2002 News Archive
December
A
wonderful holiday when we were able to be together as a family and to meet
Jessica's fiancé, Jason Neal. Jessica and Jason were able to spend four days
here in Omaha . . . we kept busy with board and card games, the movie "Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", a
Buddy Holly Show, and Christmas Eve dinner
at the new Missouri riverfront restaurant, Rick's Boatyard Cafe. On the 30th we
traveled to
Topeka to celebrate a late Christmas with Barb's brother, Bob, wife,
Julie, son, Derek, and daughter, Erika, as well as Barb's sister, Janice, and
our nephew, Henry, his wife, Lori, and sons Tyler and Trevor who were visiting
from
Minnesota.
November
We flew
to Phoenix the 15th through the 17th for a surprise 50th Birthday party for our
good friend, Roger Hansen. His wife, Debbie, coordinated the whole thing VERY
sneakily behind Roger's back so he was completely surprised when we showed up
along with other good friends Dave & Marcia Hayes, of Abilene, KS, and Max &
Ardith Hinkle from the
San Francisco Bay Area. Friday night we just hung out at
the Hansen's - out on the patio around the pool . . . someone has to do these
things . . . Saturday it was mixed tears and joy while John got to watch
NU get
royally trounced all the while sitting in a
KSU Alumni-filled sports bar . . .
but Roger LOVED it, and of course, it WAS his birthday. Saturday evening Debbie
had local friends to the house for a "formal" birthday party, and Sunday was
spent still visiting and touring the beautiful area where Roger and Debbie have
purchased a home. All the while we enjoyed high 70's to low 80's with clear
skies - someone has to do these things, too!
October
John &
Barb flew into
Atlantic City the 18th through the 20th to attend John's 40th
Pitman High School Reunion held this year in
Cape May. Thanks go to John's
cousin, Barbara, and her husband, Carmen, for providing "taxi" service for us
from Atlantic City Airport to Cape May and back!!!! We had a great time, the
weather mostly cooperated and it was wonderful to see good friends and
classmates once again. Thanks go to Bill Whilden and the rest of the Reunion
Committee for coordinating the reunion activities, including accommodations.
Thanks, also, to our own personal Friday evening Social Director, Eleanor
Thompson Decker, for setting up the Friday evening dinner at the Mansion House
Restaurant. During the day on Saturday a group of us drove back up to Atlantic
City to see what was billed as the "World's Largest Antique Show" -10, yes,
count 'em, 10 acres of booths under one roof at the Convention Center. Then it
was over to the Trump Tower where we personally increased Donald's fortune.
Dinner and dancing on Saturday evening was followed by a buffet breakfast Sunday
morning prior to everyone going their separate ways. Below are just some of the
photos from the trip. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL!
September
We
celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary on the 13th. On the 14th, along with
friends, attended the
Omaha Community Playhouse production of "Buddy" - a
musical review of the life and music of Buddy Holly.
August
School
Daze!! Barb began teacher meetings on the 8th - 3rd Grade this year - the kids'
first day is the 14th - much too early . . . what ever happened to August being
the prime summer swimming and hanging out month? John got a new computer - a
laptop - the older one will need repairs - major crash and burn, but still
covered by an extended warranty.
July
On the
weekend of the 27th & 28th we attended the Blaine Hill (Barb's maternal
grandfather) Reunion in
Hutchinson, Kansas. We had a great time - attendance was
good. We also renewed some friendships with Abilene friends on our way through.
On the 20th we received word from New Jersey that John's Uncle Henry had passed
away at the age of 92. Henry was a true gentleman who had a kind word for
everyone, was most generous of spirit, and possessed a grand sense of humor. He
will be missed by all of us, most especially his wife, Dot, and daughters,
Barbara and Dorothy. On the 7th we enjoyed an afternoon with our neighbors,
Beverly and Gene Schellpeper, on the
Fremont Dinner Train complete with WW II USO songs and motif.
May-June
Jessica spent a relaxing week on Cape Cod, then attended her
Vassar College 5
Year Reunion in
Poughkeepsie, NY. John & Barb are looking forward to a 4th of
July visit from Jim and Pam Chamberlain from Fort Worth, Texas. Last June, we
attended Jim (Barb's cousin) and Pam's wedding in Hico, Texas.
January-April
This
year has started out much warmer and with less precipitation than our normal
January . . . not that we're complaining . . . last year was terrible, so we'll
take every good day we can get! Once we get into February you can see Spring
right around the corner - not that we can't get snow and ice in March!! We're
not sure what the new year will hold for us - maybe a trip to
Houston to see
Jessica, another road trip this summer, and, hopefully a trip east for John's
40th (aauugghhhh !!!) high school reunion.
About
that warm start to the year - well, it all changed the 1st week in February when
we received 10" of snow. School was cancelled for two days - a Thursday and
Friday - so Barb got a four day break out of it. Then, a week later, a couple of
inches of snow and ice just to keep us "honest". OK, then we got a nice day and,
wham, 2" of ice with high winds on March 8th. Happy Spring, everyone! |
