GILL NET COFFEE SHOP NOTES FROM MARCH 99"

MARCH NOTES

Spring is near!  March brings forth a month of Irish Celebration for clans people.
Click on wise old St. Patrick to discover his story.

Monday, March 1, 1999 - 08:23:01 pm:
Message from Tom Kingston at : tk@tomkingston.com

Hi everybody including all the new people (Brenda, Bronwyn, and Leo Mackinnon, Will Kingston, Mary Weissler (New? Does she own this page now?), Kevin Vickers, and, of course, that Joe Weissler guy (he's not officially here until he gets his own computer)!

My last contribution to this webpage (it is out of control now - recipes at www.tomkingston.com? - no wonder I don't do well with the chicks!) was Febraury 8th.  You should note my spelling of "February"  (Do you realize it took John Vickers until the middle of the month to get the spelling right! and then I think he did it by accident).  (The guestbook spelled it wrong - honest Tom!) :)  It's good to see everybody is hyped up for the big event!

Anyway, I figure the beginning of the month should be the best time to make your comments (first place), and as of this exact moment, first place is still open.

Now young Will Kingston, I met your father Barry this summer for the first time since I was a wee little lad, probably 9 years old.  The first thing that you should know about your heritage, no matter what might be written in this reunion webpage, is that the Kingstons are "no good".  You can be thankful that you are only 1/2 as bad as your father's generation and a 1/4 as bad as your grandfather Billy Kingston.  God has saddled you with only 1/2 the burdens as I.

Also, it is important to note that there are other pieces of misinformation in this webpage such as the "Gill Net lodge".  One might draw the inference here that the Kingstons, at one time, were poachers.  This is absolutely false.  A Kingston never took a salmon from the river that wasn't his.  The early generations of Kingstons built churches. The fact that these churches were close to salmon pools was a mere coincidence.

And as for Uncle Joe Weissler, I was a little rough on you in my previous guestbook comments.  Joe, I did it only to make you a better man and to see you got the proper upbringing - it might have hurt but I hope it spurred you on.  Perhaps you were just "talking big" saying that you might get a computer.  We'll just have to wait and see.

And Kevin Michael (Vickers), as your mother would call you, how is everything going in the chatrooms?  I was there for a few minutes once, but I think you should all get ICQ.   Get it here.(ICQ is on-lline server that informs you whenever someone you know is on the internet and you can then connect and chat.)

And Brenda, Bronwyn, and Leo, it's great to get new people out here.  I had a quick e-mail from  Brenda's brother, Chris.  He was really impressed with the webpage.  I hope he drops in and writes a line or two.

Finally, George Weissler and Nancy Slichenmeyer.  Just when are they going to get it together?  I have received a couple of e-mails from them, but they can't seem to find their way here.  George is a crafty writer and I am really looking forward to his comments.

And if I forgot anybody -- no, I'm not sorry. I just forgot you, that's it... it happens... I still love you.

Since I'm rambling here, why stop now?  I am going to include a story I wrote just after New Year's this year.  It is the funniest story I have written so far.

God Bless, Tom

(Note the comma; Monica Vickers wrote a month or so ago "God Bless Monica" (no comma - Boy, does that Florida air ever make someone "Big Feeling", huh?

My new years story is here.

Editor's note:  Tom, I hope you don't mind if I dress your New Years story up with graphics and such...creative minds like to doodle....:)

Tuesday, March 2, 1999 - 11:03:58 am:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

Heya Tommy!

" Mary Weissler (New?) Does she own this page now?"

No wonder you get punched in the nose by indignant blondes! :-)  We got a big charge out of your New Year's Eve story... I observed Jack at the puter reading it...He was just grinnin' from ear to ear, chuckling and shaking his head.

I'll tell George (my bro) to get his butt in here and say hello.  He's been on vacation in New Orleans for the past 2 weeks and just got back on Sunday.

As for dad getting a puter we should all just keep our fingers crossed.  If anyone could lure him into cyberspace it's the Kingstons! :-)

Mary W

Wednesday, March 3, 1999 - 08:07:57 pm:
Message from Tom Kingston at tk@tomkingston.com:

Whoa! and third place is still open Yeah! Tom takes the bronze medal in the March 1999 webpage Olympics!!!

As for Mary Weissler, let's be objective and decide which of the two comments is the most harsh?

Tom said "Mary Weissler (New?) Does she own this page now?"

Mary said " No wonder you get punched in the nose by indignant blondes! :-) "

I"m sure grandmother, if alive today, would find in my favour :-)

Heh Mary, I love your comments and enthusiasm with the webpage.  I, too, really look forward to see who's been checking in from time to time.  I think there's a bunch of lurkers out there.  A month or so ago, both John and I were able to get more detailed statistics as to who was visiting our sites.  Often, we could tell or make a pretty good guess who was out there.

Long ago, I saw someone from "...cois.on.ca" was here. Now, Bernadette and Pat Sullivan's e-mail address is something.blank.cois.on.ca. This story all comes back to the Kingston's being "no good"  (Doesn't it always, come on really... come to terms with the fact that all of your problems are as a result of your heritage.  Any "good" qualities that you may have are only that small glimmer of hope that might shine through much like like lillies growing in a cow pasture.)   Now, we all know Bernadette, or Bernie as most of us know her, is reputed to the baddest of all of the Kingston's, consistent with her shameful lurking.   Actually, I have to be careful here... you know how children get scarred for life... Bernie, I love ya...if you were bad then, you're the best now!

I do remember a story from my vacations to New Brunswick... I had to be about 7 or 8 at the time.  We went fishing, Uncle Billy's crowd and my dad and brothers.  I remember it was a warm summer day.  I don't remember the fishing, but I do remember the race.  Billy's truck,  green I think, was parked with the tailgate down along a gravel road.  It was a foot race between Billy's son, David Kingston and I.  We are the same age. The race was from the back of the truck to some distance away.  Anyway, the race started and we took off.  Just into the race, I either tripped over my laces or realized they were untied and tried to halt the race.  I demanded a rematch.  The race wasn't fair.  I think I was told that it didn't matter.  A race was a race and I had just lost.  I said something to the effect of "I'm not putting up with this bullshit" (or the equivalent of what a 7 or 8 year old might say) and walked away.  I just kept walking away.  I was leaving these people and not coming back until I got a fair race.......or until my father, after repeated attempts to get me to "get back here", and after he walked and probably had to run to catch me, caught up with me, and proceeded to spank me publicly.  To this day, David and I have never raced again.  David Kingston, I challenge you to a race at the official reunion..barefoot only.

TOM

Thursday, March 4, 1999 - 03:15:50 pm:
Message from Kevin VICKERS at kevin.vickers@sympatico.ca:

Tom,

Re: Kingstons are no good.

I recall that same summer as your foot race - Billy, George and a crowd of us were on the banks of Estey Falls, just above the Square Forks.

Billy was trying to talk us into swimming in the first pool just at the foot of the falls.  The falls were huge in our eyes and we all grew up fearing stories of being trapped in the "boil" of the falls.  In any event Tommy was adament it could be done; much to the pleasure of Billy.  Tommy's older borther Michael being a little wiser argued against.  Tommy seeing that Michael was getting the better part of the arguement, reached up and knocked his cap off his head and tosses it into the pool just at the foot of the falls.  Talk about mean.

Well Billy thinks this is just wonderfull.  He immediately elevates Tommy to saint hood.  That's the buy(boy), that's the buy, that's the buy, the hell with him, yur goin places yung fella. He could not praise Tommy enough for what he did.

Now we have Tommy boasting that Kingstons are just plain no good.  I wonder why he would ever say such a thing. Oh yes, Tommy did get in the pool below the falls and swam over to the slate cliff where an old mother black duck put the run to him from a small cave in the ledge on the far side.  Michael laughed at Tommy swimming so hard being chased by the duck and of course received great compliments from his Uncle Billy for "givin it" to Tom.

Thursday, March 4, 1999 - 05:14:36 pm:
Message from will vickers at will@internorth.com:

Tommy .....If at anytime you challenge someone to a footrace during the reunion..... just make sure you have the Paddles handy!

will

Friday, March 5, 1999 - 07:27:16 am:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:

Hello,

You know, after watching the "interview", I'd definitely ask Monica out...!

At Christmas, it was funny when my parents, "Bill and Monica", were informing me they often got some chuckles upon introduction down in Florida. :)

John

Friday, March 5, 1999 - 01:03:09 pm:
Message from Tom Kingston at :

Heh Johnny... I just noticed something On your page

http://tomkingston.com/r/link03.html

You indicate that Sam Kingston returned from the war "physically scathed". I think you meant "physically unscathed", didn't you?

Tom

Heh Tommy....you're right and it is now corrected...!

By the way, have a favour to ask.  A lot of my pages can take forever to load because of the size of some of the pictures...any chance you have time some afternoon to sit back and change the byte size of them individually so they can load in a flash...I am not an expert at that kind of thing...particularly like the page you referred me to as well as the general icon.

Appreciate it

John

P.S.  By the way, thank you for your nice birthday note Mary W!

Hello everyone,

You guys have done an excellent job of setting up this website!  I'm Tom Kingston's sister and George and Stephanie Kingston's fifth child.  I live in Saint John, N.B. (about a three hour drive from the Miramichi). I am married to Dennis Boyle and have four children, Dennis (7 1/2), Seamus (6), Christine (4) and Brendan (2).

We are all excited about the Kingston Reunion.  I'm hoping my children will get a chance to be heavily indoctrinated, brainwashed, or whatever you want to call it at the Reunion.  We live only ten houses away from my in-laws and I'm in dire need of some Kingston influence!  (just kidding, really).

In all honesty, I feel it is important for my children to understand some of their heritage.  When I think of the Reunion, I envision activities such as storytelling; campfires with singsongs everynight;impromptu sports games like football, soccer and baseball and jam sessions with various musical instruments.  I thought I would throw some of my thoughts in with the hope that some or all of you would respond in order to get some ideas as to what people wanted to do at the Reunion.

Happy Belated Birthday, John.  By the way, Monica reminded me of an immature fifteen year old girl, bragging in the girl's school washroom about cheating with the captain of the football team. She's DEFINITELY your type!

Bye for now

The Boyle Branch of the Kingston Trunk

  You Guys Are Mean! :)  JV

Where is Mary Weissler? (Editor's note: we miss you Mary!) I hope she didn't take my comments seriously.

I was speaking with John Vickers yesterday.  His little feelings are hurt. (Not! However I'll play along...)  Patricia, you're comments about Monica hurt him.  Knowing you, Patricia, I know you didn't mean it the way it was written.  Actually, it's time the truth came out here...

Patricia and John were born on the same day and the same year.  There has always been a rift between them as to who was born first.  Even though it is true that John began being born before Patricia, John is longer and it took him longer to come out (he's taller, remember).

After several years of infighting, it was decided to refer this dispute to the Supreme Court of Canada.  It was only last year that the Supreme Court ruled that you are not officially born until "you're completely out".  John was really miffed at this decision, and it appears he hasn't quite accepted it yet.

If you think the rift is bad between John and Patricia, you should see the stuff that happens between John's mother, Monica V, and Patricia's mother, Stephanie K.  On the surface, you'd think they are the best of friends. They hide it very well.

John, as for your feelings being hurt, I guess I shouldn't say, "I'm sure Monica L is just waiting for your call for a date.  I'd play hard to get, and wait for her to call you."  (Patricia is my sister, don't forget!)

Also, if anybody gets their feelings hurt in this webpage, can we wait until the reunion.  It's a lot more exciting in real than on a webpage.

I love you all,

Tom

Hi Y'all!

No Tommy, your wisecracks did not offend me...not at all!  Sorry I haven't been around much...it's been a real busy week. It's nice to know I was missed though. :-)

Patricia, I can definately see the characteristics in Monica that you alluded to...hahaha.  But, all in all, after watching the interview, I felt bad for her.  Yes, she was guilty of terrible judgement but she was sooooooo young and she was completely infatuated.  She was just so vulnerable (not a victim, but vulnerable).

Ya know, if I were a guy, I'd be attracted to her. She's so alive and animated...seems very much a *heart on the sleeve* type of person (which might have been partially responsible for getting her into this whole mess).  Go ahead and give her a call John! :-)

I never made the correlation with the names of Bill and Monica Vickers! Hee hee They must get teased endlessly!

Happy Belated (38th?) Birthday Patricia!!!

Mary W.

Tuesday, March 9, 1999 - 06:33:44 pm:
Message from ANNE & NICK NAPKE & GIRLS at napken@nbnet.nb.ca:

Well I admit it - I'm caught.  I'm one of those "LURKERS" Tommy mentioned earlier.  Actually I'm not as slick on the puter as some of the clan so this site has been great fun to read and to play around with.

In case anyone is wondering I'm Carmel's first baby.  Nick & I have 4 girls ages 9 to 3.  They are looking forward to the big party at Mary's camp.  Hope they will gather many lasting memories just like the memories our generation has of the gatherings at Monica & Bill's camp.  Janna will be 4&1/2 years by then.  She loves to look at the picture of her & her "friends" included in the site.  I have pictures of the last reunion as well either here or over home - must try to scare them up & pass along.

Seems like quite a few are planning to attend.  It will be terrific to touch base with familiar faces and in some cases putting a face with a name.  I have to agree with Tricia that it should be a wonderful experience for our children.

Well must go for now & get the girls backpacks ready for school.  Thanks to storms they've had 3 days tagged onto their March Break so far!  We may just have to swing right into summer holidays yet!  Forecast for tonight isn't great either.

As for Monica - she's not as vulnerable as she would like to be.  Man she didn't even blush once.  John, you must want a girl who can blush???  Think they just happened to get caught & the FBI, Ken Starr, etc scared the "H"..."E"....double hockey sticks out of her.

On that note let's hear from all the other "Lurkers" out there.  Maybe we can get our own table at the reunion!!!

Remember,Tommy and John are watching you!!!

Anne N.

You Know Tom,

I am beginning to think we are getting a reputation...I am not really sure if it's bad or good...!

John

Tuesday, March 9, 1999 - 08:27:56 pm:
Message from Anne Marie Kingston at amking@spots.ab.ca:

Hi to all --This is Anne (with the E) Marie  -- George and Stephanie's eldest and wisest child -- the mother of the eldest great - grandchild Sam 26 and Jayson who is 20.  Now remember I'm only old enough for them to be 10   I presently resided in Calgary, Alta.

I gave my right arm to the government  - can't write for any lenght of time -- so they bought me a fancy laptop with voice recognition software.  This allowed me to get back to working as a social worker after being off for 22 months.

I hope there are some bridge players among the family so we can compete at the reunion.  I play duplicate bridge and enjoy going to tournaments around Alberta.  I know my Mom and Monica play bridge regularly -- they are skilled players.  There is such a variety of skills and talents in the Kingston clan.

Anne Marie

Wednesday, March 10, 1999 - 06:55:08 am:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

Hi Anne(with an E)Marie and Anne Napke(formerly Leslie),

I remember both of you from the last reunion which was around 1990 to the best of my recollection.  I remember we had a nice jam session with one of the Byberg boys and went swimming in the Miramachi at Bill and Monica's camp.  So those are your little girls in the website picture Anne?  They are absolutely adorable!  I had a nice talk with your sister Mary in the Kingston Chat Room a few weeks back.  She filled us in on all the fishing regulations up there as Jack is really into fly fishing.  Unfortunately, August is not a hot month for fishing in N.B.

John, I haven't forgotten about getting the pictures dad sent scanned to you...Suzanne (my sis with the scanner) and I are working on getting together to get them out in e-mail.  They're primo 50s and early 60s material!

Anne(with an E)Marie...what happened to your right arm? That voice-recognition laptop sounds pretty fancy!  I want one!

We're really looking forward to seeing all of you at the big bash next year!  I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all LURKERS to duplicate the immense courage and fearlessness of heart that was recently displayed by Anne Napke.....open your mouths and SAY SOMETHING! :-)

Mary W.

Thursday, March 11, 1999 - 05:36:19 am:
Message from Trish Boyle at dennisb@nbnet.nb.ca:

Hi again,

I must admit I'm becoming addicted to this website. It is really fun checking to see who has written.

I agree, Mary W. that Monica was soooooooo young and vulnerable.  I wasn't displaying any compassion for her and I probably should have.  Hope things are going well with everyone and I'll write again in the near future.

Trish

Thursday, March 11, 1999 - 07:02:28 am:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu

Flash!

I contacted a friend in London yesterday (where Monica was doing her book signings at Harrods) and she was able to pass a note on to Ms. Lewinsky.  She read it and stated she's open to dinner in Washington next month.

Hey, if we really hit it off, maybe I could bring her to the reunion!  <grin>

John

P.S.  I agree with your sentiments Mary - we have something like a half dozen lurkers  per day...:)

One More Thing.  First we have Centennial Bridge and then the French Fort Cove.  What in the world is third picture?  I would welcome guesses.  I don't have a clue.

Saturday, March 13, 1999 - 03:41:45 pm:
Message from Anne Marie at :

Hi, Guys and Gals--I'm sitting here watching the semi-final of the Canadian Curling -- Quebec Vs Saskatchewan -- it is a great game!!!  Quebec is winning at this time the 8th end.  I know Mom and Dad are watching too -- hoping Quebec is in the final!!!

Mary -- I have reoccurent DeQuevains Tenoyoistis -- like tennis elbow in my right wrist -- as well as myofascial pain syndrome --- my arm and shoulder and neck become irritated and does not like to move sometimes - hurt lots before 2 years of PT and learning new ways to move.  Hard to believe but it was caused by too much writing.  A cumulative trauma injury.

Today March 13 -- it is 16 degrees C.-- a great spring day.  Hope all the branches of the Kingston tree are having a great weekend!

AM

Saturday, March 13, 1999 - 05:00:57 pm:
Message from Anne Marie at :

Newsflash --- Quebec won and will be in the final Sunday at noon mountain time.  They went in to overtime and won in the 11th end.  I am so excited, so are Mom and Dad, just talked to them on the phone.  We even discussed the reunion site.

Dad also is trying to guilt me into quitting smoking, maybe by the reunion.

Chat with you later

Hi all,

Mom has been telling me I should be telling the relatives, so I thought this would be a good way to spread the word.

Ray, Rebecca & I will be bringing another Kingston relative to the reuion.  Baby Ritchie will be born in October. A shock at first, but now Ray & I have gotten caught up in Rebecca's enthusiasm.

FYI...ME

Even though I check the site whenever I can (thank you again John for all your work), I haven't left a note in the guestbook since November or so - I guess I probably qualify as one of the many lurkers.

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Don't forget to take a break from Lent and lift a glass to our Irish ancestors.  The weatherman has already paid tribute - we on the Miramichi have been hit with a huge snowstorm (about 50 cm and the second such storm in a week)!!  Oh well, I'm sure the dear old Saint is chuckling as we shovel on through the blowing snow.

Take care, everyone

Mary

Congratulations Mary Ellen and Raymond!

Your house was far too quiet at the Kingston family Christmas mass this past season.  I am sure baby Ritchie will spruce things up this year.

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 - 07:26:35 am:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:
 

Hi Mary Leslie,

You should come and visit Victoria!  My house is surrounded by a blaze of red and yellow flowers, my street is lined with brilliant blossoming trees and a chorus of singing birds wake you up around 6:30 each morning!

We never did see snow this winter - I miss it occasionally - for about two or three minutes...:)

John

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 - 09:00:15 am:
Message from Mary Ellen Kingston-Ritchie at questct@nbnet.nb.ca:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  I was looking through some new websites over my lunch and found a site which has Irish Songs.  Danny Boy is there and I could almost hear my father (Aloysius) and Uncle George singing it with whiskey glasses spilling a bit with each chorus.  You might want to check it out.

The site is www.canoe.com/StPatricks/songs.html

Bye for now...ME

I printed it off and think it might be fun to copy and sing along to in the evenings.

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 - 11:17:46 am:
Message from Dennis and Trish Boyle at dennisb@nbnet.nb.ca:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Congratulations, Mary Ellen and Ray.  I hope you're feeling well, Mary-Ellen (I hope you're well too Ray).  It is a glorious day in Saint John - the sun is shining brightly and one really feels like spring is just around the corner even though we have had the bulk of our winter storms in the month of March.  You can really notice the the days lengthening now.

Have a great St. Patrick's day everyone.

Love the Boyle branch of the Kingston trunk

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 - 07:38:12 pm:
Message from will vickers at will@internorth.com:

Congratulations Mary Ellen!  It's good to see you write something in the Gill Net Lodge.  The family grows once more!  Yesterday I travelled 150 km north of Yellowknife on the ice roads towards the Barren Lands.  I saw lots of Caribou migrating back to the far north.  Beautiful days up here +1 all week and clear skies.  Sunglasses are a must.

Believe it or not, we also saw 2 new Porshe cars up there completing winter testing.  These are cars that will be available to the public next year and would have been chartered over from Germany.

Chow

Will

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 - 09:12:06 pm:
Message from Stephen Kingston at skingsto@jetform.com:

My congrats to Mary Ellen and Ray as well.  Sure it's not twins like JoAnne?!  (I can see the cold sweat breaking out now!).  When I look at my 3, it is amazing to see what great friends they are for each other (most of the time!).  And I am so anxious for mine to meet up with all their cousins next year.  Among the best times I had as a kid on the Miramichi was when the cousins came - the locals coming up for a week or the Bybergs or Sullivans landing were big things (not to mention George & Stephanie's crowd with the oh-so-cool trailer).

Tommy I look forward to see you and David racing (David will kick your butt again - short of stature but a fierce competitor).  I recall a similar event playing dodge ball with Stephen or John Byberg at Vicker's camp.  I chased him down and nailed him at close range (which was apparently NOT FAiR). tempers flared slightly but someone had minisips close by (must have been John Vickers) to cool off the tempers at the time.

Sorry I haven't been in much lately.   Am currently off with the family during Spencer's March Break from school.  I should goof off more often.  My best to all (ME thanks for JoAnne's phone number).

Thursday, March 18, 1999 - 06:07:23 am:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu

Hey Mary & Tom,

What do you guys think?  I think the lurkers have arrived!

JV

Monday, March 22, 1999 - 04:34:59 pm:
Message from Kevin Vickers at kevin.vickers@sympatico.ca:

Snow, snow and more snow in Ottawa.  I am going to Cincinnati, Ohio on the weekend.  Do we have any relatives there?  Mary, I am just stopping in Chicago for a few minutes however will be back down that way to Kankakee, Ill for an extended trip in a few months time.

Regards

Kevin

Monday, March 22, 1999 - 08:28:34 pm:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:

Hello

My computer keeps crashing and I have decided to invest in something better...in the interim, excuse my inability to keep these notes updated in blue, etc....(now fixed! :) )

Kevin, I am doing a security seminar this weekend with an RCMP officer from St. John ...he is married to a Sue Higgens (daughter of Dr. Higgens from St. John a friend of Sister Margarets)...I was telling him Dr. Higgens was the first person I ever sold a security system to about 18 or so years ago...small world..!

The officers name was Constable Stinson...

John

Wednesday, March 24, 1999 - 05:22:53 pm:
Message from will vickers at will@internorth.com:

John.....you want even a smaller world?  I dated Sue Higgen's sister Maureen.  Ask Sue where her sister is? Too fun!  I'm thinking Sue is a lawyer or a nurse. Is this correct?  It's been almost 11 years.

Wednesday, March 24, 1999 - 10:25:38 pm:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:
 

Wow! That really is amazing Will! I think I new Sue from St. Thomas University though I am not sure...I will be sure to mention it to the Constable ("Sinstadt" by the way Kevin) when we work this weekend..

Recieved an email from John and Heather Kingston who will be visiting here in Victoria this weekend and we hope to get together.

I am hoping to get home to the Miramichi in early May for a few days of Black Salmon fishing. It's been many years since I have seen the river at spring time.

John

Friday, March 26, 1999 - 08:37:15 pm:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

Hi everybody!

Sorry I haven't been around much recently.  Life's been busy but I still think this site is just the coolest thing!

John, sorry to hear about your continuing puter problems.  Hasn't that techno- whiz, Tommy, been able to get you back on track or is he too busy duking it out with blondes? :-)  That little Miramachi salmon thingie was very cute (had Jack salivating pools of druel on the floor) and I am clueless as to the 3rd image as well.  It looks like a giant Panda with outstretched arms!  Did you ever figure out what this is?  Where did you get this thing?

Mary Ellen...CONGRATULATIONS!  Yet another Kingston will grace this earth come October...lucky earth! :-) My brother Mark is the only one of the four kids in our family to have contributed to the Kingston genepool (he has 2, Kate and Sam).  I'm glad some of the rest of you are covering the bases for George, Suzanne and me! Mary Ellen, my mom's favorite song was Danny Boy.  She'd get all teary every time she heard it. I will visit the website you mentioned and take a listen.  Have any of you ever heard Eric Clapton's accoustical guitar rendition of this song?  It is the most beautiful, intricately sensitive version of Danny Boy I have ever heard...breathtaking.  If anyone wants to hear it send me your address and I'll make you a tape. Bring kleenex though!

Kevin, please let us know when you'll be in Kankakee...perhaps we can get together along with George and Nancy who are in Chicago which would be a BLAST! :-)

As you all know, I have been printing up the Gill Net postings and sending them to dad in Boulder via snail mail. He sent me something he wanted me to post here but said if I felt wierd about it, that would be ok and I should just forget it and he would't be offended. Well, I had some 2nd and 3rd thoughts about posting it cuz I don't especially like to be referred to as a "dominatrix" but, hell, it's from Joe and I know you would all like to hear from him so here it is.......
 

Hi ya all,

I'm SO PROUD to be the father of the dominatrix of the Gill Net Lodge; can hardly wait for August 2000 to see her punch Tommy in the nose! Billy and I will take the bets.  Tommy, I suggest that you not approach the camp site without wearing your goalie helmut, since Mary may be wearing her dress gloves with the inner brass knuckles.  Anyone have a picture of Tommy shoeless and wearing his goalie helmut?

The reunion is getting more and more interesting.  We now have on schedule a bridge tournament, a one-round knock out and a shoeless foot race over a gravel road.  Poor Tommy will be bleeding from both ends! Bring your cameras!

And God Bless George,

Joe Weissler

There you have it. I have no idea what he is talking about! I am such a sweet person...pliant, malleable and completely submissive. :-)

Mary W.
 

Saturday, March 27, 1999 - 08:20:29 am:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER (the actual AP headline)

Linda Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego, was visiting her inlaws, and while there went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head.

One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she'd been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her brains in for over an
hour.

The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid.

And, yes, Linda is a blonde.

Sunday, March 28th, 1999 - 04:51:52 pm:
John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:

Hi all,

Received the following picture this pm of my brother Kingston down in Florida who has been entertaining my nephew Andrew (Kevin's oldest) who was visiting from Ottawa.  They were apparently spending lots of time at Epcot and Disney.

Andrew - when I first got the pictures I didn't know who was with Kingston..!  Whew!  You sure have grown since we last met.  (Maybe I'll have some company as the tallest descendant at 6'9"!)

(Picture moved to Photo's section)

Hope you guys had a blast!

John V

PS...Mary, I read your brains letter to my Dad over the phone and he howled!

Sunday, March 28, 1999 - 05:21:57 pm:
Message from Carolyn M. Cox at tcox@worldnet.att.net:

Hello! My name is Carolyn M. Cox (Elizabeth Kingston's Daughter.)  My age is nine - almost ten.
I, my sister, dad, and mom are coming to the reunion of 2000!

George and Stephanie Kingston are my grandparents.  I went to there house when I was 2 and a half.  I remember this vaguely, but remember it, I was watching T.V. in the T.V. room with Grandad and I was wearing a headband.  I don't know why, but I put the headband on Grandad's head.  I thought it looked funny.  Remember I was only 2 and a half.

In 1997 my family went there for 5 weeks out of the summer.  Granddad got a lot of bikes at a garage sale
and that summer my sister and I rode the bikes everywhere, almost.  It was the most fun time I had there!!

Carolyn

Sunday, March 28th, 1999 - 08:44:52 pm:
John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:

                                                                                                                
Welcome to our website Carolyn!  We hope you visit lots of times.  :)

I was doing a security seminar at a home show here in Victoria today and in the audience before me there appeared to be a Kingston relative.  I had to keep my focus on what I was saying - had a great chat after words with John Kingston from Edmonton, Alberta!  Was great to see you John!

Mary Ellen has contributed a story to our Testimonies Section.   Click here

JV

Monday, March 29, 1999 - 08:22:09 am:
Message from Mary Ellen Kingston-Ritchie at questct@nbnet.nb.ca:

One of my memories of Grandmother is that every spring she brought Mom a bottle of Father Ryan's tonic. Mom was always run down trying to look after we 6 very "unique" children. It always seemed to work.  I personally think Mom needed the strong belt of liquour that was it it.

I think Mom is in need of this tonic and I would like to make it up for her.  If anyone has it, would you please post it on the recipes and/or let me know.

Thanks a bunch.

Mary Ellen

Monday, March 29, 1999 - 02:13:09 pm:
Message from Kevin Sullivan at kevinsu@idirect.com:

The first Sullivan to make an appearance!

Monday, March 29, 1999 - 02:13:09 pm:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu
 

Howdy Kevin!  Here's a tune from Miramichi camp visits from the 70's!

Tuesday, March 30, 1999 - 12:13:50 am:
Message from Tom Kingston at tk@tomkingston.com:

John, where is the testimonies section? How about hyperlinking the link to it at the end of Mary Ellen's e-mail
(Done)

As for Joe Weissler, I'm still thinking of an appropriate response... pretty hard act to follow...

Tom

Wednesday, March 31, 1999 - 08:01:09 am:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

Wow!

The pace is sure picking up in here!  It's so nice to see the new faces.  Welcome Carolyn!  Perhaps we can do some more bike riding at the reunion...I will look forward to meeting you!

Hi Kevin Sullivan and welcome to the website...please come back soon and often.  Mary Ellen, I don't have the recipe for Father Ryan's tonic but could make one up in rather short order.  We can all use a little belt of medicine from time to time. :-)

Kingston and Andrew...a couple of hunks or WHAT??? (g)

John, I have big news.  Jack bought a scanner!!  I have all the pictures that dad sent me for the website that I can now e-mail you.  Is your puter ok to receive megabytes? (I'll send them one at a time.)  Lemme know if it's fine to commence scanning them to you...or perhaps I should send them to Tommy?  (Hi Tommy!)  Will wait to hear the green light is on.

Mary W.
 

Wednesday, March 31, 1999 - 04:57:01 pm:
Message from Kevin Vickers at kevin.vickers@sympatico.ca:

Mary,

Passed through Chicago OHARE airport on Saturday and this am.  I have been through a few airports in my day however this certainly was an experience.  Actually it was very well laid out and allot more modern
than I thought it would be.  Toronto's Pearson Airport and Montreal Dorval are to OHARE as Miramichi Airport is to Pearson and Dorval.  I was also enthralled by the shear geographic size of Chicago.

Kevin

Wednesday, March 31, 1999 - 07:04:32 pm:
Message from John Vickers at info@securitysolutions.nu:
 

Hi Mary,

Yes, you can go right ahead and send them.  I went out and splurged on a whole new system with all the latest bells and whistles....having a blast with it..!

John

Hey Tom !

Now that the secret is out about my parents on your guestbook,  I guess it's time to show the clan that the apple may not fall far from the tree but at least it fell.

So that's why I am sending this e-mail and not LURKING!

Kev

Wednesday, March 31, 1999 - 08:10:54 pm:
Message from Mary Weissler at 110607.3647@compuserve.com:

Hey you guys!

Kevin, O'Hare can be a bit intimidating due to it's sheer size but if you take a deep breath and look around at the monitors and read the signs it's really a piece of cake. I was in Atlanta's airport recently and it's just as *potentially* overwhelming. If you can read and follow directions...no prob!

John! I'm so happy to hear you have a whole new set-up!!! What did you construct, pray tell? We got ours about 2 years ago and Jack pretty much built it. I'm not too knowledgable on all the details but it was state-of-de-art at the time...not no mo! ;-) Anyhoo, I'm really glad I can send some pics to you for the website.

Dad sent me no less than (scratching head).....maybe 30 pictures! They are all precious in their own way but I don't want to BOMBARD the site with pics (don't want to live up to that "dominatrix" image). :-) I am also brand new at this scanning intelligence so I hope they come through OK. I'll send you a few each day for awhile and you can decide which are candidates for the site.....K? I'll send them to your securitysolutions e-mail address. Look for big mail!

Mary W.