Major Events

Jonathan becomes Chief Economic Advisor to Vietnam for the UN Development Program


incomplete


Published: October 16, 2024

Jonathan becomes Chief Economic Advisor to Vietnam for the UN Development Program



Published: October 16, 2024

Move to West Palm Beach – May 2024


Dumbo Moving pulls up on 4.30.2024.  


Published: May 10, 2024

Karen and Mark Move to West Palm Beach FL



Published: May 4, 2024

Nyla Gilstrap starts at Northwestern University – 9/2021



Published: September 10, 2021

Noah Gilstrap graduates from U. Pennsylvania



Published: May 20, 2021

5/4/2020 – Timing the Market – Karen and Mark Go All Cash


During our Sunday evening May 2nd chat  with the rest of the Orton mob, Ed, responding to Ba’s concerns about the economy, declared that we are headed to a depression. Mark seconded that opinion. Karen took all of this to heart and later in the ev… Continue reading 5/4/2020 – Timing the Market – Karen and Mark Go All Cash


Published: May 9, 2020

Pandemic begins March 2020 – Zoom, drinks, and Sunday drives



Published: March 22, 2020

Pandemic arrives at 114 Warren – March 12, 2020


Mark woke up Thursday morning, March 12th,  at 4:30am to hear Karen talking to someone about cancelling her air flight to Houston TX for the Fotofest event. We had talked the night before briefly about the wisdom of her attending. I gave a moderately n… Continue reading Pandemic arrives at 114 Warren – March 12, 2020


Published: March 12, 2020

Tennis – Mark starts tennis lessons


Lessons with Saif Ali at Total Tennis in Saugerties. Learning top spin strokes and more.


Published: April 2, 2018

Noah Gilstrap starts college at U Penn



Published: September 11, 2017

114 Warren St. – ageing in place project


We retain an architect and general contractor. Build new room on back of house to enable one-floor living if that becomes necessary.


Published: July 10, 2017

Tennis – Mark joins men’s doubles league


Now playing year round and practicing during warmer months three to four times a week.


Published: April 10, 2016

Mark returns to tennis


June 2013 and on….


Published: June 22, 2013

Tennis – Mark returns to the sport



Published: May 10, 2013

Mark joins Board of Trustees – Hudson Area Library



Published: January 10, 2010

Mark attends Board of Trustees Hudson Area Library meeting – beginning of long engagement


August 2009


Published: August 22, 2009

Davis Orton Gallery founded – August 2009


History of gallery


Published: August 22, 2009

Davis Orton Gallery founded


We were invited to attend a meeting of BeLo3rd, a business group dedicated to increasing visits to our portion of Warren St. Meeting was held at Secret Gardener. During the meeting it was announced that there were still a couple of BeLo3rd “OPEN” flags… Continue reading Davis Orton Gallery founded


Published: August 10, 2009

Move to Hudson NY


Over 2007 and 2008 the idea of leaving Cambridge entered our minds. After looking around in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx over a year or so we understood that we did not have enough money to afford adequate space in NYC. This led to visits… Continue reading Move to Hudson NY


Published: June 22, 2009

Jesse London born. May 19, 2008


Nan and Jonathan welcomed Jesse to the party.


Published: June 4, 2008

Sell 52 Kinnaird St. —-> move to 42 Kinnaird


It was a longtime requirement for funding our retirement that we sell 52 Kinnaird. It was only at the incredibly obvious suggestion of our real estate agent Patti Brainard that we understood that we did not have to buy another house to move into. What… Continue reading Sell 52 Kinnaird St. —-> move to 42 Kinnaird


Published: August 4, 2007

Jonathan marries Nan – Seoul and Cambridge


May-June 2005


Published: June 22, 2005

Jonathan receives PhD


Jonathan gets PhD May 16, 2003 University of Wisconsin,  Madison WI. Big family event with many in attendance.


Published: May 16, 2003

Nyla Olivia Gilstrap born November 8, 2002


See this post: Nyla Gilstrap born


Published: November 8, 2002

10/12/2002 – Saturday – 25th Wedding Anniversary Party – Mark and Karen


John Gilstrap helping out. Jeffrey London – in charge of tunes….. Actual anniversary was on June 19, 2002. party was held at the Cambridge Community Center where the actual marriage ceremony had taken place 25 years earlier.


Published: October 12, 2002

25th Wedding Anniversary Party


October 12, 2002 About 70 invited guests and other hanger-ons gathered for a party at the spot it all began over 25 years ago, the Common Room of the Cambridge Community Center. This is the first appearance of the OLD Family Timeline. Shown in printed… Continue reading 25th Wedding Anniversary Party


Published: October 7, 2002

Karen’s 60th Birthday



Published: July 9, 2002

Karen and Mark celebrate 25th wedding anniversary – 1977 – 2002


Anniversary party at the Cambridge Community Center occurred in October 2002.


Published: June 19, 2002

Mark comes down with Lyme disease


Here is Mark’s description from a 2004 web posting of what he came to refer to as his “plague”: In June 2001 I came down with a mysterious illness that quickly landed me in the hospital. Before too long, I could barely walk nor readily take a pee. Shar… Continue reading Mark comes down with Lyme disease


Published: June 7, 2001

Andrea marries John Gilstrap


August 2000 – wedding in…..


Published: August 22, 2000

Noah Davis Gilstrap born – 1st grandchild


Herd of newbie grandparents (John and Jeannette Gilstrap, Steve and Dee Lond, Mark and Karen) wait it out.


Published: May 4, 1999

Karen exhibits photographs – first of many exhibitions


February 1998 – at Gallery 57 in Cambridge Incomplete


Published: February 22, 1998

MMO 50th Birthday



Published: September 7, 1997

Nantasket Beach Weekends


August 1997 brings all of the Ortons to W Street on Nantasket Beach. Start of a summer tradition lasting into the 2020s. Here is a video by Karen covering 2003 to 2012.


Published: August 22, 1997

Karen takes a sabbatical


Karen says she wants to take time off from work to focus on writing and other projects. Downsize to one car and no children on the family payroll.


Published: September 7, 1993

1st Darkroom at 52 Kinnaird


Karen gets first darkroom in closet on first floor. Sink built out of marine plywood coated with epoxy paint last through a relocation and ten years of use.


Published: June 4, 1993

Jonathan starts graduate school at University of Wisconsin



Published: September 4, 1992

Augat fires Mark


When the third CEO showed up Mark knew within a few minutes of meeting him that there was little synergy. Took a while, but after naming Mark VP of Business Development without a portfolio, budget,or staff, it was clear they direction.


Published: August 8, 1992

Surprise 50th Birthday Party for Karen


at the Cambridge Community Center where Mark and Karen were married and many other events have taken place. And it really was a SURPRISE to Karen.


Published: July 8, 1992

Karen and Mark exchange wedding rings for 2nd time.


Gold replaces copper. Inspired by Ed and Meredith’s double ring ceremony.


Published: June 22, 1991

Jonathan graduates from Hofstra



Published: June 4, 1991

Andrea graduates from Bowdoin – June 1989


Andrea Mark, Steve, Andrea, Dee, Karen Andrea, Steve Karen, Andrea Andrea, Jonathan Steve, Andrea, Cherry Jacobs Steve, Andrea, Dee Andrea, Cherry Jacobs


Published: September 9, 1989

Mark turns 40.



Published: September 7, 1987

Karen’s 40th Birthday – 7/9/1982



Published: July 9, 1982

1st family computer – TRS80 from Radio Shack


Radio Shack TRS80 – aka “Trash 80” – $2,000 with dot matrix printer, floppy drives, 64KB memory. Visicalc (predecessor of Excel spreadsheet) and a word processor software. Causes crisis when Jonathan takes homework to school printed out on printer. Dot… Continue reading 1st family computer – TRS80 from Radio Shack


Published: September 5, 1979

House at 52 Kinnaird St. – beginning of 30 year adventure



Published: August 22, 1979

Buy 52 Kinnaird St.


Move in to first floor. Kids declare “We’ve moved to the suburbs.” Distance as the crow flies between 266 Western and 52 Kinnaird less than 200 yards.


Published: August 5, 1979

Blizzard of February 5 – 7, 1978


This snow storm dropped over 27 inches of snow with very high winds. Truly a memorable event. Mark barely made it back to Cambridge from his work out in Acton, MA. Everything was locked down for days and days. Large National Guard bulldozers cleared th… Continue reading Blizzard of February 5 – 7, 1978


Published: February 8, 1978

Sweat Equity purchase of 266-8 Western Ave



Published: August 22, 1977

Mark and Karen get married. Wedding 6/19/77 at Cambridge Community Center


Ceremony with a justice of the peace, borrowed tape deck and speakers, and pot luck food took place at the Cambridge Community Center under a canopy of a parachute tacked up.


Published: June 19, 1977

Karen & Mark graduate from Wentworth


Associates Degree in Manufacturing Engineering


Published: May 3, 1977

Mark moves in with Karen and kids.


249 Western Ave – right side of building. Picture taken July 12, 2018 Mark moves in with Karen and Andrea and Jonathan at 249 Western Ave. (2nd and 3rd floor).  They had been living across the street at 254 Western, Mark at 19 Columbia St. with Ha… Continue reading Mark moves in with Karen and kids.


Published: May 3, 1976

Karen & Mark meet at Central Sq. T stop. First date.


September 1974 Karen and Mark meet at Central Sq. T stop. Mark is easily identifiable as a “big guy in a red checked wool hunting coat” – still in use today. Go on first date; see Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage. Walk back across Mass Ave. bridge.… Continue reading Karen & Mark meet at Central Sq. T stop. First date.


Published: September 2, 1974

Karen places ad in the Real Paper. Mark replies.


August 1974


Published: August 2, 1974