Rodney Dodig

Although this heading might apply to everyone since I am in Peru now, it still refers to those who are far from Southern Illinois. I did not hear from as many of my friends who live far away in the past year. I hope it’s nothing more that the economy and all of you are doing well.I haven’t heard from Deb Sue and Tony Marler so I hope all is well with them. I received a card from David and Susan Breland with a picture of their son Ethan. Once again no word from Becky and Matt Henderson. If anyone has heard from them please let me know if they are OK. Kim and Doug Mureson and daughters are doing very well. Dale Ragland and Dean Livesay are doing well. Dean finally has a saddle for his horse so they can go riding together. I received a card from Don and Debbie Freeston with a photo of their son Gavin. He is a handsome young man. Kent and Kelly Harshbarger and kids Kristian and Karoline are doing well. Thanks for the invite, you never know when I might show up. Wil and Brenda Sheppard sent word that they are doing good. Daughter Alex has graduated and is in College, their son Alex is becoming a basketball star. My good friend Jay Horton is still fighting fires and saving lives. His kids Jason (24) and Syraya (22) are doing well. I heard from Josh and Kristi Kerrill-Wisely via Facebook and they and the kids are doing well. No word from Dave and Tammy Pertl this past year. Hope they and family are well. Doug and Anna Stevens failed to communicate for the second year. Time to write me guys. I didn’t get a card from Jack and Helga Bowers this past year. It could have been the mail, I hope they are OK. Gina and Dave Siebert are doing fine. They went to Panama and had an outrageously good time. I heard from Brenda Santel and she is doing well. They will finally be opening up the new building for the Elks where she manages the bar. No word from Joan Miller again this year. I hope she and family are well. I didn’t see or hear from Leischen and John Grussing this year. They might have been at the Women’s golf scramble but I am in Lima. Hope they are OK. I talked with my friends Flavius and Andra Mocanu this year. They are doing well. I think he is trying to return to the University for another degree. They also want to immigrate to Australia. I heard from Lisa and Mike Bazzoni, they sent a nice picture of them with son Matthew. They are busy working and chasing Matthew around the house. My friend Andy Dumitrescu is still practicing Dentistry in Bucharest and doing well. Friends Jyriki and Vexi in Finland are doing well. Lupjco in Macedonia remains busy running his business. Don and Susie Hale are OK. Don’s job was eliminated last year and the last I heard he was looking for a new Lab Directors position. I hope he has been successful. I received a card from Jamal Smith and Family. It has a nice picture of his daughters with Santa. They are sooo cute.My good friend Al Green is living large in Colorado and enjoying photography and trips on his motorcycle. His kids are doing great also. I also heard from my friend Steve Erwin and his family. He sent a card with a picture of him, his wife LeAnn, kids Drew, Riera and John. My friend Delmar Mauricio had a big year. He has left the Order he was a member of and started teaching in a private school in Lima. In addition he is running a video business with friends. He’s a very busy man.  My Friend Ali Kaymak in Istanbul is well and still running a hotel. Steve Bustamante is taking classes at the university for English and helping me adjust to living in Peru. His family has also been a big help to me. My other friend in Peru, Jose Perochena, is becoming very successful with his Bike Tour business. I had the pleasure of meeting the rest of his family and some friends at a dinner party this year. They are wonderful people. My friends Ben and Zulma Jonjak have moved back from Lima to the USA. I will be living in their apartment next year. Ben is responsible for my articles and photos being published on the webzine “Living In Peru” and we have painting in common. My friend Larry Pitman and his family here in Lima are doing well. He went back to the US for his Son’s wedding this year.