May 20, 2011: Muskegon Memories

Muskegon has never been my favorite city, as it has had many issues over the years, such as high unemployment.  However,  I have lived most of my life in the area.  I have had both good and bad memories of Muskegon.     Lake Michigan is a true asset for Muskegon.      There are some beautiful areas of Muskegon, especially around Norton Shores, Hoffmaster Park, and of course, our lakes.   There is a nice path that goes along Pere Marquette park which my mom, Maggie, and I love to take walks on.      

There isn't much to our current downtown.    We used to do our shopping at the Muskegon Mall in downtown Muskegon, but has been torn down.    Now, we have a newer mall out in Fruitport, which was very much needed for the area. 

Ryke's Bakery is the best bakery in town.   They have the best butter creme frosting on its cakes.     Plus, they make the best flat butter cookies.  My Uncle George loves those cookies and I try to bring him a container of them when I go visit. 

I am very thankful that I grew up on Lawnel Avenue in Norton Shores, as I had many kids to hang around with growing up.

I am not sure what the next chapter will be in my life, but hoping to find a city that is warmer and has enough activities to keep me busy.        

 

May 14, 2011: Bible Studies

For most of my adult life, I have tried to be involved in a bible study through my current church.     When I started at Calvary Bible back in 2001, I was in a bible study at a lady's house in Norton Shores.  I met Janelle Humble in that study.  Then, I left that church and went to Lakeshore Community Church for a few years.    Jerry Depoy Jr. was the pastor at this church.  It was held in the Harbor Theater.   I really enjoyed his sermons there.     He now lives in Asheville, NC and has a new church.

In 2008, I started attending Bridge Bible Church and saw in the program that Janelle Humble was in charge of the women's ministries.   They were going to start a women's bible study in the fall, so I started to go to that.  I met some wonderful women there such as Michelle Cramblet, Beth Evans, Beth Keur, Alicia Belrose, Shannon Pothoven, etc.    

No matter where I live, I hope to be a part of a women's bible study and continue to worship God and be in fellowship with other Christians. 

April 29, 2011: Prince William & Catherine's Royal Wedding

I remember watching Princess Diana's wedding back in 1981.  Now, her oldest son, William, was getting married to Catherine Middleton.    This wedding has been in the news for about six months.     It was aired on every major network.    The wedding ceremony began at 11 a.m. London time, so I got up at 4 a.m. my time, in order to watch the nuptials live.       William and Catherine had dated for about 9 years.  They had broken up in 2007 for a few months, but then got back together.      This was supposed to be the wedding of the century.    After the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, they took a carriage ride through the streets of London to Buckingham Palace, where they did their famous kiss.   One of the little chubby bridesmaids covered her ears while the military planes flew above the palace.   It was quite funny.     They had several parties during the day.   Although the wedding was played over and over on the news, it still was gorgeous. They estimated that it cost about $40 million.  

My Best Friends Growing Up

I was very blessed to live on Lawnel Avenue and have many kids to hang out with in the neighborhood.

Kara Filius lived down on the corner of Lawnel and Lincoln, next to the farmhouse.  I met her when I was 4 years old.  Mr. Crab lived in the farm house next door. We used to go to his house to get cookies and candy.   He was the nicest older guy we had ever met.      He made it to 100 years old.

Eric Anderson and Jeff Anderson lived behind me at 2260 Columbus Ave.    I met Eric when I was 4 years old.   We went to each others houses almost every day.   His mom, Patty, was the greatest 2nd mom to me. She used to make us sandwiches and punch and we would sit on this small picnic table in their back yard.

There was one morning when I got up around 7:30 a.m. and ran in my pajamas through the backyard over to Eric's house and yelled for Eric.    His mom yelled out the window that he was still sleeping and he could come out later. I was so excited to hang out with him.    We all laugh to this day about that.

Their younger brother, Matt Tomasiewicz, came along in 1984.   He was like a little brother to me all growing up. I would take him to the movies, bike rides, ice cream, stores, and play baseball, kickball, and tennis outside with him. 

Justin Sternberg lived next door to Eric and Jeff.     He was always so humorous growing up.   

Next door were Ted and Pat Zimmer's family.  They had 5 children (Kim, Lori, Sharon, Debbie, and David).   Debbie and David came over when I was little to play with me.   

Across the street were Bill and Kim Daugherty.   Bill was my age and Kim was about 5 years younger.     Next to Bill and Kim were Anne and Tony Ruthkowski.   Their grandchildren, Jessica, Alison, Karen, Joe, Jeff, and Kelli came over to play.      Across the street from the Zimmers were Anne and Tony Kulikowski.    I played with their granddaughters, Alexia, Alissa, and Aleah Wysozan.

On the corner of Lawnel and Leon was Mike Keith.    He wasn't there very long.  When he moved to Grand Haven Rd, he came back one day and told us how lucky we were to have so many kids to play with in the neighborhood.

Later on, I met Nicole Sanchez, Paresh and Priya Hansji, who lived on Columbus street.     Between all of these kids, I always had someone to hang out with.    

My dad's friend, Bob Dykema, had 2 kids, Kim and Steve, who we went to visit in Jenison on several occasions. They had a pool in their backyard which was so fun. Also, my dad's friend, Ron Morse, had 3 boys (Dan, Jim, and Phi) who we saw during the year.  They lived in Spring Lake on Carol St.

I met Sue Arnouts in grade school. She lived on Reneer St.  I didn't hang out with her much as a kid, but when I got to high school, we became great friends.     I have enjoyed hanging out with she and her daughter, Ashley.      Ashley was born in 1993.  I hung out with Sue and Ashley all the time.     They have been wonderful friends.

In 2002, I met Cody and Conner Schotts.  They moved in next door.  They were like my other little brothers. They came over to visit me.  I taught them how to play croquet and we played video games. I will never forget them looking out their bedroom window and yelling over to me and I would yell hello back.

Even though I was an only child, I never felt like one, as I always had someone in the neighborhood.    

February 13, 2011: In Memory of Grandma Marjorie Hope Gonyo

When I came home from church, mom said I should sit down.   She said that Marianne had called and left us a message that Grandma Gonyo had passed away in her sleep during the night.   I was glad that she didn't have to suffer any longer than she did.     She was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.    She had breast cancer around 5 yrs ago and had radiation, but did not want chemo at that time.        Her close friend, Norm Schultz, has been calling her everyday since she returned to Michigan last May.      She had carpal tunnel surgery on her right hand last winter which was painful for her.     She hadn't been the same since that surgery.     She wrote me emails up until around April with one hand.      She enjoyed writing her whole life.     I have saved several of her emails with wonderful advice.    The hardest part for me is not being able to write her about my life and ask for more advice.    She was excellent with that.      

It didn't hit me until tonight that she is gone.  I took Maggie outside and looked up at the cloudy sky, but could see a glimpse of the moon and prayed for my grandma.  She is now in heaven with grandpa and my dad.  I miss them all.   

Yesterday, my mom had a heartfelt talk with me about my dad and her courtship and marriage.   My dad's grandmother told my mom that she was going to have a wonderful mother-in-law, which is exactly what she had.   Finally, the pieces of the puzzle are getting filled with regard to my dad.  It has taken almost 26 years to get the information that I have been looking for.

Early last week, I had a dream about planning my grandma's funeral, so I called her Tuesday to say hello.  She wasn't feeling well, so really didn't want to talk.  I just talked a few minutes and said I loved her and she said she loved me too.  I am so glad I gave her that phone call.

My grandma is the one who got me interested in watching the soap opera, 'Young and the Restless' back in 1990.  I have been watching it ever since.    She always got a kick out of the character, Victor Newman.     There are many times, I would stop over her house at 1846 Manz St. in Muskegon to visit with her and watch the soap opera.       I also enjoyed playing cards with her.   We played Kings in the Corner quite often.  

She was born August 9, 1919 in Brunswick, Michigan.   She had a sister, Pauline Kimball, and a brother, Max Morrison.    She married my grandfather, George Gonyo, on August 9, 1940, which would have been her 21st birthday.    She had two sons, George Gonyo and Robert Gonyo.     My father passed away on April 24, 1985 and my grandfather passed away November 11, 1993 down in Zephyrhills, FL.   

I will remember the times up at the cabin in Baldwin and all of the good food we had there, such as Bugles, ice cream sundaes, pot roast, and cheesy potatoes.      When she went to bed, she always had on the radio, which helped her sleep.  One time I was staying at their house on Manz and enjoyed listening to the scanner.   I knew what crime was going on in the area.     

She gave me this frame that says "Before You Go to Bed, give your troubles to God.  He will be up all night anyway".   I have that sitting on my night stand for reference.   

I will miss my grandmother deeply.   

February 2, 2011: Blizzard 2011

This morning, I got a text from Tiffany Peterson, saying she got an automatic phone call from 911 saying the County of Muskegon offices were closed to non-essential employees.  I think we both fit in that category.   I gave Tiffany a call and we watched the reports on WZZM13.   


I really didn't get back to sleep the rest of the morning, as I was checking facebook and the news for more weather updates.      


Muskegon got around 14 inches of snow overnight.     I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the window. The snow is up to my knees.

February 1, 2011: Louisville to Muskegon

I can't believe it is the last day of our fun-filled vacation.   I don't think any of us on the bus were in a hurry to go back to the possibility of a blizzard that is on its way.  
Helped Tim Shelton, our bus driver, find a place for lunch.     I am sure I drove him crazy with my laughing.  :o)
We had a nice conversation.   Our escort, Ernie Sloan, was getting a kick out of us.      I guess that is also my second job----entertainment.


We played a game on the bus that if you said the word 'bus' then you put a nickel in the cup.   Boy, you don't realize how many times you say that word.    Tim tried to ask what transportation I took while living in Chicago. I said: Metra, El, South Shore train,  and couch, but not the word bus.


It's a good thing I went back and sat down in my seat, as shortly after, we went by a semi and a big piece of ice flew off of it and hit our bus's windshield, cracking it.  A little while later a bird got caught in the wipers, which was pretty funny.


Had our last lunch at Culvers just north of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I enjoyed my mushroom & swiss burger.


We got back to Muskegon around 5:30 p.m.    


Here are the stats on the bus trip through Orchard View Travelers.   We went 3,950 miles, used 571.75 gallons fuel, and spent $1973.51. The average price of gas was $3.46.  The bus gets 6 mpg on the highway.