Boston & New York City for Brady

In Eugene, Oregon, Jana & Paul Hazelton started a tradition several years ago. When Payton was 8 years old, she would have the chance to travel with dad to Boston to see Aunt Robyn, Paul's sister. Payton was the first to have this opportunity when she was 8. About a month ago, it was now Brady's turn to go with dad to the East Coast to visit this Aunt and Brady was quick to remind this folks that he was now 8 years old too! The photos give you their view of the coast and Brady's excitement with New York City and the Statue of Liberty. . .a great experience for anybody! What a wonderful treat to be with your dad on such a trip!

Wakarusa, Indiana

A friend who lives in California was recently traveling thru Indiana and sent me this recent photo of Wakarusa main street. My grandfather Joseph started Freed's Shoe Store in the early 1900's. My father, Edgar Faye Freed ran the store until brother James took it over in the 1960's. Jana's middle name was given in remembrance of my dad, Edgar. The store was sold in the 1980's. The new owner employed my niece, Tammy Freed Maust, Jim's daughter, to operate the store. This owner closed the store in the 1990's. It has had other businesses occupy that space and as you can see, it has been maintained well. If you look close, you can see the store windows that for many years housed women's shoes to the left and men's to the right. I remember turning out those lights many evenings and cranking up the old canvas awnings, locking up and going home. You will remember, Jim would give us the keys to the store and we would spend the evening in the store, all by ourselves trying on shoes and usually buying a pair for each of the family! Thought you would enjoy this memory.

Big Week-End in Ashland Sports

The Hazelton family from Eugene, Jana, Payton, and Derrick, joined all of us in Ashland for the week-end. Paul and Brady took a trip to Boston to see Paul's sister, Robin. It's there tradition to take this trip when one of the kids reaches 8 years old. In Ashland, Amanda & Adam both had tournaments. . .Amanda, volleyball, and Adam, water polo. . .and both won their tournaments! Adam scored another goal as a varsity freshman and Amanda's team beat Roseburg, a team that had beaten them two times before! It was a busy time for us all. . .shopping, eating, and playing. Grandpa & Derrick's special was Burger King!

New Ashland Photo

Adam Good, Lori & Bob's son, is now a freshman at Ashland High School and currently on the varsity Water Polo Team, one of the best in our state. He just got his first High School Photos and you all have the honor to view Adam before anybody else!!!!! Go Adam, grow tall with honor and gentleness and gratitude!!!!

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Accident in Eugene, Oregon Update

UPDATE: Oct. 5 while Derrick was in Ashland, we removed his band aid & while swimming at the YMCA pool in Ashland, his fabric stitches came off. It looks like he has healed well and is a happy kid. He played hard all week-end!

Derrick, now 5 years old ran and quickly changed directions to meet up with a golf club in the head. He's still smiling after 5 stitches and a black eye, thankful he can smile! These accidents have happened to all of our families leaving memory scars that bond us together. We're glad that Derrick is still moving at fast speed, maybe, medium speed and wanted to go to school today with swollen eye and head bandage!!! After all, that's something to show off!

The Hazeltons, namely Jana & Paul, had a busy yesterday!

Hooray for Derrick!!!!

Hurricane Ike, Corsicana, Texas

Roly & Candy spent the day Friday, Sept. 12 removing all outside hanging things. Bird feeders, wind chimes and anything that moves came down. It was estimated that they might have 60 MPH winds for sustained periods. This meant the boats and jet skis had to be roped securely. Since Tyler was enjoying the quiet Rocky Mountain community of Boulder, Colorado at the University of Colorado, Roly and Candy had to to all the work without him!!!! We talked to them as the storm approached and during the storm just before the eye of the Hurricane reached them. They escaped with little damage but lost several large trees on the adjacent property. Roly said the rain came in sheets as the wind gusted. This lasted for most of the day. The rain was welcomed to fill the lake which was about 3 feet low leaving some dry ground close to the sea wall. This storm moved north and east towards Chicago curling over Michigan dumping rain all along the way. Roly said this storm was over 100 miles wide! Many people need help as they try to recover after the major destruction left behind.

Water Polo, Ashland, Oregon

NEWS! Saturday, Sept. 20, Adam scored his first goal!

Lori & Bob's son, Adam, is now in high school and he has joined the Polo Team. This is the upcoming sport in Oregon High Schools and Ashland has one of the best teams in the state! Last evening, we watched Adam's first water polo game here in Ashland! Before we knew it, Ashland had scored 4 points and held North Medford scoreless for the first half. And as we learned they play 4 quarters. This sport required lots of stamina! The Olympic size pool is a long way from end to end and each swimmer must defend and be offensive pressuring to keep the ball or take it away. They have 30 seconds to get the ball to their end and make a try to score. This rule makes Polo a fast moving game. As a freshman, Adam is starting from scratch and did get to play in this first game. He did a great defensive job and their group immediately scored 2 goals adding to our lead. Ashland easily won this game. It was a grand experience for us all!