Entries in Family (20)
Goodbye Prince
November 7, 2008 in Family 
It’s a sad day today for us as we say goodbye to Prince. We’ve had him since 1994 when we adopted him from a local shelter. He’s been a good gentle dog for our family, only learning to bark years after we adopted him. In recent times, he’s been plagued with cancer, tumors, tremors, breathing difficulties, and trouble getting up and down. It’s hard to know when the end has come because he has good days when nothing seems to be bothering him. He acted so alive when a neighbor’s puppy ran into our yard and they started playing together. But on most days, he moves slowly and grunts as he lays down trying to get comfortable. So today, we’re taking him to the vet one last time, and he won’t be coming home. Prince, you’ve been a very good dog!
Congratulations Grant & Tiffany
June 14, 2008 in Family Congratulations to my son Grant and his new bride Tiffany on the occasion of their wedding Saturday. They’re off on a Caribbean holiday cruise, and will return to their new home in Winchester, VA.
Brooke Fights Virginia's 'Abuser Fees'
August 21, 2007 in Family 
Brooke makes the news as she battles an unfair law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Recently passed legislation hits drivers twice, piling on Virginia’s new “abuser fees” on top of existing scheduled fines. The new law also only affects Virginia residents. The new law violates the 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, disregarding principles of equal protection and double jeopardy… equal protection because Virginia citizens are charged while non-Virginia residents are not, and double jeopardy because Virginia citizens are penalized twice for the same charge.
The case was complicated by the fact that her attorney wears multiple hats in Warren County, also serving on the town council. On Tuesday, the case was dismissed nol-pros but they may refile under Virginia code without citing the town code.
Ben Orcutt of the Northern Virginia Daily writes:
What was supposed to be a case testing the constitutionality of the controversial civil penalty fees for traffic violations was dropped Tuesday in Warren County General District Court. Brooke - was charged with reckless driving on July 24 by Front Royal police officer Donald Orye… [Brooke] retained the services of Front Royal attorney Thomas H. Sayre, - [who] filed a motion with the court asking that the civil penalties in state law, which had been adopted by the Town Council in April, be declared unconstitutional, and that they constitute double jeopardy and violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution because they apply to Virginia residents only…
Town Attorney Thomas R. Robinett, who usually prosecutes traffic violations written under town code, had filed a motion with the court asking that the case be amended to a state violation so it could be prosecuted by the commonwealth’s attorney’s office. “While continuing with this prosecution may not be technically forbidden by the Virginia State Bar, Counsel for the Town simply does not feel comfortable with opposing a sitting Town Council Member in open Court,” Robinett says in his motion…
Update 
Va. GOP Proposes Bad-Driver Law Overhaul, Washington Post
Anna A. Robinson 1929-2007
April 8, 2007 in Family Charlene’s aunt from Kennebunk died today. We’ve enjoyed visiting with her on our trips up north, and have a number of Uncle Gordon’s paintings in our home.
Anna Amildred Robinson, 77 years, of Fletcher Street, died Monday April 9 at Southern Maine Medical Center. Anna was born in Haverhill, Ma on September 5, 1929 a daughter of Robert and Lillienne Lucier Field. She graduated from Salem High School in 1947. On August 8, 1954 Anna married Gordon F. Robinson of Swampscott, MA. They celebrated 35 wonderful years until his death in 1989, raising a family and starting a new business together. In 1970, they moved to Kennebunk Lower Village and started the Gordon Robinson Art Gallery which Anna operated and Gordon painted for. —- Anna is survived by her sons Charles, Donald, Clinton, Norman; daughters Nancy, Barbara; her brother Raymond Field; sisters Pauline Armstrong and O’Dell Bertrand; 11 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Stoffel Brothers In CA
March 26, 2007 in Family Browsing the web for any of my namesake, I came across these Stoffel brothers running a Goodyear Service Station in Anaheim, California. The photo is owned by the Anaheim Public Library, with information about it displayed on their site. Bernard Stoffel appears to have owned the business. This photo shows him standing in front of it with brother Edward Stoffel back in 1917.
68 Years of Scouting
March 5, 2007 in Family 
Charlene’s mother makes the news for her involvement in Girl Scouting since 1939:
Polly Armstrong used to load her brother’s red wagon with Girl Scout cookies and roam her Salem neighborhood selling them for 50 cents a box. That was the 1940s, when the girls wore dresses, caps, gloves and neckerchiefs, and everything had to be crisply ironed. Armstrong was the top seller in her Salem troop, an honor that - along with her perfect attendance record - earned her scholarships to attend Girl Scout camp in the summers. Ever since she joined the Girl Scouts in 1939, Armstrong has kept the organization in the forefront of her life, and she’s hardly slowing down.
Continue Reading: On her honor: After 68 years, still proud to be a Girl Scout, Salem Evening News
Congratulations Brian & Rachel
June 15, 2006 in Family Congratulations to Brian and Rachel on their marriage Saturday. Rachel is my niece, the daughter of my sister Lisa.
Pearls Before Swine
Day By Day
Cartoons Used With Permission