Merry Christmas from Mark and Paula Persons in 2014

Glad to report that we are alive and well. We attended the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas in April. Mark spoke at two different engineering sessions and was well received. He also received the "People's Choice" award in a photo contest held by professional and amateur photographers in Brainerd. One image is of a ship leaving from under the Aerial Bridge in Duluth on a cold December morning. Fog was closing in around the ship as it was leaving so it is called, Venturing out. Another is Turtle in the Mist. It was taken at the Como Park Conservatory in Minneapolis. Finally, there was a photo from under the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, just past sunset. See more images on http://gilbertlodge.com. The Lake Country Journal magazine used a photo, taken by Mark, for their front cover this Fall. Photography has its challenges and rewards.

We did some traveling this year to a Civil War re-enactment at Pipestone, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln were especially good in that venue. We enjoyed Grand Marais on the north shore of Lake Superior for a few days, a trip we’ve wanted to do for years.

Paula is still crazy about diving. She carved Halloween pumpkins underwater this year at two different dive events and took first place at one. She is still active in the local Rotary Club and is enjoying the native flowers that are finally growing in the yard (after ten long years).

We still have Josie our cat of 13 years. Almost lost her this Fall when she was attacked. She came in with injuries requiring more than 28 stitches. We think it might have been a raccoon. There went one of her nine lives. She is fine now. Mark now calls her Stitches.

Mark is 67 and is slowing down a bit. We let go of some work related duties in favor of more free time. He still repairs radio broadcast equipment that is sent to us from all over the country, but we are really enjoying more free time and playing more. No more 100 hour work weeks. He is enjoying repair projects around the house and we are planning to do a little traveling, something we never felt we could do before.

We look forward to hearing from all of you and getting caught up in the activities in your lives.  

May the upcoming year bring you happiness, good health and many blessings. 

Mark and Paula Persons

Questions, Comments?