Cunningham Christmas NewsletterHere Comes Sandy Claws...Text Box: he time is nigh for the annual Cunningham Christmas Newsletter, where we regale you of the happenstances of the past year. As always, it is up to you to discern debatable fact from improbable fiction. We are really enjoying home ownership. Our first major home-improvement project was painting over the hideous three-tone green sponge-textured paint that graced the façade, and front & garage doors of the house. The next big painting project will be tackling the indoor sponge painting! After waging war against invading fire ants, mowing St. Augustine grass that can grow a foot a week, hacking at the steroidal ficus hedge, and overseeing the banana plantation, we look forward to doing some landscaping in the front yard and planting some citrus trees in the back. On the work front, Jamie and Janice both continue to serve the music department at Florida Atlantic University. Text Box: We won’t bore you with the nitty-gritty details of our day-to-day challenges, but it will suffice to say that we are happy to be gainfully employed. Career-wise, 2007 has been a very productive year for Jamie. This fall he published an article on the Native American popular music industry in the worlds of music journal, and released a critically-acclaimed album of original didgeridoo compositions. He is currently conducting an ethnomusicology of the Magic Kingdom’s “It’s a Small World” attraction…. seriously! However, not all of the year was devoted to work. Living in South Florida afforded us the luxury of taking a number of short vacations to local destinations. In addition to one-day fun-filled family vacations to Walt Disney World in Orlando, we were also able to explore the Florida Keys for the first time since our arrival here in 2003. We instantly fell in love with the beauty, laid-back life style, and (of course) the food of the Keys. After a reconnaissance trip to Key West in early August, we returned to Marathon Key a week later for a leisurely stay at the Rainbow Bend Resort. Although the resort was not opulent, it did feature a marvelous five-star restaurant and the free daily use of a personal Boston Wailer for cruising and snorkeling. We plan to return next year for para-sailing and the annual Key West Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest. Text Box: The highlight of our year was a trip back to Oregon in July for a family reunion. Besides stuffing Nana’s house with people and stuffing ourselves with food, we journeyed east, north, west, and south with drives to Mts. Hood and St. Helens, the blustery dunes of Pacific City on the Oregon coast, and the rolling foothills of the South Willamette Valley. All Our Love, Jamie, Janice, Erin, & Kelley. Text Box: ☼22595 SW 6th St., Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 487-9596 ☼

AFTER SPONGE

BEFORE

Snorkel Queen

Bananaman

Active Volcano, Active Family