As I write this, it is nearly Groundhog Day, the weather in “sunny Southern California” is just over freezing, and I am already pining for spring!  2006 was filled with unexpected events, most positive, a few challenging (aka, negative).  So let me begin with a quick overview of the
       Cast:

       Patty & John Pitterle - daughter and son-in-law, recently relocated to Overgaard, AZ (near Showlow … in the mountains … where it actually snows).  Patty is the Postmaster there, in a 5-person Post Office.  She is also teaching one or two nights a week at the local community college and volunteers as an EMT, as needed. John is a stay-at-home dad who also does improvements on their recently purchased cabin, cuts firewood, and cooks mouthwatering meals. continues as a heating and air conditioning specialist.  Their children (yours, mine, & ours) are:
           Kirbi Dawn & her husband Joe Mason - still living in Boston, MA where Joe is a high school drama and music teacher and Kirbi continues to work in insurance.  They are proud parents of Lillabeth, who just turned three.
           Louis (Hinchey) bought a house in Gilbert, AZ, and rents rooms to two of his siblings.  He changed his major to business and is looking forward to graduating soon.
           D.J. (Hinchey) & his wife, Amy Jo, live in the same neighborhood with Louis; D.J. continues to work in auto sales for an AZ Volkswagen dealer and Amy  deals with loans and real estate.  Both are busy with their newest family member, Jacob Nelson (born Dec. 7) and his “big” brother, David Cole Hinchey, who turned one in Oct.

           Lori (Hinchey), one of Louis's roomies in Gilbert, works with her other brother, DJ, at the car dealership.

           Adam (Hinchey), Louis's other roommate, is working for the Univ. of Phoenix as an enrollment councilor.
           Emily & her husband Matt Allphin, are still living in Orem, UT where Matt is a student in computer engineering and Emily works as a receptionist with a realty company.
           Amy (nee Pitterle) & Preston Foster are still in Mesa, AZ where they continue to live as caretakers in an assisted living home.

           Josh Pitterle lived with Patty and John for the about a half year but has just relocated back to Prescott, AZ to live with his mother and renew friendships with folks there.  His latest passion is playing the drums; he’s in his school band in Prescott.
           Miracle - the oldest of John & Patty's "joint" efforts - turned 10 this year; she is in a couple of choirs and truly loves to sing.
           Mikayla - now 8 - is thriving in the cold mountain weather and enjoys school and related activities.

           Anya - age 6 this past New Year’s Day - has become a kindergartener and finds school boring.  Like her sisters, she enjoys the new surroundings in Overgaard.

       Quentin & Mary Jane Hibben - son and daughter-in-law, living in Elburn, IL where Quentin is still employed by Simpson Anchor and Mary Jane continues in her job with Velspar, are kept on their toes by Derek, now one year of age.  Whenever possible, they get together with Quentin's older two:
           Jeni, recently relocated to Rockford, IL, where she went to high school. She is living with a roommate from high school and working at a bookstore.

           James, recent high school graduate, now living in Mansfield, AR where he works at a Wal-mart.

       Sandi & Greg Dodge - daughter and son-in-law, living in McDonough, GA where Sandi is a substitute math teacher in the high schools and Greg, who has adjusted to civilian life, continues to work for General Dynamics as a National Guard trainer.  Sandi is involved in a variety of volunteer activities, most relating to the interest of the children (yours, mine, & ours):
           Chris (Schmidt), now a private in the US Army where he has excelled in his new life, but is not looking forward to an upcoming deployment.  He is currently stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, so gets to see family in nearby GA whenever he gets leave.
           Brad (Schmidt), who successfully completed his first year at Georgia Tech where his grade point average was 4.0!  He entered the mission field this past June, serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) in Long Beach, CA.
           Kati (Schmidt), a senior high school, who is busy with academics and choir, putting her in line for multiple scholarships for her college experience, which will begin after her high school graduation this coming June.

           Drew (Schmidt), a high school freshman, is involved in choir, drama, and scouts, among other things.
           Tyler Dodge, the youngest in the Dodge household, will be turning eight later this year.  His current love is dancing, especially tap.                                                   

           Greg’s two children from his previous marriage prefer to remain anonymous.

       Max Hibben - son, living in Austin, TX where he continues in his career with Dell Computer, takes care of  Abbie (our granddog), and is getting known around town in his new sideline: DJing.  He would like to see the DJ work become his fulltime occupation and seems to be well on the way to that goal.  So, if you live near Austin and need a DJ . . .

While we have had a wedding-free year (first time in a while), we do have the new addition and are especially pleased to say that we have had personal contact with all of the above at least once during 2006 (more on that to come).   So here’s the recap of the year . . .

In April, I decided to fly to Georgia to attend a deposition with Sandi, whose ex-husband was taking her to court.  I drove to Las Vegas again to fly from there and spent three days at Sandi’s.  I was there for Chris’s last dinner before joining the Army & got a photo of the 5 kids (with Brad’s plans to go on a mission in June, it would be the last shot of the 5 together for at least 2-1/2 years):

I also was able to attend Chris’s swearing in ceremony for his induction into the Army.  Greg did the honors and it was a very moving experience.

After the deposition, I flew back to Las Vegas where I picked up my camper and attended the wedding of a friend’s daughter.  I was able to camp at the hotel and spent a day visiting with the family.  It was a nice, relaxing experience before I hit the trail back to Southern Calif.

to see what we saw.  And if you are ever near Madison, WI, put the House on the Rock on your list of places to visit.

Max followed us back to Calif. to spend the rest of the Christmas holiday, along with friend Susan and her mother.   Max headed back to Austin in time to do a DJ gig on New Years eve.

PART 2 - In which we find ourselves sharing music with friends, performing in front of audiences, and teaching.

As they often are, music events provide us with a nice break from the ordinary.  We participated in the “standard” events that have sort of become tradition in our lives:  First, the annual Topanga Banjo and Fiddle contest where Butch and his friend Gary Friedman combined efforts to present a saw and xaphoon (Gary’s instrument) workshop for the second year in a row. In spite of an intermittent rain, those in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves.

Next, the annual Calif. Traditional Music Society’s Folk Music and Dance festival.  As a regular now, Butch has a returning group of folks, as well as newcomers to the world of the musical saw.  

We were asked to do a short gig for the San Diego Folk Heritage group and enjoyed that opportunity to share our music in Old Poway Park. 

Of course, annual gatherings with friends to share songs and food, and catch up on everyone’s previous year, occurred throughout the summer.

Finally, my family history presentations that involve music have become quite popular.  Butch, who serves as my roadie, occasionally joins me with saw and/or spoons; he is quite a hit in that role. 

PART 3 - In which we experience the interesting, uncomfortable, and edifying.

Brad, Sandi’s son, entered the mission field for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the end of June. Of all places, he is assigned to Long Beach, CA! Having him only a few miles away, and in a place we visit a few times a year is strange. We are adhering to the mission rules, however, and have not stopped by to pay him a visit (though Grandpa Butch did drive by his apartment house to check on the neighborhood).

On the way home from the musical presentation in Poway, our truck/camper had a little event: a piston melted and the engine essentially imploded. Now, the vehicle - a Chevy Silverado - was less than three years old. We were able to get it towed to a Chevrolet dealer/service in San Diego County and, after about a month, it was finally repaired under warranty.  But, in the meantime, we needed to get a new vehicle and Butch’s work was trying to sell a truck that was here in So. Cal., so we purchased that at an incredible price and it has become our “run around town” vehicle.

Bulletin: After 25 years of saw playing, Butch gives the finger to the blade.  Towards the end of 2006, Butch was doing a little carpentry in his workshop and, for reasons known only to him, decided to try to play the table saw (guess he thought that, since guitars evolved to the electric format, why not saws?). Result: one slightly shorter index finger on his left hand. The major drawback (from not drawing back): playing fretted instruments (such as his beloved 4-string banjo) will be much more difficult.

Other notable experiences: visiting the newly renovated Griffith Observatory (if you live or visit the LA area, this should be on the list of “must see” … just be sure to visit their website first to reserve a seat on the shuttle to get to the site from the parking lot; click on the photo at the right to be directed to that webpage).

Also towards the end of the year we had the exciting opportunity to attend the 90^th birthday celebration of David Dortort, the producer/creator of the Bonanza television series. It was fun to visit with many friends from around the world.

PART 4 - In which we recap.

Butch continues in his job with E. J. Ward, out of Texas, maintaining computerized gas pumps.  He loves what he does and happens to be quite good at it, so retirement is still not in the immediate future. 

Meanwhile, I continue to work on my doctorate (I am one course away from beginning my dissertation) and, as of December 1, I am officially retired from the California Community College system.

In our Church involvement, Butch & I have begun an association with the Calif. Living History program, doing musical presentations. I continue to work in the Family History Center (real shock there, huh?), teach “how to” classes, and assist others in finding their ancestors.

Of course, the house and property provide us with plenty to keep us busy, including keeping an eye on the annual “crop” of quail (above). 

Our inside critters provide us with entertainment and fuzzy love.

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Butch -