April 2012
Sunshine Report
Ruth Kalvin, our beloved and devoted President, a Get Well
card for her nasty fall that ended up with her on a
surgeon's table getting all pieced back together. Her wrist
took the brunt of the fall so she will now be sporting a
nifty little card to show TSA that she is the proud owner of
a new plate...and not the China kind! As with any broken
bone...it keeps one from doing what they love and Ruthie's
case, it's playing bass and riding. :-( But the healing has
begun and she is still able to take care of her farm
single-handed! (and take care of this Chapter! :-)
Dick Crane, a Welcome Home card as he is back in his own
home up in the Brooksville area. Every day is a healing day,
but he has his computer to keep tabs on everyone. Ya never
know when he will pop up at an event, but when he
does...you'll know he's there! Stay Well, Friend!
Eric Sooley, a long time member and veteran, a Get Well card
after spending 19 days in the hospital this month trying to
figure out the best plan of action for his heart issues. He
finally got to celebrate Easter with his family on the 21st,
and his wife, Helen, tells us that despite his undesirable
health status, all the love, support, calls and cards that
he got from all of his loved ones lifted his spirits. He
will be scheduled to have a ablation and pacemaker put it at
the St. Petersburg VA hospital within the next two weeks
please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Tani King, soon-to-be-mom to Tom and Heidi Yahl's grandbaby,
a Sympathy card for the loss of her dad. He died unexpected
so she, JT and her grandmother traveled up north for
services. I am sure by next month, we will be sending a
congratulations card for the arrival of her baby girl. Look
out, folks...Tom is gonna be a G-pa! He just might build a
Redneck baby seat for that dune buggy! Heidi, hide the duct
tape just in case.
A.B.A.T.E. of Michigan, a Congratulations card for the
repeal of their state's helmet law. Their hard work paid off
and should be an inspiration to the rest of the states to
send a message to Washington DC....LEAVE OUR FREEDOMS
ALONE!!!
Crabby, our one and only, a Welcome Home card as he is out
of the hospital, but still taking it one day at a time. He
is figuring out the best maneuvers to get from his 3
favorite places: from the garage to his TV watchin' spot to
the kitchen! He's got plenty of on-lookers who are johnny on
the spot for whatever he needs and Miss Ethel made sure he
came home to to clean, well stocked biker's paradise! Much
love to Crabby as he heals and a big pat on the back to
Ethel and Robbie for making sure those Dr's took the best
care of our Crabby.
Joan Ledbetter, wife of Curt Ledbetter, a non-ABATE rider,
who was killed on his motorcycle after the wind blew him
into a guardrail and ejected him head first into the
railing. He lived for a little while in the hospital, but
there was no hope for him. The saddest part of this story is
that he was a brand new rider and this was only his second
time on the bike. Unfortunately, the media loves to hype up
this type of accident and claim the helmet law is to blame.
We are sorry for the loss of Joan's husband, but this
incident in no way represents a reason to stop fighting for
our freedom rights.
Pam and Bob Miller, a Three-Fold Card with Congratulations
on the two new grandbaby girls, a belated Get Well for her
foot injury, and a Sorry about your bike getting hit at the
Casino Run! Whew...what a cornucopia of events for one
person! She was able to ride away from the accident after
this old (and ignorant) woman hit her, but hopefully the
rest of the year will be nothing except cute grandbaby
stories of spitting up and poopies!
Sue Nickerson and Family, Curt's widow, a Congratulations
card for the latest addition to their family. Baby Amelia
will join her big sisters, Ahrianna and Ahriah, and I am
sure the Nickerson and Ringer family will make sure she
knows who her Grandpa was and that he is watching over her
and all of us every day. If Jenny and Luke are gonna try for
that boy.. it's gonna be "One more baby and We're outa
here!" We miss you, Curt.
Dave Pappas, a Thank You/Encouragement card for sharing his
very personal and heart wrenching story of his battling
depression and why he cannot accept a nomination to be on
the BOD. His life crisis is not uncommon, but it is an
uphill battle that requires a steady treatment of medicine
and loving support. This road may seem rocky and hard, but
may the light of our love shine brightly on your path,
Dave...be strong with God's guidance.
Rhonda Vetter, a Sympathy card for the very sad and
unexpected passing of our beloved St. At Arms and longtime
friend, Frank. He was recognized by his wheelchair, but
loved for his dedication to his family, friends, biker
community and that dynamite smile. His ongoing battle with
his pain may have set him back a little, but it never kept
him from looking forward. He was known and loved by many,
and we have one more Guardian Angel joining the ranks of
some of the best people who left us too soon. Peace to you,
Brother Frank, and prayers and love to Rhonda.
SPECIAL MENTION: Chris Caglioti's nephew, Ian, needs our
prayers. He was one of the first people I sent a card to
when I took over this job years ago, and he was just a
little boy battling cancer. Well, he beat it and has grown
into a handsome young chap. However, they did find another
tumor in the same spot just recently. Despite the bad
finding, they were told was good that it was in the same
spot, and the advances in cancer treatment has advanced so
much over the years, his outcome has a much better chance of
getting rid of it for good. We have all been touched by the
evil of cancer so add Ian to your prayers of healing and the
elimination of cancer for anyone who is afflicted and their
families.
UPDATE: I got a phone call from Pappy on Monday after the
meeting. He had to share some news that is hard to hear
after doctors had given him a clean bill of health and green
light on life. Unfortunately, they found another small spot.
Luckily, they found it early and the course of action is a
chemo pill with minimal side effects. On the bright side, he
did purchase a very cool sportster WITH A SIDE CAR! It needs
a little TLC, but this project will give him something to
look forward to. We can't wait to see him cruzin' down the
road with a shit-eatin' grin and the breeze at his back!
Please keep Pappy in your prayers and he will keep us
posted.
*Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Margo Fuoco
