Dick Kreider's Sister

Just got an email from Dick Kreider, our friend in Lancaster, PA, and his sister passed away last Saturday at the age of 90. Please keep Dick and his family in your prayers.

Hanging Out in the Sun

Jogging around the parking lot!

Waiting for me while I shop!

A beachfront restaurant.

Having lunch on the beach.

Checking out the new neighbors.

Wildlife in the Keys

An iguana fell out of a palm as I walked by, missing me by an inch!!!!!!

Pelican sitting in a Mangrove Tree at the KOA Park

A white heron at Islamarada.

Pelican on a dock in the keys.

Parrots at a restraurant in Islamarada.

Selma in Hospital

Wanted to make everyone aware that Ed's sister, Selma Best, is in the hospital at Morehead. She has been there about a week and has pneumonia. Please keep Selma and her family in your prayers.

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Love the Pictures, Keep 'Um Coming!

Road to the river house

Beth and Karen Braxton with their "snowman"

Judson in his snuggly after playing in the snow Porch view from Judson's & Beth's at the river Snowing in the palms

Another Snow Picture from Pitt County

Charles and Tina Parker, Ed's niece and her husband, sharing a picture of their adorable dog playing in the snow!

Wacky Tacky Day at School

Pictures shared by Angie Robb.

MAKENNA WON 1ST PLACE IN HER CLASS AND

MEGAN WON 1ST PLACE IN HER CLASS FOR THE TACKIEST LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cudjoe Key Radar Balloon

These are pictures taken from our RV window. We see the balloon raised and lowered, depending on the weather. Cudjoe Key is the Key immediately over the bridge at our campground. The balloon helps guide us home when we travel on Highway 1. Thought you would be interested in knowing this little tidbit of trivia.

Tethered Aerostat Radar System
The Tethered Aerostat Radar System is a balloon-borne radar. The primary aerostat mission is to provide radar data in support of other federal agencies involved in the nation's drug interdiction program. One aerostat, located at Cudjoe Key, Fla., transmits TV Marti, which sends American television signals into Cuba for the U.S. Information Agency. The air drug interdiction program consists of land-based aerostat radar detection ballons along the U.S. southern border and in the Carribbean, and a series of airborne surveillance assets such as P-3 AEW, interceptor aircraft, and apprehension helicopters. The purpose is to seal off the border to illegal drugs coming in by aircraft. The program has been expanded to interdict the narcotic flow before it gets to the U.S. border.
The Federal Aviation Administration first advised Customs to begin looking for aerostat sites on the Southwest border and the gulf in 1981. Major General Piotrowski, in hearings before the House in 1983, urged consideration of the use of aerostats in the war on drugs. The requirement for the Tethered Aerostat Radar System network was established in 1984 by the U.S. Customs Service to help counter illegal drug trafficking. The first antidrug aerostat went operational in 1985 at High Rock Grand Bahama Island. The second site was built at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in 1986. Customs began seeking proposal requests from contractors for these balloons in 1987. Overall responsibility for the program fell to Customs and the Coast Guard, until congressional language in 1991 and 1992 transferred management to the Defense Department, with the Air Force as executive agent.

Snowy Day in Bethel at Karen's House

Karen & Scott's Side Yard

Kelli and Mackenzie in snow

Christopher in the front yard

Kelli in the back yard

Snow at April & Kevin Haltigan's on Tuesday, January 20

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

"Ireland and Alana finally experienced snow this morning! We had only around an inch when these photos were taken this morning. I think we are up to 3+ inches now. The mill pond behind our house is peaceful and beautiful. Hope all of you are enjoying it as much as we are! " ~April

April Guardabascio's Kids Attend Pirate Party

"Hi all. Hope you’re doing well. Joseph & Jaden got invited to a birthday party Sunday on a pirate ship. At first, there were some tears and ear-holding, but, before too long, they were “aargh”ing with the best of them! They had so much fun! I was bummed that I missed it, but Grandpa Joe went in my place. Sunday, as most of you know, is one of my work days! Joe took some great pictures of the kids. I still can’t get over the face painting. It makes me laugh every time! Enjoy!"

Love from us,

April

Swim Meet

This is the son of Lee Ann and Mike DelMonte of Washington.

"Joe swam his last Home Swim meet today. It has been a fun four years. What will I do with my Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings next year?
We go onto Conference in New Bern next week. Regionals in Goldboro are the 7th of Feb. and God willing he is expected to go onto States in the 200 Free Relay on the 14th in Chapel Hill. "

Lee Ann DelMonte

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June Whitehurst from Bethel Passes Away

June grew up at Whitehurst Station outside Bethel. I knew her for many years and she was married to Jimmy Keel of Bethel until their divorce some years ago. Please keep her family in your prayers.

June K. Whitehurst NEW BERN - June Kuleen Whitehurst, 58, passed into Heaven to be with her Lord on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer. The funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park. Ms. Whitehurst grew up in Whitehurst Station and attended Bethel High School. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Special Education from East Carolina University. In health, she willingly gave of her time and resources to serve others, putting their needs before her own. She homeschooled her two daughters and taught special education students in both Pitt and Craven counties. She was an active attendee of both Temple Baptist Church in New Bern and Covenant United Methodist Church in Greenville. Ms. Whitehurst enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her three beautiful granddaughters, and Debbie Whitehurst, her best friend of more than 20 years. She was known by her kind words, generous spirit, beautiful smile, and sparkling eyes, which remained even as her health faded. She is survived by her parents, Ralph and Louise Whitehurst of Robersonville; daughters, Anna K. Welch and husband, David, of Eglin AFB, Florida, and Jaimi Whitehurst of New Bern; and grandchildren, Maddison Welch, Meredith Welch, and Marina June Welch. Ms. Whitehurst will be remembered as a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend by those whose lives she has touched. Although she will be missed, there is comfort in knowing that she is at peace in her Father's arms. They will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.

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Macy Winslow, Daughter of a Friend, Tina Johnston

Macy Alexandra Winslow, 16, died suddenly on Wednesday Jan. 14, 2009. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be private. Macy was a junior at D.H. Conley High School where she was an honor student and enjoyed cheerleading. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Tina and Mike Johnston; father and stepmother, James and Norma Winslow; sisters, Heather Winslow Bass and husband, Michael, Nicole Garza, and Mackenzie Winslow; niece, Abigail Bass, all of Greenville; grandmother, Myrtle Ramos, of Seven Springs; step-siblings, and many more loved ones. The family will receive friends at Wilkerson's Funeral Home tonight from 6-8. Memorial contributions may be made to the Macy Winslow Memorial Fund, c o East Carolina Bank, 1001 Red Banks Road, Greenville, NC 27858. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com

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We Have Arrived!! Friday Afternoon January 16

Just arrived at Sugar Loaf Key today around 12:30. Spent the first night in Brunswick, GA, at a Flying J Truck Stop and last night stayed at the Miami Walmart parking lot.

We had no hot water on the way down, thus, no showers! Have called a repairman to work on the hot water heater and hope he comes today.

Well, if anyone wants to come down and stay for a few days, let us know so we can get you on the calendar.

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Old Friend's Grandkids

These are grandchildren of Earl Lee, my OLD boss from Burroughs Wellcome! He now lives in Orlando. These are pictures of his youngest daughter, Sonya's, two girls.

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Congratulations!!!!! Ed Graduates

Today, Ed Sr., graduated from the Pitt County Memorial Hospital Pulmonary Rehab Program. He's doing great, as you can see in these pictures where the group is doing the "Hokie Pokie".

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Headed for Key West

Ed and I are hoping to get out of town next week, headed south for a few weeks! Taking the RV to Key West, KOA Park in SugarLoaf Key. We're not sure exactly what day we'll be leaving but will keep the blog updated, so be sure to pass along any family info you'd like posted.

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Upcoming Wedding

My cousin, Brent Fleming, who lives in California gave me an update on his family this week. His son, Mark, is getting married next weekend. They have been together for ten years and recently made a decision to make the leap to matrimony.

We wish them much happiness and hope to get some pictures of the wedding very soon to post on the blog!

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Help Create a Mascot

Judson has a new project at EJE to create a "green mascot" for the recycling company.

He's asked me to post this opportunity for anyone to earn $100 if you submit a mascot and it's selected. His new slogan is Go Green, Go EJE Recycling!

Be sure to submit your mascot ideas by January 20th!

Judson's email address is ejerecycle@yahoo.com

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Happy New Year

This is the new James-Whitehurst blog for 2009!

Some people are using dial-up and when the blog has lots of pictures, it becomes hard for them to call up the site. The old blogs are still available at the following addresses:

http://jameswhitehurst2008.blogspot.com/

http://jameswhitehurst2007.blogspot.com/

http://james-whitehurst.blogspot.com/