(618) MAGAZINE HOMETOWN AUGUST 2020
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(618)
from the
EDITOR
EDITOR Andrea Howe ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS Kim Bayless
Here we are, seven months into our (618) Hometown Magazine, with many plans thrown out the window and new ones fashioned, in new ways, just as all our neighborhoods are throwing old plans out the window and finding new ways to celebrate some of the best things about our communities. When we mapped out ideas for stories in the (618) communities, we couldn’t have imagined there would be no county fairs, no harness racing, virtual 4-H exhibits rather than the traditional events — and so many other adaptations we’ve experienced over the spring and summer. This month’s cover photo is an example of adaptations. Dennis Stroughmatt of Albion is renowned in these parts and beyond for his French Creole, Western Swing and “Honky-Tonk” fiddling. The COVID-19 pandemic limited his public performances for several months, but he decided it was time in July for a concert, and organized the “Celebrate Our Community” free concert on the Albion square. Stroughmatt and “The Honky-Tonk Circus” offered up a little bit of everything after artists Abbi Cook, Cathy Markman and Randy Menser, and Justin Glover performed. Donations were accepted to help support Edwards County EMS, the Albion Fire and Police, Edwards County Sheriff, the Albion Public Library, Edwards County Historical Society and other non-profit groups. It’s just one example of communities pulling together to have fun and do good works. This month, if you can’t find a fair to go to, support your local eateries and food trucks — and if you have a hankering for some carnival food at home, Kim Bayless has some recipes to bring those favorites to your own kitchen. Columnist Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington’s been busy in the garden, as in custom bucket garden, detailing a novel way to grow your own produce. Guest writer Andi Ford of Grayville shares one of the most interesting family reunion experiences we’ve heard about in some time — new Finnish cousins discovered through DNA matching! Mona Warrick revisits one of the most poignant stories she’s written in decades of local journalism, and Evan Merrill’s been busy learning about pickleball! Happy reading! We’re coming to your home again soon with many more features celebrating (618) Hometown neighbors. — Love and blessings to you!
Andrea Howe Editor
2 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020
Andi Ford Evan Merrill Mona Warrick Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington
TO ADVERTISE Courtney Shuttle courtney@pdclarion.com 812-220-4861
CONNECT WITH US Find us on Facebook @618HometownMagazine P.O. Box 550 Mt. Carmel IL 62863 618-263-1005 Email: news@mtcarmelregister.com
ON THE COVER HOMETOWN
(618) MAGAZINE 020 AUGUST 2
Cover shot by: Andrea Howe
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PICKLEBALL FEVER MOUNTS WITH COURT ADDITIONS
days from 2-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are open for public play, and the other days are available from noon until 4 p.m. for open play. Following a $350,000 construction project, the city’s six state of the art courts are shaded in beautiful colors and are enclosed by adjacent fencing and high netting between individual courts to reduce interference in each other’s games while playing. Resting just beside the cour ts is a shed for players to briefly
WRITER: EVAN MERRILL
escape the sun, and parking for convenience.
For much of the last year I’ve read of the
“If you haven’t been out to see them,
sweeping sensation of a sport called Pickleball.
they’re beautiful,” said Mount Carmel Mayor
I’m pretty terrible at tennis. To say I lack
Joe Judge. “The city of Mount Carmel wants
control would be an understatement. My
to thank the Mount Carmel Pickleball club for
first impression of Pickleball, was that it just
all of their work and everyone who’s donated
seemed incredibly similar to tennis. Due to
to this. There’s people out there until 10, 11
strictly my own ignorance more than anything,
o’clock at night every night. There’s potential,
I never really thought to learn more about the
once everything’s done, that it could be put in
sport.
a national magazine just because it is supposedly, from what I was told today, it was like the
But I continued to see folks playing at the Wabash Valley College tennis courts in Mount
one of best Pickleball tournament courts in the
Carmel, and the crowds continued to grow
Many of rules are identical or similar to
Midwest. They want to do a full-on article once
— so much that Mount Carmel City Council
tennis, including serving and positions in dou-
we get the parking lot done. Rick Andrews
approved the construction of a number of Pick-
bles and singles. In contrast, its no-volley zone
and everybody who’s worked hard on that, my
leball courts at the city park, along with more
rules prevent spiking.
hat’s off to them because it’s a huge asset to
parking for players.
Cour ts, much like the six available in
the park and to the community.”
This summer, I decided to learn some more
Mount Carmel, are slightly smaller than tennis
Players vary in age, but all share a common
about Pickleball and find out why it’s become
courts. A standard Pickleball court is about
love for the sport, which members Jay Dee and
so popular – particularly in the Mount Carmel
20x44 feet, which equates for both doubles
Hadley expressed as their primary motive in
community. While shadowing Pickleball enthu-
and singles matches. There are several addi-
siast Lindsey Hadley and her sister Lauren
playing.
tional rules to follow, but the rules aren’t that
Horrall, I started to understand the draw.
Hadley cited the sport’s ability to be played
confusing. It’d be a rather easy game to learn
competitively, but also purely more recre-
on the fly.
ationally and for fun, which draws the various
How Pickleball Works
Have you played badminton or tennis
Pickleball’s become a lifestyle locally
crowds.
In Mount Carmel, players play from dusk
If you’re thinking about giving it a tr y,
as scoring and concepts. As in tennis, matches
till dawn, and many are a par t of the city’s
swing by the cour ts on one of the days in
must be won by at least two points, but in Pick-
Pickleball Club, which meets Tuesdays and
which the public has full access. There should
leball, it’s the first to 11 (still must win by two).
Thursdays from 8 a.m. till noon; 4 p.m. until 9
be paddles and balls provided, allowing you to
In Pickleball, players use a paddle to play.
p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and Sun-
immerse yourself into the sport.
before? Pickleball is incredibly similar as far
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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 3
Fair food favorites from home! WRITER: KIM BAYLESS The sights and sounds of a carnival can be so exciting! The squeals from the rides..shouts of winners from the games of skill.. the grandstand roars as a favorite racehorse crosses the finish line…and, the chatter and laughter of friends coming together. What’s more, are the aromas from the food stands that permeate the air. While our county fairs are suspended this year, you can still enjoy the flavors from home. In this issue, I share three recipes of carnival favorites that are easily adapted for your kitchen.
OVEN FRIED PICKLES 32 dill pickle slices
½ t. garlic powder
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ t. cayenne pepper
½ t. salt
1 T. snipped fresh dill
½ c. all-purpose flour
½ c. panko bread crumbs
2 T. dill pickle juice
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Let pickles sit on a paper towel until liquid is absorbed. This will take about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine flour and salt. In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, pickle juice, cayenne and garlic powder. In a third shallow bowl, combine the panko and dill. PHOTOS BY: TIM MARTIN
Dip pickles in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off the excess. Dip in egg mixture, then in crumb mixture, patting to help adhere the coating. Transfer to a greased wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crispy, 20-25 minutes.
CORN DOG CASSEROLE This makes 12 servings. 2 c. thinly sliced celery
1 ½ c. sliced green onions
2 eggs
2 t. rubbed sage
2 pkgs (8 ½ oz ea) corn muffin mix
1 ½ c. milk
2 T. butter
1 ½ lbs. hot dogs
¼ t. Pepper
2 c. (8oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
In a skillet, saute celery in butter. Add onions; saute for 5 minutes Place in a large bowl; set aside. Cut hot dogs lengthwise into quarters and then into thirds. In the same skillet, saute the hot dogs until lightly browned; add to vegetables. Set aside 1 cup. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, sage and pepper. Add the remaining hot dog mixture. Stir in cornbread mixes. Add 1 ½ cups of cheese. Spread into a shallow 3-quart baking dish. Top with reserved hot dog mixture and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
4 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020
APPLE DUMPLINGS *This recipe is easily halved or doubled 4 baking apples, peeled & cored 1/8 t. salt ½ c. sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ t. cinnamon 4 T. melted butter ½ c. all-purpose flour 1 t. Vanilla ¼ t. baking powder Prepare apples. Butter 4 custard cups (or in my case, a pan with 4 dividers) that will be large enough to set the apples in. Mix ¼ c. sugar with cinnamon. Roll apples in cinnamon sugar. Place into the pan. Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture over apples. Stir together ¼ c. remaining sugar with the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in egg, butter and vanilla. Spoon batter over apples, dividing evenly. Bake at 375 degrees until the crust is golden and apples are cooked, 35 to 40 minutes.
A New Chiropractor Offering A New Technique to the Tri-State!
Dr. Aileen Delacruz
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ally I was liter n, D elacruz, ai p r. k D e ec n se , ain came to ain, leg p “W hen I is sues, ad bac k p in h I sk t. s, ar ie rg falling ap es s, alle LOSS! I d n umb n and H A IR tingling an lock jaw, e, and , m es ti e su is th l al diges tion stressed even r as o w ct I o t, d y barely slep g depressed. M in el I b egan fe ts n me. op erate o regular adjustmen g wanted to ged n ti et g d has chan te e ar lif st I re ti ce en I am Sin rger y!!! acruz, my el su D d r. ee D n ss, ger from el no stre r. I no lon fe te I et s, b n e io at ic for th is ed n m ai g takin . My p no longer depre ssed ferent. I am so nger feel dif and I no lo ! My entire life is life.” NE! ruz in my gone -GO Dr. D elac e av h to thankf ul ine C.
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“I origin all I was ha y c ame to see D ving num r. bnes s in D elacruz b e c au sure wh se at w my finge rs “Wow, so as c ausing it, I was jus . I wasn’t me thing t like chiropra is really c ti w really en c exp erienc e at rong.” I had no all but m c ourage d y d augh my overa me to se ter e Dr. D e ll lacruz fo going nu health even b e r fore my mb. I wis fi ngers b e h I would daughte gan r th have lis tened to Sinc e s ta en. my rting reg ular chir my life h oprac tic as treatme level is a changed in so nts, m mazing! My overa any ways . My e a n d my nergy shoulde ll a c hines s is r tightne n umb n e b e tter ss h s s in my fingers is as sub sided. T he c omple te - L inda L ly gone!“ .
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 5
Container gardening saves space, time WRITER: ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON Most people garden for fun and enjoyment. However, with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, some families may tackle gardening to meet food supply and demand. “Subsistence agriculture occurs when farmers grow food crops to meet the needs of themselves and their families. In subsistence agriculture, farm output is targeted to survival and is mostly for local requirements with little to no surplus.” (Wikipedia) As a child, I grew up in a gardening family; all of my family members had a garden and would often share seeds and produce. It was common practice and something I totally took for granted. My father was known all over Franklin County for his tomatoes. He grew an unnecessarily large amount of vegetables just to give them away. He often delivered produce to his friends and family on weekends in large brown grocery sacks. Everyone was happy to receive produce grown by “Doc Joe.” As a young woman in my 20s and 30s, I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and raise a garden, but it required more work than I cared to admit. The weeding, watering and picking all took time; planting was the easy part. However, coming from a frugal upbringing, I knew that tomatoes and peppers did not cost $3 each as displayed at the grocery store. One plant costs $3 and you can eat the produce off that plant all summer. This year, I tried a new approach to gardening. I chose to have a “bucket garden.” I saw the idea initially on Facebook. I took a picture of the plan and sent it to my son-in-law. I said, “How about you build this for me? I will buy all of the materials and plants. You set it up in my backyard. I will take care of the plants and share the produce with you.” He agreed and the deal was made. The original rack that held the buckets, was too tall for me. Since, I am only 5’2’, my son-in-law was afraid I
et garden; new plants are genetically modified so you can grow hybrid
would not be able to pick the top row and he wasn’t wrong. He altered
plants in containers. Plants that normally require a lot of room to vine
the rack to be in the design of a picnic table; high in the middle and low
out and spread (like squash and cucumbers) can now be grown in buck-
on either side. We started with one rack and 12 buckets. I bought sev-
ets. Plants that at one time had to grow on bushes (like blueberries and
eral types of tomatoes and peppers, along with onions, and also planted
strawberries) can be grown in containers. Finally, plants that needed to
lettuce and spinach seeds. It was exciting to see the plants get some
be staked (like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant) can be grown in buck-
height on them.
ets; when selecting plants look for the description “Grows Well in Con-
When Andrew set up the planters, he placed plastic under each and
tainers” on the plant stake or seed packet. We were so happy with the
covered the plastic in mulch; the cedar mulch aides in keeping bugs
first planter, that Andrew built a second one. Now that 12 buckets were
away. If you have ever dealt with tomato worms you know they are no
added, I bought strawberries, carrots, green beans, and more tomatoes.
fun. Andrew also drilled holes in the bottom of all the buckets for water
I spent a total of $64 on plants. My dad would never have believed that
drainage. This keeps the roots from dry rotting in case of large amounts
such plants exist. I think of him every time I tend to the bucket garden.
of rain. We used high quality Miracle Grow soil. You don’t want to use
His gardening legacy lives on and I am teaching his great-grandchildren
dirt from your lawn or you will have to weed out grass; which defeats
how to garden the easy way. If you are interested in buying a container
the purpose of a raised bed garden.
garden such as the one pictured here, contact Taylor Jones at (618) 383-
I was amazed when I went to purchase plants and seeds for the buck-
0334 and leave a message.
ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON is a 2010 graduate of McKendree University and a 1994 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. She possesses a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education English. She has been an educator since 1994.
6 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020
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NOT FORGOTTEN WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK
“There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from,” Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
we finish and the more fully we live, really live life. And, no matter when we die, we can say, ‘God, I have lived!’”
Kübler-Ross authored the book On Death and Dying. Published in 1969,
Life never ceases to amaze me. As I grow older, I’m in awe of the twists
the international best-seller discusses her theory of the five stages of grief.
and turns I face on my journey. Once, I believed in coincidence, no longer.
Ten years after her death, Life Lessons, co-written by Kübler-Ross and
Everything happens for a reason.
David Kessler was published. In the book, Kübler-Ross is quoted: “Most of
As a believer, Ecclesiastes 3 holds great meaning for me. There is a time
us pass on with a great deal of unfinished business; many of us have at least
for everything. While each season of our lives might seem random, there is
some. There are so many lessons to learn in life, it’s impossible to master
a divinely chosen purpose for every experience of our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1-
them all in one lifetime. But the more lessons we learn, the more business
8, lists 14 opposites that indicate completion.
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Tolly’s nephew Lucas Whitten
not to do that now.” Understandably, Tolly’s death devastated the family. “Once I became a mom, I understood how difficult it would be to lose a child. My mom is still very protective of me and I’m 54!” In 1974, six weeks before his third birthday, Tolly was diagnosed with
Tolly Ashby
leukemia. “He was in remission for nine years, but relapsed 16 months before he died,” said Tammy. When he relapsed, the cancer presented itself in a different form, T-cell leukemia which attacks the bone marrow. Seven months later, the leukemia spread to his central nervous system affecting his brain and spine. “We were told there was only a one in 100,000 chance of relapse,” said Tammy. “Tolly relapsed. Never doubt that one percent. “We talk about him all the time,” said Tammy. “It’s been hard. Tolly and I were close. I think it’s harder now that I’m older. He wasn’t at my wedding, he won’t ever know my son. It’s really hard when I hear co-workers talk about their brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. It makes me sad when I hear people complain about their siblings or say they don’t even talk to them.” Tammy and her husband Curtis named their son Lucas Tolly Hugh Whitten. Lucas, now 26, often reminds his parents of Tolly. “Lucas looks a lot like Tolly,” said Tammy. As a youngster, Lucas was stubborn just like
In this vein, I believe everyone we meet comes into our lives for a purpose. As a young journalist, I was fortunate enough to interview hundreds of
Tolly. “Sometimes Curt will see Lucas doing something and say, ‘I think your brother is doing that!’ Lucas had teachers that knew Tolly. They would see Lucas and think of Tolly.”
people from all walks of life. One of my stories even “made it to the (news)
As Lucas approached his 13th birthday, Tammy said she was filled with
wire!” It was thrilling seeing my work published in papers across the nation.
dread. “We celebrated Tolly’s 13th birthday not realizing it would be his last.
I interviewed notables including: Senator Paul Simon; Richard Trumka,
I just wanted 13 to be over and Lucas to be 14!” As worried as she was about
then president of the United Mine Workers of America; Randy Owen of the
Lucas, it was Tammy who ended up in the hospital on Lucas’ 13th birthday.
band Alabama; and I was interviewing Randy Travis at the moment he found
“I had AFib. My heart was beating at 240 beats per minute. It was scary and
out his song, “Digging Up Bones,” reached number one on the country
I thought I was going to die.” Tammy has always been a bit baffled by the
charts. That was cool!
events of that day.
Of all the stories I’ve written, none touched my soul as did the story of
“I’ve always had good memories of Tolly. We had a lot of fun. We would
Tolly Ashby. In March, I wrote about life-changing stories in which I men-
line up all of our stuffed animals and play school,” said Tammy. “Tolly was
tioned Tolly, who died of leukemia at age 13.
a mean teacher. His cat and my mouse would always end up out in the hall-
A few weeks after I wrote that column, I received a request via Facebook
way!”
Messenger. It was from Tolly’s sister. It read: “Hi Mona. I’m Tammy Ashby
Five months before Tolly’s death, the Ashbys took a Make-A-Wish vaca-
Whitten, Tolly Ashby’s sister. Just wanted to let you know I read your article
tion to Disneyworld. “Tolly was very sick and really didn’t enjoy himself,”
back in March in the (618) Hometown Magazine. I was deeply touched by
said Tammy. “But he never lost his smile. Tolly had lost all of his hair and
it. Anyway, if you would like to catch up with me and how things are now I
was swimming when a boy noticed that Tolly was bald. The boy asked Tolly
would love to.”
why he was bald and Tolly told him he was training for the Olympic Swim
As I read Tammy’s message to my husband, I shed a few tears.
Team! We asked him why he would tell the boy that and Tolly just laughed!
Recently, Tammy and I met to talk about Tolly. Tammy was an 18-year-
He had a great sense of humor.”
old college freshman when Tolly died in the early morning hours of Sept.
Tammy also recalls a time when she and Tolly took the family’s dachs-
20, 1984. “He had been in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital but we brought
hund, Cricket, for a ride on the three-wheeler. Cricket jumped from the
him home,” said Tammy. “We knew we were bringing him home to die. One
three-wheeler and broke her leg. “Dad wasn’t happy,” Tammy said. “We
of his last wishes was to die in his bed with us by his side.” Tolly longed for
thought Cricket would have fun!”
home, a familiar place far away from the treatments that made him so very sick.
As sick as Tolly was, Tammy said the family “never held him back.” He continued to go to school, he played ball, and wore his hats. Tammy said
A few hours after his death, I visited with the Ashbys at their home in
Tolly loved hats. Curt’s sister, Cindy, gave Tolly a Big Mac™ hat that Tolly
Patton. “My parents, Kenneth and Pat, still live in the same house,” said
wore all the time. Every year, Tolly’s Big Mac™ hat is the angel on the Whit-
Tammy. “Believe it or not, I remember you being at the house interviewing
ten family Christmas tree. Memories keep Tolly alive.
us. I even remember where you sat. I was laying on the couch, none of us had slept the night before. For decades, I relived the night Tolly died. I try
I ended my Sept. 21, 1984 story with these words: Tolly… an unusual name for a child who will never be forgotten.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 9
FINNS TO FINNS TO THE LEFT, THE RIGHT Family finds connection through 23andMe
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDI FORD
WRITER: ANDI FORD In the fall of 2017, I received a message through Facebook from a stranger in Finland. Of course, I assumed it was a scam, but I read on out of curiosity. The message stated that I had been tracked down through 23andMe, the DNA testing service I had used a decade before and hadn’t checked in many years. It said that I was a first cousin of the messenger’s mother. It then explained that Merike Rinne (whose son had contacted me on her behalf as she spoke little English) was the daughter of Elwin Eugene Campbell who had been a sailor. My father, Dennis Campbell, happened to be in Grayville at the time as we were all caring for my grandfather, Bernard Sturm. I immediately asked him if he knew an Elwin Campbell. He said, “Yes, that was my brother Gene.” Gene was 23 years older than my dad and was always his hero. I asked if Gene had been a sailor, and my dad said he had been in the Merchant Marines. Then I asked if he had ever been to Finland, and Dad said, “Oh yes, he said it was his favorite place on Earth!” to which I responded, “You have no idea!” We were somewhat skeptical, as hackers will go to great extremes to gain information and trust. But then, we were sent a
) 8 1 6 (
photo of Gene with Merike’s mother, Maria. The framed picture
R U O Y E S RTI E N V O D I T A I D O E T WANT IN THE NEXT ZINE? S GA S A E M N I N S BU TOW E M O H OF 618
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Elwin “Eugene” Campbell pictured with his Finnish love, Maria. Campbell, who died in 2015, was an older brother of Dennis Campbell, formerly of Grayville. The photo frame contains dried flowers from one of the couple’s dates nearly 70 years ago!
still contained flowers he had given her on one of their dates more than 70 years ago. Through additional correspondence with new cousins Roope and Rami Tulonen and Rami’s girlfriend, Virpi Valtonen, we found that Maria was a war widow with two young children when she met Gene. They began a love affair that lasted for quite a while. When Gene asked her to return
2
From left: Virpi Valtonen (Rami’s girlfriend), Merike (Andi Ford’s cousin), Doug and Andy Ford of Grayville, Roope and Rami (sons of Merike).
to the United States with him, she refused to leave her home country. He subsequently left the Merchant Marines and traveled to Iraq to set up oilfields for Exxon Mobil, eventually settling in Texas years later. We assume Gene didn’t know Maria was pregnant when he left, and in the late 1940s, there was no way for her to find him since he never
3
Dennis Campbell and his niece, Merike, from Finland. The family recently united thanks to the results of a decade-old 23andMe kit.
returned to his hometown in Missouri. Unfortunately for Merike and her children, they never got to meet Gene, who died in 2015. Through our connection, they all traveled to the United States in the summer of 2018. We met in St. Louis for two days and attended a Cardinals game, took the brewery tour and visited the Gateway Arch, which was designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. We then traveled to Lake Barkley in Kentucky so that my dad could meet his new relatives. It was a wonderful visit. My husband, Doug, and I planned to travel to Finland in 2019, but due to family obligations our trip had to be canceled. Luckily, we were able to meet Merike, Rami, Virpi, Roope and girlfriend Sari in Miami Beach for a brief visit in February of
Things to consider when making a decision to admit or transfer to Transcendent
this year. The Finnish group then traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas, to spend a few days with Gene’s son, Bob, Merike’s half-brother, one of the other American relatives of which we were able to help them connect. We are so thankful that our family found us. They are such a joy to have in our lives, and we look for ward to spending many more years catching up on lost time! Editor’s Note: Andi Ford, owner of Creative Arc Design, lives in Grayville with her husband Doug.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 11
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The month of ‘new’ — and Jehu WRITER: ANDREA HOWE August, for me, is the month of new.
a cast on my arm, after falling off my pony at a
ed “Hootenanny, Me and That Stuff Called Diplo-
New skills. New adventures.
horse show in Albion the Saturday before the
macy,” a crayon-illustrated story about friends
I am the person who wants an August back
first day of class. I begged Dr. Courtnage to
Andrea, Lyndell, Lisa, Wilma, Tami, Lorie and
to school shopping list, even now at 59. I love
make sure I wouldn’t miss school. That year,
Becky visiting a haunted house and learning how
a good writing instrument. Something that fits
third-grade teacher Diane Sanders told us all
to use diplomacy to talk their way out, unharmed.
right on the callous of my left-hand third finger,
about the moon landing a few weeks earlier,
developed in August of 1967 when I first took
and we talked about the next big thing — a new
Mrs. Grimwood thought it needed work and
hold of the big red pencil Marjorie Hardesty
decade around the corner. I had never heard
gave it back to me for another try. Right there, in
handed me in first grade at Big Prairie Grade
of a decade. I thought something crazy might
fourth grade, I learned that none of my words are
School.
happen!
so precious that they can’t be improved. I tight-
I was proud of that piece. Especially the title!
Mrs. Hardesty told me, in August 1967, that
In August 1970, I met Maxine Grimwood.
I was going to read. I was in total agreement. I
Mrs. Grimwood puzzled us all, promising a treat
took a Dick and Jane book home from school
to anyone who could solve the riddle of why she
Then she told me the title needed work.
that first week of school and lied to my mother,
signed her paintings “Jehu.” (Hint: He was a wild
I balked. I didn’t like it. But I eventually con-
insisting that I had to read the whole book that
charioteer military leader of Israel before becom-
night. I basically memorized the whole thing.
ing king. I think she signed “Jehu” because she
Mrs. Hardesty fed me books throughout first and
painted furiously.)
second grade, and my appetite for reading is still not satisfied. In August 1969, I returned to school with
ened that story up, found more active verbs and turned it in again.
ceded to the title “That Tact!” I liked it better when it won a blue ribbon at the fair the next summer.
Mrs. Grimwood also encouraged us to write
That first story was 50 years ago. Thanks to
stories that we could enter in the county fair the
Mrs. Grimwood, I’ve been writing “like Jehu”
next summer. It was in fourth grade that I creat-
ever since.
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We’re open and ready to care for you. Our clinics are now open with added safety measures for your protection, including: •
Increased sanitizing and cleaning.
•
Entry screens and temperature checks.
•
Social distancing in waiting areas and extended appointment times.
It’s safe to get the care you need. Schedule a visit with your provider today. Telephone and virtual visits are also available (check with your provider). Please note – patients should arrive for appointments no more than 15 minutes early, visitor restrictions are still in place and patients must wear facemasks to appointments. For more information visit carle.org/services/primary-care.