April News

These four deer feeding on the stubble of our lawn indicate good news.  It appears that spring is finally here to stay, following a long and snowy winter, during which the plow drifts in our driveway exceeded the height of my car!

 That is the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe that many of you who have visited our home will recognize, as I have driven it since 2007, before ever venturing to Romania!  But this spring I took the car for some touch-up work on two small rust spots, and my body shop owner, a former near neighbor, said, "Time for a new car!"  He warned me that the rust, though not yet visible, was well-established in the car's body, and would soon show through again.  So, I took the beloved little SUV to Mark at J&M Imports, my trusted mechanic, and asked his opinion.  Mark inspected the car thoroughly, and told me it had a broken front spring, warped brake rotors, a rattling driveshaft, needed four tires, and was overdue for a new timing belt and water pump.  All of these are wear parts, which at 197,800 miles (over 318,000 Km.) had simply worn out.  But, he estimated the cost of complete mechanical repair at about $4000.  Here is the rest of the story:

🙂
Free Ad Dept. My Facebook feedback to Cantin Chevrolet in Laconia:

I came into Cantin Chevrolet looking for a used white Equinox to replace my beloved, but worn out white 2005 Santa Fe. Thus, I met Jeff Roberts in the Pre-owned Vehicle Dept. He showed me several Equinoxes, but had none in white. Understanding my needs, he remembered that there was a new white 2017 LS model in inventory across the street with the April 16% Off promotional sticker on it. He took me over there, and I made up my mind quickly to spend several thousand more than I came in expecting to spend. And I am delighted that I did so! Jeff then took me through the purchase process quickly, and we had fun doing it, kidding with Cheryl and others in the showroom. I bought my new car because of Jeff! I cannot imagine a more professional sales person! -Duncan C. McDougall, Grille Room Foreman, Plant 2A, Chevrolet-Flint Pressed Metal (1968 model year).

I also posted these words in the comments section of the satisfaction survey that I was sent by the dealership.  When someone treats me well, and shows that he cares, I believe in giving him credit for it!

A Joy of Being a Teacher!

Mr. Bruce Mogayzel of Florida was our MBA student at Plymouth State College (now P.S.U.) in the class of 1980. It has been close to thirty years since I have seen him.   He helped out at our house, and stayed with us awhile, when we lived in our little chalet off of Bog Road, in Campton, while Shirley was pregnant with our third child, Piper.  Today, completely by surprise, I found this message in my e-mail:

Hi Duncan

For some reason part of your blog appeared in the browser.  I'm glad it did.  It gave me some insight to your activities over the last years. Some good and some not so good. 

Your Fulbright Scholarship and all it brought to you sounds fantastic and something that was well deserved. 

Shirley's and your health issues sound challenging but you seem to be positive and coping.  Your attitude and writings are more spiritual than I remember.  That's a good thing

As I look back over the years meeting you (and Shirley) when I entered graduate school was just what I needed.  I'm not sure how I would have survived that ugly and bumpy period of my life. Thanks for reaching out and being there for me when I needed it.   I enjoyed being a McDougall, I guess part of me will always be a McDougall. 

My life's journey has been like a roller coaster but now there aren't as many spikes and curves and "danger ahead" signs as there used to be.  My MBA opened doors for me and served as my career's foundation.   I now remember my time at PSC fondly. 

I left Disney in 2004 and returned to Boston because of family health issues and was my mother's part-time care giver. When she passed I left my VP position at State Street Bank (SSGA) and headed to a warmer climate.

I'm semi-retired and live a quiet life in Vero Beach FL with my "rescued" Bengal  cat. My health is a challenge at times when my Autoimmune system decides to act up and attacks my internal systems. Sometimes my blood tests indicates that I have Lupus and other times it's barely noticeable. 

My life is more spiritual now and I volunteer for my church, the Florida Cancer Foundation as well as the Riverside Theatre. 

Thanks for being there when I needed you Professor. Wish Shirley well for me.

Godspeed. 

Sent from my iPhone

Bruce

(Published with the author's permission.)