Are we all somehow related?

Here’s something that may be of interest and hopefully some of you will add your knowledge and/or comments:

I’ve been doing some research on my ancestors and actually got all the way back to the early 1700’s on some of my ancestors. Anyhow, Alva Surface’s (born 1888) father was Benjamin Franklin Surface (born 1860 in Indiana). Alva, as you may remember, was a janitor at Center Grove for many years. Here’s the interesting part: Benjamin F. Surface was married to Lucy Ellen Doty (born 1859), which makes Alva Surface – half Doty. So I’m thinking if the Surfaces and Dotys are related, how many other families in the Center Grove area, that were established in Johnson County over the last 150 yrs or so, are related?

Alva Surface’s 3 kids went to Center Grove when it was just one small building. The only town close around was probably Bargersville and downtown Greenwood (at the corner of Main & Old 31). Smith Valley wasn’t even heard of, yet; it was all farmland. So it only makes sense that way back then most of those farm kids didn’t have the means to travel far so they ended up marrying kids from neighboring farms. For all we know, most of the class of 1965 could be 2nd or 3rd cousins (once or twice removed).

As the population grew in Johnson County, after WW II, it brought new blood of course, but most of the established bloodlines remained in the area. It would be very interesting to know, who is related to whom.
Anybody out there got answers?????

Also, I came upon a copy of an 1880 US Federal Census report that listed the head of household as my great-great grandfather on my mother’s side and here are a few questions that were asked on the report that needed a yes or no answer:
Cannot read/write? Blind? Deaf and dumb? Idiotic or insane?
These questions were not answered on his report, probably because he was “all of the above”.
I don’t know, I just thought the questions were pretty humorous.

Frustrating

I've said this before.
I've heard the excuses, and that's all they are- excuses.

"Too busy."
"Computer/blogging is too complicated. I can't figure it out."
"Can't write."
" Can't spell."

Sing it with me if you can remember the tune:
"Oscar Meyer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!"
... that's pronounced baloney, but means B.S.!

Thanks to GH and Joker for contributing here...
other than their posts, this blog has turned into "All Greybeard, all the time."
Check the sitemeter. Lots of folks stoppin' by here takin' a look. Three of us.. count 'em... THREE, have posted over the last month.

Let me reinforce what I have said before, this time maybe a little more emphatically...
If you enjoy coming here and reading the thoughts of others, and you are not also sharing your thoughts, in my opinion, you are a very selfish person!

Today I'm taking a hiatus from VK in hopes it will become what was originally intended:
a place for all of us to share what is going on in our lives with our classmates. A place to express yourself and get feedback from classmates and friends. I'll be leaving comments to others' posts.

"Too busy"? Join the crowd.
"Too complicated"? I knew nuttin' when I started, but I'm learnin' every day.
"Can't write"? Who cares?
"Can't spell"? Oh come on! The machine will fix that!

C'mon VK's... "when the goin' gets tough, the tough get goin'."
Fingers to keyboards, please!

Just Sharin'

Flying machines at rest as the sun sinks low...
I was on a cross-country flight with my student, and landed at the airport where the helicopter ambulance I fly at my full-time job is based.
I'm so foolish... I carry my camera with me much of the time, then leave it behind and frequently miss the chance to take some very interesting pictures.
That's gonna change... I'm going to make a concerted effort to remember the camera and start taking a bunch of pictures, then delete those that are not worth keeping, and share the good ones online.

I like this one, although this perspective is not good to compare the size of two machines I fly most...
The R22 in the foreground is the machine I teach in, and it's also my "goose chasing" helicopter. It can carry two people, and it weighs about 850 pounds empty.
The BK117 in the background is set up to carry me, my nurse, paramedic, patient, and maybe a ride-along observer. It weighs just over 5100 pounds sans fuel, cargo, and passengers.

The smaller bird chops it's way through the air at 115 miles per hour. In the bigger machine, I carry sick and injured people to get the help they need at 150 m.p.h.

A neat vocation. Neat machines and a neat photo... don't you agree?

Oahu Island, Hawaii

Just wanted to pass on this link that I found on CNN.com about Honolulu, Waikiki, Chinatown, etc. on the island of Oahu.

I know Golden Horse told you about many thing to do there and here are more fun things to do and see for those of you going to Hawaii:

Click here.

Also, here is a link to some beautiful pictures of Hawaii

at this link.

Enjoy.

A Forward/Update:

I hadn't heard from Indy Echo in a while...
that's not out of the ordinary. I know she and Shifty have been busy stayin' on top of her business and dealing with the other factors goin' on in their lives right now. So I was more than a little shocked when I got this email from her yesterday:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello Stranger !!!
Bet you thought I had forgotten you or something. NOT !!!!!!
I have been REALLY ill and in the hospital and haven't had a chance to get on VK or answer the numerous e-mails from some of the gang. Things had been hectic as usual around here. My business had taken off to a fantastic start for the new year. Landed a couple of BIG Japanese company accounts. Things were lookin' good.
Then the unexpected happened. On Sunday June 3, (Shifty) and I had worked outside most of the day and then went to neighbors for dinner. Felt fine all day, nothing out of the ordinary. Went for dinner and not too long after we got there I started to feel an odd pain in my right hip. Didn't think too much of it at first as had been working in yard etc., but the pain kept getting worse and spread down my entire leg to my foot. The pain just wouldn't let up and I noticed some numbness starting. Within an hour I told (Shifty) I needed to get home that I thought I might be in some big time trouble. By the time we drove across to our house my foot had gone completely numb all the way up above my ankle and I had to really bad painful spots in the calf of my leg. I told (Shifty) he had better get with my vascular surgeon and then get me to a hospital. Well, when I said that, he knew it was serious and got through to the doctor. Doctor said to get me to hospital immediately as he felt for sure there was blood clots and no time to waste. He said he would have the hospital waiting for me to get me on blood thinners and tests.
Well, it was blood clot(s). One completely blocking the plastic artery from previous surgery and a couple more in the calf area of leg. They of course admitted me and started me on blood thinners, antibiotics, IV drips, heart monitors etc. I had tubes running from one end to the other. Got my blood thinned and running to my leg and foot. But had some muscle damage in the mean time.
Took me to surgery on Wed morning. Didn't know what to expect as the doctor wouldn't know until he got in there if a new bypass was needed or if the blockages could be cleared. Well, God was on my side and he was able to clear the clots. But after the surgery my blood pressure bottomed out and they couldn't get it to stabilize so that prolonged my stay in ICU. Finally got everything stabilized and they wanted to keep me for a few more days but I talked them into letting me come home early. One exception, I had to give myself injections in the stomach to control my blood clotting. Never thought I could do that, but I did and got pretty good at it if I do say so myself.
I am still full of stitches - get them out next week. Feeling lots better but going crazy having to stay down. (Shifty) has been great!!!! I think he may appreciate me a little bit more after this. HAHA !!
He has had to do the cooking, cleaning (what little has been done) the laundry, grocery shopping, and even pooper scoop the dog kennels. He has really done good and now that he has proven he can do all this -
W E L L - I'M THINKIN ------ HAHA
Anyway that's the scoop around here. Drop me a line and fill me in on anything - something - truth's - lies - I just need something to fill in these l - o - n - g boring days.
(Indy Echo)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So this story is unfolding as I bring you up to date, but folks- this is serious stuff...
Echo may find she was experiencing DVT... Deep Vein Thrombosis... and that is a critical, frequently fatal condition. She may not feel fortunate right now, but when she reflects on how this happened she'll realize how lucky she is.

Anyway, when you have time, drop her a note and irritate her, please!

Can't Get No Satisfaction?

A damn good year, 1965, wouldn't you agree?
Click here for a musical trip back to the Frostop, the Beehive, or another memory that will spread a smile across your face.

The lower right corner of the site's main page gives you access to earlier or later years and memories.
Enjoy!

Just Some Thoughts for Hawaii

Two Dogs and Greybeard have both written nice letters inviting fellow classmates to the mini reunion. If you haven't made your flights yet, these might be some things to consider. Please keep in mind that each island is totally different than the others. Each has her own special treasures to show you and share with you. You are coming at a quiet time, so flights should be better. Last minute flights can be a great buy.
Here are just a few thoughts:
For those who have never been here and think this might be the trip of your lifetime or even if you might want to come early or stay later and experience another island or two, I want to let you know that the 5 airlines here have been having price wars going on for a bit now. Last week one airlines was having $9 flights each way to the outer islands. Most generally they run around $29 or $30 each way now, which is a huge improvement over a couple of years ago when they were twice the price. The flights generally run around 20 minutes or so and very nice. Easy in and out at the airports. The flights can start very early in the am and the last flight to leave most of the islands leaves around 9:30 pm for those that might want just a day trip. Rental cars pick up right at the airports. Just arrange ahead of time.
The volcano on the Big Island has been very active lately and quite a sight to see. There are a few ways to see her. Walk in, boat trip, helicopter or drive to a vantage point for a view. Last year we took a 5 hour hike around one, it was amazing.
Also, on the Big Island you can take a trip and dive or snorkel with manta rays at night.
You can take a trip up Mauna Kea for a sunset you will never forget. They drive you up and stop part of the way up at the sheep station and it's chow down time, then the rest of the way up for the telescopes and sunset. You will be up 14,000' and it is cold.
You can take a trip in a hummer through the rain forests and to waterfalls that is nice.
On Maui you can bike down Haleakalau, they drive you up to the top and you ride down. Breathtaking. From up there, I swear you can see Kansas. Well, almost.
You can stay at the most Hawaiian Hotel in the Islands on Maui and you won't be disappointed.
They have the best of the Luau's in the Islands in Lahaina, Maui and some shows that rival Las Vegas.
All the Islands have wonderful dining, so don't be timid about the food.
If you want total quiet time and relaxation, then consider Kauai. Romance at it's best.
There is horseback riding on most of the islands.
Just a tip of the iceberg, but if you are considering any of this, please plan ahead and make reservations for some of the tourist sights.
Several of the travel agents can do a resonable package trip also. Flight, car and hotel.
If you get the chance to visit you can actually travel through 11 different climates here.
If anyone would like any info, please feel free to ask and consider joining us.
Until then, Aloha.

Classmates?

A friend sent this and it made me chuckle, so I thought I'd share it with ya...

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND THINKING, "SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD?" WELL... YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE!

I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME.
SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 40-ODD YEARS AGO. COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?

UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT. THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE. AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL "YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG," HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.

"WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?" I ASKED.

HE ANSWERED, "IN 1959. WHY DO YOU ASK?"

"YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!" I EXCLAIMED.

HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY. THEN, THAT UGLY, OLD, WRINKLED, BALD,FAT, GRAY, DECREPIT JERK ASKED, "WHAT DID YOU TEACH?"

Have a great weekend everyone!

2007 Alumni Banquet, Mr. L's Report-

(Names edited to protect the innocent, (and a few REAL scoundrels!)

Monday, June 04, 2007
With several sleepless nights with excitement and anticipation of attending my first Center Grove Alumni Banquet it finally materialized on Saturday evening.
I began teaching at CG in 1957-58, and taught there for seven years. I did come back about three times after that time. The past couple of years either by telephone or e-mail or both I have kept in contact with several of my former students at CG, Jeff B.('67), Lanna M.-F.('66), Bill Y.('66), Kathy R.-W.('65), David R.('65), and Vernon W.('64),
Mary Lee and I arrived at the banquet about 5 p.m. with 4 posters in hand. Each poster had pictures of my sixth grade students for the classes of 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, and 1960-61. Mary Lee and I had brought pictures from WV and we put the posters together so that the people at the banquet could enjoy them.
Jeff B., from my fourth year teaching, gave me a tour of the high school. I could not get over the enormity of the school, and how the school had grown in 50 years when I was there. I got to see where my first classroom was which was in the tunnel by the old gym. Then when I moved to teaching junior high, I saw the room that I taught before I left CG.
I returned to the cafeteria where the banquet was to be held, and I met Mary Lee there. It was so wonderful to be in that atmosphere. The attendance at the banquet was around 170. Mary Lee and I got to meet my first year student Vernon W. and wife, and his older brother, Ruel. I can still remember seeing Vernon for the first time in the seat in front of me with his wonderful grin. A table was designated for the Legan party at which we sat. It was such a pleasure to see Kathy R.-W., from my second year class, with others from the class of 1965 Danny F. and David J.. Jeff B. would come around frequently.
After the meal the program began. The classes of 1957 and 1967 were honored. Jeff did acknowledge before the group my attendance there which I appreciated so much. I did talk to other students from other classes in which I never taught but remembered them. We had such a great evening, and it was hard to see it end. It was also sad that more of the former students of my era were not in attendance.
Mary Lee and I will hold dearly the memories of that evening.
Mr. Legan

Thanks for the nice visual, Mr. L.!
Others that attended... got anything to contribute?

Hawaii- For Your Consideration

I've already been to Hawaii.
November 1st of 1968... a stretched "World Airways" DC-8 with 300 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines landed in Honolulu to refuel on its way to Tan Son Nhut Airport, in Saigon.
Told we had about 45 minutes before reboarding, the horde found its way to the airport bar. Two Scotch and Water doubles later, having seen all of one square mile of Hawaii scenery, (it was nighttime), I was back in my seat on that flying cattle car. So much for visiting paradise!

I've wanted to go back ever since. Other than one hapless soul that found herself arriving just before someone called Iniki came to call, everyone that visits the "Aloha State" raves about it.
Like any other adventure, time, money, and inclination all have to come together to get me back to that airport at Honolulu.

The dates are November 1 through 8. As was the case with Destin, arrive early, stay late, if that meets your needs. But the reason we are talking about this trip so far ahead of time is that we hope you'll block off the time, set the money aside, and begin leaning toward meeting the rest of us in paradise in November.

I have to say I'm PLEASANTLY SURPRISED...
I really thought this trip would be a budget buster.
Big Bubba is coming along with us. He booked tickets for us from Phoenix, round-trip, for less than $400 each. I purchased tickets to get us to Phoenix for less than $250 each. So the cost of 2 round-trip airfares for Sara Jean and me is less than $1,400!

On top of that, we're working on housing that one way or another is gonna knock your socks off!
Go here and take a walk around the site. Bein' retired military DOES have it's perks! I can reserve rooms for all of us at the Navy Lodge Inn, overlooking Pearl Harbor. Looks like the cost of Suites with two Queen-sized beds is gonna be less than $90! (For those arithmetically challenged, that means $45 per night if two couples share a Suite, and we are actually looking at a couple of rental houses that will put all of us under one roof for considerably less than that!)

I just want to shout-
Don't dismiss this trip just because you think you can't afford it...
YOU CAN AFFORD IT!
How long have you wanted to visit Hawaii?
For me, it's been since I got a whiff of the air there in 1968.

I'm goin' back...
Wanta come along?

If you're on the fence, call or email me so I can do some convincin'!

A Good Time Was Had By All

Now that I've figured out how to use the scanner, I can torture you with stuff you may have no interest in!
But if you didn't make our 30th... (this was our 30th, wasn't it?),
or you haven't attended any reunions at all, you may have an interest in this one.
I had forgotten how tiny Mrs. V. was!