1st in a Ron & Nancy Kramis Eco-cise Series

It is people like Nancy Kramis and her husband Ron who help make Beautify CNMI! what it is today. Nancy travels to work in the CNMI periodically to help our people learn to better assist and serve those citizens in our community who are deaf and/or hard of hearing. Depending on the need, Nancy stays for weeks, and sometimes several months at a time, and her husband Ron has made some of these trips out here with her several times. Their invaluable contributions as Beautify CNMI! community volunteers deserve to be recognized, so here begins the first posting of the Ron & Nancy Kramis Eco-cise series right here. After some begging, Nancy was kind enough to give me permission to post these photos and accompanying eco-cise journal that she shared with Beautify CNMI's Kaipat family (that would be my family and her adopted Island family).

The series starts here....

A couple of pics of Ron's and my Sunday a.m. eco-exercise program for your collection. Sunday, March 9 we did a round trip from the Bird Island lookout past entry to Kalabera to the end of the road. About 3 hours and not too much junk. Looked fairly good.We then hiked down to the beach and noted that the ocean has left way too many "presents" for us at the high tide line. So we high tailed it outta there with plans to return another day with many big bags.Gettin' outta there!

STAY TUNED NEXT TIME FOR MORE.

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Nancy and Ron have contributed in so many other ways, from adopting a flame tree. . .L-R: Chuck Sayon of MINA; Nancy Kramis of Beautify CNMI Bellingham, Washington; Cinta Kaipat; and Doreen Jesus of Beautify CNMI Guam at the 2007 Flame Tree Arts Festival.

. . . to making a $500 donation at the 1st Anniversary Dinner for Beautify CNMI held at the Aqua Resort last year. They were there again this year at the Jake Shimabukuro Benefit Concert for Beautify CNMI and HANMI.

In addition to their own Eco-cise, they've also participated in numerous Beautify CNMI! activities, including the monthly clean-up of the Paseo de Marianas, which is the heart of the Garapan Tourist District, and they've attended some Beautify CNMI General and Committee meetings. Ron is a member of Beautify CNMI!'s Parks & Trails Committee headed by Ken Kramer of RCD.

Even when they're back in Bellingham, Washington, they still participate from afar in spreading the Beautify CNMI "beauty virus" in the mainland. Their dog, Molly Kramis, even planted a tree in honor of Arbor Day as we in the CNMI celebrated it here.

Thanks, Nancy and Ron! Congratulations again on being winners of the 2007 Beautify CNMI! Spirit Award. You are quite an inspiration to many of us.

Thanks For Nothing!

I know, I know...I haven't been blogging much lately, so you're probably surprised I am posting this within hours of my last post, but DARN IT! I just read Ken Kramer's letter in the Variety on the lost opportunity with PEW and it's very upsetting! Click here to read Ken's excellent letter to the Editor.

I knew it wasn't good when I read that the Legislature passed a resolution voting against the Marianas Trench National Park of the Sea proposal. I just don't get it. Or should I say -- they just don't get it.

I, for one, still believe that we had not given this community a chance to fully explore this opportunity. The resolution was premature but effective in killing a wonderful opportunity for the CNMI. Lucky are those who welcome PEW with open arms. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to do enough to help PEW succeed. Most of all, I'm sorry for all of us.

Last Day of Flame Tree Arts Festival

Jun joined Gus for a few numbers. Actually, he was only supposed to join Gus for one number, but when he got on stage for the sound check, he decided to stay from beginning to end!


It sure was hot out! But, in the end, it was well worth it. At the end of the performance, Parker presented Gus with an appreciation certificate. (Photo courtesy of sister Nan Kramis.)
Sisters Cil, Vio & Niece Lei enjoying the Festival. (Photo courtesy of Nan Kramis.)
Nan and Cin. (Photo courtesy of Nan.)
Cin & Gus say "See you all next year!"