WebWalker's Blog

Dave is back from his year in Korea! After spending two weeks at some specialized training in Florida, he is now at his new post at Fairchild Air Force Base in eastern Washington state... fairly near Spokane WA. Three items were big on his To-Do list: wheels, yakbox, and a place to crash off base. So he bought a new silver Scion to drive, a Razr cellphone to yak on, and moves in to his new apartment off base tomorrow. He is one Happy Camper, and glad to be on Home Soil. Welcome, David!! After he gets settled in, he hopes to take some time off work (like a MONTH) in August to visit family in Washington, California, and Arizona - yaaaay! I am finding it difficult to sit quietly and wait till August...

Last chance to throw your hat in the ring and join everyone for the extended Sanphillip / Rizzo / Levigne Family Reunion coming up on July first. Here are the details once again ~ hope to see you there! Hosts: Bruce Koenig / Mary Wroten Location: Palermo's Fine Italian Cuisine 4849 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL When: Sunday, July 1, 2007 starting at 1:00pm Phone to RSVP: 623.581.2501 or 708.563.0507

Since June 9th Sherry has been working on the dig at Tel Zait, near Kibbutz Galon... The tel's treasure is an iron age village that they are hoping will reveal some secrets, since it has not been built upon over and over like larger populated areas were. (At some digs, you must dig down and down and down to get to iron age artifacts, whereas at this one they might find things just a few feet under the surface of the earth.) The first few days are spent clearing and cleaning the area, since the tel has not been worked for the past two years. During that time, they found a nest of snake eggs, a viper, and a palestinian cobra... and Sherry just LOVES snakes (NOT)! But the snakes were mitigated by the finding of a bronze arrowhead and an amulet of the "Eye of Horus" -- and they haven't even really started "digging" yet. Sherry's expertise is in pottery so of course she is looking forward to some really interesting and exciting work. She'll be at this dig...

When I was little, my father taught me right from wrong. Sometimes by showing me literally what to do, sometimes with his right hand applied to my backside when I hadn't gotten it right. He taught me to listen to my conscience, and to always be aware of a Power higher than me, much higher. Didn't matter what I called it, but recognize that I am not the Be-All End-All. He taught me to respect my elders, and to glean from them what wisdom I could. "Sit down and shut up" comes to mind. He taught me compassion by example, showing kindness and tenderness even at what I deemed the most unexpected times. He said if he'd never personally experienced a person's difficulties, he must show extra compassion because he could not know how terrifyingly difficult it might be for that person. He taught me to appreciate cultural differences by taking me to other countries, and letting me experience the joy of learning about them, making new friends and enjoying the cultures, an...

Today would have been Uncle Tony's 91st birthday. We continue to mourn with Joan and Tony Jr over the loss of their dad. Joan is going to the gravesite today to put some fresh flowers on it and "talk" with her dad. Uncle Tony passed away while I was in Israel, so I was unable to be at the funeral in Chicago, but I understand from all that it was a beautiful ceremony, and that Joan was a rock of strength. I suspect that it is only now that the reality of it all is hitting home for her. I will see you soon at the upcoming Family Reunion, Joan... hang tight till I can hug you in person. I love you.

Have you wondered what happened to those cousins you haven't seen in years? Or wondered how many cousins you haven't met? If you would like to see them, then join us for a family reunion! We'll be meeting at Palermo's Fine Italian Cuisine [in Chicago] on July 1st at 1 pm. Lunch ($20 each, send your check to Bruce) will be served family style and will be Roasted Chicken, Roast Sirloin of Beef, Mostaccioli with Marinara Sauce, and Italian Sausage and Peppers. After all, WE ARE ITALIAN (well, some of us anyway)! Please pass along the invitation to any and all in the extended Clan - we have about 50 attending now, and are looking for more! Hosts: Bruce Koenig / Mary Wroten Location: Palermo's Fine Italian Cuisine 4849 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL When: Sunday, July 1, 1:00pm Phone to RSVP: 623.581.2501 / 708.563.0507

June is going to be a busy month! Here's the lineup: (If I missed someone, let me know and we can add it to the list straight away!) June 04 - Ariel and Efrat Whetstone, married 1996 June 10 - Thomas Marion Tate was born in 1918 (miss you every day, Daddy) June 12 - Aubrey Tate born 1988 (and now pregnant!) June 14 - June Tate born 1981 June 23 - Matt Walker born 1974 June 26 - Edith Tate-Hern born 1922 June 30 - Daveena (Martinez) Walker born 1987