SUMMER NEWSLETTER 10
JULY 26,2008

This is from Barb McCallie, A-19, home in Brazil, Indiana
I just had more proof that this is a small world. My sister, Betty, is a member of the 80-90 member Brazil Concert Band here in town. They play every Sunday night in the summer in our park across the street. Part of them were on tour last week to the Wisconsin Dells, where they played two concerts on Thursday and Friday nights. I tagged along with the band and was sitting listening to them when I happened to look over to the main street of town where people would walk by and stop to listen for a while. I couldn't believe I was looking at Larry and Anna May Davenport, Bentsen Grove residents. They were there for a church camp and we just happened to be in the same place at the same time.

From Hope Jones, A25, MI, Monday morning (July 14)
At 11:00am this morning, we had a conference about Gregg's care at THE INN at FREEDOM VILLAGE. The heads of various departments here at THE INN schedule these conferences every few months so that family can be informed as to what care is given to your loved one, what procedures are carried out per Dr. orders, and what questions you (or the patient) may have for any of the care givers or departments here. Gregg spoke of being able to return home "in a month or two", and he was told that this MRSA infection will not be cleared up in that short a time span. Head Nurse also said that right now none of Gregg's Drs. have any orders to attack the MRSA infection. This due to fact that Gregg had been given max treatment with this antibiotic or that, and for time being, Drs. do not want to introduce anything else into his body. Gregg has no fever, no chills, nor any other symptoms that the MRSA is spreading, so this means that it is localized at the two open wound places on inner and outer left ankle, where he had his surgery over 2 years ago.
Gregg is still in isolation...this his 3rd time around. First time, it was for a bit over 6 weeks, 2nd time 4 1/2 weeks, and now it's been about 3 weeks, with no end in sight. A few days ago, the nurses did allow him to go out for a ride with me, and we accomplished some of his store business. He did get outdoors for a walk. To do this, he must be "off campus", have his left leg enclosed in a big plastic bag worn under his left leg brace. e just cannot have any close contact with any of the other patients here...he sometimes has someone stop by his doorway, and he's able to have brief conversations with others. This is hard for Gregg, to be away from others...he loves to converse with folks.
I don't know what my fall or winter plans will be...all depends upon on what the different specialists can do for Gregg in the coming weeks/months. I'd love to get back to my winters at Bentsen Grove. I figure that if it is meant to be for me, things will work out.
Meantime, I'll try to keep in touch with everyone by emails. If don't replay to your message right away, it's because I use the computer in the unit's living room, and there is only one unit for all to use...grateful for this, because up to a few months back, there was no computer for all to use.
I do miss all the things I was active in, and if God wills, I'll once again be able to resume my life as it was! Love, Hope
 
From Bonnie and Ken Paskey W112
Sorry to hear about the passing of Ray Ford. He will be missed by many. A group of BG residents from Wisconsin and Upper Michigan enjoyed spending a few days with each other playing cards, golfing, visiting, eating, and boating in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Those attending were Bernie and Carol Milkie W24, Glen and Shirley Edlund W21, Clem and Sharon Bergstrom B17, and Ken and Bonnie Paskey W112. We are also looking forward to the Wisconsin get together in Marinette in September. Thanks Dennis.
 
From Frank & Marge Krall, Formerly 553, WIS
We went to the Herberts for the get together. We had a very enjoyable time and ate so much food, They are such good hosts and very good friends to many. We arrived there Monday afternoon and we left Thursday morning to see our daughter in Ft,Wayne.
We don't like traveling around Chicago, but did- so much construction and traffic. We left there early Sunday morning for home. That was a good idea. Then we stopped in Milwaukee to see my sister in-law, who is not well. Haven't seen her in a couple of years. It was good to see her. She is quite home bound.
Now we are looking forward to the Wis. get together in Marinette. Thanks to the Ethingtons for hosting it.
Frank & I are both doing ok, enjoying the summer and our kids. Thank You Barb for the news letters. It is interesting to see what other B.G. people are doing.

From Mable and Jim Herbert E-1
Our group from BG was a good turn out again this year. The weather was perfect and we had plenty of food and drinks. Everyone just sat down by the lake and visited for the first two days. We were all glad to see Frank and Marge Krall . Betty Skillings and Shirley Knight had a great time golfing with the guys. Joe and Ruth came to spend a couple of days and then on to Minn. to see Arvid and Gloria Boyum. Ed and Myrt Walton, Warren and Ida Fox, Ralph and Laverne were here and everyone enjoyed the halves of chicken done by Jim on his big grill. Hoping to have it again if the people want to come.

From Barb Goff A26, Hi - Sorry to be so late in telling you about Dolly. I had someone who is more knowledgeable than me and a much better writer, lined up to give you the scoop. Because of electrical failure, she was not able to do so.
The storm hit land on the island and Brownsville Wed. as a Category 2 Hurricane. Did a lot of damage to several Hotels and businesses there. Then the eye hit north of Edinberg (Edcouch and Elsa area) causing some flooding. The southern portion of the storm hit McAllen and Mission about 5p.m. with high winds and pouring rain - at least 5 inches during the night. We lost our electric and water. The next morning, surveying the park, there were 13 trees uprooted and several carports damaged. By then we added no telephone and no cell phone signals to our list of "no's".
Everybody started cleaning up the branches and leaves, debris and what nots. Elec. came on for some about noontime and the water was on for about 2 hours. Then off again in most areas of the park. Some folks were lucky to have their service stay on.
I flew to Denton, Tx on Fri morning (this was a trip planned on long ago.)
to visit with my daughter. When I left the park, I still had no elec. or water. Boy, it was hot trying to sleep the past couple of nights. I heard that my electric didn't come on until about 11 p.m. Fri. night. Guess I'll have to dump everything in my freezer when I get back. I don't want to take any chances of spoiled foods.
I'm again putting this newsletter together on a strange computer without my usual "tools" so it may look strange for the second time in a row. But I did want to tell you about the storm - I know you would want to know SOMETHING! If you are concerned about your place, you could call the park or perhaps someone you know who resides here could go and take a look for you.
I'll be coming home on Aug. 3 but keep the news coming. Barb