Janis & I just returned from a leasurely trip to the Orlando area. Great trip. And inspirational for me.
Before we left I recieved an email from one of my long time heroes... a friend from the board... Nettie.
She graciously inquired if Janis & I wanted to meet her & Dave sometime during our trip south.
I sent her a reply back that it would be very cool, but Janis & I were laying low on our trip... and they would have to come to us if they could make the time.
Arrangements were made and Dave & Jannette drove over an hour and half to meet with us. I had met Janette very briefly once before while at the Letterhead Meet in Banff a few years back.
Janis & I wondered how would it go, what would we talk about once the small talk was done.
We meet about 3:00 at Downtown Disney in Orlando. We needn't have worried in the least. Dave & Nettie were instantly 'old friends'. Good folks both of them! We found that through the board we knew each other well. Time flashed by. We had so much to talk about, so much to share. We had a wonderful dinner at the Outback Restaurant... a stroll through the village looking at many signs and then Icecream treats afterwards. It was almost midnight before they began their long journey back to St Pete.
Janis & I thank you both so much for taking time off work and driving all the way out to have a visit. We both found your portfolio and your positive attitude insiring. We look forward to continuing where we left off next time we meet, whether there or here or somewhere in between!
And thanks too to Steve & Barb for having this wonderful site where we can meet so many wonderful folks online and through that contact meet them in person eventually.
-dan
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Great post Dan-I hope Steve and Barb are still as gracious with me when I have to e-mail Barb again.Thanks for the courage. Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
While Dan was visiting with Nettie, I got to meet Don Coplan! and Fred Self and Robert Beverly. Please put my name on the list of those that appreciate this BB and the linking of people and information that it provides.
Posted by David McDonald (Member # 3433) on :
Thanks Dan!!!
We had a great time with you and Janis. I was anxious to meet with you after all the glowing accolades I've heard about you from Janette.
Thank you very much for allowing us to visit with you while here in Florida. I do hope we see each other again soon.
Dave
P.S. Yessiree! Thanks to Steve & Barb too!
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Hi Dan!
Reading your post brought back a flood of good feelings from that evening for me this morning. Thank you! We had such a terrific time with you two. I enjoyed our interaction so much, I was beaming all the way home! (Dave says I nodded out mid-way, with a smile on my face)
Dinner, ice-cream and the sights were wonderful, but the conversation was the best! I've always looked up to you on this board, and having the chance to get to know you and Janis on a more personal level means alot to me. I look forward to the next time.
This board has brought so many good experiences to my life. Your friendship has been one of it's special gifts for me.
Steve and Barb, ya just gotta know whatta great thing you've got going here. Can't express it enough and will always hold it dear and treat it well.
Thanks for the launching pad for us all to soar! Nettie
Wish I'd have taken more photos. Here's one I'll share.
[ February 12, 2003, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
Posted by Bob Gilliland (Member # 28) on :
I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with Janette and Dave last fall while I was in the Tampa/St Pete area. Just like the experience Dan and Janis had, I instantly felt at ease and comfortable with a couple I hadn’t meet in person before. Great folks, great time, and great stories told. I even had the opportunity to see the Charles Ross attorney sign in person that Janette recently posted in the portfolio area. I was fortunate thought to sneak away without getting the mandatory picture . Thinking back over that visit, I can’t remember NOT seeing a smile on Janette’s face. Dave, have you ever seen her without that thing on??
I have visited with or been visited by some on this and related boards that I probably would never have even been aware of, let alone establish relationships with. Although my daily participation has been limited recently, I still believe this to be an awesome board and recommend it to many.
Thanks Dan for taking the time to initiate this post. Add my name to that list that thanks Steve and Barb for this board and the positives it has provided in my life.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Ooops, that first photo I posted was quite big. Downsized it abit.
Hey Bob! Glad to see you around here still! Beware, I'm gonna snag a photo of us the next time around for sure! I've finally made friends with my digital camera! Hey, but don't let that keep you from calling us if you are ever in this area again!
I encourage folks on this board to reach out and take the initiative to meet those they'd like to get to know better if they ever find themselves in the same neck of the woods.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
I wish you guys would have called me. I'm about 40 minutes from Downtown Disney!
Glad you had a good trip. I hope to meet Nettie and Dave soon as well.
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
I agree.
I have had the great fortune to meet three very talented and good people. Cisco was the first. If you have never had the chance to hang out with this dude...you are missing out. He spent the weekend last summer...we had a fine time in Victoria, B.C. I really enjoyed his fine company. Bueno Cisco!
The next person was Adrienne Morgan. She also came for a weekend...and ended up staying for ever! She loved it so much she decided to relocate here. We are very thankful for her talent and humour and friendship. Awright Adrienne!!!!
The third was Chris Bryant from Puyallup, Wa. He lived here in his younger days...and comes by for a visit when he is in town. Great guy!!!
Joey and I are still trying to hook up...he is headed this way soon. I am looking forward to his visit..
I am sure that over time some more will drift on thru...always great to make new friends.
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
I've met quite a few Letterhead family members...but not enough!
It's become almost a hobby for me, like collecting autographs.
Some of the wonderful people I've spent unique times with:
Dan and Janis, painting purple rocks at Giggleridge
Donna in BC, playing with Cody and painting cows
Traveling with the Balches to Nova Scotia on their family vacation
Tagging along with Pat and Bobby King on their 1st wedding anniversary
Painting hippos on Rick Sack's daughter's bedroom walls
Helping to deliver a baby calf with Sandy Cuthburt in Canada...
Yup! My life would be awfully dull without this family!! A:)
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I even had the opportunity to see the Charles Ross attorney sign in person that Janette recently posted in the portfolio area. I was fortunate thought to sneak away without getting the mandatory picture 
. Thinking back over that visit, I can’t remember NOT seeing a smile on Janette’s face. Dave, have you ever seen her without that thing on??