13 December, 2010
Dear Friends:
Some things change, and some things never do.
Some of our 2010 changes include our two grandsons, Adam James Ganzer and Scott David Offutt, who set off on their career paths. Adam is an accomplished drummer who drums at our "Praise Band" church service, as well as his own church. He is now a phlebotomist with a gentle touch and a compassionate heart. Scott spent the first half of 2010 doing post-graduate work at Knox College. He was appointed as an editor of many written articles by faculty as well as students. He applied to Washington U. in Pullman, WA, and was hired as an instructor in English Literature. He is having a great time teaching two English classes and taking two graduate classes. He is going "out East" (??) to present a paper on William Blake.
Marianne moved from Amhest, MA to Providence, R.I., which makes her commute to her job in Boston about half as long. No violin restored in her shop leaves without her approval. Mike Offutt retired from his leadership role for the "Praise Band" service in our church, after ten years. He and Gay are still involved with guitar playing and vocals but we know they are enjoying a little more "free time" and WE are enjoying Mike's new hobby of striving to perfect his steak-grilling on their new brick patio with an ultimate grilling station.
As some of you know,my twin sisters died in August and December of 2008. We commemorated their passing by installing a stone with their names engraved in the little cemetery of Livingston, Iowa (near Centerville, where we grew up) where my grand-parents and my great-grandparents are buried. This was Cathryn's request but since they died so close together, it was decided by the survivors to have a single stone with "Cathryn Richardson-Johns" and "Carolyn Magliola" and their nicknames, "Cotty" and "Lyn". So we made it a celebration with all five of Cathryn's children and their spouses; 3 of the four sons of Mike Magliola and Carolyn; and Ralph, Anne, Mark and Marianne Ganzer, and two first cousins of mine - Mary Best of Atlanta and Dan Best of N. English, IA. We spent three days in a couple of Bed and Breakfasts, played some golf (Iowa is the only place to go on Halloween if you want great autumn weather) enjoyed our meals, made a great night of singing around the campfire on the B & B lawn, and ended up with people returning to Bremerton WA, Atlanta, Providence, California, Iowa and Chicago, having shared great stories of visits from cousin-to-cousins and shared vacations. We even had the minister of our old Presbyterian Church preside at the service and we sang with Mike's guitar and Bruce Richardson on his mouthharp. And of course we promised to do it again - but even if we never get to - this tribute to my sisters and made us realize how great it is to have FAMILY.
So we wish for you and your family Peace, Joy, and Love in this Christmas season, and a wonderful year ahead.
With Love,
the Ganzers
