February 2009
I mentioned in our Meeting House column that Brandt had been on a trip. Pending a more detailed description from him, It will have to be simply described as a 3- week boat trip to Antarctica, Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. He sent me five pictures, and two are posted below at 640 X 480 resolution. They are much better at full size, so you folks with broadband, click here to see them as they deserve to be seen.
February 2007
I received a Christmas card from Brandt this year which included a family photo. This year's new addition to the family is William, the brand new son of his daughter Carrie. Unfortunately I lost it (because I put it in a special place, where it would be safe) and it is not available to post.
William's arrival was the highpoint of his and Sandy's year. He and I talk from time to time, and always find new news and old memories to exchange, but like most of us, he says this was otherwise "just another year".
I am posting an interesting photo from the reunion. It was taken at the end of the second night, when our collective judgement was worn to its low point.
Brandt had made a miniature cannon which is standing on end at the bottom of the photo. He is taking care to admonish everyone that gunpowder and alcohol do not mix, as he prepares to pour the charge down the barrel. It is aparent that Mike and I are appreciating the gravity of his words.
The gunpowder charge was packed with a slug of fancy cheese and we all went down to the dock to set it off. Pretty much, that was the end of our weekend; it was late, and people started drifting away afterwards. The last picture that I took, and the last picture in the "40th gallery" is of Holt, Carol, and Holly in the back of a station wagon, returning from the dock.
December, 2004
I had dinner at Brandt and Sandy's last October, on Homecoming Weekend. It was one of those easy and comfortable times when things seem to flow along effortlessly. We talked of "our" old times, and tossed around some thoughts for our "40th". We talked of our jobs and talked of the things that we do for fun.
Brandt sold his materials testing business two years ago, but is still tied to it as a consultant. It seems to me that he always enjoyed his work, but I suspect that he would be happier if he didn't need to be around there so much. Sandy is still in nursing, and managed a job change over the holidays which left her with quite a bit of time in between, right at the best time of the year. The new job is closer to home and has a better mix of duties.
Dear Friends and Family: December 2003
The years seem to go by so much faster as we get older. This year has been filled with many meaningful events. The big one was Carrie and James' wedding July 26th. They became engaged February fourteenth and put together a lovely celebration. They danced the most beautiful first dance. They are living in Brightwaters. Carrie is teaching Biology and Marine Biology in North Babylon and James is teaching dance for Arthur Murray.
Brandt and I have done a bit of travelling this year. A business trip took us to Puerto Rico in June; curiosity and friends took us to the Galapagos Islands in July. A need for relaxation took us to our condo in Islamorada, Florida in November. Helping his cousin Dirk and adventure took Brandt on an ocean voyage, in December, transporting Dirk's 48 foot Oyster from Ft. Lauderdale to Tortola, BWI, over 1200 miles of ocean travel. While Brandt was at sea, Sandy traveled to Boulder, Colorado to visit her Mother who relocated to Boulder in August. Her mother had elective hip replacement surgery on November 17th and is on the mend. Sophia and Ann both live in Boulder and have helped to lift mother's spirits and advocate for her as a patient.
We are looking forward to sharing Christmas with Carrie, James, Ben, Debbie and little Wesley who is just walking and most curious. The whole Rising family will be together for a Christmas Eve celebration at the Fieldhouse. In the past the Lotowycz family has shared Christmas with us in Brightwaters. This year Mary and Ann will be in Boulder to share with mother. Sophia and family will be in Spain to share Christmas with youngest son Joe who is on a Watson Fellowship travelling the globe.
Brandt continues to do consulting and Sandy is working part time as an oncology nurse, tutoring nursing students and doing massage therapy. Life is full and we try to keep a balance between family, fun and work. We wish all of you a happy, healthy and joyous New Year.
Brandt's trip:
I spoke with Brandt about his trip to Tortola... It seemed to be one of those "lifetime adventures", and I was curious to know more. He made the trip with two cousins and a fellow who had experience in open water sailing; someone who knew the difference between being real uncomfortable and being in real danger. Brandt had been out on the ocean before, but never for a long period. He learned to appreciate the strain of 3- hour watches in seas that are too rough to sleep in the other three hours.
The trip was into the wind all the way, but a slow- moving cold front cut the headwind a bit but really turned the seas up... not much of a bargain. He said he would love to do the trip over a leisurely two- month span rather than a ten day schedule, but also said he could be convinced to do a return trip on the boat.
Mid- April 2003: Brandt was just down the road in Corning, and stopped by for a visit. He had accompanied Sandy to a weekend massage therapy workshop.
February 23, 2003: I received an email and a bunch of pictures from Brandt:
Subj: NEWS?
Date: 2/23/2003 11:24:07 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: BARising
To: RTilden
Hey Bob-It almost seems like winter these past few weeks. Ice for iceboating and two feet of snow. Before the snow,I had the opportunity to go iceboating in Coecles Harbor on Shelter Is. for two days. It is a beautiful spot which I have visited many times in the warmer months and always wondered how the iceboating would be. We had a good time and enjoyed the hospitality of the locals.
The Spring and Summer are setting up as busy. Our daughter Carrie became engaged on Valentines Day and will marry in late July. Prior to this announcement Sandy and I had set up trips to Corning and Islamorada in April, Puerto Rico(business meeting) in June and Galapagos in July. I guess it will be August before we get to enjoy the Bay and the boat.
Attached are some photos including Coecles Harbor last weekend with Sandy,sister Sally and Mom-also the Blue Max, thinking of selling her after 20 years-any interest!
Brandt's page is getting too big, and I have moved these photos to another page. click here to see them!
Finally, I am working on digitalizing the 16mm films-I will forward a copy when completed-as you said before, don't hold your breath-
Best regards to all-Brandt
Remember how Brandt's mom had a movie camera at so many of the school events? Those are the 16mm films that Brandt mentioned. He showed several to Jay and I when we visited a while back, and it was fantastic to see "us" again. When he gets them done, I will post stills from them, and one of us will make copies of the DVD available... Bob.
February 4, 2003:
Brandt and Sandy enclosed the following note in their Christmas card:
Merry Christmas to all. This has been a year of abundance in many ways. We took a cruise to Alaska with 19 family members. It was great to share the enjoyment of such magnificent country; seeing whales, orcas, bears, eagles, puffin, otters, sealions, moose, caribou and lynx. Ben and Debbie stayed home in Connecticut, tending to more important things such as the arrival of Wesley Brandt Rising on September 24, 2002 weighing 7lbs, 15 oz and 20 ¾ inches long. It has been a privilege to share time with our first grandchild.
Brandt continues, as a consultant travelling to NYC and NJ as the job requires. Sandy works two days a week at Huntington Hospital doing oncology nursing. Carrie has completed her teaching certification and will start working in the North Babylon school district as a Biology teacher.
We hope you have had a good year and have a happy and healthy 2003.
***
I spoke with both of them this morning, mostly with Sandy because Brandt's telephones kept going off. As was reported earlier, he has sold the business, but consulting for the new owners keeps him on a short leash. Sandy became an RN fairly recently, and is also a licensed massage therapist. Her work at the hospital
focuses on a more wholistic approach to patient care.
Their Daughter Carrie has now started teaching. Ben, besides being Wesley's father, is a marine architect and engineer.
2001
Brandt and I have talked several times over the years. He has owned a materials testing laboratory for long enough that he can fluently enunciate the word "retirement".
He and Sandy would probably share the award for the "the least- changed person". Both of them look little changed from 35 years ago, and it was delightful to visit with them in Brightwaters on a Friday evening last October.
I never paid much attention to the fact that his mom was "always" taking movies all through our high school days. What a treat it was when Brandt set up the projector and showed a half hour of these short movies... There was lots of football and track stuff, but the Field Day, Senior Rally, and Graduation Day movies were the best because they had glimpses of so many of us!
It was tantalizing to see the quick flash of a face from so long ago; we could see it, but nothing more. We couldn't speak with it or touch it. The four of us said hello to so many of you folks that night.
The Vela is long gone, and I am told, so are the days when kids can pilot such a boat around the bay like Brandt did so many times with us. He still enjoys the bay winter and summer, and even dug a bowl of clams for hors d'oeuvres. (I was glad that Jay doesn't like clams either. The two of watched from a respectful distance while Brandt, Sandy, and my wife- the hill country girl-feasted).