Jul 11-03

Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2003: July: Jul 11-03
Bert and Ernie    ...scroll down to share comments
Photo by Z-man

By
Charlie at Pasty Central on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:08 am:

Here's a fine example of scenes in the Guest Gallery which could have been taken anywhere, just happens the photographer lives here in the U.P... Ontonagon's Z-Man also provided the back cover of the 2003 Pasty Cam Calendar - which reminds me - we better start voting soon for the 2004 Calendar, before the new year sneaks up on us.

Calendar Cover
In case you're new to Pasty Central, the sales of the Calendar and pasties and proceeds of this website have been providing much-needed support for Still Waters, a home for the elderly in Calumet, Michigan. From time to time we have also had special fund-raising projects, like the resident van purchase which Pasty Central visitors made possible earlier this year.
New Van
Let me briefly mention a new challenge faced by Still Waters: insurance renewals. Perhaps you have read how many liability insurers have pulled out of Michigan, which have caused rates to skyrocket. Even though Still Waters has a clean bill of health, with no liability claims, our insurance tripled this year. An insurance budget of $18,000 a couple of years ago is now over $64,000 ! So I guess the sixty four thousand dollar question of the day is: Among Pasty Cam visitors, are there any insurance agents who can help us find a more affordable alternative? Guess you never know if you don't ask.

I'm not sure how we made the transition from wiggly worms to insurance agents... Never know what you'll find on the Pasty Cam. Have a good weekend!
By Howell, Michigan on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:19 am:

Ah gee....now I'm going to have the creepy crawlies all day. Altho...I'm not sure if it's due to the photo or the mention of insurance agents and rising insurance costs.


By Mary Drew on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 09:00 am:

Wow Charlie, 8:00 in the morning and you're pretty sharp... (i.e. "Two caterpillar pictures in the same week (see Sunday below)" Gave me a good chuckle first thing in the morning...thanks! Great picture Z-Man!


By Donn de Yampert on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 09:45 am:

WOW picture entry for sure.
Regards,
Donn


By vince on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 09:59 am:

Yes, the liabliltiy issue is pressing in all quarters. My sister in law just purchased an assisted living home in Hemlock Michigan and her rate increase caused her to address the issue of pr diem increase with the residence family members. Her budget was based on her prior year insurance cost, with no indication of the massive liability cost increase coming!


By ed mi on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 10:20 am:

Large insurance companies lost billions during the 1999-2000 market meltdown and now we are all going to pay for their mistakes.Do we think that those at the top of the corportate world are going to worry about nursing homes as they fly onto the Bahamas..


By Gliderrider on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 10:50 am:

That is a contender for the WOW for sure Z-Man. Good shooting.


By Someone on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

Is a donation to Still Waters Tax Deducable?


By Qtip on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 12:53 pm:

Z-Man once again shows his prowess in the art of photography. I personally prefer those of the nematode family but nevertheless it is a big time WOW!


By tlm on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

Does anyone know the status of George Hite?
The Eagle Harbor web site hasn't been updated since May:
http://www.eagleharborweb.net/index.htm

It says that he went a'saling but planned on returning by July 4th. Hope all is well with him.


By Mary on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 03:18 pm:

SOMEONE (aka Alex) :-)
Here's an excerpt from
Pasty Central's Frequently Given Answers (to frequently asked questions) page.


Quote:

How does this project benefit Still Waters Assisted Living?


The net proceeds, after expenses, are used to fund a building upkeep reserve account, required by the USDA, which holds the mortgage on the Home. Along with tax-deductible gifts from many of our Internet friends, this is enabling us to do much-needed repairs and furniture replacement at the Home.



By Missin the UP from NJ on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 04:19 pm:

I'm wondering what the Insurance companies are really doing with all the money. There has to be massive mismanagement. Here in NJ, it's the car insurance companies who are hated. I renamed it, NJLE- for New Jersey Legalized Extortion! Guess that's a general name for all types of insurance.
You have to pay it, or else, right?
Thinking about all this is sending me right into the Guest Gallery! Thank you for all the "take me away" shots that help keep me sane!


By lahelo on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

Nice pic as usual Z-Man! Those catepillars give me the wee willies as you very well know. They will be beautiful butterflies when they come out of their cocoon!!
Hey there Vince, I am from the town next to your sister, Merrill, Michigan....she will really like Hemlock, it is a small farming community. My family still lives in Merrill!! I now live in Ontonagon. It has been 3 LONG years since I have been home. I love it up here, but I am longing for a trip back home to Merrill real soon!!


By L. Hart, Santa Catalina Island, CA on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 04:36 pm:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Carole (Hart) Kersey, spending her **nd birthday in the beautiful UP of Michigan "by the shores of Gitche Gumee"!! I am so envious!
Enjoy the day and the Cal High Reunion next week, sis!


By Catherine--Holand, MI on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 05:20 pm:

I'm going up a week from today and I have soooo much to do! So why do we all pick the same travel weekend, d'ya think?


By Angie, AZ on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 06:23 pm:

Is anyone planning on posting pics from the strawberry festival in chassell? Boy, i sure would like to see some, since all the festivities were right in my old back yard...literally! :)


By Ryan, returning north in 7 weeks on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 07:51 pm:

WOW! for sure. Awesome shot.


By WhiskeyCreek on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:34 pm:

And would that be a milkweed leaf that those Z-Man Caterpillers are on - looks quite familiar.


By The Z-Man on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 10:04 pm:

That would be a milkweed plant. Where the "monarch" butterfly lay there eggs. The plant makes these guys or gals poisonous.


By Alice, CA on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 01:15 am:

Who has all the big buildings in the big cities all over the country? Who keeps raising rates, but giving you less and less for your money? You got it! The insurance companies. I was just notified that my COBRA health insurance payment that one year ago was under $250.00 per month has increased to over $600.00 PER MONTH! I left the job to become self-employed! Gads, I may have to go back to getting a real job.

And a cost of $64,000 for Still Waters? Pretty soon, families won't be able to afford to have their loved ones there because the costs will be prohibitive. It is a crying shame.


By Uncle Bud/old Mohawk guy on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 06:48 am:

Your state representitves could do a lot to control the above complaints about insurance rates.
Folks need to put the heat to the feet of these guys and if they do nothing vote them out. Thats their job, thats why their suppose to be there.
'representing you"


By Patt in Howell on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:19 am:

Old Guy in Mohawk.. Sadly I am not sure if trying to take any political action would help as did you know that the insurance companies of America are the only businesses that loan money TO our governemt? In fact it was life insurance premiums that funded one of the World Wars and also why these companies have basically been given Carte Blanche. In other words it would take a national uproar from the masses of a magnitude we haven't seen in decades to get any changes or restrictions on the insurance industry. VERY VERY sad indeed.


By John-Canton on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

First thing first. Another great shot,WOW.
The insurance thing is a bad joke on us. Profits
over lower and middle income people`s lives.
I love America but this is soooooooo wrong. Would gladly give a donation for your
insurance as, I assume, would many others.
Recently read that charitable contributions
were down. Probably due to mistrust developed
from the many scandels see "gold faucets".
In Still Waters we know it is well spent.
Thanks for providing this site.
God bless you all.


By Herb NikulaUP Michigan on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 05:06 pm:

Bugs such as these ate all the leaves and stopped apple growth in our yard two years in a row. Must have starved out the apple worms and our apples came back this year with no apple worms. We are thankful for the blessing



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