The yard sale was a huge success!  The family once again organized a great event.  Special thanks to all who helped!

No! The actual yard is not for sale! Not everything in the yard is either...But, there will be a great selection of items to choose from:

Live Photos 7AM start of Yard Sale!:

In addition to plenty of clothes, shoes, books, DVD’s, VCR’s, CD’s, wooden toys, jewelry, glassware, furniture, lawn and garden ornaments (some heavy cement ones), we have a pretty huge supply of collectibles:

Park on road and there is also a small paved parking area diagonally across the road

Free coffee!

I have walked with the Bethany Baptist team (Team name Heaven’s Hope) for over 10 years.  The event kicks off with the Survivors’ Lap (5PM on Friday) where all cancer survivors-and family members-walk one lap around the track. After the Survivors’ Lap, team members walk the track from 6PM Friday-6PM Saturday.  Our cousins, Sherry, Carol and Martha also take part in this fund-raising walk.  (Sherry and I have the 6AM-7AM slot on Saturday AM—but we walk many of the other hours also. I’m always there from late Friday afternoon until around 10 PM and then back for the 6AM walk.  On Friday evening, there is a silent luminary walk—where candles, each in honor of or in memory of a loved one, line the track.  ($5 for each candle is part of the fund-raising; Chris has had a candle lit with the name ‘Swanson Family’ each year).

Those in our family who have fought cancer and who have walked in this relay include Ed, Phil, Joan, Ingrid, Marjorie, Mitchell.  Other family members attend and we typically set up chairs together to sit and chat in between walks on the track.  Look for ‘Heaven’s Hope’ site in the middle of the track—big sign!

If anyone would like to sponsor me, please use the Contact Form and include your name and phone number so we can get back to you.  ($$ is due before June 7th).  Checks should be made out to American Cancer Society with Gardner MA Relay added to the memo line.

As an added note, this is the 20th Gardner MA Relay for Life and we always come in #1 in New England—and in the top 5-10 in the country!  Last year we raised over $700,000 to fight this terrible disease that so greatly affects our family.  $800,000 is the target this year!  Thank you so much for your support and I hope to see you there!

The Gallery below is from previous years.

I have created a Gallery of the images recently received from Shawn L.

He has a woodworking shop in Medford, MA where he makes some very nice things! Take a look!

He is also a talented Bluegrass performer.

Visit his site, share it, and then watch this great video of Sten singing “Sitting Alone in the Moonlight“.

Great job, Sten!

Steve’s Resting Spot

Swanson Heritage mourns the recent loss of Steven George Swanson (video).

Steve was born in Boise, ID (while dad was stationed at Mt. Home AFB) on Oct. 7, 1961. He leaves his mother, Matilda (Perez) Warner and her husband Myron. A. Warner II of
Montague, MA, his father George E. Swanson and wife Nancy of Bronson, FL. He is pre-deceased by his sister Joann M. Swanson. He also leaves his brothers Gary D.
Swanson, Sr. of Stratham, NH, Michael D. Swanson of Athol, MA, Allen M. Warner of West Marlboro, VT, Myron A. Warner III of Bangor, ME and Marc Warner, also of
Maine and all their families. He leaves three grandchildren: Shayleigh, Kaylie and Braeden. Steven also leaves his girlfriend Sue Herkner Randall.

Steve attended Franklin County Technical School and graduated in 1980 with a major in Computer Science. Soon after, he joined the Marines, serving 6 years and being honarbly discharged as a Crypto Tech Supervisor/Radio. While stationed in Homestead, FL, he met Tammy Smith and married her. Steve and Tammy had two sons, Joshua and Ryan. Later, with his long-time companion Dianne Tenanes of South Deerfield, MA, his son Corey Tenanes, currently graduating from Bryant College, was born.

Steve was working for Tighitco at a facility in San Luis Potosí, SLP, México as a Technical Engineer where he passed away suddenly on May 1, 2012.

He leaves behind many cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, many friends and co-workers.

Steve and Sue – Image courtesy Natural Images by Allie.

Steve’s Services commence at 11:00AM, Thursday, May 17, 2012 at McCarthy Funeral Homes at 36 Bank Row, Greenfield MA. Visiting hours will take place until approximately 12:15PM (please be prompt) followed by travel to Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001 (413) 821-9500. The funeral will begin in the Chapel promptly at 2PM, with a military salute and burial to proceed thereafter. Please call with any questions 603-583-3777.

Please visit McCarthy Funeral for the latest information on upcoming services.

McCarthy Funeral Home:
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Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery:

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Steven G Swanson, RIP

I am working as an Electrical Designer at TE Subcom at the place that the tech was created and is still made at…