[Oe List ...] Appreciating Jay Antenen Sr.

[McCabe, Terence W]

I couldn't help from busting out laughing when I read about the tour of Hamilton. My family has always treasured our experiences and association with the Antenen family. Young Jay has always been close to Diann's and my heart and through that connection I have come to love both his parents. I cannot work in our garden without remembering pulling weeds with young Jay. Jay Sr.'s humor has always reminded me of my Dad. Dry, Dry, Dry. Diann and I are working on creating a monument in our town at the corner of LBJ and MLK. Jay Sr. has been the patron saint on my council of doing such community action. We send our love to the whole Antenen family.
Terry McCabe
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From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Norm and Judy Lindblad [nj.lindblad at gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 5:41 PM
To: Colleague Dialogue; Order Ecumenical Community
Subject: [Oe List ...] Appreciating Jay Antenen Sr.

Dear Antenen Family,

We greet you all with some fond memories and appreciation for your invitation to recall Jay Sr. stories.  The Howies and Lindblads had a splendid ORID conversation while spending a weekend together in Tucson.  As you surround yourselves with love and comfort for one another, please know that we have all of you nestled in our hearts and prayers.

Only Jay Antenen Sr. would craft an action proposal for economic development in his beloved Hamilton, Ohio that included a tour of the new, state of the art sewage treatment plant, followed by a picnic and visit to the Greenwood Cemetery (where he happened to be President of the Board)!  Not only did he propose it during the Butler County Forum, he implemented it 18 months later with a 5 car caravan of loyal colleagues.  The crowning glory of this event was the fortuitous decision of the local Public Radio Station to broadcast the Hallelujah Chorus just as the caravan reached its resting place at the cemetery.  We opened all the car windows, cranked up the volume, and celebrated the occasion in true Antenen twinkle-in-the-eye style.

We often remember the many ways Jay (and Ann) have enriched our lives, the ICA's, and Hamilton's.  In addition to the RS1's and Town Meetings there were: the Bayad Consult, superb Rotary sponsored Science Fairs (we got to be judges), Class of '41 Reunion events, Regional Consults in Des Moines and Morehead, KY, and locating Ohio projects for the IERD.  All the events Jay led came into being with proper feet under the table intentionality and reflective conversations to at least the 3rd. level. When clogging at the Morehead Consult proved to be a near life threatening experience, Jay decided he was out of shape, went home, and joined the YMCA.  Running became another passion and the family included appropriate length marathons when celebrating his 70th birthday and beyond.

Jay is one of our most unforgettable characters.  He has been erudite personified and one who grounded the Spirit Movement in the local soil of Hamilton, Ohio and the globe.

With love and gratitude,
Norm and Judy Lindblad and Dick and Ellen Howie