Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Great photos, Nancy!  Keep 'em comin' class!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Time for some holiday fun!  You may have seen this before but I never get tired of it!  Just click to start.

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

More holiday fun!  This was posted on Facebook recently.  Great family fun!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Don't you love that family fun?  Ok, um, uh, this one is for the ladies!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Thanks for all the great holiday photos, Nancy!  Take a look, class.  We're hoping for a lot more from the rest of you during the holiday season and for a bit of time afterwards.  Want you to have plenty of time to submit!  We can't wait to see your holiday photos!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

The great lights fights on TV are over for this season.  Chris Brikett and family in Scottsdale, AZ is this year's winner.  I couldn't find this year's video but here is the one from last year. Merry Christmas to you all!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

One of our all time American heroes is no longer with us, but remembering him is important. The military credits him with elevating the moral of thousands of military personel over the course of several wars. While this is a tribute to the man who spent his Christmas Eves in foreign countries with soldiers, marines and sailors, it is also important for us to remember those that he went to entertain and be with for Christmas---our men and women heroes who serve or have served us every day.  Freedom isn't free.  Merry Christmas (10 minutes, well worth the watch.

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Merry Christmas from some of the Arizona crowd!

Don't forget to upload your fav/cute/funny/family holiday photos to the 2017 contest gallery!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Oh! Wow! Just saw a pod of whales on the whale watching live cam on our home page. They barely broke the surface but I could see several spouts going off and on! So exciting to watch the Grey Whales migrating! Here's the live cam again:

Ed Smith

Ellen has encouraged me to post a holiday photo and I don't have anything worthy of showing but for one (below).  These last 7 years I have been "Santa Claus" for my son's pre-school special-needs classes at Goldwood School.  This year all of the pre-school, special-needs classes were relocated to Beach School.  This gave me the first chance in about 60 years to physically visit the elementary school where some of us (25%?) started our classroom experience in Rocky River.  A lot of memories came back...both real and imagined.  Some of them possibly even influencing my path to career, family and life in general.

BTY, I'm the one in the red suit and my son, Brian, is the "folliclely-impaired" guy.  I probably spelled that wrong but you get the gist.

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Thanks, Ed. What a great photo and occupation for both of you! I entered it into the 2017 gallery for you cuz it's pretty cute. Maybe not as cute as Taya (and Tenee together), but definitely "in the spirit" of the season!  BTW, I thought your son was you at first. Must be a look-alike! (Isn't it great the way they've preserved Beach?  It's like we never left, clocks and all!)

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

I hope everyone's New Year celebration was fun and sane. At this point in our lives we tend to fall asleep before the ball drops---at least I know I did. Check out the newest Holiday Photo entries.Thanks to Peg for her beautiful photo! There are cute, new ones also. Don't forget to upload your great holiday photos. You can enter until Jan 15. We want to share in your holiday celebration and traditions! May the New Year bring you everything you need!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Check out the newest photo in the Holiday Gallery from Bobbie (Young) Berwanger. Beautiful family.  It's not too late to add yours today and all day tomorrow!  We want to share in your joy!

Roberta Young (Berwanger)

Ellen I sent my photo to Alan because it failed when I sent it directly.  Ed's picture is really cute. Bobbi Young Berwanger

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

That's ok, Bobbie.  I had trouble getting it to display right for some reason but finally did!  Thanks for sending it in.  It's a really nice family holiday pix!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Don't forget to cast your vote for your fav holiday photo!  Mostly we want you to see the pictures but it's fun to pick a fav!

Alan Greenleaf

I would just like to loudly and publicly thank Ellen Templar for her excellent work on this page, and this site!

Well done, Ellen!  I'm not sure people know that this is "all you"!  

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Awwwww....shucks, Al.  Thanks.  But you all should know that Al is a big assist when it is needed!

Nancy Westerfield (Depew)

Linda Peate (Powrie)

Ellen:  Al is 100% right.  You have such great things that you include, information that is interesting, and all around do a fantastic job.  Thanks, Al, for bringing that up.  I think about it, and have been remiss in saying anything!  Thank, El!!!!

Roberta Young (Berwanger)

THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL YOUR HARDWORK BOBBI

Linda Peate (Powrie)

I communicated with Sally Willey Johnson yesterday.  She and I had lunch together this past summer and she was feeling very tired and they were trying to diagnose her, thought it was Leukemia. Yesterday she told me she has a form of Leukemia and has been on Chemotherapy.  I would like people to send her a message and thoughts and prayers that she heals quickly!  Her husband had back surgery this summer as well, and knee surgery just recently.  She has had a year that has been like many of us, TOUGH!  The good news:  it does get better.  

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Thanks for the update on Sally, Linda.  Sally has attended several minis the last few years and it's been great to see her.  I encourage everyone to drop her a note. When you are in these kinds of situations, it's so comforting to hear from people you know. We would do more of this if we know of anyone's situations. Don't be shy about sharing with us. The older we get, the more we care. We want to know how you are doing!  Positive thoughts for Sally here!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

This popped up on my FB page this morning and I thought you all would enjoy it!

Nancy Westerfield (Depew)