From The Heart Senior Editor Florence writes:

Dear Family,

My students used to repeat my cliches in the classroom.  Here is one for you to ponder over; Shakespeare said, “The old order changeth yielding place to the new”.  We are constantly living with changes all about us daily.  I must admit some changes as we are growing older are “bittersweet” for us to accept easily!  Such as changing the production format of the 28 year old FROMHERZ “ Newsletter From The Heart”.

Some of you may know that my good health broke down with a congestive heart failure last winter.  I had very good care by doctors and hospitals.  I am now on heart medication and have a pacemaker to bring me back to relative good health.

We decided several years ago that when this day of reckoning was upon us we would move into the retirement facility of Mt. Angel Towers.  Yes, we have sold our home and are now living the lift of “riley” in a beautiful garden apartment at the Towers.  We have two bedrooms and two baths, living room, office space and entrance kitchenette.  We have beautiful surroundings inside and out---Have a covered 32 foot patio---car and motor home parking close by---and our kitty-cat, Cali enjoys being with us free of leash both inside and out.

We are enjoying wonderful meals, special events, Champagne Brunches on Sundays, and we attend daily Mass in a very special chapel where we provide the music part of the time.  We love all our nearby neighbors.  Housekeepers keep us spotlessly clean---even change our beds once a week and launder them with our bath towels.  Our apartment is next to one of the house Laundromat facilities where we can do our personal laundry without feeding the machines with quarters (as we are accustomed to when in an RV park.)

Some things we do not realize until we are struck down with illness---How many close friends we have and how are family will drop everything to help us.  Friends bring food, friends help with chores---a friend helped me bathe.  Three of our children would have traveled to bring us home when I was being released from a California hospital---they were right there with every kind of help when we arrived home.  Sharon even came home from Switzerland to give all the help she could for a couple of weeks. 

Even after my health improved and we were in the moving “mode” our children (including grandchildren) were right there supporting us and giving us much needed help---(Claire was here from Tucson to help the grandchildren with our yard sale).  Pat and Paul, Jerry and Judy took time out in their busy lives to give us their full attention. 

It makes us feel very much at peace that all our children are happy that we are now living here at the towers where we have no housework, no yard work and no binding responsibilities, and just about no worries.  What little we do seems to be so much more appreciated---our friends here let us know daily how much they love our music for Mass each Sunday.  We tell them “Thank you we appreciate being appreciated.”

And now I have announced giving up the From The Heart Newsletter.  I appreciate so many of you thanking me for the many years that I have put this letter out.  Yes, it has been a sacrifice but one that gave me much pleasure and satisfaction.  It gives me much happiness to see that you wonderful young folks will be continuing the works I have started.

I see that many of you younger ones are already exchanging e-mail messages and are up to the minute on Family news---such as Don and Barbara Fromherz keeping those with e-mail posted on his dad’s (your Uncle Charlie’s) condition as he is rallying in a nursing home after having a massive debilitating stroke. I am sure they have told you that he is much improved---even plays checkers using his good hand and his sharp brain. We applaud Alice for her good watchful care. Charley took good care of her when she was ailing; now she is reciprocating like a good Guardian Angel along with Don and Barbara.

Both Connie and I are receiving news bits from our families---several have mentioned what a GREAT family reunion we had this last June. This was our 50^th reunion following the 1^st Memorial Day after Pop’s funeral in 1950. We paid tribute to our wonderful father with many prayers and offerings in his name at that time. I also want to thank brothers Walt and Jimmie for filling my "boots" as MC’s for the reunion programs that day. They made it a very fun session as also did the FROG "Golf Gang" with their report on their tournament. And a big thank you also to the COUSINS dinner crew that had a great turnout for their Friday night dinner out on the town (Ed note: McNary’s cg) Also a big Thanks goes to Ernie F. and his helpers that put up the speaker system and arranged the tables. And Thanks to Wayne’s family and Art and Winnie’s Esther that were scrubbing tables and benches when we arrived. It reminded me that Pop used to tell us, "one stick will break easily and is useless, but if you have a bunch together, no one can break it!" It is wonderful how our family have stuck together in "Thick and Thin" time.

The Oktoberfest has come and gone as usual ZmusikMakers (our Pat & Paul’s family band) entertained with eleven popular programs in the Weingarten. I say popular as they drew full-house capacity and received standing ovation applause for their very special numbers.

We were sorry that we couldn’t board and room them this year as we had already sold our house. However, we did provide a good resting place for them by making our motor home available close by where they could get away from the crowd, rest and talk over their stage programs and enjoy some of their meals. Louis and I took advantage of the situation and for the first year ever, we attended every single one of their performances.

Yes, we did have our annual K of C Chicken Dinner on the grounds with all the relatives that were there on Friday noon and attended one of ZMuzikMaker’s programs together. Needless to say we had a great time.

When I Call for News notes, I can count on Art’s Winnie to send the very first news report. She writes: Dear Newsletter, Our Summer was busy. We had special company with Judy and Russ and family. All made it to the family reunion in June. I made it with the family golfing. Judy gave her dad and me a certificate for golf lessons at our local golf course. It was a blast joining in with the golfers.

I started out in the spring planting my own fir and pine trees. I had them potted for three years and they were big enough to plant out. Art decided that was a good idea so he went to Drakes and bought 200 more fir trees. Needless to say, our garden is reduced to trees. 180 of them planted in the garden. They are doing very nicely. I did lose 3 but can replace them with some that are "heeled" in.

Our Seedless grapes are ready. I just took a big batch of raisins out of our food dryer. The late seedless grapes will go in the dryer when ready, then the pears are ready they too will go in the food dryer. Dried pear slices are really good!

Our ground on both fields of ours is rented to a corn grower. The big field is field corn for cows. The small field is corn for the cannery. There is where we hope to snitch some for out own table.

Soon will be Harvest Festival at Sublimity Oktoberfest at Mt. Angel. We will miss not visiting at the Gross home but surely will gather at the Chick Dinner Booth as usual on Friday. (Yes, they were there! FG)

Love, Art & Winnie 

Joe’s Marie is the next most faithful family member to respond to newsletter requests. Did you know that it was Marie that coined the name "From The Heart" Newsletter? She represents the family very well, but do you know that she got struck down with appendicitis and had to go to the hospital and have surgery---doing OK now.

Claire Leabo keeps us informed August 30, 2000 Dear Dad & Mom,

Hope all is well with you. We received your address change card – what a nice notice to everyone.

We are going on a trip to Alaska leaving tomorrow and wanted to let you know to call Tami (520-292-1243) if you need to contact us. We travel off and on now (glorious retirement!) and have decided to use Tami as the contact. It is cumbersome to send dates and phone numbers to lots of people, and most of the time no one need to reach us anyhow. So, if you call and we don’t call back within 24 hours, we’re probably gone. Just call Tami and she’ll know how to reach us.

Here are the updates on the kids’ addresses:

I’m so glad you are enjoying life at The Towers. I hope your swelling is gone, Mom. Patrick’s folks are enjoying their place also. His mother returned home from the nursing home yesterday (she broke her other are in a fall.)

We are excited about our trip. I’ll call when we’re back – mid September.

Love, Claire

Claire/Patrick Leabo’s e-mail --- cleabo@azstarnet.com (Florence’s daughter)

She gave us Margaret’s e-mail and address. Said that Margaret started her Senior year at U of Wyo and is working full-time. Says Roy plays in a golf tournament this Labor Day Weekend. He has won some tournaments with teammates. Margaret’s e-mail bunkmnky@uwyo.edu 

You asked for an update on the family. Amy is living in her own apartment in Dallas with Minnie, an adorable cat she adopted from the humane society. Amy works full time for the Dallas Care Center as their lead Dietary Assistant. She has been awarded the "Best Worker" Award and the "Loving" Award (given to her by the folks who live in the center). Amy also works part time for the stables where she keeps her horses. Amy was Reserve High Point Winner at the Three County Horse Show this Spring. Amy enjoys her work and likes to travel around with Allen on the weekends helping him sell barns. afromher@earthlink.net

AJ is going to be a Junior at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire majoring in History and the Classics. He sings with the Dartmouth Chamber Singers and has traveled on concert tours with the group to Montreal and London. He works in the Special Collections Department of the Library and is completing an Honors Project on Art History. Last fall He was in Italy studying the buildings and history of Rome and areas and this fall he is in London doing an internship with a publishing house where he is acting editor for Egyptology and Archeology. He is living in Lee Abbey which is an International Boarding House and is meeting students from all over the world. The first two weeks of December will find AJ in Maurisius, a small island off of Madagascar. AJ wrote a grant to study the government of this island, where the Dodo bird used to live, because he finds it interesting that folks from three religious backgrounds, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim were able to design a government that is so cohesive. Then Rebecca will join him for Christmas travels in Europe before they return to the states for New Year’s in Boston. AJ loves to travel and to study…He will probably not continue in his father’s footsteps as a builder. allen.j.fromherz@dartmouth.edu

Rebecca graduated with honors from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in the spring and was chosen to receive the Ruth Corbin Outstanding Vocal Studane Award. She is now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan and studying opera with her voice teacher. She is going to graduate school part time and working in the German Department of Calvin College where her teacher is chair of the music department. Rebecca hopes to follow in your daughter’s path of singing opera on stage. She has adopted two kittens, Brunhilda and Siglinde (maybe I’ve spelled the two Wagner Ring Cycle characters incorrectly!) and has started her own voice/piano studio. She may be auditioning in Europe next fall or looking for an internship with an opera house or going to graduate school full time. She is 21 and has lots of options. rfromher@calvin.edu

I am still teaching in the Willamette University’s Masters of Arts in Teaching Program and enjoy my time with the students. rfromher@willamette.edu

Jenny and Chris are expecting their 1^st baby on February 1^st. Don and I will get to spoil our first grandchild. chrisjen@aol.com

Don has updated Connie on e-mail and addresses. I’ll update you on them too. Thanks for your many years of hard work on the newsletter. Love, Barb dfrom@macol.net (Charley’s son)

FG speaking: We visited Charley last Sunday---it is amazing what progress he has been making since he has been in the Mennonite (sp) nursing home in Albany. He still cannot speak but he is eating by mouth and can wiggle his paralyzed arm and legs just a little bit. He smiles constantly and is sharp mentally---in fact he can play checkers and Alice says he wins! (Sorry for the repeats!)

Another wonder person that is hard to believe, is how our brother Jimmie F. (Sr.) is handling his fight with that "Big C" as he calls it. We were together at the K of C dinner the other night---he had had treatment shots that day and would

Another person that needs our constant prayers is Walt’s and Eleanora’s son Max. The have been caring for him constantly now for many months with frequent emergency visits to the doctors and hospital. Up to now his condition has been a puzzle to the doctors and hospital. They have finally diagnosed him as of September 25^th as having CVS (cyclic vomiting syndrome) with no known cure or how one gets such a rare affliction. Today he is mobile and drives to his place 3 miles from our. Tomorrow he could be vomiting every ten minutes for as long as 18 hours or more. He has to stay in bed and is in bad shape. (So don’t give up on praying for him along with Jimmie and Charley…and at the same time add a prayer for their "care givers" who are about worn out and suffering, too, right along with their loved ones! FG)                                     

Lets give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day 2000 for the many years that we have been together as one close loving family.

 Connie Gale writes--- September 11, 2000          

Dear Family,

Y2K started out with a BANG! for us.  We attended the Asian Automotive Trade Show in New Delhi, India in January.  Was very interesting. I now have a better perception of how crowded they are!  We kicked off our Heavy Duty Clutch to the Asian market and was surprised to be of enough interest to them to have press coverage of our attendance. We didn’t even have a clue that they were planning on having the press receive us!  We also saw the Taj Mahal and actually saw elephants and camels pulling huge carts in the traffic……no lanes, all on the left side of the road (which for us is the wrong side of the street!) and as many cars, carts, mopeds, 3-wheeled taxi’s,

In February we attended the Wishmeyer Family reunion (Jim’s new found biological family) on a Caribbean cruise…And,  while we were cruising in the Caribbean we became first time grandparents to Amaya Louise Gale who arrived 1 week early on February 16, 2000 weighing in at 7# 9oz…(No, she didn’t wait for  our return as promised!) We attempted to purchase commercial property and thought we would close sometime in December or January.   But, that fell through because of some DEQ issues with the previous owner, so we have temporarily put

month then went to Vancouver Island, Calgary and Edmonton to teach clutch & brake clinics.  We just returned from our Gold Wing vacation touring the Montana Ghost towns on our Gold Wing (motorcycle) taking in Glacier, & Yellowstone as well.  And, we took several more rolls of film of our trip so we will soon have another Photo Album to share with you when you come to visit in Spokane.

I have been talking with Florence about the transition of the Newsletter and asked her how I could help her, knowing how much she enjoys doing the Newsletter.   It is always so bittersweet to change or give up something that she has created, developed, loved and cherished.  Several phone calls and mailings later, I think we have come up with a plan. Florence wants to continue at this time to put the newsletter  together, doing her Cut & Paste thing.  She will then send it to me to word process.  I will develop a family e-mail listing and send by e-mail to those who wish to receive the newsletter electronically.  I will also do the copying/printing of the snail mail Newsletter for those who do not have e-mail.  We still haven’t decided if I will then send them back to her to mail or if I am going to mail them.  Florence is updating her mailing list for me.  She is also updating the family tree information along with births, deaths, marriages, and current addresses & phone numbers. 

The next mailing of the Family Newsletter will be sometime in early November, after the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest.  I have checked into developing a Web page but found that the name FromTheHeart.com is already taken.  I went into that web page and found that it has not as of yet, been developed.  I was wondering if someone in our family has secured that website.  My plan was to have the Newsletter eventually become available on the Website to limit the incompatibilities of the different word programs.  If anyone in our family has already secured this website, please contact me so we can create something for the Newsletter.  My e-mail address is congale@aol.com.  I have already contacted those of you that I have e-mail addresses.  If you have an e-mail address and have not been contacted by me please contact me by e-mail so I can continue to develop my family e-mail address list.  You can also send your letters to the Family Newsletter to me via e-mail and I will get them to Florence.  Be patient with us…God isn’t finished with us yet!

I have several e-mail addresses for Art’s, Jim’s, Mary’s, Charlie’s, Al’s, Josephine’s families.  I have one e-mail address for Florence’s family and none for Joe’s or Walt’s.

I am sending along your individual electronic communications to Florence so she can make it in this newsletter.

Hoping that the Holidays finds all of you in God’s warmth and Peace.

 Jim & Connie (Fromherz) Gale               Pacific Clutch & Brake

12925 W. Greenfield Road                                1124 N. Freya

Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026                               Spokane, WA 99201

509-467-1370                                                  509-535-4696

congale@aol.com                                               jelag@aol.com

cmgale@ghnw.ghc.org                                                  

Some e-mail notes to Connie and Family members…Mary Holt writes: 

Hi, Connie,  Just a quick note, I am glad you are working on the newsletter.  I know it was getting too much for Aunt Florence to do.  She is so wonderful to have kept our family in contact. 

We have had a very bust summer.  Chris and Brian both played baseball this spring.  Then Chris tried out for the Allstar team.  They went on to win district 7 and we were headed to state playoffs in Ontario, Oregon.  They won on Tuesday and we had to leave on Friday.  It was very hot 112 degrees the first day they played.  They ended up 5^th in the state.  It was a lot of fun.

            Chris and Brian both tested for their karate brown belts and passed.  Travis is getting big and really likes to go to everything the boys are doing.  He talks up a storm and is getting to a real fun age.

            Anyway I better get going.  Talk with you soon.  Love, Mary Holt  maryh1@open.org  (Art’s daughter)

 Heidi, Jim Jr’s daughter writes an e-mail…

Got your e-mail, this is my current address jfromherz@hotmail.  Hope everything is going great.  Keep in touch. Love, Jenny (Jim’s Jim’s  daughter)

Brother Gerard David writes:  Dear Dad and Mom and Family, 

Peace be with you all.  We’ve had a very full summer.  Two weeks (one in the spring and one late June) were spent with community meetings twice a day filling 3 to 6 hours of our day with discussion to prepare us elect our new Abbott.  We also had two weeks of Br. Ron Fogarty workshop with almost as heavy a schedule, except he added homework for us to do in between session.  In May Fr. Kenneth Baker SJ the editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review gave us a weeklong retreat.

            Meanwhile, I’ve been writing a book on Bonsai spirituality for Hill Street Press, in Athens, Georgia.  Also, I finished another short book, called Be Still, Listen and See, published by Br. Charminade in house,  The book on Bonsai spirituality is just now getting the editing stage,  It is due to arrive at the publisher by Nov. 1^st.  Then they hope to have it on the market by spring 2001.  So please pray for me.  It’s a great learning experience.  With my record in English I never dreamed that I’d ever attempt to write a book.

            But all this is little news.  We have big news.  On August 4, 2000, we elected Fr. Basil Pennington, OCSO, STL, JCL as our new Abbot.  He is one of the most renowned writers on prayer in the world that I know of.  He’s written over fifty books and published about a thousand articles in various languages.  He was a co-founder of Cistercian Publications in 1968 with Thomas Merton and founded the Institute of Cistercian Studies at Western University.  A big man of 6’4” with the build of a lineman, he brings a lot of enthusiasm to our community.  Being a man of prayer par excellence, he brings a deep sense of reverence into our liturgy.  The Abbatial Blessing is the birthday of Mary September 8^th.

            Both our Abbey Store (www.abbeystore.org) and Bonsai (www.bonsaimonk.com) have new web sites to sell our produces on line.  The Bonsai web site will be ready sometime in October, while the Abbey Stores web site is already up and running.  Yours in Jesus and Mary, Br. Gerard David OCSO

Brother Gerard sends another short note to ask for e-mail addresses for his brother and sisters (probably has them by now?) He also asks , “Did you get my message about this November 15 being Grandpa Adolf’s 50^th Anniversary of his death?  It would be good to have Family tell their memories of him in a newsletter.  It is also the 50^th Anniversary of the Family reunions.”  Brother Gerard David gerard@trappist.net (Florence’s son)

(Ed. FG note---Good idea, David, Here’s a note for everyone!  Please will all those that knew Grandpa Adolf Fromherz write a note or a letter about your memory of him to Connie for the newsletter.  Since we do not know when the next newsletter will be, please send it soon so she will have it “whenever”.  FG )  (Ed. cg Note---I plan to keep the newsletter on the same schedule that Florence has had for the past several years…two times a year…so the next one will be in the spring  April or May just prior to the Family Reunion….unless enough of you think  we need to do this more often…Let me know…you know my address and e-address.  cg)

(Col.) Judy sends and e-mail message to Connie:  Hey there!  Wow you are taking it on!  Good Luck!  Aunt Florence asked me again at the senior’s dinner and I told her that I couldn’t!  Anyway, I got your message and am just having the opportunity to write you back.  One note, I think a question that you should ask everyone is…can your system handle attachments?  Also, what word program are you planning on using…not everyone will have that either!  I work with a number of reservists and run into that constantly!  Again Great Luck and if you need assistance, just holler!  Love your gumption!  Judy 

fromherzj@usarc-emh2.army.mil (Art’s daughter)

Charlie’s Bill’s wife, Kathy answers Connie,

Connie, you have the correct e-mail addresses.  They drop by often, so continue to send their mail here.  Chris is engaged to Beth Adams and they will be married next May.  He continues to work with Whiting-Turner a large contracting firm and they plan to build on the family farm in the next few years.  Erica graduated this spring and is in process of submitting resumes, interviews, etc. as graphic artist.  Love, Kathy   (Charley’s Bill’s wife)    kfromherz@aol.com 

Erica  Fromherz   efromh1@gl.umbc.edu

Chris Fromherz     Christopher.Fromherz@Whiting-Turner.com

A Great Lady in our Family has passed away       Gertrude Bauder

            Gertrude Harnett Bauder, Leavenworth, died Friday, June 30, 2000, at Saint John Hospital.  Mrs. Bauder was born on the family farm called “Allen Winden,” in Leavenworth, the daughter of Joseph and Gertrude Harnette Zeugin.  She attended Catholic schools and graduated from Saint Mary Academy in 1931.  She graduated from Saint Mary College in 1935 and later earned a master's degree from the college.  She was an elementary and secondary school teacher for more than 30 years in rural Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth schools.  She was the last one-room schoolteacher in Leavenworth County.  She was a life long member of Sacred Heart Church, a 30-year member of Sacred Heart choir and spent 20 years teaching CCD at Sacred Heart.  She was a member of the church Altar Society, the Saint John Hospital Guild and the Retired Teachers Association.  She married Elmer Bauder Sept. 26, 1942.  He preceded her in death Oct. 4, 1960.  She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Robert and Richard Zeugin.  Survivors include four daughters, Sister Marianna Bauder SCL, Jane Bauder and Ellen Hustings all of Leavenworth and Rose Pettyjohn, Denham Springs, LA; two sons, Joe Bauder, Leavenworth and Tom Bauder, Easton; four sisters, Sister Jeanne Marie Zeugin, SCL, Helen Bristow, Antionette Duffin and Margaret Liebeno, all of Leavenworth; and eight grandchildren.  Friends may call after 3 pm Sunday at the Sacred Heart Church with a visitation from 6 to 8 pm and a parish rosary recited at 7 pm.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Monday at the church with the Rev. Edward Cosgrove CssR and the Rev. Thomas Cosgrove CssR con celebrating.  Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be given to Leavenworth Catholic Schools of the Sacred Heart Church.

(Ed. FG note)  Gertrude was wife of our Kansas cousin, Elmer Bauder (deceased).  Alolf’s nephew, son of his sister, our Aunt Mary Fromherz Bauder.  FG

RUSSELL K FROMHERZ rkmfromkofc@juno.com (Art’s son)

9/27/00 10:16 PM

It has been a busy summer since our trip to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Canada. Over 3,000 miles on the road. Found gas to be cheaper in other states, with our 51-cent Federal, State, and local gas tax in Nevada. It is currently not easy to find gas under $1.90.

After our vacation, we took Kevin back to BSA camp on our way home. He worked on camp staff until August 6th, when camp was over. Picked him up on Sunday the 6th of August and he came home to wash his clothes and right to BSA Leadership camp staff, for another week. He finally spent a

night at home on Saturday August 12th, 1st time since June 15th. The next weekend Kevin and I were backpacking with the older boys in the Troop, in the Sierra's, below LakeTahoe. First time since leaving Oregon that I have done some real backpacking and it was great to get the old pack on

the back. What was even more amazing was that I could still do it!! Kevin should be completing his Eagle project this Fall and earning his rank of Eagle Scout. Kevin is a Sophomore this Fall at McQueen High.

Peter went to BSA camp the 1st week of August and I was able to spend a couple of days with him. Kevin was an instructor in one of Peter's merit badge classes. Peter worked hard and advanced a rank, while at camp. We had bears making regular night-time visits through our camp, so we had to

be very careful with anything that smelled good. "Bear Bags" in a tree, was a regular routine and so was running bears out of camp, by staff. Kevin was part of a regular nighttime bear patrol. The second weekend of September Peter went on his 1st backpacking trip with the troop. It was a short hike with a pack, but good experience putting everything on your back and hiking a mile and one-half. Kevin and I were also on the hike.  Peter is a 6th Grader this Fall at St. Alberts.

Paul missed his brothers, when they were both at camp. For a whole week, it was just Mom and Paul, because I was also working out of town, when I wasn't at camp with Peter and Kevin.   Paul had his 9th Birthday on August 19 and we enjoyed a family fun day. Paul and Peter were real

fisherman over Labor Day weekend, unfortunately the fish didn't know it.  We went on a family camp to a local reservoir, with another family that has 3 boys almost the same ages as our three. Of course it had to rain, our first cool and rainy days for most of the summer. It did warm up by

Monday. Paul is now out for Fall baseball. It is just a skills building league and no score is kept. He is also our last one in the Cub Scout Pack as a Bear. Paul is a 3rd grader at St. Albert this Fall.

Marie is now back to work full time. During the summer months she only works part time and could spend more time with the boys, usually a weekly trip to Tahoe was on the agenda. She was going to be an assistant Den Leader for Paul's Bear Den, but they now have plenty of leadership and

she may not be needed. She is still singing in the church choir and an officer in the K of C Women's Auxiliary. Helping the boys with homework is a nightly actively and at least a couple of hours in time.

AND...I in my cap....!!!!!    Completed my 7th year working for the KofC. I spent a lot more time this last summer with the boys and Boy Scouts. It was great to be out with them!!  I was the Pack chairperson for Fall recruiting and it was very successful. The Pack is right at 100 boys and we may need to split the Pack. It is almost too big! I haven't had a chance to climb MT. Rose this Fall, but hope a couple more nice weekends are in store, before Winter is here. The mountain has already had a couple of early Fall dusting, but looks like it has melted off.

Now that I have written, it is your turn!!! AND....don't just BURP!!!! (send recycled jokes and stories that you have digested). We want to hear some real news.  God Bless and Love to all.

The Fromherz Family in Reno, Nevada

Russ, Marie, Kevin, Peter, and Paul

Did you know that Chuck (our expert Glassier nephew) Charles Jr. and I have something in common---You’d never guess in the whole wide world, even if you were in the hot seat on “who wants to be a millionaire?”

            Well, this is it!  I am the oldest of the Fromherz clan---Chuck is the oldest of the Fromherz cousins.   How about that Chuck?  Too bad we aren’t close enough to celebrate together?  Maybe at the next Family reunion??  I have always been amazed and a bit squeamish thinking of your construction expertise of putting glass windows in the outside walls of skyscrapers.  I would like to see your job description.  I understand that you are working on the Mayo Clinic building in Minnesota.  How about a good picture of you on the job---Maybe Connie could put it on e-mail (I understand they can do that?)  (Ed. Cg note…Yes, I can Chuck so how about that picture?  cg)  Anyway!  That is a thought that came into my head!  FG

Here is an e-mail message from Chuck & Marilyn announcing that they have a new address.  Hi,  Did Cycle Oregon with brother Don last week, Had a good time, riding over 500 miles with 2000 other riders.  We are back in Minnesota.  I am working in Minneapolis with one of our suppliers for two weeks.  Then back to Rochester.  They have asked me to stay & work on the Mayo Clinic job site, installing the stainless steel cladding in the main lobby.  Hope to finish by January 1^st.  Marilyn & I will move into our new home in Calimesa CA on October 27, 2000.  Our new house is in Calimesa California, 26 miles west of Palm Springs 15 miles east of San Bernardino.  Off the 10 freeway.  Elevation 2500 feet, Clean air & no traffic.  Miles & miles of good biking.

Charlie Fromherz

10961-341 Desert Lawn Dr.

Calimesa, CA 92320

NEW HOME PHONE AFTER 10-13-00

909-795-2385

Cell Phone 909-731-8912   on 24 hours

charlesf@gte.net (Charley’s son)                                 

Special Notice by FG to everyone that loves and cares for our brother Charley.  He cannot talk but he can hear and read.  Lets flood him with humorous, serious, prayerful, or other cards and letters in big print.  Alice said it would be best to send to their home address:  33026 Tennessee Rd., Lebanon, OR 97355 (FG request).

Tyler Gerding gains recognition with the LEGO systems

Ken & Robbi tell the story before and after: As many of you know Tyler was the runner up in the Lego contest in New York City in April.  John Lavery of Ohio was to represent the United States in the LEGO World Championship this Friday at LEGO land in California.  We received a call from LEGO on Tuesday morning that John was possibly not going to be able to go and would we be ready to go.

 After: Tyler didn’t win his age division but gave it a gallant try.  You can find out more details at www.rebelscum.com and click on “Coverage of the LEGO GALACTIC CHALLENGE” located at the top center of their home page.  LEGO had asked Tyler if he would be willing to give an interview to this company, so he did.  The pictures will give you an idea of what the build off was like. Thank you for all the good wishes,

 Ken, Robbi and Tyler     gerding@juno.com (Mary’s son)

WE ATTENDED THE WEDDING OF JOE’S FRANK F. AND BRIDGET COOKE  On October 4^TH at St. John’s church in  Yamhill, Oregon.  It was a beautiful ceremony in THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL CHURCH ON THE FEAST DAY OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI (FRANKS SAINT DAY).  THEY WERE HONORED TO HAVE EVERYONE OF HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND PARENTS PRESENT---WITH SEVERAL TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY.  (PRESENT FROM OUT OF STATE WERE SYLVIA AND FAMILY FROM COLORADO; RITA REICHENBACH FROM WYOMING;  BARBERA AGUARRACINO AND STEVE FROM PHOENIX, ARIZONA; MATHHEW FROMHERZ, ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON; AND LOUIS FROMHERZ FROM NEWMAN LAKE, WASHINGTON.  THOSE FROM HOME STATE WERE, ALLEN, MARIE, ROSE MARY, JOHN ARTHUR, AND PAUL JAMES.

     BARBARA WAS THE PIANIST---HER RENDITION OF THE “WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS”, FROM TSCHAIKOVSKY’S NUTCRACKER SUITE WAS THE MOST OUTSTANDING I HAVE EVER HEARD IT BY ANY MUSICIAN.  BARBARA WAS IN A WHEEL CHAIR AS SHE IS PREGNANT AND HAS SOME PROBLEM  (LETS PRAY FOR HER).

     THE RECEPTION WAS EQUALLY OUTSTANDING, HELD AT THE CENTRO CULTURAL CENTER IN CORNELIUS.  THE PROGRAM WAS EQUALLY STIMULATING AND THE FOOD WONDERFULLY GOOD.  OF COURSE MARGY MADE AND DECORATED THE CAKE AND WE ESPECIALLY ENJOYED “LITTLE” LOUIS ON THE PIANO.  (WE CALL HIM “LITTLE” LOUIS BECAUSE BEFORE HE WAS BORN HIS MOTHER SAID THEY WOULD NAME HIM LOUIS AFTER OUR LOUIS AND WE WERE TO BE HIS GODPARENTS SOOOOOOO, HE STARTED OUT TO BE “LITTLE” LOUIS TO DISTINGUISH HIM FROM HIS GODFATHER “BIG” LOUIS.)  (A FEW OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT HIS MOTHER, PEGGY (DE’RYKE) FROMHERZ DIED WITH HIS BIRTH----SO HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY SPECIAL TO US THAT KNEW HIS VERY LOVING MOTHER PEGGY. 

Subj:  RE: Newsletter FromTheHeart....

Date:  10/23/00 10:07:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time

From:  ffromherz@archdpdx.org (Fromherz, Frank) (Joe’s son)

To:    Congale@aol.com ('Congale@aol.com')

Hi Connie,    I have been out of office for couple weeks  -- our honeymoon and all!   The correct email is ffromherz@archdpdx.org .  My sons Chris and Nick do not have email addresses at this time.  They ought to be listed simply with the regular mailing address for Bridget and myself, 7645 SE Yamhill, Portland, OR  97215      You might want to note that Bridget and I will be using our respective last names  i.e. Frank Fromherz and Bridget Cooke.  All best in your good work an best to your dear family,    Frank                                         p.s. can receive Word texts as files and so on

VERY SPECIAL NOTES FROM OUR VERY SPECIAL GRANDDAUGHTER ERIN KELLEY.  SHE WRITES:  THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIFT.  I HAVE STARTED TO BECOME HOMESICK---I AM SURE IT WILL PASS.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING THE NEXT TWO YEARS SLOVAKIA.  I WILL START WORKING ON THE 24^TH OF AUGUST.  I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MY DAILY WORK WILL BE—BUT I WILL BE WORKING WITH A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN THE EASTERN CITY OF PRESOV.  I WILL LIKELY HELP WITH FUND RAISING AT THE START.  I WILL ALSO WORK WITH THE TOMANY POPULATION, WHO ARE VERY POOR AND TREATED BADLY HERE—ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST.  I’M EXCITED TO BEGIN WORKING AND USING MY NEW LANGUAGE SKILLS!

                                                   BEST TO YOU—ERIN   

ANOTHER NOTE FROM ERIN CAME TODAY

SHE WRITES, DEAR FLORENCE AND LOUIS, I AM GLAD YOUR MOVE TO THE TOWERS WENT WELL.  I ALSO HOPE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE OKTOBERFEST THIS Year—SORRY I DID NOT!

     I WILL BE SENDING AN “ARTICLE” TO CONNIE GALE OVER E-MAIL.  I HAVE BEEN SENDING NEWS LETTERS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.  SHOULD YOU GET AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, I WILL BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOU ON MY LIST!  I AM VERY GLAD TO HAVE E-MAIL HERE EVEN IF I MUST PAY FOR IT.  NO MORE SCHOOL COMPUTERS!

     I HOPE ALL IS WELL IN MT. ANGEL AND THAT THE WEATHER REMAINS PLEASANT FOR YOUR UPCOMING BIRTHDAY!  BEST TO YOU BOTH—TAKE CARE!    ERIN                 

Hi Connie, Greetings from the Zollners in Eugene!   

Christiana, our youngest, will turn 10 this November Here's a little update on our doings…  is a 4th grader in school and is involved in a small ensemble of young string players, as well as Girl Scouts. 

    Tecie turned 15 last May, started her freshman year at Churchill High School this Fall, where she's particularly enjoying being a member of the dance team.  She's continuing percussion lessons and participating in Eugene's Junior Orchestra. 

    Monica just turned 16 and is learning to drive.  She's a sophomore this year at Churchill, continuing her studies at the clarinet, and is a member of Eugene's Youth Symphony.  She continues her involvement with Girls Scouts and has recently taken up welding! 

    Katie started her freshman year at the U of O this fall, majoring in Pre-Education.  She's employed part-time by Lane Memorial Blood Bank and volunteers at church, teaching 2nd Grade religious education. 

    We're still enjoying making music together as a family--just got finished with Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel and have several fund-raiser dinners this Fall/Winter:  11/5 at our own parish, St. Jude, in Eugene; 11/12 at St. James in McMinnville; and 1/14 at the Mt. Angel Brewery for the Fr. Taafe (sp?) Foundation.  We got a web site put together recently for Z-Musikmakers: www.Zmusikmakers.com, where you can get information regarding times, prices, etc. if interested. 

    Paul is doing financial planning through AXA Advisors, still working out of his Eugene office.  We're mourning the loss of his sister, Marilyn, who passed away peacefully on September 19th, after having been on dialysis and in poor health for many years. 

    I (Pat) am back teaching piano out of our home and directing music at our parish--enjoying more control over my schedule than when I was doing office/design work.  It's a busy time in our lives, chaotic sometimes, but rich in blessings. 

    I think it's old news for most of you that as a young college student I had the difficult experience of facing an unplanned pregnancy, gave birth to a healthy daughter and in her best interests, placed her for adoption.  She, Erin Layna Kelley, was raised by loving parents in Canby and has blossomed into a lovely, thoughtful and intelligent young woman.  We had the pleasure of being reunited on the occasion of her 19th birthday in 1994, thanks to a registry managed by the adoption agency, and over the past 6 years we've enjoyed getting to know one another.  I am especially careful to respect her relationship with her parents--she and I consider ourselves more like "kindred spirits."  Undeniably though, there's the physical resemblance, and as you can imagine, she's curious to meet you all.  This year she has begun a two-year assignment as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Slovakia.  She's going to share some news of her life there in this newsletter.  So I hope you'll forgive me for keeping this a secret from you over the years, I hope you'll welcome Erin as a wonderful "kindred spirit," and have the pleasure of meeting her some day soon. 

Love you all,   Pat  (Florence’s daughter)              

THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER FROMHERZ ADOPTEES

In our family---maybe you would like to write a story about yourself for another newsletter—how you became one of our family---you know how we love and understand each other.

HERE IS ERIN’S LETTER TO THE NEWSLETTER

Sent to Connie and her birth mother Pat Zollner and now to the Fromherz cousins, Aunts and Uncles that she wants to become close family friends.  Hopefully she can meet many of you at our family reunions in the future.

 Erin Layna Kelley <erinlayna@altavista.com>

10/02/00 10:33 AM

Subject: Fromherz newsletter

Dear Connie,

Greetings from Slovakia!  I decided that it's finally time for me to submit something to the Fromherz "From the Heart" newsletter.  Pat may have written or talked to you already, so I don't know if this message is coming to you as a surprise or not.  Hopefully it is not.  But in the case that it is - I am Pat's birthdaughter and am in the Peace Corps in Slovakia.  Pat and I met over 6 years ago and have been keeping in touch ever since.  I also write to Florence and Louis off and on.  :)

I have regular access to email, so please let me know if you'd like me to clarify anything or answer any special questions for the newsletter article.  I can also shorten it, if need be.  Here it is:

Four months ago, it had never occurred to me that I would be sitting here, in this 'developing' country, writing emails, watching the Olympics on satellite TV, or talking on a cell phone.  That picture had been reserved for my graduate school colleagues, whose career paths all went different (and more profitable) ways than mine.  My new image of Peace Corps (PC) service is certainly different than the one most people have.  But then Slovakia isn't like most other PC countries - which helps to explain why I'm part of the last PC group to come here.

As a small business development volunteer, I'm not actually working for a business.  Instead, I am working for a community foundation and a governmental office.  Community foundations, generally, are non-profit organizations that give money to groups of people who want to help improve their communities.  I am trying to help the PreÜov Community Foundation with their fundraising efforts so that they can continue giving grants to people in PreÜov, the city where I now live.

I am not yet sure what I will be doing at the government office, as my counterpart there has been away all month.  But I do know that he is the deputy for Romany (Gypsy) affairs and that I will work with him in an administrative capacity.  His absence has been a mixed blessing.  I do not know what my 'work' will be, but I have gained greater exposure to the day-to-day lives of the Roma in a nearby settlement. 

Many Romany people are living in extreme poverty and almost all of them are greatly discriminated against by the majority.  With my 'business' assignment, I thought I would be working for small-scale craftsmen and somewhat educated individuals.  (Slovakia's population is very well educated.)  It was quite a shock to stumble upon the 'third world' right here in the middle of a country with so many modern amenities. So my 'third' job is now to work with the Romany and to help them improve their lives and livelihoods.  And in so doing, my life will surely improve as well!

It's been said that the Peace Corps is "the toughest job you'll ever love."  So far, I believe it.  And I hope to still believe it in July of 2002, when I come back home. 

Take care, and feel free to write!

Erin Kelley 

email: erinlayna@altavista.com

mail:  Erin Kelley

       Komunitnß nadßcia PreÜov

       PoPiarnickß 17

       080 01 PreÜov

       Slovakia

 in case the special characters don't show up correctly:

       Erin Kelley

       Komunitna nadacia Presov

       Poziarnicka 17

       080 01 Presov

       Slovakia

I SPEAK FOR THE FROMHERZ FAMILY IN CONGRATULATIONS…To two of our Fromherz adoptees that have “found” each other in the e-mail program.  They are Connie’s husband, Jim Gale and our granddaughter, Erin Kelley  erinlayna@altaviavista.com

     Erin is a volunteer in the foreign Peace Corps program in the Slovakia Republic.  She is fortunate to be able to use e-mail to correspond with those in U.S.A.

HERE IS A HEART WARMING E-MAIL LETTER THAT JIM GALE Has sent to

Erin:  God, it’s a small world.  First I’m Connie’s husband.  I just read the e-mail you sent for the newsletter and the one received by Pat today also.  Connie’s father is Jim Fromherz and he is Florence’s younger brother.  Connie is the oldest of the 7 kids.

     The small world thing is that for years we lived in Canby and our kids went to 91 grade school and then on to Lasalle High School.  We lived off of Barlow Rd. for over 25 years.  (Ed FG note, Erin was raised in Canby)

JIM CONTINUES---

     I’m an adopted child myself and found my brother and sisters only 3 years ago.  What fun we have been having catching up on almost 50 years of not knowing each other. 

     I heard about you from Florence 2-3 years ago while sharing with her that I found my brother and sisters. Welcome to our family.  Hope to get a chance to talk with you in the future and meet you in person some day.  I have several things that I must get back to but needed to take the time and say HI!

     Have a great day and waiting to hear more about your time in the pc.  

Jim  jelag@aol.com  cc: cmgale@ghnw.ghc.org  

Dear Jim G. your letter to Erin is a jewel---

It is a heart-warming thriller to all of us that know and love Erin.  Now she is living as a member of our wonderful Fromherz family.  Thanks millions for helping her to be accepted and loved by all of us---since Connie and I have been working together on this letter, these happy messages will go out to over 120 family members.  We love both you and Connie  FG

We received a big box of goodies from