January not so Bad
There are just a few days left of January weather, but overall, I think it was mild month. We missed some heavy snowfalls that went north and south of our area. Now, Mother Nature, if ‘yer reading this how about giving us February’s 28 days of above normal temps?! Just saying!
When I wasn’t Old
As a young teen I can remember when Moline’s river drive was, for the most part, kind of junky. Through the years the city fathers turned it into a really nice path and greenery setting from about 25th street to and including East Moline.
I can remember working a short time at the International Harvester plant. My dad was an accounting supervisor and got me a Job as a stock chaser. I was always dirty when I came home each day. I made good money at $2.33 an hour. My boss was known as “Red.” He was sort of a tough guy, but if you did your job, no problem.
Anyway, I got laid off, took the test for the Postal Service at $2.16 per hour. After 38 years later, I retired.
I remember there was and is a small factory on about 41st & 4th avenue in Moline that instead of having to cut their grass they had sheep to do the work. The building is still there today, but “Little Bo Peep’s sheep” are no where to be seen.
Way back when, I had a good friend, I’ll call him “J.A,” and we went hunting and fishing together. We were the same age and our parents were good friends. He came home one day after school and found his mother had committed suicide by cutting her wrists. That is a bad memory.
On a more pleasant note. John F. and I dated the same girl, Mary S. We would say she liked one of us better. Ha! She married a letter carrier. I still think she liked me better!!!
Geneseo Izaak Walton League
All members and guests are invited to next month’s February 10th meeting at the Ikes Lodge. The guest speaker is Dave Wyffels, Fish Biologist, IL-DNR. The program starts at 7 p.m. with refreshments to follow.
Hey, come back!
According to the 48th Annual National Movers Study, our state is second to the most folks leaving Illinois. The first is New Jersey at 66.94% with Illinois at 59.94%. New York is 3rd place at 59.01% and California at 57.97%.
Okay, then where are all the folks moving to? The number one state people are moving to is West Virginia (hear that Bob Mays), followed by Delaware (huh?) and South Carolina. The other two states are Washington, DC and North Carolina (there you go, Don & Barb). Alaska and Hawaii were not included in the study.
Girl Scout Cookies
Just a reminder, make sure to order your cookies from the Girl Scouts. We order ours through Audrey Scheider. The proceeds help the Girl Scouts in their various projects. The cost per box is $6.00. Some year they should come up “Carp-fish” cookies.
Ice Fishing Report
Geneseo's Brian Herron recently caught this crappie and several bluegills at Giant Goose Lake, Atkinson, IL. Jeff Scheider and Lorna Dauw also caught fish.
Last Saturday, Lorna and I fished the private main lake at Giant Goose, Atkinson, IL. When we arrived so did members Brian Herron and Jeff Scheider.
The ice wasplenty thick at 9-10 inches. Everyone caught fish except one person who’s name is not important! The temperatures were not bad, but we could do without the wind. Still, we had a good time and I cleaned 5 fish when we got home. The guys felt sorry for me. Thus the 5 fish! We hope to try it again this week.
Humor
What candy do you eat on the school playground? Ans: Recess pieces.
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Ans: Frostbite.
How do you make an apple turnover? Ans: Push it down a hill.
Quote of the Week
“He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.”