Racing Pigeons
The other day, Glen Anderson, the infamous, “Birdman of Henry County,” gave me some magazines about the sport of racing pigeons. I can remember growing up in the Belgium area in Moline where the sport was very popular. My grandmother lived next to Friends Circle at 18th Ave & 7th St. and her next door neighbor raced pigeons. Pigeons can find their way back to their nest or home from as far as 1300 miles away. Even if they have been transported in isolation. How they do this is a mystery. They were used in both WW1 and WW2 as messengers by delivering critical updates.
It was said the pigeons saved thousands of lives. For example, one racing pigeon named Cher Ami completed a mission that led to the rescue of 194 stranded U.S. soldiers on October 4, 1918. In WW2 the British armed forces used more than 200,000 homing pigeons to deliver crucial messages. So, I guess pigeons have a right to poop on a statue once in awhile!
Can you hear me now?
Besides helping to hear better, wearing a hearing aid might just help cutting down on dementia risk. According to new research, a study of over 850 older folks with hearing lose, dementia prevalence was 32% lower among those of us who wear hearing aids.
Prisoners of the Castle
Geneseo’s Kevin Versluis recently gave me a book about the in-famous WW2 Nazi castle prison. The large castle was turned into a prison for mostly allied officers from France, Belgium, Britain, Poland and other countries. It was supposed to be escape proof. I remember some years ago PBS had a documentary about the prison. The book tells all about the many attempts’ to escape but only a few were successful. The fortress was located in the town of Colditz, Germany. The author is Ben Macintyre. It’s an awesome book.
April 1 for Trout
Just a quick reminder, the Illinois Spring Trout Season opens Saturday, April 1, 2023. Start time is 5 a.m. at Moline’s Prospect Park Lagoon and Rock Falls’ Centennial Park. At the Sheffield Canal location it starts at 6 a.m. You are allowed 5 trout at all Illinois locations.
April 1 for Swap Meet
The very popular “Swap Meet” will be held at 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 1, 2023. It is held at the QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island, IL. It is free and there is plenty of parking. The Geneseo Izaak Walton Club will have lots of fishing and related equipment available at very low prices. No firearms or ammo will be sold.
Joke
State Police Officer: “So, I’m writing you a ticket for driving alone in the car pool lane. Chris Gillet said to the policeman, “Well, you’re going to feel really stupid when you look in my trunk!”
Humor
The best thing about the good old days was that I wasn’t good and I wasn’t old. Scientists say the universe is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. They forgot to mention morons. Here’s something I wonder about. Does running late count as exercise? What is the difference between a fly and a mosquito? A mosquito can fly, but a fly can’t mosquito. Lastly, how much did it cost the pirate to get his ears pierced? A buck an ear! I try to keep the jokes simple as I know most of you 7 regular readers are a little slow. Okay, very slow!!!
Preview for Next Week
Bring Catfish Home, Laika, Smart phones and more!