Retirement Quarter Peal for Ray Gotko

On July 26th the Reverend Doctor Raymond M. Gotko retired after seven years of service as the Associate Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta. The Parish had a farewell party for him on Sunday and on Monday he celebrated with the St. James' band by tenoring in his first Quarter Peal. We dedicated the QP of Plain Bob Doubles to Ray and his new venture - retirement. He and his wife Linda have moved to Sewanee, TN, where he will finally have plenty of time for golf and RINGING!!

Jay Williams , who recently scored his first QP and is in the picture on the right, took the photo of the QP group.


July 27, 2009. 1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1. Alice Gough Heilker 2. Sally Karkula 3. Charley Heilker 4. Kathryn E. Tucker 5. Mary Platt (C) 6. Raymond M. Gotko.
First Quarter: 6

July 4 Ringing and Partying St James Style

For all who attended and enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs and pot
luck at Cathy and Chris Brown's home yesterday evening, I want to say
what a great occasion it was. Thank you so much to the Browns for
hosting and grilling and so much more. We all had a wonderful time
creating a grand family gathering out of the many generations
represented for what has become an Independence Day tradition.

The BBQ followed an afternoon of ringing at St James, which was full
of firsts and lots of "well done's." After birthday boy Charley
Heilker sounded the tenor 13 times at 2pm, and some lovely call
changes, Derek Wilsden conducted a QP Plain Bob Major, noteworthy in
that the band included our guests from the UK, Michael and Sheila
Cotgrove, and also our newly-returned-from-a-year-on-

the-continent Emily Heilker. Welcome Home.


Then, following a brief recess, Cathy Brown conducted a QP Plain Bob
Triples, featuring Jay Williams on the tenor (a first QP for him) and
Alice Heilker on the treble (first on 8 for her). Well done Jay and
Alice. Not even 1 do-over was required.


I'll leave the QP official details to the conductors to report. But
leave it to say, that St James Marietta marked the nation's 233rd
birthday with a joyful noise.