Click here top see the personal message from
Karen & Richard Carpenter
that acompanied this newsletter

Hi Friend!

I hope the personal message of gratitude from our mutual idols will help soften the blow of the disappointing news I must flow convey to you. It is with deep regret Richard and Karen have been forced to suspend all recording activities for the time being, resulting in the anticipated new album being put in limbo.

Karen felt the time was right to proceed with the second and final operation on her left ear. The surgery was a complete success, and her hearing is better than anticipated!

By a strange coincidence Dad's ear must have been in sympathy with his daughter's when they became fellow in-patients at the same hospital, and surgery was scheduled for both on the same day!

Richard decided to take a well earned extended vacation, and is enjoying driving and visiting old friends. He has spent some time with his buddy Wes Jacobs in Michigan which has been a pleasant change for him.

He and Karen were bitterly disappointed they were unable to mark the occasion of their tenth anniversary with the arrival of a new album. They had to cancel their television special too, which ironically was to have embraced the story of their first decade in the recording industry.

A happier segment of news reveals the wedding of a group member. Tony Peluso married Chris Lincoln at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Hollywood last week, and the reception was held at the Pacific Palisades Country Club. We wish the newly-weds a lifetime of blissful harmony.

Karen and Mom's birthdays were celebrated with a joint dinner party at a favorite seafood restaurant with close friends. A similar party was held to mark the occasion of Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary also. Did you know?? According to Casey Kasem's report last February on his famed "American Top Forty" - We've Only Just Begun was the biggest hit single taken from a television commercial in chart history! Also featured in a recent Playboy poll. Karen was voted #2 vocalist, and #5 drummer in the country. These new additions will be recorded with pride among the coveted collection of Carpenters accolades.

Thank you for the many kind letters of appreciation pertaining to the new friendships evolved from the development of our penpal scheme. I trust the mutual exchange of interests will keep you Carpenter oriented during the temporary suspension of Richard and Karen's recordings activities!

Many members have expressed disappointment in being unable to obtain the last single I Believe You and the B.L. Mitchell single which Richard produced last year. I am happy to advise you a limited supply of both singles is now available through the fanclub to USA members only. The price is $X.XX each which includes shipping and handling.

We also have new 8x10 black and white glosses taken from the last Christmas Special at $X.XX each for USA members. and $XX overseas members. The new keepsakes list features these in full length poses of Richard and Karen individually and together. plus a close-up of them individually and combined.

It had been hoped to publish this newsletter prior to the Carpenters tenth anniversary date, but unusual circumstances prevented this. The company that had been handling our mailings changed hands without our knowledge. The new owners moved out of the area taking all our addressograph plates with them! After days of investigations we finally found them about forty five miles away. Much time was consumed in getting organized with another local company, so all's well now.

I hope to have brighter and more positive news regarding the Carpenters in the next newsletter, but no definite date for publication of same can be given at this time.

We all wish you a very Happy and Safe Summer. Cheerio! Rosina.

Last changed: Mon Sep 5 22:35:33 EDT 2005