The Droddy Report October 2007

From Daniel

Dear family,

As most of you know, I'm writing to you while on deployment in the Middle East. I've been to Kuwait, Afghanistan, and my current home for the last 4 or so months. I can't say where that is though. It's not the typical place that we usually get sent. That's all I can say about that. It's really hot here, 120 average, and there are cool critters running around. I've seen scorpions, snakes, lizards, camel spiders, a flamingo, hedgehogs and some neat birds. Grandpa would be proud since I watch for snakes all the time! Oh, and lots and lots of sand. The critters keep me busy when I'm not working or doing something else. I do have lots of time to pray and think about home. I've been hurt a few times but nothing major. That's what happens when you're a Seabee doing construction in a contingency. Anyhow, I'm almost out of here finally! I should be out of here sometime in early October. I hope I make it home for my anniversary on the 8th. I would share pictures with everyone but since this is a classified location I obviously can't have a camera.

Lately I've heard there's a lot going on back home. Duke decided to get hit by a car and luckily he's ok. Sam is moving down to Lucinda with Mom and Dad. DeWayne is talking about getting married from what I hear. My dad has a new job and is loving it and my mom had to have some tests done to see if she has cancer. I haven't heard anything else about it so I hope that's a no. God Bless her so that she doesn't have cancer. On the other side of the country, my baby girl Eva started walking. She walks most of the time from what Carla has said. She said her first word which happened to be doggy. Charlie is her favorite thing in the world. Eva also has 6 or 8 teeth now, I'm not sure. She turned 1 as well. So, again, all kinds of things are happening when I'm gone. I'm just glad that everyone is alright this time around. I'm sick of getting bad news over the phone or by email.

The family and I are coming home the weekend after Thanksgiving since I want to go hunting this year. Its been almost 4 years since I've gone hunting. I have buck fever! I really hope to see as many of you as possible this time. It's been way too long since I've seen everyone. I really want to see Rose and Andy. I haven't even met their first son Anthony and now they will have 3. Time flies by when you're gone and kids grow too fast! I will also be coming home at the end of May 2008 and for about the first week of June or so. That way maybe we can have a family gathering that I can be at. I deploy again that September so that'll be my last time home again for awhile.

Mail takes awhile to get here. If something is sent on a Monday and I'm lucky, I usually get it the following week. It usually takes 2 weeks or so to get anything. We only get mail once a week so I've gone over a month without anything before. Then there was about a month that we didn't have an address. We don't get food half the time when we are supposed to either so we've had to ration what we did have. That's one thing that's good about where I am, we eat well! I've only had to eat MREs for about a week since I've been over here. Lucky me! Well, I'm about out of things to say. If I could talk about everything that I do here then I could write you all a book. I hope to see a number of you in a few months!

I am now a Seabee Combat Warfare specialist! Thats a nice silver pin to add above my ribbons.

God Bless, Daniel

From the Pates

Hello All!

I am not sure when the last time I wrote was so I am just going to tell you all the most recent news. I was finally able to get the job I wanted after working at JC Penney and a behavioral health hospital. I am back in the school system. I am an assistant in a trainable mentally disabled classroom. The school is only about five minutes down the road as well, so it is very convenient. Other than that I just keep busy by cooking and sometimes cleaning.

Eric got home from Turkey in the beginning of June. We were so glad to have him home. He should be leaving again in February for Iraq. If not then it will be the rotation in June. Please keep him and all the troops in your prayers! The Air Force keeps him busy. He just spent a week trying to make his way to Brazil to fix an airplane. He spent more time in DC trying to get a visa than he did in Brazil to actually fix the plane. He did manage to get a few photos if anyone would like to see them. Just email me and I will get them to you.

Gaby is busy with school again. She is now in seventh grade. She is in a brand new middle school that won't be finished for a couple more months but the kids are in it anyway. She carries around a twenty pound backpack because the school has no lockers! We were finally able to tour the school for meet the teacher night and were in shock that it even passed an inspection to let the kids in it.

Gaby also is into figure skating and had her first competition in July. She placed third in her category. Not bad for her first time. Other than that, she spends her time reading, playing on the computer or talking on her phone.

Levi is also keeping busy with school work. He is now in the fourth grade. We had a good scare in May with him. I got a call at work and he told me he had two bugs on him. I told him to take them off and he informed me that they wouldn't come off. And then I knew: TICKS! Well, we never had to deal with ticks in Alaska so I was a little flipped out to say the least. So, we took him to the doctor to have them removed and do blood work for all the diseases associated with ticks. Well, he had an ear infection as well so they put him on an antibiotic. Then we find out about two weeks later that the labs came back positive for Lyme disease so he went on more antibiotics.

Long story short, I fought to get him to an infectious disease specialist to be told it was a false positive. Levi is now very cautious and also sprays bug spray on before he plays outside and always checks for ticks when he comes in. He never wants blood work again! When we aren't battling ticks, Levi can still be found destroying his room with Lego's!

We also had a wonderful visit with Eric's mom this summer. I went to Biloxi to pick her up and bring her to Charleston for two and a half weeks. We had a great visit, going to the beach and parks. We also brought the youngest niece, Sammi with us. She was great fun! We are always open for company if anyone wants to visit the beach! It is only thirty minutes away. We also have some great landmarks from the Civil War to visit as well. Just ask Flat Jimmy!

The other big news from South Carolina is that we are "attempting" to build a house. The builder had a hard time getting building permits (so they say) so we are not sure whether they will have it ready in time for us to move in before Eric leaves. So, if things work out like the contractor says, we should close on the house in early December, however we are not holding our breath! So, cross your fingers for us that they actually get it built on time and no major weather hits us this year. So, NO hurricanes for South Carolina this year. Mother Nature, please hold off until at least next year!

Well, I will end with something that not many of you may know about me. I had to think about this one because we can't keep secrets well in this family. But after much thought I decided on a major goal in my life that I am not sure I have told anyone in the family. Once Gaby and Levi move out of the house I would like to adopt a child with autism. I want to concentrate my time on Gaby and Levi now but when I have "empty nest syndrome" I would like to open our house to children with disabilities. Maybe, I will just foster some for a while. So, that is my deep dark secret that everyone now knows!

We miss you all greatly and wish to visit soon. If anyone would like to visit with us, on the phone or in person I will give all my information in case you have misplaced it or, like me, never wrote it down in the first place. Address: 5509 Elliott Glen North Charleston, SC 29418. Home number - 843-760-0291, Rose cell 843-327-6415, Eric cell 843-469-1726, or Gaby cell 843-302-6076.

Love, Rose

P.S. I have added pictures of Gaby from her skating competition and a picture of all the Pate cousins together.

From Rick

Dear Family and Friends,

Peace and goodness to all. Nothing too new happening here. I was invested into the habit on 29 July 2007. Thanks for all the prayers. The first eight days of novitiate was incredible. It was an eight day silent retreat. It was difficult, but I managed to get through it. It really was a great experience, a lot of insight and an idea of who I am.

For those who aren't very familiar with religious life, novitiate is a year and a day of somewhat cloistered life. For the most part we stay in one area. Fortunately it is 175 acres so we can take long walks if needed. On Saturdays we are able to go to the store for toiletries and such and on Sundays we go to local parishes, which is nice.

To the best of my knowledge, the topic is on something about us that others should know. Well, here is my vocation story. I figure after I tell this, I should be pretty transparent to y'all.

I was born on the 28th of February 1985. A small portion of my life was spent in the Philippines. I came to the states in late 1990. Growing up I dreamed of being a great military leader. In first or second grade I planned my life out as far as going to Annapolis and becoming a naval aviator.

In fifth grade I needed glasses so I planned an occupation around being a combat control officer. My freshman year of high school I enrolled in the New York Military Academy. I successfully ended my career as a platoon sergeant at the end of my sophomore year. I then went back to Cranberry my junior year. I got caught up in partying. Every weekend. I got in a little trouble and lost a good majority of my friends. Went to religion. Read Psalms 88 and became very comforted. Continued to pray and now I'm a friar. In a nutshell.

Well here are some pictures of my investiture.

Peace in Christ. Br. Rick

Greetings from Philippi

My understanding of our assignment for this newsletter is that we are to tell something about ourselves that others will dispute in the next newsletter. So here goes: I'm old! Vince has often told me that since I am the oldest, if I stop getting older, so will everyone else. I've yet to figure out how to stop getting older short of dying.

For years it was my dream to have a Corvette and to learn to play the piano. I'm not really interested in the Corvette anymore. I'm not sure when that wish just went away. I do still want to play the piano. God bless Rick. He bought me a keyboard and a book. I've practiced some of the songs. When the weather is cooler, I'll go on upstairs and practice some more. I've always wanted to make music for myself…and not with a stereo or radio. I want to actually play the piano. It could happen.

Since the last newsletter, I've been busy. In May I went to Vermont for a National Association of Disability Examiners conference. They gave me an award: Supervisor of the Year for our region! More fascinating was that I met Maria Von Trapp. She is the stepdaughter of the Maria of Sound of Music fame. She is 92 and still plays the piano. If you go to the Droddy website, you can check out some pictures of the trip…including one of a bunch of us with Maria. The hotel we stayed in was a few miles from the Trapp Family Lodge. I'd highly recommend a trip to Vermont. The countryside reminded me of parts of WV and PA. Lovely! I even saw a moose along the road eating some grass. Vermont has no billboards to spoil the natural beauty.

In June we made our annual pilgrimage to Summersville for the bluegrass festival. This year was very special for me since I came home in a new car. I call him George III. He's a 2007 Impala – white – with lots of bells and whistles – more than I ever expected to have. George II went to live with another family yesterday. I said goodbye with a tear in my eye.

I managed a visit to my friend Sr. Marian in Pittsburgh, too. I stayed overnight at the convent and truly enjoyed catching up what's been happening in her life since she retired. How amazing that I drove right into the heart of Pittsburgh and did not get lost. Wouldn't Dad be amazed?

In August Rick and I made a four day trip to visit Laura and her family in Kentucky and Robin (Rick's older daughter) in Tennessee. We had a lovely time both places. It was great fun to play with Sofia, Philip, Julia and Adelina…and to see how their new house is being built. It was also delightful to see Robin's new "old" house. She has a Victorian home in Knoxville that was built in the early 1900's. Nifty!

Rick talks more of retirement every day. He'll try to get through this year of teaching…and maybe one more. He's looking for a new career…one where he does little work and makes lots of money. If you have any ideas, let him know.

Love, Mary Anne

Lombardi Update

Hello All! It has been a very busy time for the Lombardi family these past few months. We welcomed Adelina Rose to our family on June 18, weighing 8 lbs. 11 oz. & measuring 21 inches, two weeks before the moving company showed up to pack our house for the big move. In those two weeks, all of the joys & fun of moving (read: Major Stressors) led to Adelina losing a lot of weight. She seemed to be nursing well and sleeping well, but there were complications somewhere along the line, so we worked very hard to bring her back to her birth weight. I had her weighed last week at a check-up (11 1/2 weeks old) & she was only one ounce shy of 11 lbs. (Her lowest weight, at two weeks old, was 7 lbs. 1 oz.)

Now we're living in Kentucky (as Julia said-we moved "to 'Tucky"), Elizabethtown to be exact (I'm told there's a recent movie of the same name, set in this town, though I haven't had a chance to check it out.) We're living in a cute little furnished rental house (reminds me of an Aunt Rosie house) while our house is almost finished. Right now, we're fortunate to be able to walk Sofia & Philip to school & all of us to Church. Once we move into our new house, it will be about a 10 minute drive.

Sofia is doing great in 1st grade, & she is my daughter--she loves to read!! It's amazing how much she has grown up, even in the last year. She also loves being a little mommy to Adelina, though requires constant supervision simply b/c the other two love to shower their attention on her as well!

Philip is a big Preschooler now! He hasn't shed a tear, & though he's still quiet in school, he's doing a great job of coming home with great stories of the things he has made or played with that day. We're thrilled he's doing so well! He wanted to have a baby brother in the family, but he is so enamored of his baby sister, always wanting to be near her & have her grasp his finger--adorable!

Julia is our non-stop Mouth of the South, who is adept at observing every last thing her older siblings do & copying it to the letter. She's quite bright & seems to understand all the things she's learning from them--scary! She's at a very fun & very trying age, but she definitely keeps us entertained!!

Adelina is a joy. She's finding her voice & cooing & smiling all the time. The kids are all in love with her, as are we! She looks very much like the other girls, but has her moments where she has a strong Lombardi resemblance, too! It's so much fun to see how they grow & change all the time. A woman at our new church tells us that she thinks we made our kids with carbon paper.

Chris is doing well in his new job, & doing a great job of networking with old friends in the 1st Recruiting Brigade in Maryland. He's had to travel twice since we moved here, & will attend CGSC (Command General Staff College) in January for four months in Virginia, a requirement to be promoted to Lt. Colonel. He's not due for promotion for several years, but it will be good to have all of the requirements completed. I won't start working until he returns. I don't want to start a job for a couple of months & then ask for a leave of absence for four months (which they probably wouldn't grant) as I don't have the same network of friends here who could watch the kids while I worked all night & slept all day. I hope to interview before he gets home so I can get started when he returns! There is a local hospital in E'town, & the Army hospital on Ft. Knox, so I have to figure out which will work best.

We're looking forward to visiting in Fairmont for Thanksgiving & meeting our newest little nephew, Ian, as well as Anne & Matt's Rachel, who we haven't met either!

Love to all,

Laura, Chris, Sofia, Philip, Julia, & Adelina

From Liz

Since all of you already know all you need to know about me, I'll avoid the topic of the newsletter this time.

Please include Marvin and my neighbor and friend Sue in your prayers. Some employees at the company they work for have decided a union is necessary and have petitioned the labor board to be allowed to vote. If a union is voted in, the company will likely shut down. Voting will take place in about 35 days. We depend on his income and it would be very difficult if he lost his job.

Countdown to November 1st has begun. We have decided to name this little boy Ian Michael (IM Boord). The wise and wonderful doctors have decided that he has caused me to have gestational diabetes (like Anne had with Rachel). It has been a test on my willpower to control this by diet.

Otherwise, all is well, I've only gained about 9 pounds since the beginning and hopefully will be able to shed those and a few more easily after delivery. Right now he's still breech, so pray for him to turn around before he gets too big to do so.

Maria is coping with the fact that she will no longer be an only child and really seems to be getting excited about the idea. She has managed to start the 4th grade without too much ado. She hates her teacher, she hates school, she hates homework, she hates everything. Did I mention that almost-10-year-olds have the attitude of a very hormonal 13 year old?

All else is well and hopefully will see some or all of you soon.

Take care, Liz

From Donna Sue Groves

Vince. I hope you and Sara are well and enjoying the last of summer..... I think of all of you so often and hold you in my daily prayers and my heart. Give my hellos to your father-in-law and the all the cousins.

I am coming to Harrisburg in mid-October. The state is bringing me in to talk about the quilt barn project for PA. I am excited.

Hugs, Donna Sue

P.S. Just in case you wonder why I am coming to Pennsylvania -- it is to help jump-start the quilt barn project. Just in case you start seeing quilt squares hung/painted on barns -- I attached an overview about the concept.

Genesis of a Dream

~ an imaginary Clothesline ~

Growing up in West Virginia, Donna Sue Groves' family would play a simple car game counting advertising signs such as Chew Mail Pouch, See Rock City, Seven Caves, Natural Bridge, Drink R C Cola painted on the various dairy barns as one way to pass the long hours riding in the car. Her family used barn watching as an opportunity for family discussions and as a history lesson.

In 1989 she and her mother purchased a farm in Adams County, Ohio. On the farm was a tobacco barn. Donna Sue promised her mother that someday she would paint a quilt square on it for her.

As the Southern Field Representative for the Ohio Arts Council, Donna Sue has worked with non-profit organizations and artists nurturing community development through the arts for the past twenty years. She has experienced first hand the power of public murals to produce social value, foster community pride, serve as catalysts for economic development as a tourism destination, and to support community self expression. However, not all rural communities had a floodwall or existing wall space to paint something as large as a mural. As she traveled throughout the Ohio River Valley, she looked at those empty barn walls as an opportunity to create public art and she kept talking about her promise to her mother.

In 2001, Pete Whan with The Nature Conservancy – Edge of Appalachia offered to help paint a quilt square for her mother. Donna Sue suggested that if they were going to paint one square why not consider painting more. She believed that the squares would offer an opportunity to develop a driving trail to entice tourists to visit Adams County which would foster economic opportunities for local businesses and artists.

Although the concept was simple Donna Sue knew that it reinforced the best of our region - our farming and quilting heritage. It would utilize local assets and engage community folks in the process of planning and implementation. Pete agreed and a grassroots committee was organized.

The Adams County Quilt Barn project was designed and implemented entirely by volunteers. The committee encouraged the involvement and participation of other community members in the process of creating public art. Funding was received from The Nature Conservancy, the Ohio Arts Council, Adams County Chamber of Commerce, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, local businesses and Adams County residents.

On October 13, 2001 during the Lewis Mountain Olde Thyme Herb Fair the first quilt square, an Ohio Star created by Mark Lewis and Bill Brown was unveiled. The Adams County Quilt Barn Sampler project was officially dedicated to honor Donna Sue's mother Nina Maxine Groves, a fifth generation quilter from Roane County, West Virginia and her Appalachian heritage.

During the summer of 2003 Maxine's quilt square finally became a reality. It is the Snail's Trail pattern designed and painted by Geoff Schenkel, Marietta, Ohio.

Almost overnight the word spread to neighboring communities, counties and other states about the Quilt Barn project. They asked if they could participate. Donna Sue enthusiastically said yes and offered her support and expertise. She asked that each new community remember the genesis of the project - and that they in turn would share it with other communities.

Donna Sue's early vision was to create an imaginary clothesline of interconnecting barns decorated with quilt squares across Ohio and the nation thus creating a National Quilt Barn Trail.

And so it has happened -

The National Quilt Barn Trail (or as some call it – The Clothesline of Quilt Barns) has rapidly spread across Ohio to Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania and beyond.

It is estimated that over 1500 colorful quilt squares now adorn barns, other farm buildings, flood walls and significant community structures across the United States. All projects are similar but they are shaped by each community's values, vision, heritage and cultural assets. Each project captures the spirit of place using 'art' for community celebration and economic development.

From Rose:

Labor Day found me in the basement vacuuming cobwebs and contemplating deep philosophical ideas. As I stood inside the foundation of my house and made headway in the cleaning department I was able to see the support beams clearly. I wondered if taking the cobwebs off could cause the house to fall. Could something as wispy as a cobweb actually keep a house rooted even if the beams were infested with termites? Is it faith that keeps the house from collapsing (much like holding one's breath keeps a plane in the air), or do I need to call an exterminator to check for insects?

Then it all got too complicated and scary, so I concentrated on not getting bitten by unknown species of spiders. I also wondered about my own foundation, deeply rooted in my ancestor's gift of faith …

I had the privilege of entertaining my grandson Taylor this summer. He flew down from Anchorage, spent a week with me, went on Kids Quest with VisionQuest employee's children and grandchildren, and then returned for a second week in Oil City. Kids Quest was an opportunity that my own daughter never had because I never became part of the inner circle at VisionQuest, but I guess the administration has mellowed as the years passed and they allowed my grandson to go. I've begged him to write a few words about his experience, but you know how those almost-teens are when it comes to homework assignments. So, I've included the official VQ report of the trip. If you want to know more you'll just have to ask Taylor.

This summer's out-of-Oil City experience took me into The Travel Channel and HG-TV. As you might guess I went to Anchorage where Tawnya and Russ have purchased a lovely house. Coming from a tradition of houses built in the early 1900's it was a bit of a culture shock to be in a home with an open floor plan, three bathrooms and nearly plumb walls. Tawnya, Russ and their friends repainted most rooms in bold colors including olive green, bright red, and Pepto pink.

Tawnya turned me and Russ loose in the furniture store to buy pictures and wall accessories – what fun we had. We did have to school Tori in the understanding that if you don't quite know what a picture is, it must represent the meaning of life.

The family was kind enough to take me camping in Seward – we stayed on the Air Force side where we had fire rings but no cable, so we had lots of S'mores and everyone learned to start a fire from scratch. It is an Adams family tradition to play table games so we were not at a loss for entertainment – Triominos is definitely at the top of our list for fun and nearly as addictive as any electronic game.

The children tried to teach me Texas Hold 'Em and other poker games; my area of expertise is more in the Old Maid and War category. An added bonus was meeting my stepgrandson Sean. He was with us for the camping trip and, along with Taylor, was a very good sport about giving up his sleeping place for me. Sean enjoyed walking, going to the coffee hut, and trying to teach us all to levitate – I think the other kids were on their way to learning, but I couldn't seem to get off the ground.

Russ was most gracious about taking me out on the fishing boat for an entire day – what a fabulous experience that was. Although there were very few fish willing to give up their life for the good of our supper, the trip was smooth and the scenery beyond description. Noteworthy for me was that I didn't have even a minute of seasickness.

The family always treats me like a queen, the children are great and it's nearly impossible to leave … especially if JT grabs your leg and refuses to let go when it is time to leave for the airport.

One of Tawnya's coworkers had a surprise waiting for me – he is probably the most ardent Elvis fan ever. He found out that I had been at an Elvis performance so he got me a beautiful bouquet of orange and red gladiolas. (Zeke told me that this was what Elvis always got for his mom because they were her favorite flower and he did the same for Anne Margaret after they appeared in a movie together.)

When Tawnya had an open house to show off their new home, someone commented on the flowers which were in Taylor's bedroom (where I was sleeping) and Taylor looked at them and said: The flowers are so not mine!

A favorite childhood memory I have is of sleeping in my grandma's bed with her, usually when Mary Anne and I weren't getting along. One night Tori came in and spent the night with me … I wonder if I weighed the mattress down as much as Grandma used to? We were chatting and giggling away and Tori looked at me and said: "It's time to sleep now" and promptly went to sleep. Tawnya is such a gracious hostess and I always enjoy our time together. I especially delighted in the time we spent on the lanai dreaming, planning and enjoying the beauty of the mountains.

* * * * *

What about Other People?

What is it that makes people want to share certain information? The guy who brings a box of fresh home-grown tomatoes says: You don't want to know what I fertilized them with! No, I don't and now I don't want to eat them either.

* * * * *

What about Rose? There are two things I will share about myself:

June 14, 1969 was my first day in the real world with a real job. While the state of PA and the county of Clarion thought of me as a "Clerk Typist" my dear boss Marge Metcalf treated me as a "Confidential Secretary" from day one. This was a bit overwhelming in the beginning but I grew into the idea and came to take great pride in the work I completed and the reputation I built. With this job I lost my identity as Rose Ellen a/k/a Rosie – granddaughter / sister/ daughter / student and became either Miss Droddy or Rose.

My boss taught me that I would be judged solely on my performance and personality, that people would now know only what I told them about my family; I guess in short, I became an autonomous adult in the business world. Now, 38 years later I still enjoy nearly every day that I go to work and probably 95% of what I do. (Nobody really likes to type minutes from a meeting, do they?)

Over the past ten years, however, I have watched the title Secretary disappear from general use. People often appear ashamed of openly admitting to being a secretary. In fact, there is no longer a Secretary's Day – in the pursuit of a feel-good title many employers changed it to Administrative Assistant.

Many times when asked what their job was a secretary would respond with "I'm just a secretary." Many people commented that "it isn't like you have a career or anything". Or they might say "Anyone can do it – it's not like you even need an education for it." With the arrival of fax machines, personal computers and cell phones fewer and fewer businesses see a need for secretaries. It appears that my job, my career, my passion is just a distant blip on the radar screen. Much like common sense it seems that secretaries will soon be extinct.

I have been at my present post for nearly 27 years and have had to re-invent myself many times over those years to remain employed. I take great pride in the basic skills I acquired at St. Joe's as well as the personal skills and personality traits I added to the mix to become the Miss Rose that I am today. It saddens and frightens me to realize how many human beings have been replaced by the electronic marvels we have today. Do you ever long for the days when you could speak to a human being on the other end of the phone? I'll hang in until the end and I hope that end is as distant as the time when I will retire from this work force.

Then there's this thing about making good adult decisions. Somebody forgot to invite me to the class about insurance, preventive maintenance and general planning for life's circumstances. When people try to explain these things to me I feel like I am in a bad dream. Then I have to make a decision based on what they said and write out a big check to cover something, but I don't know exactly what.

When something goes wrong, I find out that the plan I chose doesn't cover what happened – but, have a nice day anyway! How do I know that if I plant a tree here that its roots won't sneak their way into the pipes over there and cause everything to back up in my house? Will eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits really keep me healthy or should I eat junk food? Just what is the right amount of sunshine? Life insurance? How do I know if it's a migraine or a brain tumor? People think I'm an adult – they say "Whatever you think" like I might really know what I'm doing. Hey, folks, I don't have a clue what's going on in the adult world. Could I back up your decisions instead of you standing behind me?

To summarize: I'm insecure, clueless and generally floundering through life. Other than that I'm a fairly normal person.

KidsQuest 07 Gives Back

How many kids can say they have sailed a tall ship, climbed and rappelled 100 ft cliffs or teamstered a mule and wagon across 100 miles of the Montana high plains. Not many… unless you happen to be the child of a VisionQuest staff who has participated in VQ's annual KidsQuest. And this year was no exception.

In the spirit of community service, 22 kids and 7 staff from Pennsylvania, Alaska, Arizona, Maryland, Montana and Florida convened in Gulfport MS to spend 2 weeks volunteering at the Katrina Kitchen under the direction of Steve Bloom.

Despite the hot, humid temperatures, our kids worked tirelessly. In the first week they stripped 2 homes down to the studs, which had been filled with 6-8 feet of water from Hurricane Katrina, so the homes could be treated with fungicides and rebuilt for their owners after nearly 2 years. They also helped put a new roof on one of the homes.

Once the homes were gutted, all the debris had to be removed to huge dumpsters… backbreaking and difficult work, given the heat and surgical masks, goggles and gloves that had to be worn for protection from the dust and molds.

One group each day participated in kitchen duty, preparing, serving and cleaning up for over 250 volunteers and local folks. The hours were long, starting at 5:30 am until 2:00 pm for morning duty and 2:00 pm until 7:30 pm for afternoon service. Also, KidsQuest was responsible for cleaning showers, bathrooms and trash pick-up each day.

During the second week, KidQuesters gutted and cleaned the yard of a home that had not been entered since the day of the hurricane (including an unopened refrigerator!), moved and reorganized all the storage for Katrina's Kitchen and completely rehabbed a Little League baseball park.

There was special pride in the Little League Park as the youth from the community had been unable to play there due to the damage. New benches, picnic tables and a large backstop were rebuilt and painted in the school colors. The snack shack was also completely repainted and the bathrooms partially gutted, repaired, cleaned and repainted. Finally, the sidewalks were power washed and the kitchen cleaned and readied for the opening of Little League that weekend.

Fun included an afternoon at the beach (few were open for swimming and the water was still filled with debris) and a trip to New Orleans, which was eye-opening for staff and kids.

First the group toured the still endless devastation along the way and the completely destroyed 9th ward, which was still mostly abandoned. This was followed with a walk around the famed Bourbon Street, where the kids enjoyed buying beads and feather masks and a trip to the famous Café Dumond for chicory laced decaf coffee and beingnets, a New Orleans donut.

All in all, it was a very different KidsQuest, with the emphasis on helping others rather than providing adventures activities. However, according to the kids, many of whom where new to KidsQuest this year, it was an extraordinary experience that made them appreciate all they had at home.

VisionQuest would like to thank the staff – Steve, Martha, Terry and Robbie Bloom, Ann Ranalli, Dave Swanson and Amanda Burton for once again providing our staff's children with a positive rite of passage towards adulthood; our staff for sending their children and our Questers for their hard work and commitment in helping make a difference in the lives of others.

KidsQuest, held yearly, is open to the children of SPS who have worked at VisionQuest at least 4 years. SPS employed under 4 years can participate on a space available basis.

From Zeke

In keeping with this newsletter's theme we have a message from Zeke:

My name is William Russell Krause. I am not a Droddy. I was raised in Southeast Kansas not in Western Pennsylvania and not in Lucinda. I am not a Droddy. My parents' last name is Krause also – they are not Droddys. I was educated in Kansas not in Pennsylvania. I have a college degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Oh, and by the way I am not a Droddy.

I enjoy listening to music. Some of my favorite music is folk music. I listen to the Kingston Trio (which I grew up listening to) and to Arlo Guthrie. I also enjoy music from the 60's and 70's. My favorite song is "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zepplin. I am a registered Democrat and I have voted that way for many years since 1972.

I am a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan not a Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins fan.

I work for the Venango County Area Agency on Aging where I am a Care Manager / Ombudsman. I have enjoyed this work for the last ten years, especially when I can help keep the elderly from being exploited or abused.

The reason I am writing this is because several in this family don't know what I do or how I feel about things because you don't ask. Oh, and by the way my last name is not Droddy.

When I first met Rose I tried to mingle and have conversations but it was more than obvious that many of you don't want to talk to me. I don't know what I did or said or maybe it was just the fact that I wasn't a Droddy.

Just to let you know, my Mom and Dad appear to be doing well out in Oklahoma. Dad is 83 years of age and Mom is 81. She has Parkinson's now and she had two major strokes in August of 1999.

For the past eight years I have spent most of my vacation time going to Oklahoma. Rose has gone with me many, many times.

I am also an alcoholic who attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. AA saved my life 25 years ago and still saves my life every day. For the people who read this short and sweet little article about me I hope you have learned something. For those who won't read it I am sorry because I have always tried to be interested in others and what goes on in their lives.

From Tawnya

OK about me:

I am a black and white type of person. There is no grey. It is what it is and I am what I am. This can be good and bad depending on how you look at things. At work they tell me that sometimes there is a grey and that I am too direct and do not see the other side of things.

When my children fight I tend to not see that maybe circumstances led to the end result. If you hurt someone it is your fault as you are responsible for your actions. As I said: good and bad at being black and white.

OK I have not written in a very long time.

We moved off post and bought a house at the end of May. Russ spent most of the summer in Virginia for school to become a senior NCO. He is now an E7 which is Sgt First Class in the Army. I used his promotion money to buy a new car for me. Works for me. We spent the summer painting and making improvements on our house. Oh two weeks after we bought the house the housing market crashed, go figure.

We are looking into doing foster care. I think that we would be very good at it but we have to see how Russ's work schedule will work with it. He is applying for a new job today that would put him out of the country six weeks or so at a time. I also have concerns about growing attached to the kids.

Mom came to visit and I made her work on my house the whole time so I could go to work and get some money to help pay for the house. She did a wonderful job. Wish she would come back and catch up on the laundry as we seem to be falling behind on it.

Taylor went on Kids Quest this summer with Vision Quest. He really enjoyed himself and wants to go back next summer. They went to Mississippi to work on Hurricane Katrina Relief. I think it did him some good, but he has forgotten already. It was good while it lasted. He started middle school this year and it is going well for him. He is in a brand new school and meeting lots of people, including those dreaded girls.

Tori is in the sixth grade and such a girly girl. She talks like a valley girl most of the time or in text. I am learning what she is saying but sometimes I feel like I live with an alien. She is learning to play the flute this year. I hope that she does better then I did on it.

JT is in the second grade and very whiney. I think I have babied him too much. He will be tested for the gifted program later this school year.

Our house has turned into a zoo, we have a dog, cat, fish, and a hamster. All the promises to keep them cleaned and fed and watered have gone out the window so I get to make sure that they do not starve to death or stink up my house to much.

We plan on building a deck out back next summer so that we can put in a hot tub. If anyone wants to come visit we would be happy to see you. Just a thought but how about we have a family picnic up here. I will host it and you all just have to come. Sounds fair to me. See you all when you get here, we will leave the light on!

Family Web Site

Please note: the web site has a link for the family blog, which isn't getting much use these days.

ALSO, the prayer intentions are now available from a link on the main web page, under the quote from Mom. Let me know what you need prayers about, and I'll keep that updated.

From Vince

What should you know about me? I imagine that it is kind of odd that I, having served a career in the Air Force, do not care for air travel at all.

It's not that I'm afraid. I don't expect air travel is all that dangerous. I just find it awfully inconvenient and have never cared for it. I always tried to find assignments within driving distance of home. Even Offutt Air Force Base, 1,000 miles from home, was a drive, not a plane trip.

This is a shame, since my in-laws are a continent away, and since I will be going with Sara to Italy in the near future.

But I would just as soon drive, any day of the week. And, truth be told, I'm not real crazy about driving, but it is just not as annoying.

Another thing you might not know about me is that I don't consider my life to be very interesting. I love to tell stories, but I mostly tell Dad's stories, Mom's stories, and Grandma's stories. I also like stories that I've made up.

Very few of my stories are about events in my life. It just doesn't seem that interesting.

This is the second report of this year. Maybe next year we'll have three, but only two this year.

We have had a nice year. Sara quit work, after giving me four years of family time and not having to work. It's her time to shine. She is now attending Italian classes at Pitt. Good for her! Remember that in life, it is not about how much money you make, but about what you do with the talents God has given you.

We had wonderful family reunions, one at Moraine State Park and one at Settler's Cabin. The first was my responsibility and the second was Mary Anne's. Rose is setting up next year's first gathering, at Lakemont Park in Tyrone, near Altoona. Sounds like a fun place!

At Moraine, we rented a large pontoon boat, and had a good time out on the water.

We added a small gathering last weekend: a mini-leaf trip to Warren. Sara and I had planned a leaf trip for that weekend, and coincidentally Rose and Mary Anne were going to visit Janice and Imogene. So we met them at Bob Evans in North Warren. I finally got to see the crazy house!

We had a lovely visit and the leaves were nice at Ridgeway, though they were weeks from peak at Warren. They were no prettier in Warren than here in Kittanning.

Be sure to check out the photos section of the web site! Sara has uploaded a bunch of photos of our family gatherings.

This week we did something much less fun. Over the last couple weeks, Sara and I (mostly Sara) had been filling the cracks in the driveway. Today it was time to spread the stuff that seals the driveway. That's hard work. Makes me appreciate all the more the work DeWayne and Rick did four years ago for us.

We hope to get the money together for repaving the driveway before the next time this would need to be done. Either that, or we need some strong nephews or nieces to come live with us!

We have started a theory, since Joe couldn't make it to Moraine, and poor Denny and his family overshot Settler's Cabin three times before giving up and going home. The theory is that we can't all five get together. Let's disprove that theory at Lakemont next year, okay?

I still enjoy my job, and, as Rose said about her job, life is all about redefining your job so you can stay employed. Right now, my job has these parts: getting the company fully automated through the MAS-90 system (which is accounting, production control, sales, purchase orders, etc.), maintaining the Quality Assurance software which I wrote, implementing the hand recognition punch clock system for the wage employees, and researching and testing glass products for our transparent armor division. If you just keep adding things, there's no way to replace you!

Mom, Dad, and Grandma keep busy in my dreams. Last night, Dad and I had a nice long walk, while he told me some important things. What they are, I can't recall any more.

Whenever I see any of them, I am baffled to have thought they were dead, and feel silly for having mourned about their deaths.

A couple weeks ago, Grandma was working at her new job, and it was at a candy factory.

I'm teaching 7th and 8th grade religious ed again, in addition to my adult class. I love teaching people about the Catholic faith. God has been so good to me, and it is a joy to share that joy.

That about wraps it up. Since there hasn't been much blog activity, I don't have a "best of the blog" to share. Unfortunately, there is still one blank page to fill. So let's see what I can find to fill that space.

God bless and keep you all.

Love, Vince