Update on Roy

Roy is recovering well from his recent surgery to remove some cancer growths on his head. The dressings were removed yesterday and all appears to be well. He has had amazing little discomfort from any of this and is well on the road to recovery. He gives his regards to all..........

On Saturday the 13th of February Dana and I took Roy to Don and Sandy's cabin on Palomar Mountain for a brunch. (This was before the cancer surgery he had on Monday). Joining us were Kaye and Gary Van Nevel, Sandy's brother. Roy enjoyed the outing and as he gets out so seldom it was good to get him here for a bit. Don and Sandy have rebuilt this old cabin (dates to about 1905) and have done a great job - very confortable. If interested there are a few more pictures in an album at "picturetrail.com" (w/o the quotes).

The Noon CD

Just a reminder that the "Noon Family CD" is still growing and expanding - - photos of individuals/groups now at 1050. If anyone is interested in a copy please contact me at: tommontgomery@cox.net. Still asking just $10.00 to cover expenses and there are no objections to a purchaser copying for other family members - - just do not copy for someone you do not really know or have doubts about, please refer these people to me. Privacy issues are very, very important.

You might wish to check back in to this blog occasionally as additional updates will be posted (at irregular intervals).

Update on Roy

Roy had a rather severe cancer growth on the top of his head and was admitted to the hospital in San Diego yesterday to have it removed. The growth had indeed reached bone but fortunately there was no penetration and they believe they "got it all". The surgeons did a skin graft from his leg and all is OK. This was actually an outpatient procedure and he was released to go home late last night - - now at home and resting confortably. Don and Dana took him to the hospital, leaving home at 11:00 A.M. and were able to return 12 hours later so long day for all. However, everything turned out well.

Came into possession of this photo just a few days ago. These lovely ladies were employees of the "Government Powder Plant" at Nitro, West Virginia on the 23rd of December 1918. Martha Annie (McClenahan) (Noon) Jenkins (widow of Alonzo Edward Noon) is in the fourth row and second from right (she stands out with a full face exposure). It would appear that Martha was a part of the war effort but how, or why, she ended up in West Virginia is a mystery. One would think there might be something available closer to her home in California? And where was husband Walter during this period? As the armistice was signed in November of this same year it could be assumed she would not be there much longer: most defense efforts are carried forward, some for substantial periods, as there was always the fear that war would start up again. If anyone has any information about this I would really like to hear from you.

The opening of the Natal Railway by Robert Bristow Tatham.

Robert Bristow Tatham and his Art

I received this from a South Africa contact (she had no info on the Tathams as such).......:

It is a watercolor painted by Robert Bristow Tatham, spouse of Susan Noon (sister of Adolphus). It appears that he was well known for his artistic talents in the Durban area and this painting is in the collection of the Old Court House Museum, Durban. It's official title is: The Opening of the Natal Railway Company's Durban to Point Line, 26 June 1860. The scene depicts the ceremony marking this auspicious occasion - the first railway line to be opened in South Africa.The Royal D'Urban Rangers, mounted and dressed "up to the gutters" can be seen on the left. His Excellency the Lt. Governor Major Williamson, the Bishop Colenso, the Mayors of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, Members of the Natal Legislative Council and their ladies and other notables are seen on the platform. After Bishop Colenso had blessed the enterprise, the Governor took his place in the 1st class carriage while other guests travelled in the goods truck, suitably decorated for the day.

Happy Days - 8 June 1996. From left: Donald Roy Noon, Margaret (Noon) Hines, William Alonzo Hines, Roy Meredith Noon, Dana (Noon) Montgomery. (This photo is on the Noon CD)

Update on Margaret Hines

(Daughter Nancy Bachman and husband Dick bring us up-to-date on Margaret)

"In October we celebrated Margaret's 90th birthday with a small gathering in Balboa Park. Happily, we hadpicked a date between storms. Margaret is living as independently as poor vision will allow. She has a driver that comes by twice a week to chauffeur and run errands. She goes to an exercise class once a week. Twice or three times would be better, but all-in-all she keeps pretty fit.

The day after Christmas Margaret was admitted to Kaiser Hospital with a very rapid heart rate. She spent three nights and wasn't too pleased with the culinary offerings. Upon release, the doctor's orders were to keep off the caffine. Needless to say, this was not welcome news to the lover of coffee and chocolates. A visiting nurse made three home visits before releasing her from the home care follow up program. Upon questioning the nurse about the restrictions to her diet, the nurse asked, "Mrs. Hines, how old are you?" Margaret replied, "90." The home nurse said "sc_ _ _ the doctor." Margaret's reaction was "Isn't she a nice little nurse?" Son, Bill Hines, almost fell off his chair laughing. Margaret is back to her morning coffee, afternoon chocolates and feeling fine."

This is on the Noon CD

Example of a recent discovery. This is Robert Stutzman Brown, son of Lloyd and Clara (Noon) Brown of San Diego. The photo was taken in October of 1914 but the location is unknown. If anyone has additional information ref this photo please contact me.

The OLDING/HOFER Family CD

This CD is about 30% complete and I hope to have available sometime this summer. I need an update for my program, which is in the works, but I have no release date yet so at this point we are somewhat at the mercy of others. For the interested family members I need to point out that any photo/document associated with the Noon family will be transferred to this one - there is really no need to get a Noon CD. However, the CD is certainly available.