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?????
Hello,
our letters keep getting cut off so,
long story short
1.)very excited
2.)love you all
3.)talk to you soon
Dan and Jill
- Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 22:34:23 (PDT)
Author: Dannbailey@aol.comWedding news cont.
Hello again,
Our last letter got cut off somehow so this
is the dramatic conclusion...
We also also need to know how many of you
plan on coming out for Thanksgiving so we
can plan dinner accordingly. If we get a
large number of people (not a problem),
we might do like we did at Mesquite Creek that one year,
at the restaurant I am working at now.
The other option is dinner at my Mom's house.
Either way the Lions game will be included!
Unfortunately, because of the large number
of people invited to the wedding and the
limited space of Green Hill there has to be
a cut-off age of 16. However there will be
alot of events throughout the weekend that
evrybody will be able to be involved in.
Durning the reception however, there will
be babysitters available for all the youngins.
We are trying to get a job booked for
Callin Marvin on Friday night and
for all you golfers I would like to set up
a round Saturday morning before the wedding.
We are very excited and can't
- Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 22:28:12 (PDT)
Author: Dannbailey@aol.comWedding News
Hello Family,
First and most importantly we are glad to hear that Uncle James is doing O.K.
(God certainly does smile on this family!)
So the count down has begun for our BIG day
November 25th (73 days away)
and we wanted to give everybody an update.
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn in
Salisbury.
They are $49.00 a night and are being held from Wednesday thru Sunday.
When you want to book them call the Hampton
(410) 334-3080 and tell them you are with the Coppock-Stevenson wedding.
We have also updated our website at
www.weddingchannel.com with more specifics,
maps, and other fun litte tid bits.
We also need alot of peoples addresses
some of the ones we have might be old,
so if you can please send your address to us at Dannbailey@aol.com or call me at (410) 543-0504
it would be helpful to us.
(you dont want to miss another great Stevenson party do you?)
We also also need to know how many of you
plan on coming out for Thanksgiving so we
can plan d
- Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 22:15:04 (PDT)
Author: Dannbailey@AOL.comCAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT???
Some exciting developments regarding the 2001 STEVENSON
FAMILY REUNION are in the works...STAY TUNED for MORE
INFORMATION coming soon....OH YAH!!!!
- Tuesday, August 29, 2000 at 20:04:21 (PDT)
Author: JAMG1971@AOL.COMFloridian Update!
This is to update you on what is going on in our neck of
the woods. First of all, I am so glad Uncle James' surgery
was a success, (Praise Him!)& a very happy b-day to
Suzanne today!
Alan is presently re-siding the house. We are
approximately half-way done. It is slow going due to the
weather, and his work schedule.
Charlene has begun first grade. She is doing great so
far. I helped her the last week and a half before the
school year with refresher 'homework'. She retained
everything that she learned. I cut her hair back in June,
short but all one length. It is quite a noticable
difference but I am glad I did it. It is SO much easier to
keep up and care for.
Roxanne is learning lots of new words, and how to
pronounce them! She is quite a mimic, and it is funny to
watch. We think she is going to be a leftie. Time will
tell. She likes watching Elmo on Sesame Street. She just
turned 18 mos. and has 12 teeth. (Lovin' dozen)
I had a nice time visiting with Erin, she came out
15 May and my mom ("Ma" :) ) when she visited on 18 July
for ten days. I have been able to ride my bike a few times
this summer. I have been walking Charlene to school. We
take Roxanne along in the stroller. In October or so I will
be able to pick her up from school walking too but for now
it's just too dog-gone HOT!
With this I will close until my next update...
Love
Lisa Kight
- Friday, August 25, 2000 at 16:34:35 (PDT)
Author: lisa.rednex@netzero.netA little Lottery Poem
Hello Everybody!!!
It's the end of August I'm here at home
to write you all a silly poem
to make things fun ... reminding you
that time flies by when there's lots to do!!!
So take a minute to slow things down
and think of next June when WE'RE ALL IN TOWN
for the family reunion I'm speaking of
at the Lucca Point YOU WILL FEEL THE LOVE
of sisters and brothers and couzins too
and aunts and uncles (WHICH ONE ARE YOU???)
you get the idea...the FUN we'll share
just seeing everbody there...
that's what we want...no missing face
among the crowd at the Lucca's place
This STEVENSON FAMILY's a loving bunch
and down inside I have this HUNCH...
that if we all participate...
In Sally's Lotto...it'll turn out GREAT!!!
Cuz there'll be plenty of CASH on hand
to make the reunion SIMPLY GRAND!!!
Grand as the PIANO that grandpa played
we just might even have a PARADE!!!
The endless POSSIBILITIES
swim through my head...so hear MY PLEAS
and get involved and send your dough
to SALLY'S house so she will know
that everyone will make this HAPPEN
and voices will sing and toes will be tappin"
SO ON THAT NOTE I'll close this letter
I couldn't LOVE YOU ANY BETTER...
so SEND YOUR ENVELOPES filled with checks
WHO KNOWS.... MAYBE YOU'LL BE NEXT
at winning the AUGUST Lottery prize
REMEMBER WHAT I SAID....TIME SURE FLIES!!!
I LOVE YOU MADLY!!!
Mary
- Thursday, August 24, 2000 at 04:33:26 (PDT)
Author: jamg1971@aol.comWOODWARD DREAM CRUISE
Hi Family!!!
Just a short note to tell you that the Woodward Dream
Cruise is being held on Saturday August 19th. For those of
you who don't know what it is..It is the Country's largest
one day "HOT ROD SHOW"
I just found out that General Motors is having a Dream
Cruise webcast on Saturday, and if you log on to
WWW.GM.COM, you will be able to see first hand what Jim and
I love to do. Who knows, you may even see us!!!
Anyway, it also may bring back memories to those of you who
did their own cruizin on Woodward in days past.
I love you all!! Janie
- Wednesday, August 16, 2000 at 12:43:28 (PDT)
Author: CRUIZIN32@AOL.COMLetter #17 from PNG
Letter # 17
Hey Everybody!
We have just arrived in Madang, which is on the north coast
of PNG. We are here for a Peace Corps conference. This is
the first one our group will have, now that we are three
months into our service. We will have another half way
through our service and then again three months before we
are finished. It will be nice to get together with the
other people in our group and see how they are doing. We
will also stay in Madang after the conference to meet deaf
people and do sign language research. Then we will go to
Wewak for two weeks to do the same. All together this will
be a four week trip for us.
One really cool thing that happened recently in Goroka was
the Woman's Cultural Show. This was probably the first time
an all-woman cultural show of this kind has been held in
PNG. It was great, women dressed up in all kinds of bilas
(traditional costumes) and dancing. In all there were about
50 different groups there. It ranged from the bizarre to
cute, and strange to scary. There were women dressed up in
bilas that traditionally only men wore as well as doing
dancing with bows and arrows, and spears. We took lots of
pictures, and will send some to the states when we get back
from this trip.
In other news, Mt. Sion just opened up a brand new two-room
classroom building for the elementary school, and Mt. Sion
now receives piped town water (but not out where we live).
So, there was a big opening ceremony. The Governor, the
Bishop, and Deputy High Commissioners of Australia and New
Zealand, the Big Man, and various other big wigs were there.
Australia and New Zealand gave most of the money for the
buildings and water. The buildings themselves were bilased
too! They were decorated by hanging fruit and palm leaves
off the edge of the roof and standing up banana trees with
ripe bananas outside the building and pinning up lots of
flowers. It was all very neat. Lots of parents showed up.
A group of the children dressed up in bilas and all the
classes sang songs. We too were very excited because this
means that one of the classes will move out of a room too
small for them and the room will become our office! So far,
we have been like homeless people at the school, always
camping out in different places and then moving when the
owner of the office needed it. It will be great to have our
own office space finally.
Bye for now!
Peace, Love and a COLD shower,
Andy and Lynna
- Monday, August 14, 2000 at 14:25:44 (PDT)
Author: mrs@nr.usu.eduTO MY SWEET FAMILY AND FRIENDS
It is Saturday, August 12, 2000 at 10:00 am and I am feeling
much better today thanks to Suzanne and a Zillion prayers from all
you sweet people. This brain surgery was ruff. However I get to see
my grandbabys Jatomis and Joseph today and that makes me happy.
I cannot begin to tell you how much your phone calls and
E-mail have cheered me up. I will speak to you soon by telephone to
thank you personally for your concern.
Without your prayers I might not have been able to write this letter.
Thank you sweetheart people once again...
YOUR GUYS ARE THE GREATEST, I LOVE YOU ALL MADLY!!
James [:-)>
- Saturday, August 12, 2000 at 11:37:24 (PDT)
Author: sunshine@sonic.netWelcome Back James!!
Dear Brother James, Suzanne, and all our Loving family
members with or concerned about James. First and foremost
I want to thank God for allowing yet another successful
operation. You will be continued in our prayers through
your full and speedy recovery. I tried to call Suzanne at
the hospital at 5:30p.m. E.S.T. and was I shocked when
James answered the phone!! He said that the family had just
left to go back to the hotel. He said the operation went
well and he feels like he is coming out of it. He sounded
very tired but still the same he knew who I was and that it
was over!! Thank you Jesus!!! Al Sarkozy also underwent
major surgery today August 9th to have his foot realigned
to hopefully help him walk better! He is at St. Joseph
Hospital in Pontiac, Mi. Room 203. Kelly's Mom came home
from the hospital today after a 20 day stay. Her days are
few but hopefully she will pass quickly and in her sleep.
Please keep Kelly lifted up too as this has really been a
trying time for her too. We Love everyone and are so
grateful for the Love that pours forth from everyone. See
you all in Michigan in 2001 or maybe at Danny and Jill's
wedding at Thanksgiving in Maryland. All our Love Gerry and
Kelly
- Wednesday, August 09, 2000 at 18:05:37 (PDT)
Author: GerryandKelly@aol.comPRAISE THE LORD!!!
Thanks Cindy for the update on James' condition!! I can't
wait to talk to him on the phone...Keep up the prayers
everybody and remember to THANK the Lord for prayers
answered. Suzanne,we've also got you and all of the
extended family in our hearts too...hopefully now you can
all breathe a little easier!! Scott and Bobby...your
letters to James were precious...I'm sure we ALL got teary-
eyed over them...Remember to hug each other a little
tighter and NEVER FORGET how much the Lord has blessed our
WONDERFUL family...He is TRULY AWESOME!!! MAN...I can't
wait to all be together again....it will simply be THE
BEST!!! JAMES...WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! HOPEFULLY NOW
YOU CAN REST EASY...keep us posted...
I love you all....xoxox Mary
- Wednesday, August 09, 2000 at 04:35:39 (PDT)
Author: jamg1971@aol.comJames is doing fine!
Dear Family,
While I have precious few details to share, I did want to
let you all know that James has come through his surgery
okay. Jerry, Star, Jennifer, Zip and Suzanne are all with
him today. Jerry called me from the hospital this afternoon
just to let me know that the surgery went well and that
James' sight does not appear to have been impared by the
procedure.
The family was let in to visit with him after the surgery
and he was able to SEE them and say a few words. If I
remember correctly, I think he said he was feeling pretty
awful (to be expected)!
That's all I have for now. Jerry is on his way home and I
will see him around 9PM. If he has more information for us I
will send another update.
Love to all,
Cindy
- Tuesday, August 08, 2000 at 17:43:10 (PDT)
Author: roachotl@pacbell.netOurPrayers
Dear James,
I believ that Scott summed it up very well. The only
problem is that if the whole family showed up I'm sure
there would be problems.
I know I speak for the whole family when I say how much we
too love you James. We will all be praying for you for
complete victory and a speedy recovery.
I am also sure that you will be hearing from each and
everyone of us so please let us know if we are overwhelming
you with our love.
For the whole family!!!! WE LOVE YOU
- Tuesday, August 08, 2000 at 05:36:33 (PDT)
Author: bodikel@san.rr.comI LOVE YOU DAD!
I talked to you yesterday and to me you sounded good and
ready for the operation. It scares me to think that there
is a chance (however small) that that was our last word
(I've got tears in my eyes now). I hope all goes well and I
want you to know that I have you in the forefront of my
thoughts and feelings while I'm here in France during this
trying time for you. And even though you told me not to
worry(too much)now more than ever I want to be there
with you! I'm sure it's the same for
everyone else in the family wherever they may be.
I look forward to talking to you in the next day or so.....
MAY THIS OPERATION BE A COMPLETE SUCCESS and the same for
the next!
With so much Love,
-Scott
- Tuesday, August 08, 2000 at 02:33:24 (PDT)
Author: hotscott@sonic.netJAMES BRAIN SURGERY TUES. 8:30 A.M.
Aloha Family,
To make sure everyone knows what is going on concerning James [oldest of 12].
James checks in to Kaiser Hospital, Redwood City 1 (650) 299 2277 Dr. Mervin Krill on tuesday August 8th
at 6:30 a.m. and has surgery on his brain tumor beginning at 8:30 a.m. If all goes well he will be released
thursday morning and we will head home slowly to Santa Rosa stopping along the way.
We will be at the Motel 6 in Belmont Mon. eve. The number there is 1-650-591-1471 if you want to call him
that evening. I will be there the following evening with Jerry if you want to call to see how James is doing.
Wednesday I will be at Good Nite Inn in Redwood City 1 (650) 591-1471 if you want to call. Hopefully he
will have a phone in his room when he is able to use. We are supposed to have a cell phone by then and the
number should be 707 529-2939.
Star and Jen will be there and Zip, cell phone (213) 247-8509.
I'm sure you will all want to know how James is doing and I could use some more support too.
We appreciate all the prayers, cards, calls, things and help for James in this stressful time and we feel
confident it will be a successful operation.
Everything else good here with the whole family except Judy (Jenifers mother) who probably had a small
stroke but seems to be recovering.
Star takes the BIG TEST on the 14th for his master's degree in Physical Therapy so he is studying every
spare and unspare moment.
Bye for now, light a candle, say a prayer and thank-you.
Love, Suzanne
- Sunday, August 06, 2000 at 15:39:04 (PDT)
Author: sunshine@sonic.netNew address/phone number
Letter #16 from PNG
7/20/00
Letter #16
Hey Wantoks,
Well, we got some great news! The Papua New Guinea Sign
Language Research Committee has received funding! We got
about 7,000 Kina ($2,800) from Christoffel Blinden Mission
(CBM). CBM is a German organization that gives a lot to
blind charities as well as others. They provide most of the
funding for Mt. Sion itself as well. Also one of our
committee members Tom, an American, is a deaf educator and
is employed by CBM. So without Tom we might not have gotten
funding. I have included our mission statement and goals in
the letter.
In August we will be going to Madang, on the north coast,
for our group's early service conference which happens three
months into our service. We will stay in Madang for an extra
week to meet deaf people and then take a boat to Wewak and
spend another week or two there to meet more deaf people. We
are very excited about this. It will be an adventure because
we have no idea what we will find (will we even find deaf
people?!?) We and the other members of the committee will be
taking various trips around the country to meet deaf people
and video-tape their signs. We have gotten several leads on
various groups of deaf, and now we have to follow up and
find them.
Aside from our work with the Sign Language Committee we
finished up our orientation with various Mt. Sion staff. One
area that we observed to have need for help was the
Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program. Dr. Moses and
his assistant Richard just seem to go around and visit a few
clients. Unfortunately the clients that take up most of
their time are the worst cases that won't improve no matter
how much they work with them. It is very depressing to work
with these cases. The clients are basically vegetables, yet
they visit them every week. While this is admirable and all,
I don't think that it is the best use of their time. I think
that they should teach the parents of the vegetables how to
take care of them and visit only once in a great while. I
hate to say this, but as for the vegetables, they would
probably be better off dead. If the parents are motivated to
take care of the child, fine, if they aren't and the child
dies, I don't blame them.
I think our time would be much better spent working with
children who have lesser disabilities and who will improve
with our help. I hope to convince Dr. Moses of this.
We were asked to house sit another volunteer's house while
she went on holiday. Her house is in town, which is nice for
getting around. It worked out well because the day we left
to go to her house, our tank ran out of water. Fortunately
it rained a whole bunch while we were house sitting. So now
we have a modest amount of water and we got a leaky pipe
fixed.
The schools have just had a two week break and this week is
a new term. The only thing is that most of the teachers in
the Highlands went on strike this Monday. The teachers at
Mt. Sion did not strike. Because it is illegal for teachers
to strike, they actually have to resign. The teachers have
not gotten a cost of living raise in the past five years,
and because of the Asian financial crisis a few years back
inflation has been really bad. Go Teachers!!!
Just out of curiosity-did you guys know that there was a
civilian coup with the Prime Minister being held hostage for
8 weeks in Fiji that just ended a week ago? And right now
there is a coup happening in the Solomon Islands, which is
PNG's neighbor, and is heading towards civil war? I just
wonder how much the news from Pacific Oceania registers in
the U.S.
As for the domestic life, things are going well. Our row of
corn that was partially eaten by a cow has made a partial
recovery and it looks like in a few weeks we will have some
corn. The green onions are looking good and will be ready in
a few weeks. I planted some green beans, but all of a sudden
they are now dying. :( I will try planting some other kinds
of beans. I finally cleaned up all the weeds and flowers
around the house and discovered that we have a volunteer
tomato plant as well as a rose bush. So we planted some more
tomatoes, new flower bulbs, and are trying to start up an
herb garden as well. We (mostly Lynna) bake about once a
week, bread, cookies, brownies, quiche. I have made two
batches of beer and am about to start a third. Each batch
produces about 20 liters or 40 1/2 liter plastic soda
bottles. Both have turned out great! :) Cheaper and better
than the expensive crappy beer they have here. All of my
co-workers and friends are very impressed and happy because
I share the beer with them. We are trying a new
experiment…condom wine! One liter of fruit juice, one cup of
sugar, one teaspoon of regular yeast: Mix up in a bottle.
Place a clean condom on the bottle. The yeast will create
gas and the condom will inflate. When the yeast loses
potency and the condom goes limp, the wine is ready! As of
this writing we are creating an apple wine and our condom is
still in full salute. We'll let you know how it turns out.
Peace, Love, and a Hot Bath!
Andy & Lynna
PNG Sign Language Research Committee Mission Statement
It is our mission to research indigenous Papua New Guinean
Sign Language, for the purpose of creating instructional
videos and a dictionary to be used towards enhancing the
language acquisition of Deaf individuals and their teachers
throughout the country.
Our aim is to promote the development of talents and
abilities that will lead to the academic, vocational,
spiritual, and social literacy of Deaf Papua New Guineans.
We the staff and Deaf Advocates of Mt. Sion value the
special contributions of each Deaf child and adult, and are
committed to promoting their diversity and uniqueness.
- Tuesday, August 01, 2000 at 09:36:43 (PDT)
Author: mrs@nr.usu.eduMoving to Canada + Photos from PNG
Hi All,
Amy and I are moving to Montreal! Amy was accepted to a
master's program at the MacDonald campus of McGill
University. She will be a student in the Faculty of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her advisor is a
research scientist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, and
her project will be to examine the effects of different
sources of lead pollution on wild birds (this type of work
is typically called "ecotoxicology"). The MacDonald campus
is actually about 30 km southwest of Montreal in a little
village called Ste-Anne de-Bellevue, at the extreme western
tip of the Ille-de-Montreal. (Scott, there is a very good
chance that Amy and I will be able to converse with you in
French at the family reunion! If you can handle the
Quebecois accent, that is...) Amy and I will be driving
cross-country some time in late August, and her classes
begin the first week of September. I will return to Utah for
the month of September to finish my project at Utah State,
and I will be in Quebec for good after October 1. I am not
yet certain what I will be doing for work, but I am
entertaining several possibilities. As of September 1, our
new address and phone number will be:
Matt & Amy Stevenson
8A Perrault #5
Ste-Anne de-Bellevue, QC
H9X-2C7
CANADA
(514) 457-4324
Pictures from PNG
You've read the letters, now see the pictures!!! That's
right, you can now SEE some of the experiences described in
Andy and Lynna's letters. Andy sent several rolls worth of
negatives to our Mom, she had reprints made, and I scanned
them and put them on my web page. There are forty-two
photographs organized into six categories: Andy & Lynna,
Papua New Guineans, Buildings, Scenery, Food, and Wildlife
(sounds kind of like Jeopardy, eh?). Anyway, they did an
excellent job capturing the people and places they've
written about, and I encourage all of you to take a look.
Here is the URL:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Geyser/3287/PNG/PNG.html
When you get to this page, click on the giant flashing link
that says "NEW ADDITION! PHOTOS! Click here." Also, I know
that several people have expressed an interest in printing
the letters, so I have archived them on this page as well.
Enjoy!
Lastly, I just wanted to wish Uncle James well and say that
I hope his convalescence is quick and complete.
Cheers,
Matt
- Friday, July 28, 2000 at 10:28:58 (PDT)
Author: mrs@nr.usu.edujust sayin hi
hey family,
its me anna stevenson that u never hear from on the family
letters cause i forgot the address 2 the family letters but
im @ aunt sally`s house but hears the scope on our little
familymy moms just the same old nice woman but now she has
2 worrie about 4 teenagers & us goin on dates ill get 2
that when it comes to the kids. then my dad is still a good
man of the house keepin things in control and still singin
strong. john has a very pretty girlfriend shes very nice &
he has a good job & hes makein mula and bein his normal
self.leah shes hooked on her boyfriend JD & she has a job 2
she in poms(dance)and other things. now paul hes somethin
else he has his own business doin lawns getin mula 2and
alot of girls callin him & goin 2 the movies w/ girls or
friends . then me holy cow iv become a tennager and goin 2
the movies w/ a surtin boy logan smith hes SOOOO
HHHOOOTTT!!!!! but any way i have a job and im workin w/
horses its cool!!! ilove it & horses & i have an other job
2 i cant remember but im still singin strong every 1 is
still singin strong well exept paul hes still not showin
his talent i no he does cause i heard him when he didnt
know hes really good well i think i better go so luv ya
lots bye take care & god bless
- Tuesday, July 25, 2000 at 18:33:12 (PDT)
Author: sallylucca@aolA GENTLE REMINDER!!!
Howdy everyone!!!
I spoke with Sally over the weekend and she told me that it
seems like it's the same people who are joining in in the
Reunion Lottery Fun!!!! Let's ALL get in on this!!! We
have 11 months and we could REALLY generate some Bucks for
this thing PLUS earn some for ourselves to boot!!! SO...
COME ON....Send in your 5's 10's etc... You never know...
YOU could be the next BIG Jackpot WINNER!!!!! Support
Sally's efforts to get this thing off the ground!!!!
Remember: this reminder is sent "with love!". I love you
all and I can't wait to be ALL together! LOve, Mary
- Monday, July 24, 2000 at 05:20:56 (PDT)
Author: jamg1971@aol.comMore reunion stuff
If it makes anyone feel better about not having the reunion
in Alabama (besides me) today is the 15th or 16th day of 100
degrees well OK maybe 98 or 99 as well as 98 or 99% humidity
I promise, it is no fun..Anyways, when I asked to change the
reunion to someplace else, I probably had Michigan on my
mind, but at that time, it was wide open. I remember Janie
saying that Bob might make a bid for it..What I am trying to
say, and by now I am getting redundant...Kathy, I loved your
letter about having it in Maryland, and I loved Esthers even
stronger bid for Maryland..Why would you think about
apoligizing for something that was open to anybody...
I know that we will be going to Maryland someday, but if we
are still voting, we in Alabama vote for Michigan for all of
the afore mentioned reasons,and a few more. But if the
reunion ends up someplace else, we will be there. I love you
ALL very much, and can"t wait to see you again. I look
forward to seeing James with no beard!!!
I look forward to seeing Terrys new house
I look forward to having lunch at Janie and
Jims house (I just invited ourselves)
I look forward to how much fun our kids will
have being with all those other kids...
I look forward to seeing that awsome view at
Sally and Tony"s
I look forward to skiing on Maceday lake it
has only been about 22 years
I look forward to it ALL!!!!!!
can"t wait
with much love
John Joy and kids
- Saturday, July 22, 2000 at 15:34:07 (PDT)
Author: jjandk@corrcomm.netLOVE MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY!!!
DITTOS to Janie's letter!!!! As I was reading your letter
Kathy, I was thinking " WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES SHE HAVE TO
FEEL SORRY FOR? it NEVER had a place except Alabama before
Johnny decided it would be way too hot next June...and I
agree with Janie also...the fact that Danny's wedding is in
November, that would make the Family reunion only 7 months
later so HEY... it will be like TWO TWO TWO reunions in ONE
( year, that is!) SO double the pleasure...double the
fun!!! Those who can't make it to Maryland will have the
chance to see everyone in Michigan...does that make any
sense? I hope so... But PLEASE Kathy...no apologies
necessary... (In fact it was me who wished Danny could've
gotten married in the summer so the ocean boardwalk would
be alot more fun!!!) But maybe it won't be any colder than
it was on May 1st at Jenny's wedding...Just being together
will be GREAT!!!
All is well on the Garlak homefront...Sarah Jane is now a
LEGAL driver!!!! She's loving it and I do have to say she
is very responsible and even her instructor said she felt
very comfortable with Sarah so that made me feel good! Cole
moved out about 4 months ago and is loving it! He and 3
other guys have a house with a big basement where his band
rehearses and MAN I wish you could hear his most recent
songs!!! They're AWESOME!!!! ( no predjudices here!) He and
Amy are still going strong but no wedding plans yet...maybe
in a few years... Sarah and Nick have been dating for 13
months. He just graduated and will go to Oakland
University to study mechanical engineering!!! WE REALLY
LIKE HIM ALOT and he is SO GREAT to Sarah!!! John and I are
doing FINE and both working our days away and grateful for
every day... Still playing music at the little church by
our house...at least until January. BE happy and try to
love each other with all your might...We are keeping James
in prayers at our church too...you all do the same... WE
LOVE YOU VERY MUCH and can't wait to see you again!!! so
long for now...Mary
- Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 17:34:13 (PDT)
Author: jamg1971@aol.comREUNION 2001
Hi My Family,
I first want to start out by telling Kathy that she has
NOTHING to be sorry for. All she did was make a great
suggestion and if it wasn't for the fact that most of us
are going to Maryland this year, it would have been
exciting!
The facts remain that it would be nice for the in-laws to
see their families and enjoy our family all at the same
time!
Sally and Tony's house is so much fun in the summer, and if
we collect enough money, we can get everyone here and still
do this reunion up right so that no-one has to do anything
but have a great time!
I agree with Bob that we have to get the date set in stone.
I talked to Terry and Chris and she said that Terry was
going to lock in the weekend of June 15th. I guess that we
need everyone to give some input to this date and the
majority will win.
Sharon, I am so glad that you are enjoying your grandkids!
I can't imagine what it would be like not to have my
grandkids within shouting distance.
Well, I am going to sign off for now..I love all of you and
keep the letters coming!!!
Jane Marie
- Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 13:18:35 (PDT)
Author: CRUIZIN32@AOL.COMReunion 2001
Hello to everyone-
I feel as though I have created a mess that should never
have been. For that I am very sorry. When this whole
thing started I had NO idea that there was talk of the
reunion being in Michigan, I was under the impression that
it might be cancelled and I didn't want that to happen.
That is the reason that I brought up the idea of Maryland.
It was never my intention to have a vote or contest to take
it away from Michigan.
I think that Sally & Tony's is the perfect place for the
reunion. And I will be very willing to help in any way as I
am sure it is going to be alot of work!!!!!
I am very sorry for any misunderstanding!
Love-
Kathy
- Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 10:58:06 (PDT)
Author: Kathysmarshall@aol.comThe first 2nd Cousin has graduated.
Hi everybody. My son Jordan Paul Boudreau has graduated
from Milford High School. Jordan is the first born 2nd
cousin or Gramma's(Eunice Stevenson)first great grandchild!
It is unbelievable that my son is 18 years old. Jordan will
be attending Western Michigan University this fall, With
Ben Stevenson and Jake Lyons.
Remember: Brothers and sisters share the same parents.
1st cousins share the same grand parents.
2nd cousins share the same great grand parents.
3rd cousins share the same great great ext ext
Uncle Terry's son John is my first cousin.
Uncle Terry's son John is my son Jordan's 1st cousin-one
removed.
Unlce Tom's son Mike is my first cousin.
Unlce Tom's son Mike's children are my son Jordan's 2nd
cousins. (They are my 1st cousins-one removed)
The once famous baseball player Lou Boudreau from the 1948
World Champion Cleveland Indians supposedly is my Grampa
Boudreau's first cousin. Which makes him my 1st cousin-2
removed, which basically means he doesn't have a clue who I
am!!
If you made it this far, I love you and hope to see you at
the reunion next year.
Love brother, nephew, cousin, 1st,2nd, 3rd, and grand child
Jim Boudreau, born in 1963.
- Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 06:33:07 (PDT)
Author: Boudreau@aol.com2001 Family Reunion
Well,
The time has come to really lock in the site for the family
reunion for next year.
I'm going to have to go with Michigan as much as I would
love to visit Maryland it just makes sense to hold it at a
place where most of the relatives live.
The economics make the most sense as far as not having to
rent hotel rooms and rental cars. Also, flying into Detroit
is by far cheaper then most other airports.
I promise, Esther, that we will come and see your new
house, maybe even sooner then next June or July.
NOW: Do we need to set up committees? Entertainment, Games,
Food, Transportation, (Gambling downtown????).
I will be more then happy to be involved in any event that
needs some help.
Everything is fine in California. We all need to be saying
some extra prayers for James. You may or may not know that
James will be operated on again for the tumor in his brain.
This surgery will take place on August 8th. at Kaiser in
Northern California. Let's all let him know how much we
love him.
Let's get the LOTTORY really moving so that in 2002 we
could hold a "HUGE" family houseboat trip. This lottery
makes it a lot easier to pull something off like this.
You will be hearing more about this from me.
I love you all - Bob
- Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 06:27:14 (PDT)
Author: bodikel@san.rr.comGrandchildren
I am here in Florida enjoying the cutest, smartest,lovable,
etc, etc. grandchildren in the world. I only wish I could
have them living closer to us, we try to see them twice or
more times in a year. They truly are a gift from God.
Charlene is six and little Roxanne is 15 mo.I'll be here
for another week.
I really want to talk about thereunion.Michigan is the
ideal place as far as ALL of our
family is concerned.I"ll be able to see my Dad{who is 89
yrs. young} all my sisters and my brother. Lisa and Alan
also think it is the ideal place because they will be able
to visit a lot of relatives they haven't seen in years.It
is better for all of us because the location is perfect.
I'm sure it will be a lot less expensive because they're
alot of relatives to stay with. I really feel strongly
about this and had to put the votes in from Vegas and
Florida.
Bill is doing great at the Stardust. He and Bob
are getting rave reviews and doing standing room only
business. They deserve it.
Sharon A. Stevenson
- Wednesday, July 19, 2000 at 18:48:16 (PDT)
Author: lisa.rednex@netzero.netNEW E-MAIL ADDRESS
Hi everyone,
Well either nobody is doing letters these days or maybe no
one has our new e-mail address.
Here it is "bodikel@san.rr.com
I have received a few letters but I think a few are still
trying to use our old address.
Hope this works.
Bob
- Monday, July 10, 2000 at 15:28:59 (PDT)
Author: bodikel@san.rr.comLetter #15 from PNG
6-26-00
Letter #15
Dear Wantoks! (Family and friends, literally "one-talk")
THE SAGA CONTINUES!
The week of June 4th we spent with the blind kids and staff
at Mt. Sion...Ho Hum. A deaf man teaching blind children? I
don't think so. The deaf and blind just don't mix very well.
Yet deaf and blind children, it seems, are always put in the
same school. (?!?) One of the reasons Mt. Sion wants to set
up a separate hostel for the deaf kids is because the deaf
kids are always taking advantage of the blind kids.
These past two weeks (weeks of the 11th and 18th of June) we
have been involved with a workshop on disabilities and
Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR). The participants are
mostly teachers, health, and church workers. None of them
are paid to work with disabled people, but it is hoped that
they will spread awareness about disabilities and start
working on their own with the disabled.
Also since the last letter, Lynna and I along with 3
co-workers have set up the PNG Sign Language Research
Committee! Our mission is basically to go out and find
groups of deaf people and record the signs they use on
video. We think that it is unlikely that we will discover a
completely developed sign language. (However, PNG is the
land of the unexpected). What we expect, and hope to find is
a partially developed signing system. We would like to
record those signs, make videos and a dictionary and start
getting the deaf PNGians and their teachers to start using
those signs instead of Australasian Signed English
(Australia's version of Signed Exact English).
We have just met with representatives from Christian Blind
Mission (CBM) which fund a good portion of Mt. Sion and the
ear and eye clinic in town. The CBM representatives said
that they are supportive of the Sign Language Committee and
would like to see a budget request.
One unfortunate thing about the culture here in PNG
highlands is the male oppression of women. It is not
uncommon to see a woman carrying a big load of firewood or
kau-kau and right next to her, the husband will be carrying
nothing! Domestic violence is widespread and common as Lynna
and I have unfortunately observed. One Saturday night we
were just hanging out in the house. This was a payday
weekend so plenty of people had been drinking. We heard
yelling and screaming right next to the house. So we opened
the back door and right there in the yard was our neighbor
and co-worker chasing a woman (not his wife!) around
slapping her and throwing her to the ground. From our porch
we started yelling at him to stop it. He was too drunk and
busy to know we were yelling at him, but I think we shamed
his wantoks with our yelling, and they restrained him and
the woman ran off. I must say it was very upsetting for us.
We are still trying to figure out what we should do, if
anything.
Well, we don't want to leave you all off on a negative note,
so here is Lynna with a story about our various "pets."
Cheers,
Andy
6-21-00
Did you know that geckos chirp? They do! Rather loudly, too.
I always thought of reptiles as being quiet...
We have lots of geckos that hang out on our window screens
at night eating the bugs that are drawn to our lights. Last
week one came inside and was running around on the walls
before he decided to hang out above our bedroom door. Next
morning he (she?) was still there--cool. That afternoon,
still there. Hmmm. We named it Stimpy and left it alone.
We've been using poison for the cockroaches and we thought
maybe Stimpy had eaten a toxic bug. He was still breathing
and did move his head, but nothing else, and his color
didn't look good. Don't ask me how I knew--it just didn't!
Anyway after about 3 days a friend was over and we were
telling him about it, how it hadn't moved from the spot. I
suddenly found myself suggesting that he was stuck to the
wall and remembered that the walls DO have sticky places
from posters that were glued up before we moved in. Sure
enough! There was a big spot sticky enough to trap a gecko
just over the bedroom door! So, Andy poured vegetable oil on
the poor thing and gently scraped him off the wall. Now we
have a baby gecko inside. We'll have to keep an eye on it
and if it doesn't move...
6-26-00
Gecko update: Stimpy is still running around on the screens
keeping the bugs down. :) Guess Andy avoided giving him
serious internal injuries--yeah! Btw, we were given a small
snake last week. It spent all of it's time trying to escape
and didn't eat. We finally felt sorry for it and let it go.
We're going to say that it escaped and is loose in the house
to deter rascals from wanting to break in (many people here
are phobic about snakes.)
Lookim yu!
Lynna
- Monday, July 10, 2000 at 09:19:54 (PDT)
Author: mrs@nr.usu.eduJunes Lotto Winners
Hi Everyone,
July's letter just went out but I wanted to let as many
of you know who won! Congratulations to Jane and Jim and to
Suzanne. Watch your mailboxes. I love you all.
Sally
- Friday, July 07, 2000 at 05:36:32 (PDT)
Author: Sallylucca@aol.comI Would LOVE a Maryland Reunion !!!
Hello family !
Just to set the record straight.....
All of us Marylanders would be DELIGHTED to have the
Stevenson Family Reunion of 2001 held here in our fair
state !
The idea first came up via James....we have heard it
mentioned a few times and want you all to know that we are
more than willing!
Also, since Scott is such a nice boy, I do think that that
is the least that we can do for him...because, as he said,
having it here would make his trip so MUCH shorter ! So
let's make it one for the Scottster !
Yes, we would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have you all here...and
if you have proper ID that identifies you as a family
member...we won't even charge you the usual quarter to tour
our house that we love so much ! Aren't we so loving ?!?
Plus, having resided in both Michigan and Maryland....we
certainly believe that Maryland has much more to offer you
with fun things to do in your spare time......about how
long does it take to get to the ocean from Michigan !!!???
I will make you chocolate chip cookies or whatever it takes
to get you here !!!!!!!!!!!!!
...in all fairness, I suppose there are a few of you who
would prefer Michigan...but we just wanted you to know that
Maryland is definitely one (and certainly the better one!)
of your options.
So Tony and Sally have a silly little lake...big deal ! We
have an OCEAN !
Either way, Tom and Esther will be there, wherever the
reunion is held. We love that family get together kind of
stuff !
Love to all !
Esther
- Tuesday, July 04, 2000 at 14:52:16 (PDT)
Author: tomnesther@aol.comHappy 4th!, News in CA, Liking the Maryland Idea.
Greetings from Paris!
Hope everyone is doing well out there in Stevenson land!
Happy Fourth of July! It's a bit odd being here in Paris on
such a day as the fourth. It would be nice to go to a bar-b-
que and watch some fireworks.....I'll just have to wait 10
days though. July 14th, Bastille day..... a day to
commemorate France's revolution. It's roughly equivalent to
the fourth in it's fanfare (or so I've heard). This will be
my first July 14th here so it will be interesting to see
how it is. I've already seen preparations under way for
some sort of observation event to be held on the Champs
Elysee. I'll probably go...if I do I'll give a report on
how it was.
News in CA:
As some of you may have heard, the non-cancerous tumor in
my father's (James Stevenson) head has started to grow
again. As a result he has to go in for treatment on it.
He's already seen the doctors and found out what his
options are and they gave give a really good option (we
hope!) that he had to qualify for because it is somewhat
experimental. He's already met with doctors in Standford
medical center and they have qualified him for the
procedure. The procedure utilizes a high powered radition
device that is in essence a kind of knife that will radiate
the tumor in his head in such a way as to only affect it
and not the surrounding tissue (his brain). What it will do
is burn the tumor and leave what remains in place to form
scar tissue. He'll have a series of three treatments with
the first commencing on the 10th of this month. Although
the procedure isn't considered life threatening it is a bit
scary because there's an outside chance that he will be
rendered permanently blind from the operation.
On a lighter note (and almost more incredible to me) is
that he has had to shave his beard completely OFF! It's
necessary because the doctors need to have a high degree of
precision with respect to the position of his head for the
operation. He hasn't been beardless for somewhere in the
neighborhood of 30 years! I told him that to see him
without a beard was almost worth flying back to CA from
Paris to see. He told me it was a bit odd after he shaved.
He said that when he looked at himself in the mirror it was
as if it was himself 30 years ago, but only older now. As
though he had instantaneously aged 30 years from back when
he last had no beard. We were comparing his being beardless
to Grandpa having no moustache. I wondered if he'd like the
look and keep himself beardless after the operation.....he
said, "are you kidding.....never!" *smiles* I wondered that
because it was the case when he cut his hair (back in '86)
that afteward he decided to keep his hair trim. Anyways
give him a call (707-887-8777 or 707-579-0500) or write him
some e-mail (sunshine@sonic.net) or post a letter here and
give him some support!
The Maryland idea:
To the Stevenson/Marshall/Palmer/etc. crew in
Maryland.....that would be so cool to have the reunion
there. That way we could all enjoy that beautiful coast,
see the new house, and have some food at the Red Roost
*smiles*, plus it would be closer for me to fly to from
France (I imagine I'll still be here when the time rolls
around). It was such a pleasure to be there for Jenny's
wedding and I'm sure it would be perfect for the reunion.
I'm real curious to see this house that they've all been
working on so diligently.
Ok, time to finish up.
Just out of curiosity who else besides myself, my parents,
and Zip is connected to the internet via a high speed cable
or DSL connection?
Love you guys,
See ya,
-Scott Stevenson
- Tuesday, July 04, 2000 at 08:29:08 (PDT)
Author: hotscott@sonic.netReunion 2001...Maryland???
Hello from the eastern shore of Maryland!!
I spoke to Uncle James on Saturday,
he called to wish Jack a happy birthday,
Jack of course didn't know who he was but said " you talk
like my grandpa!!" , Jack turned 4 (my how
time flies) Molly is almost 6 & Katie is 8, ouch!!!
Anyway, he said that the 2001 reunion may not
be in Alabama afterall,
I of course jumped at the chance to maybe move it to
Maryland!!! I haven't heard anything about
this possible change, but would be interested in any and
all feedback!!!! Seacrets anyone?????? Fagers sunsets????
Red Roost crabhouse???
Let me know-
Kathy
- Monday, June 26, 2000 at 14:15:35 (PDT)
Author: kathysmarshall@aol.comThank you to all & New e-mail
I would just like to thank everyone for your wonderful cards (and coins and dollars!). I got more cards this year than ever before!I'd also like to point out my new e-mail address: Bill1941@webtv.netThanks again!Love,Brother & Uncle Billy (and Grampatha:)
- Sunday, June 25, 2000 at 14:11:24 (PDT)
Author: Bill1941@webtv.netHAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
Don't forget our father's birthday Lisa! Happy 59th Dad! Love, Erin
- Sunday, June 25, 2000 at 13:20:29 (PDT)
Author: Erin475@webtv.netBill & Sharon - Forty Years!
When my parents got married on my dad's birthday
25June1960, their friends gave them six months.
(To stay married)
My mom gave me some advice before my nuptials:
You have to work at it (Marriage) and also
Don't try to change your spouse
Which I consider words to live by!
Two people who have been married 40 years
and still in love with each other! What a concept!!
Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!
May you have many happy years together!
Love,
Lisa
- Sunday, June 25, 2000 at 12:15:16 (PDT)
Author: lisa.rednex@netzero.netNews from FLA
Hi everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know that I got a phone call
from David Lynn. He wanted to let us know about Diane
Schenden. I guess she is real bad and they almost lost her
on Monday ( June 20 ). I know alot of you don't know her
but you might still keep her in your prayers. Thanks.
She's had MS for years but it's taken it's toll. Their
phone # is 561- 483 7287. I'll keep you updated. I love
you. Happy birthday to all those "Junites" out there.
Sally xxoo
- Tuesday, June 20, 2000 at 18:02:23 (PDT)
Author: sallylucca.comLetter #14 from PNG
Letter #14
June 5 2000
Hey Everybody!
Well we ended up going on that one week screening trip out
in the bush. There were four of us that went. One guy did
all the eye screening and we helped out the other guy, Don,
doing ear screenings. We went to a Health Clinic out in the
Unggai area, which is about an hour and a half drive from
Garoka up into the mountains on a rough dirt road. The roads
are so rough and steep that it is easier on your back to
stand up holding onto the roll bar in the back of the
pick-up truck. It also makes it easier to enjoy the killer
views of the mountains and countryside.
The house we stayed in was empty except for table, chairs,
and a wood-burning stove. So we had to bring all of our own
food and camping gear. The first day we went to the local
primary school. Lynna used the otoscope to check the ear
canals and Don ran the portable audiometer. I did all the
paper work and...cleaned ear wax off the plastic tips used
to cover the otoscope when placed in the ear canal! (Lucky
me!!!) The tips are designed to be disposable, but here we
can't afford that luxury, thus I was able to play a vital
role in the screening!
The next day we went out to a remote aid post, another 1 1/2
hour drive from the Health Clinic, close to the border with
Simbu Province. Since this aid post is fairly remote the
locals were pretty excited to have us come there, especially
a white mon na meri! (Sorry Grandpa, no penis gourds to be
seen out there). This time Lynna ran the audiometer and Don
worked the otoscope while had the same glamorous job! We
worked all morning inside, then we took a lunch break. I
went outside to take a picture of the village because it was
situated very high up on a ridge coming off a large
mountain. To my surprise there were 30 to 40 children
han