2008 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM ADDIE & STANTON
JANUARY – Highlight was the Vintage Clothes Show and Tea in our Village at Apache Wells Clubhouse. Several villagers (who were thin enough to fit the clothes) were models; tea by the Social Committee; and music by the members of the Singing For Fun group, including Addie. Stanton’s photography was added to a clever DVD.
FEBRUARY – Stanton spent much of this month mailing out 800 books about Thomas B. Rickey, Nevada Cattle Baron and grandfather of Dan Frost. Dan & Susie Frost were underwriters and publishers of the book sent free to the address list of the Rickey Family Association and many libraries and historical societies. Daughter Claire Rickey Addison arrived from Rhode Island and we did a bit of traipsing around to show her the local scene, before she headed for Southern Arizona to visit friends.
MARCH – Addie’s brother Jack & Carol Smithson kept us on the go with Village activities, local tours, trips to Kartchner Caverns, Picacho Peak Civil War reenactment, Southwest Zoo & Botanical Gardens near Tucson, Tonto National Forest, Fort Huachuca, and a musical at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater.
APRIL – Attended the Races in Paradise Turf Park in Scottsdale with Dan & Susie Frost to watch two of their horses run and meet Tom Rickey their black Arabian stallion. Returned to Dallas, Oregon via a stopover in Salt Lake City for some research and a visit in Winnemucca, Nevada with cousin Bud Rickey. He took us to his favorite hangout, the restored pioneer Martin Hotel. Bud knew almost everyone there and we enjoyed a very tasty Basque Dinner served family style. And the wine flowed …along with conversation and sing-a-longs with an eclectic group who were in town for a national cribbage tournament. Back in Oregon Addie signed up for a plot in the Ceres Gleann Community Garden. The ground had not been previously planted so required additions of peat, steer manure, lime and a lot of helpful arm power applied to rototilling. The rain over-stayed it’s welcome, so planting was in late June. Keeping the garden weeded and watered, took some time every few days but it paid off. We harvested some great lettuce, a bit of rhubarb, yellow crookneck squash, a few onions and lots of tomatoes. Other gardeners shared their bounty, including the ever-present zucchini. Addie processed our green tomatoes into mincemeat after the delicious red ones were savored fresh and canned.
MAY – Addie hosted a “Family History Roundtable in our Garage” May thru September. One of the potlucks at Ceres Gleann was themed as International. Many residents shared their favorite ethnic family dish and displayed memorabilia from that country. Some showed family scrapbooks with “story” and photographs. Memorial Day Weekend -- We tripped to Sacramento, California with daughter Malia Rickey Barrientos and grandkids Annie and Antonio to see grandson William Stanton Pidd graduate from Jesuit High School. Festive graduation party for family and friends in the Pidd backyard in Gold River.
JUNE – Off to Tacoma, Washington to celebrate granddaughter Laura Rickey’s Graduation from St Charles Barromeo 8th grade. Later enjoyed formal afternoon Tea at Point Defiance Park with Mary Davila and son Tom Rickey, while attending the expansive Tacoma Plant & Garden Show. Tom is now on the Board that plans this exotic annual event. Addie & Stanton went for a ride in a touring WW II B-17 bomber at the Salem, Oregon Airport. Ear plugs please, and give us a boost to get in and out. Beautiful view of the Willamette Valley that day. Addie’s first, and Stanton’s last nostalgic B-17 experience.
JULY –Hot and hotter most of this month. Rain finally quit and the air conditioning got a workout. A pondless waterfall was installed in our Ceres Gleann back yard and we enjoyed the sound of falling water and the goldfinch activity that it afforded. We kept 2 thistle seed socks full and hanging at the fence line and usually had 12 to 20+ birds vying for the seed from dawn to dusk. If the socks were emptied, the finch disappeared to our neighbors – fickle finches! Two deer appeared one morning sniffing at our wrought iron backfence. We do enjoy the empty pasture behind us. A builder owns it, erected the fence, and intends to build there, eventually -- but not for some time, we hope!
AUGUST – We attended the Oregon California Trails Assn. Convention in Nampa, Idaho and then took a side trip to Glacier National Park, which neither of us had ever seen before. Lovely scenery and we enjoyed a spectacular day-trip on the RED BUS. Stayed at Lake MacDonald Lodge Returned with Stanton’s back and leg pain getting progressively “worser”. A steroid epidural at Salem Pain Clinic to treat the problem did not take hold and a second spinal shot was necessary four weeks later. Laura Alumbaugh visited from Bend to exploit the local Willamette Valley fruit and vegetable stands along with Addie, Malia & her kids. Apples for applesauce, peaches, corn, and all kinds of berries were on the list.
SEPTEMBER – Oregon State Fair brought a visit from Judy and Al Goldmann of Hillsboro, Oregon and two friends. We enjoyed chicken dinner on our patio with fresh corn from local growers and veggies from Addie’s garden. Malia and Addie did up some dill pickles … 25 pounds of pickling cukes yielded about 17 quarts and 7 or 8 pints. Even brought some of them to Mesa, along with homemade green tomato mincemeat and a few quarts of canned tomatoes from the garden. Malia reports that she still has some, though she and Antonio have been munching a lot of them. Flew to St Louis, Missouri for Annual Reunion of Stanton’s WW II 483rd Bomb Group Association. On Memories Night he presented his Navigator, Fred Hicks (sole survivor of his aircrew), with a polished brass ring fashioned from a 50 caliber cartridge. This was a special gift from Ludwig Hauber, the young German archaeologist who retrieved the artifact from their 1944 aircraft crash site near Buchenberg, Bavaria.
OCTOBER – A visit from cousins Herb and Ruth Wisner of Eugene was all too short. Lots of goodies from Herb and Ruth’s garden for dinner that eve. Stanton’s 88th birthday was previewed with cake and ice cream when Tom & Sharon Rickey with children Mike, Helen and Laura visited us along with Malia & kids at Ceres Gleann prior to our departure. Our exit from Dallas, Oregon was with a full load of boxes in the back of our Highlander. Stopped over in Gold River with daughter Michele Rickey-Pidd & husband Mike, minus Will Pidd who is now a Freshman at San Diego State and living (and learning) the mysteries of dorm life and the Rugby House. Michele, as co-chair of the Dec. 6th 2008 Christmas Fund raiser for Jesuit H. S., was in the midst of planning for this huge undertaking. Construction of chocolate goodies for sales was on the agenda for Sunday afternoon, so Addie joined in to help, dip, wrap, tie and count.
NOVEMBER –On Veteran’s Day we were again invited to ride with the Corvette Club in the large Parade in Apache Junction. Thanksgiving Dinner in Tucson, Arizona as guests of Rickey cousins Dan & Susie Frost was delightful… last year and this. Dan and Stanton poured over old records and maps to pinpoint the location of Thomas B. Rickey’s original Nevada homestead, which Dan is negotiating to purchase. The trip this year was via a 2-lane back road thru Florence. As we drove further south, we noticed red lights ahead, cars stopped in funny directions and some off the road, all with a coating of 3 inches of SNOW. As we crept past the snow-covered mess, we saw a number of cars had collided, airbags deployed in one, and many on their cell phones calling for help. A freak snow squall had caught everyone by surprise. We had just missed being in the disaster by a few minutes.
JANUARY – Highlight was the Vintage Clothes Show and Tea in our Village at Apache Wells Clubhouse. Several villagers (who were thin enough to fit the clothes) were models; tea by the Social Committee; and music by the members of the Singing For Fun group, including Addie. Stanton’s photography was added to a clever DVD.
FEBRUARY – Stanton spent much of this month mailing out 800 books about Thomas B. Rickey, Nevada Cattle Baron and grandfather of Dan Frost. Dan & Susie Frost were underwriters and publishers of the book sent free to the address list of the Rickey Family Association and many libraries and historical societies. Daughter Claire Rickey Addison arrived from Rhode Island and we did a bit of traipsing around to show her the local scene, before she headed for Southern Arizona to visit friends.
MARCH – Addie’s brother Jack & Carol Smithson kept us on the go with Village activities, local tours, trips to Kartchner Caverns, Picacho Peak Civil War reenactment, Southwest Zoo & Botanical Gardens near Tucson, Tonto National Forest, Fort Huachuca, and a musical at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater.
APRIL – Attended the Races in Paradise Turf Park in Scottsdale with Dan & Susie Frost to watch two of their horses run and meet Tom Rickey their black Arabian stallion. Returned to Dallas, Oregon via a stopover in Salt Lake City for some research and a visit in Winnemucca, Nevada with cousin Bud Rickey. He took us to his favorite hangout, the restored pioneer Martin Hotel. Bud knew almost everyone there and we enjoyed a very tasty Basque Dinner served family style. And the wine flowed …along with conversation and sing-a-longs with an eclectic group who were in town for a national cribbage tournament. Back in Oregon Addie signed up for a plot in the Ceres Gleann Community Garden. The ground had not been previously planted so required additions of peat, steer manure, lime and a lot of helpful arm power applied to rototilling. The rain over-stayed it’s welcome, so planting was in late June. Keeping the garden weeded and watered, took some time every few days but it paid off. We harvested some great lettuce, a bit of rhubarb, yellow crookneck squash, a few onions and lots of tomatoes. Other gardeners shared their bounty, including the ever-present zucchini. Addie processed our green tomatoes into mincemeat after the delicious red ones were savored fresh and canned.
MAY – Addie hosted a “Family History Roundtable in our Garage” May thru September. One of the potlucks at Ceres Gleann was themed as International. Many residents shared their favorite ethnic family dish and displayed memorabilia from that country. Some showed family scrapbooks with “story” and photographs. Memorial Day Weekend -- We tripped to Sacramento, California with daughter Malia Rickey Barrientos and grandkids Annie and Antonio to see grandson William Stanton Pidd graduate from Jesuit High School. Festive graduation party for family and friends in the Pidd backyard in Gold River.
JUNE – Off to Tacoma, Washington to celebrate granddaughter Laura Rickey’s Graduation from St Charles Barromeo 8th grade. Later enjoyed formal afternoon Tea at Point Defiance Park with Mary Davila and son Tom Rickey, while attending the expansive Tacoma Plant & Garden Show. Tom is now on the Board that plans this exotic annual event. Addie & Stanton went for a ride in a touring WW II B-17 bomber at the Salem, Oregon Airport. Ear plugs please, and give us a boost to get in and out. Beautiful view of the Willamette Valley that day. Addie’s first, and Stanton’s last nostalgic B-17 experience.
JULY –Hot and hotter most of this month. Rain finally quit and the air conditioning got a workout. A pondless waterfall was installed in our Ceres Gleann back yard and we enjoyed the sound of falling water and the goldfinch activity that it afforded. We kept 2 thistle seed socks full and hanging at the fence line and usually had 12 to 20+ birds vying for the seed from dawn to dusk. If the socks were emptied, the finch disappeared to our neighbors – fickle finches! Two deer appeared one morning sniffing at our wrought iron backfence. We do enjoy the empty pasture behind us. A builder owns it, erected the fence, and intends to build there, eventually -- but not for some time, we hope!
AUGUST – We attended the Oregon California Trails Assn. Convention in Nampa, Idaho and then took a side trip to Glacier National Park, which neither of us had ever seen before. Lovely scenery and we enjoyed a spectacular day-trip on the RED BUS. Stayed at Lake MacDonald Lodge Returned with Stanton’s back and leg pain getting progressively “worser”. A steroid epidural at Salem Pain Clinic to treat the problem did not take hold and a second spinal shot was necessary four weeks later. Laura Alumbaugh visited from Bend to exploit the local Willamette Valley fruit and vegetable stands along with Addie, Malia & her kids. Apples for applesauce, peaches, corn, and all kinds of berries were on the list.
SEPTEMBER – Oregon State Fair brought a visit from Judy and Al Goldmann of Hillsboro, Oregon and two friends. We enjoyed chicken dinner on our patio with fresh corn from local growers and veggies from Addie’s garden. Malia and Addie did up some dill pickles … 25 pounds of pickling cukes yielded about 17 quarts and 7 or 8 pints. Even brought some of them to Mesa, along with homemade green tomato mincemeat and a few quarts of canned tomatoes from the garden. Malia reports that she still has some, though she and Antonio have been munching a lot of them. Flew to St Louis, Missouri for Annual Reunion of Stanton’s WW II 483rd Bomb Group Association. On Memories Night he presented his Navigator, Fred Hicks (sole survivor of his aircrew), with a polished brass ring fashioned from a 50 caliber cartridge. This was a special gift from Ludwig Hauber, the young German archaeologist who retrieved the artifact from their 1944 aircraft crash site near Buchenberg, Bavaria.
OCTOBER – A visit from cousins Herb and Ruth Wisner of Eugene was all too short. Lots of goodies from Herb and Ruth’s garden for dinner that eve. Stanton’s 88th birthday was previewed with cake and ice cream when Tom & Sharon Rickey with children Mike, Helen and Laura visited us along with Malia & kids at Ceres Gleann prior to our departure. Our exit from Dallas, Oregon was with a full load of boxes in the back of our Highlander. Stopped over in Gold River with daughter Michele Rickey-Pidd & husband Mike, minus Will Pidd who is now a Freshman at San Diego State and living (and learning) the mysteries of dorm life and the Rugby House. Michele, as co-chair of the Dec. 6th 2008 Christmas Fund raiser for Jesuit H. S., was in the midst of planning for this huge undertaking. Construction of chocolate goodies for sales was on the agenda for Sunday afternoon, so Addie joined in to help, dip, wrap, tie and count.
NOVEMBER –On Veteran’s Day we were again invited to ride with the Corvette Club in the large Parade in Apache Junction. Thanksgiving Dinner in Tucson, Arizona as guests of Rickey cousins Dan & Susie Frost was delightful… last year and this. Dan and Stanton poured over old records and maps to pinpoint the location of Thomas B. Rickey’s original Nevada homestead, which Dan is negotiating to purchase. The trip this year was via a 2-lane back road thru Florence. As we drove further south, we noticed red lights ahead, cars stopped in funny directions and some off the road, all with a coating of 3 inches of SNOW. As we crept past the snow-covered mess, we saw a number of cars had collided, airbags deployed in one, and many on their cell phones calling for help. A freak snow squall had caught everyone by surprise. We had just missed being in the disaster by a few minutes.
DECEMBER – We celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary with roses and dinner at a very upscale white table cloth Steak House, which featured the best corn-fed Iowa Beef.
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Our 2007 Christmas Letter may be found HERE
