Organizations,  Events,  Milestones,

Good Neighbors, Fund-raisers,  A Day in the Life...,

Diaspora,  Reunions,  Reminiscence

July 2001

Tuesday, July 10
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Free blood pressure screenings 
WHERE: ALMH, first floor waiting area
WHEN: 9 am - noon

SPONSOR: Lincoln Writers Club
WHO: People interested in writing
WHAT: Monthly meeting
WHERE: Lincoln Public Library Annex
WHEN: 6 pm

Thursday, July 12
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Free blood pressure screenings 
WHERE: ALMH, first floor waiting area
WHEN: 9 am - noon

SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHAT: Laser clinic; call (217) 732-2161 Ext. 243 for more information  
WHERE: ALMH, on fourth floor
WHEN: 10 am - 2 pm

Sundays in July and August
WHO: Public
WHAT: Free tours of J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum
WHERE: Atlanta
WHEN: 1-3 pm

Sunday, July 15
COORDINATED BY: Main Street Lincoln and Lincoln Area Music Society
WHO: Public
WHAT: Concert in the Park, featuring The Nostalgics; sponsored by Beans and Such and Family Custom Cleaners and Laundry
WHERE: Latham Park, downtown Lincoln
WHEN: 7 pm

Monday, July 16
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHAT: Congestive heart failure and diabetes support group; call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 443 for more information
WHERE: ALMH, Conference Room A
WHEN: 7 pm

Tuesday, July 17
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Free blood pressure screenings 
WHERE: ALMH, first floor waiting area
WHEN: 9 am - noon

SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHAT: Breast Cancer Awareness; call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 443 for more information
WHERE: ALMH, Conference Room A
WHEN: 7 pm

Wednesday, July 18
SPONSOR: Lincoln Printers
WHO: Public
WHAT: Blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: noon - 6 pm

Thursday, July 19
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Free blood pressure screenings 
WHERE: ALMH, first floor waiting area
WHEN: 9 am - noon

SPONSOR: Atlanta Christian Church
WHO: Public
WHAT: Blood drive
WHERE: Atlanta Christian Church
WHEN: noon - 6 pm

Sunday, July 22
COORDINATED BY: Main Street Lincoln and Lincoln Area Music Society
WHO: Public
WHAT: Concert in the Park, featuring Angel Spiccia and Friends; sponsored by Bassi Construction and The Tropics Restaurant
WHERE: Latham Park, downtown Lincoln
WHEN: 7 pm

REGULAR POSTINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS:  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital,  American Red Cross,  Beta Sigma Phi,  Girl Scouts,  Heritage In Flight Museum,  Girl Scouts,  Lincoln Park District,  Lincoln Writers Club,  Logan County Extension office,   Logan County historical landmarks,  Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency (recycling),  Oasis,  Postville Courthouse,  Vineyard Cafe

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Hospice Care of Illinois are offering "Always in Our Hearts," an adult bereavement support group established to help individuals cope with the loss of a loved one.

This group meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the hospital in Lincoln. No reservations are necessary, and there are no dues or fees. It is not necessary to attend any set number of meetings. Come as you are, as often as you like — you are always welcome.

Always in Our Hearts is facilitated by a bereavement counselor and is open to any central Illinois resident dealing with a loss. Grief and mourning are an integral part of the healing process for a spouse, family member or friend after the loss of a loved one. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for people to discuss their feelings and the changes the loss has brought to their lives.

For more information, please call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

Lincoln Printers will sponsor a blood drive at the Lincoln Sports Complex on Wednesday, July 18, from noon until 6 p.m.

Beta Sigma Phi chapter installs officers

Preceptor Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met recently at the home of Pam Schwarz in Lincoln for the installation of officers. Those installed were Lois Vannoy, president; Jan Van Bibber, vice president; Donna Creager, secretary; Janielle Bunner, treasurer; and city council members Janet Henrichsmeyer, Joyce Hyde, Lois Vannoy and alternate Jan Van Bibber.

Chapter members also attended a social at Famous Dave’s in Bloomington to conclude the sorority year.

Girl Scouts invited to crocheting program in Indiana

Saturday, Sept. 22, will be dedicated as "I Can Crochet" day at Crochet Renaissance 2001 in Indianapolis, Ind. Area Girl Scouts are invited to attend the free session to earn credit toward their fabric and textile merit badge as well as an "I Can Crochet" activity patch for attending. CR 2001 is expecting a big turnout for this event, which is sponsored by House of White Birches in Berne, Ind. Troop leaders are invited to call coordinator Patsy Franz at (877) 282-4724, Ext. 317 or send e-mail to patsy_franz@whitebirches.com to register their troops to attend the free session.

Other announcements

• Girl Scout leader meeting — Thursday, July 12, usual time and place.  The rest of the meetings will be the first Thursday of each month, at the usual time and place.

• Girl Scout Jamboree Railsplitter event — weekend of Logan County Railsplitter Festival; Janice Greer, event coordinator.

Websites with lots of ideas that Girl Scout leaders, families or kids can use:

makingfriends.com

crayola.com

elmers.com 

See the website for Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council, at http://www.girlscoutsllc.org/.

You can send questions and suggestions to the council by clicking here: gsllc@girlscoutsllc.org.

Also, see the national Girl Scouts site at http://www.girlscouts.org/.

A little-known historical site full of large and small treasures sits on the outskirts of town on the Logan County Airport property. The Heritage In Flight Museum building itself is a part of history. It is a remnant of Camp Ellis, located west of Havana, which was the largest military training and prisoner-of-war camp in the United States during World War II. After the war the camp was closed and the buildings were sold. Logan County Airport is fortunate to have one of the few remaining structures from Camp Ellis.

Several historic items are found outside at the airport, including the rotating beacon, the green-and-white light that identifies the airport location to pilots flying at night. Before being moved to Logan County Airport, it was part of the lighted airway system that the airmail pilots in the 1920s used to navigate at night. The one that now resides here was originally located between Lincoln and Atlanta and provided a bright signal for Charles Lindbergh when he flew the airmail route between St. Louis and Chicago.

While outside you can also view a number of aircraft that are on display from various time periods.

Moving to the inside, you find that the Heritage in Flight Museum is filled with items of aviation history from the military and civilian branches of flying and from the earliest days of open-cockpit biplanes to the latest jets. Veterans who reside in Logan County have donated much of what the museum has. Families from the community have donated items that belonged to our war heroes, revealing special sentiments, symbolism and forgotten practices that held a community together in war times. Other items offer a look at early technology such as the airplane and ship radios. Of the thousands of items in the museum, each can be said to teach us something about our past. Visitors can relive history through the numerous displays, mostly grouped in wartime periods, and gain a strong sense of patriotism while studying military displays throughout the building.

A guided tour is recommended to get the most from these displays. The volunteers are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter and will bring to light little-known nuances that make the displays fascinating.

The museum is always interested in adding items of aviation history. Its greatest need, however, is for more volunteers to help in the guardianship of this important gateway to Lincoln and Logan County.

The museum requires lots of care and maintenance. Members are always looking for interested people of all ages to help care for it, share their interests and preserve a bit of aviation history.

Heritage In Flight Museum is operated by an all-volunteer, non-profit organization: Heritage-In-Flight, Inc. You are invited to come meet the members and sit in on their meetings anytime. Meetings take place at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month in the terminal meeting room.

The museum is a great resource to educate our youth about our aeronautical and military past and shares the wealth of military traditions from a community and national perspective. Schools, youth groups and families are welcome.

Heritage in Flight Museum

1351 Airport Road, Lincoln

Open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: (217) 732-3333

Call the airport and leave a message to request a guided tour, schedule a time during the week or ask for more information.

You can read more about HIF from the archives of LDN. Go to: http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2001/Feb/15/comunity/business.shtml#Logan County is host to a unique museum rich in special military stories and treasures

[LDN]

Lincoln Park District notes

From Roy Logan, program coordinator

Pool parties

Are you looking for a way to beat the heat this weekend?  If so, come on out and enjoy our pool.  On Saturday night from 8:30 to 10:30 we will offer an "Adult Moonlight Swim."  Cost is only $1 or your season pool pass.  Sorry, kids, this one is only for the adults.

But be patient, young people, because your turn happens next Saturday, July 21. "Splash Back to the ’60s" will go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  DJ Brando will spin the platters.  Games, contests and surprises will guarantee the fun.  Just bring $1 or your pool pass to get in when we crank up the fun!

"A Day in the Woods" at Memorial Park

Thursday, July 12, your Lincoln Park District offers "A Day in the Woods." You may have heard the expression "Can't see the forest for the trees." Well, after that you'll know not only the names of the trees but how many trees it takes to make a forest.  Carol McFeeters Thompson, a natural resource coordinator from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is coming to teach us all about nature in Memorial Park. We'll start the day around the fire getting our lunch ready.  Just as the pioneers did years ago, we will have a meal cooked in cast-iron Dutch ovens over the open fire. We’ll explore birds, bugs, butterflies, leaves, trees and anything else nature shows us. Insect repellant, long pants and comfortable tennis-style shoes are suggested.  Parents and guardians are responsible for transportation to and from Memorial Park.  Children entering first through third grades are invited from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while students fourth through eighth grades are welcome from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $5 for district residents and $6 for those out of district.

Youth football sign-ups

Youth football sign-up is July 16 through 20. Equipment checkout will be announced at the sign-up.  The schedule will be posted later. This football program is for boys entering sixth through eighth grades. The fee is $45 per child and $25 for each additional family member.  The commissioner is Greg Curry.

5K run

On Saturday, Aug. 25, Lincoln Park District will host the 13th annual 5K run in conjunction with the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival. Race time is 8 a.m. The run begins and ends at the Park District at 1400 Primm Road. Dan Slack, a veteran cross-country record-holder for LCHS, is our race coordinator. T-shirts are given to all participants, and awards are given to the top three finishers in each age category.  Refreshments are provided.  Registration forms will be available in July at both the Rec Center and the Lincoln Chamber office.

The Lincoln Writers Club will meet at the Lincoln Public Library Annex on Tuesday, July 10, at 6 p.m. Anyone in the community who is interested in writing is invited to attend. For information, call Rebecca Johnson at 732-2723.

Free newsletter for grandparents raising grandchildren

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren can now get the FREE newsletter Parenting Again from University of Illinois Extension.

The newsletter offers practical advice on topics like helping grandchildren succeed in school, finding support groups and resources, taking care of your own health, and unique challenges for second-time parents.

Cherie Lock, unit staff member with U of I Extension in Logan County, says that grandparents can get on the mailing list by phoning the local Extension office at (217) 732-8289 or by sending a fax to (217) 735-5837 or e-mail to lock@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.

Atlanta

J. H. Hawes wooden country elevator. Open Sunday afternoons June through August. Free.

Atlanta Public Library and Museum. On National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1908. Comer of Race and Arch. Phone (217) 648-2112. Free.

Chestnut

Monument proclaims the geographic center of the state of Illinois. Town was laid out in 1872.

Elkhart

Elkhart Cemetery. Richard J. Oglesby, who was elected governor of Illinois in 1864, 1872 and 1884, is buried here; also John Dean Gillett, known as the "Cattle King of the World," and Capt. Adam Bogardus, wing shot champion of the world. For tours of the cemetery and John Dean Gillett Chapel, please phone (217) 947-2238.

Emden

Bethel Church. Built in 1854. Three miles from Route 136 between Emden and Atlanta on County Road 20.

Lincoln

Site of Deskin's Tavern. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Signage. Free.

Site of well Abraham Lincoln drank from. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Free.

Site of town christening by Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 27, 1853. Lincoln was the first community in the United States to be named for Abraham Lincoln before he became famous. Also, Lincoln's funeral train stopped here on May 3,1865. Located at the south side of the Lincoln Depot, Broadway and Chicago streets. Official Looking for Lincoln signage. Free.

Logan County Courthouse. Contains second-largest courtroom in Illinois. Built in 1905. Located on the courthouse square, downtown Lincoln. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday until noon. Phone (217) 732-6400. Free.

Lincoln College Museum. Over 3,000 historic items. Lincoln College was founded and named for President Lincoln on Feb. 12, 1865. Keokuk and Ottawa streets. Summer hours: 9 to 4 Monday through Friday; 1 to 4 Saturday and Sunday; closed May 28 and July 4. Free.

Heritage In Flight Museum. Museum is filled with memorabilia from all U.S. military conflicts back to World War I. Located at the Logan County Airport. Phone ahead (217) 732-3333 to confirm hours. Free but donations accepted.

Lincoln Public Library. Original Carnegie library built in 1902. Tiffany-style glass inner dome. 725 Pekin St. Open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 to 6; Saturday, 9 to 3. Phone (217) 732-8878. Free.

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site. Guided tours. 914 Fifth St. Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Ph. (217) 732-8930 for additional information. Free but donations accepted.

Middletown

Stage Coach Inn. The inn was on the old stage route from Springfield to Peoria. Built mid 1800’s. Village is also famous for its aeronautical history. Free.

Mount Pulaski

Mount Pulaski Courthouse. This building is one of only two original 8th Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois. On National Register of Historic Places. Was Logan County Courthouse from 1847 to 1855. Guided tours. Open 12 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday. Phone (217) 732-8930. Free.

Includes "How to Prepare Recyclables?";  "Logan County Recycling Sites"; "Where Can We Recycle??"; and a link to Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency site.

Oasis update

The Oasis, Logan County’s senior citizen center, at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln, is open weekdays (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center also is open on Friday and Sunday nights for table games. Dominic Dalpoas is the executive director. Activities are open to all Logan County senior citizens, regardless of membership.

Alzheimer support group

Tuesday, July 9, at 10 a.m. the group will meet for advice and discussion with the representatives. Please join them for mutual assistance.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Wednesday, July 11, at 7 p.m. there will be a special, organizational meeting for all interested people who need assistance rearing their grandchildren.

Potluck luncheon and bingo

Join us Thursday, July 12, for our monthly potluck luncheon, starting at 11:30 a.m. If you cannot bring a dish to share, a $3 donation would be appreciated. And, starting at 1 p.m., the Oasis will sponsor the weekly bingo games with prizes.

Speakers Bureau special program

Monday, July 16, at 10 a.m. the Oasis will host a special program entitled "Understanding Medicare." Please join us and have your concerns addressed and questions answered.

Garden Club special event

On Tuesday, July 17, the club meets at the Oasis at 9 a.m. for a tour of the John Raycraft garden.

Special friends of the Oasis

This month Dominic Dalpoas, executive director, recognizes the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Pharmacy for their continuing support of the Oasis and its members.

Winners of weekly games

Mable Hoagland won at pinochle June 29 and July 3. Grace McCrea won the June 29 evening pinochle game. Bernie DePuy, Betty Burger and Tom Garrison were 5-in-1 winners. Alice Thornton won pool. Harley Heath was the Sunday night winner for pool.

Newsletter

Friends of the Oasis members receive bimonthly newsletters by mail. For more information, people can call the Oasis at 732-6132 or 732-5844.

Special event raises May attendance at Postville

Almost 150 people attended the two-day "Remembering Our WWII Veterans" event at Postville Courthouse on May 19 and 20. Several Illinois World War II re-enactment units set up displays and gave demonstrations. The re-enactors represented the U.S. Army GIs, Army airborne and Marines who fought in the Pacific, along with a display for the Navy.

About 50 World War II veterans came during the event and signed a special register in the Postville Courthouse. Many of the veterans shared their experiences with the re-enactors and with others. A couple of Lincoln World War II veterans helped raise a 48-star flag to start the activities on Saturday.

Two courthouse volunteers, Keith Leesman and Rodney Meyer, volunteered extra hours on Sunday for the event. Site Manager R. Schachtsiek thanks them for their support.

Two Lincoln schools that brought their students to visit the courthouse also increased the attendance in May. On May 11, 57 junior high students toured the courthouse, followed about a week later by 35 students from Northwest School.

In May the volunteer interpreters worked 121 hours. The following volunteers helped give tours to the 314 visitors who came to Postville Courthouse in May:  S. Bartelmay, B. Behrends, J. Curtis, B. DePuy, D. Freeman, J. Higgins, C. and R. Hurley, C. Kelley, N. Kleinman, C. Klink, L. Leonard, B. Marvel, R. Meyer, M. Ott, W. Post, S. Schumacher, G. Semple, M. Smith, L. Snyder, R. Sullivan, G. Wibben.

Vineyard Cafe to feature the music of Bridge

The Vineyard Cafe welcomes Bridge for a return engagement on Saturday, July 21. Bridge spans styles and generations with their high-energy electro-acoustic sound. Tickets are available at the door, and baked goods and coffeehouse beverages will be sold. Doors open at 7 p.m. The Vineyard Cafe is at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Bloomington. For more information or directions, phone (309) 6563-4943 or check www.communityzone.com/community/vineyardcafe.

Milestones

[JUNE 29, 2001]  At a luncheon Thursday, June 21, at St. John United Church of Christ, Logan County’s Red Cross volunteers were honored for their many hours of work "Volunteers bring the human touch," said speaker Mary Ogle, executive director of the Sangamon Valley Chapter in Springfield. She told the members of the Logan County branch of the chapter that there are 1.4 million volunteers nationwide, 45 for every paid staff Red Cross member.

[Click here to see photos from the luncheon]

[to top of second column in this article]

[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 18, 2001]  Tina Morrow is like most other almost-11-year-old girls. She is bright, witty and energetic. Most of the time she is very talkative and friendly. She enjoys spending time with her friends, playing video games and is a good student. And Tina seems to be very happy.

[to top of second column in this article]

Her teacher at Washington-Monroe School, Mrs. Jane Redding, recommended the purchase of a computer to help Tina better develop her writing, spelling and communications skills. Mrs. Redding, a wonderful special-needs teacher, is very aware and concerned with her students’ care and development. As a result of her concern, Tina was the recipient of this equipment.

[Her teacher, Mrs. Jane Redding, pays a home visit as Tina gets her new equipment.]

Fund-raisers

[JULY 6, 2001]  Join the first St. Jude Cut-A-Thon supporting the Lincoln to Peoria Run. This event is walk-in haircuts at your local hair stylist on July 21 only, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great way to support area youngsters who have cancer. Proceeds from this event (as well as other local fund-raisers) are kept in central Illinois at the Peoria Affiliate. St. Jude research is shared throughout the world, so this is also a great opportunity to help children all over the globe. Local participating stylist is Brett at Blades, phone 732-7213.

[JUNE 4, 2001]  Dr. Howard Anderson, a retired Lincoln College professor, now rides backup one night a week in a county squad car. He says he does it as an exciting learning experience.

Anderson is a deputy in the Logan County Auxiliary Police. The group is organized to aid the sheriff’s department by performing tasks that would otherwise require a deputy. Such tasks include directing traffic at fires and parades and making sure nothing is removed from crime scenes. Anderson, however, has elected to ride with an officer from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. once a week.

He has a badge and carries a weapon. To become a member of the auxiliary and earn the badge he had to pass a background check and an interview. To carry the gun he also had to take the same 40-hour training course from City Police Academy in Springfield that any deputy must take. He took the course in May 2000, during his last semester as a full-time teacher of history, political science and English at Lincoln College. Shortly thereafter, he began to ride with Deputy Bob Spickard and others as assigned.

An officer never knows what will occur when he or she turns onto a road, Anderson said. Once he and Sgt. Henry Bartman received word of a robbery in progress at a gas station in Mount Pulaski. En route they learned that the suspects had taken Route 121 toward Decatur. As they pursued, they were flagged and directed down a side road toward an outbuilding. They stopped the car and were joined by another squad car, which parked behind them, blocking the road. The two deputies, weapons drawn, moved around the building from opposite sides.

Anderson remained behind to operate the radio and prevent any escape down the road. For the first time he drew his weapon in the line of duty. He heard shouting from behind the building and shortly after saw the deputies returning with three men in handcuffs. Although a knife was reported seen at the gas station, it was not found on the suspects. One man was later determined to be an innocent bystander forced to assist in the robbery. The other two are awaiting trial. Anderson said the chase and apprehension were exciting.

Another time he was involved in a multi-car chase of a runaway who drove off in a stolen vehicle without paying for gas. Near Lawndale, Spickard and Anderson caught the vehicle and followed it north on old Route 66. Eventually, two city police cars, two county cars and one state police car were involved at speeds up to 80 mph. Atlanta police blocked the exit into Atlanta and joined the chase.

The suspect exited at McLean, circled McDonald’s several times and drove back onto old 66 going toward Bloomington, sideswiping a huge tree. Spickard eventually got alongside the car, forcing the driver off the road at a point where there was a deep ditch on the left. Other cars boxed in the suspect, all gradually slowing to a stop. Even then the suspect tried to run Spickard down when he left his car but was unable to do so because of the placement of the vehicles.

"Spickard handled it perfectly," Anderson said, and there was no contact except at the moment of stopping, when the suspect’s vehicle briefly pressed the left front of the squad car. Deputies had to smash in the window before the suspect would get out of his car.

When riding with a deputy, Anderson’s two main duties are to serve as a witness and to give backup to ensure safety. When a car is stopped for probable cause, such as erratic driving or a broken taillight, the deputy approaches on the driver’s side. Anderson also gets out but lags behind until the deputy engages the driver’s attention. Then Anderson moves up and looks into the interior of the car for anything that appears wrong, such as an open container of alcohol or drug paraphernalia. If he sees anything suspicious, he drops back and tells the officer when he comes back with the license and insurance papers. If Anderson sees a weapon, he is trained to shout "Gun!" draw his weapon and drop back. If there is a search, Anderson covers the occupants while the search is performed.

[to top of second column in this article]

One would think that a driver with something to hide would be careful not to draw attention, but Anderson said that on stops when drugs and paraphernalia are discovered, often the driver is intoxicated or there is something wrong with the vehicle that warrants a stop.

Anderson holds three degrees in history and English — a bachelor’s from Roosevelt University and master’s and doctor of arts from Illinois State University. He retired in 2000 after 33 years of teaching at Lincoln College. He says he "wanted to do something different, challenging and exciting" after retiring. He also wanted a new learning experience. When his blood pressure put a stop to flying lessons, he decided to become an auxiliary deputy.

Anderson has spent $1,500 on equipment, including weapons and a bulletproof vest newer than the one issued by the county. He thinks that police officers are underpaid considering the service they perform. He also believes that not enough dollars are available for training. Classes are offered frequently, he said, but getting the funds to attend is difficult.

One aspect of the training course in Springfield was taught by a lawyer, who described how easy it is for a law enforcement officer to get in trouble. Whether paid or volunteer, a deputy is personally liable if he or she wrongly uses force. Anderson identified several levels of force: the officer’s presence, words and tone of voice, mace, a baton, physical contact and a deadly weapon. If deadly force is used when no life is threatened, the officer can lose everything financially and can be imprisoned.

Another duty Anderson performs weekly is working the front office at the Safety Complex during Sunday visiting hours from 12:30 to 4 p.m. He gets the name of the visitor and the prisoner the visitor wants to see, collects items to be given to the prisoner, gives a receipt, and notifies the jailer. He also screens visitors and has denied visiting privileges to someone who was overly intoxicated.

Anderson believes that inmates have too soft a life. "Prisoners have learned to play the game," he said. "We need to return to the philosophy that incarceration is punishment, not rehabilitation, especially for repeat offenders." He believes in assigning work such as cleaning county highways to inmates.

Working as a volunteer for the sheriff’s department has been an eye-opening experience for Anderson. "It provides an appreciation for some of the problems police face," he said. "You see the seamier side of our society." He has also experienced the camaraderie among police at all levels. "If you receive a call that an officer needs backup, it doesn’t matter who you are," he said; "if you are in the area you respond, especially if there is some urgency."

Despite the excitement and all that he has learned, Anderson recognizes some limitations to police work. "I would never do this for a living," he said, because it is too dangerous and the pay is too poor.

[Lynn Spellman]

People all across this country and, in fact, around the world, claim roots in Logan County. They have very interesting stories to tell, and some of them like to connect with those of us who stayed at home. Logan County Diaspora publishes the stories of former Logan County residents. With their permission, we also include their e-mail addresses so that old friends might be reunited.  If you wish to be part of the Logan County Diaspora, e-mail ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.  

Diaspora correspondents

Click on names to see letters and stories.

v Indicates LDN sponsors

• Wanda Whitson Aue

• Brad Boss

• Charles Brainard

• James 'Doc' Chandler

• Brad Dye

• Wayne and Nancy (Hatfield) Eichelberger

• Wayne Franz

• Philip Gehlbach

• Leigh Henson

• Bill Horn  v

• Dale A. Lowe

• George A. McKinney

• Len and Rita Remmert

• Tom Renner

• Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle

• Greg Schriber

• Stan Stringer

• Donald Weindorf  v

• Denise Radcliffe Wood

• Tom and Kristy (Smith) Yarcho

Lincoln native Brad Boss writes home

I am currently serving a six-month rotation in Macedonia with the 101st Airborne Division. We routinely fly missions within Kosovo and Macedonia, and it's a little difficult to keep track of what's going on at home. I like to check and see what went on in Lincoln after I get back from a mission. Usually it's a lot quieter in Lincoln, which is a good thing.

About four weeks ago, we had a mission to haul Albanian prisoners from a detention facility in Kosovo to another prison. As we are always looking for ways to keep busy, we found some chalk, and my crew chief, Sgt. Mario Fabela of Hebronville, Texas, and I promptly chalked the Con Air logo from the Nicolas Cage movie on the side of our CH-47D Chinook helicopter, along with our names and the pilot's names. It got a lot of attention. The missions went off without a hitch, and we all had a good time.

Sgt. Brad Boss

CH-47D Flight Engineer

U.S. Army

(6-29-01)

[Sgt. Mario Fabela is on the left, Brad Boss on the right.]

Stan Stringer tells story of
Mark Holland’s buzzing of Lincoln

A year ago I received a copy of Paul Gleason’s "A Pictorial History," and I found the pictures of Mark Holland’s buzzing of Lincoln. Regrettably, the author did not make attribution to the photographer for these or any other photographs, and perhaps this was not possible, as so many dated back so far. In any case, I thought your readers might enjoy a story behind these pictures.

My father, Charles M. Stringer, had a photography studio on the second floor of the Marcucci building in the ’30s and ’40s. During Mark’s later high school years he worked for my father and at the same time developed an interest in flying. After our entry into World War II, Mark entered the Army Air Corps and flight school. At some point Mark told dad that if the opportunity ever came that he could "buzz" Lincoln, he would telegram dad the night before. Dad agreed he’d have his Speed Grafix loaded and snap the pictures.

As you can guess, Lincoln was not the only town being buzzed. There was a general order prohibiting this, but there was little the military could really do. Pilots were needed overseas, and buzzing your hometown would not ground a qualified pilot.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Mark Holland]

One night the telegram came, something about seeing Lincoln soon. Dad knew it meant Mark would buzz the town the next day. My dad told me to keep all of this to myself, and I was certain I was in on a big military secret. At the time, I was in the fourth grade at Monroe Elementary School. My teacher was Miss Hazel Holland, and our classroom was on the second floor. Miss Holland was a cousin of Mark’s.

Needless to say, when Mark made his first run the class was out of hand. We ran to the windows for a grand view of the action. After Mark finished his runs and the class had quieted down, Miss Holland asked if anyone knew who was flying that airplane. While I had to fake it, we all had blank faces. I’m not sure if she suspected it was Mark, but nothing more was said.

Dad got the pictures, and these were kept out of circulation until Mark returned. During the war each kid had his personal hometown heroes, and Mark was one of mine.

Stan Stringer

Falls Church, Va.

dstringer@mgfairfax.rr.com

(5-11-01)

Diaspora writer seeks reunion information for class of ’71

I am seeking information on the class of 1971 reunion. Any information will be appreciated. Forward to me at 1dasue@home.com. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wanda Whitson Aue

1513 Hastings Dr

Hampton, VA 23663

(5-4-01)

Leigh Henson, now a college teacher in Missouri, remembers Miss Jones, Jefferson School principal

I graduated from LCHS in 1960, attended Lincoln College for a year and then transferred to Illinois State (then Illinois State Normal University).  I taught at Pekin Community High School for 30 years before taking early retirement in 1994.  Since then I have taught technical communication at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.  For more information about my career and teaching activities, please visit http://www.smsu.edu/english/dlhpages/dlh.html.

The move to Missouri has increased my appreciation of the diversity of our society.  I always wondered what people meant by having to deal with "culture shock" in moving to a different section of the country.  Here in the Ozarks, there seems to be a blend of Midwestern, Southern and Western cultural influences. Let me cite an example of the Western influence. Missouri is nicknamed the "Show Me" state, and that often seems to translate as an attitude of "so what?" or "prove it."  The good thing is that here rugged individualism is alive and well.

As a teacher for nearly 37 years, I have been especially interested in communities composed of students, teachers and parents. Thus, many of my most vivid Lincoln memories have to do with school experiences. For example, I attended Jefferson School from 1949 through 1954 and remember being taught in fourth, fifth and sixth grades by the principal, Miss Bernadine Jones.  She kept us together as a class because she had taught most of our parents, aunts and uncles and so took a special interest in us. 

[to top of second column in this article]

Those were the times in which many students regarded teachers with awe.  At the beginning of fourth grade, I was so aware of Miss Jones' reputation for strictness that on the first day of school I attempted to avoid her class by enrolling myself in the other fourth-grade teacher's class.  About an hour or so went by, and I began to relax, thinking I had escaped.  Suddenly, Miss Jones walked briskly into the room.  She sternly asked if I were there and then escorted me to her classroom-office.

Fortunately, she did not take me to the nurse's office, where her infamous wooden paddle prominently hung on the wall, handy for private lessons.  When she took someone for those lessons, we often heard the results.

For three years, our class learned values as well as the "three R’s."  In the way she taught and ran the school, she exemplified discipline and responsibility and got respect for it. 

I would be interested in exchanging other stories with classmates.  For this reason, I have collaborated with other LCHS classmates in the creation of an interactive LCHS Class of 1960 site at http://www.geocities.com/lincolnhigh1960/.

On behalf of my classmates, I am grateful to Lincolndailynews.com for helping us use Internet communication as a way to re-establish our community. 

Leigh Henson

(3-29-01)

 (Note: A link to the Internet site for 1960 graduates of LCHS is available regularly under "Reunions.")

I think LDN is just great. I live in San Antonio, Texas, so LDN is the only way I can keep up on what's happening in Lincoln.

I have just one request. Does anybody know when the class reunion for 1966 is going to be this year? I would really appreciate the information.

Thanks.

James Chandler  (Doc)

415 Pemcanyon

San Antonio, TX  78240

(210) 561-9505

doc@texas.net

(3-8-01)  

Foreign Service officer recalls
infamous Valentine's Day '79 in Tehran

By George McKinney

Valentine’s Day brings back memories for all of us — the sweethearts we gave flowers to or chocolate candy or kind words to our mothers.

Valentine’s Day for me awakes the memories of being taken hostage in Tehran that very day. We at the American Embassy in Tehran nicknamed it the "Valentine's Day Massacre."

At about 10 a.m., Feb. 14, 1979, three vehicles pulled up at strategic locations around the embassy compound and opened fire with machine guns. Iranian fanatics under the Ayatollah Khomeni were attacking our embassy with the intent to close it and do serious bodily harm to the occupants, American and Iranian employees. Our Marine detachment was able to return fire and hold them off for about three hours, but were outnumbered and outgunned.

I was caught under heavy gunfire while setting up a "secure" telephone system in the embassy administrator's office on the first floor of the embassy. Through the grace of God, I was able to get upstairs to my own office, located in our communications vault, which I was in charge of. My staff were already in the process of destroying sensitive equipment and classified documents under the direction of my deputy communications officer. During this same time frame, as many employees as possible were making it to the vault, which was also the embassy's "safe haven" location.

Numerous firefights were taking place throughout the embassy at this time, as the Iranians had successfully gotten onto our compound. Some of our Marines were wounded, some were captured and taken away, and some people suffered the ultimate — death…

As our ambassador was doing what he could to assure the safety for as many as possible, there was no doubt we were going to have to surrender the embassy.

He yelled to me, "How much more time do you need?" (to destroy necessary equipment and documents).

I told him, "Thirty more minutes," but because of the atrocities taking place and to save as many lives as possible, we didn't get that 30 minutes.

[to top of second column in this section]

At that time, I was on one of our HF radio systems informing our embassy in Kuwait that we were under attack, surrendering the embassy and for them to inform the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The ambassador swung open the vault door and the Iranians busted in, saw me on the radio and bashed me in the head with an AK-47. As I got hit, I spun the dial on the radio so they would not know our radio frequency.

When I regained consciousness, armed Iranians were everywhere and were in the process of removing us from the vault. As they removed us, they body-searched us and forcefully took us to a large area to physically control us. They had us get on our knees with our hands behind our heads. We were held there for some time and physically abused at their whim.

We were later removed to the outside of the embassy and placed in front of a machine gun that had been set up. Many things took place at this time that I won't go into, but the international press (numerous) showed up, and that most likely saved our lives. I had been injured earlier, besides being hit in the head and again beaten when taken outside of the embassy. We were later taken to the ambassador's residence, located on the compound.

Some employees were released during the next days and weeks, but I did not leave until all of my staff were safe and accounted for and also safely gotten out of Tehran.

This was not my first encounter with terrorism, as I had been kidnapped in Fort Lamy, Tchad, in 1968. I believe my prior experience in the Marines, having served in unstable countries prior to being assigned to Iran, most likely prepared me for what took place.

Of course, not learning from these experiences, I continued to volunteer for the trouble spots around the world during the rest of my career in the Foreign Service.

It is one Valentine’s Day I will never forget.

[George A. McKinney, Pharr, Texas]

(2-15-01)

Tom Renner writes in

As a native Logan County resident, after high school in Mount Pulaski I went to the Navy in 1956. After getting out of the Navy in 1960, I moved to Southern California and spent most of 17 years working as a construction welder working out of the Boilermakers Union. Got tired of looking through a dark lens, so went to driving a truck cross-country for KLM out of Jackson, Miss., but now retired and living in Sun City, Ariz., enjoying the heat and the fishing.

So if any of the old bunch are still around, get in touch. I hear from George McKinney from time to time (alias Buster). I am sure he will like that.

All three of my girls live in Lincoln. Oldest is a nurse; No. 2 works in a factory in Lincoln; No. 3 — don’t know what she is doing.

Godspeed to all of my old classmates in Mount Pulaski, and live long and prosperous.

To contact me send e-mail to renner1@juno.com.

Tom Renner

(2-6-01)

 Franz writes home

Although I have visited the Daily News several times, this was my first time in this section — really like it. Like many others have said, this column is a good place to get in touch and find friends you have not seen or heard from for years.

I am Wayne Franz:

—Graduated from LCHS in 1956 and left almost immediately for a career in the United States Air Force — almost 22 years, and [I’ve] seen a good part of the sphere we live on.

—Retired from the service in 1979 and settled in the Great Northwest — Everett, Wash., to be exact.

—Joined the Boeing company and, as part of the AOG (Airplane on Ground) team, managed to see quite a bit more.

—Retired from Boeing this past August.

—Married a wonderful California woman 42 years ago; have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Have not been back to Lincoln as often as I probably should have, but do think of it often. We are planning a visit this coming summer. Still have sisters in Atlanta and Springfield and a brother in Charleston. I have many fond memories of Lincoln.

I can be found at wefranz@aol.com.

(1-2-01)

Greg Schriber hopes to find old friends from Lincoln

Hello, Lincoln:

I live in Liberty, Mo., just north of Kansas City. I left Lincoln around 1984 and spent some time in Montana and now here. I miss Lincoln at times and hope to find some of my old friends from there. I keep in touch with only one to date. This website is the first link I have had with Lincoln other than my family and I appreciate it.

Greg Schriber

gregschriber@hotmail.com 

(9-12-00)

Nancy Eichelberger still gets homesick for the Lincoln area

I graduated from L.C.H.S. in 1956 and would love to hear from some classmates.

We have been gone from the Lincoln area for over 20 years. I still get homesick even after so many years. I lived in Lincoln for eight years and then moved to a small town (Emden), where we lived for the next 22 years. We lived in Clearwater for 16 years and moved to Odessa Fla., which is really northwestern Tampa several years ago, as we wanted to be in the country again.

Both my husband, Wayne, and I are farm people and my parents lived in Lincoln until their deaths. The city was fine for a while but as they say, you can take us out of the country but you can't take the country out of us. We have over an acre of land here and really like living where we can hear the birds and see the horses and llamas daily. Yes, I did say llamas, our neighbor has six of them and they are beautiful.

It would be nice to hear from people that I used to know.

Nancy (Hatfield) Eichelberger

ike3@aol.com 

(7-7-00)

Hello everyone in Lincoln/Logan County.

Len and I have lived in Henderson, Nev., for 16 years now and get back to Lincoln quite often, but I check the LDN every day to see what's happening. I was thrilled when my sister, Lana Miller, told me about this.

We used to co-own Landauer's in Lincoln. I sell real estate in the Las Vegas valley, and Len is sales manager for a ready-mix concrete company. Our son, Chad, is married with one daughter and expecting a son in November. He and his wife, Sandee, work for Southwest Airlines here in Las Vegas.

We attend Central Christian Church, where Gene Appel, former Lincolnite, is senior pastor. We just moved into a brand new church building that seats approximately 3000 people.

I would like to see more letters from people who have moved away from Lincoln/Logan County, so let's hear from you.

Rita Remmert

RitaRemm@aol.com 

(7-13-00)

Needs copy of local birth certificate

I was born in Lincoln but moved away quite a few years ago. I recently moved and can not seem to locate my birth certificate. I am going on a trip to Canada in a week and would like to have my certificate. Can you tell me who I should contact about getting this? Thanks!

Philip Gehlbach

 - - - - - - - - -

Philip,

You can get that information from the county clerk's office, (217) 732-4148.

Jan Youngquist

(6-15-00)

As a person who is lucky enough to call Lincoln my hometown, I just wanted to say what a great Web site you have.

I am a resident of Lincoln not currently living there, because of my job. I'm serving on active duty with the Army at Fort Campbell, Ky.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, and have come to appreciate just what kind of community I come from. Lincoln isn't the biggest town I've lived in, and actually I guess it's about the smallest town I've lived in. Both of my parents, Roger and Connie Boss, and for that matter most of my immediate family, still live in Lincoln.

My mom routinely clips out sections of the Courier and sends them to me so I can keep up on what's going on back home. Recently they showed your Web site to me, and Mom, I think you can retire the scissors. It's great that I can just pull it up on the Web and see what my friends and family are doing, no matter if I'm in Korea or Kentucky.

You have a good thing going here. It helps all of us out here from feeling so homesick when we can't go take a walk around the courthouse square or down Broadway to the Depot.

Thanks again for a great Web site, and keep up the good work...

Sgt. Brad Boss

(7-6-00)

[Click here for a more recent letter]

Brad Dye would like to communicate with classmates

Hello, my name is Brad Dye and I graduated from LCHS in 1960. I attended the old high school, near downtown, for two years and then the new high school at the edge of town when it opened.

I have hardly been back to Lincoln since I graduated. My parents moved to Decatur and I went off to see the world. So far, that desire to see the world has taken me to about 55 countries. I often think of Lincoln and wonder what has happened to my old friends in the last 40 years.

I live in Dallas now and work for a radio paging company, which will be no surprise to those who remember me as an avid ham radio operator.

My sister Pam, who lives in Miami Beach, and I are both wondering if there will be a class reunion this summer for the class of 1960? We would like to attend. If anyone knows about this (date, time, place, etc.), please let me know by e-mail to: BradDye@swbell.net [address updated 3-27-01] and to Pam at: pgoldfaden@aol.com. 

I would love to communicate by e-mail with any of my former classmates.

I have a homepage on the Internet at: http://braddye.com 

Best regards,

Brad Dye

(6-7-00)

I have fond memories of Lincoln as I was growing up...

The Lincoln Lakes was the place to go in the summer time.

I used to play basketball pickup games at the Central School outside courts. I couldn't believe the last time I was home in Lincoln…The drinking fountain is still by the basketball courts.

I can remember the racetracks and the A&W root beer stand.

Riggs Dairy was on Woodlawn Road…the old football field on Woodlawn…

The watermelon festival in the summertime... I was in my 30s when I found out that Lincoln used watermelon juice to christen the city with the name Lincoln. As a matter of fact, I am related to Abraham Lincoln, very distantly. My father (Warren Chandler), whose mother’s name was Edna Lincoln, was the connection.

The Logan County Fair, where, if you are by the beer tent, you might meet someone you haven't seen in a long time…

I also have fond memories of all my sporting endeavors at Lincoln Community High School (LCHS).

I still come back for my high school reunions

"Hi" to Sharon Webster and Tim Harmon … good friends.

I am glad that Lincoln has stayed about the same size. I live in San Antonio, Texas, and believe me, if I could, Lincoln would be the place for me.

James Chandler (Doc)

doc@texas.net

(6-7-00)

[Click here for a more recent letter]

Where is everyone?

I am an avid reader of Lincoln Daily News. The reason for this is because I no longer live there, but was born and raised there, and it always remains in my mind. I am always looking to see something or someone I may remember from when I was there.

I really enjoy Diaspora, but not enough people are getting into it. I wish there was something I could do to raise that interest.

Come on Lincolnites, get on that computer and let us know what and how you are doing. (Go Railsplitters.)

Thank you,

George McKinney

Pharr, Texas

(5-11-00)

Brainard recalls Lincoln Skateland

Charles Brainard moved to Lincoln with his family when he was in sixth grade. He graduated from LCHS in 1979 and lived here until 1986.

He likes to remember the Indian summers and the skating rink, which his parents owned from 1972 to 1979. He thinks he misses the winter least and the summer most. "Compared to where I spend most summers, Lincoln’s weather is mild and wonderful," he says.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986 and has been stationed in Georgia, Germany, Korea and Arizona. He was deployed to the Iraq area for Desert Storm. "Each station and area has had its own beauty," he says, "but not one of them was home."

"I am still on active duty in the Army. My specialty is communications. I work as a satellite communications network engineer and all-around communications techie. I enjoy several veterans associations – especially the American Legion and the 3rd Armored Division veterans (Spearhead) association."

His local family members are his parents, Charles and Carol Brainard; his brother, David, who just bought a house in Lincoln; and a sister, Laurie Armstrong. "My folks still live there at the homestead," he says. "The rest of us have scattered across the nation." Linda Jamison, another sister, resides in Shirley, Ill., and his sister Susan Conver lives in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area.

In closing, he tells us, "Enjoy your freedom? Thank a veteran!"

You can send e-mail to Chuck Brainard at cbrainard@hotmail.com.

(3-16-00)

Weindorf remembers Lincoln Lakes

Donald Weindorf lived in Logan County from 1934 to 1946 and then from 1957 to 1959.

Of his years in Lincoln he says, "I like to remember my friends, the Arcade soda fountain, the old Recreation Center, the Lincoln Lakes and much more."

"I was pretty much raised in Boys Town outside of Omaha," he explains. "I got an opportunity to run Omaha Magazine and so I returned to Omaha."

He now owns and operates a group home for 20 at-risk boys.

"I love the range of weather we have here, the marvelous steak houses, the museums and the outside recreational facilities," he says.

Weindorf still has relatives living in Lincoln and gets back for a short visit every few years.

You can contact Weindorf via e-mail at weindorf1@juno.com.

(3-16-00)

"Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages" to keep friends in touch

I have lived in the Fort Myers, Fla., area for the last 14 years. I have tried to keep in touch by phone, mail, etc. with my friends in Illinois. Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages to accomplish this! Many thanks to the people who started lincolndailynews.com. It is firmly placed in my favorite places and I check it every day.

Thanks again.

Bill Horn
Fort Myers, Fla.
Bill3567@aol.com 

(3-3-00)

LDN makes Germany closer to home 

We just heard about the lincolndailynews.com and are enjoying keeping up with latest. We are currently living in Germany and now we don't feel so far from home.

Tom and Kristy (Smith) Yarcho
Haupstuhl, Germany
tkksk6@bunt.com 

(2-16-00)

Lincoln remains close to her heart

Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay posted on the happenings in my hometown! I am currently living in the North Georgia mountains, but my children spend the summers in Lincoln visiting their grandparents, and they love to look at the pictures of places in Lincoln and stay familiar with their "summer surroundings" After viewing the message board that one other Lincoln site has, I think I will stick with lincolndailynews.com, where I can see the news that I want to see....how things are progressing, and the good that still comes from my little hometown. Keep up the good work! Lincoln may be 700 miles from my home, but is much closer to my heart!

Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle

Traycee87@alltel.net  Traycee@americashomeplace.com

 (2-16-00)

[to second column of letters]

World traveler keeps up on Lincoln

Thank you for lincolndailynews.com. My name is Denise and I am living in the Port Charlotte, Fla., area. I am getting established in real estate here in Southwest Florida after moving to this area within the last year from the north of England.

I lived in Lincoln until I was 27 in 1983, before starting a world traveling lifestyle. Although living thousands of miles away (i.e., Texas, California, Australia, England) over the years, I have managed to return to see my family, friends, and just to see Lincoln every six months on average. Now that plans have it that visits will be less often, it is absolutely great to have lincolndailynews.com for that Lincoln connection.

My parents are down here for 'The Season." January to April. They are enjoying the benefits of the new lincolndailynews and the latitude of Florida, that of sun, warm, wildlife and the new pool construction going on in my back yard with the golf course view. Ya' all come down now! :o)

Now you won't miss out on any Lincoln area news either! I am so excited about lincolndailynews that I am starting a classified ad to help readers learn more about wintering in Florida.

Many thanks.

Denise Radcliffe Wood
Sunnybreeze, Fla.
e-mail: floridaliving@hotmail.com   

 (2-11-00)

Alabama resident likes Lincoln photos

Great Web page. My brother just sent me the link to the website so that I can keep up with the news from back home. I left Lincoln back in 1963 for the Air Force. I currently reside in Alabama but Lincoln is never far from my mind. I truly enjoyed seeing the pictures of the different places around town and what is going on. Keep up the good work.

dlowe@ispchannel.com  

Dale A. Lowe
Huntsville, Ala.

(2-8-00)

Reunions

LCHS class of ’76 reunion

[JULY 10, 2001]   The 25th year reunion for the Lincoln Community High School class of 1976 is planned for Saturday, Aug. 4. Any classmates who would still like to attend, please call or e-mail Janice Greer, (217) 735-2621, jjmm@abelink.com

Ongoing class reunion in cyberspace for 1960 graduates of LCHS

http://www.geocities.com/lincolnhigh1960/

Reminiscence

Lincoln Lakes beach

By Stan Stringer

The accompanying picture of the Lincoln Lakes beach was taken by Mark Holland shortly before World War II. At this time Mark and Glenn Courtwright were photographing local scenes and farms from the air and hoping to develop a local interest in their pictures. The war intervened, and Mark entered the Army Air Corps. Several extra prints were made, and my father, Charles M. Stringer, saved this one.

The picture was probably taken in June, as the lakes are flooded from spring rains. The flooding isn’t obvious at first, but if one looks closely, the wooden dock, which ran from the shore to the diving platforms, is under water. A line of swimmers are standing or walking along the dock. From June through August the water line receded, so that the walk over the hot sand from the bathhouse to the water’s edge seemed unending and unendurable.

For youngsters, a Saturday at the beach and swimming lessons in the morning during the week were always great fun. As I recall, entry cost a quarter, you were given a numbered basket and pin, and you went to a changing stall. Girls and women went to one side and boys and men to the other. Clothes and shoes went into the basket, and the basket was turned in for holding. You fixed the numbered pin to your trunks and later reclaimed your clothes with it.

For many of us, swimming season lasted only until the end of July. In August the radio and the newspapers began reporting the number of new poliomyelitis cases. For many moms this was enough to forbid further swimming. We thought this totally unfair. It may seem odd nowadays, and while the press never photographed President Roosevelt in a wheelchair, the public knew he suffered the effects of polio, and the onset of his illness came after a swimming excursion.

[to top of second column in this article]

The polio scourge is rarely thought of now, but until the advent of massive polio inoculations the annual incidence of the paralytic disease was 11.4 cases per 100,000 people. When polio inoculations became prevalent, the incidence declined to 0.5 cases per 100,000, and with the oral vaccine the present rate is 0.002 to 0.005 cases per 100,000.

Notwithstanding the general maternal fear of polio then, I never personally knew anyone in grade school, or later in high school, afflicted with the disease. I might have continued with a childlike naiveté about the disease, except for one Saturday in the fall shortly after the war. I was then in junior high school. On that day in the storefront of what is now Sew Many Friends, an iron lung was on display. The iron lung wasn’t empty. It was operating, and it held a girl a bit younger than myself, afflicted with polio. While the presentation was said to be for educational purposes, a freewill offering was requested. Clearly the disease was not only physically but also economically devastating, particularly in an era when health insurance was almost unheard of. In passing, one thought how unsettling it must be for the girl to be simultaneously subject to scrutiny and sympathy.

[Stan Stringer]

(7-10-01)

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