Mini-Cuz'n Camp 2018

Tylre, Jaeson, Memo and ”Taco” came for a visit on the weekend of July 6.  We weren’t expecting them so were pleasantly surprised when they rang our doorbell. Not long after they arrived, Zac and his longtime girlfriend Danielle (from Connecticut or Pennsylvania) showed up on our front porch … and minutes later, Whitney arrived in time for Grandpa’s waffles. This Friday morning turned out to be a impromptu mini-Cuz’N Camp, including gales of laughter and memories shared. Notice how tall Zac is getting (when he's on his tip toes).  I sure love these kids but don’t see them often enough! 

Travels to Toronto

The RY2017-18 Rotary International Convention was held in Toronto, Canada and since we had never been there we decided we should go.  So we paid the $700 registration fee, boarded a plane and headed for Toronto.  

Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario and the largest city in Canada by population, with 2,731,571 residents … and in the Greater Toronto Area, the population in 2016 was 5,928,040!  It’s pretty obvious this is a huge city judging by the traffic!

Before the convention – with more than 30,000 Rotarians in attendance from all over the world – we decided to travel to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, from which we could see downtown Buffalo, NY.  The falls were beautiful, but the crowds were comparable to a busy day at Disneyland – and the traffic, to and from Niagara, was bumper-to-bumper in four lanes … on both sides of the freeway. 

The convention was amazing! Speakers included – but in way limited to – Former First Lady Laura Bush and The Royal Princess Anne, sister to HRH Queen Elizabeth.

But, the highlight of our week in Toronto came in a very unexpected way:

In between sessions, we were sitting in the House of Friendship having a drink while waiting for the next session to begin, when a woman walked by with a Guyana flag on her purse!  At first I thought I was seeing things so I jumped up and followed her around the corner booth.  I was delighted to see she had stopped to look at some Rotary-branded merchandise, so I approached her with a question, “are you from Guyana?”  “Born there,” she replied, “but came to the US as a child. Now living in Lafayette, CA.  Why do you ask?”

I then proceeded to tell her our story – how we had lived in Guyana for 18 months.

“Are you LDS,” she asked and I almost fell over because she is not only LDS but has been in Rotary for about 2 years … with her underlying goal to find ways to help her native country through Rotary.

“But my real reason,” she said, “is to find a way to get the Church to save records which are rapidly deteriorating for the families of Guyana.”  

I wanted to weep with joy because this is what we – Simeon, Selwin and I – have been working on, too. When couple missionaries are assigned to the work and it officially begins, I will post the “rest of the story” which is sooooo amazing!

Next year the RI Convention will be held in Hamburg, Germany … and as Rotary District Governor (RY2020-21), Ed and I will have our travel expenses paid-in-full.  Can’t wait to travel to the land of my paternal grandmother’s ancestry!

Rick Retires from SGFD

“After 24 years of service to the City of St. George, Firefighter Rick Welch has retired. Firefighter Welch has been a valuable asset to the St. George Fire Department throughout his entire career. His positive attitude and willingness to work hard will be greatly missed! Thank you, Firefighter Welch, for everything you've done for St. George and its citizens. Enjoy your retirement!” so said the City of St. George in a Facebook post following his retirement party on Friday, June 15, 2018.

Rick, one of our three favorite sons-in-law, began his career with the City of St. George on August 22, 1994 as a wastewater equipment operator with the Water Services Department.  In December 1997, he joined the SGFD as a reserve firefighter and two years later, on September 5, 1999, he was hired as a full-time firefighter.

His retirement party included members of his squad, city officials, as well as assorted members of the Welch and Sappington family … all who sang the praises of this exceptional man, including his father David Welch who said, "Yes, he's one helluva good son.  I'm going to keep him."  There was lots of laughter - and tears - and tons of hugs!  

After cake and kudos, the SGFD surprised him with a ride home – after his last shift – on the City's antique Studebaker firetruck, including his family, officers in full-dress uniforms, flashing lights and sirens.

Happy to call Rick Welch a member of our family ... and this is certain to make our 2018 Sappington Family Top Ten list!

Denver Sappington's in Winter Park

As has been our tradition for the past several years, we traveled to Denver to visit with David, Jan'L and the kids at the end of their school year ... but this time, we arranged for a condominium through our time share points.  We met at Winter Park, a beautiful resort community about 65 miles from downtown Denver and high in mountains with an average snowfall of 29 feet. Together we enjoyed a long weekend exploring, hiking, eating and playing. It was nothing spectacular or out-of-the-ordinary as vacations go, but it was sure fun to be with our oldest son and his family without work interruptions and demands on our time.

Selwin Earns His First College Degree

Selwin Anthony Lovell graduated - in 1 1/2 years - on May 4, 2018 with his Associate of Science degree from Dixie State University.  In recognition of his "high standard of scholarship and a demonstrated commitment to professional and public service," he was also inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communications Association Honor Society.

He didn't want to walk to receive his degree, but thanks to Brianna's insistence he donned his red cap and gown and took the prerequisite stroll across the stage!  His next accomplishment is a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications ... then on to a Masters Degree.

So proud of this young man for his hard work and continuing efforts to succeed in life!

DAY SIXTEEN: Home Again, Home Again … Jiggity Jog

After 16 “bad hair days” because of rain and consistent high humidity, our time in Scotland and Ireland is at an end.  We will not see most of our bus mates ever again so I am glad to have spent this time with them, including organizing several group shots along the way.  As in any “family” there have been a few cranky ones, a few who are never ruffled no matter the circumstances, many who are aging with difficulty; some who are friendly while choosing to remain aloof and others who are warm and open; but all who have amazing, interesting, sad or funny life stories.

The Chen's lost their luggage in Glasgow, and didn't complain, even when it was found in the wrong room at the hotel where we had stayed ... but wasn't delivered to them for three days.  Bob Beecher set off the fire alarm in one of the motels where we stayed ... trying to dry his socks with a hair dryer ... and his brother-in-law Tony Oxborrow blew a fuse in another motel when all he did was plug in his night light!   

I’ll never forget we were in Ireland at the same time Ed Sheeran was performing all over the Emerald Isle; and, we just missed – by a couple of days – the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.  I’m sure my invitation is waiting for me in the stack of mail on my kitchen counter.  Talk about a frenzy!!!

Travel is always fun – no matter where and when – but Ireland is the go-to place for tourists so everywhere you go there are going to be about a dozen tour busses there with you.  I look forward to getting back to “normal” … wearing clean clothes … not living out of a suitcase …. and, getting caught up on family and community news!  

Our tour guide Jaime - a very talented, knowledgeable and personable young woman wrote us the following poem entitled "Scotland and Ireland May 2018" which she read at our official going home dinner:

It started in Edinburgh, all preparations done.  You booked a vacation with Gateway but arrived to find Gate One!
At the welcome meeting we started to break the ice as one-by-one we said "hello" and I thought, "wow, aren't they nice."
With Damian at the wheel and Anne on the mic, we were off around "Auld reeking" taking in the sights.
Then to the Scottish show ... a highlight for some.  Maybe that had something to do with Thomas, the kilt flickers bum!

But enough of that, away and off to bed.  It's bags at seven and we leave at eight, at least so the poster said.
The next day was golf, a palace and whiskey, a destiny stone, ruins and marmalade on biscuits.
Friday was our Skye day and a long one it would be so there was a bribe of shortbread and a Nessie guarantee.
We toasted our happy couples with a highland quaich, not the last we'd blither about weddings though, oh, for goodness sake! (Thanks, Kevin!!!)

Now don't get me wrong, and not to sound precocious, but seriously Kevin, I'm going ballistic.  This subject is atrocious!
Cruising though Bonnie Scotland, ooh aye the noo, the tartan army raised a glass of whiskey or Irn Bru.
John illuminated Glasgow, as another day was dawning, but all of that was soon forgot after the bathrobe in the morning.
Stirling next and just when will King Edward learn? The Scots are not for taking as they proved at Bannockburn.  

Next we crossed the Irish Sea like the Celts and Vikings of old.  Paul was at Titanic with stories of Belfast waiting to be told.
The Hwangs were also waiting (and waiting) for their luggage to appear.  It sat all night - but in the wrong room - so far and yet so near!
To the Antrim coast on the hunt for giants and mythology.  We were too smart for fake news because there's no such thing as geology.
The city with two names is the next place we would go.  Ronan spoke of a future full of peace, one his children would know.

And now we've crossed the border, we've changed from sterling to euro, here close to the hometown of my beau.
"Matthew, oh Matthew ... where for art thou, Matthew?"  No, really, where are you and what are you up to?
Can you drive for an hour for some luggage I seek, then drive two more and drop it off to me here in Belleck?
Through the land of saints and scholars with tombs, Yeats and a shrine, but your only interest was in this imaginary wedding of mine!

Onward to Galway and a happy birthday we said.  Now open your present, Kevin.  Why is your face so red?
An abbey and marble and cliffs were in store, with buskers and thatch cottages, peat fires and more.
Speaking of fires, hey, Bob, what's the news?  We know it won't happen again because Tony blew the fuse!
"Gaelic Roots" that night and did you see how fast they move their feet?  Never mind about that ... there's another question about sheep!

Now all these queries about the sheep, I really was quite stuck!  But I know a man, who knows ewes from rams.  He's on the Ring, just past Puck.
The craic was grand so we were sad to leave Killarney, but onwards we must go to kiss the stone at Blarney.
On the road and up to Dublin, our final staging post, which means we've come to the part I really hate the most.
But not just yet, there's more to see.  St. Patrick's is on the list, the Phoenix Bar, Georgian doors and more - is there anything we've missed?

We've missed our beds, our cats and dogs ... and our family, but more than that, what we've missed the most was our sweet ICE tea!
Through Scotland and Ireland, we've done so much - made such memories - so all that's left is a fond farewell and a bon voyage from me!

So, beannacht Ireland … slán Alba!  We will likely not pass this way again but it has been a great time and we’ve learned a lot about your roots … and ours!  

DAY FIFTEEN: Dublin City Tour

Our visit in Dublin, with its 1000-year history immortalized by James Joyce and in which1/4 of Ireland's total population lives within its borders, included a full day of discovering this bustling community.  From the window of our hotel room we could see construction in every direction with substantial cranes perched on top of up-and-coming hotels, new student housing, apartments, banks and government buildings.

Dublin is an exciting and interesting city, a mix of old churches, castles and museums, the home of Ireland’s president, Trinity College, the Dublin Zoo and one of the world’s largest silicon communities known as the Silicon Docks, where 90% of their computer geeks are from the USA.  And, I should mention, Dublin is also the home of Guinness Brewery, which began with 4 acres and has now expanded to 60 acres with a 9000-year lease!  Guinness also has a large brewery in Africa … which consumes more of “the recipe” than Ireland.  

On our last afternoon of this amazing vacation, we visited (along with about 1000 other tourists) St. Patrick’s Cathedral – named for the man who supposedly drove the snakes out of Ireland – “a sacred place near the heart of Dublin.”  The present building dates back to 1220 and “over the centuries has experienced and survived wars, revolutions and a reformation.” St. Patrick’s is the National Cathedral for the Anglican Church of Ireland.  It was also, at one time, the home pulpit for Jonathan Swift, best known to the world as the author of Gulliver’s Travels and who served as the Dean of the Cathedral from 1714-1745.

On our 45-minute walk back to our hotel, we also visited Trinity College Library in which the ancient Book of Kells was on display – and which had also attracted hundreds of tourists and residents.  The Book of Kells, was “written by monks who lived in communities devoted to the study of God’s word, fasts and manual work” and contains lavishly decorated copy, in Latin of the four gospels.”

Our final evening on the Emerald Isle included a Farewell Dinner in which we all gathered at an Irish-Italian restaurant about 40 minutes from our hotel.  It was a noisy, fun and festive end to a wonderful vacation. 

DAY FOURTEEN: County Cork, Blarney Castle, Dublin

Our first stop today was the storied 15^th century Blarney Castle.  We arrived at about 10:45 a.m. and were told we had until 1 p.m. to shop, eat, sightsee and kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.  We easily managed sightseeing and the 4-story climb to the stone but missed the chance to shop in “Ireland’s largest gift shop” and had to “walk 500 miles and (then) walk 500 more” to find something to eat because “it’s the law” not to open for lunch until 12:30 p.m. on Sunday to prevent people from spending time in the local pub instead of being at church. We finally found the little “Post Office Café” which didn’t serve alcohol so was able to provide us with a great lunch in time for us to get back on the bus.

The afternoon found us in Dublin … more castles, more churches and more shopping.

DAY THIRTEEN: Ring of Kerry Tour

Several of our bus mates opted out of this 112-mile roundtrip through Killarney National Park making up the Ring of Kerry including “sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, the remote villages of Cahirdveen and Sneem, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and breathtaking panoramas of the (3) Lakes of Killarney.”  

You might not be able to recognize the two celebrities in this picture, but one is an honest-to-goodness leprechaun ... the other is the silent movie star Charlie Chaplin.  It seems Charlie and his family owned property here and were frequent visitors.  A nearby plaque notes, "For the man who made the movies speak in the hearts of millions.  Charlie spent many years in our midst as a welcome and humble guest and friend to many."

So glad we weren’t among those who decided to stay behind.  It was a glorious day– and one of only 2-3 days with blue sky and sunshine we have experienced on the Emerald Isle – with lots of pleasant conversation and many wonderful photo opportunities.

Back in Killarney, we enjoyed a fun-filled jaunting car ride – an open carriage with Cal as our jarvey (driver) and drawn by a big horse named Gonzo – along a 4-mile path through the national park.  It was the perfect end to a lovely day in Killarney.

DAY TWELVE: Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, Killarney

It was cold, windy and rainy when we visited the Cliffs of Moher (think “Ross Poldark” walking along the pathway with a 700-foot drop) towering over the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean.  It was a truly spectacular meeting of land and water ... but a bit perilous.  

On our way to Killarney for the next two nights, we stopped for a tour of “another bloody castle” at Bunratty.  The castle is said to be the “most authentic medieval fortress in Ireland” and the grounds also included a restored village (think Knott’s Berry Farm) which was so fun and interesting.  

"At home" in Killarney, we enjoyed a little leisure time to wander nearby neighborhoods, shops and pubs.  an evening performance of “Gaelic Roots” a delightful song-and-dance show with very talented singers and Irish dancers “bringing together all that is great about the culture and traditions of Ireland.”