ALEX IS A RAIDER!

Alex is an official Anamosan now. She will be living with Randy and Lisa Williams beginning Friday morning. Here she is in her Hawk bedroom. Also pictured are the cousins, along with Bryce Engelbart, who we made an honorary cousin since he and Alex will be "brother and sister" for a year.

SHONA!!

Darc and I were having a girls' day in Anamosa and look who we ran into!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Shona!!!

(The schmuck who took the pic obviously had one too many beers. Sorry for the blurriness.)

RAGBRAI

We made a trip to North Liberty to hook up with Scott for a couple hours during his overnight stay on the RAGBRAI tour.

He rides like a bazillion miles a week. I was starting to feel worn out and breathe heavy just listening to his story, so I grabbed a beer and a smoke and had a seat while he finished telling me about it.

HILARIOUS!

Some of you might understand why I find this so stinkin' funny!!

THE GREAT JONES COUNTY FAIR

Dan and I went to the fair in Monticello on Friday night to hear the band, Boston, play. They were amazing! The median age of the crowd there was about 50, but there were a few younguns who were singing along!!

I bumped into Jeff and Chris (Catlett) Tjaden and Michelle Phillips and her hubby, Mark. I also saw Tony Miell and got to meet his girlfriend, Lori. Doug Wortman stopped to say "hi" and Mark Hamilton stopped me for a hug. It was fun to see them all!!!

We got caught in a torrential downpour Saturday night, so we left the fair and went to Tucker's Bar in Anamosa for a beer. Brian Ketelsen was there, but I doubt he will remember seeing me! :-/

LIFE IN IOWA

Here are a few pictures I have taken in the past couple weeks. It's typically Iowa.

A baby raccoon in our barn, turkeys in the yard, parades, bar-b-ques, bonfires, beer, beautiful sunsets, kids and family.

Life is good.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE HONOR CAMPER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONY!

May #45 be filled with all the

Mexican hookers you can handle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE!!

It's #45 for Mike!

The vodka and port wine

vendors are feeling the

profits today!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

MY NEICE, ALEX

My neice, Alexandra, graduated from 9th grade in Denmark. That is the equivalent of graduating from high school in America. She will be coming to Anamosa in less than two weeks to live with Randy and Lisa (Heitland) Williams for a year to attend good old Anamosa high school in the fall.

Here are a couple pics of her graduation reception with my bro, Brad, and her momma, Inge. Notice the flags.... Denmark, USA, and the Hawks. Herky was there supervising the festivities.

A FUNNY FROM MARY JO

OK, not really. It's just a joke. Kind of.

THANK YOU FROM KARLA

Carron:

Thanks so much for coming to the Wake. It means so much to know people care. I didn’t realize you were in Springville, that is very close to me in Waubeek. Don’t know when we could get together, but I’ll keep it in mind. You are right; lots of things to deal with now.

I haven’t read the blog site for a while, but I understand you let people know about my Mom’s passing. Thank you.

Please extend my gratitude to all my classmates. I will get to the site to view the messages; I just haven’t done that yet.

Brett Atwood sent me a personal note, and it just touched my heart to know people care. My Mom will be missed by not only her children but a host of people. It’s a great tribute to the life she lead.

Thanks again for your kind expression of sympathy

Karla

UPDATE ON THINGS

Dan and I went to Mrs. Bonifazi's visitation on Wednesday night. The place was packed!!! A true testiment to the wonderful woman she was! It was so good to see Karla and her sister, Krista, who I got to know through my old job. They were both so upbeat and positive. Amazing.

Also, Darcie and her Divas had their Flood Relief Giveaway today (and it continues tomorrow from noon - 5:00 at 1511 9th St. S.W. in Cedar Rapids. Everything is FREE!) It's unbelievable how much stuff was donated to their cause and the attitudes of the people who came to get stuff were inspiring. These people lost everything and they still had smiles on their faces.

How is everyone's summer going? Any news to share? Photos? How's August 16th looking for everyone? Dan and I would like to have a gathering here at our house in Springville. Would that work for anyone?

We're off to Uptown Friday Night and then to the Barbeque Roundup! These events used to be held downtown Cedar Rapids, but have changed locations. No stinkin' flood is going to stop us eastern Iowans from having a good time!!!

MESSAGE FROM KARLA BONIFAZI

Dear Friends:

I’ve had some very sad news last night. My Mom a.k.a. “Grandma Pockets” was in a terrible car accident and was killed, Thursday night June 19th, 2008.

She evidently pulled out in front of a semi turning onto Hwy 151 just outside of Anamosa. In traditional “Grandma Pockets” fashion, she was dressed in her clown outfit and on her way to a gig.

Although the accident was awful, her body was spared and we were able to view it. She just looked like she was sleeping. My brothers and sister’s and I all know she lived a wonderful life and touched many people; that is why I am sharing this with you. She will be greatly missed by many, but we will always have those treasured memories that made my MOM who she was.

Thank you all for being a part of my life.

Karla and Randy

VERY, VERY SAD NEWS

I have some very sad news to share. Karla Bonifazi's mother, Regina, was killed in a car accident yesterday, Thursday, June 19th. This Gazette article is not very complete since they didn't have a name yet, but is has been confirmed that it was Karla's mom.

You can send Karla and her family your condolences at simmen@iowatelecom.net. You can also leave a message on Goettsch's website.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bonifazi family at this time.

MORE FLOOD PHOTOS

Doug Wortman sent this link of some more flood pictures. The aerial shots give you an idea of the widespread devastation.

I just got off the phone with Darcie. Her Chrome Divas are doing a relief project for the flood victims - many, many of whom lost everything. I would like to encourage the Class of 1981 to join in this effort. If you have anything you would like to donate, whether it be food, clothing, bedding, dishes, or toiletries, let me know. I can pick it up and deliver it to the Divas for the flood victims to pick up for free. Money, of course, is also appreciated, so if you would like to make a monetary donation, that would be great, too!

E-mail me at csbungum@yahoo.com with any questions or if you need a phone number or my address to send a check for me to give to the flood victims' fund.

MORE FLOOD PICTURES

Michelle Phillips sent me this link for more flood pictures. Unbelievable.

THE TOWN OF PALO IS UNDER WATER

A friend who works at the Duane Arnold Energy Plant in Palo sent me these pictures. The entire town was evacuated.