Wednesday, December 5, 2018

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE - KENNETH REED EWBANK

In 2016, we sold our motorhome, HIGHWAY RUNNER, and moved into a home in Hawthorne at Leesburg, FL.  I feel now that we have a second home.  As I wrote earlier in the Blog, I plan to have a small Celebration of Life service for Ken here at Hawthorne.  I decided to wait until our friends and neighbors here, and our RV and Pickleball friends have returned to Florida for the winter season. 

So the Celebration of Ken’s Life will be on Friday, December 14, Ken’s birthday, at the Gazebo in Hawthorne, beginning at 2:00 PM.  Ken loved going to and hosting Happy Hours during the years we were traveling.  In honor of Ken, there will be a Happy Hour following the brief service.



KENNETH REED EWBANK
December 14, 1932 – June 28, 2018

A Celebration of Life

Friday, December 14, 2018 – 2:00 PM
Hawthorne at Leesburg, at the Gazebo

Happy Hour to Follow
Chairs, Drinks, and Eats provided.

RSVP
Telephone or Text: 804-301-8465



I hope many of you will be able to be here and perhaps share some memories.  If you are in the area and plan to attend, please let me know and I will provide you with directions and instructions for getting to the Gazebo.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!!

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KEN, OCTOBER 11, 2018

I regret that it has been so long since I have added to our Blog.  A lot has happened.  I took a two-month trip to North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia.  I left Florida on October 3 and returned on Saturday, December 1.

The primary purpose of my trip to Richmond was to have a memorial service for Ken on our anniversary, October 11.  As I wrote earlier, Ken died in Leesburg, FL on June 28, 2018.  Just before his death, we had prearranged cremations for each of us. You know, you hear the advertisements all the time.  Well, although it was expensive, it certainly relieved me of a lot of responsibility in my time of sorrow.

Years and years ago Ken and I had purchased a niche for two at the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Richmond.  When Ken passed away, his family and I decided to have his ashes interred at the place he had selected himself, rather than at a National Cemetery.  I knew nothing about planning a memorial service, but apparently Ken’s family had some experience and they were a great help in planning the service as well as a very nice reception afterwards at a local restaurant.

The family and I engaged the current pastor at the church that Ken attended when he was a child to officiate.  Pastor Mark Roots did not know Ken, but Ken’s brother still attends that church.  Pastor Roots did a remarkable job with smooth interaction with the other participants.  In fact, he had printed a program of the service which included coral readings by the attendees.  I thought that was a very nice touch and made everyone an active part of the service.

Ken’s oldest son, Mike and his family, arranged to have a hand-out prepared with a wonderful picture of Ken and a recount of his life.  It was most impressive!  Here is the picture.  UUMMMM So handsome.



Thirty-nine years ago, when Ken and I were married, he was the Grounds Manager at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.  Ken was friends with a young pastor there by the name of Bill Arnold.  He asked Bill if he would perform the wedding ceremony for us in the little chapel at the Seminary.  Bill agreed and the wedding took place on October 11, 1979, thirty-nine years ago.

When thinking about having a memorial, I had the wild idea to try to track Bill Arnold down, and possibly, he might be able to be a part of the service.  I was able to get in touch with Bill through the internet, but unfortunately, he was not able to be there.  However, he did write a special prayer for Ken.  That prayer means a great deal to me and was an important of the service.   I print it here so you might get an insight into the relationship between Ken and this young pastor.



But the most impressive part of the service was the presentation of the American Flag by an Honor Guard in recognition of Ken’s service in the Army.  There were two representatives.  Near the end of the service, one played a haunting rendition of TAPS while standing at the end of a hallway in the mausoleum, silhouetted against an overcast sky.  It was breathtaking.  Then with great precision, they unfolded the flag, refolded it and presented it to me, the Widow.  I felt that Ken’s older son should be the one to have the flag, so I asked that it be given to him instead.  To my surprise, after the service was over, they brought another American Flag and gave it to me!

I regret that I have no pictures of the occasion because it was so impressive, but this is where it took place.  Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Richmond, VA.


The hall in the mausoleum where the trumpeter stood.  There was no green tent and the sky was gray.  A table with Ken's picture, a folded American flag, and Ken's ashes was at the lower section of the picture.  The family was seated just outside the picture, behind the table, looking down the hallway.


 

The nitche where Ken's ashes were inturred.

I want to take this opportunity again to Thank You All so very much for your kind comments on the Blog, and your cards, and telephone calls after learning of Ken's death.  You certainly were of great comfort to me.


Saturday, July 28, 2018

PLANS FOR KEN

I want to thank everyone for your nice Comments on the Blog and your Cards and Expressions of Sympathy.  I was overwhelmed.  Thank you.


October 11 at 11:00 AM in Richmond, VA

I want all of our family and friends to know that Ken's family and I have made plans to have a Memorial Service for Ken on October 11 (our Anniversary) at 11:00 AM.  The service will be at the Greenwood Memorial Park in Richmond, VA.  Richmond is where our roots are.  Ken and I had bought a Niche for two in Greenwood way back in March of 1997.  It was within a few miles of our home then.  And, we were both surprised when we found out that my parents are buried just around the curve from his parents in the same cemetery.

We hope that you will join us, if you are in the area.  We are planning a reception following the ceremony and would be most appreciative if you could let me or Mike know if you will be here.  More details will follow.



December 14 at 2:30 PM at Hawthorne at Leesburg, FL

Well, our roots are in Richmond, but our home is now in Florida.  Many of our friends and neighbors here are "Snowbirds" and have flown north for the summer.  I have decided to wait for them to return later in the year before doing anything.  Therefore, I am planning a Celebration of Ken's Life on December 14 (his birthday) at 2:30 PM at Hawthorne at Leesburg, FL.

Ken always enjoyed the many Happy Hours that we hosted and went to during our RV days  Therefore following the ceremony:

Happy Hour
Hawthorne at Leesburg
Friday, December 14 at 3:30 PM
Bring your own Chair, what you want to Drink, and a Dish to Share! 

I hope you will be able to join us for this occasion.  More details will follow.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

EWBANK, KENNETH R.


Announcement in the  

RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH, Sunday, July 1, 2018




EWBANK, Kenneth R., 85, of Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on June 28, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Faye, of almost 40 years; five children and three grandchildren.


I am so very glad that my Blog posting a few days ago did reach many of you.  I am so grateful for all the wonderful memories that poured in from our family and friends.  Yes, Ken was quite a guy!!

I think I have decided to take a trip to Richmond in the Fall to have a small memorial service for Ken  at the cemetery where we already have niches waiting for our ashes.  And, on Ken's birthday, December 14th, I'd like to have a memorial service for him at our home here in Hawthorne at Leesburg.  I think that's a good plan so I don't have to plan anything now.  I do hope that some of you will be able to join us.

Saturday, June 30, 2018

POSTING VERY SAD NEWS

I have not written in our Blog for quite awhile.  Some of you may have forgotten all about Ken and Faye with an "e".  It just seemed there was not enough time in the day to update the Highway Runner Blog. 

But today I simply had to find the time to share some very sad news with you.  Ken, my beloved husband of nearly 40 yeas, and a friend to many of you, died yesterday morning (June 28) a little before five o'clock.


Ken had suffered a terrible illness - several terrible illnesses -- since March 5th when he entered the hospital with the flu, pneumonia, a mild heart attack, the main valve in heart was not working, aorta aneurysm, his kidney function was low, potassium high.   Not to mention COPD and asthma which he lived with all the time.  Secondary to all of that, he had two sores on his left big toe that would not heal.  Not diabetes but vascular disease.  By the time of his death, Ken had been in four hospitals and three rehabilitation centers.  He had aspiration pneumonia and CDIFF and both legs had been amputated above the knee.  It seemed that every time he would make progress toward getting well, another setback would occur.  Finally, on Thursday morning Ken's body could take no more.  He is finally at peace now.

Ken was a fun-loving guy and his smile and sense of humor will be missed by all of us.  We had many, many great years together and created lots of wonderful memories with friends and family.  Thank you all for that.



Monday, May 16, 2016

KEN AND FAYE WITH AN "E" ARE STILL ALIVE!!!


WOW!!!  Where has the time gone??!!  So much has happened since last November.  I'll just skip the part about my spinal surgery in November after having the right hip replacement in July and get to the good part!!

Seems we suddenly got too OLD and WEAK for the RV lifestyle. In the middle of March we decided we should sell the Highway Runner (motorhome).  So Sad!!!



We advertised on line on several websites.  RV Trader turned out to be the best for us.  A nice young military man in Alabama contacted us and decided he and his family would really enjoy traveling in our RV.  We struck a deal and will finalize the sale on Friday, May 27.  His first big trip will be to Scottsdale, AZ!!  "Can we hide in the basement and come with you??"

With this hurdle behind us, we spent last Thursday looking at homes at Hawthorne at Leesburg, Florida (where Carl and Dawn live).  We found homes we liked, but one seemed almost too good to be true.  Much larger home than we were looking for, but we made an offer and today the seller accepted our terms.  Here's a look!!

147 Jacaranda Drive, Leesburg, FL - 
Website.  Copy and Paste:  http://www.hawthorneatleesburg.com/homes-for-sale/147-jacaranda-dr-beautiful-home-great-curb-appeal/


Wish us luck that everything goes through without a hitch!!  AND, you are ALL invited to come on down and see us!!!!!

PS.  We surely do miss seeing all of our friends!!!


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

FAYE'S SPINAL SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2015!!

Tue, Nov 03 - Back in October I posted an article that on October 09 I had seen Neurosurgeon Dr. Peter Alexander who showed me that I had a large Facet Cyst on my spine and would need to have it removed.  He said they would schedule the surgery as quickly as possible, however, that turned out to be a whole month later.  Finally, my Spinal Surgery is scheduled for Monday, November 09, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, VA.  Dr. Alexander said the surgery would take about four hours.  He would have to remove a part of my vertebrae to get to the Cyst; remove the Cyst; and rebuild the vertebrae.  Following the surgery I will be in the hospital for five days and require about five additional days of rehab.  He did not mention anything about Physical Therapy yet.

I have been popping pain pills for weeks, trying to alleviate some of the pain.  When they don't work, I just lay down with my feet above my head for awhile.  I had been struggling to walk with a cane but recently Carol, a Pickleball player here at TT Chesapeake Bay, loaned me her crutches.  Wow have they made a difference in my mobility.

Things have gotten really busy recently.  I have had pre-admission testing by the hospital; gotten pre-op clearance from my Cardiologist and my PCP.  I have also been fitted for a back brace to wear after the surgery.  It is quite a contraption!!  Tomorrow I'm getting a steroid shot in my left shoulder that had been scheduled for replacement,  I hope that will keep me from having too much pain in that shoulder at the time of spinal surgery.

Thanks to all of you for your concern and good wishes,  Will keep you posted!!

FAYE'S SON AND DAUGHTER COME TO VISIT!!

Sep 3 & 4 -  I was thrilled when my daughter Stasia and son Barry came up from North Carolina to stay a couple of days with us at TT Chesapeake Bay!!  We had so much fun together even though I could not do very much having had hip replacement in July and am suffering with the newly diagnosed Spinal Cyst!!

The Kids making after-breakfast Mimosas!  UUUMMM


We had fun with the golf cart.  They insisted that I go to the pool to exercise after having had my right hip replaced.  I must walk!!!  After which we'd spend a little time at the hot tub!


Their time with us ended all too soon.  Here we are telling Stasia good bye.  Barry stayed for an extra day to help Ken and me with some projects around the RV.


Thank you Kids for your visit!!  I love you!!!

A SUMMER OF PICKLEBALL AT TT CHESAPEAKE BAY - 2015

Summer 2015 - Last year during the Annual Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Tournament, Mike Roberts who heads the Pickleball program at TT Chesapeake Bay, dedicated the four new Pickleball courts in our name!  We were so surprised.  Mike presented us with this plaque and hung it in a prominent position at the courts!



There were a lot of people playing Pickleball during the summer.  Since I was not able to get on the courts to take pictures, I had the brilliant idea to take pictures as players came off the courts.  (In front of our plaque!!)  Maybe you will recognize some of the players.














The Handicapped Bracket!!  (Bob and Faye)



And these two friends who stayed in the cabin across the road from our RV.  Although we did not see them on the courts, we had to include a picture of Harry and Karen.


Good friend Julie not only plays Pickleball, she is a very popular Ranger at TT Chesapeake Bay this season!


It was so great seeing everyone enjoying their summer here at TT Chesapeake Bay.  Just wish we were more physically able to join them!!

6TH ANNUAL KEN AND FAYE EWBANK PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT!!

Sun, Sep 6 - This is the day of the 6th Annual Virginia Pickleball Ken & Faye Ewbank Pickleball Tournament at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay, Gloucester, VA.  The tournament is run by Mike Roberts who heads the Pickleball program at TT Chesapeake Bay.  Back in 2010 as we were leaving the East coast for several years, Mike asked us if they could name the Labor Day Tournament in our honor!!  Of course!!  That would be wonderful!!!   It is now time for the Sixth Annual Tournament!  We were thrilled that we were at the campground this weekend and could participate in all the fun.

The Application!


Of course the tournament was played on the Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Courts!!


Group picture of the 2015 participants!


Some of the action on the courts!





Mike Roberts, Tournament Director, records the scores on the tournament Ladder.


Some of the spectators enjoying the competition.  Lunch of hot dogs with trimmings was provided for the participants and spectators.




Some of the paraphernalia sold at the tournament.



Medals awarded to winners of the various brackets:  Championship, A, B, and C.  Runners up in each bracket received a jar or pickles (shown on the table above)!


C Bracket.


B Bracket.



A Bracket.  Winners Wayne and Mel.  Wayne insisted that I be in the picture with them.  He said this was payback for all the times I've taken his picture!  HA HA  (Could not find the picture of A Bracket runners up.)


Championship Winners and Runners Up.


And then, later in the afternoon there was a Singles Tournament.  Sorry, did not get pictures for that competition.

It was a wonderful tournament! Congratulations to all of the winners as well as all of the participants.




SAGA OF THE SHARP MICROWAVE/CONVECTION OVEN!

06/29 – 08/06/2015 - It's not all Pickleball!!  At the end of June, our 15 year old Sharp Microwave/Convection Oven went out!  We were in big trouble because we use it every day.  We went to Kaeser's RV Service in Ashland that we have been using for service for years.  They said they do not handle microwave ovens but when we got one, they would install if for us.  They did contact Sharp and got the replacement part number R1875.  Sharp indicated that the oven was carried by Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, etc, etc.  We also called Lazy Days in Florida thinking we might get them to replace the oven when we got to Florida later in the year.  They indicated they replaced our style oven with Sharp R1875-T for a cost of  something over $700.

I went on line to find out the difference between Sharp R1875 and R1875-T used by Lazy Days.  I thought that was important!  I discovered the difference was R1875 was made in the USA and cost about $350.  R1875-T is made in Thailand and cost over $550.

We spent the next couple of days going to the above-mentioned stores.  Surprisingly, none of the stores had the oven in stock or at their warehouse.  We would have to order the item (R1875-T) for about $550 and pay about $200 shipping.  That's crazy!!  The salesman at Wal-Mart suggested that we buy one on Amazon.  In fact, he went on Amazon.com and found several Sharp Microwave/Convection Ovens for sale.

We were not familiar with ordering items on Amazon so we took the item numbers to Ken's son Mike and had him place the order for us:  Item R1875-T  Cost $528.55  FREE Shipping  Shipping address:  Kaeser's RV Service

When the package arrived at Kaeser's, we took our RV to their service center to have it installed.  When the men opened the package, this is what they saw.  A big hole in the front vent panel!!

  

And further damage on the side.


I was scared to death!!  I had never ordered anything from Amazon, much less returned an item!!  What to do??   Fortunately, one of the men at Kaeser's found a tag on the package indicating the item was shipped from O, J. Commerce in Philadelphia.  And, there was a phone number!  We called O. J. Commerce and told them of the damage.  They were the nicest people to work with.  Immediately offered to replace the item, and we did not have to bother to return the damaged product.

A few days later, Kaeser's RV Service received our second oven from O. J. Commerce.  When we opened the packaage, this is what they saw:  A crack in the front ventilation panel!!


And more damage on the back.


I called O. J. Commerce again and told them of the damage.  Although they were very nice to work with, this time we decided to cancel the order and they refunded our payment!

To add to the confusion, since Mike had placed the original order for us, all Amazon.com email correspondence was addressed to him.  In the meantime, Mike had to go to the hospital for surgery, so he was not even at home to receive their emails.  And there were numerous emails!!  We had to wait for Diane to get home from the hospital to pull up Mike's emails so we could know what was going on with Amazon.com!!

I decided to order the Sharp oven from Tiffin Motorhomes, but they only had the item in stainless steel.  We did not want a stainless steel oven.  So vetoed that idea!!  What to do??!!

I, myself, went on line and ordered a Sharp Microwave/Convection Oven from guess who??  Amazon.com!!  Item R1875-T  Cost $528.49  FREE Shipping  Shipping address:  Kaeser's RV Service

A few days later, Kaeser's RV let us know that the new microwave had arrived.  This time, when the men opened the package, this is what they saw:  The entire front glass window was crushed!


There was no further damage to the Microwave.

Again I called O. J. Commerce and talked with the same gentleman as before.  Again, they would replace the item.  A few days later Kaeser's RV called to say:  "Your Microwave is here but it is a Humidifier intended for someone in Wisconsin!!!"  The tracking number matched the number for our item; can't imagine what happened!!

O. J. Commerce said they would try to track down our item, but a few days later we received an email from O. J. Commerce saying they were refunding our payment of $528.49.  August 3rd the refund was received.

Since O. J. Commerce had not requested the return of any of the items, we decided we could create a new Microwave with the three damaged Microwaves we had on hand.

Ken took the front ventilation panel from the M/W with the crushed glass window and put it on the M/W with the least amount of damage to the frame.

An almost-perfect Microwave/Convection Oven for FREE!


On August 6, Kaeser's RV Service was glad to install the M/W for us and get rid of this problem once and for all!!!

Thank you guys for working with us on the Saga of the Sharp Microwave/Convection Oven!!!