Arlan Bargmann (Mr. B) Passed Away

Our friend, Arlan Bargmann died last night at about 11:00 pm. His son, Buddy, says that he died quietly... he just stopped breathing. We'll miss him. He was one of the good guys.

Jack

Happy Halloween

Hello folks I hope you all had a great Halloween. It was cold up here in Anchorage, but there is no snow. We will probably start ice skating soon at Potter's Marsh.

Fishing was great this summer we worked like dogs but had fun doing it. The weather was beautiful so we went swimming in order to cool off. The girls sold home sqeezed lemonade to drifters that anchored in our cove this summer to raise money for college. They did a pretty good job and got some perks along the way, like a one pound bag a almond m&m's. That treat suprised mom and dad especially when they had eaten most of them before coming ashore.

Sarana sez,"I'm a pretty good winker" the day after getting a spider bite.

We also went on a road trip in the interior of Alaska to see the Wrangell St. Elias range and visit Tangle lakes. The Arctic Greyling fishing was fantastic for two little girls. It was endless bites the fish were so happy to see us.

We are celebrating all souls day today and will be toasting to Papa Phil this evening. We will set out salmon, scotch and diet coke for dad's spirit. I believe it is easier for me to remember my dad on this day than on Sept. 11th. This summer we spread Dad's ashes on a large glacial erratic bolder we call "Papa's rock". It is in a field of wildflowers: asters, valarian, marsh marigolds, bog orchids and more, overlooking Prince William Sound and the Chugach and Wrangell St. Elias Ranges. Some day I will put a plack on the rock with my dad's name and the words,"farmer, fishermen, friend and father".

Hope all is well. Germaine

Finished the marathon...

Hello to all!

A while back I posted here that I had entered myself into the Chicago Marathon. I am very pleased to say that I finished running the 26.2 miles this past Sunday, Oct. 11th!!!! I finished better than I had hoped with a time of 4 hours, 28 minutes, and 35 seconds (my goal was 4:30 even). I started training back in April, so there was great relief along with the pride and sense of achievement.

Over 33,000 racers finished the race in times ranging from 2hr 5min to 6hr 30min. The hardest part, though, was the weather. When I crossed the starting line it was 33 degrees!!!! By the end, it had risen to around 45 and I had the heat from running, but it was tough getting started.

Laura even made a special trip out to see her little brother run and was very supportive before and after the race - she was right there at the finish line when I crossed!


I think next I would like to tackle 2,600 mile Pacific Crest Trail hike from Mexico to Canada - any takers?

Love all around,

Alex

Uncle Phil

Last summer, after our reunion in TN, Angie, Marsha, and I drove to Argyle, MN and visited our parent's gravesite. As we promised Phil a year ago today, we spread some of his ashes on our parent's grave. While we were at the gravesite, we called Tom and Bill and shared a brief prayer.

Next summer, if we are all well, the four siblings will place a small headstone on our parent's grave with his name and the word "ashes" when we gather at Marsha's house for our reunion.

I, too, really miss Phil. I dream about him pretty often... we're always working on houses, building boats or sailing.

Jack

One Year After

I am still trying to get over the sadness. A year has gone by so quickly, and I find myself still in disbelief over the fact that brother Phil is gone. I think about him all the time; wondering how he would do some project and feeling his excitement at solving a problem. He was good man and brother, and I miss him.

TENNESSEE JULY 2009

GREETINGS TO ALL

Group photo: Bill, Naomi, Marsha, Angie, Jack, Barbara and Tom
Cinthya and Tom Jr

Dogs and Cat: Molly, Mitchie, and Charley

Sibling photo taken at "Snodgrass Hill", Battle of Chickamauga 1863,
2nd Minnesota Regiment

July 2009

We traveled to Tennessee this past July. Tom and Barbara were gracious hosts for the get-together. It was so good the see Tom Jr and his new wife Cinthya. They seem to be a very happy couple.

We had a chance to listen to true bluegrass music in one the local Nashville Pubs.

We also visited the various Civil War battlefields of Stones River (including a Civil War re-enactment), LookOut Mountain, and Chickamauga.

We all had great conversation and drink. And some sad memory of missing brother Phil.

Bill

4th of July in Minnesota

Well, this was the 5th of July, we all had a great time.
Angie, Jack, Eli, Joe, Katia, Katrina, Theo, Marsha
Looking forward to seeing everyone else in TN.
Marsha

Angie and I have been in MN for a week. Visited her 95 year old mom
and her brother, Arlan. Counting down to TN
Jack

Alaska Myerchins, J&A kids and anyone who has moved in the last year - please email your addresses to me :-)

laura_myerchin @ hotmail.com

thanks!

The Myerchins in Bellevue have bought a sailboat...a 30' Catalina!

We won't be winning any races, but we hope to be using our "camper on the water" for our summer enjoyment.

I sailed it down from Bellingham, WA last weekend. For a two day maiden voyage things went well, except we ran out of good beer and were reduced to drinking bud light.

We plan to have the whole family overnight on Lake Washington this weekend.

This is an open invitation to any Myerchins passing through, drop in and we'll take you for a sail.

P.S. I've had to use my Myerchin Marine Knife (for actual boat work) several times... thanks Uncle Jack.

Hi Everyone -

Just wanted to let you all know that Jon and I have put together a wedding website - there will be more info on it later on - but check it out if you like.

http://www.mywedding.com/myerchinsklaroff/

and if you can, please send me addresses - I'm still getting them all sorted out!

thanks!

Some Photos of the GrandKids

Just what you wanted to see... some pictures of my grand kids

Jack

Chicago Update

Hey everyone. It's April now and we've (hopefully) had the last snowfall. Coming from CA, yeah, it was cold, but it wasn't that bad. It got as low as 30 below (with wind) and we once had a HIGH of -1. I'm still bartending at The Cheesecake Factory and after a slow winter season, we're finally picking up. I got a small "promotion" (you could call it) to what's called "Star Bartender." Basically I help do the ordering of the liquor for the restaurant (the second busiest in all of Chicago).

In the mean time, and true to my main purpose in the city, I've been mildly successful so far as an amateur actor. I originally wanted to do legit, straight theatre, but I've kind of fallen into the comedy route. I got accepted into the Conservatory at Second City and have been working with a lot of great instructors who see a lot of potential in me. On top of that, I got involved with a sketch comedy group and we're currently performing our second show. Our first was called "America: For Dummies" (the pic is from the show) and our current show is called "ObamaNation." We wrote all our own sketches and perform it all ourselves. If you go to this link you should be able to see a pic of me from a Talent competition we won. There's also a video commercial featuring some footage of us (this aired on NBC local news here).

I'm actually going later tonight to the same contest, but as a standup comic to try and get my own act into the finals. All in all, a good time so far.

Oh, and I also signed up to run the Chicago Marathon this October. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Love all,

Alex

do do do

looking out my back door






Still have some snow here and it will be going towards the Red River. It is melting slow so probably not a problem.

Just a little levity with the song.
Take care, Marsha

web cam of fargo and grand forks

Hi all,
Here is a link to a pretty good web cam view of Fargo.

http://www.justin.tv/inforumstream

If you look just a little below you'll see a link to view the Red River going under the DeMers bridge.
http://www.justin.tv/gfherald
It's interesting to see the barricade in GF, I guess they feel they could handle a 60 foot flood.

It has started to go down, but still interesting to watch.

Hope all is going well.
Take care, Marsha

Perham makes it to the big times

Hello Everyone... I saw that Letterman did a segment on small town news, and he mentioned the Perham Enterprise Bulletin! Yes, that is right little old Perham, MN (home of mom - Marsha) made it to the big times. It is a pretty funny clip I thought it may put a smile on everyone's face. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c48ZLvm49Zs

Tom's Health

Folks,
Want to thank all the siblings and the clan from Alaska for all the calls, flowers, and good wishes about Tom. Want each of you to know how much that means to Tom and me. Tom is having an arteriogram on Thursday to make sure he doesn't have any blockages...it's prayer time again.

Thank You for the Super Star Stage

Hi folks,

Sorry it has taken me so long to thank everyone for the fantastic performance stage. We love it and really appreciate such a thoughtful gift. The girls have done plays, puppet shows and even helped Darby and Matias do a WWF wrestling show.

The picture shows the girls doing a ballet animal trick show. Sarana dances with Orkey the jumping killer whale and Teslin performs with a flipping wooden snake.

I am also including pictures of the ski for kids with Tes and Sarana. Sarana did the blue bear loop and Teslin did the 3k loop with the big kids. Tes was pretty proud because she finished ahead of a bunch of bigger kids.

I did the 25k for the tour of Anchorage. I won my age group, but got schooled by some sixteen year olds. Next year I want to start in the same wave as them and I'll gettim next year.

The family picture was taken at a family skate where music is played and hot chocolate is served. We all played hockey, did some curling and pretended we were figure skaters.

Good luck to Tom and Jack and your surgeries, we are all saying lots of prayers for you. Some how, some way I want to come and visit this summer some time.

Peace Germ

MYERCHIN SIB RETREAT
FEBRUARY 2009

OWL CANYON, CA

The retreat was really a lot of fun. Because of my back surgery, we decided to car camp in Owl Canyon Campground near Barstow, Ca. Various nieces and nephews filtered through. There was much conversation about our brother Phil. A Great Time.

VIVA LAS VEGAS
FEB 2009

Part of the retreat was to take a side trip to Las Vegas. We did a fair amount of walking and sightseeing. Not much gambling and lots of eating.

Bill

All in a Days Work

Last week I had nearly 150 kids at camp that I was doing program with. One of the days we had a presenter come and show us all kinds of curious creatures. It was great and the kids loved it. I love it too until the guy put this giant boa constrictor around my neck... needless to say i was a bit shaken. (that may be putting it lightly) If you look closely that snake is seriously squeezing my neck!! The professional said he was just trying to hold on. Anyway I am alive and well and thought you all may like a giggle at the photos because they are very funny. Hope everyone is happy!

Looking at a picture

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;
I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf
That's standing by the mother. It's so young,
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too.

Robert Frost

5 Sibs 1999

This is a photo from 1999 that Angie found.  Thought you guys might enjoy it.

Jack

posting a few pics

Hi all, I just wanted to post a picture of little Theo, and while I was at it a picture of Eli and Katia.
Beautiful little kids all.

Hope all is going good for everyone,
take care, Marsha

a little grandson

Hi all,
Just wanted to mention Joe and Katrina's little baby was born today.
Little Theodore Henry was born this morning.
A little over 8 lbs.
The newest member of the family, at least for a while.
A time for celebration!
Take care, love, Marsha