2010 . . . I didn't hit the Powerball Lottery! But 2010 is being a busy year for us. Crystal and Diana keep us going. Crystal lettered in high
school soccer and Diana played volleyball and fast pitch in the 2009-10 season. Thanks to Steve & Pam we spent
10 days in Florida in May 2010, and the girls finally made it to Disney. Found a Texas Weiner place in Ft. Lauderdale,
thanks Steve, yea. Took the girls to the Sea Aquarium at Key Biscayne, and to South Beach - no Crystal,
you may not buy a $1,400 top and $400 jeans! I had two surgeries and a heart attack. Lived through that. Crystal
and Diana both got to go to the shore, and both got a lot of swimming in at friends' pools. Diana went to volleyball
camp at Villanova University for a week, getting a taste of the college life. The girls each took a friend to Lock
Haven this year. Crystal anxious to go to the new high school in September. I was Grand Knight of our Knights
of Columbus Council, that kept me busy too. And I"m still working, as is Diane. We often take a ride through
Valley Forge Park in the evenings to relax. Not much time for that.
2009! Well, I didn't hit the Powerball Lottery! (Yet) But, we have our goals set for 09, and we're ready for another round.
Crystal and Diana's goals are school related. Diana has her Confirmation this year, and Crystal graduates from SFA. We're
praying that Diane can continue to get through the layoffs at work. Doesn't look like we will be moving to Bermuda
or to the English countryside any time soon. I'll be lucky to get to Lock Haven for a few days to see family .
. . and I'm dying for a Henry's BBQ! More Later . . . Well it's later! We have some nice pix of Diana's
Confirmation. Thanks Aunt Cathy. Crystal had a great class trip to Baltimore. Thanks Didi. We
all enjoyed the Steeplechase at the Radnor Hunt Club again this year. Like Cars? (Don't wear jeans.) And this weekend we have a box at the Devon Horse Show. Crystal and Diana will each be taking a friend. Looking forward to a family reunion in Renovo. Then back
to school routine.
2006! Wow, I'm still alive! What will this year bring? Diana is looking forward to
being an Altar Server this year. I think she's the only one with expectations. Oh yes, I'm hoping Doug Andrews will see me
when he comes up from Florida this year. We enjoyed his CD of Christmas music over the holidays. Oh yes . . . recently I started
looking up some Navy buddies from the '60's, and I'm communicating with a few of them now, Dr. Bob Hores, Steve Bergstrom,
Larry Treaster, Ron Bennett, Dr. Jack Caldon, DJ Dechesser, Ted Zelio, Joe Pryor . . . fun catching up! Linda Hill
passed away 12/28/2006... Thanks to all who were praying for her. Di and I went over to Stroudsburg to hear Bob Hores
play with Dick Johnson's Artie Shaw Band. We went to dinner with Bob after - great time talking over old times.
2008! Here we go again! This should be a good year . . . I expect
to hit a big Powerball jackpot - and that would be good for a whole lot of people. Well,
here it is November and I didn't hit the Powerball
Lottery! Figures huh? But, Crystal and Diana did get to the shore this summer at least, and to Dorney Park, and
to 6 weeks of summer camp, which they like, so it was a good summer for them. We also made it to Lock Haven for a week,
and we always enjoy that, thanks to Pam and Steve, and Stephanie. Of course we hit Henry's BBQ a few times. Last
month I came out of retirement, four years was enough, and went back to work. I really need to hit that Powerball!
Maybe then we could move to Bermuda, or to the English countryside. I think I'd like that, yeah. I could look
up Rodney Hall,
he's a decent sort, and would show us around, I'm sure. I decided to close my website business, and took a job as an
auditor in Philadelphia. The girls are already talking about their Christmas gift lists. Guess I'll see you in
the new year. Bye. (If you don't hear from me in '09, I'm probably dead, and my website will expire too.
So if you have anything you want to say to me, maybe you'd better do it now.)
2007! Yep, Ken Poorman is still alive! But unfortunately
Father Trautner isn't. A lot of people are missing him. What next? Some good news. We attended the Installation
Mass for Reverend Robert H. Mulligan, who became Pastor of Saint Madeleine
Sophie Church at Pelham in Philadelphia. I think it was the most
beautiful Mass I have ever experienced. The choir and musicians put it over the top. Fr. Bob had a lot of friends
in attendance from St. Francis of Assisi and other parishes he has served
in the past. The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, D.D., S.T.L., V.G. was Celebrant. Diane introduced me to Bishop
Thomas, whom she knew from their teenage days. It was a good summer for my granddaughters, i.e. they got to the shore,
sleepovers, Sesame Place, Dorney Park, Summer Camp, etc. We made it to the Hall-Wertz Reunion in Renovo Pa too, and
got up to the Hall-Wertz Cemetery again. We met my
brother at The Village Inn for a great dinner - had a nice chat with Mickey Greenberg there. He's still practicing
medicine, and picks up the trumpet once in a while. I got to talk with Corrine and her Mom Tootie there too.
Have you heard Corrine King & the Mountain Rose Band? Jim Franklin from Renovo is her drummer. The following
week I went to Larry Batterson's retirement party
in Lock Haven. It was fun exchanging war stories with some old friends, Jim Calhoun, Myron Dietrich, Beanie Edler, John
Keches, etc. - good to know that Larry got blamed for some of my shenanigans! DJ was up for a visit, and we went to
Chick's Tavern for old times sake.
Unfortunately, DJ brought bad news, his father passed away.
2005 ALREADY! Not off to a good start... Funeral in the family, Pam's Mother... bummer. Now we have 10 inches
of snow... bummer. They pulled the plug on Terry S... Pope JPII passed... all bummers.
Things are picking up. I
have put up a half-dozen commercial websites... but need more customers... HELLO out there!
We threw a nice 10th
birthday party for Crystal, she had a sleepover with a few of her friends, Nicole, Dana & Asia... we did a movie, dining
out, mall shopping spree (lots of jewelry), they had fun. Looking forward to the St. Francis carnival. Diana had her First
Holy Communion in April, great occasion and nice party. We took the girls to Lock Haven for a visit, good time as usual. Joined
the Markley Farms Swim and Tennis Club so the girls had something to do this summer. Monica started Pre-K at St. Francis this
week... boy, where does the time go? Crystal joined the School Choir. I'm so proud of her. Enjoyed the kids' Christmas Program
at St. Francis. Enjoyed the Gaudeamus concert again this year. The girls had a nice Christmas, as usual. Di and I are
going to Westover for New Year's Eve. Goodbye 2005!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2004! Di and
I rang in the new year at Vincent's in West Chester Pa... Papa John DeFrancesco on the Hammond B-3 and his group, friendly
crowd, good service, dancing, kissing, lots of champagne - how could 2004 kick off better? I think Di and I need to socialize
more... Sounds like a resolution to me: SOCIALIZE MORE, IN 2004!
Di and I visited Steve & Pam in Pompano Beach...
they took us to hear Roger Williams at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church... great evening. We went on a nice cruise too. Got
to see Sean in Naples. Poorman brothers had a good time - a really good trip...Feb 2004
Enjoyed the Radnor
Hunt & Devon Horse show again this Spring with the girls - visited Caleb & Katie in Lock Haven this Summer. Jun '04
We took Crystal and Diana "down the shore" in July, visited Al & Joan in OC and had a nice lunch with
them at McGlade's... went to North Street beach and waded through the "Jellies", stayed in Somers Point...great
time!
Finally... nice long weekend in Lock Haven. Steve and I enjoyed hearing my good friend Jim "Chappie"
Chapman wail with an excellent jazz group at DiSalvo's. Nice seeing Flip Mills again too... been a long time. Enjoyed
visiting with Karen & Blake. Great time at Kellie's birthday party at the Elk's in Jersey Shore... good being with the
cousins and their families again. Great trip thanks to Steve, Pam & Steph! July '04
My good friend DJ Morris
from VA visited this weekend, really good to see him again... catching up on some photo alblums, remembering our visit to
Blues Alley in Georgetown... Aug '04
Diana had her birthday party at Build-A-Bear. 18 little girls were very happy
with their bears. Crystal volunteered for Altar Serving recently, completed her training and had her first service on 10/24/04.
We’re so proud of her! Diane and I just visited Our Lady of Czestochowa yesterday and today to hear Father John Corapi
“Wake Up America.” Kathy & Matt joined us today too, and two thousand others. It was great, of course. Well,
I’ve been working for about 45 years now, so I retirrd (again) on 11/30/2004. About time, huh? Nov '04
OLD STUFF
2003: went slow... redecorated living room & dining room, took the girls to the
shore & a visit to Lock Haven, Luke was born, Katie & Monica got Baptized, didn't hit the lottery.
2002:
Di & I toured the Battleship New Jersey in Camden NJ. WOW! You should see it... really took me back. Met a Marine who
was on the Forrestal when I was. Sure hope Baltimore gets the Forrestal... GO NAVY!
2001: Diane & I visited
Steve & Pam at their place in Florida. They took us to hear Diane Schuur & Ramsey Lewis... MARVELOUS!
1993: Diane Hansberry and I got married at Freedom's Foundation in Valley Forge...
had the reception at Glen Hardie Country Club with friends and relatives, and went to Bermuda on honeymoon. Cousin Helena
came in from New Mexico... great seeing her again. It was Great Aunt Mary (Ryan) McNerney's last outing. Steve, Robbie and
I sat in with the band... fun. We bought a nice little house in Jeffersonville PA, and followed up with a conversion and Catholic
church wedding. Having a great time with Crystal & Diana... OUR GRANDAUGHTERS!
