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Home of the Benner Tide* April-May issue
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April Showers bring May FlowersI know, quite a hokey title, but it does ring true...Along with spring comes all the wet weather and with that the beautiful colors and wonderful smell of the flowers! Oh, and lets not forget allergies!! (sneeze!) For those of you who are like me and love and hate to see spring arrive, here is a helpful tip...If you have outside work to do, its better in the early morning, while there is still dew on the ground (keeps the pollen at bay!) And if you still haven't found that "right" allergy medicine, might I suggest trying the Equate Sinus/Allergy or the Equate Sinus/Allergy/Headache, they work wonders!!No matter how busy you may get, try to take a moment to stop--take a deep breath (ah-choo) and enjoy nature!!!!Family VideosJust a reminder to those of you who did not order a video, I still have a few left. They are $7.00 and that does include express mail shipping. I know I still have some photos and videos that a couple of people sent, but I am hoping to use them in another video, yet completed, of live footage of the reunion and the Bar-B- Que at Beckys. I will keep you posted on that project. A Quick Quiz:Here is a little quiz that may have you in your directory...and your 1999 calendar! There are 5 family members that will celebrate or have celebrated their birthdays along with a special holiday.Can you guess who those 5 family members are?A Special Get Well...I would like to take this opportunity to wish Becky a get well wish and a speedy recovery! Becky recently (Apr 7th) underwent surgery and we are told that she did very well and is home with her mother (Aunt Tootie) getting lots of TLC!!!!!!Ken has built a new website for our family newsletter!! It is still a work in progress, but we extend an invitation to you to come visit! Plans are to add "links" of other family websites, a photo page, birthdays, etc...A family newsletter will still be mailed to each family member, but we thought this might be fun for those of us who have Internet access! The address is: http://millennium.fortunecity.com/savannah/900*Please send me your website address so we can add it to our "Links" page!!Monthly Delivery...Unfortunately, due to lack of participation, the Benner Tide may be in threat of being discontinued!! I greatly appreciate those of you who keep me up to date on your family news, but I am still not receiving news from every branch of our family like I had hoped for. I certainly want to thank those family members who are so generous with their compliments, it means a great deal to me! but in order for our paper to be the success it was intended for, I would like every branch represented if possible. Therefore, I have been giving thought to only publishing a paper as news comes to me, rather than an every month issue. I am also considering those family members interested in continued service of our newsletter to send me their request in writing. I would really appreciate your input on this matter and what if any ideas you may have to encourage others to participate in our newsletter...thank you...And now on to ourfamily news...Aunt Margaret and familyNews was unavailable this month for Aunt Margaret, Linda, Raymond and Sandra. Uncle Phil and familyUncle Phil and Aunt Marilyn decided not to take their annual trip to Florida as planned this past winter, they instead are staying home and doing remodeling on their house and yard. Easter brought with it a visit from Uncle Gene and Aunt Myrna. All the family gathered together for what was a lovely Easter Sunday, weather included! Phil, or as he is known locally in these parts, Farmer Brown, has adopted several new pets. Seems he has been feeding the deer and they have decided he is "daddy" material and hang out at the back fence staring up and kicking their hooves for "dinner"Every single evening!! These wild beasts have become so tame, that they come when called, walk up to him and even follow him back up to the house on occasion!! For those who didn't get a deer last fall, this is a sickening sight!! (haha). I figure by the time the does have their fawns, they will be sleeping on the porch with Tory!Belynda and family have been quite busy this past month--Jack performed in two local talent shows (one at his high school) and placed 1st for his band, "TownRed" and 2nd place for his solo performance of "Knockin' on Heavens Door" and "Heart of Gold." He also recently played the lead in "Don't Rock the Boat," a comedy held at his high school. It was very well received and Jack got a standing ovation! Jack is currently dating a lovely girl named Michelle! Marc has been busy with his first love, golf and is doing very well!!! He has finished his winter bowling league and will attend the State Tournaments in Knoxville on the 17- 18th of this month. Marc is currently a single bachelor, although he is always on the lookout! I guess I spoke too soon about Ken on day shift. A union "bump" took him back to the swing shift, but he seems to prefer it as he gets more done at home now!Mark and family are great! Lani recently returned from a weeks visit with her mother and sisters in Texas for Spring Break!! She was lucky enough to sit by a couple of carnival people on the plane ride home who asked her if she ate possum and critters! She enjoyed herself immensely, but did not enjoy the warm, humid temperatures. Sarah was hit with a bad case of strep throat, but is fast on the mend. She is doing well in school and spent her spring vacation with Dad. Jacob is growing like a weed! He never ceases to amaze we grownups with his vocabulary. Rachel recently celebrated her 16th birthday and is anxious to get her license so she can get out there in the traffic and worry her parents!!! (Don't you wish they were still on tricycles?) Aunt Tootie and familyAunt Tootie has been a busy grandmother and mother and of late, a nurse! Becky is staying with her while she recuperates from her surgery.Becky and family are fine. Christopher has been playing basketball and is enjoying it. As usual mom travels all over to watch him dribble his way to stardom! Michelle has been cruising the boulevards of Grand Lake and enjoying the freedom that driving allows...Both Becky and Christopher battled the flu recently, but are as good as new! Again, we want to extend to Becky our hopes for a quick recovery...! (we love you)April and family have been going in every direction these days, but then that's the life of 3 students! Joey is doing well in school, he and Tristen are still an item and he is working part time at Lindtt Chocolates in the mall and has been promoted to Assistant Manager! (whew!). Robert has decided on New Hampshire College (the same university that Joey attends). He and his dad traveled there on the weekend of the 9th for an appt with the chairman of the Sports Management Dept. Robert will be going abroad on the 14th of April for his senior trip. They will be in England from the 14-28th! He will ring in his 18th birthday over there!! (sigh) April is doing excellent with her college courses and is maintaining an all "A" average. Congrats!!Ellen: News was not available for this issue.John, what can I say about our John??Well, I can start with him contracting dysentery while in Turkey, that he has been grounded for 30 days, will embark this coming week on water exercises that will entail him being blindfolded and strapped in to a seat, and hurled into the water, where he will sink to the bottom and at that point will disengage his seatbelt and swim to the top using a breathing device that is hidden in his pocket..I have to ask...am I the only one who thinks this sounds like fun! (haha) and last but not least...has given up on women..quote "all women are evil, except those in our family" unquote.I can always count on John to keep me in great stories and this month is no exception! This is a true story, the names have not been changed to protect the innocent... The Story of the SockThe other night, we had a VIP come to visit us from Germany, so my aircrew and I decided to take him out to eat at a Turkish restaurant. We get there, order up the food and drinks and are doing the socialite conversation thing, when the head waiter comes over to the table. He makes us an offer...If one of us can take a knife and cut 4 toothpicks in half, we get free drinks!! Its voted on and my crew pick me to do the honors. The waiter brings over this big wooden chopping block, a huge sword, I mean huge. This thing was about 2 feet long and weighed several pounds! He lays out a single toothpick and shows me how to cut it. I am thinking, "no problem dude" Its my turn now, I pick up the knife, aim for the center of the tooth pick and give it a good "whack!" Yes, the toothpick is cut. Okay, the waiter is looking impressed. He says..."very good for the first try, now do another." And so..."whack!" no more toothpick. Everybody in the restaurant is staring now, like 70 people, all watching me...So, the waiter pulls out a bowl of water, He shows it to me and says, "it is easy to cut a toothpick in half when you are wearing shoes and standing solid, take off one of your shoes and sock and put your foot in this bowl of cold water." So, I do and "whack!" I cut the third toothpick right in half, NO PROBLEM! I am thinking, "I am going to win us some free beers, Whoo-Hoo! Now the pressure is on, everybody is staring and I have one shoe on, one shoe off, and one foot in a bowl of water, I am ready! The waiter lays out the 4th toothpick, he grabs the knife and pulls my hand over the toothpick and lines it up. Suddenly, some guy behind me is putting a mask over my eyes, I can't see a thing. The waiter says, "all you have to do is cut this toothpick in half blindfolded, with your foot in a bowl of water, and you win." I take a swing, "whack," then he tells me to take another swing, only harder, so I do--- 'whack!" Everybody starts clapping and cheering. I sit down, take the mask off, and towel off my foot. I reach down to put my sock on and as I am picking it up, it FALLS APART! I CUT MY FREAKING SOCK IN HALF!!!! But, they did give us a round of beers, so I had that going for me... The end? Aunt Helen and familyAunt Helen has joined the Internet world as of last month!! and we are thrilled to welcome her online! Her email address is: [email protected] month proved quite "snowy" in her parts, with drifts up to 20 feet and with record inches in New Brunswick of 30 inches! Calais was fortunate to only get 18 inches. Bobby says he was ready to call in a team of horses from Bonnie!!Aunt Helen recently had photos taken of 5 generations of Benners and has sent one of the photos to me so that I can post it on our new website. The photo is of Grammie, Aunt Helen, Rick, Kristy, and her daughter, Tyra Rheid. Rick and his daughter, Melissa spent Valentines Day in Bangor to help celebrate daughter Brandi's 20th birthday!! Rick is proud to announce that Brandy has also made the deans list! Congratulations!!!!Rick has also been busy with renovations to his home and Aunt Helen tells me that he hasn't much left to do before its all done. Shylo, still manages some time in the woods, but is watched carefully by his daddy not to overdo it. Rick also welcomed 4 new puppies to his family this past month.Bonnie and family are doing well and very pleased with Alans therapy. Bonnie takes him three times a week to Savannah. Vanessa is also online and has a website for those who would like to write: [email protected]*Aunt Helen (Nan), Vanessa (Country17f), Bonnie (BonBon), and Debbie (Deb) can be found on occasion by the Pool Deck at Hotelchat.com on the Internet*Bobby and Lisa are happy to announce that they are fully moved into their new home and LOVE IT!! They were finally able to sell their mobile home. They also tell me that another one of our young ones have started drivers education-- William! Wanda and Dorian recently had two mini vacations...The first was an overnighter in St John and the second was with friends to Boston to see The Rolling Stones in concert! Dalton got to spend some quality time with Nan and enjoyed every minute on the computer! He has also lost 2 bottom teeth.Cecil has decided to stay on in Germany so that he can spend lots of time with his daughter, Jackie. We wish him all the luck and send him our love!Nancy has been spending several weekends up home visiting with Mom, who never tires of seeing her beautiful face pull in the driveway!Sally and family are doing very well according to her mother. Shalyn has also lost 2 bottom teeth. Shadow, her Pomeranian puppy is a "bad weed" says Nan, but is a cutie and very very smart!She knows right where the treats are stored and sits there until she gets one! Uncle Gene and familyUncle Gene and Aunt Myrna will be home and settled by the time you read this! They spent the Easter Holiday in Tennessee with Uncle Phil and Aunt Marilyn. Aunt Myrna played her first ever game of croquet and loved it! She stated that she is going right home and get herself a set! David: News was not available for this issue.Butch: News was not available for this issue.Kim and family are doing well and enjoying being small business owners! Ed and a friend have started a new company called, "Anything from A to Z"They do renovations of every kind and are currently awaiting word on a bid! We wish them great success and best wishes!!!! Billy is maintaining a "B" average and has recently been promoted to Assistant Manager at Mr Bills, in Old Orchard!! He is works 2-3 nights a week and his mother tells me they are very very proud of him! Kristina is finding "teen" life a bit of a struggle (and who didn't huh?) She just got back from a rock climbing/rope repelling trip and loved it!! She also got the opportunity to visit a castle in Massachusetts that was..quote "oh, very cool" unquote. Kim has decided to take a few courses in accounting, since she will be managing the books for Ed's business and will also be the secretary...She is also awaiting word on a job she interviewed for. *This woman is not busy enough, is she? HahaAlan: News was not available for this issue, however, Kim tell me that Lindsay did get her cast removed and is doing well. She is able to place her foot flat on the floor, but will require additional therapy... APRIL BIRTHDAYS April 21st Robert Wentworth April 28th Becky Takach APRIL anniversaries REMEMBERED... April 12, 1958 Uncle Bob and Aunt Tootie MAY BIRTHDAYS May 3rd Dalton Scott May 7th Bobby Follis MAY ANNIVERSARIES May 29th Philip and Sally Dewolfe May 30th Nancy and Kelly Benear Pumpkin CookiesApril sent this recipe to me and thought that you all might enjoy trying these wonderful cookies!1 (16oz) can pumpkin2 eggs2 tsp. Cinnamon1 cup oil1 (12 oz) bag of chocolate chips2 cups sugar4 cups flour2 tsp. baking powder2 tsp. milk *Preheat oven to 350 degrees** Mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, oil, milk, cinnamon, baking powder and flour. Add chocolate chips and drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. If you are in a hurry, you can spread it onto a cookie sheet and make it into pumpkin squares. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until done* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MOTHERS DAY Sunday, May 9th A mother laughs our laughter, Sheds our tears, Returns our Love, Fears our fears. She lives our joys, Cares our cares. And all our hopes and dreams she shares... Mother is the heartbeat in the Home When God thought of MOTHER He must have laughed with satisfaction and framed it quickly- So rich, so deep, so divine, so full of soul, power, and beauty... Was the conceptionEvery day--though often in an unspoken way--mothers are appreciated. We should really celebrate how special they are. Although words can never fully capture what a mother means to us, These sentiments above from the heart come close...Happy Mothers Day! Some time ago, April sent me an email called, "The Words of Wisdom" which I found very enlightening. I hope you enjoy this edited version (space is limited)... Pearls of WisdomI've learned-That you cannot make someone love you, All you can do is be someone who CAN be loved, the rest is up to them...I've learned-That it takes years to build up trust,and only seconds to destroy it...I've learned-We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel about it...I've learned-That its not WHAT you have in your life but WHO you have in your life that counts...I've learned-You should NEVER tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish, Few things are more humiliating and what a tragedy it would be if they believed you..I've learned-That you should ALWAYS leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them... LIVE, so that when your children think of fairness and integrity They Think Of YOU... QUIZ ANSWERS:Brandi: Feb 14th Jack: Mar 17th Darrel: June 20th Grammie: Nov 11th Lani: Dec 24th Don't forget to send your news: [email protected] (New email address)
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