Well, both sons are in the “video business”Oldest son Rob has been a cameraman man for Fox Sports and has been a cameraman in all of the Major League Sports.
My youngest son Andrew most recently has been providing video footage for national news about the George Floyd Trial case in Minneapolis.
My wife Anne is the proof reader of all our postings on social media (She was an original Proofreader before the computers took over. 🙁)
I still enjoy photography, mostly for my shoe repair websites and social media I just sent 3 pairs of shoes to Connecticut, NYC, and Portland Maine..Who woulda thunk…
I still can remember Smitty the shoe repair guy that I had my beginnings in Shoe Repair, In Iowa City. When a demanding phone customer would insist on a price quote, he would get exasperated and say, “Hold the shoes closer to the phone, so I can see them!!!!”
Well, 52 years later, we can ask customers to send emails, messenger and texting with photos, even Face chats, with photos of their shoes for quotes… (but even now I have to say, I will know for sure when I see them)
Dave took an important step in his quest to support and promote the development of global herd immunity this week. He got his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the UMass Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccination Center in beautiful downtown Worcester MA this week.
The site had everything one needs for vaccination, including a “selfie station” with an official looking backdrop, so we could record this important moment.
Please consider getting your vaccination as soon as you can, for yourself, for your family, and for the “global herd.”
Brian MacQueen passed suddenly this week at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City surrounded by his family and friends. It was a peaceful, graceful departure in keeping with Brian’s beautiful heart and deep spiritual confidence in the Life Eternal. He was 63 years old.
Brian was the youngest of six children of Dr JC MacQueen and Gertrude MacQueen, both longtime residents of Iowa City. He grew up in Iowa City graduating from West High School as class president in 1976 and then graduated from the University of Iowa in Theatre in 1980. Brian worked for the Transcendental Meditation movement in Washington DC with his wife Kristel Bach who he married in 1982. They later divorced. For years, on his own time Brian wrote, designed, directed, produced, and engineered a number of radio plays that were featured on National Public Radio playhouse as well as his charming children’s radio show “Chip the Squirrel” written for his beloved nephew Will. For this work at NPR, Brian received an International Award for Radio Theatre, an achievement he was understandably very proud of.
Brian also trained as a paramedic and served in that capacity for some years before being accepted to the Yale School of Drama where he graduated with an MFA in Technical Design in 2000.
Brian worked in a number of prominent theatre houses around the country as head sound designer and teacher until he returned to teach at Yale for a few years. After Yale, he went to South Korea to teach at Dongguk University in Seoul. He was an outstanding teacher and deeply loved by his students for his passionate interest in the development of their artistic skills. He taught from a level of enthusiasm and encouragement.
In 2009 Brian generously returned to Iowa City to help care for his aging parents until their deaths and then moved to Fairfield Iowa where he became Technical Director at the Sondheim Center. He then began a journey of cycles of poor health from which he would miraculously recover, determined to carry on with his life and work much to the amazement of his family and friends. The last few years of his life were filled by his theatre work at the Walton Performing Arts Facility in Fayetteville, Ark., the Coralville Arts Center, caregiving jobs in Fairfield, and his deep participation in the life of his family. He had just been rehired at the Sondheim Center when he became ill for the last time.
Endowed with great humor, a brilliant mind and creative genius, Brian was always a standout personality and we will miss him in all the large and small ways he touched us. Brian loved kayaking, biking, reading (especially Shakespeare) and celebrations of all kinds. He was a tender-hearted person who always sought to protect the feelings of others and lived deeply from his spiritual life that was a more private miracle that shown on those of us near him.
Brian leaves a bereaved family: Jennifer (Doug) Hamilton of Fairfield, Debra (Stephen) MacQueen of Kneeland California, John (Nancy) MacQueen of Palm Springs, California, Susan MacQueen of Davenport Iowa. Nephews/nieces: Will (Lizzy) Hamilton of Fairfield, Mila Hamilton of Minneapolis, MN, Dr John (Lori) Hartman of Bettendorf, IA, and Gabriel (Reiko) Hartman of Davenport, IA and six great nieces/nephews. He was preceded in death by his oldest sister Candace MacQueen and his parents.
Donations in Brian’s name can be made to the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield Iowa.
Joan Overholser Houghton, 96, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 23, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Joan was born August 2, 1924 in Red Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Alice (Sprague) Overholser. At age 13, she won the Iowa State spelling contest correctly spelling words such as “syzygy” and “phthisis”, going on to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. where she met and shook hands with FDR.
She is a graduate of Red Oak High School, attending Cornell College through her sophomore year. She transferred to the University of Iowa where she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism, serving as assistant editor of the Daily Iowan, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board, the president of Theta Sigma Phi, and a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
On September 12, 1946 Joan married Clark “Bud” Houghton in Red Oak. The couple moved to Iowa City following Bud’s graduation from Iowa Law School and acceptance of a position with First National Bank. Joan’s four children were her pride and joy: Steve, Connie, Jim and Cathy. She supported them during their educational years and cheered them on in their sports and extracurricular activities.
Joan was a 75-year member of the First United Methodist Church. She was also a 75-year member of PEO Chapter HI, for which she served as president.
Joan was a strong believer in volunteer work and lived out that passion at Mercy and University Hospitals. She also served as President of University Club, playing hostess and greeter for many functions. For many years Joan was the UNICEF coordinator for card sales in Iowa City and she was so proud of the support they could offer children around the world.
She enjoyed playing golf, tennis, dancing, reading, laughing, and socializing with her bridge club friends. Most of all, she loved vacationing at their rustic family cottage in Door County, Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. Joan appreciated the small things in life: a sunset, the beauty of nature, and giggling uncontrollably at a fun game of charades or a family “Gong Show”.
In her later years as a widow, she moved to Melrose Meadows Retirement Community in Iowa City. Great affection was evident for the caretakers who tended to Joan, especially Sue Chase who was her loyal attendant for many years. During her 80’s and 90’s she enjoyed writing essays on her computer expressing her opinions and sharing memories through the years. These were printed in 3 books which were distributed to her friends and family.
But most important of all to Joan were her 4 children and their spouses: Steve and Leora Houghton, Connie and Bill Nelson, Jim and Judy Houghton, Cathy Miller and John Miller; her 13 grandchildren: Cari (Bob) Everhart, Jeff (Michelle) Houghton, Jon (Annie) Houghton, Scott Houghton (Charissa Laisy); Alissa (Jim) Struble, Krista (Shaun) Arnold, Brad (Kelsey) Nelson; David Houghton, Laura Houghton, Heather Houghton; Kyle (Daniela) Miller, Bryan Miller, Carolyn Miller; and 17 great-grandchildren: Ella, Cole, and Oscar Everhart; Kylie, Nick, Raelyn, and Lucy Houghton; Elias and Rew Houghton; Lydia, Colette, Brynn, and Alex Struble; Will and Linnea Arnold; and, Berit and Ingrid Nelson.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bud of 57 years; her grandson, David Houghton; and her brother Richard Overholser.
Yes, we can hear you out there saying “A Taste of Christmas? Hey, Dave, get a clue. Christmas is over, and 2021 has begun!”
We’re sharing the third and final installment of Patti’s festive series a little late, but as soon as it was released on the air. Right at the time when Patti’s last episode was set to air, the new Coronavirus strain showed up in Britain, and Patti was preempted for the news of the new outbreak.
Patti shared this episode as soon as it aired, along with some photos of the production. You can also follow her on Instagram, if you are so inclined.
At Bunker Hill Inn, Salem NY Photo by Laura Coldwell
Can anyone remember what life was like just one year ago? For us it was a fairly mild December, filled with typical Christmas busy-ness and spending time with friends and family. This was succeeded by a pretty ordinary January and February; Chris had her usual active Valentine’s Day flower crush. Then, abruptly, everything changed. We were on our way home to Hoboken from a visit to Martin’s mom Ruth in Palm Springs, California. That day, March 9, at the San Francisco airport, and later on the plane, we saw a scattering of travelers wearing face masks. That seemed odd – almost menacing. What was happening? By the end of that week, we had donned masks, too – and it felt as if the whole world had been upended.
The following is an abbreviated list of events we experienced during this strange year.
Christina: Not long after Valentine’s Day and returning from California, Christina Andersen Floral Design came to a screeching halt: her weekly accounts for three Hoboken businesses were suspended, as restaurants were ordered closed down for safety reasons. Nevertheless, since then, Chris had a fine Mother’s Day, plus various orders for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Mother’s Day was a particular surprise: a scant two pre-orders by a week and a half prior rapidly ballooned to twenty within a few days. One of her restaurant accounts, Halifax, reopened in December – at least for the time-being. Meanwhile, Federal SBA EIDT, NJ Business Administration, Hudson County, and Hoboken small business grants have come to the rescue with funds needed to pay rent, utilities, and other overhead expenses. One welcome consequence of fewer hours in her studio is that our home has never been graced with so many beautiful flower arrangements and plants. The balcony became a mini garden this summer, resplendent with numerous flower and fresh herb plants. Chris has become very fond of computer crossword games, and frequently invites Martin to join her.
Martin: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra last performed a live concert on March 1. Since then, Symphony activity has included musicians making recordings at home, coaching the youth orchestras online, and performing virtual outreach, such as private lessons for healthcare workers. In October NJSO had one week of string members rehearsing and recording two concert programs in-person at NJPAC for online consumption (no live audience). Possibly these will also be broadcast on PBS. More live activity to come. Meanwhile, numerous new NJSO task forces were formed to deal with the orchestra’s new reality. Martin has been in the thick of it: helping negotiate side letters to the musicians’ union contract, including substantial temporary cuts in weeks of work; helping to craft and continually revise safety protocols enacted to help keep everyone safe on the job; working on the NJSO board’s Strategic Planning Task Force, seeking to find our way forward, post-pandemic. He stays active on his local music union board, which has established a $150,000 fund to aid financially-distressed musicians. He Skypes his private lesson students. He remains on the Vestry of All Saints Episcopal Church, and continues working as an elected Hoboken Democratic Committeeperson. Busy is good. Martin regularly takes long hikes and walks with friends, and even just by himself. Also reading more.
Chris and Martin: Obviously spending a lot of time at home, we try to get out for at least a walk together daily. Some of these urban hikes take us as far as Jersey City Heights, where we often take out our favorite Detroit-style pizzas, and pick up a few bottles at a favorite wine shop. Car rides into the countryside, and closer jaunts to Branch Brook Park in Newark, and DeKorte Park in the Meadowlands, provide another change of scenery. On June 20 we attended the socially-distanced wedding of NJSO trombonist and friend Vernon Post and Joyce Hodgson, which felt all the more moving and festive under the circumstances. Their flowers by Christina Andersen Floral Design. The next day Martin turned 65, and began drawing his music union pension. In mid-September, with infection rates down, and taking precautions, we spent ten fun and memorable days in upstate New York at the Bunker Hill Inn and nearby Saratoga Springs, also visiting a former Hoboken friend, Cassandra Wilday, and Jordan Davies, who live close to Burlington, Vermont. We decided to dare this vacation because of our own safe habits at home, coupled with the very low incidence of cases at the time. Thankfully all went well. Would not attempt the same thing presently.
At Thanksgiving our good friend Jane Kober joined us at home, bringing her warmth and wit, with windows and doors open and us distanced, over a traditional turkey dinner and a pumpkin tart (from one of Chris’ accounts), with good wine. We had a two-some Christmas, with the usual phone calls plus Zoom and Skype visits. A recent good weather day found us on a sunny outdoor walk and fire pit-cooked meal in Brooklyn with Chris’ sister Melinda, husband Peter, daughter (and very accomplished actress) Lucy Kaminsky, and friend Patsy Taylor. We missed seeing Lucy’s sister/singer-songwriter Lily McQueen. The gathering lasted well until after dark – easy to happen, during these short winter days. We are making our best efforts to take advantage of these opportunities whenever we can – and are all the better for it.
In these strange, uncertain, and often distressing times, it can take extra effort to keep up morale. We are beginning to see the prospect for a better future, taking the form of scientific expertise and improved governmental response to the pandemic. We sincerely wish for better and safer days ahead. Hope is a precious and powerful thing, which we do our best to keep always before us.
We hope your holiday season has been a good one. Happy New Year to all!
Best,
Martin and Chris Andersen
P.S. – January 5 will be a special time for us: married 30 years ago that day.
Laura (Walters) Anspach shared her favorite bit of holiday greenery with us. This is a green companion who has been with Laura and her family for 20 years, growing, blooming, and bringing joy.
Laura’s Christmas Cactus
Laura’s benediction: “May your day be merry and bright!”
I’ve attached a couple of photos. My granddaughter, Kairi, who will be 18 months soon. Her baby brother will be born Feb. 5th by C section – that is also the date my Tom and my best friend of 44 years, Jan Riley Morton (also classmate) passed away. It will be nice to have 3 wonderful lives to celebrate that day, especially one being a birth!
Ruth and Kairi
Chris and family only wanted baby stuff, so the tree was surrounded with big packages of cases of diapers and wipes and garage sale bargain clothing for both kids. Our Christmas together was a week ago. We video chatted with Mike in Colorado for an hour and 10 minutes today and opened presents to one another during the video chat.
Ruth Noth’s Christmas Tree
Brought Mom’s favorite painting upstairs and hung it in her bedroom. She lost her mother at age 11 and poppies were her mother’s favorite. Mom was pretty touched to have it closer by her. She’s 86 1/2 and as you know, has lived with me now 3 years. Glad she’s here in more ways than one!!!
Mom and her Poppies
Take care dear friend. Momma and I have been alone as well, but it’s been a great day.
