…. Merry Christmas
…….……. As …….…….
…….…….…….……. I write this note to you the first snow of winter has fallen on our new home in East Prairie, Missouri (pictured above). We wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas season. Sue and I have thought of you and yours many times sence our last get together and we miss our many friends at the Estates Condominium complex, those at our church and uncountable friendships from all over the Los Angeles basin.
……. We sold the condo without an agent and left Los Angeles around the 15^th of September. Loading a Rider rental truck from storage; with Johnny Colletta’s help. Then we loaded Sue’s car on a towed trailer and passed the keys to our old motorhome to Johnny as we left town. We had stayed with Carl Smith for the last few days and it was sad to say goodbye, he has been another of those good long-term friends. As we headed out of Los Angeles we wished California goodbye and knew things would never be the same. As we traveled across country the yellow Rider Truck and Sue’s yellow antique Camero were a constant source of interest and comment by truck drivers and fellow travelers.

……. Once arriving in East Prairie, Missouri we moved in with Sue’s sister and brother in-law; Betty and Buck Williams. After unloading the truck, we started looking for a new place to live. Within a month that search netted 3 possibilities, but the home pictured above was our final choice. You can not see it but there is a second story with 2 bedrooms, bath, office and storage space. Downstairs we have a formal living room, dining room and family room, kitchen and master bedroom and baths. Yes, we are proud of the place and want you to know that you are welcome to come and visit us in this new home. Sue has been out and about and found about 5 antiques pieces of furniture and has been busy refinishing them; with fine results. Sue has found a group of artists to join as well as finding good friends. She hopes to find musicians soon.

……. Once we signed an agreement to purchase the home we headed for Connecticut for a visit with our granddaughter. As you can see from the picture on the next page; Sue had a grand time. The granddaughter is almost 4 now and showed Grandpa Dale a lot of preferential treatment. Betty and Buck, lent us their van to make the trip in and it made traveling a great pleasure. So much so that when we got back in East Prairie a month later we went out and found a 1988 Chevy Van of our own. We are now back to two vehicles, Sue’s 1970 Cameo and the Van. Thank you Buck and Betty for the loan of the Van!

……. On the 1^st of December we closed escrow on the new home but will not get to move in until sometime close to the first of the year. The previous owner is completing her move out at this time. We have remained busy. Dale goes to the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center- (computer section) daily and keeps up with his computer interests. He is also a member for the East Prairie Bijou Cookers, a group of men and woman who do Catfish - Hushpuppy; smoked Turkey; fried whole Turkey; smoked pork-but (the best!) cook outs. About a week ago we attended a Bijou Cooker 60 person dinner featuring squirrel, rabbit, chicken and roasted venison; along with country side dishes. Boy have we arrived in the country.

……. East Prairie is all decked out with Xmas lights and seasonal activities have started. Dale attended the 4^th annual Christmas Pageant; a four consecutive day play sponsored by the local churches; a large undertaking for several communities in the area. Dale hopes to take a camera out about town and get some fine seasonal pictures and then post them on the his web site for all to enjoy.

……. We wish you and yours a beautiful Christmas season and a good New Year and we hope to hear from you soon. If you can please plan to come and see us.

Our address UNTIL 29 December 2000 is 216 Margaret Dr, East Prairie, Missouri 63845,

…….……. The phone number will be 573 649 2965

More pictures of our home… http://www.palosverdes.com/daleharel/Epnewtown.html

More pictures of our granddaughter… http://www.palosverdes.com/daleharel/Bre2000bm.html

……. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

…….…….…….…….……. Dale Sue and Angie