A surprise in the mail

Charles' sister, Jackie, sent a special Christmas gift for Charles - a cap that will be worn with great satisfaction when the weather gets warmer!

Year in review: July - December

A big deal for Charles

 

July: We start our 6th year at St. Paul's UMC; Charles attends the Jurisdictional Conference in Spokane as a candidate to the episcopacy; Belinda serves as Dean of her last session of Mission u; Painting curbs at the church.

Another big project at the church

August: Charles participates in a charity golf tournament; We get air purifiers for the parsonage; Charles attends a seminar at St. Benedict's Center in Schuyler, Nebraska; a visit with Jackie in St. Joseph, Missouri; Yard work at the church.

Some yummy treats!

September: A new class for Charles to audit at CU; We make a pilgrimage to the Cheese Emporium in Longmont; Charles tackles an outdoor project at the church.

 

Doing our civic duty

October: Voting by mail completed; Many trips with the pickup for the church; Charles takes a quick trip see our new home for the inspection.

Snow on the mountains / changing leaves in the valley

November: A faint trace of snow along the Front Range; a depressing result on election day; Belinda is hired at Thorne Crest; We buy a home in Albert Lea, Minnesota; Charles makes a delivery to our new home; our 27th anniversary.

A white Christmas in Minnesota

December: Our final Sunday @ St. Paul's UMC; we move to Albert Lea, Minnesota; Exploring our new town; We both begin work at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community; Christmas caroling with Thorne Crest staff; Christmas Eve worship at Thorne Crest; Christmas Eve worship @ Albert Lea UMC; Christmas Day Lessons & Carols service @ First Lutheran; Charles' birthday.

Year in Review: January - June

It's cold!

January: Frigid weather; several date days; Charles enrolls in second audit course @ CU - Boulder; Giving books to Carl Hoffman; Buttons!

A backyard suprise

February: A bobcat strolls through our backyard; Buttons from Kristin Davis; Snow!

Palm Sunday at home

March: Charles goes to Cheyenne, Wyoming for BOM; Churchy-stuff; More snow; Lots of branches cleared; Charles gets a pacemaker!

An April snowfall

April: Bishop Oliveto comes to St. Paul's; Charles leads a service at Fraiser Meadows; An April snow; Dental work for Belinda.

12 years of Wesley!

May: We celebrate Wesley's 12th anniversary with us; outside projects at the parsonage.

The clergy of the Mountain Sky Conference

June: Museums in Denver; Annual Conference in Casper, Wyoming; Charles plays golf with Myrle; We make it to the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland.

Wesley's year in review

Watching the snow fall

A visit to the vet

A sunny nap

In a packing state of mind

Checking out his new home

Wesley's year included lots of naps, backyard critter watching (including a bobcat), watching the endless variety of passerby from the front window, turning 12 in March, and a move to his fifth home, this one to Minnesota in December!

2024 Button Report

Packing up for the move to Minnesota

2024 saw 545 buttons being added to the collection, bringing the tally to 9,673! A nice variety of new buttons were added, each one a special reminder of the subject and/or the button's donor. Eight new donors were added this year, bringing the number of donors to 235.

The collection is broken down into ten major categories (with a multitude of sub-categories): Businesses, Causes, Entertainment, Holidays, Miscellaneous, Music, Pets, Politics, Sports, and Tourism.

People marked with + are those that I am aware of who have died.

2024 Button Donors

1	Alkula, Charles	2,266	Family
2	Alkula, Belinda	1,489	Family
3	Alkula, Dale	1,353	Family
4	Condell, Joan	736	Band of Gold
5	Davis, Kristen	399	Army
6	Alkula, Jackie	391	Family
7	Alexander, Linda	303	Galluadet Univ.
8	Wilkowski-Galle, Laurie	278	Band of Gold
9	Alkula, Joe	274	Family
10	Boda, Sandy	154	Family
11	Storkson, Anna	117	Stevi UMC
12	Swaar, Warren	113	Navy - JMF
13	Jungk, Heather	99	Navy - JMF
14	Alkula, Jody	99	Family
15	Clark, Judy	98	UMC-NE/MN
16	Pillsbury, Norman	89	Largo, FL
17	Hall, Jeannie P.	81	UMC - Mtn. Sky
18	Fritschel, Don	66	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
19	Hammitt, Mo	62	Family
20	Alkula, Mom	57	Family
21	Weston, Sue	56	Largo, FL
22	Cook, Tim	55	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
23	Buxton, Becky	48	UMC - Mtn. Sky
23	Pillsbury, Peggy	48	Largo, FL
24	Goffe, Carol	44	Stevi UMC (MT)
25	Kipke, Jeannie	37	Boulder Art Assoc.
26	Chase, Gary	26	Chevy Chase, FSB
26	Johnson, Torrey	26	VA - San Antonio
29	Winston, Toba	25	Missoula, Montana
30	Chang, Helen	24	Galluadet Univ.
30	Dulaney, Denise	24	Band of Gold
31	Kelch, Vicki	22	Chevy Chase, FSB
31	Trapani, Tony	22	Navy - MAG 12
32	Grice, Dee	20	Navy - JMF
33	Baumbach, Don	19	FUMC Sidney (NE)
33	Harrell, Nancy	19	Family friend
33	Lynch, Julie Howd.	19	Band of Gold
34	Bailey, Diane	18	Stevi UMC (MT)
34	Hatch, Stacy	18	Chevy Chase, FSB
35	Swaar, Kathy	17	Navy - JMF
36	Stickley, Russ	15	FUMC Sidney (NE)
37	Herritt, Donna	14	Wesley Theo. Sem.
37	Prather, Marcia	14	Stevi UMC (MT)
37	Stickley, Lucy	14	FUMC Sidney (NE)
38	Barlow, Bob	12	Family
38	Berlin, Don	12	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
38	Broadhurst, Lorraine	12	Stevi UMC (MT)
38	Fish, Paulette	12	Navy - NHCL
38	Ronge, Mollie	12	UCC - NE/SD
39	Alkula, Staci	11	Family
39	Diers, joey	11	Stevi UMC (MT)
39	Rodd, Jacque	11	Family
40	Harpster, Jean	10	Christ UMC (MD)
40	Kilmer, Mary Ellen	10	Plainview UM (NE)
40	Roylance, Bertha	10	UMC - Mtn. Sky
38	Condell, Shirley	9	Band of Gold
38	Gable, Brian	9	Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Speak, Kathy	9	Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Tucker, Terri	9	Odessa, Texas
39	Witte, Kathryn	9	UMC - Mtn. Sky
39	Dye, Judy	8	UMC - Nebraska
39	Hanford, Sue	8	Navy - JMF
39	King, Stacey	8	UMC - Mtn. Sky
40	Muckle, Pat	8	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
40	Sparks, Craig	8	Wesley Theo. Sem.
40	Weindel, Julie	8	Stevi UMC (MT)
41	Alkula, Dad	7	Family
41	Edgar, Cammie	7	Stevi UMC (MT)
41	Krans, Glen	7	Navy - NHCL
41	Rowan, Dan	7	FUMC Sidney (NE)
41	Kintzel, Emily	7	UMC - Mtn. Sky
42	Alkula, Jason	6	Family
42	Freeman, Clay	6	Stevi UMC (MT)
42	Hult, Dennis	6	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
42	Quick, Austin	6	Navy - NHCL
42	Wilhite, Neil	6	B-SC (AL)
42	Wilkie, Clark	6	Osmond UMC (NE)
43	Akinwale, Judy	5	Chevy Chase, FSB
43	Chang, Terry	5	Galluadet Univ.
43	Davis, Kristen	5	Navy - JMF
43	Drapper, Rilla	5	FUM Sidney (NE)
43	Hansberry, Bill	5	Navy - JMF
43	Moshier, Gail	5	Stevi UMC (MT)
43	Sheldon, Keri	5	FUM - Sidney (NE)
43	Thies, Vickie	5	Osmond UMC (NE)
44	Boyd, Sean	4	Wesley Theo. Sem.
44	Dupree, Tim	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
44	Gordon, Pam	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
44	Kelley, Jennifer	4	Rankin UMC (TX)
44	Kephart, Roy	4	FUM McCamey (TX)
44	Lindstrom, Jamie	4	Boulder Art Assoc.
44	Pua, Ria	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
44	Schaffer, Kathy	4	Navy - JMF
45	Schuttler, Kevin	4	Osmond, NE
45	Townsend, Charles	4	Wesley Theo. Sem.
45	Walton, Ruby	4	Winside UMC (NE)
45	Anderson, Wanda	3	Christ UMC (MD)
45	Balfour, Carrie	3	FUMC - Sidney (NE)
45	Baumbach, Edie	3	FUMC - Sidney (NE)
45	Brown, William	3	Navy - MAG 12
45	Ferrell, Ed	3	Christ UMC (MD)
45	Flading, Verla	3	FUM McCamey (TX)
45	Gatewood, Tim	3	B-SC (AL)
45	Green, Stephanie	3	Navy - JMF
45	Harn, Anne	3	Stevi UMC (MT)
45	Kenyon, Betty	3	Chevy Chase, FSB
45	Koelling, Marvin	3	UMC - Nebraska
45	Krans, Faye	3	Navy - NHCL
45	Matthews, Steve	3	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
45	McElmurray, Jean	3	Christ UMC (LH, MD)
45	Rogers, Maggie	3	UMC - YAC
46	Smith, Hazel	3	Stevi UM (MT)
46	Troop, Dot	3	Army - DARCOM
46	Witcher, Mary	3	FUM McCamey (TX)
46	Browne, Mary	2	VA - San Antonio
46	Byrd, Helen	2	Christ UMC (MD)
46	Cat, Nick the	2	Family
46	Craft, Dolores	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
46	Daulby, Peter	2	Navy - JMF
46	Faciolli, Jim	2	Chevy Chase, FSB
46	Fish, Cameron	2	Navy - JMF
46	Forbis, Josie	2	Forbis City, MO
46	Hansen, Lori	2	Winside UMC (NE)
46	Hodson, Luella	2	Osmond UMC (NE)
46	Hunter, Bob	2	Wesley Theo. Sem.
46	Johnson, Carol	2	B-SC (AL)
46	Mellgren, Ginny	2	SteviUMC (MT)
46	Petty, Norma	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
46	Ross, Allison	2	Navy - JMF
46	Saussey, Carol	2	Wesley Theo. Sem.
46	Schrock, Ava	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
46	Shaver, Mike	2	Band of Gold
46	Thaxton, Becky	2	2-Year Academy
46	White, Barbara	2	Navy - JMF
47	Wiegert, Betty	2	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Witcher, Jim	2	FUM McCamey (TX)
47	Young, Brigham	2	B-SC (AL)
47	Ace, Lily	1	Lafayette, CO
47	Adams-Trem. Susan	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
47	Alkula, Alex	1	Family
47	Alkula, Joshua	1	Family
47	Anderson, Howard	1	Navy - JMF
47	Armbruster, Julie	1	FUM Sidney (NE)
47	Austin, Kendrick	1	Navy - JMF
47	Baldauf, Julie	1	Family
47	Barlow, Sean	1	Family
47	Barrett, Rhonda	1	B-SC (AL)
47	Beaber, Jerry	1	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
47	Beck, Sarah	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
47	Betancourt, Thelma	1	MARCHA
47	Bickford, Lisa	1	FUM - Sidney (NE)
47	Bird, Lois	1	Christ UMC (LH, MD)
47	Black, Berry	1	B-SC (AL)
47	Boykin, Becky	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Bronson, Karen	1	VA - San Antonio
47	Cavanaugh, Shelly	1	Dixon, NC
47	Chicott, Emma	1	Navy - JMF
47	Clausen, Amanda	1	Newquay, Cornwall
47	Collins, Piper	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Cook, Sandi	1	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
47	Counts, Dave	1	TCU
47	Curtis, Tim	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Damwitz, Britta	1	San Antonio, TX
47	Daulby, Marie	1	Cornwall - RAF
47	Dinkel, Bea	1	FUM Sidney (NE)
47	Eiichberger, Eileen	1	Stark Valley UM (NE)
47	Escobedo, Theo	1	Eagle Pass, TX
47	Farrar, Lydia	1	Jacksonville, NC
47	Fisher, Gail	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Garner, Peggy	1	FUM McCamey (TX)
47	Garner, Shirley	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Gebhardt, Debbie	1	ELCA (TX)
47	Hackett, Molly	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Hancock, Helen	1	Winside UMC (NE)
47	Hansen, Marsha	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	Harcus, Missy	1	Navy - JMF
47	Hayes, Robert	1	Marshall U. (pres.)
47	Howells, Layouna	1	Jacksonville, NC
47	Janke, Rose Ann	1	Winside UMC (NE)
47	Jenkins, Ada	1	Christ UMC (MD)
47	Jessen, Brenda	1	FUM Sidney (NE)
47	Johnson, Lea	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Kelly, Claire	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Kennedy, Shareese	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	King, Anastasia	1	Largo, FL
47	Kirkley, Ed	1	B-SC (AL)
47	Lang, James	1	DC
47	Lawton, Dennis	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	Lee, Jeannette	1	Boston, MA
47	Leifer, Jane	1	Drew Theo. School
47	Levin, Ashley	1	Anaheim, CA
47	Lunn, Jennifer	1	Padstow, Cornwall
47	Marshall, Cheryl	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Mather, Mike	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
47	Matos, Anthony	1	Holiday, FL
47	Matthews, Sheri	1	San Angelo, TX
47	McDonald, Lisa	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	McKelvey, Shirley	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	McLarnon, Sharon	1	Friend of the Family
47	Meschko, Melinda	1	Raleigh, NC
47	Michaels, Jami	1	Superior, CO
47	Milord, Fabian	1	Ocean Grove, NJ
47	Minnini, Silas	1	Boston, MA
47	Moise, Dorice	1	Boston, MA
47	Myers, Myrle	1	St. Paul's UM (Bo.)
47	Nansen, Tyler	1	University of Montana
47	Nelson, Karen	1	San Antonio, TX
47	Nelson, Mike	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	Odom, Gloria	1	FUM McCamey (TX)
47	Paddie, Shay Lynn	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Paulson, Connie	1	Eldbrooke UMC
47	Petty, Chuck	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Phelps, Dorothy	1	Christ UMC (MD)
47	Potter, Stu	1	Thorne Crest (MN)
47	Prince, Paula	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Quarles, Duke	1	Navy - NHCL
47	Reed, Kelly	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Riegler, Mark	1	Ocean Grove, NJ
47	Robertson, Tana	1	McCamey, TX
47	Rowan, Marilee	1	FUM Sidney (NE)
47	Schneider, Bev	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Schrock, Dusty	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Schultz, Kevin	1	Sidney, NE
47	Stone, Sam	1	McCamey, TX
47	Thayer, Shirley	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Thompson, Pat	1	Navy - JMF
47	Underwood, Betty	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Vecchio, Bob	1	Navy - JMF
47	Vernon, Verla	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Walton, Mary	1	Jacksonville, NC
47	Wiley, Rob	1	Winside UMC (NE)
47	Williams, Nancy	1	M.V. UMC (MT)
47	Wright, Tim	1	Cornwall - RAF
47	Wylie, Bonnie	1	Winside UMC (NE)
47	Young, Cory	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky