Michigan Trip--Day 2

After leaving Kalamazoo, we headed for the Music House Museum in Acme, Michigan. The collection of instruments they have is amazing.

In this photo our tour guide is explaining how an old-time piano works. It is hard to understand how all that paper keeps from getting tangled up!




Lunch was at Friske Orchards, a third generation family farming venture. Sadly, they said they lost the cherry crop this year, but they had plenty of items for sale. Lois, Pat, and Jody were doing some shopping before getting back on the bus.




Then we were off to Charlevoix where we had a guided tour of the famous "Mushroom Houses" designed by renowned local architect, Earl Young. Unbelievable what he could do with a pile of rocks! The tour of the rest of the town was interesting too.  Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix were very scenic.

We had the entire hotel to ourselves at the Bay Inn of Petoskey for the evening.  Dinner was at Stafford's Bay View Inn, and it was wonderful! Stafford's is located in a Methodist Chautauqua community founded in 1875. Two individuals in our group happened to be celebrating birthdays on Sept. 12, Rusti Grogan, and Glennon Schlitt. They were surprised by two beautiful birthday cakes--which we all got to enjoy.

                                               

Happy Birthday Rusti & Glennon! What better way to celebrate?

                 

IEAFCS Michigan Bus Trip--Day 1

After traveling the length of Illinois to pick everyone up--Mt. Vernon, Effingham, Champaign, and Matteson-- a bus loaded with 29 IEAFCS members and friends headed further north.

Lunch was at Cracker Barrel in Hammond, Indiana, and dinner was at the W. K. Kellogg Manor House Estate near Kalamazoo, MI. This "summer home" was built by W. K. Kellogg and his wife in 1925. From 1944-1950 it was used as a rehabilitation center for the Percy Jones Army Hospital, and was eventually donated by the Kellog Foundation to Michigan State University. It has been developed into the Kellogg Gull Lake Biological Station. We learned lots of other interesting information about the Kellogg family, and enjoyed a delicious meal--one of the best of the trip!

                                                                                  

After dinner, the group headed to the Western Michigan Art Glass Center. This mural on the outside wall caught the attention of some of
our former Nutrition & Wellness Educators. The wording on the large jar is: "I could have watched her hands all day, peeling the tomatoes, squeezing them to extract the last drop of summer from each one. She shuffles around the hot kitchen, trying to find the jars her mother gave her, swinging her hips with the same motion, the same full anticipation, as a ripe tomato on the vine, skin pulled tight, against the hope of preservation, the peeling down of generations, the same glass jars for each one." Meredith Adams.

Instructors at the Art Glass Center then helped everyone design a coaster or sun catcher made of pieces of glass. Some toiled very diligently on their individual works of art.

          

Others spent some of their time learning to play a Kazoo. Remember we were in Kalamazoo!

However, in the end there were many beautiful designs that were left to be fired in the kiln and mailed later. Then it was back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

                                                     

Michigan Trip Was Fantastic!

Twenty nine IEAFCS retirees and friends just returned from five days of sightseeing and fun in Michigan. It was a great trip, and we sincerely want to thank Carol Schlitt for putting it all together.

Those who attended were Charlotte Crawford, Jean Wiyatt, Steve Wiyatt, Jody Talick, Lois Smith, Linda Griffy, Rich Diefenbach, Mona Diefenbach, Joy Morris, Martha Speir, Karen Barker, Martha Winter, Cammy Seguin, Eleanor Mason, Myrna Mason, Nann Armstrong, Jananne Finck, Joy Richey, Rusti Grogan, Janet Burnett, Ruby Lingle, Karen Gibbs, Kathy Rhodes, Pat Hildebrand, Rick Lingle, Kathy Harrison, Joe Harrison, Glennon Schlitt, and Carol Schlitt.

This group photo was taken at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Watch future postings on this blog for trip details.

Condolences to Robin Richey & Family

We have learned that John Richey, husband of Robin Richey passed away last week. Evidently he had been battling cancer for some time.

The obituary says that he died on August 26th at home in Eureka. The funeral was Friday, August 30th. John was 63. He and Robin had been married since 1983.

They have two children; a son, Scott, of Decatur and a daughter, Jenna Berkwit, of Festus, MO. There is one grandson, Mason John  Berkwit.

John had served in the National Guard and worked for FS in Moultrie and Woodford Counties. Memorials may be made to Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, IL, Kaufman Park Golf course in Eureka, IL, or Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, IL.

If anyone would like to have Robin's address in Eureka, please send a note to ieafcslife@gmail.com.

We are thinking of you, Robin.

EUREKA - John A. "JR" Richey, 63, of Eureka, Ill., died at 1:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, with the Rev. Dan Doty officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Ill. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso, Ill., is assisting the family with services.
Memorials may be made to Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, Ill., Kaufman Park Golf Course in Eureka, Ill., or Crossroads United Methodist Church.
John was born Aug. 16, 1950, in Rushville, Ill., the son of A.O. and Phyllis Thurman Richey. He married Robin K. Malone on Dec. 3, 1983, in Sullivan, Ill.
She survives along with two children, Scott Richey of Decatur and Jenna (Lewis) Berkwit of Festus, Mo.; one grandson, Mason John Berkwit; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rosemary Malone of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Susan Richey and Martha Knisley.
John was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill.
He was a graduate of Rushville High School and Illinois College, with a bachelor's degree in history.
He served in the National Guard.
He worked for FS in Moultrie County and then Woodford County.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=john-richey&pid=166661627#fbLoggedOut

EUREKA - John A. "JR" Richey, 63, of Eureka, Ill., died at 1:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, with the Rev. Dan Doty officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Ill. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso, Ill., is assisting the family with services.
Memorials may be made to Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, Ill., Kaufman Park Golf Course in Eureka, Ill., or Crossroads United Methodist Church.
John was born Aug. 16, 1950, in Rushville, Ill., the son of A.O. and Phyllis Thurman Richey. He married Robin K. Malone on Dec. 3, 1983, in Sullivan, Ill.
She survives along with two children, Scott Richey of Decatur and Jenna (Lewis) Berkwit of Festus, Mo.; one grandson, Mason John Berkwit; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rosemary Malone of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Susan Richey and Martha Knisley.
John was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill.
He was a graduate of Rushville High School and Illinois College, with a bachelor's degree in history.
He served in the National Guard.
He worked for FS in Moultrie County and then Woodford County.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=john-richey&pid=166661627#fbLoggedOut

EUREKA - John A. "JR" Richey, 63, of Eureka, Ill., died at 1:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, with the Rev. Dan Doty officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Ill. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso, Ill., is assisting the family with services.
Memorials may be made to Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, Ill., Kaufman Park Golf Course in Eureka, Ill., or Crossroads United Methodist Church.
John was born Aug. 16, 1950, in Rushville, Ill., the son of A.O. and Phyllis Thurman Richey. He married Robin K. Malone on Dec. 3, 1983, in Sullivan, Ill.
She survives along with two children, Scott Richey of Decatur and Jenna (Lewis) Berkwit of Festus, Mo.; one grandson, Mason John Berkwit; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rosemary Malone of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Susan Richey and Martha Knisley.
John was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill.
He was a graduate of Rushville High School and Illinois College, with a bachelor's degree in history.
He served in the National Guard.
He worked for FS in Moultrie County and then Woodford County.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=john-richey&pid=166661627#fbLoggedOut

EUREKA - John A. "JR" Richey, 63, of Eureka, Ill., died at 1:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, with the Rev. Dan Doty officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Ill. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso, Ill., is assisting the family with services.
Memorials may be made to Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, Ill., Kaufman Park Golf Course in Eureka, Ill., or Crossroads United Methodist Church.
John was born Aug. 16, 1950, in Rushville, Ill., the son of A.O. and Phyllis Thurman Richey. He married Robin K. Malone on Dec. 3, 1983, in Sullivan, Ill.
She survives along with two children, Scott Richey of Decatur and Jenna (Lewis) Berkwit of Festus, Mo.; one grandson, Mason John Berkwit; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rosemary Malone of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Susan Richey and Martha Knisley.
John was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill.
He was a graduate of Rushville High School and Illinois College, with a bachelor's degree in history.
He served in the National Guard.
He worked for FS in Moultrie County and then Woodford County.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=john-richey&pid=166661627#fbLoggedOut

Southern Region Retirees Gather at Rend Lake

 Friday August 23rd was a hot day in southern Illinois, but the breeze blowing off of Rend Lake made it very pleasant. It was a great day for Southern Region Extension Retirees to get together for an enjoyable lunch. Mike Plumer fried delicious fish and chips, and there were some very tasty side dishes. Thanks to all who helped make it possible.


                                                                                

Those who attended were Martha Speir, Paul and Joyce Pyatt, Joy Richey, Ruby Lingle, Mike Plumer, Carol Schlitt, Dave Fischer, Glen Sons (age 96!), Bob Walker, Donna Sons, Tom and Susan Saxe, Dennis Epplin, and Martha Winter. Rick Lingle took the photo. Great to see everyone!

Reminder about FEGLI Insurance

Before we get to the reminder--thought I would share this photo. They tell me these are called banded doves. They have been living around our place for a couple of years. I have tried off and on to get a photo of them both together--and was finally successful.

As for the FEGLI update--if you kept some of the Federal life insurance when you retired, you may remember that premiums are no longer deducted after age 65. Unless you chose the no reduction option, the amount of insurance will begin to decrease until it gets to 25% or 50% of the original value--depending on which choice you made. When there is no premium being paid, it is easy to forget that you have the insurance. So make a note in the appropriate file.

If you want to check on specific benefits you have, call the Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738 or write to the Retirement Operations Center, P. O. Box 45, Boyers, Pennsylvania 16017-0045.

It Was A Good Day!

Twenty IEAFCS Retirees and friends met in Springfield recently for the summer reunion. It was a fun day with good food, good fellowship, and lots of catching up. It was great to see everyone!

 Those who attended were (standing)  Sharon Kuhns, Joy Richey, Cammy Seguin, Mary Ann Fugate, Joan Blaser, Marjorie LaFont,  Pat Hildebrand, Barb Farner, Diane Duewer, Shirley Camp, Carol Schlitt, Janet Burnett, Martha Winter, and Amy Griswold. Those seated are Mary Fouts, Bev Combs, Carmen Walgrave, Mary Jo Stewart, Jananne Finck, and Ruby Lingle.

Watch for notes on what everyone has been up to in future blogs.