| G-G-Greetings, C-C-Classmates! Is it just me or has this been the longest, coldest winter in the history of mankind? Central Ohio had seventeen straight days of snow followed by brutally low temperatures and brisk winds. The wind chill has been zero or below several times. In Michigan, Marsha Marshall Elliott reported that the wind chill is zero, up from -13°. She is recruiting and testing census takers for Emmet County so she didn't head south this year. Missy Blair Wyss and Liz Amick Murtfeldt chose to get out of Dodge and find some sun. Missy and Hal went to Costa Rica, and Liz and Jim went to Florida. Even the Florida cold snap was warmer than Northville. This last storm dumped nine inches of snow on Bruce Benton in NC. That is more than the Michigan area he "escaped" from for warmer weather. And more is on the way. Bob Strimer reported four inches at his place in eastern TN. He wasn't walloped like Nashville and Memphis. I wonder if Peg Householder Jones has dug out yet. Betsey Ingraham Rhame, who just moved from NYC to Oregon, is visiting her daughter's family in Philly where the weather is astoundingly cold. Meanwhile, she is missing the glowing reports from the Pacific Northwest. John Rapp, Sally Jo Scott, and Sondra Flowers Hopper report that Washington is on track for the warmest January on record. With temps in the 50s and 60s, trees are budding, spring flowers are blooming, and grass is growing. Anne Skatzes Williamson is having cold weather for San Jose, CA. The upside of all the rain is the lush greenery, and the expected drought won't occur. Sharon Kiernan Maggard says Las Vegas is seasonally typical--high 60s by day, 50 by night, and lots of rain. In Maine, Linda Lawson Miller reports that the few balmy days of 30s and 40s are now gone, replaced by teens and 20s. So far, no new snow. Dave Bertram has Colorado news. We live on the western slope of Colorado and the weather patterns are much different than those on the front range (Denver). In November, I used the snow blower one time to clear six inches of snow. Since that time, we haven't gotten any snow. We are surrounded by mountains, but this year all of the snow has fallen at higher elevations. The temperatures have been cold all winter but we've had lots of sunshine. I do have a tee time tomorrow, so life is good.
Tomorrow Punxsutawney Phil is going high tech--he will text his spring forecast to the weary weather watchers. Let's hope for a good report because I am SO ready for spring. We are counting on you, Phil. <<<>>> NEWS news Tom Campbell sent a nice note. He is still in Augusta and reporting the news at noon and 5 PM daily on WRDW-TV. He has one more year on his contract but he hasn't yet decided about retirement. Read his bio here. We are counting on seeing you at the 50th, Tom! A message with strings attached Dennis Jackson has...well...a personal problem. 1-6-10 Apparently it is that time of year one should be thinking about self improvement. And if you aren't, others will think of something for you. We were all at the cabin for New Years Day...just finished the Buckeye game when the family said, "Dad, we need to talk." "You've got GAS. You have GAS really bad, and we, all of us, think you should talk to someone about it." OK, so I have a little GAS. I mean, what's the big deal as long as I'm having a little fun and not hurting anyone! Son Shawn has GAS worse than me and no one is talking to him about it. I mean it's not like I have Vintage GAS. That can really blow a family apart. I am sending some photos of the results of my little GAS hobby. As you know, GAS is the acronym Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top came up with for Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, the uncontrollable desire to acquire guitars. Those with Vintage GAS collect rare, old, very expensive guitars. Out of my league. I stick with new, relatively inexpensive ones. Under separate cover, I am sending a CD of Darin Mahoney's. Darin is not only a master luthier but an accomplished guitarist. Used to be a rodeo bronco rider but that's another story. On the CD he is playing a beautiful instrument that he made. Between us, Shawn and I have about thirty guitars. Darin takes care of them when something goes wrong. Hopefully I will be GAS free in 2010. 1-10-10 OK, so much for GAS free in 2010. Needed to go to Costco today. As I got close to the 101 freeway, I'm thinking, hey, Guitar Center is only five minutes south, not so far out of the way from Costco which is five minutes north. What would be the harm in just stopping by? I don't have to buy anything. Guess what! As I'm heading to the humidity controlled room where they keep the good acoustic stuff, right in front of the door...blocking my way...is a 1977 Alvarez 12-string. It looks sweet...so I pick it up...sounds sweeter. Wow, only $120 bucks. OK, I really have to have it...destiny I think. I have Trevor, the guy I used to get my fix from, hold it for me while I take a peek in the acoustic room. You are not going to believe this! Just inside the door on the right is a truly incredible Breedlove Custom Shop Performance Focus dreadnaught...hand signed by one of the Breedlove brothers. I know--but wait, it gets even better. It is on clearance! Mine. You don't think I have to tell Shawn and Heather that I bought them...do you? I took some snapshots of the two new guitars. The solid tone woods in both are incredible. I don't think you can even find the quality of mahogany today that is in the Alvarez. It is interesting that the Alvarez was an inexpensive guitar when built (1976), and even today a vintage one in good shape only runs $120 to $150...maybe $350 for something really rare. People want the vintage plywood Yamahas and Takamines. Go figure. The sound of both the Alvarez and Breedlove is just magic. I do need to stop collecting. I have run out of wall space for the guitars to hang and closet space for the cases. Maybe just that Alvarez vintage classical guitar in rosewood on eBay. It's not all that big, and I could take the Takamine to the cabin.
EGAD MAN! Your resolve lasted all of ten days!! HAVE to tell Shawn and Heather? No, you don't HAVE to but you will--such great finds beg to be bragged about. These instruments are works of art!! No wonder you are so passionate about them. They are absolutely beautiful. See the photos here. When he isn't collecting guitars, Dennis covets classic cars. We went to the Barrett-Jackson car show and auction yesterday (1/18). Rainy overcast day, but the place was packed. Here are photos of some (too many) of the cars that impressed me. Check out the auction on the Speed channel. You may see some of them auctioned off.
This little sweetie is Dennis' granddaughter Gabriella, a keeper of the finest kind. What a fantastic photo. <<<>>>
Dwindling down to a precious few The days are numbered for the Willis school building. For the past two years, the Delaware City Schools Facilities Committee has been trying to determine the best way to serve the educational needs of the community. Because the city has expanded in all directions, one new building is essential and extensive remodeling will be required to others. Redistricting most likely will follow. Various scenarios have been discussed and narrowed to three, but in none of the three will the Willis building continue to be used for instruction. Alternate uses for the building are being discussed. The DCS web site has posted the latest report. <<<>>> Delaware Alumni Association A very exciting endeavor is underway. A small group of alumni are working to organize a Delaware Schools Alumni Association. Currently, the group is collecting alumni data to get and stay connected to alumni with the goal of hosting some type of alumni event in the fall. We will keep all staff informed as part of the goal is to keep alumni connected with former teachers and staff too! Alumni can register their info here. Please share this link via email, social networking sites, etc., with your friends and family who are also alums!!!
Jennifer S. Ruhe
Director of Communications
Delaware City Schools
<<<>>> Thinking of you Vicki Brown Osborn is recovering from a stroke suffered last month. Prayers and good wishes are coming your way, girl! <<<>>>
February birthdays Bob Strimer Karen Oller George Nancy Pool Hartley Mary Carson Cross Linda Lawson Miller If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know. | |