Richmond Hill Comedy
Last Saturday, Lorna and I went to see the play, “Over the River and Through the Woods.” It was really good. Comedy can sometimes be tough, but all the actors “nailed it!” Of course, we attend any play with Jackie Patterson. She’s such a natural. If you get a chance, make sure to attend this comedy. It will be played again on August 24 – 27. We saw Bob and Barb Kuhns, Claudia Loucks and Todd Sieben at the play. Speaking of Todd Sieben, the other day a friend of his told Todd to stop being a flamingo. Well, Todd got mad and had to put his foot down!
American Godfathers
I found a small booklet I forgot I had which contained French WW1 letters from orphans to American soldiers. Many of our American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) “doughboys” sent money to children who lost their fathers in the Great War. The soldiers were known as “Godfathers.” The correspondents were set up through the American Red Cross and the booklet contains the names of all those individuals and groups who participated in the program. Thank you letters from the children were sent to their Godfathers. Some letters were happy, but many were very sad. In many cases, their little eyes saw such death and destruction. The booklet was sold in Paris for 1 franc and published in 1919.
Just Remembering
If you are age 77 or beyond you might remember some of these things. 1) Discipline was enforced by both teachers “and” parents. 2) You spent more time playing outside than inside. 3) There were “black & white” serial movies on Saturday mornings at the local movie theater. I loved “Rocket Man.” 4) Loved comic books. 5) Mom and Pop grocery stores seemed to be every few blocks. Sometimes my dad would send me to Katy’s Grocery Store to purchase a pack of cigarettes for 25 cents. 6) Most highways were two lanes (no interstates). 7) Polio was still a crippler. I knew two classmates who had it. They wore leg braces and sad to say, they were picked on because they were “different.” 7) Do you remember the Nash, Hudson, Willys, Crosley and Studebakers? I still think the Studebaker ’53 Commander and ’54 Champion were way ahead of other car makers in design. 8) I started cutting grass using a push rotary mower. Later models had a gasoline motor mounted on top of the thing. It was heavy and hard to push. 9) When I started working at the Moline post office, some letter carriers had flimsy 3 wheel vehicles that took them to their route. Others, like myself, took the city bus. We had to sit in the back of the bus. 10) I had a little toy submarine that you would put baking soda in it. It would go a few feet and sink. Wish I still had it when I take a bath!
Linda Vanderleest
Before this gal became a school counselor, mayor, and who knows what other jobs she had, she was an airline pilot for Ozark Airways. I remember I was on one of her flights heading for Bishop Hill, IL. I had a window seat and looked out to see “mountains!” Yikes, I thought! Just then Linda came on the PA and said, “Yes, we’re lost, but unlike my fellow male pilots, I am not afraid to stop and ask for directions!”
Safe Skin
Here are a few healthy tips we should do when outside. 1) Wear a hat (I hate hats). 2) Avoid the strongest sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 3) Wear loose-fitting clothes made of sun protective fabric. 4) Wear sun glasses. (I should). 5) Some medicines can make people more likely to burn in the sun. Check with your doctor on that.
Just a few Reminders
Geneseo Ikes “Ham & Bean Supper” on Sat., Sept 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. @ Ikes Park. The “Fall Swap Meet” held on Sat., Sept 9, from 8 a.m. to Noon at the RI Expo Center. Vintage Farm Equipment Show, Atkinson, IL. Saturday, Sept 16. Morning and afternoon. (Navy presentation by Dan D’s Outdoors at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.)
Most Common Names
Boys: 1) Jacob 2) Michael 3) Joahua 4) Matthew 5) Daniel (0f course!). Girls: 1) Emily 2) Madison 3) Emma 4) Olivia 5) Hannah.
Sports
I wish the very best this football season for ‘da Bears, Illinois, Illinois State, Iowa State & Notre Dame. May they all have winning seasons.
Humor
Why is there music from my printer? Maybe the paper is jamming. How do trees get on-line? They just log in. I was fired from the bank on my very first day on the job. A woman asked me to check her balance so I pushed her over. I’m not a big fan of stairs. They’re always up to something.