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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlakeDIG AWES! r k 8 01B 8 Y FINAL EDITION I shall pass through this life but once AUGUST 18, 1971 Any good therefore that I can do Or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature Let me do it now Let me not defer or neglect it For I shall not pan this way again. THOSE WORDS started off our first newsletter back on April 23rd and have proven to be very true. Many fine things have come to pass over the last four months. We will try as best we can to recap all the good things that people have done for the Blakes. On May 1st, Enfield Valley Grange No. 295 sponsored a smorgasbord supper at the Grange Hall. The pro- ceeds of this supper went to a project titled "Dig A Well for Bobby." Nearly 400 people attended the supper, many people baked for the Junior Grange Bake Sale held at the same time, and others donated money toward the project. We came away that night with over $800.00 to add to the $200.00 already donated in advance. We were on our way toward digging a well. On April 29th, the Ithaca Journal ran a picture of Bobby in all his casts and traction. A smile on his face really pulled at many of the hearts of the people reading the paper that night. Cecil Miller and his son Jim of Miller's Well Drilling read the article and immediately called with his offer to drill the well at cost. And from there, offers of assistance poured in. Spike Covert of Truman - burg agreed to dig a ditch from the well to the house (it turned out to be 200 feet of ditch) free as his donation to this family. The students and staff at Enfield Elementary School (where Bobby was a sixth grade student) collected enough money to buy a 12" portable T.V. which r+� he used at the hospital. Mr. George VanEpps of Rumsey-Ithaca Sand and Gravel furnished the cement that poured the entire basement floor. Three drivers at Rumsey-Ithaca volunteered the time to deliver the cement. They are Roger Armstrong, Bob IL 'L42 Davis and Bob Scofield. Walley Martin of Valley Fix -It Shop loaned the use of a portable trowel to smooth off the cement. Helping to pour were Chuck and Jack Blake, Tom Amici and Jerry Middaugh. For the supper, Kennedy's Corners Church loaned us their tables and chairs, Bill Seleman of the A&W in Ithaca donated 15 gallons of root beer and gave us 200 cups to use. Cudlin's of Newfield and Steiger's Meat Market donated hamburg. Other donations of food came from Gregg's Junction Market, Newhart's Store in Enfield and the P & C in Trumansburg. 0 Page Two . The Cornell Alumni News donated all the paper and stencils used in previous newsletters. Mr. Leon Packer of Trumansburg offered his services as a photographer as well as contributing. How- ever, Dan Hightower, an Ithaca photographer, was already on the job. Most of the photographs appearing in this report were taken by Dan. His services are being paid for by another donor. Mrs. John (Dorothy) Collachi gave the Grange a meat slicer which was initiated on the 60 lbs. of ham used at the smorgasbord. Mr. Herm Warshaw of Chemung Supply Corp. in Elmira donated the pipe for the driveway (after a friendly call from Mr. Howard Stevenson) and Mr. Herm Besemer of Cayuga Crushed Stone gave the stone for the driveway. Both are now installed and in full use. X11 ���I `t 6AIRE Shortly after Bobby's accident, a news item appeared in a local news- paper telling of the tragedy. A generous check came in the mail almost immediately from a kind man who is in his 80's. Mr. William Renschler has lived in the Town of Enfield on and off since the early 1900'x. A w recent article in the Ithaca Journal tells about his journies back in 1924 to an abandoned coal mine on Connecticut Hill. Mr. Renschler, who incidently is a member of the Enfield Grange, read of the Blakes' plight and immediately wanted to do his share. It was he who inspired the "Dig A Well For Bobby" project, and we hope he realizes what his kindness has done for this family. Mitch and Pat Gray decided that they would like to meet this kind man and journeyed to the semi -hills of Enfield one evening planning to spend a few minutes with him. He is a very good talker, collects some beautiful antiques and is a very accomplished organ player. The organ he has is one of the old-fashioned kind that you have to pump. And he plays entirely by ear, The Grays were there for over two hours. We listened to hymns, some opera, some pop music and classical WUI.U?A RENSCHLER music on that beautiful old organ. There is a serenity up there on his hill with countryside all around and a stillness that you can really appreciate. 'trlEp GirkAINr'E ErrJ;WT The Grange is a fraternal organization and one of its many functions is to do good in its community, helping those who may need it. Enfield Valley Grange endeavored to do just this and in doing so, found that there are many Granges all over the United States which want to do their share in helping out. Here in Tompkins County we received contributions from Groton and Ulysses Granges. Ulysses (over in Jacksonville)under the capable guidance of Miss Mary Tripp and Miss Sarah Nivison donated the pro- ceeds from one of their card parties. Schuyler County Pomona Grange sent in a nice check. Other Granges donating were Searsburg 494, Watson Grange 1068 in Pennsylvania, Shenango Township Grange 2057 in Pennsylvania and Lakewood Grange 172 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Hornley Junior Grange 702 in Corning contributed and a yo lady named Miss Judy Dexter of Helberberg Grange sent a lovely card with a get well message and a donation. Other persons wanting to do their share in helping included Ardis DeMund and her group (Jerry Beeching on guitar and Earl Beeching on drum) who played for a square dance at the Grange Hall May 29th. Proceeds were donated to the Fund. Mrs. Clara Predmore offered to donate the profits of a Friendly Toy Party to the fund and Blanche Lovelace held the party. in her home. It turned out very nicely. Individual donations came in from Enfield Grange members, in addition to putting on the supper and we also received contributions from our faithful card players. Two local 4H groups, the Go -Getters and the Saddle-lites, wanted to do their share for Bobby and donated. The Trumansburg Senior Citizens took up a very nice collection at their meeting immediately following the project and Mrs. Grace Brewer brought us the money. We received a check from the Willow Creek Home Dem Unit and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lodi Volunteer Fire Company. The Ithaca Eagles (Aerie 1253) did their part. And certainly not to be left out is the determination and work put forth by 7 Page Three the IAM Local 1607 Machinists Uiiion in Ithaca. Garry Kemp (a former Enfield Granger) brought the project to the Union's attention and a total of $845.52 was collected from the Morse Chain Co., N.C.R., Ithaca Gun Company and Cayuga Rock Salt Company. State Grange Secretary Morris Halladay got in on the donation act as did National Grange Master John W. Scott of Washington, D.C. Write-ups and pictures appeared in the National Grange newsletter in May, in the Empire State Granger in June and in the Machinist paper in July. A most touching letter received from an out-of-state Grange praised us for our work and stated that although they couldn't contribute moneywise, perhaps we would be pleased to hear that their Grange had purchased four bicycles for four children of a low income family. The kids were well-behaved, good in school and kind to their neighbors. Their parents did not earn enough to buy the bikes. This grange chose their children to become part of a goodwill project. The kids were thrilled with the bikes, the parents were deeply grateful to the Grangers and the Grange had a deep pride in itself. A JRIEr r I IISt JRf Although we have written of all the events leading up to the "Dig A Well For Bobby" project, many still ask what it is about. We will review it again for those who are interested. On February 12th, 1970, Mrs. Anita Blake said good -night to her husband at about 9:00 p.m. He was visiting her and her three day old daughter Lenora at the hospital. She would leave the hospital the next day and she reminded him not to forget the baby's things to take the new child home in. Three hours later he was dead from a heart attack. He was 33 years old. Anita and the baby came home the next day. After the funeral, she took a look at what lay ahead of her. A mother with eight children, an unfinished basement shell that her husband Frank had started, hoping to move into, and their present home a two bedroom trailer with no running water. She looked at the good side of the ledger which included her 13 year old daughter Sabrina, who was very good with the younger children, and her oldest son Bobby (then 11) who helped to haul the milk cans full of water into the trailer. Teresa, Frank II, Suzanne, Barbara and Diane were all able to pull their share of the load and help out with baby Lenora. Another important help was Anita's 21 year old brother, Bill Wallenback, who lived next door to the Blakes. Bill sort of filled in when real heavy work needed to be done and both Blake boys spent a lot of time with him. He partially filled the gap left by their father's sudden death. Anita pulled herself together and within months after her husband's death was squeezing money out of her monthly Social Security and Veterans Administration checks for windows, wiring, pipe, a furnace and septic tank for the basement. But summer passed quickly and winter was setting in when she realized she needed running water, a septic system and a basement floor if she were to get the kids indoors by the time cold weather set in. She applied for a loan at four different places to finish off the basement and was turned down by all four. Not giving up, she got her family through the winter and plans to continue with the basement were put aside until the following spring. Page Four Spring came and on March 28th Anita received a call from the Tompkins County Hospital saying that her son Bobby had been seriously injured in a truck accident. He was placed in the Intensive Care Unit and listed in poor condition. Her brother Bill, driver of the truck, was taken to Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira and was not expected to live through the night. It had been a bright,sunny Sunday afternoon and Bobby and Bill had been burning brush with the Enfield Fire Company. They went down to the Fire House where Bill played cards for a while and Bobby washed up some ashtrays. Then the two left for Ithaca to get more kerosene needed for fuel because they had used all they had to burn brush. Bob and Bill never made it to Ithaca. The day became very dark for Anita Blake. For the next two days she stayed almost continuously at her son's side or just outside the door. She did leave long enough on Monday night to go to Elmira to see her brother. He died the next day. Bobby was in Intensive Care for nearly a week. His pelvis was crushed (his hip bone had gone through it) both legs broken (one requiring removal of two inches of bone just above his knee) his right arm and his jaw broken. The picture at the start of this report shows Bobby just three short weeks after the accident. Note the smile on his face. Members of the Enfield Valley Grange heard of the Blakes' plight and initiated the fund. Cards were sent, visits made and contributions poured in over the next three months. The Enfield Grange has really gained from this experience. The population of Enfield is under 2,000 and participation in this project has had a good effect on the community. A new spirit has blossomed, the Blakes have been given a needed lift, and Bobby remarks, "How come people who don't even know me want to help?" The Chaplain's message to the Grange reads in part, "Do good, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great." Our feelings precisely. ?rl� FUND A word about how our fund is set up. When the contributions started coming in, a checking account was opened under the name of "The Bobby Blake Fund." As each and every contribution reached us, a thank you note was sent out to the contributor (some quite belatedly). If you or your group have not received a thank you note, please check with us because we may not have received it. This happened with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lodi Volunteer Fire Company. Mrs. Clara Close sent us a check on May 13th and on July 21st had not received any acknowledgement of it. It had not cleared the bank. She wrote inquiring whether or not we had received it and found out that it had been mailed to an incorrect address. The matter has been cleared up, a new check written and received and all is well. So we strongly stress that if you have not received an acknowledgement of your donation, get in touch with us. All monies are deposited in the Bobby Blake Fund account. All expenses are paid by check and two signatures are required on the checks. One signature is that of Mrs. Mitchell Gray, Chairman of the pro- ject. The other is Mrs. Warena Ramsey, Secretary of the Enfield Valley Grange. Mr. Robert Carpenter, a licensed plumber and a member of the Grange, is overseeing the drilling of the well and the installation of plumbing in the basement. Advisors to the Committee (and we haven't fully utilized their talents yet) are Mr. John Huttar and Mr. Don Barber. We fully intend to take good care of your money. The main purpose of this letter is to let you know just how things are coming. Page Five 7HE SOAP 3 O:t DERBY Thirteen year old Bobby Blake was one of the most enthusiastic entrants in this year's Ithaca Jaycee Soap Box Derby. He had sold a large quantity of Booster Buttons for the big trip to Akrpn, Ohio in August to view the Ithaca winner and others. One month after he registered for the Derby - last March - Bobby was severely injured in a truck accident that claimed the life of the driver, his 22 year old uncle. Derby officials decided to call this year's Derby Day (June 27th) "Bobby Blake Day." A considerable amount of planning went into the dedication, and on the eve of the Derby, Paul Harrington, assistant Derby director, showed up at the hospital with a Derby tee-shirt and helmet. (There is still some question as to whether or not Bobby slept in his uniform that night?" Page Six Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on June 27th (which incidently was a real blister) County Ambulance drove up and when the back doors were opened, out came Bobby on a stretcher with his helmet and shirt on and the biggest smile you can imagine. The crowd cheered and applauded and Jim Hallam and Wes Wells carried Bobby across the ditch to meet Mr. Harrington who presented him with a plaque commenting on his courage. From there, he was taken over to meet Mike Robinson of W.T.K.O. and was interviewed over the radio. His answers to all questions came out as "yes" or "OK" and his eyes scanned the crowd during. the whole interview. His excitement was so great that he hardly realized there was a microphone in front of him. Jim and Wes were soon to become great friends of Bobby as Jim offered his ambulance to Bobby at any time necessary and there were several times after this one when they were on the scene. The Bobby Blake Fund received a check for $100.00 made up Trom donors at the Derby and Jaycee funds. The highlight of the day came for Bobby at the end of the race when Steve VanNederynen (who also lives in the town of Enfield) won. Earlier in the day, someone had asked Bobby if he had picked anyone to win and he had said that he was hoping for Steve because he didn't know too many of the other boys. (Ironically enough, the accident that Bobby was in occurred almost in front of the VanNederynen home and just a few miles above the Derby track on the Bostwick Road.) Page Seven Stan and Sandy Borow and Chuck Muzzy were planning a grand opening and expansion sale at Northside Liquor and Chuck's BP Service on July 16th and 17th. Part of the opening included a food tent with hot dogs going at 5 4 drinks at 2 d, chili at 6 b, etc. Much of this food was donated by Mickey's Market and the Busy Bee Restaurant in cooperation with the opening. Proceeds of the food tent were designated for the Bobby Blake Fund. Again, Jim Hallam and his faithful sidekick Wes Wells were on the scene. This time, they drove to Bobby's home, picked him up and with a police escort, sirens sirening, and lights flashing they drove him to the corner of Farm and Cayuga Streets to draw the names of the Prize winners at the Grand Opening. Bobby was delighted with all the noise. Again he was interviewed. Again his answers were "yes" and "OK" regardless of the questions. His excitement flowed out through the crowd. John Forgatch took pictures and promised Bobby a good one as he had done at the Soap Box Derby and the Mayor of Ithaca bought a ticket to the movie "Yours, Mine and Ours" to be shown at Feocco's Lakes Drive In on August 24th. (Full details elsewhere.) A total of $337.40 went into the Bobby Blake Fund from the Grand Opening. Stan, Sandy and Chuck deserve a grand vote of thanks for their efforts. A GIRAIN D �"AV1 One of the heartwarming things that has come out of this community endeavor is a lasting friendship between an 83 year old woman who took to Bobby and his problems immediately, and the 13 year old Bobby himself. Mrs.Grace Brewer who lives with her son John Dew in Covert, N.Y., read of Bobby's accident and immediately brought up the project before the Trumansburg Senior Citizens at their next meeting. A sizeable collection was taken up which Mrs. Brewer, herself, turned over to the chairman. And from time to time she added to this amount from different people and organizations she came in contact with. Very few days passed that Bobby did not receive a card or letter or newspaper clipping from Mrs. Brewer, during his stay in the hospital. All this attention impressed Bobby very much. He began to refer to her as "Grandma" Brewer and when he finally came home from the hospital after four months, one of the first telephone calls he made was to her. We, who have worked with this project over the last four months, have been greatly inspired by this great lady. Sometimes, when you are working with something for such a long time, you begin to tire a little and then something of this nature happens and you realize that it's really worth it. Pictured herewith are a couple whose age difference spans seventy years. This picture was taken August 5th when Bobby paid his first visit to Mrs. Brewer and took her a lovely bouquet of roses. He has a thirteen year old faith that won't let his spirit be dampened by the fact that he has a permanently damaged leg. She has an 83 year old faith that permits her to keep a note of cheer going into this young boy's life. This is the kind of generation gap we could well afford today. L1 Page Eight, For three months, Bobby lay flat on his back in the hospital bed. Gradually, casts were cut off, traction taken down, and stitches removed. The day came when Bobby could sit up in his hospital bed. Things began to brighten for the lad. Summer was here in full force and the sunlight beamed through his hospital window. Towards the end of June, he was allowed to sit in a wheel chair and from there, there was no keep- ing him down. He closed linen closet doors (with nurses inside them) and placed his wheel chair in a position that prevented the nurses from getting out. He was allowed outdoors and enjoyed visits with his brothers and sisters. And on June 27th, Jim Hallam volunteered his services and took Bobby to the Soap Box Derby. It was Bobby Blake Day at the Soap Box Derby. (See story and pictures elsewhere.) On July 14th, Bobby came home. The well is drilled, the ditch is dug and the Blakes have running water into the basement. From the Bobby Blake Fund, we were able to purchase all the necessary plumbing fixtures including a storage and hot water tank. A complete septic system is on its way. Anita is presently running a hose from the basement into the trailer which saves a lot of work. When the kids want a bath, they just run water into the tub, wait until it reaches room temperature and in they go. She has moved a lot of her furniture over to the basement where the kids sleep at night. Bobby's T.V. is over there and comes in real handy. She carries Bobby next door to her parents for his daily tub soaking. He has to have it a little warmer than room temperature. "Page Nine Bobby was in a wheel chair for the first three weeks after his return home. His first visit to the doctor's was on August 4th. Dr. Yale (who incidentally is a hero in Bobby's eyes) told Bob that he could begin to apply a little pressure on his right leg and be fitted with special shoes with lifts in them. After that he can start to use crutches. On August 7th, Dr. Yale told us that Bobby will have a 75% loss of use in his right leg. He - may be able to start school in September but it will be interrupted by several operations. Bobby is a bright, happy, alert young lad who celebrated his 13th birthday on July 27th. He is very grateful for all the things that have been done for him but like most 13 year olds he finds it embarassingly hard to express himself sometimes. There's a long road ahead for Bobby Blake and because so many people care, it will make the road a little smoother to travel. The Fund has nearly enough money to finish up all the groundwork for a house. If the August 24th movie is a success, well be in the ballpark. For those of you who have shown your interest, in the form of a donation, with volunteer help or just in your prayers, you'll be pleased to know that the Blakes will have a home in the near future. Full details will be found elsewhere. �IROJ�r'? FUNI I Bobby Blake came home to celebrate his 13th birthday on July 27th. He left Tompkins County Hospital after spending four months there. On August 24th, Frank Feocco, owner of the Feocco's Lakes Drive In on the Trumansburg Road, has asked to do his part in helping the Blake family get a home and will donate the proceeds of the movie "Yours, Mine and Ours" starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. Tickets for the show went on sale July 17th with Tompkins County Sheriff Robert Howard purchasing the first ticket. Mr. Howard is also a member of the Enfield Valley Grange. Early sale of the tickets is being made possible in order to give Mr. Feocco some idea of the turn out to expect. He will have two showings: one at 8:30 p:m. and the other at 10:30 p.m. This is a family movie and a great comedy. Donation to the movie is $1.00. Children under 12 admitted free. Here is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy an evening out together at a low cost. And while you are watching the movie you can remember that you are also helping eight child- ren out of a two bedroom trailer with no running water and into a real home - their own home with modern facilities that you have helped them buy. Because if this movie is a success, the Fund will have enough money to finish up the ground work so the Blakes can buy a house. Please buy your tickets in advance so we will have an idea of the amount of traffic to plan for. Tickets can be purchased at the following places: Enfield Herb's Ashland at Miller's Corners Newhart's Grocery Newfield The Seabring Inn Mecklenburg Westcott's Grocery Interlaken Interlaken Review Agway Trumansburg Free Press Agway Tri -County Bowling Lanes Jacksonville Wright's Mobil Gas Station Spruce Row Campsites Ithaca Corners Drug at Community Corners Mayer's Smoke Shop, East State St. Reynold's Sporting Goods at the Plaza Hardee's Restaurant, 408 Eddy St. Pete's at 714 W. Buffalo St. BOBBY GETS A H M Anita Blake and her eight children are going to have a new home. Bobby, who will be in and out of a wheelchair and on crutches, will have free wheeling around the house. And he can hop into the bath tub any time he pleases. Original plans of the "Dig A Well For Bobby" project included the well, putting in the plumbing and finishing off the basement into a liveable dwelling. However, Bobby's Principal, Mr. John Wertis at En- field Elementary School, thought that perhaps Anita could obtain a loan at a low interest rate under her present circumstances. So, with Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Blake, off he went to investigate the matter at the TOMPCO office in Ithaca. From there, following good advice, things began to progress to the point where the possibility of a F.H.A. loan was discussed at a low interest rate. As of this date, baring any unforeseen obstacles, the Blakes will have a home on top of their basement hopefully by late September or early October. Anita has already said she would like to have an open house so that everyone can see what has been done for her and her family. Many, many people reading this paper can take credit for helping eight fatherless children obtain a.. home. You took three kids who were sleeping in a living room and put them in their own bedroom. You took a baby who was sleeping with her mother and gave her her own bed. And most important, you took a brave young lad out of a two bedroom trailer with no running water and put him into a home.