Charlene Owens Maguire

Charlene had part of one lung removed. When we met for lunch sometime ago she said she was doing very well.

Sandy Jackson Epoch

Sandy is recovering from Lung Cancer. I just received an email from her saying the chemo therapy has gone well.

"Hi Debbie, I am doing fine, cancer free as per my las PET/SCAN in November and chemo is over, thankgoodness, because is was exausting. Now I am back in Texas with my daughter and working on strengthening my right lung. I will go back to San Diego in Late January for a post visit and another PET/SCAN in March or April. I don't see Wayne as often as Tom. Tom, Barbara and I get together everytime I am in San Diego. This past visit I took my brother and his wife out to see Wayne and Sue's home in Ramona and they were in awe over it. I did get to light a fire under both about the reunion and both are interested. I am still working on making the reunion date. My brother in San Diego, who has been by my side and helping me make it through this ordeal had to cancel a three week trip in October when I had to go there and live with them through my chemo. They are rescheduling their trip to NY and the New England states for next October, during the fall season. If all goes well with me and Ted can make his trip schedule before the reunion, I will be there. You will appreciate the fact that Ted and his wife have a golden lab that they only trust me with and they won't go anywhere if I cannot come out and stay with JT while they are gone. I hope you are having a great holiday season. Take care. Sandy from Texas today"

Sidney (Skip) Doolittle

Just received a note from Sid. He's recuperating from prostate cancer surgery. He lives in Brewerton, NY right on Oneida Lake. I know he would appreciate a note of goodwill. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Happy New Year 2011

Yosemite in Winter

Hi all. We just spent Christmas in Yosemite. We have been there a number of times in Summer, but decided to try the Winter. Not really a masochist or trying to relive Winter in Syracuse, just something different. It was awesome! Words just cannot do this place justice. I've attached a few pictures to this, so you be the judge.

John Bennett and family

John Bennett

I am 63 now and I will be retiring from ITT (formerly Goulds Pumps) at the end of January. I have worked for Goulds Pumps/ITT for 25 years as the international credit manager. My wife and I have been married for 41 years and have 2 boys Zachary 30 and Seth willbe 29 in January. We live in Jordan, NY now, but we have a cottage in Canada where we plan to spend our summers.

My New Dog

I rescued the yellow Lab in the middle. I named him Jethro. Without rescue he would have been put down. He's a wonderful dog and is so happy to have 3 other dogs to play with. He's actually what's called a Red Lab because his coat is darker than a regular yellow lab. He came from across the state around Joplin, MO. It took many emails and phone calls to make arrangements for this guy. The biggest hurdle was my husband John who was furious at first. But quickly saw what a wonderful dog Jethro is. He is healthy and somewhat trained and housebroken. He just needs some refining training and John wants him to have some retreiver training so he can go with Bailey on some trips.

Syracuse, NY – The on-again, off-again lake effect snow warning covering the Syracuse area is coming back on again at noon, threatening to boost snowfall totals on what already is the fourth-snowiest December since 1950.
Meanwhile, several school districts in western and southern Onondaga County and Cayuga County have delayed the start of school, thanks to snowfall overnight. Syracuse.com has a complete list.The National Weather Service in Binghamton said Onondaga and Madison counties south of the state Thruway and southern Cayuga County may get 1 to 3 inches of snow this morning. Long-lasting bands could generate another 6 to 8 inches late this afternoon and tonight, the weather service said.By Thursday afternoon, 9 to 13 inches of new snow could be piled up, the weather service said. The warning is set to expire at 1 p.m. Thursday. Check forecast details on Syracuse.com.
The new lake effect warning will replace the lake-effect advisory the weather service issued Tuesday morning. The advisory replaced a lake-effect warning issued Monday. A warning is called when at least 7 inches of snow are expected in 12 hours, officials said. The threshold for an advisory is 4 inches over 12 hours.
Intermittent heavy snows struck Central New York Tuesday, enough to slow traffic and contribute to some fender benders, said emergency dispatchers. No serious-injury accidents were reported. That trend continued this morning with a rash of accidents reported in Onondaga County.
Interstate 81 in LaFayette was reduced this morning to one lane of traffic in both directions after an accident involving a tractor-trailer.
Five inches of snow fell at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Tuesday. That brought the December total to 54.2 inches, the fourth-highest December total since the weather service started basing observations at the airport. Only December 2000, with 70.3 inches, 1989, with 64.6 inches, and 2008, with 57.3 inches, saw more.
Staff writers Charles McChesney and Charley Hannagan contributed to this report.

Blast from the Past

MarK Hoffman

The reason Mark Hoffman is a Blast from My Past -- we went to high school together. He was a talented muscian then. He was a solid presence in the CNY/Syracuse community for many years and I'm glad to see he has had a sustained music career.I was looking at Michael McDonald's site on facebook and listening to his music when suddenly Mark Hoffman came to mind. I started a search for him and after a few minutes I found this write up about him. I was just really curious about where his life had lead him.

MARK HOFFMANN (Guitar/Vocals) is no stranger to central New York Blues and R&B fans, and is known for his blazing guitar work, soulful singing and songwriting.While on CBS/Epic Records he toured with the band JAM FACTORY, performing at the FILLMORE EAST AND WEST, and in arenas, stadiums and concert halls from coast to coast, as well as national television on PBS and THE TODAY SHOW.During his career he has appeared with music world legends THE GRATEFUL DEAD, JANIS JOPLIN, STEVE MILLER BAND, JIMI HENDRIX, LITTLE RICHARD, ERIC BURDON & WAR, BOZ SCAGGS, DELANEY & BONNIE AND FRIENDS, ISAAC HAYES, THE BYRDS, JESSE COLIN YOUNG, ARLO GUTHRIE, JOHN SEBASTIAN, BILLY JOEL, JOE WALSH, IKE & TINA TURNER, JAMES COTTON, THE GUESS WHO, HOT TUNA, CHUCK BERRY, THE BEACH BOYS, RARE EARTH, SHEMEKIA COPELAND and many, many more!After fronting his own bands and, most recently, playing with THE MARY HAITZ BAND across New York state, MARK brings his powerful Blues and R&B performance to the music of LISA AND MOJO FILTER!! MARK was honored with the SAMMY HALL OF FAME AWARD on June 6 2008 at The Taste Of Syracuse.
Posted by Debby Larus Doolittle at 1/15/2009 11:34:00 PM 0 comments

Have a wonderful Christmas

Maureen Shanahan

Maureen Shanahan

Maureen Shanahan December 13, 2010 Maureen passed away quietly at her home in Manlius after a brave battle with ovarian cancer. She was a longtime resident of Manlius, and served on the Village Board for the Department of Parks and Recreation. A hairdresser for over 30 years, she will be remembered by all who knew her for her kind friendship, sense of humor, and true sincerity. She is survived by her husband, Richard "Dick"; son, Jesse Ryan and daughter, Jenna Renee'; brothers, James Spinella, Mark Spinella; and sister, Phyliss Spinella. Services: 2 p.m. Friday at St. Ann's Church, Manlius. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Newell-Fay Funeral Home, 8171 Cazenovia Road (Route 92), Manlius. For directions, florists, or a guestbook, please visit www.SCHEPPFAMILY.com Any donations or help for the family can be directed to the Alliance Bank Manager, 8520 Cazenovia Road, Manlius, NY 13104. NEWELL-FAY Manlius 682-5300

Amy Foster

Amy B. Foster

Amy B. Foster November 20, 2010 Amy B. Foster, 89, of Hendersonville, NC, died Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Mission Hospital in Asheville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Foster, and her parents, Laura and Maurice Brandt. Amy spent her early years on Long Island, NY, but lived in six different states. She and her husband came to Hendersonville in 1990. She attended Alfred University and graduated with a bachelor's degree from New York University and graduated from Syracuse University with a master's degree. During World War II, she served in the Office of the Military Attache in the American Embassy in Lima, Peru. She was employed by various companies as an executive assistant and for 17 years she taught Spanish at Fayetteville-Manlius High School in Manlius, NY. Always an active volunteer, she was president of the Women of Rotary in Syracuse, served on the board of the Syracuse Stage Guild as well as on the corporate board, was active with the International Student Center of Syracuse University, as well as the World Affairs Council. The Foster home was often home to international visitors. Amy was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, and served her church in many capacities. In Hendersonville, Amy volunteered on both the Selection and Nurture committees of Habitat for Humanity and tutored at Balfour Elementary and Bruce Drysdale schools. She also spent time helping with the symphony, Flat Rock Playhouse and the library. She is survived by a daughter, Alison Foster, and a grandson, Robert Allen Aymelek, both of Cupertino, CA; a nephew; two nieces; plus her grands," whom she referred to as her bonus children." There will be no service. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, Hendersonville, NC, has arrangements.

Larry English

Spent 5 nights and 6 days in Key West, Florida last week. It was a trial getting there with all of the weather kicking up, but I outsmarted mother nature by flying to Charlotte the night before, which was a good thing because my original flight got seriously delayed. Only one flight a day from Charlotte to Key West, so it was either make it or lose a vacation day. I was lucky to have just wonderful weather, 70-74 every day, not a cloud in the sky. Water temperature was 74 degrees. “Cooled” down to 65 the day that I left, but I was leaving so who cares. All the while I loved reading about the snow and cold back east, funny how quickly you fit right into the “southern” mentality. The attached picture is the entrance to the Parrot Key Resort which I can very highly recommend. Very nice place at a reasonable price, I had a 2 level apartment, it had 2 nice bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths, big living room and a dining area. Very secluded and quite, but big time Duval Street is only a 5 minute drive. You can find everything you ever dreamed of there and some things that you might not to ever see again. Very modern kitchen with upscale appliances and granite counter tops. I rented a Mustang convertible and drove around town a lot. It felt GREAT!!!

Lots to do and see in Key West, I had never been there. Very casual place with a lot of folks from all over the world.

Going back next year with my kids.

Let's Say Thanks

Click on this site and a card will be sent to soldiers thanking them for their service.

Let's Say Thanks
http://www.letssaythanks.com/

Fund Raiser for the Shanahans