Standish Sterling Central High School
Class Of 1983
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Here is a story about Connie Albrecht as posted in Tuscola today:
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A new home for Yami
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CARO — Soccer, the Bible, hot tea and fresh fruit are comforts from home for 8-year-old Yami. The young Ethiopian boy was recently adopted by Connie Albrecht of Caro. “It was definitely a calling,” she said. “I feel like I have a lot to offer and there are so many children that need homes.” Yami speaks little English, although his sweet smile and dark brown eyes convey his love for his new family. “English! English!” he often says, indicating that he is aware of the language barrier. “He’s picked up a few words,” said Albrecht. “He’s taught us some of his language, too.” Yami speaks Amharic, a language that is widely spoken in Africa and Asia. Fortunately, he is still able to speak his native tongue to a close friend who was also adopted into the U.S. “His friend was adopted by a family in Washington and they talk on the phone,” said Albrecht. “It’s really cute to listen to.” Albrecht, a health technology teacher at the Tuscola Technology Center, traveled to Ethiopia with her daughter, Becky, in December to meet Yami for the first time and bring him back to Caro. The Albrechts spent several days there, getting to know their new family member, before returning Jan. 2. “He warmed right up to us,” said Albrecht. “I never had any doubts.” An adoption agency, All God’s Children International, arranged for several families to travel to their orphanage in the capital city, Addis Ababa. Through the agency, a total of six children were adopted from the orphanage, Hannah’s Hope, on the same day as Yami. Although the agency was very helpful in the adoption process, Ethiopian records were not as detailed. “All of the papers say he is 5 years old,” said Connie. “But he is obviously not 5. Look how tall he is! We think he is 8... We’ll never know his real birth date.” As far as Albrecht knows, Yami’s parents died, one when he was just 3 years old and the other when he was five. Young Yami had lived with his grandmother for some time; however, she was unable to care for him. “It was sad seeing them say good-bye,” said Connie. “She obviously loved him and he loved her. They cried... I told her I would send her pictures.” Becky Albrecht, 17, said the people of Ethiopia will forever be impressed on her mind and heart and she hopes to return there with Yami one day. “They are such a loving, affectionate people,” she said. “I saw little kids playing and one fell and tripped and the other picked the kid up and kissed him on the cheek - they are just so sweet. “They love the Bible, too. They want to go to Bible study.” A senior at Caro High School, Becky will attend college next year, leaving her mom and new brother. “He’s really attached to her,” she said. “I grew up as an only child and I feel bad that I won’t really be a big part of his growing up, but I think they’ll be okay.” And Yami has no problems keeping himself occupied. During his second week in Caro, he shoveled the front yard to make himself a soccer field. He’s also attended several of Caro School’s sporting events. For the most part, Yami is adjusting to the American culture. “He eats a ton!” said Connie. “He likes pasta, fruit and hot tea.” However, he has had some sad moments, likely missing his normal surroundings. “He’s cried a couple of times and I just hold him,” said Connie. “I don’t know what he is saying, so I just hug him. I’ve cried with him.” Connie said she would love to visit Ethiopia again with Yami, but the cost to travel there is great. Until then, she said she is “blessed” to have Yami in her life. “My heart was drawn to Africa,” she said. “I can’t really explain why. There are kids all over the world that need homes, but I knew Africa was right.” Thank you to Pam Rhymer for sharing the article. |
KUDO'S TO RICK NIED AND HIS WIFE EDYE FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE LINCOLN LIONS CLUB CAPTAIN'S CORNER
The Washabaugh family has competed in the Lincoln Lions Club Lake Trout/Walleye Fishing tournament since its inception.
But The Smoked Salmon team, captained by
Washabaugh's crews cleaned up in the 26th annual event by winning the one-day Captain's Corner Ladies Classic and the two-day Budweiser Super Tournament.
Lonnie Crampton, immediate past president of the Lincoln Lions Club, said it's the first time that one boat has captured both titles.
The Smoked Salmon women's team, which consisted of Bill's wife, Paula, their daughter-in-law, Melissa Washabaugh, and Edye Neid, had won the tournament once before.
The men's team, which featured Bill Washabaugh, his son, Chris, and Rick Neid and his son, Zach, was third a year ago.
"My dad fished with his dad and his brother Tom and the best they ever did was a second and a third in 1983 and 84," said Chris Washabaugh, 31-year-old plant manager at Northern Concrete Pipe Inc. "We've just consistently worked our way up the leader board and we've got bragging rights now."
Paul Borushko of Standish was also a part of Smoked Salmon's team for 24 years until he died in January 2007. Rick Neid is Borushko's son-in-law. Edye is Borushko's daughter. The Neids live in
"It's always been a family endeavor," Bill Washabaugh said. "We really like taking our kids out fishing."
The Smoked Salmon men's team usually has two guys running the back of the boat, while one is tying lines.
The Washabaugh boat fished straight out of the Harrisville harbor in both tournaments.
The men's team, which was second after Day 1, reeled in 24 fish totaling 113.6 pounds. There were eight other teams entered in the Super Tournament. Looney Bin, captained by Terry Wortley of
"Eventually it had to happen," said Bill Washabaugh, 52-year-old vice president of production at Northern Concrete Pipe Inc. "We've been chasing the top prize with a great group of friends for years and we've been pretty consistent.
"Typically the team who gets into big fish wins. But you know there's a lot of luck involved. We got a limit all three days and nobody else did."
"We won this thing a couple years ago and after we won again, they were feeling the pressure," Edye Neid said.
The winning team used copper line, lead core and downriggers.
"We used a lead ball on the bottom and bottom bounced to drag up the fish. It was something an old friend showed my dad and us in the late 1970's," Bill Washabaugh said. "It's old school compared to all the fancy techniques out there, but apparently it still works pretty well."
The winning technique also included a blue spoon that Chris Washabaugh brought.
"We were pretty comfortable with our No. 2 spot on Day 1 and figured we'd stay there unless someone got a bunch of silver fish," Bill Washabaugh said.
"We caught bigger fish and nobody else caught limits. But we got lucky," said Rick Neid, a highway department worker. "We did really well in the first two hours on Day 2 and then it died for two hours and 45 minutes."
"She went dead for three hours," said Zach Neid, who reeled in the final fish of the day. "You had your doubts."
Rick Neid said the team doesn't celebrate or get too worked up out on the water.
"We just go out and fish and have fun," said Neid, who goes out with fishing with the Washabaughs almost weekly. "We knew we'd be close to winning, but you really don't know until all the fish are weighed.
"It was exciting and unbelievable."
The women's team, with nine fish totaling nearly 40 pounds, beat out three other boats.
"Obviously, with the decreased number of boats, it is much easier to win both legs this year than in the past," said Crampton. "However, it was still an accomplishment for the Washabaugh family, who are very good fishers competing against experienced tournament fishing teams."
The women, who battled rough seas - 4- to 6-footers - do their own netting. The captain steers the boat and can help set lines.
"We just took turns reeling and netting," said Melissa, who has fished the tournament the last five years. "We had a few good fish."
"When you're out in rough seasons, you're not thinking too much," said Edye Neid, who fishes with Paula a lot. "We just sort of hung on.
"It was a rough trip."
The Smoked Salmon women were the first ashore, but had to wait for the others to put their fish on the scales.
The women's team received trophies, hats and some cash. The men's team got the same, only a much bigger payday.