Butler Reunion 2012

Nice time had by all.  Thanks for attending and if you didn't make it this year we hope to see next year.  Here are a few memories from this year for all to enjoy.

2012 Emma Traynor

Thanks to all who thought of Gram over the holidays and her birthday. I don't always get thank you notes out as time is so short these days. As you can see she is still pretty good but short term memory is gone so it is hard. It is so nice that her great great grandchildren get the chance to be part of her life.

Butler Reunion 2011

Great time had by all. I know many don't use the blog but for those that do here are pictures of a nice day I want share.

January 2, 2011 - We will celebrate Emma Traynor's 100th b'day with an open house at my place which is next to where Gram lives. 626 Davidson Street. Time is noon to 2 pm. Stop by and wish her well. Pass it along to all you know. We tried to send out some invitations but it is kind of hard to get on to all so word of mouth please pass along. Hope to see you call if any questions.

Nana having fun

I guess you can have fun with someone 90 plus years older than you. My grand kids came in for visit with Nana. I managed to capture the moment as they enjoyed having some fun. Nana is pretty good at this time. She now has full time care with someone watching over her while I work. She has good moments and not so good moments. I think she enjoys being in her own house as any of us would. She enjoys contact and cards but only replies in her own mind or when I get a chance which is not too often. We hope to see you at the Reunion.

Nana May Come Home

On Wednesday May 5th Nana is coming home. Nothing will be the same as she will need care but we hope for the best as we know that is where she wants to be. So we are in the process of getting help and making arrangements. Her hip is healed and mobility improves on her good days. She remembers some things but who could remember 99 years of information!!! Say a prayer that all her love and support allows her to still do the things she wants to do.

Emma Traynor Broke Her Hip

Gram has had a little set back but is coming around. She broke her hip on Tuesday and was operated on Wednesday. She still has her wit at times taking a few years off of her age or flirting with the guys. The Doctor doing the operation dropped his jaw when he explained the risks that included death and she responded that oh well I only have to do that once. The PT guy came in and she commented on his muscles. I could go on but I will let her tell the stories when she is well. I just thought I would let you know. She is in room 236 at Samaritan Hospital for at least a week and then it is day by day where we go after evaluations. Please keep her in your prayers.

Emma May Butler Traynor turns 99

Ninety-nine and still in the party line!!! We were blessed to be able to celebrate Nana's 99Th birthday today with a family brunch up on the second floor of her castle. Jeremyah, one of her great-great grandsons gave a birthday kiss to someone 33 times his age!!! I guess age really doesn't matter. She had a good day and enjoyed it very much. To those who sent cards, flowers or came by to celebrate I can tell you she may expect it being a Butler but she also appreciates it!!! Happy Birthday Nana!

A few photos I found in a file. Click on photo to enlarge. See below last photo for labels.

It's St. Croix for another term!

"Democrat incumbent James St. Croix has been determined the winner of Jefferson County Board of Legislators District 15 by eight votes. The final vote count was 564-556 in favor of St. Croix."
It's a good thing he created a BIG family. Are we sure some of those ubiquitous little St. Croix' offspring didn't sneak into the voting booth?
Congratulations Jim! Now when will I get that new waterline extended down to my cottage?

Searching of a head stone for the Butler plot

Dad has been searching for a stone for Frank and Jenny Butler. He came up with this one that may be affordable. He says it will be around $1300. He would like some feedback as he can save some money by getting it in the next couple of weeks. Please offer him some feedback!!!!

Butler Reunion 2009

I feel like I have been attending the Butler Reunion for almost all my life. I guess there is no perfect attendance award because all that attended the Reunion this Sunday are living proof life goes on well after the first Butler reunion was organized so other than Jackie no one else could have made them all!!!! I am guessing the reason the reunion was started was to share part of one day out of 365 with relatives you don't see that often and even if you are thinking "thank goodness" it is part of history that you make each time you attend. Today a few stories came out which I never heard before and some good laughs as well. Who knew Phyllis has a piece of a 1920 something fruit cake from her mother's wedding cake??? She said her mother asked her to see how long you can pass it along. I guess as a third generation Butler descendant that is how I feel about the reunion and I would like to believe that I would continue to make the reunion even if I didn't host it. I know Grandma (Emma Butler Traynor) will rehash stories and ask me 1000 times how many came and it was so nice to see so and so. I think Stacy says it best when she says that once it is gone it is gone and you miss it. She said even if it is the same story and spending time with relatives she would give anything to have her Grandmother back by her side attending. I am so glad you all could make it and here is to many more times like today in the future.

Calm down. Don't get over excited. If you didn't receive the flyer, here's the Reunion info (in case anybody actually reads this blog).

Emma Butler Traynor turns 98

Gram, Nana, Aunt Emma or whatever you want to call her, well now you can call her another year older. She still boast that she's younger than Aunt Carol. We had a nice brunch at Jeff & Rose's house to celebrate another mile stone for her on January 1st even though her birthday was not until January 3rd. She is still independent and keeps us on our toes. If we slip up she lets us know that as well. We count our blessings that she can still live independently for the time being anyways.

Pre-Christmas Concert

Shortly before Christmas Jo Ann and I had the opportunity to get into the Christmas Spirit by attending a Christmas Concert put on by Transform a singing group from the parish that plays guitars, drums, horns and keyboards. It was a snowy night and only a small crowd ventured out. Needless to say other than a few bathroom breaks it was time to reflect on how truly lucky we are to be able to share times like this to really get into the Christmas spirit. The grand kids loved it and remained glued to the band for over 2 hours. Some even took up the invitation to perform with them on stage. After the grandchildren found out that Christmas brought them drums and guitars they plan to put on a concert in the Church. I hope God and Fr. Kennedy will see it happen some day. God bless and I hope they don't inherit my music ability....thanks Dad.

Not strictly a Butler family-related item, but those familiar with the Sackets Harbor/Silver Shores cottage scene probably remember Billy Evans, Naomi's backyard neighbor, and shoreline summer "assistant mayor". He died unexpectedly at his home in Florida, and was found by his neighbor David Prahl, on Dec 23rd . His obituary is in the Syracuse Post of Thursday Jan 1, 09 and on the net at obits.syracuse.com/

Emma Butler Traynor - Emergency Surgery at 97

After being sick for most of this week, we took Emma (begrudgingly) to the Doctor's where it was determined the abdominal hernia that she has had for several years was strangulating. The Doctors never wanted to operate on it because of her age. However, being a true Butler she proved to them age doesn't matter. On Friday evening around 9:30 p.m. she underwent surgery and pulled through with little or no problems. She is doing fine and is expected to come home from the hospital Sunday. In fact the surgeon thought he could have done it as an out patient and sent her home the same day. We were all kind of glad that didn't happen. It has been a long weekend and she is exhausted but I thought the family might want to know.

International Butler Reunion......eh!!!!

The Butler Reunion has gone international with relatives from Canada coming down. We will take a few eh's and white socks with sandals as long as the Canadian items show up on the bargain table. My son-in-law loves his new chair but you know those hockey players it doesn't take much to please them!!! We will work on having an exchange bank next year for you Sue as well. Because you are family I know you will be willing to exchange that funny money at par......right? That's what your brother said!!!! Thanks for coming.

Butler Reunion 2008

Great time had by all!!!! So glad to see some new faces and missed those who couldn't make it. I think the final count was around 55 not counting my oldest son who came with his wife and 2 children shortly after everyone left. Emma was really glad to see everyone and it made her day. Please post your comments and pictures. Tonight after all had left we realized we never got the blow-ups for the kids out of the garage so you all will have to come back next year, you hear!!!!