the December 2011 Issue

Transcription

1 the Delmarva December 2011 Issue Beacon Greetings to all! I am so happy that the first outing for the Delmarva unit went so well. Trap Pond has always been one of my favorite rallies due to it being geared toward kids and grandkids, the available pavilion, slide and swings, and fire pit. Bruce and Bonnie Purcell did a terrific job in setting everything up for us but unfortunately not being able to enjoy attending. Bonnie had special gifts for each of the children to open during our white elephant exchange. Thank you both for a fun event. Of course, many thanks to all who contributed in any way especially the fire wood for chilly nights and mornings. President: Sue Comstock st VP: Mary Ann Parks nd VP: Malcolm Comstock Recording Sec: Bonnie Purcell Corresponding Sec: Malcolm Comstock Treasurer: Frank Blunda During the rally we were pleased to greet our newest members, Randy and Sue Palmer and returning members Pat and Ken Heath and the Mudges: Tina and Dave and their children Hannah, Ethan andgarret. For several years I have taken the responsibility of filling out the forms applying for a Unit Merit Award which is a blue or gold streamer to be attached to the unit flag. The form requires a review of the unit's activities during the past year including rallies, luncheons, member's volunteer work at Region and International rallies, community service and awards received. Continued on page2... Unit Trustees: Iva Lee Carter, Don Smith, Bill Gerfin, Bruce Purcell.

2 On Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Delmar VFW in Delmar, MD, Al DeLuca was honored posthumously when he was inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame. Al played baseball during World War II while he was in the Coast Guard. He also played basketball, but he excelled in baseball. He returned home to Pennsylvania after he war, but after getting a phone call from the Seaford Eagles manager, he came to Seaford to play for their professional baseball team. He had met the coach while playing baseball when the two were in service together. Al led his team with a.339 batting average in 1946, made the all-star team in 1947 and helped lead the team to a league championship. His professional career ended after an ankle injury, but he later returned to play semi-pro for Milton in 1951 and Mary Lee and Al met on a blind date soon after he got to Seaford. This was after she had stated that she would not date any of those baseball players. Fortunately, she changed her mind. Al and Mary Lee were active members of Delmarva Unit from 1968 until his death in Mary Lee is still a Friend of Delmarva Unit and attends the luncheons whenever she can. Wilma Duke Reported by Frances Mason Former Member Al DeLuca We have received word from Herman Duke that Wilma had a fall and broke the upper part of her left femur and cracked her collar bone. She had surgery in PRMC at Salisbury and will be there and rehab for a couple of weeks. The doctor felt the surgery went well. They are not going to do anything on the collar bone, hoping it will heal by itself. They live near the hospital and I feel sure Herman will be back and forth so I am sending our card to their home address. So you won't have to look it up, it is: 7399 Parsonsburg Rd.Parsonsburg, MD Page 2 Continued from page 1 To receive a superior award the unit must have at least 4,000 points. I'm pleased to tell you that we have way over 4,000 points because of the dedication and willingness to serve of our members. As this Beacon is being sent a little early those of you who haven't notified Fay and Phil Cruchley to reserve a place at our Christmas luncheon still have time as the deadline is November 27 th. Directions to our home for the Snowball luncheon will be in the January issue of the Beacon and we hope to see many of those nonsnowbirds who are still left in the North. May you all have a healthy and blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas. President Sue and First Mate Malcolm Congratulations Delmarva Members!! Our point totals for the Merit Awards were fantastic! Four thousand points are needed for a Superior Merit Award. Our total points added up to 4945!! Monthly luncheons, rallies and the great number of our members helping at the Region and International Rallies, boosted our totals.! Many thanks to every member who contributed!!!!!

3 Page 3 Trap Pond Rally November, 2011 Author: Margaret Morris Those of us who went to thetrap Pond Rally experienced a different weather pattern every day. Thursday, cold and rainy. Friday, cold and windy. Saturday, very pleasant and not so cold. Of course the best day of all was Sunday when we had to go home. Sadly Bonnie and Bruce were not able to join us, but Malcolm and Sue did a great job in following B & B's plans. Friday some of our members went to a museum in Salisbury M.D. others went to the Farmers Market. Friday evening we went to the Delmar Diner. Of the eleven units at the rally 6 couples went out for supper. The food was very good. Saturday morning brought sausage and pancakes for breakfast and hot coffee was appreciated on the chilly morning. Eleven units attended the rally and we had 2 sets of twins in our group. Most of us had not seen the children in awhile and were surprised at how they had grown. Saturday was a free day. Some went to the church bazaar,or shopping, others sat around the fire which was well stoked. Our newest members joined us for their very first camping trip and rally, Having just purchased their trailer on the internet they did very well. Sue and Randy fit into our group so well..it was our pleasure to welcome them, and we hope they join us for all functions. Soups on. Chuck made beef vegetable, Malcolm made broccoli and cheese. They were delicious and of course everyone had to try them both. So many desserts, I think everyone tried a little of each and of course no-one left without eating too much. Cont. page 4 Around the Fire: (L-R) Ruth & Bill Carl & Margaret Boots Sue & Maggie

4 Continued from page 3... Following supper we exchanged Attic treasures, it was a fun time for all. Again the fire was a great pleasure, the sun had set and we all needed the warmth before turning in for the night Sunday after a breakfast of danish, bagels, and lots of hot coffee, the fire ( which had been resurrected from the night before) was a good place to sit around and wait for the worship service. Our guest speaker was unable to come, so Frances improvised at the last minute and we had a short but sweet service. By the time we started to pack up, the sun was shining and we knew it would be the best day of the week-end. Those attending were: The Mudge family, the Sansom family, Heaths, Comstocks, Helwigs, Bill and Ruth, Masons, Warden-Connelly, Morris, Ashman family, and our newest members Sue and Randy Palmer and their son. Page 4 Everyone enjoyed their White Elephant gifts... This year the woodpile, got out of hand! The Cake Returns! Saturday night we had a visit from a member of the Watchung, NJ. Unit.! He told the story of a pumpkin cake. In the 60"s he attended a joint rally with Delmarva in Princeton, N.J. At the rally pot luck dinner he tasted a delicious pumpkin cake, made by a member of the Delmara Unit. He obtained the recipe...and over 40 years later, made the cake and presented it to us. The cake returned. Top to Bottom: The Ashman Twins Carl Morris Ken Heath Claire Warden-Connelly

5 Carter s Corner (Source: ) THIS IS A GREAT THOUGHT Christmas Birth of a New Tradition As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Page 5 December Birthday s Bert Shankman 2 Nate Sansom 7 Bill Houser 9 Ruth McEnaney 9 Shirley Levitz 16 Bonnie Poynter 21 Celeste Sansom Bob McAneny December 3th Bob has recently had surgery to implant a pacemaker. He is home now, able to move around and getting stronger. Address for cards: 211 Willow Valley Sq. Apt. C-219 Lancaster, PA December Anniversaries Herman & Wilma Duke...6th Maggie & Chuck Helwig...3rd

6 Page 6 Mark your calendars... Christmas Luncheon Saturday December 3rd, 2011 Trevi Restaurant, Smyna, DE Meet and greet time 12 noon. Notify Fay Before Nov. 27th (H) Snowball Luncheon Saturday January 21st Home of President Sue: Camden, DE Contact # Details in January Beacon The Flamingo Fling February: Date TBA Traveler!s Rest Dade City, Florida Hosts: Judy Moore & Frank Laughlin Contact # Valentine!s Luncheon Saturday February 18th Trevi Restaurant: Smyrna, DE Hosted by Tom & Connie Littel Contact # Merry Christmas Delmarva

7 Editors: Malcolm & Sue Comstock Delmarva Unit: Delaware, Maryland & Virginia