Like I needed to be reminded!

An  email reminder came to me this afternoon. I bought flowers for Chris on a regular basis, and continue to do so. In fact, just yesterday I bought a large bouquet for the kitchen. She deserved something every day...

Mount Olivet History

This article was in the Frederick News Post last week. It is a story about Mount Olivet Cemetery where Chrissy is buried. I thought it was interesting history and something she would have liked...
Every morning, as the dawn's early light reaches the bronze statue of Francis Scott Key, Ronald Pearcey steps down from his porch and opens the iron gate to Frederick's 156 year-old Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Pearcey has lived and worked at the cemetery for nearly 43 years.
He oversees a great deal of American history, regularly meeting Civil War buffs, students and tourists, patiently answering questions about those enshrin ed. When he can find time, Pearcey still researches old diaries trying to identify the remains of hundreds of unknown Confederate soldiers brought from the battlefields of Gettysburg, Antietam, South Mountain and Monocacy.
The cemetery sits on 150 acres atop the city's highest pla-teau and holds the remains of more than 40,000 persons. But Mount Olivet also continues to function and serve area residents; in fact, two new mausoleums broke ground in April and 35 acres remain available for burials.
Not all the significant people, services or memorable events here are from the 19th century, either. There have been other historical footnotes, significant local stories, personal tragedies and even one recent small miracle born at Mount Olivet
"It keeps you pretty busy," said Pearcey, who started in 1966 after a lead from the county unemployment agency. He took over as superintendent in 1983 from Bob Kline, who himself worked at the cemetary for 48 years.
Pearcey isn't the only long-tenured employee. His staff of 18 includes office manager Austin Drury, who started in 1979. Jesse Shank, cemetery foreman since 1962, manages the actual grave-digging with Tyrone Hurley, who has been at the cemetery for 25 years. Hurley's sisters, Polly and Jeannie, have taken care of the flowers and shrubbery for more than two decades.
In a near-tragedy last month, Shank's son Jamie, who works on the grounds, severed his right arm in a wood-chipper accident. Incredibly, it was successfully re-attached and something close to a full recovery is expected.
"It's amazing," Pearcey said. "We did everything right and he had a great doctor. He's due back to work real soon. It's hard to believe anything good could come out of that, but I think something might if he shares his story."
In 1852, four downtown congregations, Evangelical Lutheran, All Saints Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal and the "English" Presbyterian Church raised $10,000 for the land then called "Barrack's Hill" -- because of the nearby Hessian barracks. A decade later, the bodies of 408 unknown Confederate soldiers were brought here from western Maryland and south central Pennsylvania. Other bodies, too, of men who died at the numerous Frederick hospitals.
Pearcey can recount their journey and how they came to Mount Olivet, as well as Francis Scott Key's saga. The lawyer, poet and author of The Star Spangled Banner was born in Frederick in 1779.
When Key, for example, died of pneumonia in 1843 at his daughter Elizabeth Howard's home in Baltimore, he was initially interred there in Old Saint Paul's Cemetery. In 1866, his body was relocated to Mount Olivet. In 1898, the huge monument where he and his wife lay was erected.
"He was born here and, supposedly, always had said he wanted to be buried in Frederick overlooking the mountains," Pearcey said.
Local patriot Barbara Fritchie is nearby. A friend of Key's, she was 96 when she famously waved a Union flag at Stonewall Jackson's Confederate troops in 1862, daring them to "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country's flag."
Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first governor, U.S. Supreme Court justice and delegate to the Continental Congress, and James Cooper, a Union general and senator from Pennsylvania, are buried at the cemetery, too.
On a different historical note, Mount Olivet was a strictly segregated "white only" cemetery until 1954, Pearcey said. "Written into the by-laws."
Pearcey explained that in the 1940s a white businessman and farm owner named R. Rush Lewis sued Mount Olivet, a community-owned non-profit, in order to have his children's beloved "colored" nanny, Bird Smith, buried at his family's site.
"People apparently had mixed-feelings about it at the time he brought the suit, but because it was in the bylaws it held up in court," Pearcey said. "She was buried on their farm."
Four decades later, in 1986, the farm was sold to a motel chain which asked if Mount Olivet could remove the casket.
Smith was brought to the cemetery and buried in a small service.
"Rush Lewis' daughter Elizabeth Peters was still alive and lived in a house downtown on Court Street," Pearcey said. "The day of the service, it was pouring rain and I called and asked her if she wanted to come. She was very elderly, 87 years old, but she said she wanted to. So, I went and picked her up and held a big umbrella over her the whole time.
"I think finally getting to see her buried where she was supposed to be buried brought her some peace."
The largest service that Pearcey could remember was in 1988 for a 16-year-old Brunswick High School baseball player named Richard Allen Maceron, who died of an illness. Pearcey believes it was leukemia.
"It was February and it was a sunny day, wasn't cold at all," he said. "Long after the service was over, people were coming, the procession backed up all the way to Brunswick. The truck stop across I-70 was filled with cars."
"I knew him from baseball, my son played baseball then and he was just a popular, well-liked kid," Pearcey said. "All the kids from the high school came, walking single-file by casket."
Pearcey's own sons, Jeremy and David, now 37 and 36, respectively, worked at the cemetery growing up, cutting the grass, trimming and weeding. Tragically, their mother, Kathy Pearcey, Ronald's first wife, died in 1995 from complications related to diabetes and rests at cemetery.
Shortly after Maceron's funeral, another baseball story began, albeit, a much happier one, directly across the street from Mount Olivet. The minor league Frederick Keys moved into the new Harry Grove Stadium.
Not coincendentally it turns out, the two dozen plots closest to the ballpark, space that had been sitting idle for years, sold immediately, Pearcey said. Longtime American Legion baseball coach Harold E. "Sonny" Blank, whose teams played on the previous field, is buried within a good throw of the ticket office. He even has a baseball diamond and batter on his tombstone -- designed by Pearcey.
"You know, they play the national anthem before every game and Francis Scott Key is buried less than a quarter mile from the stadium," Pearcey said. "And no other place can say that.
"The other thing, if you notice, is that his right hand on the top of the statute, which was built in 1898, points exactly to where the home plate sits. I think that's kind of interesting."

Ryan McPhee Golf Tournament

Last weekend before traveling to NC for vacation I was able to attend a very special charity golf event. My good friends Rich and Jill in Rochester, NY lost their son to leukemia 2 years ago on June 29th. Last year they held the inaugural golf outting to raise money for Camp Good Days which is a camp to help kids and families that are going through the struggles of cancer treatments.

Last year I was unable to attend this event because Chris was in the hospital at that time. I sponsored a hole then. This year I sponsored a hole and was able to attend the event. I played with my friend Rich and even though the weather was iffy at best they still managed to raise over $5,000 for the camp! My hole sponsor banner is the picture above.

After the event I flew back home to Baltimore and then drove to NC to be with the kids down in NC (more on that later)....

Basement nearing completion.

The basement is finally nearing completion. Tyler and I have worked really hard on the basement and it is now to the point where we need to put furniture in it! We just bought a sofa and loveseat with some accent tables today so that's done.

Next step is stools for the bar and a pub table. More pix to come once we get things hung on the wall!!!

We started this about 6 months ago. Tearing out everything in the basement. New bar, new lights, new tile, new carpet, new paint.... You get the idea. The TV and stereo cabinet are in and finally hung permanently. They're perfect.

Special announcement for Lyco Lax...

This email was received this past week by the Lycoming Women's Lacrosse Team. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Pink Out. It helped make this happen, but the girls did a whole bunch more as well.

Hi Kara - On behalf of the Awards Committee for the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), I would like to extend congratulations to you and your team for being selected as the 2008 Team Community Awareness Award Winner. There were many outstanding teams nominated for this award, so congratulations again on being selected.

The award will be presented to you at the Awards Banquet at the IWLCA Convention. A media release announcing the award will go out the week of the convention.

Again, Congrats!

Allison


Allison B. Valentino
Associate Head Lacrosse Coach
United States Naval Academy
151 Cooper Rd
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-293-5541
Fax: 410-293-5526
www.navysports.com

Still at the Beach

We're still here.... The boys and I are at least. Alex went home on Thursday to work on Fri/Sat. It's been fun, but deep down inside it hurts not having Chris here. Every seashell I see I think of her. I went for a walk yesterday down the same beach we were at the last time we were here. I made it half way....

More later....

Off to the beach...

Well I finally had a chance to meet Mr. Andy Buerger. This gentleman is the person responsible for creating the Climb for Hope program that raises fund for Dr. Emens research for a Stage IV vaccine to treat breast cancer patients.

He just came back from a very successful climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. He was an extraordinary man with a huge heart. He's been doing this for about 3 years now and the numbers in his group continues to climb.

He shared with me some personal data of which I will keep to myself, but in a nutshell the research that he raises money for is something that could benefit someone in his personal life as well. Best of luck to you and your loved ones Andy!

Tomorrow morning Alex and the boys are driving to the Outer Banks, NC for a week of vacation with our close friends across the street (Ray and Cheryl). I am flying to Rochester, NY to attend a special charity golf tournament in honor or Ryan McPhee. I'm coming back on Monday and then driving down on Monday to the beach. Should be a busy weekend. Once there a little R and R on the beach will be most welcome. Chris and I had been several times before with Ray and Cheryl to the beach to the same location. It will be hard not having her there with us but I'm sure she'll be watching over us.

While we were loading the car we came across a bucket of beach toys and in it were a bunch of shells that Chris had collected the last time that we were down there... that hurt a little.

Wash out...

Everything, and I mean everything was in place and ready for Sunday night's special event at the Keys stadium. Several hundred cancer survivors were pre-registered and they were expecting a big crowd. The newspaper did their job, radio did theirs, American Cancer Society was ready to go!!

It rained. Big time and would not stop. Disappointing, but as Dave the GM put it, "it gives them more time to promote it to an even bigger event".

The Breast Cancer Awareness night in honor of Chris will now be held on FRIDAY AUG. 15th at 7:00 pm. Friday's are traditionally big nights. THis one will be huge as Fireworks are already on the schedule.

Thanks to everyone who came out last night. I'm hoping to see more on the 15th...

Climb for Hope Makes it home!!!

This picture was sent to me by one of the climbers in the Climb for Hope group. I have never met Beth Dyer, but have had several correspondences with her before her climb. She bought one of the fundraiser t-shirts from the Lycoming Lacrosse team and took it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

The picture shows: front row (left-right) Molly O'Brien (PA at Annapolis Breast Cancer Center), Andy Buerger, Beth Dyer. In the back is Dr. Leisha Emens.
She is the wonderful physician that treated Chris with such dignity and respect while she was at Johns Hopkins.

The following text is from an email that Andy sent to me after Beth sent us both the picture. Andy is the creator and primary contact for the Climb for Hope program.

Thanks for sharing that picture. It's a great shot -- so glad you hauled that t-shirt all the way to Africa and then along our 65 mile journey to the 19,400 summit. It's a real tribute to Christine.

Charlie: As Beth pointed out, I took a minute before our mid-night departure to remind our climbers why we were there. Yes, we were there for our own reasons, but we were there for a greater reason as well --- to carry something with us -- a t-shirt or a memory of someone who couldn't make that climb. With that, I told the time I was climbing with Christine's memory in my heart. I was taking her memory to the top with them. (And every hour for 8 hours I thought about Christine and what good things are being done under her name.)

I told the 25 people in that tent that when it got dark and cold and we were tempted to turn back, ponder what challenges Christine went through and how important it was us to walk in her pain for a while. Besides we couldn't let down the hundreds of your supporters that were following us.

So, Charlie, every single person made it up to Africa's highest peak, miraculously. We fought debilitating blisters, stomach problems, dysentery, exhaustion, and terrible cold. I have to think that Chris gave us little tug every once in a while when we were struggling.

I'm proud to tell you that yes, we had 100% success, but I'm so much more proud to tell you that we carried Chris' memory (and thanks to Beth, her t-shirt) to the summit for you and your family. You were an inspiration to us all. Please also know, we raised over $200,000 to fight this terrible disease so other women won't have to go through what your courageous wife struggled with.

Christine DeWitt's name and memory will continue to be a blessing.

Alex Turns 20! (tomorrow)

Tomorrow is Alex's 20th birthday. She is working at COMSTAR this summer as a teller, something Chris started out as 25 years ago!

They treated here like a little princess as you can see.

Its a little quiet around here this week. Alex has been at work and the boys are BOTH away at lacrosse camp together. The peace and quiet is nice but I don't really like it...

Upcoming Keys event in the newspaper!

This article was run in the Frederick News Post today. Here is a link to the article online.

Keys, COMSTAR will host breast cancer event
Originally published July 05, 2008

By Gina Gallucci-White
News-Post Staff

Christine DeWitt could read an entire book in two to three days. She
loved to plant flowers in her garden and attend her three children's
lacrosse games.
These and many more memories bring a smile to her husband Charles DeWitt's face.
Christine DeWitt died Sept. 11, 2007, after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
"We are coping," Charles DeWitt said. "We are doing well."
To celebrate her life and the lives of others touched by the disease, the
Frederick Keys and COMSTAR Federal Credit Union will host the Inaugural
Christine DeWitt Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Night on July 13 at
Harry Grove Stadium.
DeWitt worked for COMSTAR for more than 20 years and regularly did marketing business with the Keys.
"We wanted to do something to raise awareness, and honor her memory and her
family," said Keri Scrivani, Keys assistant general manager of
marketing.

After registering with the American Cancer Society of
Frederick County, survivors will receive two free tickets to the July
13 game, a T-shirt, tote bag and access to a survivor recognition
ceremony in the Keys courtyard.
The ACS and Frederick Memorial Hospital will pass out informational materials.
While the event is for breast cancer awareness, all cancer survivors are
welcome, said Laurie Frey, ACS Frederick County community manager.
The event is a good way for cancer survivors to come together with people who understand what they have gone through, she said.
"It's going to be a fun time," Frey said. "I'm very excited about this."
A silent auction will include commemorative pink bats, bases and hats.
All proceeds will go into a trust fund for DeWitt's children. The Keys
will match the funds raised by the auction.
With donations to the ACS, luminaria will be placed on the field after the game to create a
"Field of Memories," with each light representing a life.
"It's a very touching ceremony," Frey said.
Charles DeWitt and the couple's three children will be at the event. He said he
has been overwhelmed by the support shown to his family.
"It's very humbling," he said. "She would be very honored."

Mexican Vacation Update

This was a vacation that we were all looking forward to for the last several months, I on the other hand was looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. A very bittersweet trip for sure. The only reason that I agreed to go was because we were going with a group of friends. There was 6 families and 23 total people going. There should have been 25 however, but 2 people were missing, Chris and our good friend Ryan. Ryan passed away 2 years ago from leukemia. His parents came all the way down from Rochester, NY to fly with us as a group. Our friend Danny put everything together for everyone and did a great job coordinating everything for us.

We left Thursday evening and stayed at a hotel near Dulles airport (near DC). We were able to leave the cars at the hotel and caught a shuttle to the airport for our 9Am flight on Friday. We landed around 12:30 in Cancun and by 2PM we were at our resort in Playa Del Carmen. It is about 45 minutes south of Cancun. Our resort was an all-inclusive and right on the ocean. It was directly across from the island of Cozumel and at night you could see the lights on the island many miles away. During the day you could see the cruise ships docked for the day.

The trip was sort of a "spring break" type trip. There were older kids (18 - 21) who would go out to some clubs in downtown with the resort staff. Alex was one of them. They had a great time and were able to look out for one another while away from the resort. Tyler was part of a younger highschool group. They were able to go to a resort across the street where there was a nightclub that allowed young teens to attend. They went there a few times and spent some late nights out "clubbing" for their 1st time. Michael was one of those kids where was too young to hang with the older kids. It's too bad but he and I buddied up and made the best of the week. It was not a problem at all and we both had a pretty good time.

On Monday we all boarded a couple of buses and went to a natural theme park called Xel-Ha. This was a wonderful area where water comes in from the ocean and flows into a beautiful lagoon/lake are. There are paths all around the water area with rope swings, cliff diving, tubing, and most importantly snorkeling! Michael and I spent 4 hours in the water snorkeling around the lagoon. We saw thousands of fish and some of them were pretty large, 3 to 4 feet! Tyler thought he'd be smart and try to touch one while it was feeding on something. Needless to say the cut on his finger proved to him that they have teeth and they are "sharp".

The rest of the week we spent at the beach and at the pool soaking up some much needed rest and relaxation. Each day we utilized the swim up bar and the all you can eat (and we did) buffet. The food was spectacular and we found ourselves making our own fish tacos with all the fixings from the buffet. Each day our room was made up and the maid would leave an animal on our bed made out of one of the towels along with real flowers. They were really cool and always fun to look at when we came back from a long day at the beach.

The trip home was uneventful. We got home late Thursday and found that Ramsey (our cat) was missing. He left the day before while our neighbor was watching the house. We got a call on Friday evening from someone who got our number from his collar. He's home now and will be staying in the house for awhile.

The weather was just perfect for a vacation. Hot and humid but no rain at all until the night before we left. Also the day we left it started pouring down rain about 1/2 hour before we boarded the bus to the airport. We felt a little bad for the poor people who were still there, wondering what the heck we would do if we were there and it was raining. We were busy every day with swimming, eating and relaxing!

I could not have done this vacation without the support from my many friends who were there with me. Chris and I were trying for 3 years to go to Mexico and we were never able to get away because of treatments. In hindsight we should have just gone, but we didn't. the kids had a good time and I did as well, but there was never a minute that I did not have her on my mind. Seeing families and couples walking on the resort brought a constant reminder to me that our wife/mom was no longer with us in body. She still is there in mind and soul. There were a couple of moments during the week that I thought that I wouldn't be able to make it. Again, it was my group of friends that helped me through it. One day at a time... even in Mexico.

Golf a year ago!

Last year Chris attended her first and only golf outting. It was an outting put on by the local radio station which she did a great deal of business with through COMSTAR. I was lucky enough to be able to play in that outting and seeing her ride around in a cart is a memory that I will never forget.

Chris and her "cart partner" Linda from the radio station had a great time.  Linda and Chris were business associates, but more importantly were friends as well. Linda sent me this picture a while ago but now that golf season is in full swing (not for me) I thought I would get it posted for everyone to see and remember. It's been over a year since I've even considered picking up my clubs to play. Hopefully Tyler and I can get out soon. I bought him a new set of irons for getting all A's on his final report card.

We're back...

Made it back from vacation late Thursday evening. Pictures are posted here. I will write more soon. Off to a pig roast...

Headed for vacation...

Tonight we leave for vacation. We are headed to Mexico with 5 other families. 23 in total.
We are headed to an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, south of Cancun.

Google Map

Resort Link

I'll be away for a little while so please be patient with me. I'll fill you in when I get back...

Frederick Keys Honor Chris

The Frederick Keys, minor league team to the Orioles, in conjunction with COMSTAR are having a very special evening to honor Chris and other women affected by breast cancer. the date is July 13th at 6PM. This flyer has most of the details. The local radio stations will be running some advertisements and the Frederick News Post is planning an article about Chris and the event sometime in early July. Click on the flyer to see a more readable version.

The Keys have been and continue to be a big part of our lives. The boys and I went last week to watch a game on a very pleasant evening. Tyler was able to get a bat that was used in the game by the up and coming Matt Wieters. He is just a phenomenal player and was given a $6 Million signing bonus by the Orioles last year. Matt broke the bat during the game and Ty used his charm to get it from the dugout. He basically asked nicely. He then went to the clubhouse where Matt was signing autographs and was able to get the bat signed as well! He has it hanging in the basement on a bat rack that he made in school.

Letter from NIH FCU

I received a letter from NIH Federal Credit Union yesterday. They were the credit union that received the inaugural Christine DeWitt Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing. Click on the image to see a larger version.

3 years ago....

This week is the annual MD/DC Credit Union League Convention. 3 years ago Chris attended and was honored with the very prestigious Judith A. Burgin Memorial Credit Union Professional of the Year Award.

I thought that it would be a good time ro post the information for those who did not see the article in the Frederick News Post.

Read about the award directly from the newspaper by clicking here.


Award winner excels while battling illness
Originally published October 04, 2005

By Gina Gallucci
News-Post Staff
CLARKSBURG -- Christine DeWitt had attended the Maryland Credit Union League's annual conference every year since she began working for the company 22 years ago.

This year, Ms. DeWitt, who is the vice president of operations for COMSTAR Federal Credit Union in Clarksburg, had decided not to attend. She had been diagnosed in September 2004 with breast cancer and was not sure if she wanted to make the trip to Ocean City for the conference in late June.

Her CEO, Lisa Whitaker, encouraged her to attend because she had nominated her for an award.

"She said, 'I think you need to go because you have won an award'," said Ms. DeWitt, who was honored with the 2005 Judith A. Burgin Memorial Credit Union Professional of the Year Award.

"It was very emotional and very gratifying," said Ms. DeWitt. It was an honor to be nominated by the CEO and given the award in front of colleagues.

The contenders were judged on their ability to achieve effective and efficient results in the areas of management and supervision; ability to motivate staff and volunteers and instill in credit union personnel a spirit of teamwork and cooperation; participation in credit union activities at the local, chapter, league and national levels; and professional training and educational achievements.

The award was created to honor, Judith A. Burgin, who was responsible for directing and managing the operations of all Tower Federal Credit Union branches. Ms. Burgin began her career at Tower in 1969 and worked until her death in 1983.

Ms. DeWitt was able to do her job while going through a 12-week round of chemotherapy.

"A lot has to do with technology," said Ms. DeWitt. "Fortunately, the credit union set up a computer at (her) home so I could check my e-mail. I also checked my voice mail. A number of the managers are independent and got the job done and kept everything running. ...I have not missed much work. I come into work as much as I can. Keeping a normal schedule has helped."

To boost her spirits during chemotherapy, co-workers took up a collection and hired a cleaning person to tidy up her house once a week and a chef to prepare meals for her and her family.

"It was a huge help," said Ms. DeWitt. "I did not have many side effects (due to treatment), but there were a lot of things I couldn't do."

Currently, Ms. DeWitt is undergoing radiation treatments and going in for regular check-ups.

"Its an ongoing process," said Ms. DeWitt. "I play it by ear. One test to another."

Ms. DeWitt lives in Frederick with her husband Charles and three children.

It is HOT!

N'uff said.

Pictures from Award Ceremony

A tribute from the MD/DC Credit Union League

The MD/DC Credit Union League is an organization that supports the several hundred credit unions in the MD and DC region. They hold an annual convention each year in Ocean City. I've been to many of them with Chris and her COMSTAR family.

In 2005 Chris was awarded the Judith A. Burgin Professional of the Year Award. A very prestigious award that she was so deserving of and nominated for by her CEO Lisa. At that convention they would also hold a special awards breakfast for just the marketing awards. There are quite a few categories and each category is broken up by credit union size. That way tiny one's aren't competing with the huge ones. Each year Chris would represent COMSTAR and would win anywhere from 4 to 8 individual awards. Of all the jobs that she had she really enjoyed the marketing the most and it showed.

The 2008 convention is coming up but now the marketing awards are done at a separate luncheon in order that more people can attend. Wednesday I attended this year's luncheon with Alex, Lisa (COMSTAR) and Chris's Mom and Dad. At that luncheon the awards were given out as usual but this year the audience was in for a surprise. A new award has been created by the League and they have named the award in Chris's memory. The award is called

The Christine DeWitt Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing, Best of Show

I was told about this a few weeks back and was very much looking forward to being there to present the award for the 1st time. After arriving MikeBeall (CEO of the League) let me know that he was going to ask me to say a few words. Never a problem for me. After hearing Chris's name and all of her accomplishments, we were introduced. I will have to admit that addressing the audience of Chris's peers was the most difficult thing that I have ever had to do. I was very choked up, but was able to say a few words.

I am so grateful to everyone involved in this award. This is the most thoughtful thing that could have been done to honor Chris. Her name will be on that award for every year from this year on. One day the winner will say "Who is Chris DeWitt"? Once they look it up they'll be just as amazed then as the current winners are now.

Excerpts of the Speech delivered by Michael Beall, CEO, Maryland & District of Columbia Credit Union Association, at the Trailblazer Awards luncheon, Wednesday, June 28, 2008.

“Because this award recognizes significant achievement, it deserves a name
that also represents success and recognizes results. In that spirit, one individual’s name was suggested and it was agreed upon immediately.

The individual whose name will become synonymous with the “Best of Show” special award is … Christine DeWitt.

Many of you had the pleasure of knowing and working with our deceased friend and colleague, Christine DeWitt. Christine was the vice President of Operations of COMSTAR FCU before her untimely passing. I’d like to give you a brief biography of this special person.

Chris settled into her first career job as a credit union teller She progressed to positions of increasing responsibility while raising three children. The last position Chris held was Vice President of Operations of COMSTAR Federal Credit Union. Some of Chris’ accomplishments included: leading her credit union’s operational efforts through two credit union mergers; directing aggressive branch expansion from 2 branches to 7 branches, and more than 10 ATM machines; serving on a number of Board Committees including Asset Liability Management; winning the 2004 CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council’s Diamond Award of Merit for radio advertising, a 2005 award for COMSTAR’s “Rooted in Service” campaign and MDDCCUA’s 2005 Judith A. Burgin Professional of the Year Award.

In July 2004, Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy – while only missing less than 7 days of work. When Chris was too ill to travel to the office, she worked via e-mail and phone – all part of her typical work ethic and commitment to the credit union. Sadly, Chris succumbed to breast cancer and passed away on September 11, 2007.

Chris’ dedication and commitment to excellence exemplifies the qualities of the best. So it is only fitting that the new “Best of Show” award be honored with the name of Christine DeWitt.

The MDDCCUA’s special award will be called the Christine DeWitt Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing, Best of Show.

And, now, I would like to introduce some of Chris’ family members who have joined the celebration today - Chris’ husband, Charlie DeWitt; her daughter, Alex DeWitt; and her parents, John and Pat Barr. I’d also like to welcome Lisa Whitaker, President/ CEO of COMSTAR FCU. Please join me in a round of applause to celebrate this special recognition of Christine DeWitt.

(It’s at this point that Charlie says a few words…)

And now with great pleasure, I would like to announce that the winner of the first Christine DeWitt Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing, Best of Show is . . . NIH Federal Credit Union.”

MD/DC Credit Union League

This posting came from the President of the MD/DC Credit Union League. I attended a special function there on Wednesday. Sorry... more to come on that soon!!!!


Mike’s Minute
by Michael V. Beall, CEO (Click hyperlink for Mike's bio)

Life and the Governmental Affairs Conference

Tributes to Don Beall and Chris DeWitt

CUNA held its annual Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) last week, and for the first time in decades it was NOT held at the Washington Hilton. Everything changes, and the conference made the move to the bigger, brighter DC convention center. It was fantastic, yet I found myself a little bit reflective of times past at the Hilton, and was taken back a bit into my own family memories of the old venue.

GAC was time that I got to come to several years’ worth of events with my Dad, Don Beall. Many of you knew my father and his work at NASA FCU until his death on June 4, 1991. 17 years ago – it hardly seems possible. He always made a big deal about the GAC and my reaction to it changed over the years.

As a younger boy, I found the trips to the Capitol and offices of members of Congress to be exciting. It whetted my first appetite for politics and the law. I always wanted to be a lawyer growing up, and these early trips to Congress focused me on this aspiration. As a teenager I rolled my eyes at my Dad’s enthusiasm for the battles of credit unions such as obtaining the ability to offer checking accounts. Later, in 1991, I had lunch with him at the Hilton the February before he died to deliver resumes that he could pass out to friends and colleagues – he wanted to be sure I GOT a job, and that it was in credit unions.

So, this year as I led a delegation of British CU representatives around GAC as part of our partnership, I listened as they talked about fighting the same CU fight to be able to offer checking accounts. The more things change the more they stay the same. And I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to have had my Dad meet me for lunch at the GAC as a retiree and provide advice on all the latest legislative maneuvers to be contemplated for our CURIA bill.

On my return back to the office I received an e-mail from Charlie DeWitt, the husband of Chris DeWitt, formerly VP of Operations for COMSTAR FCU. Christine passed away after a fight against breast cancer on September 11, 2007. Charlie was providing me a link to the blog about Christine’s battle with cancer that has also turned into a blog on life after her passing.

Check out the blog at http://chris-dewitt-updates.blogspot.com/

I didn’t know Chris well. I actually came to know her when she was nominated for and won MDDCCUA’s Professional of the Year in 2005. She was a very determined lady in her fight, and well loved by her family and credit union friends. And, as often happens, I made the connection between what Charlie and his family are going through in their first year of loss. For me, its been lots of years since losing my Dad, but I still miss him, and still wish that he could be here to see where credit unions are fighting the good fight on lots of issues.

Seeing her pictures on the blogspot reminded me of the moment we were together onstage as she received her award. She was so very proud that day.

Each one of us has loved ones and friends in this credit union movement that have passed away. Today, take a minute and remember someone at your credit union that is no longer with us, and help the next member with the enthusiasm of the person you miss. I will be using that passion for our next MDDCCUA meetings with Senators Cardin and Mikulski to get them on the new Senate version of CURIA. I know my Dad would have been fighting away for the legislation if he were here.

Mike

Visit from a friend

This past weekend my good friend Rich from Rochester, NY came down for the long weekend to spend with me. He gave up time with his own family to spend it with me and my family.

He came down on Friday and we went to a Frederick Keys game. Saturday was a trip into Frederick and since he is somewhat of a civil war buff we visited the Monocacy Battlefield in Frederick. Good history there. That's the battle that prevenented the Confederates from attacking Washington, DC. Later Saturday our friends Danny and Brenda came out and we all went out to dinner at La Paz. This was one of Chris's favorite restaurants.

Sunday I took Rich and the kids out to historic Harper's Ferry, WV. Another very important place during the civil war. The aerial view above is from a very high cliff over looking the area. We are going up there next time!!! Here's some pictures of the day there. The weather was spectacular and we had a relaxing lunch overlooking the town.

Later that night Tyler made a bonfire in the backyard in his firepit under the trees. Rich and I just sat and chatted until late in the evening.

Monday, we took Rich to the airport and then went over to D&B's to sit around the pool and enjoy the rest of the beautiful weather.

This was probably one of the better weekends that I've personally had in awhile. Friends and relaxation were a big part of it.

Thanks Rich!

Today I'm off to a special event that I'll update tomorrow. Hint... It has to do with Chris.

Alex makes the conference honor roll.

Alex received notification today that she was placed on the MAC Conference's Academic Honor Roll! She was very excited! This is obviously in addition to making the honor roll at her college as well.


ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation spring Academic Honor Roll, which notes academic excellence by student-athletes, contains 270 honorees as announced by Executive Director Ken Andrews.

The Honor Roll comprises those student-athletes of sophomore class standing or higher who participated in a varsity-level sport and registered a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 (4.00 scale) or higher and completed the playing
season in good standing...

Click HERE to read the whole story. Alex's name is down on page 3 with Women's Lacrosse.

Confirmation and Camp Jamie

The above picture was taken at the Chocolate Gala for the Wig Closet that we attended a couple weeks ago. It was taken by a profession photographer and it came out very well.

This was a very busy weekend. It started with Michael leaving for a special bereavement camp on Friday night. It’s offered through the Hospice and he was one of only about 25 or so children are selected. It is called Camp Jamie and has been in place for quite a few years. He was gone all weekend and I picked him up around 1 pm on Sunday. He was paired up with a "big buddy" who essentially was with him the whole weekend. I'll be having a followup conversation with his buddy some time this week. Michael came home with a lot of nice things, blanket, flower pot etc. and he indicated that he had a good time.

Friday night was Tyler's confirmation at St. John's. He started confirmation late last summer and Chris helped get him started. Our good friend Marianne had her baby on Monday so she could not continue to be his sponsor. Alex stood in for her and all was good. A bishop from Baltimore was there. Tyler was actually chosen to do one of the readings as well. It was nice.

Saturday was the annual community yard sale. Chris always took care of this. We had some things to get rid of and Tyler and I took care of it all as Mike was away and Alex was at work. We did sell our old furniture from the basement so that was a relief.

Sometimes I actually look forward to Mondays after such a busy weekend. Today was one of them!

Lycoming Memorial Brick

The memorial brick that was purchased by the Lycoming Women's Lacrosse team is now installed on the steps of of the entrance to the quad. Since 1939 when the gate was installed, it is unlocked only 1 time a year and that is for graduation.

Chris's brick is installed on the 2nd step and will be there forever.

New arrival to the world...

It is with great pleasure that I would like the announce the wonderful arrival of Nicholas Cameron Kreiner. He arrived in this world on Monday May 12'th at 4:30 AM. He weighs just under 7 lbs and is 20.5 inches long. Full head of hair too!

Proud parents are Andrew and Marianne Kreiner. Marianne worked for Chris at COMSTAR and has become a close frieind of mine.

Marianne told me that she was pregnant back in September when Chris was in the hospital, right before she passed away. I told Chris about her in the hospital and she was so very excited, even with all the drugs you could tell she was so pleased.

After Chris came home on September 10, Marianne came to our house that evening and when Chris saw her for the 1st time in a few weeks she called out "I know, I know... " I will forever remember that moment.

Welcome to the world Nick! Uncle Charlie can't wait to hold you!
http://babykreiner.blogspot.com/

Mother's Day

For the last several weeks every day we would open the newspaper, hear on the radio, or see on TV something about Mother's Day. We all knew that it was coming and we all knew that it was going to be a very, very difficult day.

Well our expectations were spot on. I woke up early, of course, and got up. Every year we would always make breakfast in bed for Chris and sit around with her while she ate. The kids would run upstairs with presents in hand and give them to her. Always, she would be thrilled with the present no matter what it was. Not just to make the kids happy, but because she truly loved an appreciated each and every thing that she ever received.

We all got ourselves together and went to the 11am mass. Sitting in front of us was a woman and her husband and 3 very fidgety kids around the ages of 1,2 and maybe 3. They we very cute and really made the mass go by quickly even though it ran over. The mother apologized several times for the distractions, which all of us immediately assured her that it was perfectly fine! We didn't mind at all. During church the priest said a special blessing for all the mothers in attendance and they were all asked to stand up. It really sheds a different perspective on your life when something you truly love and cherish is no longer there for you.

After mass we walked over and had brunch at Beans and Bagels. Rich was there and we chatted for awhile. We then finished our food and headed to the car. In the car were all the supplies that we had gathered the day before for our Mother's Day present for Chrissy this year.

We drove to the cemetery and began to unload the car. We had mulch, topsoil, tools, and lots of flowers! We are allowed to have a 1 foot perimeter around the base of the headstone in which to plant flowers, which is what we did for Chris today.

Alex had not been to the cemetery in awhile and when she saw the marker she began to cry. The boys had been there before and were doing okay, but just being there on a day that is meant to be joyous and wonderful was a bit overwhelming.

We were there for about an hour and of course while we were there digging and planting it began to rain. Tears from above as I saw it. As you can see from the photos the area looks very nice and I'm sure that Chrissy would really have liked it.

We got home around 3 or so and each of us spent the next 5 hours in somewhat seclusion. Michael in the basement, Alex and Ty upstairs in their rooms and I in the family room. It rained the rest of the day and continues to do so now as I type. This day really took it's toll on my family. We've been busy with sports, work and school recently and it took a day like this to really remind us of what has happened to us.

I cannot tell you how hard it was for me to see my children at the grave site of their mother on mother's day. That's not something that ANY child should EVER have to endure. BUT we all know that my family is not alone and that being there to honor their mother on this day shows how strong my children have become in the past few years. They have endured a lifetime of pain and suffering in so little time.

Tomorrow is another day and Mother's Day will be behind us. We will begin to prepare for the next day and continue on from there.

To all those mothers and soon-to-be mothers (M!) we wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day!!!

Ty's Injury

Last Saturday Tyler injured his thumb in his lacrosse game. After 5 days of complaining about it and playing in 1 other game during the week I finally made an appointment for him to see the Dr. Turns out his thumb was broken. We spent the better part of the day getting x-rays, consults, and finally a visit to the orthapedic. He ended up getting a cast put on it for 4 weeks. Poor little guy! He missed his lacrosse game on Friday night and will miss the final game, yes final, on Monday. The seasons are pretty much over now. Only Michael has games until early June then he is done too.

Today is Sunday and this year the annual Frederick Marathon changed their route and the course takes all the runners through our community. In fact they run right by the entrance to our street! We all got up early this morning and went down to the end of the street and set up camp to watch the runners go by. It was really great seeing how determined everyone was.

A guy in a van came up and gave us a box of orange slices, poptarts, and pretzel sticks to hand out. That was fun to be able to stand there and help out. Next year we may do the same thing ourselves. Not run, hand out things!

This weekend is the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. It is the 1st time in 4 years that I have not attended. It's rather bitter sweet as you may imagine but I know several people that are walking this year, my neighbor being one of them. Chris will be remembered for sure, but I couldn't get myself to go down there. It was always hard just being there with Chris, I can't imagine being there w/o her.

Instead, all the kids and I are attending a Tea and Desert fund raiser this afternoon. We bought tickets in which all the monies are going to the Wig Closet at the FMH Cancer Center in Frederick. This is where cancer patients can go and get loaner wigs and hats during chemo treatments. Chris was a recipient of several hats and the group is just wonderful. She never wore a wig or even considered it for that matter. She was a baseball cap wearer. Every day she wore a different one. And had many that matched outfits she wore for work. I still have them all.

That's it for now. Alex is home and we're together once again...

Alex coming home!

Yesterday Alex's lacrosse team lost in the semi-finals (again) to FDU-Florham. It was the 3rd year in a row they lost by a very close score in the semi-finals.

She is coming home now as I type. It will certainly be a relief to have her home for awhile. The boys are excited to have her home as well.


Here's the writeup from the FDU site:

MADISON, NJ – The top-seeded College at Florham Devils used four goals apiece from senior midfielder Lindsey Specht (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) and junior midfielder Erin Reilly (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) to knock off fourth-seeded Lycoming, 15-13, in the MAC Tournament Semifinals.

With the win, the Devils improved to 15-2 while the Warriors dropped to 9-8. The Devils will advance to the MAC Tournament finals on Saturday afternoon against second-seeded Elizabethtown, a 15-9 winner over third-seeded Messiah.

The Devils scored five of the first seven goals of the game to grab a 5-2 lead with 16:34 left in the first half. Specht scored three goals for FDU. With the score 6-3 in favor of FDU, Lycoming scored four of the last five goals of the half to tie the game up at 7-7 heading into the intermission.

FDU started strong in the second half, ripping off three straight goals to grab a 10-7 lead. The teams then traded two goals apiece with the Devils holding a 12-9 lead with 15:25 left in the game. The Warriors then scored three of the next four goals to cut it to 13-12 with 8:13 to go. That’s when Reilly stepped up for FDU, scoring to put the Devils ahead by a score of 14-12 and assisting on a goal by junior attack Amanda Wayne (Bellport, NY/Bellport) that gave the Devils a 15-13 lead with 1:02 remaining. The Warriors had the ball with under a minute and a chance to cut the FDU lead to a goal but great defense by the Devils allowed them to secure the win.

Wayne finished with three goals while sophomore attack Linda Bohn (Vernon, NJ/Vernon Twp.) had two goals and an assist.

The Devils return to action on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at home against Elizabethtown in the MAC Tournament Finals beginning at 1 pm.