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Summer & Fall 2006 I cannot believe how fast the time has flown! This newsletter now reminds you that there will be another general meeting for us: Saturday, November 18th at 1 pm.
First-time grandparents Norm and Sue Green announced they now have a new grandson who was born on June 7th named Micah Green. He weighed 8 lbs 4 oz and measured 21 inchesl at birth.Our son, Patrick, and his wife, Richelle, welcomed a baby girl named Roxanne Christine Stecker on June 24th. Her weight was 5 lbs 3 oz and 18 inches long. Bill and Susan Klein became grandparents on July 21st when Bill’s daughter gave a birth to a baby boy. His name is Oshen Yaxiche Klein-Ruiz, weighing 6 lbs 5 oz. Rachel Stone and Ray Harris arrived Maryland in time to witness their daughter, Raylene, giving birth to a baby boy on August 17th. His name is Aurimas Kazimieras Paludnevicius. Ken Watson is thrilled to learn that his daughter, Kristen, is now pregnant and expects another boy in February. The new baby will join his brother, Cameron, who is now five years old. Kristen’s husband is currently working in Iraq and fly back here for the new baby. Members’ adventurous trips Rachel Stone, Ray Harris, and the Greens along with other 71 people and several interpreters went on Mediterranean Cruise for almost 2 weeks. Venice, Italy was the starting point then they journeyed to Greece, Turkey, and Marseille, France before ending in Barcelona, Spain. They saw many interesting places such as Athens, Rome, Pisa and so forth. After the cruise, some had to stay at Heathrow Airport as long as 30 hours because it was the same day when British officials arrested terrorists. Few others were able to fly back home from a different airport in Europe without having to wait.Many of our LACD members, such as Bobbi Maucere, Anne Wallis, Judy DeSalvio, Ellen Davidson, Judy Fromberg, Rachel Friedman, Arlene Shults, Paula Meyer, Kathy Seymour, Janice and Earl Chisholm, went on a river cruise in Russia starting from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Some went to Estonia before getting on the ship. A few others already went there when Russia was a Communist country and saw the differences in present free country. Many cathedrals, still mostly untouched, were shut down and not being used until the fall of Communism. Overall, everyone had a great time. Mary Greenstone went back East with her daughter, Marie Lubman in August, traveling through the New England states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. It was something that Mary looked forward. Afterwards, they went to Mary’s hometown in Upstate New York to visit her 7 brothers and sisters. During her time there, they went to a deaf picnic and Mary saw a classmate she hadn’t seen for 60 years! They are now keeping in touch via videophones. Last June Rusty and I first visited Rusty’s daughter and her family in Idaho before heading over to the family tree workshop for the deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah. We saw some of our old friends there. After researching, I found a new line in my family that goes way back to King of England and Scotland. It seems strange to say that I am actually related to the royal family in England, especially William the Conqueror. It was at the Family Tree Library where my son paged me saying that his wife’s water broke. We flew back home the next day. Rusty and I also flew to Washington, D.C. for my 40th class reunion in October and got the chance to observe the protest at Gallaudet University. We were fascinated to watch news reporters walking and interviewing protestors, including hunger strikers, on campus. We are elated to know that two hunger strikers finally came back to Gallaudet after being in the hospital for several days. We truly hope things will look up after a new president is appointed sometime in the near future. LACD’s next events Be sure to put these events along with Social Nights on your calendar today:
Storks bring in new grandchildren Donna Lopaty’s oldest daughter, Carrie, had her 4th baby meaning Donna’s 9th grandchild on December 15, 2005. Givonna Bruno Gasbarri, the baby boy’s name, weighs 8 pounds and 2 ounces and is 21 inches long!Joan Gleicher’s daughter, Becca, gave birth to a healthy boy named Tiernan William Booth. He was born on Valentine’s Day, weighing at 8 pounds and 15 ounces and is 20 ½ inches long. Stan and Becca’s daughter, Rayzele, is now 2 years old. Our son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Richelle, are expecting their first child this coming July! It will be my first grandchild and Rusty’s 5th. Sue and Norm Green will be grandparents for the first time when their younger son’s wife gives birth sometime in mid-June. Sue had a shoulder surgery last month to repair a tear in rotary cuff and to remove the spur as well. She will be able to carry her first grand-child by then. Members’ adventurous trips Larry Dubin traveled in Bogotá, Columbia (South America) for one and half months with Murray’s family to build a four-story apartment. Larry designed the entire floor plan then shopped for materials by bus, taxi and walking for them! He may need to go back there this coming summer to finish up some things. On New Year’s Eve, Larry joined a group of 20 people to a famous restaurant where they were served with a huge bowl of meat, pork and chicken. It reminded him of the old knight days where they ate those delicious food with their fingers. However, he still missed the food, car and TV programs in the good ole USA. Welcome back, Larry!Last January, Dan Smith joined his father and aunt in Hawaii for one week where they played golf and went sailing. They had a wonderful time indeed. Judy DeSalvio, Bobbi Maucere and Carol Trachtenberg along with three other deaf ladies explored in Peru and Ecuador, South America last January for almost one month! They even rode the riverboat to Amazon River where they camped out without electricity and hot water. They reached the famous zero latitude in Ecuador and saw plenty of interesting places. They hiked everyday in the rainforests, deserts and through rugged paths in small historical places. Six of them even ate exotic food like llama, guinea pig, octopus, piranha, quail eggs, etcetera. After the group tour, they stayed there for a few more days to visit the school for the deaf in Quito, go riverrafting, and hike some more. They sure will always hold fond memories from this rich experience! South America seems to be the most popular place for our beloved LACDers. Steve and Eileen Schultz traveled through Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador for over 5 weeks last February and March, arranged by their local travel agent with Big Five. Big Five is known for its exotic travel arrangements and tours. They took their daughter with them to Brazil and Argentina then dropped her off in Chile where she began her six-month study abroad program at Chilean Universities. Steve and Eileen met a deaf artist in Urubamba, Peru and bought two of his watercolor paintings. Ecuador was their final stop to meet another deaf couple named Myron and Delores Goldman. Their favorite and unique experience was traveling through the Amazon River on a riverboat then hiking in the flooded forest islands and rainforests with their guide. Steve said their trip was something “that they will never forget for a very long time.” Adele Davidson went up north to Novato to see her son, Don, and his family for more than one month. She attended a deaf club and made new friends during her enjoyable visit. She returned to SoCal with her daughter, Sherry, who also went to San Francisco to visit her youngest son for 5 days. Rusty and I along with our son, Patrick, and dog, Velvet, will fly to Washington D.C. for Suzanne’s big 3-0 in April! Suzanne will return to California this coming summer to play for LACD at both regional and national tournaments. She started playing for LACD when she was only 15 years old! Obituaries It has been one year since Bernard Davidson passed away at the age of 84. The family lit the yahrzeit light on March 12th and his unveiling will take place at Mount Sinai Cemetery in May. He was married to Adele for 59 years and had two children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.Jennie Westmoreland passed away on Saturday, October 15th from the big C in her liver and colon. The memorial service took place at Holy Angels Catholic Church the following week. She was married to Waldon for 54 years and had 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Jennie was also the sister of Lora Vincent, a LACD member. Maria Sanchez Smith’s daughter, Cynthia Esquivel, passed away on December 29th. Her liver and kidney were very weak after battling against thyroid cancer. Cynthia is survived by her 17-year-old daughter Amber, who plans to attend CSUN this coming fall to become a sign language interpreter. Bernard Castaline’s deaf sister, Elinor Kraft, departed us on December 27th from kidney failure at the age of 71. LACD’s next events GSD and LACD, with David Freedman as the chairperson, are hosting the Pacific Coast Deaf Bowling Association tournament during the Memorial Day weekend in Woodland Hills.Our next general meeting is on Saturday, April 15th at 2 p.m. Card Tournament will be on May 6th chaired by Elaine Aikins. Be sure to let Marilyn Castaline know what game(s) you wish to play. Look forward to seeing all of you at the general meeting and card, bowling and softball tournaments! Etta |