Rodeo Mobile Estates
June 2025
Community Newsletter
Published by Rodeo Estates Residents’ Association
Park Volunteers
Newsletter Distribution: MartieWiley Librarian: BevKearney650-888-3028
Membership Committee: MartieWileyandKarinLynn Social Committee: NormaMilete831-252-6867
Newsletter Editor: SallyGrey: 831-325-0451
Grey Bears Volunteers: BruceDavis,MariannaSantana,Norma Milete,andCraigMortensen Health & Safety Committee: MaryBarton831-247-6420
RERA(RodeoEstatesResidents’Association)isanon-profit organizationformedbytheresidentsofRodeoEstatesMobileHomeParkin Soquel,California.Itspurposeistoprovidethecommunitywithaforumin whichtoshareinformationandsupportwithitsmembers.Itsnewsletter, The Update,ispublishedmonthlytothatend.
Please!!
UsecautionwhendrivingintheParkandwatchforpedestriansandpets. Cometoacompletestopatstopsigns,especiallyattheblindcornernearthe emergencyexit.
Remember,carsenteringtheParkhavetherightofway. Slow Down!!
RERA Board of Directors 2025
Karin Lynn, President Termexpires2026 831-234-8044
Norma Milete
Termexpires2025 831-252-6867
Liz Cass
Termexpires2026 (831) 600-7600
Sally Grey, Secretary
Termexpires2027 (831) 325-0451
KC Walsh, Vice President Termexpires2025 408-799-1678
Martie Wiley Termexpires2026 (831) 334-2642
Mary Barton Termexpires2027 (831) 247-6420
Lutz Leimroth, Treasurer Termexpires2027 (408) 390-8973
RERA Board of Directors Minutes May 7, 2025
Introductions and establishment of quorum
Weachievedaquorum,andsixresidentsattended.MartieWileywasexcused.
Treasurer’s Report
LutzLeimrothreported:
Savings
Checking
Legalaccount1(MoneyMarketAdvantage)
Legalaccount2(1-yearCD)
$5.29
$1,737.08
$10,615.68
$10,497.86
SallyGreymovedtoacceptthereport.NormaMileteseconded,andthemotioncarried.
Social Committee
NormaMiletereportedthatthe4th ofJulyBBQisintheplanningstages.Lastyear’scelebrationwasa bigsuccesswithoverninetymealsserved!
Membership Committee
Duescollectionwentwell,thankstoMartieWiley’sexcellentleadershipandhelpfulvolunteers!We raisedapproximately$2300!Thanks,everybody!
JulieBoudreauproposedrevisitingtheduesamountinthefutureandpossiblyraisingit.
TomFinlayreportedthatsomeresidentsfeltuncomfortableaboutputtingtheirenvelopewithcashor checkonthemailpost.Somethingtoconsiderfornextyear.
Health and Safety
MaryBartonreportedthattheEmergencyPreparednessCommitteeisworkingonseveralprojects. EmilyTroutnerreportedontheFireSafetyandEmergencyPreparednessMeetingscheduledfor Wednesday,June11,intheclubhousefrom1:00–3:00p.m.FireInspectorGabyManzo,CentralFire DistrictofSantaCruzCountyCommunityRiskReductionDepartment,willspeakaboutevacuation precautionsandpossiblerefugezoneandsmokedetectorreplacement. Shewilldemonstratethesafe useofafireextinguisher.AQuestionandAnswersessionwillfollow.
EmilyTroutneralsohandedoutinformationforCruzAwareNotification,thecounty’sofficialalert systemforemergenciesandnon-emergencies.
SallyGreywillsendoutanemailreminderonMay20th .
Board Recruitment
GeriGailandTomFinlayhavevolunteeredtojointheboard!InstallationwillhappeninJune.Thenew boardmemberswillsendphotostoSallyGreyforthenewsletter.
Medicare 101 Presentation
DanielleMcAerney,certifiedinsuranceagent,hasofferedanhour’spresentationaboutMedicarefor thoseabouttosignupandthosewhoareavailableforopenenrollment.
GeriGailvolunteeredtocontactDanielletoscheduleameetinginAugustorSeptember,aheadof OctoberOpenEnrollment.
Next meeting June 4, 7:00 p.m.
Social Events at Rodeo Mobile Estates
RERA Board Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Clubhouse unless otherwise indicated.
RERABoardMeeting
June4,7:00p.m.
RERABoardMeeting July2,7:00p.m.
4th ofJulyBBQ July4
RERABoardMeeting August6,7:00p.m.
RERABoardMeeting September3,7:00p.m.
RERABoardMeeting October1,7:00p.m.
RERABoardMeeting November5,5:00p.m.
ThanksgivingPotluck November15
TreeTrimming December1
RERABoardMeeting December3,5:00p.m.
RERABoardMeeting January3,5:00p.m.
Ifyouhaveanactivityorcelebrationidea,pleasecontacttheSocialCommittee forconsideration.Currentcommitteemembers:BeverlyKearney,HallieNeuwirth, KarinLynn,LaurieStuart,LizCass,MaryHogan,MartieWiley,TerriStocking,and ChairwomanNormaMilete.
Pleasecontactanyoneonthecommitteeifyouareinterestedinjoiningthe groupandbecomingachairpersonforanevent!Youwillhaveterrificsupport. Remember,itisneverasingleperson’sjob!
Thanks for Helping!
Thankyou,GaryGaiforrefurbishingthe clubhouserockingchairs.AwesomeJob!!
Help Offered/Requested
Ifyouwantyourserviceslisted,pleasecontactSallyGrey(#71)atsaligrey@mac.com orphoneherat831-325-0451nolaterthanthe10th ofthemonthforthefollowingmonth’s publication.
Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control
Forhelpwithratsandtorequestafreeinspection, call Weslyn Ramaekers at 831-454-2590. (WeslynhastakenoverforRayTravers.)
Senior Caregiver
About me: Myattitudeispositive,healthisgood.I’maquicklearnerandeager topleaseIamapersonofutmostintegrity,anexcellentdriver,andaverygoodcook. I’mhappy,outgoing,agreatlistener,andItrulyenjoymywork.I’mavailableforshortorlong-termassignments.Ihavemyowntransportation,I’manon-smoker,andI’m comfortablewithpets.
Libby Stefano (# 173) 831-707-4225
Seamstress
Hems,alterations,slipcovers;alsoavailablehomemadewashableand reversiblegrocerytotes;custombabyquiltsandotheritems.
Contact Crecia (#62) 831-334-9229
Handyman Services
Icandominorsmalljobs/repairssuchasinstalling handrails,painting,exteriorsoftscape(plantingflowers,weed removal,installing/repairingdripwaterirrigationsystemsand more.)Residentscancallortextmetoscheduleatimetogo overtheirneeds.
You’re
Invited
to a Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness Meeting
Wecareaboutyoursafetyandpeaceofmind.Pleasejoinisforafriendlyand informativeFireSafety&EmergencyPreparednessMeeting,ledbyFireInspector GabyManzo.
When: Wednesday,June11,2025
Time: 1:00p.m.–3:00p.m.
Where: RodeoMobileEstatesClubhouse
Speaker: GabyManzo,FireInspector,CentralFireDistrictofSantaCruz County,CommunityRiskReductionDepartment
Thismeetingisagreatopportunitytolearn,askquestions,andconnectwith yourneighborsaboutstayingsafeinourcommunity.Here’swhatwewillcover.
Review of the Rodeo Mobile Estates Evacuation Map
Learnwheretofindyourevacuationroute.FireInspectorManzowillwalkus throughsafetyrecommendations,evacuationprecautions,possiblerefugezones, andhowtocommunicatewithfiredispatchers.
CruzAware Emergency Notifications
FindouthowtosignupforimportantalertsfromSantaCruzCounty,soyou’re alwaysinformedduringemergencies.Wewillprovideahelpfulhandoutandwalk youthroughtheregistrationprocess.
Smoke Detector Replacement
Needanewsmokedetector?Learnhowtoscheduleafreeinstallationwith theSantaCruzFireDepartment.
Fire Extinguisher Tips & Demonstration
Learntherightfireextinguisherforyourhome,howtocheckifit’scharged andwatchalivedemonstrationonhowtouseonesafely. Whetheryou’renewtothecommunityoralong-timeresident,everyonecan benefitfromtheseimportantsafetyreminders.Bringyourquestions,bringa neighbor,andlet’sworktogethertokeepourcommunitysafeandprepared.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Finding a Therapist Who Takes Your Insurance Can Be Nearly Impossible!
OneinfourMedicareenrolleesarelivingwithamentalillnesssuchasanxiety ordepression.Yetlessthanhalfofthosepeoplearereceivingtreatment.Why? The federalAffordableCareAct(Obamacare)includesmentalhealthandaddiction coverageasoneofthe10essentialhealthbenefits-butitdoesnotcontaina definitionfor‘medicalnecessity’,andcoveragecanbedeniedthroughoverly restrictive‘medicalnecessity’determinations.Federallawdoesnotrequire insurancecompaniestorelyonevidence-basedguidelinesindeterminingmedical necessity.Instead,whendecidingwhattopayfor,thegovernmentallowsinsurers tosettheirownstandards.Andifinsurersareallowedtohomebaketheirown medicalnecessitystandards,youcanprettymuchbetthatthey’regoingtobe infectedbyfinancialconflictsofinterest.Theyoftencreatetheirownstandardsand thenusethemtochallengediagnosesortreatmentplans.Thiscanbeintheformof restricting coverage, delaying care,oreven denying treatment! And controlling networks.Therearenowherenearenoughavailabletherapistsininsurance networkstoserveallofthepeopleseekingcare.Why?
Some forces that drive even the most well-intentioned therapists from insurance networks are:
• Itisoftentheinsurers,notthetherapists,whodeterminewhocanget treatment,whatkindtheycanget,andforhowlong.Inadditiontocuttingoff therapy,theinsurancecompanycanpressureproviderstocapthelengthof theirsessions,evenwhenthepatientsrequiremoretime.
• Reimbursementsratesarenotoriouslylow. Alargeportionofthemental healthworkforceisnotwillingtoacceptMedicareandMedicaidcoverage becausethepaymenttheyreceiveisn’tenoughtomakethemwanttotakeon thesepatients.Mentalhealthprovidersarepaidsubstantiallylessthan medicalprovidersforofficevisitsofequivalentlength.Foranhour-longoffice visit,amentalhealthprovider,onaverage,isreimbursedabouthalfthe amountgiventoamedicalorsurgicalclinician.Andthentherearethedelays inpaymentswheninsurerswithholdreimbursementsthatcancomemonths late.Therapistsreportspendinghoursaweekchasingdownameager payment,listeningtoholdmusicandsendingfaxesintotheabyss.
• Theadministrativeburdenandbureaucraticpaperworkofbillingfor Medicarecanbeoverwhelmingforsmallerpractices.Insurancecompanies denypaymentsometimesclaiminguseofincorrectbillingcodesor inadequatedocumentation.Insteadofhavingproviderscorrectisolated errors,itdeniespayment.
• Manypsychotherapistsdon’tparticipateinMedicaresinceMedicaredoesn’t allowthemtobillpatientsforthedifferencebetweenitscapandtheirtypical fee.
• Theprocesstoobjecttodenialsofcoverageisobscureandburdensome. Therapistssearchinvainforrelevantaddressesandfaxnumbersthencan waitmorethantwohoursonhold.Thisbyzantineprocessisnotanaccident. Theideaistomakeitsofrustratingforproviderstofollowupondenialof claimsthattheyjustgiveupandtheinsurancecompanydoesnothavetopay.
• Companieshavebeenknowntoclawbackmoneyeveniftheyaretheones whomadeamistakeinpayment.Manystateslimitaninsurerfromclawing backpaymentsmorethantwoyearsafteraclaimispaid.Butabouttenstates don’t!
• Itcanbecomefinanciallyunsustainabletomaintainaprivatepractice.The overheadissubstantial:malpracticeandhealthinsurance,billingand administrativeservices,officerentandutilities.Insurerspayonlyfortimein session,notthedocumentingofnotesorchasingdownofpayments.
• Thereisashortageofmentalhealthprofessionals,particularlythosetrained ingeriatrics.
• Somebelievethatmentalhealththerapyisnotbeneficialforolderadults.
• Poorcustomerservicecanoccurwhenitisoutsourcedtoaforeigncountry. Oftenoverseasemployeeslackaccesstothefullclaimssystemandare unfamiliarwithcomplexmedicalterminologyinEnglish.
AARP is working on some solutions to address the problem:
1. Increased Reimbursement rates by Medicare: Makeitmorefinancially attractiveforproviders.
2. Expanded Provider Network: Encouragingmorementalhealth professionalstoenrollasMedicare.EffectiveJanuary1,2024,qualified, experiencedMarriageandFamilyTherapistsarenowallowedenrollas MedicareprovidersandbillMedicarewhichshouldincreasetheavailable network.
3. Telehealth: Expandingtheuseoftelehealthformentalhealthservicescan improveaccess,especiallyinruralareas.
4. Addressing Ageism: AARPalsohighlightstheneedtoaddressageismand themisconceptionthatolderadultsaretoooldfortherapy.Itencourages olderadultstoseekmentalhealthsupport.
Carol Brinkman, “Making Medicare Easy”, 949-463-5550
LET’S BE PREPARED: TipsforEmergencyPreparedness
FILE OF LIFE COULDSAVEYOURLIFE!
In a Medical Emergency, Every Second Counts! Ifparamedicscometohelpyouor alovedone,willtheyhavetheinformationtheyneedtosavealife?Ifyou’reconsciousand thinkingclearly,youmaybeabletotellthem.Butifyouareinpainorunconscious,you mightnotbeabletospeakorrememberkeydetails. Youreceiveda File of Life inyour welcomepacketwhenyoumovedintothePark.
That’s Where the File of Life Comes In. Thiscard providesvitalmedicalinformationwhenyou’reunableto speak.It’skeptinaredplasticpocketonyourrefrigerator andincludeskeyinformationsuchas:Yourname• Emergencycontacts•Insuranceinformation•Medications• Allergies•Doctors’names.
MakesuretheFileofLifeisclearlyvisibleonyourrefrigerator.Firstresponderswill lookforitthere.
Checkthattheinformationisuptodate.
Needanewone?ContactMartieWiley,MembershipCommittee(831)334-2642.
THE OK/HELP SIGN –FORUSEDURINGDISASTERS
IncludedinyourDisaster/Emergency PreparednessGuideisabrightlimegreen
OK/HELP sign.Thishelpsfirstrespondersand neighborsknowifyouneedurgenthelpduringa disaster.
OK =Youaresafeanddo not needrescue.
HELP =You do needassistancefromneighborsorresponders.
Storethesignnearawindowordoorsoyoucaneasilydisplayit.
PapercliptwoBand-Aidstothesign.YouwillusetheBand-Aidstoattachthesignto theinsideofthewindowincaseofdisaster.
Thesesignsare NOT forindividualemergencies,suchasafallorheartattack!In thosecases,call911.
Answers Your Questions!
By Carol Brinkman, GSMOL Secretary, cbrinkman12@cox.net: 949-463-5550
GSMOL (Golden State Manufactured-Home
Owner’s League) (pronouncedGizmo),isyourstatewideadvocacygroupwho fightstoprotectyourrightsandtheaffordabilityinyourhomewhenyouowna mobilehomeandliveinamobilehomepark. When you own your home, but not the land it sits on, you are in a very vulnerable situation! Yourneedsasahomeownerfor securityandtomaintainaffordabilityisdifferentfromtheneedsoftheownerofthe land,whichistomakeaprofit!Ifthelandownerdecideshewantstoincreaseyour spacerentaprohibitiveamountorwantstoimposerulesthatareunfair,youare stuck!YourmobilehomeisNOTmobile;youcannotmoveacrosstowntofinda betterdeal!Thisequationisnotbalancedinyourfavor;thelandownerhasmore moneyandmoreattorneys.GSMOLfightstolevelthisunbalancedplayingfield.One wayisbysponsoringandpassinglawseveryyeartoprotectyou.Theselaws becomepartoftheMRL(MobilehomeResidencyLaw).Everyyearwesponsorbills toaddtoourprotections.Wealsoexpendconsiderableefforttoopposebillsthat aredetrimentaltous.ThesearethebillsGSMOLissponsoringinthe2025 legislativesession.
GSMOL is SPONSORING
AB 456 (Connolly): Mobilehome Home Sales: Thisbilltargetsproblems withmobilehomeresalewhenmanagementdoesnottimelyrespondtotheeither theseller’srequestforalistofnecessaryrepairs/upgradestotheexteriorofthe homebeforeresaleand/orthebuyer’sapplicationfortenancy.Therehavebeen problemswhenmanagementwaitsuntilitisneartimeforescrowtoclosebefore presentingahomeowneralistofnecessaryrepairsgivinghimlittletimetorespond, ormanagementwithholds/delaystenancyapprovaloftheprospectivebuyeruntil lateinthetransactioncausingthebuyertorunoutofpatienceandbowoutofthe sale.Indoingthis,theparkownerhassetthestagetosweepinandoffertobuythe homeatabargain-basementpriceorevengetthehomeforfreeifthefrustrated sellercannotaffordtheongoingcostsheincurswhilesellingandsimplyabandons thehome.Thishappensmuchtoooften!AB456extendstimeforparktorespondto aseller’srequesttoobtainalistofupgradesrequiredfrom10to15daysand if there is no response, it is presumed the park has waived its rights (798.73.5).Italsoclarifies thatonlyrepairstotheexteriorofthehomeareallowed-nottheinterior.AB456 wouldalsoamendCivilCode798.74to deem that management has approved the application of a prospective purchaser if they fail or refuse to respond to the parties
within 15 days of receiving the tenancy application; their silence is deemed to have waived their right of approval.
AB 635 (Ahrens): Attorney General bill: AB635strengthenstheMRLPP programandprovidesbetterenforcementbyallowingHCDtoreferupto25ofthe mostegregiousviolationsoftheMRLperyeartotheCaliforniaAttorneyGeneral (AG)formoreeffectiveenforcementofthisstatelaw.Thiswillbeapowerful deterrenttothebadactors.
AB 925 (Addis) Emergency Preparedness: Thisbillisare-introductionof lastyear’sAB2022thatwasvetoedbytheGovernorwhocitedcostconcerns.Itwill changeexistinglawtorequireanownerofamobilehomeparktoadoptan emergencypreparednessplanwhichincludesmorestringentdemandsregarding firehydrantcertificationbeforerenewaloftheirpermittooperate(PTO).Itrequires parkmanagementtomakeawrittenstatementofcomplianceunderpenaltyof perjurybeforetherenewalofthepark’sPTO. Thisbillwouldincreasetheper-lot feefrom$4to$10tofundHCDtoenforcetheMobilehomeParksAct;halfthisfee maybepassedontoresidents.
GSMOL is SUPPORTING
SB 610 hasmultipleauthorsandcoauthorsandisaresponsetotherecentLA wildfiresandthedestructionofthreelargemobilehomeparks.GSMOLisworking withauthorsonthelanguage.AB610willprovidemultipleprotections.Itrequires theinsurancecommissionertoworkwithmortgagelenderstoimplementmortgage forbearanceandalossmitigationprovision.Itstatesprepaidrentandsecurity depositsmustbereturnedwithin21days;allowsadischargeofrentduringaperiod ofmandatoryevacuation;preventsrentfrombeingraisedmorethan3%plusCPIor 5%whicheverislower;providesthatformerresidentshavethefirstrightofrefusal tooccupytheirspaceinarebuiltparkandnewrentnottoexceed10%ofpriorrent; providestimelinesforparkownerstoremovedebrisandmitigatehazardsaftera disastertominimizeexposuretotoxicsubstances.
SB 749:Intheeventofdisasterandaparkcloses,noticewillbegivento residentorganizationsandpublicentitiesthatcanprovidefunding.Thiswill increasetheabilityforresidentstopurchasetheparkinsteadoftheownerselling theland.Currentlytheonlyrequirementisforresidentstobeinformediftheparkis listedforsaleandonlyiftheyhaveformedaresidentorganizationandrequestit.
GSMOL is OPPOSING
AB 768 wouldmakeunfavorablechangestoCivilCode798.21. Thebillstates thatamobilehomemustbetheonlyandprimaryresidenceinordertohaverent stabilizationprotection.Thisbillissponsoredbyparkownerswhowanttodeny rentcontroliftheownerofthemobilehomehasanotherhome.
When GSMOL sponsors a bill, it is to address an identified mobilehome problem and we are largely responsible for the language of the bill in coordination with the author. Once we decide on the bills we want to sponsor, we must find a legislator to be its ‘author’ to carry it through the legislative process. GSMOL members become the driving force to pass the bill. We do this through our lobbyist working the halls of Congress, by our members’ phone calls, emails, personal visits to local legislators and by our in-person visits to testify in support of the bills in Sacramento. All bills mentioned above are “in process”. The process is for the bill to be heard by the appropriate Committee and voted upon, and if it passes, it goes to the floor for a vote of the House it originated in. It then goes to the other House and the process repeats itself. The legislative session ends in September and if our bills pass both Houses, they go to Governor Newson for his signature or veto. Your $25 annual membership makes this happen. Please join or renew your membership to GSMOL at gsmol.org.
After the Civil War
ThisisacontinuationofthestoryofRebeccaandJim Wyrick,mygreat-greatgrandparents,fromearlierissuesofour newsletter.
By Gail Fail (#105)
Forseveralyearsafterthewar,manypeopleinNorth TexasandsouthernIndianTerritory,includingtheWyricks,made extramoneydoingsomethingIhadneverheardaboutbefore researchingthefamily.Theycollectedthefruitsofboisd’arc (Osage-orange)trees,whichgrewnaturallyaroundtheRedRiveranditstributaries.BoggyDepot andseveralotherplacessetupwaterdrivenmillsforgrindingthefruitsandextractingtheseeds, whichwereexportedtootherstatesandeventoEurope,forplantinghedges.
Boisd’arcmeans“woodofthebow”inFrench,becauseOsageIndiansuseditformaking bows.Durableboisd’arcwoodwasprizedformakingfenceposts,wagonwheelsandtoolhandles, asitwassodenseandrotresistant.Thewood,ifchippedandboiled,madeaniceyellowdye. Hedgesoflivingboisd’arcweresotangledandthornytheykeptcattleinandpredatorsout.Early rancherscutthebranchesandstackedthemtomaketemporarycorralsforcattleandhorses.Until barbedwirewasinventedin1880,therewasamarketforboisd’arcseedstogrowsturdyliving fences.Americantankshadtroublebreakingthroughthickboisd’archedgesinFranceand GermanyduringbothWorldWars.
PriortotheCivilWar,theWyricksweredoingreasonablywell.Theyownedland,hada littlemoney,andRebeccastillhadhopesofsellingorusingSantiago’slandgrantifonlyshecould catchuponthetaxes.Thewardidnotcompletelyimpoverishthem,asitdidmanyotherfamilies. Theydidnotlosethehomefarm.Butin1864,ayearbeforethewarended,Jimstillownedonlyhis fortyacresinGraysonCounty,onehorseandonecow.Thelandandanimalswereworthatotalof abouteightydollars.Likemostfarmersofthetime,hewasclosetobroke.Thefamilygardenand somechickensandpigskepteverybodyfed.
RebeccacouldnotkeepupthetaxesonSantiago’slandgrant.TheNacogdochesranchwas soldin1878,fortwenty-threedollars,twicetheamountowedintaxes.
In1864Rebecca’sdaughterEmilyRaviamarriedawhitesoldierintheChickasaw Battalion,aGraysonCountyfarmer.TheweddingwasadoubleceremonywithherbrotherJoeand
Joe’sbride.TheotherRaviakidsmarriednotlongafterthewar.Therewas,infact,arashof weddingsnation-widein1865and’66,assurvivingsoldierssettleddown.Soldierscouldhave theirpickofwomenbecauseoftheacuteshortageofyoungmennationwide.
In1869or’70JimWyrickdied.Thereisnorecordoftheexactdate,wherehewasburied, orwhatkilledhim.Hewasprobablyburiedathome.Rebecca,fortunately,hadheradultRavia childrenlivingnearforsupport.Afterhedied,Rebecca(thenage48)stillhadherfiveyoung Wyrickchildrenathome.TheywereBud(agesixteen),Kate(thirteen),Syl(eleven),John(ten)and MaryAgnes(nine).
The1870censusforGraysonCountylistsfarmhousesintheorderinwhichthe censustakervisitedthem.Icanseehowgeographicallyclosethefamilymemberswerebythe sequence.SixoftheRaviakidsandtheirspouseslivedonthesameroadastheWyrickfarm. Eventually,someoftheRaviasmovedtoIndianTerritory.
In1880,afterallherWyrickchildrenweregrown,Rebeccamarriedforthethird time.ThishusbandwasaGermanmannamedTheodoreWald.Hewastwenty-fiveyearsyounger thanRebecca,whowasfifty-sevenwhentheymarried.Apparently,Racheldidnotlosehercharms withage!
Aftertheymarried,TheodoreandRebeccamovedtoafarminMontagueCounty, Texas,justwestofGraysonCounty.TheylivedthereuntilRebeccadiedin1888.Theodorehada fancymonumenterectedonhergrave.
StoriestoldbytheRaviadescendantsaboutRebeccapaintherasalovingmother andakindperson.Shewasrenownedformakingthefamily’sweddingcakes.Duringtimeswhen wheatflourwasunavailable,shecarefullygroundandhand-sievedcornmealtomakeveryfine flour.Thissamekindoffinecornflourisavailableonstoreshelvesnow,butfortunatelynobody hastospendhourshand-sievingit.Rebeccaraisedalotofchildren,notallofthemherown.She helpedbirthdozensmoreinherroleasmidwife.
FormanyyearstheRaviaandWyrickchildrenkeptintouchwitheachother.My grandmotherStellaexchangedletterswithsomeofherRaviacousins,buteventuallythefamilies lostcontact.AsfarasIknow,noneofStella’sgrandchildreneverheardabouttheRavias,orifwe did,wedidn’tlisten.Now,Iwishwehadbeenmorecuriousaboutherfamily!
Rebecca’sWyricksonsworkedmainlyastenantfarmers,butsometimesaslaborerson farms,railroads,andranches.Noneofthemevermadealotofmoney,butbetweenthem,theyhad alotofoffspring.AlltheWyrickchildrenmarriedintootherGraysonCountyfarmfamilies.None ofthechildrenhadlearnedtoreadandwrite,andnonehadaprofessionotherthanfarmingand generallabor.
Kate,Rebecca’ssecondWyrickchild,wasthefirsttomarry.Shefellinlovewith EzekielCrisp,ahandsomehalfCherokeeConfederateArmyveteranwhosefamilylivedona neighboringfarm.EzekielgotKatepregnant,andtheyhadahurriedmarriage.Shewasonly fifteen,butatthetime,wasconsideredoldenoughtomarryandhavebabies.
TheoldestWyrickboy,mygreatgrandfatherAndrewJamesJacksonWyrick(Bud) wasnexttogetmarried.Whenhewaseighteen,Budmarriedtwenty-three-year-oldJosephine Crisp,Ezekiel’soldersister.Thismarriagewasnothappy,andthecoupleseparated.Bothlater marriedbutIneverfoundadivorcerecord.OnefamilystoryhandeddownbymygreatAuntNita’s childrensaidthatJosephineranoffwithahiredhand,takinghertwoWyrickdaughterswithher.I don’tknowwhathappenedtothosedaughters,anddon’tknowtheirnames.
AccordingtomyoldersisterSue,Bud’schildrenandgrandchildrenknewthathehadbeen marriedbeforehemarriedourgreatgrandma,thathehadtwogirlswithhisfirstwife.Itwas whisperedthatmaybehehadneverdivorcedhisfirstwife,andthatlosinghistwodaughterswas
alifelongheartbreak.Ofcourse,thepossiblebigamywasascandal,sonobodyspokeofitoutside thefamily.
Bud’slittlesisterMaryAgnesmarriedatwenty-one-year-oldneighbor’ssonwhowasa CivilWarveteran. Shewasfourteen.
In1879,JohnWyrick,Rebecca’syoungestboy,wasconvictedofmurderandtheftandgiven athree-yearsentence.HespenthisprisontimeintheHuntsville,Texasprison.Johnescaped once butwasquicklycaught.HewasdischargedfromprisoninAprilof1881.Thismusthavecauseda lotofheartacheforRebecca.
InNovemberof1881JohnmarriedArameciaGaines,daughterofanotherneighbor.She waseighteen;hewastwenty-two.Shehadwaitedforhimwhileheservedhissentence.Johnnever gotintroublewiththelawagain.
Sylvanus(Syl)WyrickmarriedneighborJoannaHolcombwhenhewasseventeenandshe wassixteen.SylnamedtheirfirstsonPeterCelestineafterhishalf-brother,PeterCelestineRavia. Thetwoweregoodfriends.BothSylandPeterhadreputationsasdifficultmen,quicktoanger. Maybeaschildrentheybondedovertheirbadbehavior.OneofhiscousinswrotethatSylwas“not muchgood,”butsaidhisbrotherBud(mygreatgrandpa)was“aprinceofaman.”
Idon’tknowexactlywhereBudliveduntilhemarriedagain.Heleftthefarmandmade moneybybuyingandsellingfarmanimals.ButIamsurethatBudmusthavelivednear(or visited)hisRaviahalfsiblingsinIndianTerritory,becausearound1893hemarriedthere.
Bud’ssecondwifewasaprettyblondewidow,MillieRouthBowles.Herhusbanddied whenhewasgoredbyalonghorn.Milliehadaboyandagirlfromherfirstmarriageandhadtwo moregirlswithBud.BudandMillieboughtfarmlandinIndianTerritory,wheremygrandmaStella andmygreatauntJuanitawereborn.SincethegirlsattendedanIndianschool,theygrewup speakingChoctawandEnglish.Thisledtosomemisunderstandingsbytheirgrandchildren,who believedthatwehadsomeIndianancestry.Iwasdisappointedtodiscoverwedidnot.
Researchingmyfamilyhistoryhasgivenmeagreaterappreciationforthetoughnessand tenacityofournation’spioneers,andalsoabetterideaofhowmanyinjusticeswerevisitedon America’snativepeople.Manyofyoureadingthishavesimilarfamilyhistories.Ihopethatwhen consideringoldstorieshandeddownfromyourgrandparents,youwillrealizethatsomeofthem mightbeuntrue,likethe“fact”thatmygrandmawasdescendedfromabastardchildofAndrew Jackson,andthatshewaspartIndian.
Submissions Welcome!
Ifyouhaveapoemorshortstoryyou’dliketoshare,pleasesubmit yourworktoSallyGrey: saligrey@mac.com.Ican’tpromisethatyour workwillappearinthenewsletter,butI’lltrymybesttobeinclusive. Unfortunately,yourgorgeousphotoswillnotreproducewithquality. Ihandfilestotheprinteronthe15th ofeachmonth,soIneed contentbythe10th .
Help Is at Hand!
NeighborKethleenNotch(#165)recommendstheGoogleNestHubforhelparound thehome.
