The World of Grandpa Don
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What's New In the world of Grandpa Don |
Week Ending Friday |
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Go to the Current Event for ..
Archive
Or to learn more of Grandpa Don and his remarkable family ...
Many of the quotes found on this page are from the daily messages I receive from Covenant House  |
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I begin on a sad note. Anne's aunt El called during the week to let me know that Marge Montrym died. Aunt Marge was the wife of the late Tony, the brother of Anne's mother. She was 91. Then Thursday night as I was getting into bed, Anne's cousin Donnamay called to tell me that her mom died that morning. Funeral arrangements are yet to be settled. Eleanor (Aunt Sis) (Lawler) Wagner was a sister of Anne's dad. Aunt Sis and Donnamay have been living in Florida since her Husband Peter retired. She was also 91 and had been under hospice care for some months. She just went to sleep.
Last Friday I ventured out to do my own grocery shopping for the first time in a couple weeks. It felt good to be able to do it. Anne Marie had done it for me the previous week and I only really needed a few things but in the Lean Cuisine dinners I added some fish and chicken in the smaller sizes. She assumed I liked a lot of beef and the larger (30% more food!) sizes. Some is OK but over the years, my eating habits have changed a bit and I usually eat less and lighter. I very seldom ate fish before but they now have prepared some fairly good tasting varieties in these low cal frozen foods. Besides, I never was married to the concept that I must live the same as I always have. We change with the times or find ourselves in a deep rut.
Saturday morning after breakfast, ... a couple Weight Watchers blueberry muffins ... you have to eat two because they are half the calories, ... I went over to St Julie's where the Health Ministry was sponsoring Flu Shot Saturday. There was no waiting and in no time at all I had my jab in the shoulder and was on my way. Back at home I settled in to finish my cup of coffee and talk to God and Anne.
After answering some email my grandson Nick, home from school just for the weekend, called. He and his dad picked me up and we went to Ashford House for a great lunch. He is doing a paper on the early English emigrants and ethnicity and will use some of the material found on this web site. I loaned him my book on Mayflower Families to assist him in his research. He, Dan and my younger son Tom are going to the Bear's game on Sunday.
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God requires a faithful fulfillment of the merest trifle
given us to do, |
I had forgotten that I had been in contact previously with Richard Packard and since Jean Dean had mentioned him and his web site I sent him an email thinking he may have a clue to our missing Packard link. He replied:
We have talked before a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I still do not have the link to the father of Shepard L. Packard listed in my database. I do have the ancestry of Shepard Packard born 23 Jul 1795 in Hebron, Oxford, Maine. I do not have a marriage or death date listed for him and very little information on his five siblings. What I do have was taken from various sources. Someone would have to check the 1800 and 1810 census records of Hebron and the Maine marriage records between 1812 and 1830.
Doing as little more research I found this account authored by George V. Varney in 1886:
The territory constituting the town of Hebron was granted by
Massachusetts to Alexander Shepard, Jr., of Newton, Mass., in March,
1777, in return for a chart of a coast survey in which Mr. Shepard had
assisted. The survey was said to have been made by an Englishman, and
completed just at the time when the colonies began to pay English
demands in a currency less acceptable than cash; and he abruptly quitted
America, but left his chart behind him. Subsequently Shepard extended
his claim over the neighboring isolated tracts, until it embraced above
36,000 acres. He with Dr. Goddard and John Greenwood were subsequently
influential settlers of the region. The first settler was probably John
Caldwell of Ipswich, and the first resident family that of Capt. David
Buckman, in 1778. In 1780 and the year following, came among others,
Messrs. Barrows, Bumpas, Benson, Cushman, Weston, Keen, Richmond, and
Thayer The original name of the plantation was Shepardstown, from the
proprietor, though the early settlers called it Bog Brook Plantation.
The incorporation under the present good old Hebrew name was granted
March 6, 1792. It then extended some 15 miles, from Norway to Turner,
and being inconvenient for voters, in 1829 the south-westerly part was
set off to form Oxford. Among the settlers who have rendered good
service to the town should be mentioned Deacon William Barrows, who gave
his efforts in aid of many good works, and was mainly influential in the
founding of Hebron Academy. This institution was incorporated Feb. 10,
1804; and has been and still remains a flourishing and useful school.
This town is the birth-place of Albion K. Parris, governor of the State
from 1832 to 1837, and others who have proved valuable men in their
various callings. Hebron sent 65 men to do battle for the Union, of whom
16 were lost.
(http://history.rays-place.com/me/hebron-me.htm)
Although no Packard family members were mentioned it would seem plausible that the use of "Shepard" as a given name could have originated in honor of the founder of the community Alexander Shepard.
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The enemy is fear. |
But ... Richard Packard sent some information which puts that theory in doubt. It seams that Shepard Packard, son of Capt Josiah and Sarah (Ames) Packard, was born in Plymouth MA in 1761. That would suggest a connection to the Shepard family before the initial Shepardstown. This Shepard and his wife of the Oaks family had a son also named Shepard, born about 1782 and as it turns out is an ancestor of my friend Jean Dean (Michigan Packard's) Captain Josiah and Sarah had another son, Abiel (or Abial) born in Plymouth in 1769 who married Hanna Harris. They moved to Hebron where the first of their six children born on 23 Jul 1795 was Shepard Packard. All that is known of him is that he did marry and had 7 children. One of those children could have been our ancestor Shepard Packard. We know he was born about 1818.
I have looked up the town of Hebron and found information about their historical society but in trying to make internet contact found their webmaster's email address is no longer valid. I did find a website for a nearby church and sent an inquiry to the church secretary for information or to be connected to some resident of the area who would be willing to delve into town and church records to solve our mystery. We shall see.
Sunday morning I was back at my usual place at the 10:30 Mass. It was a "choir" mass and I always appreciate that. Back at home, my neighbor and his kids were busy cutting up the branches in his yard and later cut down the remaining major branch. Now only the trunk remains. I was watching the Bear's game, which being the high scoring game it was, kept my interest. During the game, Anthony came over. He had helped his mom take things to Sarah's shower and left Ashley there. later he went back before his job of refereeing basketball games. He has also started as a hitting coach at a Baseball clinic and thinks he may have picked up some permanent clients.
Later, Anne Marie reported that Sarah's shower was great. She was happy that she had found a place with good accommodations, great and plentiful food as well as wonderful service. Everyone had a good time and, as planned, Sarah was showered with gifts for the baby. In attendance were Sarah's mom and sister, Dominick's grandmother (Albano), his aunt and cousins, neighbors and friends of Anne Marie, Dominick's Aunts (Plefka) and cousins (girls), my niece, Chris Lawler, friends of Sarah (school & neighbors), Ashley & ... who did I forget? Anthony stopped by and of course Dominick. He is shown in the photos practicing being a father with the help of the son of one of Sarah's friends. But ... check out the photos ...
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Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. |
I must be feeling a lot better or is it that I am most comfortable being in close proximity to the "necessary room"? Or maybe it is the fact that I am able to read the computer screen quite easily without glasses again? In any case, I am into genealogy mode again. One of the tantalizing bits of information we have is a census report from 1830 which lists Shepard Packard and only the number of people in his household of each gender and has him living in Foxcroft Maine. I found a genealogy society in the area and emailed them to see if they could fill in the names of his wife and children. I have also busied myself with a few updates to my genealogy records and the pages on this web site. With Richard Packard's help, the mysteries have been eliminated for Jean Dean and her line can be traced back to the earliest Packard's to arrive in America and to the Cooke family on the Mayflower.
A reply was received from the church secretary in Maine and she reports that they have a Packard family as members. She will contact them to see if they have information for me. She also gave me the name of a local historian who has information about early families in the area. No email address so I sent a letter of to him asking for help.
Peggy Cecora has been pursuing a line of information for a Charles Packard on the possibility that he may have been the elusive father of our Shepard. Charles lived in the state of New York. It would have been more convenient for Shepard to travel from New York to Ohio in those days. In addition, it may be significant that our Shepard named his first son Charles. Somehow we will find the parents of our Shepard!
Here is a thought as you go to vote in a few weeks:
A president's pension currently is $191,300 per year, until he
is 80 years old.
Assuming the next president lives to age 80. Sen.
McCain
would receive ZERO pension as he would reach 80 at the end of
two terms as president. Sen.
Obama
would be retired for 26 years after two terms and would receive
$4,973,800 in pension.
Therefore it would certainly make economic sense to elect McCain
in November.
(Are we McCain supporters getting desperate?)
Time is a sandpile we run our fingers through.
~ Carl Sandburg
More great news for Kelsey Plefka. She was accepted to Bradley University in Peoria. She also receive the Presidential scholarship, which is the highest academic scholarship they give. Still waiting to hear from her #1 choice, Elmhurst College, but Bradley was a close second. Congratulations Kelsey.
And speaking of schools ... As part of the winning team in the final baseball tournament of the season, coach Anthony and catcher, Joe Albano went to the downtown campus of Robert Morris College to a celebration lunch and met the school president. And ... it was announced that Robert Morris is now a University. There has to be a decision as to how to name the institution so as not to conflict with the already named, Robert Morris University. By the way, Who was Robert Morris?
And speaking of Albano men (can't call them boys anymore) Mark has started as Manager in Training for Menards in Tinley Park. He is all smiles these days as he waits for his first check so he can purchase his first car. Anthony had applied to serve as a substitute teacher at Br Rice HS. He was called to work there for a couple days next week. He now has six part time jobs. (At various times of the year)
Anne Marie had sent the shower photos to me and I discovered that my photo program, ACDSee, could easily be used to create a variety of web photo galleries. I soon had one built for the shower photos but then spent all day Tuesday trying to incorporate it into this page. It would not work! Curses and frustration! I gave up on it. Then after I got into bed that night enlightenment came. It was never meant to be part of a page but a page of its own. Wednesday morning I reloaded the gallery to the proper place and added the link to it from this page. You have seen the results. Nothing could be more simple. It makes it look like I know what I am doing. ... Ha! Fooled them again!
When sending out the announcement of the parish web site update on Wednesday morning, I included a "Help Wanted" ad for someone to maintain the parish On-Line Calendar. Marie who had been doing that task had to quit. The email went out to "IncludeMe" members and almost by return mail Karen Peterson said she would love to do it. So, the Web Team now has a new member. A welcome email was sent along with instructions to get her started. Of course, ... that also qualifies Karen as a Friend of Grandpa Don so we welcome her here as well.
Later in the afternoon another parishioner volunteered for the job. Great! With the intended job taken, I suggested that she may want to cover the event calendars of one or more local newspapers. We have one or two covered now but more are springing up.
I also got a call from my cousin Ken Snyder. The daughter of our cousin Diane (Simousek) Lambert, of Indiana, lives near Ken and belongs to his church. They had been talking and Ken, along with his brother Bob are planning a trip to visit Diane and her husband. Did I want to join them? Yes indeed. The hour and a half or so trip would be made after the elections and hopefully my prostate problem will no longer be a problem. I have not seen Diane since I was a teen and she was a small child.
With them I gladly shared my all and learned the great truth
that where God guides, He provides.
~ Frank N.D. Buchman
Awa wanted to see me in the Urologist's office on Thursday morning but I told her Friday would be better. I had in mind to go to bible study on Thursday. I had missed the previous two sessions and could have missed a third but something told me to plan on going. Then I got an email from Sr. Gael. She would be out of town. Paul, who usually subs for her would also be out of town. This would be the start of Part Two of the Psalms and a new study guide needed to be distributed and the cash collected to cover the cost. I was needed to do that and to be the leader of the group, guiding the prayer and discussion and running the DVD that goes with the week's lesson. OK, the Holy Spirit put me there and He would guide me. I had yet another fear, ... my prostate. I have been troubled with urgent calls and a few minor "accidents". Could I get through the morning with the group? I woke up Thursday and seemed to be greatly improved with my 'control'. The Holy Spirit was with me and all went well. It went so well that after Bible Study I went for a much needed hair cut. Arriving at the shop, I found several men waiting but one barber unoccupied. He is not the most proficient barber in the world so many avoid him. I am not that choosy. With the instruction, "Start with the 1-1/2 clippers on the top and taper it down from there." I settled into his empty chair. I was out of it and out of the shop before anyone else with my perfect "no maintenance" hair cut.
My Canadian friend, Don Hall, sent a Power Point presentation by one of the students at St Mary's School in Ontario where he serves as Chaplin. Jessica, a12th grade student, composed the prayer and selecting appropriate graphics, gives us all something to think about. I offer it to you here without further comment. Click on each slide to advance to the next.
Thank you Jessica. And thank you Don for sharing her wisdom with us. I have also added this to my pages on Prayer's and Blessings, in the section of Sundry Subjects as a permanent feature of the web site. While there you may also like to review Caitlin Plefka ... On Prayer .
to my sister Rita. She and John have moved into an assisted living apartment. No more house maintenance, no more negotiating those stairs to the basement to do the laundry, and no more cooking, ... unless she wants to. Now they can concentrate on her and John's health and hopefully have some time to smell the roses. Best wishes to you both of them. They have no computer so will not see this but I am sure that someone in the family will pass it on to them.
In these days of people being laid off from work and new jobs so hard to find for older workers as well as graduating students I just turned down a job offer. A friend referred my web site to his friend from Connecticut and he wanted to know if I would maintain a web site for his daughter's volleyball team. They would pay me. Well, the fact is that I am retired and I do not put myself out for hire. I don't have time since I spend all my time being retired. It's a matter of priorities. Besides, I have no idea where I would find the time.
When you blame others you give up your power to change.
~ Anonymous
The big news in the Chicago area is about the Obama celebration being planned for election night in Grant Park. It will be huge! No candidate has ever done such a thing. It prompts me to think that it confirms my suspicion that Mr. Obama has an ego as big as a mountain. If, heaven forbid, he does get elected I hope he is able to control an ego that large. The promise of this spectacle brings to mind some leaders of the past who needed the adulation of millions to satisfy their ego. There is no comparison of course other than that of egos but I think of the news reels from Germany prior to WWII. Or maybe Julius Creaser's triumphant march into Rome. I hope we know what we are doing. By the way, even if it is open to the public, I won't be there. One more thing ...Check out Why I Can’t Vote For Obama ... It is from a different viewpoint but I agree 100%.
Friday morning I awakened feeling great. My recent symptoms have improved markedly during the past two days. The scheduled visit to the Urologist's office was made. After a specimen was taken for testing the nurse did a bladder scan. I asked if she detected a heartbeat and she reported none. ;) In any case everything was normal. I reported my recent strong urges to go and also the fact that they have subsided during the last two days. I have a medication to take if they get uncontrollable but it looks like I won't need to take it. Things are looking up. I left with more samples of meds to shrink the prostate, ... enough to carry me on to my next appointment with the doctor in December. Awa told me she would be gone to Poland for two weeks to visit her mother who has been sick. I told her to tell her mother I said thanks to her for having Awa. She did good!. That and my apparent progress left Awa with a smile and happy thoughts.
The old timers are fast disappearing and we pray that they are enjoying the Great Reunion and their personal introduction to God as He really is. We Thank God for having them touch our lives and leaving us with warm feelings. And, I don't know about you but I thank Him for not giving up on me and for all the great people still in my life ... and the new ones that come along all the time. Thank You God.
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Too blest to be stressed. |
Grandpa Don
Plefka
. Links
of the Week
Following the link is ...
the name of the person who led me to it.
I'm my own grandpa
Deacon Mike Kiley and the Shawl Ministry
Cat Bowling ... Alex Kapocius
The Two Wolves ... Alex Kapocius
Anne wanted everyone to be 'Nice'.
This button was in one of
her dresser
drawers I cleaned out in August of 2004
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