Are You The Cameraman?: February 2019

About this blog title

I cannot tell you how many times I have shown up at events with a couple of cameras around my neck, a gadget bag full of odds & ends and a lighting kit and have been asked that question. If it happened once every few years, that would be one thing. But it happens a LOT. It's like getting pulled over by the police and he's standing there with uniform, gun, flashing lights and asking him "Are you a cop?" I would love to come back with a witty reply, such as "No, I am Jesus. Don't you recognize my beard?" However, I cannot be that rude.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

February 13, 2019 snow in Chaumont NY

Here is a snap I made of our home in Chaumont NY showing a fresh basket of snow that fell over night. It took me 3 hours of shoveling to clear the sidewalks and driveway. Started at 8:00, done at 11:00. Sounds awful, but I truly like the exercise and fresh air. It was 28 degrees which makes for comfortable Winter experience.

February 2019 view of our home in Chaumont NY after overnight snowfall. The sidewalks & driveway took me 3 hours to shovel. I enjoyed it.

Monday, February 11, 2019

Photos and obituary for Margaret "Peggy" Walts

My mother, Margaret J Walts. I don't know when photo was taken but I'm quite sure it was before she was married.

CALCIUM, NY –– Margaret “Peggy” Joan Backus Walts, 86, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 5, 2019, at Lewis County Residential Healthcare, Lowville, NY.

Peggy was born Sept. 22, 1932, the sixth child of Harold and Hazel (LaRock) Backus. She grew up and lived on the family farm in Evans Mills through the 1940s.

She married Aubrey Guy Walts on Nov. 4, 1950.

Aubrey and Peggy went on to raise ten children, “whew”, eight boys and two girls. Though her house was small and full of kids her door was always open, and just about anyone was welcome to come in and stay if they needed to.

Peggy, “Mrs. Walts”, was a stay at home Mom and strict disciplinarian who taught her kids, the many kids she babysat over the years, and countless teenagers and young adults alike, what the word respect is all about. She never had to explain the word to anyone, but anyone who’s ever been in her presence, gave her lots of it. The funny little thing about it, is that everyone is richer for it.

Aubrey and Peggy’s lives together were primarily dedicated to their family until Aubrey’s untimely death in 1987. Beyond the open house policy, Peggy will be remembered for the countless holiday dinners where she prepared everything from scratch, she also enjoyed knitting, creating hundreds of garments over the years including hats, scarves, sweaters, mittens and socks.

My parents, Peggy & Aubrey Walts in 1954. Me, (Gary) on mom's lap. I was 10days old. Alan on my father's lap.

Peggy is survived by nine children, Alan B. Walts, Watertown, NY, Gary C. Walts and partner, Barbara Hyneman, Chaumont, NY, Melvin Walts, Dallas, TX, Ronald Walts, Calcium, NY, Carol Myers, Alexandria, VA, Dale Walts and wife, Cheryl, Syracuse, NY, Susan Auletta and husband, Frank, Tucson, AZ, Mark Walts and partner, Rhonda Smith, Winter Haven, FL, Bruce Walts and wife, Judith, Pelham, AL, and a daughter-in-law, Catherine Walts, Dexter, NY; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, her husband, a son, Thomas Walts, five siblings, Gerald Backus, Mary Hotis, Audrey Mitchell, Louis Backus and Harold Backus all died previously.

My mother Peggy Walts, left, and her sister Audrey Mitchell at a family party at Aunt Audy's house in Evans Mills, NY, about 1968 or 70. Photo made on Kodak Ektachrome film.

Funeral services will be noon Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, with Rev. Steven Murray of Holy Family Church officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Evans Mills, NY, in the spring.

Calling hours will be 10 am to 12 pm, prior to the service.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County @ Ellis Farm, 1398

Gotham Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

My mother, Peggy Walts in 2013 after she took a fall and banged up her head.

My mother at right with my sister Carol at the Center for Sight, State St., Watertown NY. in 2015. She was preparing for cataract surgery. At leftist my brother Mel's ex- mother in law. We hadn't seen her in years, just happened to meet her there.

Mom with grand daughter S in in 2004. S is my late brother Tom's daughter. Years later under hospice care mom would tell me she kept her self occupied (from not going insane) by thinking mostly about her grandchildren.