Thursday, December 15, 2011

Millerton Lake Christmas Party


The Millerton Lake annual Christmas party and gift exchange is always a hoot! But there are serious times. This year, we were awarded "The Gold Medallion Superior Achievement Award" for our having served ten seasons as camphosts at Millerton and at Wassama. It is a prestigious award signed by the top dog of State Parks. Mike Van Pelt, our supervisor, said some very nice things about our service. We owe it all to our Lord who gives us the gift of hospitality!


Then came the dinner and gift exchange, obviously a little lighter time. Ranger Steve Barber was Santa. Also pictured opening or showing off their gifts are, Mark DeLeon, supervisor, Sean Homer, lifeguard ranger, Alexis Pettigrew, ranger, and Jim Clarke, maintenance. What an amazing staff we have! They make anything we do look good.

Bear's 75th Birthday


The birthday celebration was held at a local restaurant. Bear had no idea these people were coming. He thought it was just "the Fam." The people arrived at different times, so he got to be surprised again and again. Pictured from the top: Anne and Anne Marie and Dad.


Next row are Bear and Marge Ecklund, who was celebrating her 87th birthday the next day. We've known Marge for almost 50 years. Then came Bear and me pictured with Roy and Shirley Killion from Oakhurst. We've known them since the mid 1990's when we lived in Oakhurst.


Next row are Bear and me with Don and Edie Dittman from Coarsegold. We've also known them from the mid 1990's. We all belonged to the Evangelical Free Church in Oakhurst. These two couples traveled about 50 miles one way to this birthday celebration. And then came a picture of me with Marge, the birthday girl.


And then came the serious picture, the one for our Christmas card. He's a good sport. Next pictured are Richard Samuelian whom we've known from First Presbyterian, Fresno for almost fifty years, Don Dittman, and the birthday boy. Last pictured is "the Fam." Left to right are Anne Marie, Tim, Grayson, Anne, Bear, and Garrett.