Welcome to our summer home.....some are home...some are not!

Hello my friends! I can't tell you how much I am missing all of you! Thankfully we have lots of ways to keep in touch while we are away from our Avalon home. I have heard from a few friends so I thought I would pass a few messages I've received so we can all feel connected. Here goes:
Nancy Bendiksen from 2nd St writes:

Just wanted to let you all know we are still suffering with the heat. The heat and humidity. Also, have had lots of rain. Flooded poor Marvin's deck and spread to the RV's in the back. That's not usual, but the pump they installed is suppose to get rid of it before it gets too high. Pump wouldn't work, but they fixed it the following day and now it works great. Really sends that water down Second Street.

We're having a real problem with "lubber caterpillars" here. They are about three inches long and very colorful, but do they ever do a job on the brushes and flowers they like. They also don't like to die. Spraying them doesn't help. You have to throw them in soapy water or squish them. Ugh! What a mess. They seem to like Frank's old place at the end of Third street.

Don't know if anyone have told you, but Ace Hardware has closed it's doors. No more post office and no more Ace Hardware. The couple who own it retired. They have been in that same store for 36 years. There was a nice article in the paper about them. Snowbirds are sure going to miss that place. Us residents, too.

This is what the owner said in the paper. "We are closing because of the changing markets and buying patterns. This is certainly influenced by the big box stores, but we have always felt that there was some good in Home Depot and Lowe's. We began seeing a shift in business in mid 2007. The recession hit us at that point. At first, we thought it was a normal business fluctuation, but it continued. It was after the winter months, when all the snowbird customers had gone home, that we began realizing the end might be near". So, farewell to Ace Hardware. It was a good place to go if you were looking for just one item.

Went out to breakfast last Saturday to Smitty's, at 58th and 122nd. Ten of us showed up and we all enjoyed the morning and socializing. Dottie always comes, even though she doesn't live here any more and Brenda and Ray, who have also moved out, but enjoy coming to breakfast with us.

Hope you are all well. We are hanging in there. Will be heading north this summer for a couple of weeks. That's if the gas prices don't blow us away. Anxious to see family and friends, as we haven't been up there for a while. Maybe we'll try to find those great white sharks that are being spotted around the cape.

Look forward to seeing all our snowbirds soon.

Blessings,

Nancy (Joe says "Hi"!)

Thanks Nancy. It sure is nice to hear how things are going in Avalon.

Ron and Pat Vanover have been on the road again and send word that they are safely back from their trip to Denver and Oklahoma. They had some good news to report when they returned:

Guess what is building in our town? Yes! A Cheddars! Took the grandkids to see cars 2 in 3D and went to French Lick Inn to let them ride a really old train that after 1 hour out is robbed by cowboys on horses! Then we stopped and the kids got to sit on the horse. After an hour back to town we arrived at a hotel with a really nice water park. We stayed over night and spent more time at the water park the next day...a fun weekend and I know they had a good time. Memories.... that is what it is all about! Hope all of you are doing well. Glad Bill is out of the hospital.
Pat & Ron

I hear from Linda W on 4th St and she tells me that it is HOT< HOT< HOT and quite lonely without us. We MISS YOU TOOO Linda! Linda had some sad days this summer as she had to have her poor little Missy put to sleep. I know that some people think they are "only " pets, but to those who love them, they are our furry kids! We love you Linda!

Facebook has been a real blessing this summer. I have had the opportunity to keep in touch with Tom & Barb and Traci & Emma; George & Marie, Kirby & Deb, Donna & Lenny to name a few. I would encourage you to open a facebook account and find your friends! You don't have to talk a lot. It is just nice to know how they are doing.

Well friends, stay well and keep in touch. Soon we will be back in the sun together!

Happy Can-Am weekend!

Hello to all!
Ed & I just returned from a long weekend at the lake (Lake Erie) where we celebrated Canada Day (July 1st) There is nothing quite like sitting at the campfire and being surrounded by fireworks! Then to top it off, on Saturday night we were treated to another show in the sky....an amazing lightening storm accompanied by wind, rain and thunder...and a few tree branches tossed on the roof! Quite an exciting evening, but all is well, and Sunday the beautiful breeze off the lake made up for the early end to our evening Saturday. Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and fireworks will be high in the sky along the opposite shore as our neighbors celebrate. It is another reminder of the closeness of our two countries. Hope this special holiday weekend is enjoyed by all the friends of Avalon.
Missing each and every one of you!
Lori & Ed