A Friend in Need
Difficult news for the flute world:
While I have yet to meet a flute maker who is not a good soul, many folks know Randy and Shelly Stenzel as super folks who make wonderful flutes and drums in a good way. They are well known for their talents and generosity.
It has come to my attention and so I am sharing the news that Randy is sick and seeking to overcome cancer in a number of places in his body. The community has rightfully rallied to his aid with songs, prayers and now contributions as the news reveals they do not have health insurance to handle the costs of this struggle. I have included text from an email here sent by Colyn Petersen who has an update on efforts to help Randy.
"Randy was diagnosed with lung cancer a short time ago. Initially, they thought it to be 2 tumors--one on the lung and another on the lung near the heart. It appears now that there is another on one of his vertebrae. Randy is currently home after spending several days in the hospital due to a coughing spasm which involved coughing up blood. This happened on his and Shelly's 26 wedding anniversary. He was taken by ambulance to U of I Hospital where they informed him of the danger he was in. Saying that there was chance of bleeding out in a matter of minutes if he did not control the coughing. For this reason, Randy is not taking calls because talking tends to make him cough. He is currently undergoing double doses of radiation and chemotherapy to try and kill the cancer cells. Over the last year or so, Randy has gotten in real good shape walking and riding his bike, but he will need our thoughts and prayers though to get through this. His family is asking all in the flute community to send their best. "
"We would like to help in a small way by auctioning off a flute - we hope that the community will be generous and that the flute can go for even more than it's asking price. We will be offering an Old Growth Western Red Cedar right-handed bass F# with Osage orange side-blown mouthpiece and Thunderbird block with a woodlands wrap, valued at $415.00. It's a beautiful flute with a sweet voice. 100% of the proceeds will be given to Randy and Shelly Stenzel. The auction will begin at noon Monday, October 6th and continue until noon Monday, October 20th. Bidding will start at $400.00. A photo and description of the flute will be posted on our website: http://www.woodlandvoices.com Bids should be sent by e-mail with Benefit Flute Auction in the subject line."
Colyn goes on to say "We invite anyone else to find creative ways to support Randy and his family during this difficult time." The title link of this bolg entry gives you randy's website if you would like to send a message or support in some way.
While I have yet to meet a flute maker who is not a good soul, many folks know Randy and Shelly Stenzel as super folks who make wonderful flutes and drums in a good way. They are well known for their talents and generosity.
It has come to my attention and so I am sharing the news that Randy is sick and seeking to overcome cancer in a number of places in his body. The community has rightfully rallied to his aid with songs, prayers and now contributions as the news reveals they do not have health insurance to handle the costs of this struggle. I have included text from an email here sent by Colyn Petersen who has an update on efforts to help Randy.
"Randy was diagnosed with lung cancer a short time ago. Initially, they thought it to be 2 tumors--one on the lung and another on the lung near the heart. It appears now that there is another on one of his vertebrae. Randy is currently home after spending several days in the hospital due to a coughing spasm which involved coughing up blood. This happened on his and Shelly's 26 wedding anniversary. He was taken by ambulance to U of I Hospital where they informed him of the danger he was in. Saying that there was chance of bleeding out in a matter of minutes if he did not control the coughing. For this reason, Randy is not taking calls because talking tends to make him cough. He is currently undergoing double doses of radiation and chemotherapy to try and kill the cancer cells. Over the last year or so, Randy has gotten in real good shape walking and riding his bike, but he will need our thoughts and prayers though to get through this. His family is asking all in the flute community to send their best. "
"We would like to help in a small way by auctioning off a flute - we hope that the community will be generous and that the flute can go for even more than it's asking price. We will be offering an Old Growth Western Red Cedar right-handed bass F# with Osage orange side-blown mouthpiece and Thunderbird block with a woodlands wrap, valued at $415.00. It's a beautiful flute with a sweet voice. 100% of the proceeds will be given to Randy and Shelly Stenzel. The auction will begin at noon Monday, October 6th and continue until noon Monday, October 20th. Bidding will start at $400.00. A photo and description of the flute will be posted on our website: http://www.woodlandvoices.com Bids should be sent by e-mail with Benefit Flute Auction in the subject line."
Colyn goes on to say "We invite anyone else to find creative ways to support Randy and his family during this difficult time." The title link of this bolg entry gives you randy's website if you would like to send a message or support in some way.
Labels: Colyn Petersen, flute making, flute raffle, Randy Stenzel
posted by Carl at 7:56 AM
