Laura's Birthday Dinner

Saturday we had a nice birthday dinner for Laura while Ruben was in town and Andrew was visiting. Here are a few pictures from my camera, and we'll add more from Laura's camera soon.

Apple picking adventures

We took a road trip to Woodstock to see our old friends, Derek and Amy Mach, along with their two sons, Charlie and Christopher. We had such a good time - it may have to become an annual event!

Happy Birthday, Lil' Sis

This is a snapshot that Jack will appreciate - a big brother and his little sister - how time flies, eh, Mom and Dad? This was taken in the back yard of the house on Brainard - I don't remember the occasion, but strange as it may seem, I DO remember getting the shot taken because it was my idea to be half way down the slide - see me gripping the side tightly so we won't slip? It's very strange the things our brains file away -- like Monroe, Utah... right, Pop?

Haiti Update

Dear All: I'm forwarding to all of you a thank-you note from Carmel Valdema. On Saturday, she and two of her health workers drove up the highway with sacks of ground rice/ground beans and medicine to Nan Gad, a village with a market on the road from Croix-des-Bouquets to Mirebalais. There they met a group from Crochu who had come to carry everything back up the mountain…First photo shows a section of the road that was completely washed out by the flash floods…Second photo shows everyone loaded up and ready to carry the (supplies) back up the mountain. Carmel reported that the clinic was very successful, that the people at Crochu were very happy to see her and her team, and she repeated what she has often said, that our donations of food and medicine and, when we can, our presence, not only sustain people in time of need, they bring the people HOPE. Many thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.

Blessings & Peace, Burt (Purrington - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Marquette, MI)

Mad Clown Disease Stikes U.P.

Actually I attended our Council on Diaconal Meetings Semi-Annual Conference -- this year on Caring for the Caregiver. Our facilitator drove up from Streeter, IL, and, yes, she is responsible for the red noses...anyone for a rousing chorus of "Rudolph?"

Haitian Storm Damage

Four of the five major storms to hit the Caribbean have caused extensive damage and flooding to Haiti, the poorest country in this hemisphere. Click on the title to link to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) will give you more information. If you would like to make a donation, I would recommend either donating through the ERD web site or by donating directly to my church, St. Paul's Episcopal church in Marquette. One of my fellow church members coordinates a major ongoing outreach ministry to our companion diocese in Haiti. Burt Purrington helps run a children's nutrition program, conducts HIV education, and works with the small rural churches to help improve living conditions in this poverty stricken country. Two of the five churches are not functional - one is still flooded and the other is gone. The nurse who houses Burt on his frequent mission trips has lost his house. He, his wife and their toddler daughter spent three days on their roof without food or water. If you would like to donate and would like a more personal connection to the people you are helping, consider sending your donation to St. Paul's church - "Laurie's Fund." Peace, Rev. Larry Shell, Deacon.

PS - Laurie was Burt's daughter who died in her mid-30's, the fund is in her memory.

Happy Birthday, Angie

Sunday we got to celebrate a birthday dinner on the actual day rather than the weekend before or after (or more likely a month after the fact). And the added bonus was that Laura got to be there, too.

Here are a few pictures from Angie's birthday dinner of beef stew and blueberry bundt cake.

The Turkey's Waiting...

I hear Ma has sent out the invite again to see if there's interest in a Yooper Turkey day. It would be great if we could pull it off. The folks would be traveling on Wednesday with those who don't have to work and a second car could follow after work on Wednesday or on Thursday. I just got off the phone with L8N and how long the turkey lives depends on how many folks are coming...keep that in mind. Oh yeah, all the critters say "Howdy!"

Tiki Fun

A week ago, our friend Maggie threw her annual Tiki Party at her house in Berwyn. We helped her build a "beach" next to the garage where everyone who came had their picture taken. It was a blast. She even hired a local band, the Windy City Islanders, to play.



My dashboard Homer got to come, too. He watched over the food table.


"Mmmmmmmm. Potato chips."