Hi Cousins: I wanted to wait a tad longer to state that there is going to be, hopefully, another Maupin picnic in Southern Californa. The reason I'm starting to nag <BFG> to see who can come and when is that cousin Phyllis Bauer is out here in the Springs until 29 March. Oh, that's what we call Palm Springs. Okay, for those of you who think you can come to this picnic I need weekends that you have available. We can zero in on the place later. Since it's raining like crazy here in Simi Valley as I type, and we don't know what the weather will be like for the rest of this month, February, or March, we could, if it's raining not to hard, have Plan B that would mean meeting in a restaurant. Anyway, I want all to get their thinking caps on and start posting dates available. We did that for the Santa Barbara picnic. Also, while at our library today, looking for SO CA Fitzpatrick names of people who might be related to me, it dawned on me to look in our phone book at home for Maupin people in Simi. I found three listed: Lori, T. and Tom. Does anyone relate to these people? I know it isn't much to go on. I'm willing to call the one with no snail mail addy and write to the other two. HELP! Cuz Sandi Carter

Sandi, I would love to come out. I started that way before Christmas, but as often happens... Consider some alternatives: At Fulton each year we have a Covered Dish lunch at the Senior Citizen/Community Center. For those that have come a distance they can furnish, Chips, Bread, Ice, Soda, KFC, etc. Locals usually furnish cassaroles, desserts, relish trays, etc. During the meeting we pass the hat (pot, can or other container) for donations to cover the $50 (or less) cost. Consider: last name A to E brings meat, F to J brings dessert, K to O brings veggi, etc. Consider: Depending on the day - Church hall, Leigon hall, etc. There is usually a small cost, but pass the hat donation would cover that. Consider: Outside is nice - especially in good weather. The kids can run free and us old folks... Inside is fine - if the weather is ugh. But you need to tame the kids a bit. However, you can bring a computer, scanner, printer, etc. If a park (plan A) is desired - then (plan B)look for a last minute cover in the general area. I'm a long way from there and am not familiar with your weather, except that it can quickly go to extremes. I would probably set up a base at Ojai and be there for a week or two. >From what I've heard last years FIRST was a pleasure for all that attended. As to finding cousins in the phone book - give them a call and invite them. A word of caution, as I found out the hard way, I was talking to a young man, about 10, whose name was Maupin and explained we were probabaly related. Along came his mother, a divorcee, and told me that she would rather not know any more about the family than she already did. Funny thing is, she worked for/with my brother. Later... -- Loren <kycollja@midusa.net> {:-)> HOKC *))))) TSG, USAF, Retired >From Iola, in the rolling hills of SE Kansas