Hodgepodge

Charlie’s Christmas Angel list 2018
– part two

By Charlie Hodge

Charlie’s Christmas Angel list had so many nominations I ran out of room last week so here are the rest as well as Tez’s and, of course, mine.

Karen Krout named two Angels, “Joyce Ritchey volunteers at nursing homes and looks after neighbors’ homes when we’re away. Pam Kemp has taken on the job of chairperson of the refugee committee at St. Charles Garnier Parish. It’s a very small committee and a large family so she does a lot of the work herself. ”

I tried to chop Maggie Sharpe’s nomination into two or three sentences but failed so here it is. “My special angel is Tammy Elcome. A few days before meeting Tammy, I visited the Saje Store (Orchard Park Mall) I have Asthma also COPD. I am very sensitive to smell. I wanted to find out the best Aroma Breeze I could have in my apartment.

The staff was successful in finding me one aroma. I was given a price for the diffuser and the aroma. My budget was unable to have me purchase the items. (My husband Bob has been in a nursing home since November 2017.)

Several days later I went to the same mall. When I returned to my car, I realize I had lost my keys. There was vehicle next to my car with the driver waiting to pick up his wife. I (eventually) found my keys and was thrilled. The driver in the next vehicle rolled down his window and was happy for me. We carried on a fun conversation with a few jokes for about 10 minutes, (enjoyable 10 minutes) letting him know I still find it hard placing Bob in a Nursing Home. I never thought it would ever happen to Bob and I.

“To make my long winded email short the driver’s wife arrived and I learned she was the manager of the Saje store. Beautiful young lady. I told her about my fantastic help from her staff members knowing I had asthmas/COPD. I told her I thanked the salesperson for taking time for me and hope one day I will be able to afford to purchase the diffuser and the very special aroma my Asthma will accept. I also told Tammy about our IODE Thrift Shop on Ellis Street, the oldest thrift shop in town. I gave Tammy my IODE Card, with my name, telephone number and my email address – with the hope she will spread the word of IODE Canada. I told her we need members just like many other charitable organization.

A few days later Tammy and her husband asked to see me and presented with me the Aroma Breeze Ultrasonic Diffuser, from her and the staff at the Orchard Park Saje Store. I am enjoying the aroma in my apartment which gives me peace and love whenever I want to relax listening to my special music, the symphony and now listening to the beautiful singers from the past. Thank you to Tammy Elcome and the Staff at Saje Store at the Orchard Park Mall.”

Thanks Maggie for your story.

Tez, my number one Angel has a few on her list including Gianpaolo ‘Paolo’ Morello the best roommate ever. “He helped us with Christmas decorations, putting up and taking down elections signs, and yard work I cannot do. He is a wonderful person,” Tez says. She also named Jim Krahn for, “coming to our aid numerous times when needing things fixed, Darlene Finnigan for just being there, and last but not least the Yard Angels “for getting us back on track.”

Tez has been my number one angel for years but in the past two has gone above and beyond our vows as I have struggled through my health issues. I can be a snarling jerk sometimes, especially when fed up with pain and the frustration of limited breathing and the ability to do things, however Tez has continuously been there to help.

This year I have been very blessed with other angels as well. Fred Finnigan and Curtis Tulman have spent countless hours helping me with a variety of activities or needs – and always with a smile. Other Angels I must mention include Jan Johnson at City Hall, Tracy Gray, Brad Sieben, Dr. Graeme McCauley, Dave Cousins, John Adams, Ralph Krehbiel, Irma Sutherland, Deb Stone and Gary Smyth.

Numerous Mason brothers have also been of tremendous help most notably Josh Stilborn, Robert ‘Hotsands’ Nerbus, Brian Porter, Joe Mandrusiak, and the always caring David Martyn.

A warm thanks also to all of those residents who helped me out in my campaign.

2017 was a horrible year for Tez and I but 2018 for the most part has been a good year. Good friends have helped make it that way.

Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas.