2021 Button Report

From a 2014 art project

The second year of the pandemic once again yielded a low tally of new buttons, but those that were recieved were accepted with great appreciation. 85 buttons were added to the collection, bringing the tally to 8,660. One new donor joined the list bringing the number of contributors to 224.

The collection is broken down into eight major categories (with numerous sub-categories): Businesses, Causes, Holidays, Miscellaneous, Music, Pets, Politics, Sports, and Tourism.

The 2021 Donor List

1 Alkula, Charles 2,163 Family

2 Alkula, Dale 1,354 Family

3 Alkula, Belinda 1,334 Family

4 Condell, Joan 734 Band of Gold

5 Alkula, Jackie 393 Family

6 Alkula, Joe 276 Family

7 Wilkowski-Galle, Laurie 250 Band of Gold

8 Alexander, Linda 185 Galluadet Univ.

9 Boda, Sandy 154 Family

10 Storkson, Anna 117 Stevensville UMC

11 Swaar, Warren 114 Navy - JMF

12 Davis, Kristen 104 Army - UK

13 Alkula, Jody 99 Family

14 Jungk, Heather 87 Navy - JMF

15 Hall, Jeannie Patterson 82 Sheriden, WY

16 Clark, Judy 79 UMC - NE/MN

17 Fritschel, Don 66 St. Paul's UMC

18 Hammitt, Mo 61 Family

19 Alkula, Mom 58 Family

20 Weston, Sue 56 Largo, FL

21 Goffe, Carol 44 Stevensville UMC

22 Chase, Gary 26 Chevy Chase, FSB

22 Johnson, Torrey 26 VA - San Antonio

23 Winston, Tova 25 Montana

24 Chang, Helen 24 Galluadet Univ.

25 Kelch, Vicki 22 Chevy Chase, FSB

25 Trapani, Tony 22 Navy - MAG 12

26 Dulaney, Denise 21 Band of Gold

28 Baumbach, Don 19 FUMC - Sidney

28 Lynch, Julie 19 Band of Gold

29 Bailey, Diane 18 Stevensville UMC

29 Hatch, Stacy 18 Chevy Chase, FSB

30 Swaar, Kathy 17 Navy - JMF

31 Harrell, Nancy 16 Texas

32 Stickley, Russ 15 FUMC - Sidney

33 Herritt, Donna 14 WTS

33 Kipke, Jeannie 14 Boulder Art Assoc.

33 Prather, Marcia 14 Stevensville UMC

33 Stickley, Lucy 14 FUMC - Sidney

34 Barlow, Bob 12 Family

34 Broadhurst, Lorraine 12 Stevensville UMC

34 Fish, Paulette 12 Navy - NHCL

34 Ronge, Mollie 12 UCC

35 Alkula, Staci 11 Family

35 Diers, joey 11 Stevensville UMC

35 Rodd, Jacque 11 Family

36 Harpster, Jean 10 Christ UMC

36 Kilmer, Mary Ellen 10 UMC- Nebraska

36 Roylance, Bertha 10 UMC - YAC

37 Condell, Shirley 9 Band of Gold

37 Gable, Brian 9 Chevy Chase, FSB

37 Pillsbury, Norman 9 Largo, FL

37 Speak, Kathy 9 Chevy Chase, FSB

37 Tucker, Terri 9 Odessa, Texas

38 Dye, Judy 8 UMC - Nebraska

38 Hanford, Sue 8 Navy - JMF

38 King, Stacey 8 UMC - Montana

38 Muckle, Pat 8 St. Paul's UMC

38 Sparks, Craig 8 WTS

39 Alkula,Dad 7 Family

39 Edgar, Cammie 7 Stevensville UMC

39 Krans, Glen 7 Navy - NHCL

39 Rowan, Dan 7 FUMC - Sidney

40 Alkula, Jason 6 Family

40 Freeman, Clay 6 Stevensville UMC

40 Hult, Dennis 6 St. Paul's UMC

40 Quick, Austin 6 Navy - NHCL

40 Wilhite, Neil 6 B-SC

40 Wilkie, Clark 6 Osmond UMC

41 Akinwale, Judy 5 Chevy Chase, FSB

41 Chang, Terry 5 Galluadet Univ.

41 Davis, Kristen 5 Navy - JMF

41 Drapper, Rilla 5 FUMC - Sidney

41 Hansberry, Bill 5 Navy - JMF

41 Moshier, Gail 5 Stevensville UMC

41 Sheldon, Keri 5 FUMC - Sidney

41 Thies, Vickie 5 Osmond UMC

42 Boyd, Sean 4 WTS

42 Dupree, Tim 4 Chevy Chase, FSB

42 Gordan, Pam 4 Chevy Chase FSB

42 Kelley, Jennifer 4 UMC - SWTX

42 Kephart, Roy 4 McCamey FUMC

42 Pua, Ria 4 Chevy Chase, FSB

42 Schaffer, Kathy 4 Navy - JMF

42 Schuttler, Kevin 4 Osmond, NE

42 Townsend, Charles 4 WTS

42 Walton, Ruby 4 Winside UMC

43 Anderson, Wanda 3 Christ UMC

43 Balfour, Carrie 3 FUMC - Sidney

43 Baumbach, Edie 3 FUMC - Sidney

43 Brown, William 3 Navy - MAG 12

43 Ferrell, Ed 3 Christ UMC, MD

43 Flading, Verla 3 McCamey - FUMC

43 Gatewood, Tim 3 B-SC

43 Green, Stephanie 3 Navy - JMF

43 Harn, Anne 3 Stevensville UMC

43 Kenyon, Betty 3 Chevy Chase, FSB

43 Koelling, Marvin 3 UMC - Nebraska

43 Krans, Faye 3 Navy - NHCL

43 Matthews, Steve 3 St. Paul's UMC

43 McElmurray, Jean 3 Christ UMC, MD

43 Rogers, Maggie 3 UMC

43 Smith, Hazel 3 Stevensville UMC

43 Troop, Dot 3 Army - DC

43 Witcher, Mary 3 FUMC - McCamey

44 Browne, Mary 2 VA - San Antonio

44 Byrd, Helen 2 Christ UMC, MD

44 Cat, Nick the 2 Family

44 Craft, Dolores 2 Stevensville UMC

44 Daulby, Peter 2 Navy - JMF

44 Faciolli, Jim 2 Chevy Chase, FSB

44 Fish, Cameron 2 Navy - JMF

44 Forbis, Josie 2 Missouri

44 Hansen, Lori 2 Winside UMC

44 Hodson, Luella 2 Osmond UMC

44 Hunter, Bob 2 WTS

44 Johnson, Carol 2 B-SC

44 Mellgren, Ginny 2 Stevensville UMC

44 Petty, Norma 2 Stevensville UMC

44 Ross, Allison 2 Navy - JMF

44 Saussey, Carol 2 WTS

44 Schrock, Ava 2 Stevensville UMC

44 Shaver, Mike 2 Band of Gold

44 Thaxton, Becky 2 2-Year

44 White, Barbara 2 Navy - JMF

44 Wiegert, Betty 2 Osmond UMC

44 Witcher, Jim 2 FUMC - McCamey

44 Young, Brigham 2 B-SC

45 Adams-Trembath, Susan 1 UMC

45 Alkula, Alex 1 Family

45 Alkula, Joshua 1 Family

45 Anderson, Howard 1 Navy - JMF

45 Armbruster, Julie 1 FUMC - Sidney

45 Austin, Kendrick 1 Navy - JMF

45 Baldauf, Julie 1 Family

45 Barlow, Sean 1 Family

45 Barrett, Rhonda 1 B-SC

45 Beaber, Jerry 1 St. Paul's UMC

45 Beck, Sarah 1 Hamilton Fed. Church

45 Bickford, Lisa 1 FUMC - Sidney

45 Bird, Lois 1 Christ UMC

45 Black, Berry 1 B-SC

45 Boykin, Becky 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Bronson, Karen 1 TX

45 Cavanaugh, Shelly 1 NC

45 Chicott, Emma 1 CA

45 Clausen, Amanda 1 Cornwall

45 Collins, Piper 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Cook, Sandi 1 St. Paul's UMC

45 Counts, Dave 1 TCU

45 Curtis, Tim 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Damwitz, Britta 1 TX

45 Daulby, Marie 1 Cornwall

45 Dinkel, Bea 1 FUMC - Sidney

45 Dougherty, Guy 1 NC

45 Eiichberger, Eileen 1 Stark Valley UMC

45 Escobedo, Theo 1 TX

45 Farrar, Lydia 1 NC

45 Fisher, Gail 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Garner, Peggy 1 FUMC - McCamey

45 Garner, Shirley 1 Osmond UMC

45 Gebhardt, Debbie 1 ELCA - Dallas, TX

45 Gonzalez, Elba 1 TX

45 Hackett, Molly 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Hancock, Helen 1 Winside UMC

45 Hansen, Marsha 1 WTS

45 Harcus, Missy 1 Navy - JMF

45 Hayes, Robert 1 Marshall U. president

45 Howells, Layouna 1 NC

45 Janke, Rose Ann 1 Winside UMC

45 Jenkins, Ada 1 Christ UMC, MD

45 Jessen, Brenda 1 FUMC - Sidney

45 Johnson, Lea 1 Osmond UMC

45 Kelly, Claire 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Kennedy, Shareese 1 WTS

45 King, Anastasia 1 FL

45 Kirkley, Ed 1 B-SC

45 Lang, James 1 DC

45 Lawton, Dennis 1 WTS

45 Lee, Jeannette 1 MA

45 Leifer, Jane 1 DMIN

45 Levin, Ashley 1 CA

45 Lunn, Jennifer 1 Cornwall

45 Marshall, Cheryl 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Matos, Anthony 1 FL

45 Matthews, Sheri 1 San Angelo, TX

45 McDonald, Lisa 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 McKelvey, Shirley 1 Stevensville UMC

45 McLarnon, Sharon 1 Friend of the Family

45 Meschko, Melinda 1 Waitress

45 Michaels, Jami 1 CO

45 Milord, Fabian 1 NJ

45 Minnini, Silas 1 MA

45 Moise, Dorice 1 MA

45 Nansen, Tyler 1 UMT

45 Nelson, Karen 1 San Antonio, TX

45 Nelson, Mike 1 WTS

45 Odom, Gloria 1 FUMC - McCamey

45 Paddie, Shay Lynn 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Paulson, Connie 1 Eldbrooke UMC - DC

45 Petty, Chuck 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Phelps, Dorothy 1 Christ UMC

45 Prince, Paula 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Quarles, Duke 1 Navy - NHCL

45 Reed, Kelly 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Riegler, Mark 1 NJ

45 Robertson, Tana 1 McCamey, TX

45 Rowan, Marilee 1 FUMC - Sidney

45 Schneider, Bev 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Schrock, Dusty 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Schultz, Kevin 1 NE

45 Stone, Sam 1 McCamey, TX

45 Thayer, Shirley 1 Osmond UMC

45 Thompson, Pat 1 Navy - JMF

45 Underwood, Betty 1 Chevy Chase, FSB

45 Vecchio, Bob 1 Navy - JMF

45 Vernon, Verla 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Walton, Mary 1 Jacksonville, NC

45 Weindel, Julie 1 Stevensville UMC

45 Wiley, Rob 1 Winside UMC

45 Williams, Nancy 1 Mission Valley UMC

45 Wright, Tim 1 Cornwall

45 Wylie, Bonnie 1 Winside UMC

Annual Studio Report

Working on the final canvases of 2021

It was an solid year, production-wise, for Charles in the studio with forty-two paintings completed! Eleven of these were part of the series that was executed for participants in the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies.

Charles was also thrilled to take part in fourteen exhibits including one that was offered virtually.

Wesley's year

Portait of a great kitty

Taking in the autumnal afternoon

Ah, naps!

The "look"

Watching football with Charles

Wesley continues to excell at his role as a professional house cat. It is a full-time job, the monitoring the stream of Zoom meetings, taking in the wildlife that frequents our yard, and racking up the hours in his napping log.

Year in review: July - December

We're back in person @ St. Paul's

July: Another art exhibition; Our church returns to in-person worship; Charles does more painting at the church; A little skunk hangs around the backyard.

For a good cause

August: Charles takes part in a charity golf event in Denver; We drive to Lyons for cherry juice; Charles does painting at Wesley House; Deb Wacker comes for a visit. 

We go places with our Zooming

September: Our church goes back to wearing masks; Belinda takes part in the virtual International P.E.O. convention; Our atumnal tree goes up; We continue to do a lot of Zoom meetings.

We love bazaars!

October: We get our booster shots; Belinda's tenure as Conference UMW Spritual Growth Coordinator comes to an end; More P.E.O. fun; Belinda's birthday week. Charles conducts his first funeral St. Paul's UMC (the second in Colorado).

Franciscan Center in COS

November: Another project undertaken at the church; Another art show; A light dusting of snow; Taking in the P.E.O. bazaar; Charles heads to COS for a retreat; It's a Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving; Taking part in another blood drive; Our 24th anniverary; Decorating the church for Advent. 

Wesley is in the Christmas spirit

December: Charles presents paintings to members of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies; Charles' birthday; Gifts from P.E.O. sisters; Christmas at home; Hurricane-force winds and a devastating fire leaves hundreds of destoryed homes and thousands of displaced people in Boulder County.

Year in Review: January - June

January snow

January: We begin the New Year hoping for relief from the pandemic; First snow (3") fell on the 10th; Wesley has his portrait painted; Charles takes two online seminars from Redlands University; More paintings.

The geese discover the backyard

February: Gallery shows; another big (8.5") snowfall; online Ash Wednesday; wildlife in the backyard;

At work in the studio

March: One year mark of the pandemic; two feet of snow; Belinda begins her tenture as (P.E.O.) Chapter JI president; Belinda gets vaccinated; mass shooting at our neighborhood supermarket; Charles sells a painting through R Gallery. 

Doing our part

April: Second Easter during the pandemic; Charles plays golf for the first time since October 2019; 7.5" of snow; Charles sends six paintings for a benefit auction in Montana; Charles gets vaccinated.

Such a beautiful sight

May: Belinda takes part in the P.E.O. book club; Charles conducts his first Colorado wedding; our chokecherry trees explods with blossoms; More projects completed at the church; a coyote in the back yard.

It's official!

June: Another virtual Annual Conference; Charles takes part in a plein air event; more projects at the church; virtual P.E.O. convention; We're reappointed to St. Paul's for another year.

A colorful morning

With Dan Daniels at church

Coming home

Out for lunch

Charles continued our Christmas celebration (which continues to January 5) by wearing an outfit that Belinda had gotten for him some time ago. The outfit got rave reviews from those in worship this morninig (Charles wasn't leading the service which is why he wore this today). Belinda of course was consulted before wearing this colorful garb in public!!

Christmas Day @ the parsonage

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas morning and are blessed to have such a wonderful home to share it in!

Birthday week - Christmas Eve

The birthday boy

Wonderful treats

Keeping an eye on the birthday festivities

In keeping with tradition, we celebrated Charles' Christmas birthday tonight between services with treats and a toasty fire!

Birthday week, day #5

There are only two more sleeps before Charles' big day and the weather here along Colorado's Front Range continues to be baffling. It was 62° today and narry a snowflake in sight!!

Goodies at the front door

We went to Northglenn today to pick up our Christmas meal from Cracker Barrel, and when we returned home, a plate of holiday treats from one of Belinda's P.E.O. sisters, Debbie Yates, was waiting on the table by the front door!

Birthday week, day #4

Charles has enjoyed his birthday week with some exciting football, courtesy of his present from Belinda in the form of ESPN. Matches from England and the Netherlands has made for an enjoyable week!

Birthday week, day #3

Looking festive just days before Christmas

A warm December breeze

Hard to believe it's December

It's been said before during this month, but this may well and truly be the final round of golf Charles gets to play in 2021. Today, it was back to the Flatirons Golf Course here in Boulder, the first time he's played there since October 2019. 

It's a P.E.O. Christmas!

Some of Belinda's P.E.O. sisters were in the holiday gift-giving mood today, stopping by the parsonage with some wonderful surprises!!
 

Birthday week, day #2

As part of Charles' birthday week observances, we went to the Red Lobster in Longmont this afternoon where the waiter brought Charles a dish of ice cream with a candle in it!

Birthday week has begun!

We began Charles' birthday week in church this morning for the festivity known as the choir's cantata!

The many faces of Wesley

Nap time

A new place to hide

The cat is not amused

Checking on activity downstairs

Catching a football match 

Wesley has been quite busy of late, finding new places to nap, and in general living the life of a professional housecat.

The last round in 2021?

A beautiful day for golf

The Snow-capped Rockies loom over the Front Range

On the approach to #18

Charles took advantage of what is perhaps the last warm day (59°) we're likely to see for the rest of the month to get in a round of golf at Colorado National in Erie. An 82, his best of the year, included 10 pars!!!

A thought for today

God who intervenes in human form, during this Advent, may we come home to you with this deep knowledge: we are your children. Amen.

from Advent devotional for Dec 10, 2021

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Advent Devotion series