March 14, 2013-Tidbits And A Tragedy In The Area.

Here it is, March 14th and it's been another month since I've written anything. I get tired of writing sometimes. Not much new to report, as far as family is concerned. It's been a quiet month.
My tumor is getting larger and now and then I feel some pain in my lower right side. Other than that, I'm doing about the same. at least I can still eat anything, so my digestive tract is working okay.
I do have one good bit of news. The twin to my fawn, Milly, has come back, after being gone for four months. I thought she had gotten killed that last day of hunting season, because I never saw her after that. She looks good and has the same pretty face as her sister, Tilly. She is not with her mom. I do think maybe her mom did get shot ans maybe she ran scared and joined another group of deer. She's with strangers that I have never seen before. My regular group, that Tilly hangs with, is not that friendly with them. They chase them away. So I don't see Milly much. Just glad to know she's still alive and well. Here's a picture of Milly and Tilly. Milly still has the same burdock thistle stuck to her tail. poor thing. No one ever took it off for her. Tilly's tail is nice and clean and fluffy. I hope to see her again to get a better facial view.

Alysha's baby, Benny, is growing so fast. he is so adorable. I'm adding some newer photos of him also. Spencer, the dog, watches over Benny all the time.

Jimmy still hasn't rented his apartment in Ilion. I hope he does soon. I keep advertising it for him but he doesn't get any calls. maybe when the snow goes away.

Gavin and his wife have split up. I didn't know. He said a month ago. So he's living out near Syracuse and it's closer to his work. That's all I know.

Now to the sad news that has happened here in the valley. Yesterday morning, the 13th, a guy from Mohawk set his apartment on fire, then drove down the street to a barber shop here in Mohawk. walked in and asked the owner, John Seymour, if he remembered him. John said, "yes, I remember you. Good morning Kurt." Then this guy, Kurt Meyer, proceeded to pull out a shotgun and shot John and three other customers. Two of them died. John and another guy, who I went to school with, were rushed to the hospital. John is going to be okay. He had bullet wounds to his hip and wrist and had surgery. The other guy, Dan Haslauer is in critical condition. The two that died were Harry Montgomery, 68, and Michael Ransear.
This Kurt Meyer left the barber shop, got in his vehicle and drove a mile and a half into Herkimer, the next town over, and stopped at Gaffey's Fast Lube. Got out and went in there and shot and killed two more men. Mike Renshaw and Thomas Stefka. Mike was my daughter's old boyfriend and a fun guy. I only have one picture of him with my daughter when they were at my bar in 1994. I'll add that here. Mike was a 23 year Veteran of the State Correctional Office and worked at Marcy State.

He also grew up a couple houses away from my younger sister, Pam, over in Herkimer. They are all good friends. So Pam called me yesterday because she was so sad about it. Then Nina sent me a message also. She was shocked.
After the guy shot the two men at Gaffey's, he proceeded to drive up Main Street in Herkimer, parking his car behind the old General Herkimer Hotel, and went inside that great big old abandoned building. That's where he was all day yesterday, the 13th and all night. At one time yesterday, around 2 pm, he did shoot out of the window at the officers.
The officers waited till this morning and then went in, sending their K-9 dog in first. The guy shot and killed the dog and the officers killed Kurt Meyer. It's over. No one seems to know why he would do such a thing. He was a loner and kept to himself and hardly ever talked. He lived in the apartment behind my cousin, Angie, for a few years, till she moved. he had been there since 2005. Angie said he was always a little strange, in the fact he never talked. He walked a lot at night an did go in a few bars around the area. But he was quiet in the bars also. They never even knew his name. No relatives of his have come forward yet. But guess he hasn't had any contact with them in years either.
The Herkimer schools were all closed today. They were all on lockdown yesterday, in Mohawk and Herkimer. Scary for the young ones.
I feel bad for all the families involved. It will be a very long time before they can start healing.
Mike was due to get married next month and has a young son from a previous marriage. So sad.
So that is what I have to report for this month. Don't expect me back too often.
Take care everyone.
Wanted to add this one last photo.