Our Hearts Go Out to Janet Farneti Weimers

Janet's 21 year old son, Lucas, was killed in a tractor accident after the Prairietown Parade this weekend.

If you'd like more information, please go to www.thetelegraph.com to read the obituary and the corresponding news article.

Our prayers are with Janet and her family.

5 Guys to every 1 Gal - that's my kinda odds!

CANBERRA - A plea for lovelorn female "ugly ducklings" to move to a remote Australian mining town to reverse a shortage of eligible women has landed the local mayor in hot water.
Mount Isa Mayor John Molony was refusing to apologize on Monday for angering local women with a suggestion that "with five blokes to every girl, may I suggest that beauty-disadvantaged women should proceed to Mount Isa," in north-west Queensland state.

"Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face. Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness," Molony told the Townsville Bulletin newspaper last week.
"Some, in other places in Australia, need to proceed to Mount Isa, where happiness awaits. Really, beauty is only skin deep. Isn't there a fairy tale about an ugly duckling that evolves into a beautiful swan?" Molony said.

The mayor said he was "telling it like it is" in a testosterone-laden town more famous for cowboys and mining lead, silver, copper and zinc than for match-making, sitting atop one of the world's biggest underground mines.

"I'm a bloke who respects women. I believe we should look after women. I'm told men outnumber women here by five to one. If that's the case, then perhaps it's an opportunity for some lonely women," Molony said.

Fellow council members and the local chamber of commerce said they had been swamped with phone calls from both women and men complaining about the mayor's remarks. "It paints the women here as second rate and suggests the men will settle for anything. I think it's quite disgusting," Mount Isa domestic violence worker Shirley Slann told the Courier Mail newspaper Monday.

Linda's note: If you can make it here - you can make it ANYWHERE! P.S. I'm moving to Australia...

Mike Pelan passed away 6/23/08

Greg Taylor informed me today that Mike Pelan also passed away recently. Thanks for the info, Greg.



"Mike" Pelan
BETHALTO
June 23, 2008 - 5:26PM

Michael A. "Mike" Pelan, 53, died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at his residence. He was born Nov. 20, 1954, in Wood River to Frank and Bertha (Anderson) Pelan. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Debbie Hester Foster Passed Away 8/17/08

Debbie Foster
MEADOWBROOK
August 18, 2008 - 11:02PM

Debbie Foster, 54, died at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Christian Hospital Northeast in St. Louis.
She was born May 29, 1954, in Wood River to Edna (Grace) Hester of Meadowbrook and the late James Hester.
She married Doug Foster on June 24, 1977, in Meadowbrook. He survives.
In addition to her husband and mother, surviving are two daughters, Jamie and Allison Foster, both of Wood River; a son and his wife, Mike and Tina Foster of Meadowbrook; a grandson, Joseph Foster; and a sister, Sandra Wood of South Roxana. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Besides her father, she was preceded in death by a grandson, James Foster; and a brother, Daniel Bo Hester.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Marks Mortuary in Wood River, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto
****************************************************************

Thank you, Sara and Gordon, for passing this on to me.

I am thankful for the reunion last year which gave me the opportunity to reconnect with close friends. Still I could kick myself for not stopping by all the times that Cheryl Davis Staicoff and I talked about it.

Deb grew up in the house behind my mom and dad's. She and Doug lived in the house across the street from her mom, Edna. A great many of my childhood memories are with the Hester family. Debbie is the reason why my son is called Jim and not Jamie. Deb had a daughter a few days before my son was born and she named her little girl, Jamie. I knew they'd end up going to school together and that two Jamie's would be a problem - especially opposite sexes. My son definitely thanks her for that!

I certainly hope that all of you can remember Debbie's wonderful smile and her bravery in her fight against cancer - first, breast and then, bladder.

Please say a prayer for her family today.

Is Anyone Watching The Olympics?

Dennis Talkington requested this posting. Well - are you?