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Michael McLeod

This is awful. So tragic. 

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Such sad news about Donn. May he rest in peace. 

Joe, please keep safe.

Frank Ganley

First to answer Dave's question as to why we celebrate the sabbath on Sunday rather than keep it Saturday. 

When Jesus tapped Peter as his rock peter had some things he needed worked out,with Sunday first and then the music.. Peter did not like the rams horn making music as it had no melodic tones that could be enjoyed . toe tapping and sing alings were difficult or down right impossible. Peter played the key boards in a local band, " peter and his bead squeezers, so he moved his band to Rome. Now that they all left their temple Beni ideal they could stay out on Friday night and play a gig and parry till the cows came home. This new event coincided with Saturdays new problem " the Irish flu" which those that have suffered from it know that sllep ,rest , and a bit of the hair of the dog as the cure also with Sunday giving them the option of repentance on Sunday and while at mass pray and tell the Lord that if the Lord cures him he will never do it again. . 

And so ends the gospel according to frank. If you would like to know what the Lord did on the seventh day, I do have that gospel also

Michael McLeod

Thanks Frank. There's nothing like that old time religion.

Mark Schweickart

So sorry to hear about Donn's accident. My guess is that he was probably an experienced diver, and that this was probably not the first time he had done a dive like this. After all, one does not go all the way to Bonaire to learn how to dive. Such a shame that some sort of false move or equipment failure occurred. We might all take note of this and acknowledge that just because we have done things in the past does not mean we should continue doing so. I think, now more than ever, my decision a couple of years ago to stay off the ski slopes was a wise one, although I do miss it.

Poor Donn. His family must be crushed.

David Mitchell

Sad news and odd timing. I was just thinking of posting a question for the group asking if anyone has had contact with Steve Hodges, Mike Del Bianco, Brian Doyle, or Donn Ellerbrock?  Sorry to get such a sad answer to my unasked question.

(saw Jim's post about Steve and hope to reach him soon)

David Mitchell

Joe,  (and Frank - the question was asked BY Joe not me).

Which day the sabbath?

It is clear now through the expert assisance of Biblical scholars that God had a preference for football over spear throwing, chariot racing, goat offering, fatted-calf slaying, idol worshipping, and ram's horn blowing. His favor toward anything with the skin of a pig is well documented. (He was once good friends with Woody Hayes - sure you've all hear that old story.)

But over time His interest evolved toward a more professional level of the game. The NFL saw the light, and were given a secret tablet, on which they were proclaimed sovereign over all of our Sunday afternoons. The Old Testament takes us through God's early devotion to His chosen people, the Cleveland Browns, and then of course the New Testament gave us the New Orleans Saints.

But in my own "spiritual rebirth" into the lost tribe of Elway, I became aware that God has truly revealed Himself to be a Bronco fan, and that all others will be cast into a firey pit,,,

,,,,,and that Saturdays are for mowing the lawn.  

Verily, I say unto you, this very evening the (NY) Giants will be slain in the Valley of "Mile High", and there will be the wailng and the gnashing of teeth. 

Repent --- the end is near!

Can I hear an Amen! 

David Mitchell

And Mark, I still ache to get back on skis with my grandkids. I hope I never find the cure for that life-long disease.

Joseph Gentilini

I think David asked about Steve Hodge's information.  The only information I have about him is below.  People are referring to Donn Ellerbrock (?) - what happened?????  I can't find this in the messages.  enlighten me, please. 

Father Robert Hodges, O. Praem

1015 Baker Street

Costa Mesa, California 92626

David Mitchell

Joe, read Janie's post # 2081. Fatal scuba diving accicdent.

And thanks for the lead on Steve. I'll try that one.

Michael DeTemple

Obituary for Donn G. Ellerbrock

Sylvia DiSabato (DiCello)

I have a memory of Donn that I would like to share. It was sophomore year, Sister Malcolm's class, and the lesson was on Slide rules. I am a visual learner and on this day she was giving an explanation that was clearly good for auditory learners, so I fell behind every time I had to look up to see  her instruction. Frustration set in as I fell behind, then Donn, who was diagonally behind me, reached over several times to reposition my Slide to keep me caught up. It was a simple act, but so helpful to me. He bolted as soon as class was over and never knew that Sister immediately blocked the doorway and in front of the remaining students, berated me for shamelessly flirting. I will take that as a compliment now, but I am sure that I lacked the needed mojo at that time and was majorly embarrassed. Instead of thanking him later, all I could muster when he said hi as we changed classes was to put my head down and not even make eye contact. I always wanted to thank him, perhaps he knows it now.

Joseph Gentilini

JIm, I think I have deleted Steve's e-mail address.  Joe

David Mitchell

Thanks Joe G.

I just exchanged a couple emails with Steve and he was asking that he be allowed to remain "incognito" for the present time. I don't think he is feeling up to much contact at this time. For those who copied that email address before, please observe some constraint. 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Timothy Lavelle

Sylvia, I really appreciated your story about Donn. I'll add a few words. In Freshman year, for about two weeks, Donn and I clicked. There is no reason that two such unlike people should team up but for that brief time we did. I rode my bike over to Donn's house and just marveled. We all lived in what is now called Mid-Century Modern or older houses, yes? Well the Ellerbrocks went in for ultra modern...their house looked like something out of Architectural Digest...out of doors they used bolders for landscaping! Coming from a family devoted to growing a good lawn, it was an amazing landscape to behold. Donn's house was the very first house that left me with a life long memory...he and his family had a wall full of books, a literal library inside the home. I think we didn't continue to hang because Donn was intense, wanted to be the best, and I was a goofball that any sane parent would warn their children to stay away from. So we went our ways but like all of you I have wished Donn well all these years and hoped we would hear from him here in Forumland.

So, if you are/were quiet, maybe a little intense, looked like a young Adonis...or none of those at all...if you haven't taken the opportunity to say Hello! here, I sure hope you will do so. Old friends, old acquaintances, would love to hear...and Tempes Fugit. Thanks again Sylvia.

Frank Ganley

David Mitchell

Tim and Frank,

It's only Rock n' Roll, but I like it.

(Or is this starting to sound more like the old Barbara Streisand song?  And I like that too.)

Deborah Alexander (Rogers)

Frank, you have the best job in the world!  What could be better than spending time with our grandkids?!  What you say about visiting nursing homes is so true.  When my daughter was young and very active in ballet, her ballet school used to do benefit performances in local nursing homes.  I always acted as the announcer (talker that I am!).  The look on the old folks' faces while watching the girls dance and hearing the music was something to behold.  You just knew you had made their usual (boring) day something special.  And the interaction between the elderly and the child dancers was wonderful for both. 

Kathleen Wintering (Nagy)

We used to get the same response when we took the litle Suzuki violin players to perform for the senior centers years ago, Debbie. They loved the kids! Kathy W.

Michael McLeod

Jim - Meant to thank you for the mini-lesson in endochrinology. Just amazing to realize we're walking around with these organic chemical monitoring stations inside of us, ready to light up like a pinball machine when we need it.

James Hamilton, M. D.

David Mitchell

A bit nervous;

Things in Barcelona sound very edgy tonight.

And a new "storm warning" (different kind) was issued for the U. of Florida campus at Gainsville today (Thursday). Haven't we had enough of the hatred, violence, natural disasters, tragedies, and political unrest, for a while? 

And Joe, how about an update from the wine country? 

A few prayers for peace and comfort, (and sanity) couldn't hurt. 

Joseph D. McCarthy

Dave, your request is my command.  But first I want to THANK Tim who DIDN'T send the fires to Northern California, and I am sure didn't have anything to do with the rain ten days later.   By the way Tim, at this point the small amount of rain is just washing out the hillsides (and since Washington has had major slides the last couple of years you know what it's like.  Gee Dave it's fun picking on a guy who can't ride a lawnmower.

I did not go to Portland for my annual October visit.  However Tim I was ready to try Podnah's.  It is located fairly close to my Daughter's and where the coin show is held.  Maybe next time, the menu looks interseting.   Reason was a fear that the Fires might come back and I needed to cancel my reservations three days before arrival date.  

The fires are expected  to be fully contained by next Tuesday (five more days).  I say fires, because although a few have joined there still are three fires close by and two more within an hour and a half drive.  As of now the Tubbs fire is approximately 36,432 acres and 92% contained; the Pocket fire is approximately 16,552 acres and 73% contained; the Nuns (not Catholic) is appraoximately 54,423 acres and 82% contained.  One of the fires closest to me (mile or so) was the Pressley fire.  In addition in Napa & Solano (Fairfield Air Base area) is 51,624 acres and 83% contained.  Those ar just the major fires in the area.  Mark has at least two to think about.  All throughout the past ten days we have had items ready to go in the SUV at a moments notice.  Thankfully we never had to load, and finally put the things away today.  Every day we have had heavy smoke in the air and ash on the vehicles parked in the driveway.  But we are safe.

Talking with some people, who had lived in the Coffey Park neighborhood that was totally destroyed last Monday, one of the individuals had left two vehicles on the street.  He was surprised to see that they had no visible damage.  Both cars are a total loss.  The heat melted the plastic in the doors and dash.  He couldn't even get the doors opened.

One last thought.  Approximately Four Wineries and a number of Vineyards were totally destroyed in the fires.  All of you can see a lot of what went, and is, going on by the website Calfire.  Consider, if all the acreage burned had been in one fire, started in San Francisco, it would have reached all of the area from the Golden Gate Bridge to about Stanford Universit if not most of Silicon Valley.

I've bored you enough.  Goodnight.

Timothy Lavelle

Joe...Epic report. I have driven down to Paradise, Cal (just east of Chico) and the smoke on I-5 was surprising. It disappeared as we came up the road from Chico to this higher elevation. Hope everything turns out fine as possible for you and yours.