Pastor George is called home.

 Pastor George Smith was the longtime pastor of Bakersville Methodist Church, led 25 years of Easy Pedalers (Bike trips), another 18 of Summit Seekers (Mountain trek), and was active in the Tres Dias community;  but mostly he was a Christ Centered Lighthouse.  Where ever you saw him, you saw Christ shining out, whether it was playing basketball, or volleyball, or hockey, or even Football - he was competing, he was trying hard to be, and give his best to win. And through it all he shown - I got calls a couple of times, after a Sunday afternoon, to put me on the phone (a teen) so he could apologize "for trying too hard" for "being rough" - I was always touched that he'd respect me enough to try that hard.  

One year my mastiff Jasper died.  He was stupid, and big, and pulled his chain around a smaller tree - and slid the loop out until his feet didn't touch the ground.  I came out to feed him and he was swaying in the air.  I called my Dad, who was in Hartford, he wasn't coming home early.  Called Mom who was working at Waring, and she said she would come home AFTER I called her to say it was taken care of... So I called Kevin playing at the smiths.... He said no way, they were going shopping, no way.   So I swung him into the trailer of the lawn tractor, and took him up to the horse pen... It was gonna be a big hole.  Pastor George came down the hill, and joined me.  I hate digging in CT.  He asked me if I wanted him to say a few words, I said no, he's a stupid dog.  So we dug.  In a hot summer day, out in the pasture we dug a big hole, and put Jasper to rest.  Cuz that's what a Good man does, he shows up.  We worked it together, I've told this story for years - no platitudes, just got to work with me.  I've always treasured that.

Lastly for the last 20 years of our time in Bakersville, once I went to College when I came home at Christmas time, we'd all get together and use the gym at Ann Antolini, we'd play basketball for the first hour, and it always seems to be stacked - It was 'Keith and everyone younger than him, except for those athletes' they'd be on Georges team. Toward the end, even Kevin would be on the older guys team, we'd get creamed.  But I tried, hard.  And when it was over, all the VB players who'd been waiting, would jump up, and I'd form them up, like my league teams, like Claire and Jaimee's College teams... And George would take me aside and say, "You know Keith, we should lighten up on the spiking and the Jump serves, since we all don't play"   And I'd glare at him, "I didn't get my but kicked for an hour, to play Volleyball at half speed" - Young team won ALOT of Volleyball.

Of all the sermons, of all the times watching his hand motions, or "dancing (stomping)" behind the pulpit, those last few years, those second services, me in the balcony singing, and him down there - it did seem like it was just us.  I am so thankful, when my family came back from Minnesota, and I couldn't find work here, I finally did write a letter to him, thanking him, I was so sure, I'd be gone, and miss my chance to say goodbye, and thank you.

I treasure having played guitar with you, singing with you and being counted among Bakerville's BUMs. Came to Christ at a "Love is an open door" convention we all went to, Confirmed, Baptized, Married - but treated like a Son, and then a Brother.

Lastly George, when you were handing out McDonalds money on the bike trip $4 wasn't enough and when playing street hockey, if you yelled "Brother George" he'd pass it, even if you weren't on his team.

Ken Zwart, My Dad passes on

  

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Kenneth Edwin Zwart who on August 30, 2021 was called to rest, after a brief struggle with cancer. Son of the late Richard and Freda Zwart, was born on July 17th, 1943. He was the loving husband of Carol Edmonds Zwart for 56 years. He is survived by three sons, Keith, Kevin and Tuan. Keith and Cindy’s family consists of their three children, Stephen, David and Nathan.  Kevin and Cami’s consists of their three children, Toby, Charlie and deceased daughter Tabitha. Tuan Duong's family is his five children, Hailey, Abbey, Olivia, Evan and Kennedy who were preceded in death by their mother Heather.  

 

He is also survived by his 4 siblings, Donald (Jackie) Zwart, Ronald (Diane) Zwart, Betty (Cliff) Rose, and Joan (Chris) Vandermeulen. There are ten nieces and nephews and another dozen great nephews and nieces.  

 

He attended Pine Bush Central High, after which he joined the Army.  After his time in the military, he worked various jobs; including in a hardware store, and Prudential Insurance. He found his career with The Hartford Insurance Group.  They brought him and his family to Bakerville, Connecticut, where he was blessed to work and retired after 35 years.   

 

 

Since coming to Christ in the 50’s at Word of Life Camp, his gentle ministry has been evident, wherever God placed him.  After many years in Circleville and as a member of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, the family moved to Connecticut, where his deep faith was evident to all, seen in countless years as a member of Bakerville Methodist Church, or Tres Dias and Aventura retreat weekends or church mission trips.  These trips resulted in an opportunity for him and his wife to serve at The Fold ministry to troubled kids for six years in Vermont once he’d retired from the insurance business.  This also gave him time to visit friends in ministry all over the world, be it England or his son and family in Mozambique and Namibia.   

 

 

Ken made the most of his retirement and his life.  He shared the heart of Christ with anyone he met, and he spoke kindly to strangers at restaurants, auto parts stores, and other places around town.  Besides being amiable and fond of a good joke, he spent every spare moment tinkering, on anything ,whether carpentry, masonry, plumbing, restoring antiques, working on cars - it didn’t matter if he’d done it before, he’d give it a shot.  He was helpful to anyone who needed practical help and always had a project going (with a hefty supply of first aid). That confidence and willingness to try, and sometimes fail was an important talent that allowed God to use him in so many different ways to bless all those who knew him. Ken’s quiet, servants heart will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

 

Ken's humble life and deep love for others leaves us grieving the loss of his presence but so very thankful for his time with us, care for us and love for our lives. He suffers no more and rests with his Savior.

 

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, 1 September 2021 at 1:00 pm at Bakerville United Methodist Church in New Hartford, Connecticut.

Updates

 Been blessed to work remotely for FIS, which is based in Milwaukee, Wi. Started last January - and gor renewed recently through the end of July 2021...  

Steve has graduated from the ARC program, become a HS Math Teacher in town, he moved back into his own place, not to far away. 

Dave is going to re-kickstart his college career in the new year, at STCC....

Nate is thriving at Wagner - when the pandemic allows....

Josh is still with us as well, we're at almost 18 months. Still learning study habits, and accountability.

Looking again

After 6 mostly good years, I'm looking for a new opportunity. Still a Tandem (HP Nonstop) Developer, looking to work at least partially remotely.

Nate is at Wagner U. on Staten Island, Dave is at WCSU in Danbury, Steve is doing the ARC program to get a Math Teaching Cert. and Cindy has started a Masters program (in addition to adding Theatrical Producer to her resume).

But me? Who knows....

Task list

Household stuff:
1) Find brake part for Mazda
2) Build workbench where oil tank used to be.
3) Put up rest of insulation in attic.
4) Wash kitchen floor.
5) Hang pictures in Cindy's office
6) Taxes
7) FAFSA

Scout Stuff:
1) STEM day 2/6/16
2) Pay for Hockey game
3) Note to invite AOLs to Troop 1
4) Unit Awards (2/15/16)
5) District Awards (2/15/16)
6) Cover Wagon Derby - Update events and Patches
7) Spring Camporee?
8) Canoe Trip reservations

Ocean City...2015

List of options,,,

Frisbee Golf (don't seem too close)?
   http://www.njdiscgolf.com/

Mini Golf?

Restaurants:
Yelp was not as helpful as Google Maps...

http://www.mikesseafood.com/ordereze/Content/PageDetails.aspx?PageID=12

http://www.deauvilleinn.com/

http://www.tuckahoeinn.com/

Other Marriage thoughts.

Wedding Fortnight thoughts...Simple. When you're sorry - say you're sorry. Mean it, let it go, and don't dig it up later. Like lying - resentment requires too much brain power and memory, those who live in truth and forgiveness are so much freer - they have space in there heads to remember things like "Scooby Doo villains" and pokemon evolution stuff...

And when someone asks for forgiveness - think about the commitment of it for you, as well. Grace has a cost, even for little old us. When they ask for this event or disagreement to be washed away, and you can, then let that go as well. The hurt doesn't vanish, but it will fade, if you both grow past it.

Actual forgiveness takes work. Often it's "Death to pride" on one side, and putting down your "hammer of righteousness" on the other.

Imminent Wedding Thoughts (2 Weeks and a day). One of the most important and useful skill in marriage is not found in the Kama Sutra, it's this: Active Listening, rather than waiting for your turn to speak. We waste more time begging to be heard, repeating the same point over and over, we stand a wave our flag and we insist on validation and that we're making "points". What is your partner actually asking? Is there really a disagreement at all?

We all want, we need to be right - but in fact, we spend an immense amount of time looking for "our tribe" for people like us. Well you've found one, you've made a tribe - they chose you - you're on the same team. Now, you need to be sure that you support and validate each other. There is an immense amount of common ground, if you look around.

And the final important part of this "Active listening" is to be sure you're speaking about the same things...Stop and think, "Where did this discussion start?" and "Have we addressed that?" If you have addressed the issue, can you short circuit the navel gazing, and old disagreements that are fruitless... The last part can be really hard, as hard as patiently actually listening.

Impending Wedding thought (16 to go) - Read "The five love Languages" whether you are a person of faith or not. Spend some time figuring out which acts of Love resonate with your spouse. Don't waste years buying or making small gifts, when your beloved is so in tune with, and appreciative of, your words of support and affection. 
(You're a guy, and it's sort of a manual - read/skim it)

Impending Wedding Thought of the day (17 to go). How many times have I told my kids that "Fair is for the weak" - Be merciful, be just, be gracious, do the right thing...Be the better man. Self interest never inspires, but those other choices just might.

Thought of the day (18 to go) - We shouldn't get married for a feeling, but with a promise. As time goes by, we may not feel like putting someone else first, but emotions aside, it's a matter of will. I promised, forever. My God and I will be stronger than my selfishness, my laziness and my pride.

Thought of the day (19 more) - You are not promised or doomed to the marriages you grew up watching. Your promises are creating something completely new and special. No one else has ever been in the family you're building - it's brand new, and special.

 — feeling optimistic.

Marriage Thoughts...

Wedding eve...It's this simple - it's a promise...That's what makes this work, your word, and commitment. That's why we use a pyramid, with God as one side of this equation. His word is good.

So - how good is your word? This is a forever, whether I feel like it or not promise...Not just a feeling. This is the person who can shut off your life support - are you going to go nuts when they get the wrong toilet paper?

And - now they are a part of us. When their car breaks late at night, or they're locked out of the house, they call family...That's us. For all of the most important events in their lives, from now until forever - they're a part of us.

Let's get rehearsing!

Single Digits! Wedding in 9 days!

It's become apparent that I've dropped the ball and made a significant gap in your upbringing. I know I grew up seeing my maternal family more than the paternal, and I figured: a) it's a girl thing, and b) the Zwart side was younger and bigger - and 3) we were gone by the time I was 10.

Doesn't matter - I had you guys - and we never got to know my Dad's family. This isn't about guilting anyone into anything, and certainly not blaming anyone for anything. I love the relationship you have with my parents, and with Cindy's...

Want an example of inclusion and effort to see family, look a bit to Linda - don't you want a home that draws the family together? People don't come to Linda and Pete's just because they have a pool - but because she's been a rock in Jimmy's life, and makes Kelly, Todd and all of us so welcome.

So make time with both sides, they'll be gone before you know it, and most importantly do things that build memories. Be there when they're in pain and when they celebrate. And if you mess up, show up the next time anyway, they're family, we have keys.

Dozen nights until I stop saying brideGOON...Touching is a good idea. You're young, so if you could drive with her sitting on your lap, you would (but you can't). But that fades...I'm not saying stand up and kiss whenever one of you enters the room - but when the spouse walks in, hit mute, or pause, or remove the headphones (without rolling you eyes) it reminds you both of the priorities. Holding hands in public, or touching a shoulder as you pass, reminds you that you have a special deal.

It also shows the world that this one chose me! And I chose her! And I'm proud be seen together - and we're partners, equals - I'm not charging thru with her 4 paces behind, and not grumpily stumbling behind her staring my phone.

And I dare you to leave your phone face down on the table while you eat. When my parents were young there were few phones - but they wouldn't get up from the table or from company to answer a phone "they'll call back" and it values the "present of the Present" -- We do get up and answer the house phone (because in this day and age, only Cindy's friends and family call it)...But often say "we'll call you back"... Do the math - what are the odds that the person who called during dinner is more important than those you're with right then?

Wedding Thoughts - 13 to go...Ever see this video? Cindy doesn't think it's funny. Trust me neither does the guy in the video...But it's part of that team, that family - Meeting your partner where they are (killing the spiders, checking out the noises) and sometimes NOT fixing the thing...And that is hard as well.

It's Not About The Nail

"Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen." Every man has heard these words. And they are the law of the land. No matter what.

Area hotels and stuff...

Over the next few months many family and friends will be coming to stay nearby.  We have a Wedding!  So this is a list of hotels and B&Bs I've started looking at, and saving:

http://www.torringfordmanorbandb.com

http://www.theinnatmountpleasant.com/

http://www.chapinparkbandb.com/

http://www.pinemeadowhousebb.com/

http://www.mvinn.com/

http://www.pedlarinn.com/

I use the regular - hotels.com and such to look near town, Cindy made me drive over and look that the Rodeway Inn (opposite Lowes), it was very cean and newly refreshed...And I've heard some good things about the Yankee Pedlar lately...

Snow Buddy

Nathan's 7th grade Invention Convention project is: The Snow Buddy - a PVC Skeleton frame to hold your boots/hat/glove together to dry  - More to follow.

And, the Snow Buddy - not naked.

Every Year 7th Graders all over Connecticut become part of the Invention Convention.  It's a multidisciplinary process that takes weeks to brainstorm, design, prototype, build and market a unique idea. 

New Work...during Birthday Month!

Started my new job this week - Working for CGI, a Canadian company that bought Logica not long ago.  My laptop didn't show up until Thursday - and ever since, I've been installing a whole suite of tools.  This place uses the most current set of HP NonStop development apps I've ever seen -  So they're all a bit new to me as well. I'm nervous, probably from all my experiences as a consultant - even when those jobs go well, they end.  So I feel residual pressure.  And installing Eclipse/Cross platform Compilers/Subversion/SQL tools and other stuff has been strange, hopefully it will all hang together tomorrow.

It's a new start, the working alone in the house will take some getting used to...Sunday I'll drive up to Waltham, Ma. for the week.  We (Me and the other two new guys) will be meeting with the Sr. Dev't. Team onsite.

Went to BWW with the guys Wednesday - We're down to 1 teenager again.  Steve got some Arduino, and Dave his class ring.

Working (soon) (from home)

So - I haven't posted in ages, and I had news, so hear it is... I found work, that starts 5/13...They will allow me to work from home (!) and the pay will be basically what I have been making on the road the last few years.  I am setting up the spare bedroom as my new office, leaving the old one as a Music Room.

I've been home since March 2nd - cleaning things up, and getting back in the groove of my family.  S. is still at Storrs (now thinking of becoming a Math Teacher) and coming home on the weekend to be a Scoutmaster of Troop 3. D. is struggling with classwork, but enjoying being SPL of Troop 1, and doing theater.   N. is enjoying his POP Puppet ministry through church (Praise Christian Fellowship), but not Scouts so much.

Almost Spring

It's been nearly a year.  My work at Quest was good for my C skills, and nice to go back to working in TAL.  Made a few good friends/co-workers and enjoyed my manager...Nuff said.

I was surprised two weeks ago that I was asked to come back early one weekend got the project straightened out and found out that my contract, which was up for renewal, was not going to be renewed.  They are hard at work doing a massive reorganization, and putting all projects on hold to be re-assessed.  So Poof, I was gone at the end of the week.  I rented a U-Haul trailer, packed my room up and drove it home.

T1 and T3 are both camping this weekend - Steve will be at Workcoeman, and Dave, N. and I will be at Sequassen, across the street. It's March - but will be in the 20's at night with a High (!) in the 30's...bah.

Working out my unemployment, it will be from Ct. this time (they pay more) but not enough...Thinking about what needs to be fixed - praying about the roof, the RV (needs to go), and other stuff.

I cannot tel you how much I don't want to go on the road again...

If you change careers 4 or 5 times in a lifetime...

I'm overdue - So....What else am I supposed to do?  Local Scout Exec? or some other related job?  What could I do that would pay enough that would leverage my History Degree?

Va-Va-Va--Virginia

Found a contract with Quest Diagnostics (Tal programmer) in Chantilly, Va.  Started Monday - It is amazingly expensive and crowded here.  Traffic is ridiculous everywhere, and it took 5 1/2 hours door to door from home to my hotel in Manassas, the ride home will probably be longer since it will be rush hour around DC/Baltimore/and NYC.

But it is a bit too close to fly, unless I drive to Baltimore to fly Southwest - so I'm trying the drive.  Small shop, only about 5 Tandem developers.  Nice enough, and has a café - but it's taken a couple of days to get me a PC and a TACL (logon).

Boy Scouts!

Nate is one as well - Tomorrow we camp at Mohawk with Troop 1.

Pie Day

Had two interviews with Quest Diagnostic as a Tandem Consultant - they want a TAL programmer.  I may have found the only TAL shop that doesn't require Base24 skills.  I also interviewed for a job in Itasca, Ill.  But the first job made an offer - What a bunch of mixed feelings.  I must provide, and keep my commitments (bills) - but failing to thrive in that local job is galling, I could see why it had to end - but it's humiliating nontheless.  But I do feel (finally) more connected to home, like I finally arrived in Ct. myself - and I'll survive sometime on the road.  Hoping that the 7 hour drive is doable, and the one hour flight from Dulles (5 minutes from work) or Baltimore - will be very cost friendly.   Dawn is only an hour north as well.  I need to figure out my housing next week - I start (so far) on the 26th.

News!

Looking for new work....yes, for real.

Vally Forge

Went to Valley Forge with the whole District last weekend, N. had been sick during the week but was better so C. booked a hotel for them to spend the day, while D. and I (and S.) were camping with 120 other Scouts from all over the Northwest Hills.  D. felt sick the next morning though - so C. took him to the hotel and I took N. around to the stations they had setup - we liked the cannons, the stations about families following the soldiers and the doctor...
The weather was pretty good, and real nice day on Saturday.  There is a pile of pictures on FB - Northwest Hills District CRC.

New Year update...

Christmas was very good - My parents came over for the big day, we all (all) went to PCF the night before for Christmas Eve service.  For me, I was blessed that S. was most pleased with his gift choices.  The infrared goggles we got for D. and N. worked, they were quite cool.  I got a WD Live (TV internet device) fairly cool.

Spent yesterday evening with the in-laws, Kay's First Day as a retired person.  I recommended she grab my RV and move to Vacation Village with my Tampa friends...

S. with Troop 3, and D. and I (with Troop 4) will be going to Vally Forge with the Scouts.  C. and N. and Cousin Tommy will come out for the day - It's in mid February.