Saturday, September 29, 2007
The weather looks great
Well, today is the day and the weather looks great. I look forward to meeting as many of you as show up. To those who cannot attend today, but who have sent cards, flowers, etc... thank you for your loving support.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Just a heads up about this whole Evite thing
Dear friends and family,
Due to my unfamiliarity with Evites, I did not invite people, per se, using their email addresses to send them to the Memorial RSVP Page. A few people pointed this out to me, and I wanted to redress the situation.
This does not mean you can't come. This does not mean you cannot RSVP. What it DOES mean, is that you cannot RSVP, then use the Evite to tell your friends about this Saturday. Just send your friends to the page, if you think there is someone out there who may not know, and who would like to attend.
The URL to send your friends is:
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=LRWRHSEMRNCSSJGEYTPI
Once again, we ask that everyone who might be there this Saturday RSVP so that we can ensure enough food and drinks.
Please, don't bring gifts of food or flowers (Christian, me, will have to find a place to put them, and his small condo won't fit much), just make a donation to one of Brooke's favorite causes if you feel so moved. A caterer will be handling the event.
xoxo,
Christian
Due to my unfamiliarity with Evites, I did not invite people, per se, using their email addresses to send them to the Memorial RSVP Page. A few people pointed this out to me, and I wanted to redress the situation.
This does not mean you can't come. This does not mean you cannot RSVP. What it DOES mean, is that you cannot RSVP, then use the Evite to tell your friends about this Saturday. Just send your friends to the page, if you think there is someone out there who may not know, and who would like to attend.
The URL to send your friends is:
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=LRWRHSEMRNCSSJGEYTPI
Once again, we ask that everyone who might be there this Saturday RSVP so that we can ensure enough food and drinks.
Please, don't bring gifts of food or flowers (Christian, me, will have to find a place to put them, and his small condo won't fit much), just make a donation to one of Brooke's favorite causes if you feel so moved. A caterer will be handling the event.
xoxo,
Christian
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Karen's cat, Simba, is in need of a loving home
Please note that Simba has been adopted (10 October 2007).
Dear Friends,
Simba, Karen's Maine Coon kitty (high resolution photo), is in search of a new home! He is currently in the care of a Maine Coon rescue group in Maryland, and would love to find a loving, permanent home to settle into. He is a large, three-year old purebred Maine Coon who looks just like a little lion. He is vocal, friendly, and in good health. He enjoys being around people, and likes the occasional pat. He prefers to find an ideal vantage spot in a room to observe all activity from, rather than cozying up in a comfy lap. He does not like to be picked up, at all! We are not sure about his compatibility with other cats and dogs, but we think he would enjoy their companionship and the interaction. He is strictly an indoor cat and needs to remain as such. He is a sweet kitty!
Click on the picture below to see Simba's Petfinder posting:
Organization Profile: MCRescue, Frederick, MD
Contact Email: mainecoon_max@yahoo.com
In Lieu of Flowers, make a donation to a worthy cause
For anyone who would like to make a gift to memorialize Brooke, we ask that instead of bringing flowers on Saturday, you please make a donation in his name to one of the following three charities, all of which were causes and interests close to his heart: Boy Scouts of America (endless summer weekends spent "doing something" with a coterie of boys trailing behind); Conservation International (Dad was an avid outdoorsman); or Woolly Mammoth Theatre (later in life, Dad became a very active patron of the local DC Theater scene).
- To donate to Boy Scouts of America, please click here.
- To donate to Conservation International, please click here.
- To donate to the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, please click here.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Memorial Service for Brooke Stauffer, Saturday, September 29, 2007.
Dear Friends and Family:
The Stauffer Kids have decided to hold a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Brooke Stauffer on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Christian will be posting a link to an "Evite" on this blog (take a look on the right-hand side of the blog beneath the top photo), and it would be hugely helpful just in terms of planning if you could RSVP to the Evite so we know how many people to plan for. Posting your response on the Evite would be immeasurably easier than you calling or e-mailing us to let us know you are attending, so if possible we ask that you do so.
Karen's family will hold a separate memorial service for her in the Washington, DC area during the beginning of November. Details about that will be posted on the blog as well. Of course, as Karen and Brooke shared a life together, certainly she will feature in Brooke's service, as he will in hers. And everyone who wants to attend either or both is welcome to. For those of you who best remember Brooke and Karen "together," we hope you will plan accordingly. However, the families have collectively decided not to hold a "joint" services, as such.
The details are as follows: an "open house" will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Brooke and Karen's house (1115 E. Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003, bordering on Lincoln Park). Detailed driving directions and a map will be posted in the near future. The house is near Eastern Market, and RFK Stadium. As parking can be tight on Capitol Hill on the weekends, you might plan to take the Metro (orange line to Eastern Market, or Red Line to Union Station). For out of town guests, there are plenty of hotels a 10-minute cab ride away. We suggest you search in the Union Station vicinity.
The Open House will be from 12pm - 5pm. We hope that you will come and drop by for as long or short a time as you are able to, to laugh, cry, and share memories with us and each other about Brooke (and Brooke and Karen). Food and drinks will be provided. At some point during the afternoon, we will take the opportunity to eulogize Dad.
As many of you know, Brooke was not at all a religious or spiritual man. We completely respect your choice to mourn or grieve in whatever way you feel is most appropriate, and all thoughts and prayers are always very much appreciated. However, in keeping with Brooke's wishes, the Memorial Service will be secular in nature, and we hope that you can respect its non-religious atmosphere.
Many, many thanks for the outpouring of love and support that we and Karen's family have received during this terrible ordeal.
- Hilary
The Stauffer Kids have decided to hold a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Brooke Stauffer on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Christian will be posting a link to an "Evite" on this blog (take a look on the right-hand side of the blog beneath the top photo), and it would be hugely helpful just in terms of planning if you could RSVP to the Evite so we know how many people to plan for. Posting your response on the Evite would be immeasurably easier than you calling or e-mailing us to let us know you are attending, so if possible we ask that you do so.
Karen's family will hold a separate memorial service for her in the Washington, DC area during the beginning of November. Details about that will be posted on the blog as well. Of course, as Karen and Brooke shared a life together, certainly she will feature in Brooke's service, as he will in hers. And everyone who wants to attend either or both is welcome to. For those of you who best remember Brooke and Karen "together," we hope you will plan accordingly. However, the families have collectively decided not to hold a "joint" services, as such.
The details are as follows: an "open house" will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Brooke and Karen's house (1115 E. Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003, bordering on Lincoln Park). Detailed driving directions and a map will be posted in the near future. The house is near Eastern Market, and RFK Stadium. As parking can be tight on Capitol Hill on the weekends, you might plan to take the Metro (orange line to Eastern Market, or Red Line to Union Station). For out of town guests, there are plenty of hotels a 10-minute cab ride away. We suggest you search in the Union Station vicinity.
The Open House will be from 12pm - 5pm. We hope that you will come and drop by for as long or short a time as you are able to, to laugh, cry, and share memories with us and each other about Brooke (and Brooke and Karen). Food and drinks will be provided. At some point during the afternoon, we will take the opportunity to eulogize Dad.
As many of you know, Brooke was not at all a religious or spiritual man. We completely respect your choice to mourn or grieve in whatever way you feel is most appropriate, and all thoughts and prayers are always very much appreciated. However, in keeping with Brooke's wishes, the Memorial Service will be secular in nature, and we hope that you can respect its non-religious atmosphere.
Many, many thanks for the outpouring of love and support that we and Karen's family have received during this terrible ordeal.
- Hilary
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A touching and wonderful email from folks who met Brooke and Karen on Mackinac Island
I received this email on the blog account today. Two people who met Brooke and Karen on Mackinac Island wrote us their recollections...
-----
Christian,
Let me start by saying how sorry I am for your loss. I was quite shocked to hear of the crash.
My wife and I had flown into Mackinaw Island on the 22nd of August arriving around 3:30pm. We met Karen and Brooke while waiting for a taxi from the airport to our respective hotels. As the taxis on Mackinaw are horse drawn carriages sharing a ride is not unusual and we discussed flying and our respective trips while waiting for the cab and during the ride into town. There was a bit of joking about the amount of luggage we (were not) carrying versus the collection of bags Karen and Brooke had with them :-) Karen seemed pretty outgoing and animated, Brooke a little more reserved - perhaps quietly amused would be a good description.
In a rather odd coincidence we both called a cab on the 24th for the ride back to the airport - so we shared the ride again. I discussed with Brooke my work with industrial controls and that I had probably read several of his articles in the past. Brooke was telling me about his new book.
On reaching the airport we loaded our aircraft and then Karen showed me the Trinidad. I did not board her aircraft but did take a good look at the plane and the control panel. The aircraft appeared to be in good condition. Karen took a look at my plane (a Liberty XL2) and then returned to preflight the Trinidad. I did notice Karen talking with several other pilots who landed while we were at the airport - I believe she was checking on the cloud ceilings. I departed Mackinaw IFR at 1:17pm and saw the Trinidad on the ramp at that time. I am assuming that they departed shortly thereafter based on the time of the accident.
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from the trip - I wish now that I had one to share with you. Karen and Brooke were relaxed and happy - a nice couple enjoying themselves. Brooke was gracious enough to walk over to my plane before we departed and hand me his business card and said to send him my address and he would forward a signed copy of his book to me. I thought that was a very nice gesture - and from what I have read of him it was also quite normal.
It was a pleasure meeting Karen and Brooke. If I can be of any assistance to you please let me know.
Sincerely
Mark Radabaugh
-----
Christian,
Let me start by saying how sorry I am for your loss. I was quite shocked to hear of the crash.
My wife and I had flown into Mackinaw Island on the 22nd of August arriving around 3:30pm. We met Karen and Brooke while waiting for a taxi from the airport to our respective hotels. As the taxis on Mackinaw are horse drawn carriages sharing a ride is not unusual and we discussed flying and our respective trips while waiting for the cab and during the ride into town. There was a bit of joking about the amount of luggage we (were not) carrying versus the collection of bags Karen and Brooke had with them :-) Karen seemed pretty outgoing and animated, Brooke a little more reserved - perhaps quietly amused would be a good description.
In a rather odd coincidence we both called a cab on the 24th for the ride back to the airport - so we shared the ride again. I discussed with Brooke my work with industrial controls and that I had probably read several of his articles in the past. Brooke was telling me about his new book.
On reaching the airport we loaded our aircraft and then Karen showed me the Trinidad. I did not board her aircraft but did take a good look at the plane and the control panel. The aircraft appeared to be in good condition. Karen took a look at my plane (a Liberty XL2) and then returned to preflight the Trinidad. I did notice Karen talking with several other pilots who landed while we were at the airport - I believe she was checking on the cloud ceilings. I departed Mackinaw IFR at 1:17pm and saw the Trinidad on the ramp at that time. I am assuming that they departed shortly thereafter based on the time of the accident.
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from the trip - I wish now that I had one to share with you. Karen and Brooke were relaxed and happy - a nice couple enjoying themselves. Brooke was gracious enough to walk over to my plane before we departed and hand me his business card and said to send him my address and he would forward a signed copy of his book to me. I thought that was a very nice gesture - and from what I have read of him it was also quite normal.
It was a pleasure meeting Karen and Brooke. If I can be of any assistance to you please let me know.
Sincerely
Mark Radabaugh
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