wish i was there.

[howie's sunshine]

hi everyone on island wish i could be there . but can t get back to the great beaches untill 2013 then it will be a girls trip . can t wait saving all my nickels . have a great time everyone sunshine

[snorkles]

I will ring Howie's bell at Skinny Legs next week for you. You will have fun planning your trip.

[2catlimit]

Hey Sunshine,
It's nice to hear from you!
I hope you're doing well.

I started following the forum just before your Howie's passing.
His warm replies and friendly advice to everyone on the forum made me feel welcome and want to be a part of it.
I had barely begun to get to know the lovely person he was when suddenly, he was gone.
I was shocked and so saddened over the loss of someone I didn't even "really know".
I feel like I did get to know him, though, by going back, looking up and reading all of his posts, or I should say conversations.
He had an incredibly kind spirit and such a sparkling personality.
I know the world is a poorer place for the loss of him, but I'm glad to have known him, even for a little while.
Hang in there til '13. It'll be here before you know it and you can ring the bell for Howie again.
Best wishes.

[Thimbu]

Hi Howie's Sunshine. Funny how I was just thinking about Howie as I entered the forum today. We will be there in 9 days and we will definitely ring his bell at Skinny Legs!
Warm regards,
Thimbu

[Tracy in WI]

So great to see you Howie's Sunshine! My son and I stopped into Skinny Legs in June and he rang the bell in memory of your husband. The island will smile when you can visit again!

[JT]

Sunshine, I hope you're well. Paul was my favorite part of the forum. He gave me a great welcome many years ago.
Peace & Harmony!
Joe

[howie's sunshine]

hey thanks for all your posts and for everyone still remembring howie and ringing his bell. his birthday is sunday 10/2 so if anyone is going to be on the island and at skinny leggs please ring his bell for his birthday and have a drink.it will be 7yrs on the 10/14/11 and its been a long 7yrs for me .and i can t wait to get back to stj.so thanks again .sunshine aka cindy

[Patty]

I guess you wil never know how many lives he touched!!! We ring his bell each summer we are there...his spirit lives on.

[Knolmom]

It is so nice to see your posts, know that you are doing well and that you still look forward to Paradise.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

So good to see you back on here! I'm sorry it will be such a long time before you can get back to the islands though.

[lawmom]

Cindy,

We are at Skinny's and Howie's bell has been rung. I sent you a video to your email address!

[liamsaunt]

Cindy, I am so glad to see you posting again. Howie was such a friendly and helpful voice on the old version of this forum. He answered all my "stupid" newbie questions with grace and warmth. I am happy that you have another trip to St. John in your future.

[Bill in Va]

Hey there....Glad to see you back on the forum. We will be ringing the bell the first part of Nov. Arrive on the 6th...leave the 19th. PM me your cell and we will call you when we are at Skinny's ringing the bell. There used to be a picture on the forum when we put the bell up. Maybe Anthony can put it up..God bless...Bill and Sandie

[lprof]

Hey there....Glad to see you back on the forum. We will be ringing the bell the first part of Nov. Arrive on the 6th...leave the 19th. PM me your cell and we will call you when we are at Skinny's ringing the bell. There used to be a picture on the forum when we put the bell up. Maybe Anthony can put it up..God bless...Bill and Sandie

Hi howie's sunshine! I saw Howie's Bell before finding this forum... so many members have recalled your husband with respect and fond memories. I am sorry that I came too late to "meet" him. It is terrific that you will be back to STJ, and I hope that you will continue to visit VIOL often.


Bill, I think this is the photo... and this was how you described the dedication of the bell in an earlier post.

"Yo....There were about 10 of us there the day we put the plaque up. A forumite had two plaques made and I forget who there are. Please forgive. One plaque came with Mike and Jan, the other went to Cindy, Howies' wife. Those in attendace included Ronnie Lockhart from St Thomas yes that Ron in USVI, Art and Ann Bowers, Mike and Jan, my wife Sandie and I, another couple and a lady and last but not least one Anthony Finta, yes that Anthony of this here forum. It was as if the whole forum was there as we hung the plaque and called Cindy so she could hear the words and hear the bell rung for the first time. Yes I choked up as I read it to the assembled. Yes I still choke each time I read it.
I need you know that Anthony picked up the tab for all. Thank you again Anthony.....God bless..Bill"

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridalin ... 205617293/" title="photo.JPG by lprof, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/620 ... 81b8_z.jpg" width="599" height="453" alt="photo.JPG"></a>