Inside were 2 or 3 dozen people, mostly standing in the front open area near the front rows of chairs, or by the displays of memorabilia from Charlie's life. There was a mix of people, but mainly two groups. One group about Charlie's age. The other were his mom's age. And a sprinkling of relatives of all ages, down to a small child about age 4. The child was telling an adult something about one of the pictures, in a way that made it clear to me, the child knew Charlie well, and was fond of him.

I went toward the front, nodded a hello to 3 tastefully dressed 40 somethings as I passed. I would get to know them better later. But I looked for Jo Ann, Charlie's mom, among the several groups farther ahead. I had met her in the hospital last summer, when I went up to see Charlie there. I remembered her as a considerate lady. She quietly let me reconnect enthusiastically with my old friend in the hospital. Charlie and I could probably talk all day and half the night, before running out of spit. When we finally came up for air, I had a chance to visit with Jo Ann for several moments before I left the hospital. She was a most interesting and insightful lady.

Several ladies looked about the same age and appearance as Jo Ann. But before long, I could tell from the conversation which one she was. She was busy talking with other people. So I moseyed over to the photos and newspaper articles about Charlie, toward the right side.

Shortly after I was there, Jo Ann came up and said "Hi.' Her face looked tearful. As she saw and greeted me, the tears in her face began cascading down. She reached up to give me a hug. It was an unusually warm and strong hug. I expressed my condolences and offered her a few words of support. Her hug lasted and lasted and lasted. She did not want to let go. She said she was so glad I had come. She had tried to get in touch with me several times, but simply couldn't get through. Slowly, it dawned on me, that I was not the dear old friend she thought she was hugging. I asked if she knew who I was. She said, well arent you Tom? I said no, I'm Bob, a friend of Charlie's from the Shania Twain group. And I had met her at the hospital last summer. She did remember that. She apologized for the mistaken identity. Tom was a close friend, and I look a lot like him. Then she brightened to know that Charlie's connection to Shania Twain had a rep there. I said, motioning to the displays, "It looks like Charlie has had an interesting life." She agreed with enthusiasm, described some of the categories, and pointed out a number of Charlie's prized photos from the Shania Twain events.

I mentioned the posts on this STC message board about Charlie, that showed how highly regarded and well liked he was. She said someone in their family had told her about that. She knows Charlie was a wonderful person, but her views are limited to those of a mother. She was amazed that people were saying such good things about Charlie, from around the world. Someone had printed it out for her. But she had not had time to read it yet. She's been too swamped with other matters relating to the funeral and visitation, etc. But she will have time to look at it later.

Jo Ann and I stood before Charlie's casket. And she shared quite a lot of information about how things had gone since he left the hospital and his condition went into remission. I've been through some of the same kind of things in my own family. I was able to listen with understanding, as she expressed her experiences and feelings.

Many of her stories and memories were most endearing. Some were disheartening. But in the end, we came to a positive outlook about the good side of things. I was surprised we talked so long, without anyone else coming up to the casket at that particular time.

It was not easy to read with tears either! Thank you again for writing it.

_________________
Debbie 'Cross-stitch'
(so named by Randall Waller)

I asked Jo Ann if she would mind if I shared some of these photos from Charlie's life, with his friends on the STC message board. She agreed emphatically.

She also introduced me to 3 people who had been friends of Charlie's, since they went through Alma College together. I spoke with Jackie from that group, who knew a lot about Charlie. She had put up many of the photos on a display. She whole heartedly agreed to share that info with Charlie's Shania fan friends on this msg board. She explained what some of the photos were about, and showed me the college yearbook from which some photos had been take.

When I said I had a couple pictures of Charlie at the STC, on my camera, Jo Ann asked if one was with Shania. I said yes, one was the same as she had posted on a display board to the left. She had not seen the other 2 or 3 photos. I explained the picture on my camera, of Charlie with Richard and Tracy. I said it may not be the best photo of Charlie. But it is the best one I know of, which shows Charlie's effect on others. She smiled and agreed enthusiastically. She said that's what she's been hearing about her son. It's just that she is amazed to be hearing it from over the world.

[/quote]

I explained that although I'm just a friendly supporter, not a fan myself, I have been following the development of Shania fans, since the time they took their online friendship, to a leap of faith, and went to Timmins to meet for the first time in person in about 2001. I gave a brief summary of some of the amazing developments of that group process. She was interested to hear it, and happy to know it had turned out as well for many others, as it had for Charlie.

I described who the other two persons in the photo were. Tracy is manager of the Shania Twain Centre. She knows Shania from working with her, and they had also gone to the same school a couple yrs apart. Tho technically she may not be a fan herself, Tracy is a queen in the hearts of Shania fans. Charlie's mom said she knows, she's met Tracy. And the fellow in the center of the photo, is Richard Sessions. He's one of the best liked shania fans, and many of the things he's done for and with fans are priceless. Fans could call him the King of Diamonds. The fellow at left, Jo Ann's son Charlie. Fans not only could, but they do call him the Joker.

Jo Ann laughed and immediately said you could make a deck of cards with prominent Shani fans like these. I said that's a good idea. I'll suggest it to Tracy. Could make them like baseball cards on one side, and playing cards on the other. The info side would have a small photo, and items of info about notable, long time Shania fans, who've been involved in the STC conventions and events in Timmins. I know personally, many of the prominent Shani fans, and in case Tracy and the STC staff don't already know or remember it, I have background and bio info. I'd been encouraged some time ago, to write a book about Shania fans. But I didn't have the time. But if done appropriately, a deck 52 cards about key Shania fans might sell pretty well, so long as it includes the Joker.

Well, I have some more stories, a number of pictures, and a few surprises. But I have to run. More later.

Thank you Bob A. Reading this almost makes me feel like I'm there.

_________________
Debbie 'Cross-stitch'
(so named by Randall Waller)

You're welcome, Debbie.

I remember saying the same thing to you, when you wrote what it was like to have supper with Shania, before a concert.

Thanks Bob and I can't wait to hear more.....come back soon!!

_________________

Okay, it's often easy and fun to accept requests from a queen of shania fan hearts.

I'm back.

The first visitation for Charlie was scheduled from 2-4 pm today. It actually lasted until a bit after 4:30. And some special people where there at that time, whom you may know, but not by the name of Annabel Lee, as Edgar Allan Poe used to say.

More on that later.

The second visitation for Charlie was scheduled from 7-9 pm. I was unable to attend that due to other commitments. I think most of Charlie's friends would be working during the day. So there probably was a larger group at the evening event.

I'm thinking that would a pretty neat way to memorialize Charlie. A deck of cards about the most prominent Shania fans, including him, and a number of his fan friends, and others who've made trek to the STC conventions in Timmins. If there are enough cards, might include some of the special guests like J.D., Corey, Allison, and RandallX.

On a table at the right side of front of the room, I noticed two 8.5 x 11 inch color photos of the group of Shania Twain fans, from a couple recent annual conventions at the STC.

One was taken in the grandstand in Hollinger Park. I see you folks had red shirts there last year. The white frame has signatures from the fans in the photo. Charlie was not there last year, due to health problems, which we thought and hoped were treatable.

The other photo was the annual convention with blue shirts, taken among the rocks near front left of the Shania Twain Centre. That may have been 2007.



The photo album at lower right, is from Charlie's time in Scotland. I guess Rhinehart, is similar to Bravehart and Lionhart. There were a lot of castles and scenery. Charlie had told me once or twice, about the background on his family name. It was quite interesting, but I can't recall at the moment. I don't remember off hand if he'd done some of his archeology work there in Scotland too.

The fur trade text at lower left, does not mean Charlie is so old that he goes back to the days of the trappers. I think it related to one of his multiple hobbies and special interests.

Among Jo Ann's many stories about Charlie, was one about some top official. I'm not sure if he was the head of Alma College or of Archeology Dept. there. It's a well known school, with famous Scottish Festival each May. The massed marching bands of bagpipers are awesome and give you goosebumps to behold. They invite bagpiper bands, groups and individuals from all over the country. It's the biggest one in the midwest, and maybe the country. After some impressive marching formations among themselves on the football field, they suddenly come marching at the spectators in the stands, like they and their sound are going to pulverize you into the dust. It's a feeling I've never known before. It must be what it felt like, in the days of soldiers with only pikes and swords, and you knew you were about to die. The giant behemoths in the caber toss competition (throwing wooden telephone poles) aren't slouches either.



This college is located about 60 miles north of Lansing. Anyway this head guy knew Charlie well, as a prominent student, followed by a successful career. And the guy was a huge Shania Twain fan. But neither he, nor Charlie, knew the other guy was also a Shania fan.

.

This was one of Charlie's interests I didn't know about. Operettas.



Let's see, if Charlie was 48 in 2010, how old would he have been in 1962? I'm a little confused here. Have my cobwebs and stray synaptic pathways failed me again? 62 from 100 = 48. 62 from 110 is 58. Maybe you guys can figure this out and fill me in. I did see some info on one of the display boards, that Charlie played the trombone. And he was listed on another document as one of about 10 persons in some performance. And we know Jo Ann Rinehart is his mom. Forrest, I believe was Charlie's Dad. Since Forrest and Jo Ann Are the composers of this new operetta, maybe you folks can figure out what it's all about. This'll be your puzzle for the day.

Hmn, maybe they wrote or copywrited the piece in 1962, but Charlie performed it sometime later? I guess it's late (12:34 am my time) and I better hit the hay. I've had a long day.

I remember Charlie did some better than average song and dance for karaoke in the STC at the 2007 convention. I think it might have been the song "Charlie's Angels". He has a flare for entertaining, in a variety of ways. But apparently he knows his music.

Some of the photos of Charlie in college, surprised me. They will explain where and how he developed some of his colorful presence. He was quite well known in public circles there. Sort of an Orson Welles. Photos and stories on that, and more, to follow.