is doing great. Very positive attitude. She has finished her Chemo, and will be having the tests in preparation for surgery later in May. She - We don't know what all lies ahead yet but it is all in God' s hands. Please keep holding her and us up to God in your prayers. Love, Marv and Odean.

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From Nancy Schulke (Former B/Ger, Apt then W102, MN) 4/24: Happy post Easter greetings to all. Thanks for all the cards and email greetings. I was going thru a phase, and did not turn on the PC to send out greetings. Sorry. Hope you all had a good time with family and friends. My sister had us over for Ham dinner. Not much news from me, just trying to get this place in order. I still move at a snail place. The past weeks, I've been doing water classes, and estate sales. Today, the County called, and I will be going to work on Tuesday. I hope the hand holds out, will be fun to see the old gang and make some money. Think warm Spring. . . Nancy

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From Duane Stephens (T08, IL) 4/25: I was on lot T-8 for many years. Next year I will be in apartment W212.

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From Marge Krall (553, WI) 4/26: If you are sending newsletters again, we sure would like to be on your list again. We arrived home the 4th of April. We are having a beautiful spring. We do need some rain here. Had the family all here for Easter. Even had an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. The ice on the lake left the 10th, and the friendly loons came the next day. We wish everyone a good and safe summer. Marge & Frank Krall Lot 553

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From Linda Smith (On, CAN) 4/27: Could you please add me to your summer newsletter? Marlin Johnson (D38, Res) passed your name on to me. Thanks so much. Regards, Linda Smith Tobermory, Ontario, Canada

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From Terry Bellefontaine (602, ON, CAN) 4/28: Am in the midst of doing my income tax (I'm being stubborn in not giving in and taking it to an accountant) - have three more full days, until midnight Monday to get it in the mail. Wish me luck. Terry (Canada income tax filing seems to be later than ours in the USA)

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From Christa Dreetz (W02, Hamburg, Ger) 4/28: I got from Marlin Johnson (D38, Res) your email address. Please, add us to your summer letters. We would be very grateful. We are very busy rebuilding our bathroom. Everything takes much longer than planned. Take care, love from Hako & Christa

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From Larry & Shirley Knight (501, Res) 4/28 by phone: Will spend summer in a seasonal RV park in Sauk City, WI, west of Madison. This is their 3rd summer in this park with others from AL, FL, LA. They've taught these folks all of the card and board games they enjoy at B/G. They will fly from Chicago to Germany on 5/9, to return on 5/25. Ideas on seeing that country by motorhome were given by Hako & Christa Dreetz (W02, Hamburg, Ger) and Richard & Linda Lunsmann (W74, Syke, Ger). Also, Richard gave tips on where to rent a motorhome.

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From Mary Mittag (W217, ND) note: We had to leave for back home because Earl has to take radiation treatments. Mary

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From Jean Dutton (W09, MI) phone call 4/29: First time flying back to Michigan, instead of driving. Their flight was grounded in Chicago. The airline put them up overnight in a Hilton Hotel near O'Hare airport, and also gave each a voucher for food. (future flights might not be as eventful!)

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From Karen Mencel (A56) 4/29: I am on A56. My husband Richard died last September at Bentsen Grove. We have been coming there for 6 seasons. Before that, we had visited B/G every winter for over 20 years to spend time with my parents, Web and Marge(deceased) Dunn. Web is a permanent resident there on F50. I am traveling out west right now in my motorhome, but will spend July and August with my daughter in Virginia, while her husband is in Iraq. I will spend September in Illinois with my son, and expect to return to B/G in October. Right now, I am in Oregon, camped alongside the Columbia River. Beautiful place. Take care. Karen

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From Mary Pool (629, OH) 4/29: Hello Hope, hope all is well with you. We are just so-so. We were wondering if you have started the newsletters yet?Did not want to be left out. Our weather has been nice during the day, but gets cold at night. Takes me all day to get warmed up. Duane has been tinkering in his wood shop and sorting glass. Our daughter has requested a special stained glass, so we will be going to Franklin Glass this next weekend. No matter how much glass is on the shelf, we never seem to have the right shades. We have most of our Dr. appointments worked in for this Spring. I go to Columbus this coming Friday to visit my neurologist. I have been falling a lot. Honest, I have not been drinking. Duane & Mary Pool, Lot 629

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From Evelyn Tupy (A14, IA) phone call 5/03: No sooner got back to Protivin, IA, and went thru some sessions with her medical doctors there. Weather has been chilly, with more than 3 inches of rain in two days. (But nothing keeps Evelyn down. ) She had her hair appointment, her church activities, her senior center doings, and times shared with friends. She also mentioned that her son, Leon, Jr. will celebrate his 65th birthday in May.

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From Vivian Young (311, MI) 5/07: Home now in Michigan. Had a safe trip. It is a little bit cool here right now. Glad to see my children and grand children and the great-grandchildren. Found out there will be another great in about six weeks. They kept it a secret so they could surprise me. Hope you have a super summer. Don't forget to include me in your mailing this summer. Vivian Young

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From Bill Walker (F34, IN) 5/09: Hi Hope. Were you on the cruise this year? If so, I hope you had a good time. We enjoyed it last year. Are you doing the bulletin this year?We never heard. Assuming that you are, I hope we are on your mailing list. If not, please put us on. Much thanks. We are settling in to "northern living" and doing OK. It's nice to see the family again, but it's a wee bit cool yet for our liking. We'll get used to it. Bill and Ruth Walker

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From Rod Shilling (306, WI 5/11): I was very pleased that you responded to my email. We live in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Going to be on lot 306 next year. We won't arrive until January 1st, or the 4 grandchildren at Christmas:Rebecca=11, Rachel=5, Dakoda=4, Kolton=3. That's all I have for now. The Shilling's, Rod and Carol.

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From Deane Bowman 5/11: My husband Don, and I are full time RVers, as of last Fall. We stayed at B/G a few years earlier till I had to take some time (3 years) to take care of my mother. Now we are back at B/G in the Winter. Last Winter, and next we will be on Lot 212. I had some trouble with my knees this past Winter, worse than usual, and decided when I got back up here with my usual Dr's I would have it seen about. As of May 1st, I have a new knee. This slowed up our plans to make the trip to Alaska for this Summer. Seems I'm getting along pretty good, so as soon as we can, we will go "North to Alaska" as planned. We will see all of our good B/G friends again in Nov. Looking forward to hearing from you again soon. . . Deane Bowman

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From Betty DeVore (W30, IL) 5/11: Hope, Pat Craig (W33, Res) called last night to tell us of Karen's (Marquardt, C37, Res) passing. It just seems unreal, and so sad. I don't think even Karen realized how frail her body and physical strength was. She had that horrible bad cough over the years, and often ended up in the hospital the last few years with illnesses that would overpower her body. But when she got out, she was right back at being busy at her church and her crafts and all the busy activities at the park. She was too young to die, but that's not for us to say. We will miss her, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the family. She was so pretty, all dressed up for our Rio Red Hat Luncheons. That's how I plan to remember her. Now for Hope. You know how much we enjoy the newsletter, but we enjoy YOU more. So, please listen to your body and that little person inside and take care of yourself and don't push when it's telling you to rest and relax. You do a wonderful job, have spoiled us all, but please just do what you can only when you feel up to it, and those of us who love you will understand. . Love and hugs. . Betty and Dean.

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From Barb Goff (A26, Res) 5/11: I had gone to see Karen (Marquardt, C37, Res)yesterday before her family got there and I spoke to her. Told her who I was. She looked at me and nodded her head. I told her we were praying for her. She looked at me and nodded her head. I really felt that she knew I was there, and that she heard me. So, I am absolutely shocked at hearing the news (of her death). God bless her and her family.

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From Charlene Mapes (614, Res) 5/12: I don't know how you keep up , but you are to be commended for all your efforts and good work. We are all selfness and spoiled! We LOVE getting your letters. It is really sad about Karen (Marquardt, C37, Res). We were in the hall last evening playing cards when the word came of her death. Take your time getting the next letter out. First, you need to rest and have a little time at home. Hope you found your family well. I didn't know when your departure date was from McAllen. I slowed down to a snail's pace when all the activities were over. Have really enjoyed this past month. Our family was here over the Easter Holidays. What a joy, but we were tired when they left!!!! Take care. . . Charlene

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From Barb Goff (A26, Res) 5/12: I spoke with Karen's family and they seem to be taking it well. (They) will be leaving on Sat. Barb G

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From Vivian Young (311, MI) 5/12: Thank you for the newsletter, and informing us of Karen's (Marquardt, C37, Res) passing. . This past winter, I got to know her so much better and really liked her. I worked on Monday evening's pancake supper with her and Nancy (Herbst, C37, WI, Karen's sister). Last winter Nancy seemed to be the one not doing so well, and Karen was taking care of her, along with the many other things Karen did so well. I knew Karen had problems but had no idea she was that fragile, if that is the correct word for it. She never complained and always smiled. Do you have an address for a card for the family? Vivian Young

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From Corinne Higbee (A23, Res) 5/12: Hannah (Richards, A30) needs a ride to Dr. on Monday. I'll take her then as she has a wire that needs attaching on her heart monitor. Joe (Hannah's husband) will take her on Tuesday to get a basal cell growth removed from behind her ear. As you said "old age ain't for sissies". I got a Mother's Day gift today, and the roses are on my dining table. Carol (daughter) ordered them from a place in Florida, and they smell so good. Hope you have a good day and can relax now. Love, Corinne

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From Nancy Herbst (C37, WI, Karen Marquardt's sister) 5/12: Information on Karen's services, at CHRIST THE ROCK church in Menasha (WI) on Hwy 114. Viewing at 9am until 11am, and then services will start. A lunch served at the church. Burial at 2pm at the cemetery next to Roger.  Nancy

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Let's End With Hope: On this web site, you will find links to every state, where you can then access the forms accepted in that state. You can also register your living will on this site. Here you will find Procedures for Medical Power of Attorney, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, plus Revocable, and Non-Revocable Living Wills, all of which you can look into at http://uslivingwillregistry. com/info-english. shtm 

To see gas prices in other places, enter the state or city in this web address minus the parentheses. Not all states or cities are available, but this site says that more are being added.   http://www. (enter state or city)gasprices. com/

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