May 2023 - Hal's Memorial Services

 

Memorial services for Hal, who passed away last December 14, were held in Walden, NY on Saturday, April 22.   Bill Wills, Jo-Ann Smith and I drove out (Bill drove) the two plus hours to attend.

I shared some of our memories of Hal here a couple of months ago (nfthchrisblog.blogspot.com/2023/01/january-2023-hal.html ), but not surprisingly, we learned a lot more about him from the eulogies given by his family and friends.

Hal earned a degree in electrical engineering after serving in the Navy.  His EE degree may have led him to his eventual career in I/T, but it also helped with some of his home hobbies.  Son Scott and daughter Kim provided several examples:  

• Kim remembered helping and often holding the ladder for her father as he rewired their entire18^th-century home in East Granby.

• Scott boasted that he was probably the only seven year-old in the world who had his own rocket ship in the basement, courtesy of his father.  Hal had pieced the device, complete with dials, gauges and working lights, by salvaging discarded spare parts from work.  

• The Velie household’s first stereo was from a Heathkit DIY set: Hal ordered the kit, then assembled, soldered, and wired the device, which served the family for many years.

• Hal’s skills extended to more domestic pursuits as well: Scott told the story of how his father sewed his own sleeping bag, also from a “kit”.  The box that arrived from REI contained pieces of fabric, a bag of down filling, a zipper, and the instructions for putting it all together, which Hal promptly and determinedly did!

 It turns out that engineering may not have been Hal’s first career choice.   Just out of the Navy in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s, he dabbled in theater, taking acting classes, and even meeting and sharing a friendship with actor Harvey Korman.   Although the acting career never took off, the theater was a life-long love for both Hal and his wife June.   

Perhaps as an extension of Hal’s love of theater, one of Hal’s favorite holidays was April Fool’s Day, according to Kim.  She and Scott had to keep on their toes whenever April 1 came around, not knowing what their father had in store for them, but he had his come-uppance one year when the two of them substituted a mixture of cider vinegar and dish washing soap for his usual glass of beer.   Hal’s reaction, after spitting it out all over himself, was one of laughter; he had taught them well!

On a serious note, both Kim and Scott expressed their gratitude for Hal's support for them during difficult times in their lives - at times even providing that support anonymously.  Two of Hal and June's nieces also spoke, recalling family holidays and happy gatherings at the Velie home, one niece remarking how she considered herself "very fortunate to have an uncle like Hal".

Hal was a member of the Walden Masonic Lodge, so the funeral home services included a solemn dedication ceremony from a group of fellow members; the luncheon after the cemetery rites was held at their Lodge in downtown Walden.

                         * * * * *

As to be expected, the conversations between Bill, Jo-Ann and me that day focused a lot on our memories of Hal.  

We talked about his methodical planning of several department-wide progressive dinners, as well as the elaborate "Marvin & Mavis" productions that he directed and staged at some of our annual picnics * (more of his theatrics on display, pulling in a cast that included Norm Lapointe, Tom Woodruff, and Ken Hebert, to my recollection) - and in his retirement, the coordination of our annual luncheons and of course the News from the Hole. 

As his obituary stated, Hal was truly a "jack of all trades and master of most"  - certainly one of a kind, and we were lucky to have known him!

                               * * * * *

* We remembered that in addition to Prairie Home Companion, Hal was a big fan of "Seinfeld" (once reporting that he had all of the shows on tape), "The Big Bang Theory", and especially "Car Talk".  Reminded of those programs, and growing weary of talking, we spent the last hour or so on our way home listening - and laughing to - podcasts of Click and Clack.

April 2023 - April in Vermont: Stuck Trucks, Solar Eclipse, and Maple Creamies!

 Stuck Trucks

Picture taken from Vermont Transit web page

 

Last November, I wrote about the stretch of Vermont's Route 108 between Stowe and Jeffersonville.  The story was about how truckers and bus drivers ignore the warnings to avoid the narrow boulder-lined section through Smugglers Notch, and end up getting trapped with no way out except for a complicated tow.  (Click here for November story).

Smugglers Notch is closed to thru traffic in the winter months because there are just no shoulders for plows to push the snow into, but it should be opening for the year again within the next few weeks.  So, the question after opening day will not be a matter of "if", but "when" will that first big rig driver of the season try to tempt fate and get his/her vehicle wedged into the road's outcroppings.  

The Stowe Rotary Club has decided to capitalize on the situation with it's first ever Stuck Truck Pool.  For $10 a ticket, participants can guess the date of the first incident.  The winner gets half of the money collected, while the other half goes to the Rotary's scholarship fund.  

Interested in entering?  You can find more information AT THIS LINK.

                                   * * * * *

 Solar Eclipse

A year from this Saturday (April 8, 2024) parts of North America will witness a total solar eclipse, its path starting in Mexico and crossing northeastward from Texas all the way to Maine.  As it turns out, here in Randolph, we'll be only about 10 miles south of the path, experiencing almost 100% totality.

I remember the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, which crossed the US from Oregon down to South Carolina. Hotels and campgrounds along the eclipse's path were booked in advance as hoards of pilgrims migrated to those locations to witness the full event.  I imagine the same will happen next April, although I don't expect to see a lot of campers around these parts during what may still be the tail end of Mud Season.  That said, put in your bids now and we can arrange for indoor accommodations here for a handful of folks!  Heck, we should just have an eclipse party!  Time to order those special sunglasses!

More information at these links:

Earth&Sky

GreatAmericanEclipse_Vermont

                          * * * * *

 Maple Creamies

Maple season in Vermont, soon coming to a close for this year, has been a long one - the unseasonably warm December and January meant that some of the sap started running early, and March brought perfect sugaring weather with below freezing nights and above freezing days.  As a reminder, Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the country, and production in the world is only exceeded by the province of Quebec.  Maple syrup is - as some of you may not know - considered a "super food"  (Yes, reallyl!   See THIS LINK)

All that in mind, we couldn't think of a better way to spend an early April Sunday afternoon  than with a visit to the local Silloway Farm during their open house weekend to view their production and sample some of their great maple creamies!

Silloway Maple in Randolph Center, Vermont

 

 

 

For the uninitiated, maple creamie is the local term for soft-serve maple ice-cream

March 2023 - The End of Winter - Lions, Lambs, and Pandemic Memories

The month of March “comes in like a lion and out like a lamb”, according to an old saying. *

Judging by the last few days of February and the weather forecast around here for the rest of this week, the lion part of the saying rings true, especially when compared to the relatively wimpy January and February we’ve had so far.  At least for us in Vermont, the last week of February has been more wintry than the rest of the winter (see pictures below).  As I write this on Monday afternoon, those of you in Connecticut and Massachusetts are under a winter storm warning.  (LINK to the Boston Globe predictions)

Weather Channel Map as of 3 PM Monday 2/27

By the time you read this, you'll be able to verify the accuracy of the forecast maps, as well as the veracity of the "in like a lion" theory.

* * * * *

Three years ago around this time, we couldn't have predicted the "storm" that would hit us in just a matter of days – one whose aftereffects are still impacting our lives.  Reports of a spreading virus in distant China were reaching us by the end of February, but things went on more or less as normal for several more weeks.

We all have our stories of how it all unfolded in our personal lives.  For John and me and six of our close friends, the direct impact was that it thwarted a week's ski vacation at Big Sky in Montana - although the turn of events was a little more complicated.

We were scheduled to fly out of Bradley on Friday the 13^th.  The plans for Saturday were to do a winter tour of Yellowstone National Park (on my bucket list!).  Just hours before we were to leave for Connecticut, I slipped on a sheet of ice and broke my wrist.  John and I had to cancel while the rest of our little group flew out as planned.  We spent that Saturday feeling somewhat sorry for ourselves as our would-be travel companions expressed their condolences and provided us with a vicarious experience by texting pictures of glorious Yellowstone throughout the day.  

Sunday the 15^th arrived, and with it, some more “wish you were here” postings and pictures from our friends. Those came to an abrupt end when the announcement came that Big Sky – along with many other facilities around the country – were shutting down due to the pandemic.  (For a timeline, see: https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html ).  Our friends had to scramble to find flights back home, competing with the multitudes around the country that were trying to do the same. Fortunately, the six of them made it back by Monday night - weary, but hey, they had some great winter pictures of Yellowstone  (which remains on my bucket list!).

Saturday, 3/14/20: While our friends were touring Yellowstone, John and I were back home and took a trip to the grocery store. Signs of the times during those early pandemic days- long lines, no masks, no social distancing, and no toilet paper left in the store!

* * * * *

I'll end here with some pictures of winter's return here in Randolph Vermont these last few days of February.  I know that those of you that have emigrated to Florida and other points South can't quite relate to our love of this climate!

 

Randolph's "Whale Dance": CLICK here for more

 * * * * *

* The origin of the "Lion and Lamb" saying may have had more to do with the position of the constellations this time of year than it had to do with weather:   (www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/weather/weather-proverb-march-lion-lamb/index.html)

February 2023 - Winters Past and Present

Photo from the Hartford Courant archives

Winters Past

February 1978:

Can it really be 45 years since "Storm Larry", the 1978 blizzard that buried the Northeast?  It began on Monday, February 6; by that afternoon, Hamilton was shutting down and we were all sent home early – not to return until three days later. 

Sitting in the conference room of a bank in Windsor that Monday morning, I watched out the window as the first snowflakes appeared.  I was there to sign the papers to close on my first house in Windsor Locks, but the storm prevented me from moving into that house until Governor Grasso lifted the state of emergency later in the week.  In the meantime, I had already sublet my apartment and placed my furniture in storage, so I spent the duration, sleeping bag and suitcase in tow, with LuAnne Figoni in her apartment down the hall.  

I’m sure you all have your own particular memories of that week.  Here’s a link that may stir up some more: CLICK HERE

* * * * *

February 2013:

More recently, it was ten years ago this week (February 8, 2013) that the region was hit with Winter Storm Nemo, which dumped over three feet of snow in parts of Connecticut and brought with it wide-spread wind gusts of over 60 mph.  See more about that storm via these links:

• Wikipedia storm summary
• Weather.com
  

I was visiting my father in New Britain when the storm arrived.  By the next afternoon, the snowdrifts in his driveway had almost completely buried my car --- but mercifully left the driver’s door accessible, so that I was able to eventually turn the car around to drive out.

 

 

That's my father posing with the shovel.  95 years old at the time, my nephew and I had to force him to stay inside while we did the digging out!

* * * * *

Winters Present

Winter can still bring joy to those who are able to embrace the snow.  Case in point was last week, when John and I spent a week skiing at Sunday River in Maine in the congenial company of good friends and family: Jerry and Laura Kimble, Diane Lototski and husband Brian Williams, and John’s brother Jay with wife Andrea. With an average age of around 70, some of the inevitable talk around each day’s breakfast table was about the aches and pains from the previous day’s skiing, but much more of our time was spent laughing and just enjoying the camaraderie.  

Happy Senior Skiers!

 

As to be expected with friends that go back more than 40 years, some of our conversations turned to reminiscences of old days and folks at MSD: the sea of desks and shared phones; punch cards and the first TSO terminals; rubber band balls; summer picnics and other celebrations; over/under 30 softball games; Charlie Straight’s one-liners*.  It’s hard to convey to younger folks how we tolerated the smoke-filled conference rooms, the strict 8 to 4:30 schedule, and even the (ahem) ratings systems the “gentlemen” of the department had for new women hires (!).   

Times have certainly changed......but friendships and memories remain.   

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* A sampling of Charlie's wit:

“I’d like to help you out; which way did you come in?”

“The system is crashing around us, and you’re worried about double spacing?”

"Aw hell, take a street car!"

January 2023 - Hal

 

Hal was one of the first people that I met at Hamilton.   I was fresh out of college and interviewing for a programmer trainee position at MSD.  A couple of “old guys” – Hal and Gil Anderson (in their 40’s at the time), took me out to lunch as part of the interview.   I’ll never forget the date – August 8, 1974, because I remember listening to the two of them speculate on what President Nixon was going to announce in his press conference that evening (it was in fact that evening that he announced his resignation).   

As of this writing, Hal's obit has yet to be published, but his son Scott wrote to me to say that the service will be held in Walden NY in the early Spring.   In the meantime, some of you have sent in your memories:

"Hal was always considerate and a perfect gentleman.. He was trained and interested in the theater..  He would organize some of the managers to perform in a comical skit at our department parties. He would produce the material and schedule some practice sessions for us. It was a lot of fun"  ~ Norm Lapointe

"Hal was an all round good person. Just as an aside, while my step-daughter was living in Pittsburgh, Nancy and I got together with Hal for lunch in a nearby community. That must have been 10 years ago or more. I only got to know Hal from the monthly alumni get togethers, before we moved south." ~ Hank McWay

"So sad to hear of Hal's passing. I always admired his ability to organize resources and develop offerings for user departments that wanted to own their own computers. He was a trail blazer. Hal developed Info Center standards, published a newsletter, and created HSD user groups. Rest in peace my friend!" ~ Dwight Penfield

"Hal was a rare, one-of-a-kind man.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to work in the same department." ~ Deb Shapiro

  

"Gil, Hal, Judy and I used grab a “diner” lunch once a month.   There were rules.  White ceramic coffee mugs, order written on a little pad, ripped off and clipped to a spinner or wire, etc., for the cook.  There was extra credit for waitresses who memorized the order!   Two really nice guys......

Remember those guys in that skit band during the picnics, “Marvin and Mavis” ?? .....

I recall in Hal’s East Granby home…in the finished basement was an actual cell for prisoners.  He modified it so it was part of his bar… he left the top metal bars in place and built the bar with stools below it."  ~ Jo-Ann Smith

 

I’ll state the obvious here: if it weren’t for Hal (as well as Gil), you wouldn’t be reading this, there never would have been a monthly alumni breakfast or newsletter, and many of us would have lost touch with each other long ago. 

Hal and Gil had what could be a described as a friendly rivalry at times, but they shared the sense of commitment and spirit of camaraderie that strengthened the ties in our department.   With that spirit, they launched the first “News from the Hole” in December of 1992 – thirty years ago, almost to the day.  Not many of the original issues have survived, but a couple of years ago, Hal mailed me the few that he had kept.   Here is Volume I, Issue #2, dated January 1993 (sorry for the blurry-ness; it's the best the scanner would do).:

Thank you, Hal, for making this all possible!

Taken when we stopped to visit him in PA in 2007 on our tour of the northeast. - Larry Quillen

 

 

At the annual MSD alumni luncheon, 2014

Gil and Hal: annual MSD alumni luncheon, 2012