Benefit for Mike Mundus

Hi
I thought I'd give everyone the update on the benefit they had last night for Mike (Joe's friend who was in the accident this summer). In one night, they raised over $36,000! That's awesome...especially since this was the 2nd benefit. The first one was in West Bend this summer and that raised $10,000. Not included in the $36,000 was all the cost to redoing Mike's house...they moved walls, doorways, put in handicapped accessible bathroom, a ramp, etc... and all those materials and labor were donated...so when you put the $36,000 plus the $10,000 plus remodeling a house, you have a pretty amazing gift to Mike and his family.
Joe was really happy with the turnout...over 405 people signed in (and some people like myself didn't sign in) so the total number was probably 450 or more. Mark Neary donated a 3 nights in Vegas plus 2 tickets to Cirque du Soleil,which brought in $450. The other highest item going was 2 roundtrip tickets to Brazil, plus lodging. That was a $3500 item...
Tonight Joe and a couple of the other guys who helped head this up, told Mike and Lisa what they had raised last night. Needless to say, Mike was overwhelmed and couldn't thank them enough.

Floyd of Rosedale

The Washington Post must read the Neary News. They picked up on Terry's post and included the following in this morning's paper.

Saturday, November 17, 2007; Page E14
Awarded to the winner of the annual Iowa- Minnesota college football game since 1935
Size:15 1/2 inches high, 21 inches long, 98.3 pounds.


History: The rivalry had been increasingly ugly, charged with bitterness, threats and even racial tension leading up to the 1935 game in Iowa City. Minnesota Gov. Floyd Olson feared mayhem. Hoping to lighten the mood, Olson, with much fanfare, bet Iowa Gov. Clyde Herring a prize hog that Minnesota would win. Herring went along, even mocking the scrawniness of Minnesota swine. The game went on without controversy, Minnesota won and Herring personally delivered a champion Hampshire from Rosedale Farms (dubbed Floyd after Olson) to the Minnesota statehouse. Olson commissioned a trophy in Floyd's likeness, made of bronze by St. Paul artist Charles Brioschi, to symbolize sportsmanship. The pig died of cholera in 1936 and was buried in a Minnesota field almost exactly halfway between the two schools.
Does the winner keep it? Just until the next year. The series is 39-32-2 in Minnesota's favor after Iowa won on Saturday.

Floyd home where he belongs

HI everyone

Just thought I'd add our pictures to the Neary blog. We went to the Iowa-Minnesota game last weekend. The first half was good, the second half was like the first half normally is...crummy! At least we won. We also went to the basketball game the night before....that was fun too, until a really big guy (as in extremely chubby, putting it nicely) sat in the chair next to me, and half of him came over on me, including through that little cubby hole spot in the side of the chair. It wasn't pretty....it's not like he couldn't have moved down...there were empty seats...even his own kid wouldn't sit right next to him. How do I attract these people? AGH! At least at the football game, I didn't have to deck any Minnesota football fans for telling me to sit down...that's what almost happened at the Metrodome...they're not used to standing when they get touchdowns, like us great Hawk fans! (Sorry Dave...just stating the facts. :) )

Anyway...you can't see Floyd (of Rosedale) in the picture very well, but he's there, believe me. The real Floyd was a pig that lived right by Fort Dodge, in fact, the farm was one of our bus stops...so I have a personal connection to that pig. :)

Go Hawks! See ya next week at the farm.

Hi from Ames

Wow, those pictures from Carroll are great!! Smart and good-looking! You do the Neary name proud. I hope mom has copies for all of us at Thanksgiving.
I talked to Pat tonight and Bob got home on Monday. They still don't know why Bob keeps having these stomach pain attacks. But she said he was fine now. Keep them both in your prayers.
Pat said she did go play bridge yesterday, so he must have felt ok to let her go!!!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday (after Thanksgiving). I've purchased 6 photo boxes for the 5 boys and Margaret and also bought photo albums so we can work on restoring those after the Thanksgiving meal-if you want to.
Bill, we got the memo about the sweet potatoes, so Jim will be bringing those instead of Margaret. I hope that puts your mind to rest!!!!
Oh, by the way- if anyone gives Bob or Pat a knick-knack for Christmas, Terry, Bill, Margaret and Chris will shoot you. Just giving you fair warning!!
I hope Michelle is doing well. I think of you often and hope you're feeling ok.
Well, better close. See everyone soon. Chris

More Neary News (Thanksgiving Brag Letter)

Hello Neary News Subscribers, I've gotten to the point in my life where I have too many vacation days (Bob, Is that possible?) So this week I'm taking four vacation days to rake leaves & do other wonderful household chores. While I have my morning coffee I thought I'd give you a little update on the Carroll Neary kids (2007 school pics above). The 1st quarter of the 2007-2008 school year ended and the 3 report cards had 29 A's and 1 B. (Tyler says Honors Biology "Sucks"). Not sure where that comes from but Mary & I are Proud of them. Now the bad news..... This month all 3 kids are getting braces. How the hell did that happen? Should make for a pretty photo over the holidays. Well that's enough for now.