Hello friends,
Sorry it has been so long, but life is busy. I guess I did the same thing last year - my November issue was the first after a July issue in 2017.
Though my Dad had a lot put together for his estate, actually handling it is nearly 2nd full time job for me. He had 4 properties (rental units) and a vending company (coin-operated video games). It will take me well over a year to sort it all out in total. We have 5 tenants, lots of issues and not enough time! So, that is my life in a nutshell. Good news is that I'm close to selling the first building, and I have a younger brother that helps out too. If you know anyone interested in buying nearly a whole city block in the North Buffalo Parkside area, let me know! Oh - and if anyone wants some large video games (arcade games), we have a few for your garage or basement! Serious inquiries only.
I hope that your summer was wonderful and that you are preparing for the winter ahead. So much rain lately, but I'm definitely glad that it isn't snow yet. And I hope you voted yesterday...
Warmest regards,
Molly PS - Don't forget these newsletters are also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com
2018 Rochester Pioneer's Picnic
The picnic was a success as usual. The weather was great, food was great and the people are always great! (Consistency is nice). There were 205 in attendance (also identical to last year)!
Special thanks again to Arnie and Ann Stockslader, Mary Dibble, Jim White and Kevin Sullivan for helping out. It was our 80th year and we had some giveaways and I could not pull that off without help. I hope you enjoyed them. I had a few leftover and will bring them next year if anyone missed them.
We did a 50/50 raffle this year and $275 went to the winner - Keith Simmonds. Lucky guy...
A super special thanks to Ken Kuzia - he (again) took a lot of fantastic pictures this year at the picnic and is happy to share them with you. Be sure to check them out here when you get a chance: Pioneer's Picnic 2018
The RG&E Armed Forces Club will be holding a Flag Ceremony for Veterans Day on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 11AM at the RG&E Service Center at 1300 Scottsville Road.
Per John & Christy Klein:
The Florida Retiree Picnic is March 11, 2019! NEW: This is the second (2) Monday of the Month.
Fossil/Hydro Breakfasts If you could include the change of venue for our monthly breakfasts to The Railroad Station Restaurant on Ridge Rd. West from Stoney's on Lyell Ave. on the last Wednesday of the month at 9:00 in the pioneers news letter it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance Jim Quadd
From Heinz Kepplinger on 08/06/18:
Stopped to visit Dave Burke the other day. He couldn't make it to the picnic but wishes to say hello to all the RGE pioneers.
Dave is a Korean war vet. He worked in maps & records, before being transferred to Ginna where he worked at the Brookwood Info Center.
Sadly, Dave's Obit is also in this newsletter - Molly
Al Hendrikse Retired Lineman/Foreman/General Foreman from Lakeshore District recently passed away. (could not find obit)
If you know of folks that should be getting this newsletter - have them check their spam or junk folders. I have come across a few that we send to, request that I put their email in, but they never open them, so I assume they are caught up in spam.
Hello friends,
Happy July! Boy it is hot, hot, hot outside. My weather app on my phone said it was 98 degrees yesterday with a "feels like" 121 degrees! See picture! I hope that you are staying cool. If you don't have AC I hope you have lots of fans, drink ice water, wear sunscreen if you need to be outside and ask for help if you need it. I like to wear bandannas soaked in cold water - either on my head or around my neck. This weather can be very bad for the elderly. Heat stroke is no joke, so watch out for each other and check in. Here are some other tips.
In this newsletter I'm going to try and catch up on the last few months of things I haven't had time to post yet. Lots of goodies inside.
Warmest regards,
Molly
2018 Rochester Pioneer's Picnic
Though the deadline has passed, I will always accept anyone that wants to attend. You can keep sending in your checks up until July 27th - I just needed a good headcount for GIFTS I wanted to provide this year, so if you pay after the deadline, you may not be able to get one (I did order some extras though). I only ask that you pay ahead of time unless you have special circumstances that prevent you from doing so. Details - click here. If anyone needs help paying for the picnic, there is an anonymous donor willing to help! And, I've heard Tony Ferrari kept a lot of RG&E memorabilia, we may be receiving some items from the family to raffle off. We also plan on having a 50/50 again this year.
Ed Messmer update from Dave Kaspersin: 06/22/18: Post from Facebook: Saw Ed today. He is much improved. We took him a picture from 30 years ago, of Ed, Kevin Sullivan, Dave Masella and me at a party. Jackie and I could not remember where the party was or who it was for. Ed remembered BOTH. Dave 06/06/18: Post from Facebook: Ed got moved back to rehab last week. He's on the 5th floor, 1200, room 22 now and is receiving rehab. I just talked to Vic this morning, he had talked to Debbie and Ed is status quo from last week which was so-so. He had been vomiting and they're trying to figure out the cause of it. He looked pretty good last Wednesday when I was up there. They were working on his speech again. He still has his sense of humor. I thought someone mentioned they had him standing up trying to use a walker which sounded encouraging. I'm not sure how much progress he had with that though. I think that's about all I've got for an update. I think tomorrow will mark 17 weeks. Substations, SCADA and the Standards Lab took up a collection and Vic Novello is arranging for their lawn to be taken care of with the collection. Any extra will be used for snow plowing. One sad thing is Debbie had to retire Ed from RG&E so last Thursday was Ed's official last day as an employee. She had talked to Ed about it be is not sure if he remembers it. His long term memory still seems to be intact. Thanks for inquiring about him. I know the family appreciates everyone's thoughts. Debbie has mentioned that several times.
Email from Bob Richardson 4/15/18: (the picture in the link is poor quality, but maybe you can recognize folks - Molly)
Molly this picture was taken 2/21/1963 on the 4th floor main office which was all general accounting at the time. Most have passed but a few may be available to enjoy. I can ID many but certainly not all. Sharon Gregory Cavaleri is likely the best to contact . Don’t know if any of the younger gals would recall names. I married Pat Gibbs Leone (2nd from let in back row) in 1997. Before that I married Carol Neu from the RGE payroll dept . back in 1964. Well anyway , good luck if you try to do anything with it.
-Bob Richardson, Mgr in General Accounting, hired 6/19/61 retired 9/1/94
Email from Dave Payne on 6/8/18: (I was unable to get communication out for the Memorial Day services - Molly)
Hi Molly,
I am working on the history of the RG&E Choruses and Big Band. In the coarse of this work I found a wonderful tribute to our RG&E Service Men who left their employ at RG&E to participate in WWII. Please see attached. You may want to put this in our newsletter.
The RG&E Armed Forces Club put on a Memorial Day service at Scottsville Rd at noon on Tuesday May 29th at noon. Apparently it was not communicated well, as I needed to walk around the Scottsville Rd facility on that day and announce the service will begin at noon. There was no management representation. I am sure the few remaining active Vet's Club members will be there again this coming Veteran's Day.
I hope you have a wonderful summer.
David Payne
Email from Heinz Kepplinger 6/27/18: Picture link.
Don't recall the date, last fall sometime
Left to right is Heinz Kepplinger, Larry Castellano, Ed Hosmer, Pete Klein, Joe Bringley
If you know of folks that should be getting this newsletter - have them check their spam or junk folders. I have come across a few that we send to, request that I put their email in, but they never open them, so I assume they are caught up in spam.
Hello! I realized I mailed out cards and didn't send out anything electronically on the picnic details, and my deadline is coming up quickly. If you are attending, please send checks asap! Again, I did not receive an updated list (or any list) from RG&E this year, so please spread the details by word of mouth.... Other updates will need to be in a future newsletter. Happy Father's Day! Warmest regards, Molly
~SAVE THE DATE~ 80th Annual RG&E Pioneer’s Picnic
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 Barnard Exempt Party House, 360 Maiden Lane 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM; food available from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM; Cash beverages and cash bar $16 per person – includes GIFT!
Please pay in advance by Friday, June 22, 2018:
Make check out to “PIONEERS OF RG&E”
Please include names of attendees
Mail to:
Molly Johnston 51 Chautauqua Drive Rochester, NY 14623
If you know of folks that should be getting this newsletter - have them check their spam or junk folders. I have come across a few that we send to, request that I put their email in, but they never open them, so I assume they are caught up in spam.
