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YEAR-END NEWSLETTER, 2004 (From 9/26/04 through 12/31/04, inclusive)
So, you're asking yourself "Where's LOST AND FOUND been and why haven't they written to tell me about it?" Or, maybe you're asking yourself, "Why have things seemed so peaceful lately?" Either way, the answer is, we've been busy. Picking up where we left off . . .
Michael and I flew to Anaheim, CA. I flew in a plane from Detroit; he flew in a car down the freeway from Los Angeles. Obviously, I got there first. The purpose of our Orange Country visit was to play at the first of this year's National Youthworkers Conventions, hosted by our friends at Youth Specialties. As expected, had a grand old time. Then we went home until the next weekend, when we flew to Florida. Troy had driven the van down, and kindly picked us up at the airport in Miami, where it was hot as Haiti. First up on the Florida tour was Davie (as in "Gee . . ."), which is Miami to you and me. We were pleased to have our pals Alathea open the show with some songs. The next night, we played at our friend Carl Jones' church in Tampa, and Debbie with whom I went to high school came over to the concert. I haven't seen her since high school, so it's been almost five years now. A young lady came sporting her home-made Stein Auf shirt. The next day, we drove through the remnants tornadic activity and played for the folks in Lakeland, which is neither Tampa nor Orlando to you and me. We had to drive a couple extra hours because the guy who does our hotel bookings totally made a huge mistake. I won't embarrass him by mentioning any names, but he's the same guy who writes our newsletters.
And then, in a familiar pattern, we went home until the next weekend. Then we both flew to Dallas for the second of this year's National Youthworkers Conventions, hosted by our friends at Youth Specialties. As expected, had a grand old time. Then we flew home until the next weekend, when we headed out to Valparaiso, Indiana and played at the aptly named Valparaiso, University, Valparaiso, Indiana. In the Great Hall there, a couple of young ladies had a home-made sign they'd brought along. Of course, we turned them down.
I'm KIDDING! Back off, would ya' people?
Chinese Happy rocks on!
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Next night, we carried the equipment up a lot of stairs and played in Ferndale, Michigan, where our friends Chinese Happy opened up the show. Oddly, we did not play anywhere Sunday night, and thus went home day early, until the next weekend when we met up in Portage, Indiana. Played at a really cool coffee house called Jacob's Grotto. (I went to college with a guy named Doug Grotto. I wonder if they're related?) Our friends Alathea played some songs prior to our audio assault. Afterward, we drove to Troy, Ohio to spend the night. It was a little out of the way, due to a mistake by the hotel guy who shall remain unnamed but who is writing this sentence. Next night we played in West Milton, Ohio, where we met lots of new people and had lots of fun. The next night, we crossed back across the time zone and played in Naperville, IL, which is Chicago to you and me.
The next weekend, we didn't go anywhere but trick or treating. I made a lame attempt at the Mona Lisa, but Eleanor wisely chose Spongebob. Most importantly, I put myself in charge of sorting out the daughters' candy explaining how all the good ones were meant for the parents. Then, on Friday, I flew back to California and Michael and I returned to Anaheim for a concert. We had the next day off, and spent a lovely day at Michael's bungalow. Then, on Sunday, we drove up north to the cheese capital of California, otherwise known as Hillmar. We even went to the cheese museum before the concert. Yes. I know. Afterward, we went to the airport and flew home.
The next weekend, it was time to alternate back to Indiana, and we drove over to Fort Wayne. Before the concert, we had a nice time hanging out with the youth group and checking out the pictures of the pastors the congregation has produced over the years. Afterward, we drove east to Wheeling, West Virginia, where we don't often get to play. Our friends Alathea opened the show again, and we all had a fine time. Then both bands drove far east, and made it in time for an afternoon show in Reistertown, Maryland. (Baltimore, to you and me.) Cool stained glass at this church, especially in the gym. Obviously, with having driven all the way over there and all, Alathea opened the show with their finely tuned tunes. Then we all went home.
The next weekend, Michael and I met up in Atlanta for the third of this year's National Youthworkers Conventions, hosted by our friends at Youth Specialties. Contrary to no one's expectations, we had a grand old time. Then we went home and had a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat. Went to sleep and didn't get up until the next morning, when we got to fly to Des Monies, Iowa for the LC-MS District youth gathering. We had a great time, and met all sorts of interesting folks. We appreciated being appreciated like we were, and then drove quickly yet safely to Grand Island, Nebraska where it was snowing like only Nebraska can. Brrr. Fortunately, the Cornhuskers are used to this kind of thing, and a surprising number came over to the concert that Sunday night. That being Sunday, it meant it was time to go back home, which we did. When I got there, I took our 240,000 mile van over to the dealer and had it put to sleep. And now we have a new one, which looks exactly like the old one. You know, it's like they always say, if it don't look broke, don't fix the color or model. Or, however they say that thing they say when in Rome.
The next weekend, I drove down to Knoxville to meet up with everybody for the (hoo boy, how many is this?) 6th Annual LOST AND FOUND Christmas Tour. Wow. Just like last year, we had ourselves, plus the Fitz Family, plus Famous-actor Justin Vetrano, plus rapper Agape Dave Scherer, plus folk singer Rachel Kurtz, divided by 5 nights, equals the square root of a great time. As I say, Knoxville was first. Before the show, everybody got in a little practice time. The Fitz family juggled their pins. Father Fitz appears to be just standing there holding two pins, but I swear he was part of this routine. Michael decided it was time to get on the ball. Not surprisingly, the smaller yellow ball is much more difficult because of the reduced surface area, but Michael bravely gave it a go and did fine with that too. After the show, we all drove eastward and set the whole thing up at the church of our long-time friend and world-record holder Mike Hout in Miamisburg, Ohio. As always, we enjoyed spending time in the beautiful sanctuary, and once more the church members set up a delightsome feast for the hungry Christmas Tour tourists.
From there, we headed further east, and played another beautiful room in Ingomar, PA. (Pittsburgh adjacent.) Had a great time, and were treated to a little pre-show organ playing by a fellow whose name I think was Matt. Then we all went home, or at least somewhere other than Ingomar, until Friday when we met up in Manor, PA, which is near Mt. Joy, which is near Lancaster, which is near Harrisburg, which is the capital of Pennsylvania, which is the Keystone State. I had a rather traumatic journey involving the breakdown of the new van somewhere in deep Pennsylvania. I will spare you the details, but tell you I did make it to the church, albeit r-e-a-l late. At the show that night, we were pleased to see some long-time friends, like Laura and Jeff, some of whom we haven't seen in years and years, like Jeff.
"Ho, ho, ho, and use words if necessary."
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Afterwards, we drove into New Jersey, which someone had placed right in the middle of the road. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Yes. I know. The next day, we continued east onto Rhode Island, where our good friends Garth and Brian met us and helped set everything up. Plus, they provided a scrumptious meal, and we were all so pleased that Michael and Dave were led to race unicycles up the center aisle at the church. Neither of them is very good at this sport, but remarkably nobody got hurt. Rachel then decided it was time for her too to get on the ball, and she did. Then some people showed up for the show, and it was time to stop with the shenanigans. The final show went great, and Justin's family was able to come over for it, which was a delightful surprise for us all. From there, we all headed home, and Michael and I had a big long break, which lasted past Christmas. Then the snow came to Ohio, and Saint Francis did his impersonation of Saint Nicholas.
Big Wheels Keep on Turnin'
Where's The Beast?
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After celebrating the incarnation of our Lord, Michael and I drove yet again from my house back to Pennsylvania, where we played for a youth gathering of the Brethren in Christ Church. As we discovered two years ago, we happen to love playing for these appreciative folks. We had a total blast. Among the interesting events during this gathering, we played on a boat, and Michael played Belle in a brief musical. Then, in abrupt fashion, Lily turned 6, and the year ended at midnight the following day.
And that's what's been up with us. Hope you've gotten more sleep than we have. Don't forget to check the Photo Phrenzy for photos of the people who were willing to watch us play some songs this quarter.
Later,
george
Read more of George's monthly newsletters.
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