A Friend in Need....

[Dave Suponski]

Our own Allan Swanson put out the call to New England members that our beloved Parker Pages editor Austin Hogan and his wife Pam were in need of some help preparing for winter in northern New Hampshire. Today Saturday Oct.1st eight of us ventured north to help out the Hogans.
1) Jean Swanson tending to the gardens. This young lady worked her tail off and the yard looks great!
2)Danny Suponski helping Robin Lewis getting mildew off the siding.
3)Our own Austin Hogan giving me that why aren't you working look...
4)Danny with John Dunkle making sure that rake doesn't get overheated.
5)Dean...looking bewildered with Robin trying not to notice.

[Dave Suponski]

It wasn't all fun and games....Dean actually had some official PGCA business to attend to and that was to present our webmaster John Dunkle with his much deserved DSP Award. Please note Dean's wonderful foot wear.

[Dave Suponski]

A group shot from the home of Austin and Pam Hogan.From left..Danny,Dean,Allan and Jean Swanson,Austin.Larry Frey.Robin Lewis,John Dunkle and Myself.

[Chuck Bishop]

That's what it's all about, friends helping friends. I wish I lived closer to you guys, I would have been there to help too.

Congratulations to the web guy, Mr. Dunkle.

Was Dean wearing spiked shoes?

[John Dunkle]

What a great day....

I'll be writing a Parker Pages Article and include some other pictures... But, on the drive home, it gave me some time to reflect on a couple of aspects of this little thing we call the PGCA. Those things included a couple of random thoughts I'll share in no particular order, which are:

Mr. Austin Hogan and his wife are - and have been - a huge part of this community. It's commendable to the organization when so many just "step up" and do it. Not for the organization - but, rather, for the brotherhood and friendship this same organization creates.

That simple idea is the context to the PGCA itself.

So - if you are a PGCA Member - I "tip my hat" to you at a lot of levels...

And, if you showed up today - as Dean, Larry, Dave, Robin, Allan, Jean and Danny did - just to "help out" - I not only "tip my hat", but more - I just want to say "Thank You".

Thank you for the comradeship, community and friendship you all provide for the rest of us.

And more - my thanks for the award, the laughs and the good times. In my world - that's what the PGCA community is about.

:cheers:

John

[John Truitt]

Strong work guys. You make us all very proud!!!!

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I would have loved to be there! That's what this organization is all about, and I am proud to be a part of it. Hats off to all the people that were there today, and to Austin and his lovely wife stay warm and get well so you can be afield next season, Best Gary

[Russ Jackson]

Just for the record ,Wish I could have been there ,My Wife will say are you chatting with those Folks on the Parker site again ,and I Reply ,You Know ,These are the best bunch of Folks ,and What do you know ,YOU ALL PROVED IT ONCE AGAIN ! :bowdown: Great Job to All !

[Dean Romig]

To add a few thoughts...

I've never felt closer to anyone in my life (excepting my own family) than to the PGCA community and spending the day at the Hogan's helping them to prepare for the challenges of a New Englend winter gave me a chance to express my thanks and doing it with this group of friends was the "icing", so to speak.

No, I wasn't wearing spiked shoes but I was in my socks because I left my muddy work boots at the door.

Regarding the Distinguished Service Award presentation to John Dunkle, all I can say about it is that 'if the celibrant can't come to the celebration - the celebration will come to the celibrant' and it is only fitting that the presentation be made in the same formal tone (jacket and tie) as it was done in Louisville at the Annual Meeting Banquet where Allan Swanson and Charlie Herzog were honored with the DSP awards.

Thanks to all of you for a great day!! It rained off and on for most of the day but that didn't put a damper on anyone's spirits - the job got done!

[Jean Swanson]

It has already been stated , not to reiterate that the Hogans are wonderful people and needed a little assistance in getting ready for this winter . So a little over a week ago I put out a call to the BOD to aid in organizing a work bee in Piermont ,NH . Larry Frey stepped forth to help . A group was formulated for the task on Oct. 1st . Larry's wife ,Deb, prepared an excellent lunch with all the fixings and my wife ,Jean, baked all the sweet goodies. Austin and Pam Hogan gather up a "honey do" list of things that needed attention .
I can only say the PGCA fraternity of fellowship is what the day was all about. It is not just guns . We worked together to help a FREIND ,with no rewards other than to get it done .

[Dave Suponski]

Allan, Thank you for coming up with this work detail and also to Larry for doing a bunch of the coordinating. But we must not forget the food....Oh the food! Debbie Freys lasagna was fantastic. Couple that with Jean's fantastic desert's and Kathy Romig's famous chocolate chip cookie's and just that alone was worth the ride...:) Having an opportunity to help Austin and Pam who have done sooo much for the PGCA...well....I think we all walked away just a little bit better off. Again Allan thanks for the idea. I think this one goes in your "Top 10" great ideas!

[Dave Suponski]

A couple more pictures...

1)Allan ,Austin and Robin Lewis

2 A couple of views of Austin and Pam's home with the surrounding New Hampshire countryside.

[Robin Lewis]

Yes Dave, those cookies. Did they end up in a car heading to CT?

[Dave Suponski]

No Robin,They didn't in fact I have no idea where they went! I hope Austin and Pam have them.

[Eric Eis]

No Robin,They didn't in fact I have no idea where they went! I hope Austin and Pam have them.

Dave, you sure COB wasn't around and those cookies headed for Michigan....:shock: I wouldn't put it past him....:rotf:

[Dave Suponski]

:whistle: