"GETTING STOVED UP!"

        One expression I have never heard of is "getting stoved up!" But, the other day while helping out a gentleman with his groceries, he was walking with a slight limp. He mentioned that he got "stoved up" and its just the way he now walks. I did look up the term and you can find a definition of it and has to do with being incapacitated.

       As I have gotten older and when getting out of the car after driving some distance, it takes me about a dozen steps to walk normal. I guess from here on I am just going to say that I am "stoved Up!" One part of aging I don't care for!
      

IT PAYS TO ASK QUESTIONS!

      This past week, while in Marshalltown, I was cleaning windows for a long time customer. I noticed how black her tires on her SUV were. Her son was home studying and she indicated he was the one to ask. 

       He very calmly said that he uses ArmorAll "TIRE FOAM" and just sprays it on and doesn't do another thing. I stopped by at O'reily's on South 3rd Ave and bought a can. When I got home and washed my car, I applied it on my tires, but, did wipe with damp cloth. Wow! My tires looked brand new. The old standard ArmorAll never seemed to quite do the job. It does pay to ask! 

"I DON'T BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION--

and I didn't believe in it when I was a hamster!" ---Shane Richie-British actor.

FROM JOHNNY CARSON!!

      " I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself!"

AN OLD NAME--"LULU!"

     There was a lady in the Burg Grocery this past week by the name of Lulu. It's a name you don't hear much anymore. When I was a kid it seems like there was one Lulu , at, least, in the Laurel community. 

       It's an old name that I don't think has gained any popularity with the younger set. You have to admit that it is simple, short, easy to pronounce, and spell. Besides, I always remember an old cartoon character in the comics named "Lulu!" She wasn't one of my favorite's but she was cute!

NOT READY TO WRITE MEMOIR?

      Just this past week I am reminded about writing one's life story in an article about Bruce Springsteen and his recent release of his life story. An autobiography, life story, or memoir can, for most of us,  be an overwhelming task.For most of us it could be very difficult to sit down and start in---"My first memory was when I was three and-----!"

       Shortly, after I began writing personal and family related short stories years ago, I came across an article written by a Pulitzer winning poet and author Ted Koosner. He basically said that  if considering writing short personal stories, one should begin with short "vignettes" and then eventually putting them in a chronological order. Writing one's life story all at one time can be "daunting." 

       Someday I do intend to write some type or form of "memoir or autobiography,  but, in the mean-time I will continue to write short personal stories and I would advise that to most of you giving it a shot. Remember one of my favorite sayings in writing--- "HOW DO YOU EAT THE ELEPHANT?" "ONE BITE AT A TIME!"  

WRITING --SOME DAYS LIKE PONZI SCHEME!

        I was just thinking a week ago or so that maybe the end was in sight in writing stories from Ago as it has become more difficult to think of stories from the past after writing so many through the years. Like a ponzi scheme everything is OK as long as it keeps coming in, but, when it doesn't you're in trouble.

       However, having said that, an old friend from the past invited me to a Alumni luncheon of sorts with old friends that I knew from the Des Moines area back in the 1970's through the early 1990's. It has already triggered stories about some of them that I had forgotten and I'm sure after a get-to-gather I'll have more. A cousin just reminded of a story about my mother and just this past week at the Burg Grocery two new ones popped up.

       Sometimes it amazes me all the memories that are stored in our mind just waiting to come out. Maybe what they say about getting more forgetful as we get older is that we simply have too much stored up there already and we're running out of room!  
       

WHAT'S WITH WOMEN & WINE?

       It seems like every time I glance at photos on Facebook where someone is vacationing in some exotic destination, they are always sitting there with their significant and this table neatly arranged and two glasses of some vintage wine. Even my sister is always showing photos of their lovely lake with a glass of wine sitting on a table in the foreground. 

      A few years ago I traveled to the Negril area in Jamaica and had a dessert treat at the famous Rick's Cafe where they do the high diving off the cliff. I remember taking a picture of my Deluxe Brownie and because I don't drink, my glass of diet Coke and a slice of lime. I will agree, though, a glass of wine looks better sitting there than a plain old Coke!

A SPECIAL MEMORY @ THE LARK!

        Back in the mid to late 1990's my mom and step-dad had a paper boy that they came to really like. His family was not necessarily poor, but, not necessarily on top of the world. He was a go- getter and always seemed to be trying to figure ways to make a little extra cash.

       One Saturday in the fall and after being stood up at the last minute for the big Iowa State- Hawkeye football game, I asked him if he would like to go to Iowa City with me to the game. What was kind of neat was that he was not all that interested in the game, but, was more fascinated by the Iowa State Band which sat real close to us in the south end-zone.

        After the game, we headed for the Lark to eat in Tiffin just west of Iowa City. He had never been out to eat in a "fancy" restaurant and I'm sure didn't know what to expect. His first comment was about how dark it was in there. Next, it did take him some time to decide what to get to eat. Lastly, he asked me how he was to decide what fork to use and so forth. I simply said just start from the outside for the utensils and work in. If in doubt, not to worry about it and just go for it. But, just remember no elbows on the table and napkin on the lap!

      Since he had mentioned that someday he wanted to be a doctor, I said this type of training would be important when he became a member of some Country Club. I ran into him a few years later when he was out of high-school and he was working at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center in some capacity. I never knew, but, I bet he did make it as a Doctor!

MY MOM-HAIR DAY & A BLIZZARD!

      I was just reminded this week-end the importance of my mom getting her hair "done" by my cousin Dianne Davis of Corning, Iowa.It's where the mailmen got the expression-"Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail!"----- It probably is the Creed to a lot of women still to this day.

      It always amazed me that my mother would call me on a rainy summer day and warn me not to drive to Des Moines or somewhere because it was raining. On the other hand, we could be having the Century's worst blizzard and if I mentioned that she should stay put on her "hair" day I was just being foolish. Her response was always something like--"Oh, I've seen worse than this!" If there isn't there should be a Creed that goes something like--"Never stand between a woman and her hair day!"

REMEMBER THE LARK IN TIFFIN?

        In the years, 1960's-90's,when I was attending Iowa Hawkeye football  games on a regular basis, one place where you went to eat and celebrate after the game was the Lark in Tiffin right on highway 6. This place personified the old steak/road house restaurants of decades ago. 

        The place had all kinds of areas, rooms, and levels and very dimly lit.The bar was right up front and was after a game a hub of Hawk fans and sometimes a celebrity or two to be seen. If you didn't get there in a timely manner after a game you were in for a very long wait.

        The one thing that I will never forget in addition to how great the food was, had to be the uniqueness of the "lettuce salad." It was cut and carved out as a bowl with a the upper part of the head remaining to act as a "back-board."  I had never seen anything like it. The restaurant burned in 2000 and relocated in Iowa city for a time but never regained its earlier prominence. 

         

PEOPLE WILL PLEASANTLY SURPRISE YOU!

       This past week, to my surprise, I had a knock on the door early in the morning by one of the fellows from the grocery store. He brought to me a insulated light weight travel bag after I had commented on his that he brings his lunch in to the`store. He picked up another like it and was thoughtful enough to bring me one after I mentioned I could use one for an upcoming auto trip.

     It also reminded me of a story years ago while attending an "Indy 500" race in the 1970's. A young man walked by our area where we were parked wearing  a "Cleveland Browns"  T-shirt. At the time I was a big fan of the Browns and simply asked the guy if he would sell me his shirt. (A little alcohol encouraged me I'm sure.) 

      He obviously responded with a NO, but, indicated he would send me one from Cleveland where he lived. A couple of weeks later, at my real estate office in West Des Moines, arrived this tube with a brand new Cleveland  Browns T-shirt! Yes! There are a lot of nice people out there! 

TAYLOR'S--GIVE ME A WET ONE!!

written 6/22/2014

       Overheard at the Maid-Rite in Marshalltown, at lunch time one day recently, was some-one ordering a sandwich "wet." People are heard constantly ordering one with extra pickles, extra onion, extra dry, and in then case "extra wet."

        This particular day, I asked what the most unusual wet request was or something to that affect. One example, mentioned by a server, was that a lady comes in on a regular basis and orders just a bowl of loose meat and then it is filled to the rim with liquid grease from the bottom of the steamer. Another lady has both buns "dunked" into the grease and in addition has the wet meat added. The two ladies to this date are still living!

YOU NEVER KNOW/ 62' CLASS RE-UNION!

       written 6/21/2014

       Just a few years ago I held a 1962 Laurel high-school class reunion attended by a few of my old classmates at my home at 3308 Lily Lane, in Marshalltown, Iowa.

       For the food menu, I simply ordered Zeno's pizza which has been a local favorite since opening in the 1950's. Thought was given to preparing a toss salad along with a variety of dressings to appease everyone's liking. Then, I decided to make just one simple dressing that I wanted to try and if no one liked it that would be too bad.

       I found this recipe on an old napkin and for the life of me do not remember where it came from. It was simply equal parts vinegar and olive oil, 3 shots of Italian dressing and half cup of sugar or to your liking.

        To my surprise the salad disappeared quickly and to my further amazement three of my female classmates called me the next morning for the recipe to the dressing! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought in my younger years that someday women would be calling me for a recipe. Get out of here! Again, one just never knows. It was a nice feeling!

YOU'RE IN A SMALL TOWN GROCERY STORE WHEN--!

Written 6/13/20

1.  Corn stalks are found laying in the parking lot.

2.  There are more dirty and dusty vehicles than clean ones in the parking lot.

3.  One of the clerks swats a fly on the check-out counter while waiting for a customer.

4. More checks written than debit or credit cards used.

5.  The majority of the customers in the winter are wearing Carhart coats.

6.  Lady customer complains about sore shoulder, but, says she hasn't done anything unusual lately including tossing hay bales over the fence to her house.

7.  If someone comes into the store, you know they are from out of town when they are wearing a "suit and tie."

8.  A lady customer indicates she doesn't need help with carry out, and the grabs two paper sacks of groceries with one hand and two gallons of milk with the other and walks out.

 9.   The clerk at the check-out knows the customers entire family, their names, ages, and social activities.

10.  A guy walks in the store with extremely muddy boots and nobody seems to notice or care!

TOM'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

      A sign that was posted on a farmer's fence read:  "DON'T CROSS PASTURE UNLESS YOU CAN DO IT IN 9 SECONDS--MY BULL CAN DO IT IN 10!"

BRANDON'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

      What do you get when you cross an electric blanket and pancake mix?? ---The best waffle in the state!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

      As you progress through life and come closer to going out than coming in, you
ponder occasionally on how you would  have done things differently and why things like technology has passed you by. Could it be that you're really not as bright as you thought you were? Sometimes it seems that you are the only person not communicating on the Internet, texting, Twittering, Facebooking, Utubing, or Smart Phone. 

         But, throughout life you come to realize that whatever the subject you are not alone. Someone used to try and convince me that most men she knew enjoyed shopping. Maybe that one is too obvious. I used to think I was the only guy in the world that couldn't work on a car! Watching TV you would think most men play golf. Not me. When you get into antiquing, you realize someone out there is collecting just about anything.

      Recently a friend stopped by to watch a football game on TV. During the game he asked me about my TV as far as make and so forth. His wife was wanting to buy a new one, but, he liked the old one because it was easy to operate. 

      When he visited his kids and they left for any reason, he would have them turn the TV on for him. I've done the same thing while visiting my sister's home. They have satellite coverage with a zillion channels.  Usually there are three or four remotes on the coffee table and I don't have a clue. 

        Hopefully they will come with voice activation on everything some day. It does make you feel good once in a while, when you find out you are not the only "idiot" on the planet. So many people have reprogrammed my TV set and system that I barely know how to run it anymore.

      

DO THE HANKY PANKY!

       This past week I heard the old 1960's hit song Hanky Panky by Tommy James and the Shondells. I really never knew what the Hanky Panky dance was all about. I suppose it was "nasty" in some way, but, just don't remember doing it like the Locomotion, Twist, Stroll or Chicken! 

       Also, there was a line in the song that went something like--"I saw her walking on down the line!" What was the line all about. That phrase or line was used in other songs and I assume it meant just walking to you or  away or going down the highway? Was never sure! Had a good beat though!

IF YOU'RE TALL YOU MUST PLAY B.B.!

     A young 5th grade girl and her mother came into the Burg Grocery this week and the girl was quite tall for her age. Of course, the check-out clerk had to ask her if she played basketball and even brought up volleyball. Her answer, of course, was positive. 

         When I got to their car, I mentioned to the young girl when she got sick and tired of being asked that question constantly I had a good answer to shut people up. Just tell them that no you don't play BB but, you're concentrating or focusing on Chemistry and Physics! It will get real quiet!

MY UNCLE PAUL, SALT SHAKER, & A SCHOONER OF BEER!

      Someone mentioned this past week at the Burg Grocery about the art of pouring salt into a beer and the possible reasoning. Of course, in popped an old memory.

        When I was a young boy, on occasion in the summer during hay baling or combining oats, I would accompany my Uncle Paul (Laverty) or Uncle Tommy(Laverty) to the tavern in Laurel, run by Hank Miiller, to pick up "refreshments" for themselves and the hired men. 

        One thing that always fascinated me was seeing a guy drinking this big schooner of ice cold beer and from time to time shaking some salt into it and watching those bubbles rise. I am not sure I ever really knew why they did it, but, found it almost hypnotizing. I have read all sorts of reasons why it was done, but, the one I buy in to the most was-- to simply maintain the head on the beer. -No matter, I thought it was cool and created a fond memory! 

MAID-RITE w/LETTUCE & MAYO??

      Today while in Marshalltown it was lunch as usual at Taylor's Maid-Rite. I had my one with everything and a glass of skim milk. I took a lot of static from the server about not ordering my usual malt. I actually had to explain that I was simply trying to lose a few pounds before a big family wedding coming up in a couple of weeks.

       I had no more than ordered when this big guy sat down next to me and ordered a Cheese-Rite with lettuce, mayo and that was when the server stopped him cold. After it was established that he was not a local with his order, he couldn't resist commenting. I mentioned to him that I was originally a local and been coming in here since I was a little kid and I had never heard anyone in my 72 years order a maid-rite with lettuce or mayonnaise. 

       I asked this guy where he was from and he responded Cedar Rapids. I came back with the fact that I was going to Cedar Rapids this coming Friday to see Steely Dan Tribute Band-Fez. He had never heard of Steely Dan from the 1970's. I guessed that he was a Country Western Fan and not a R&R guy. I felt like a real Columbo today with this stranger in town!

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT!

       It was around the year 2000 and I was dating someone from Des Moines whose son was playing with a band in Iowa City. After watching this particular band for a time we decided to find a place where we could dance. We ended up going to the down-town Holiday Inn which had a Dance Club at the time.

         On this particular evening, a disc jockey was playing just Latin and/or "Salsa" music to a crowd of people of Latin connections. My date informed me that someday we would to sign up for dance lessons and learn how to Salsa dance. Oh, brother!

       I just grabbed her hand and headed out to the dance floor. The first thing I said to her was if she knew anyone there. No was the answer! Then just simply watch and follow what other dancers were doing and go with the flow. Before we knew it, we were Salsa-ing! No time like the present!

IT WAS A SIGN/ MUST GO TO NORTH DAKOTA!

      My sister, Doris, has been to North Dakota more than once and absolutely loved it. From time to time I have teased her for liking all it's open spaces and nothing-ness! It has come back to bite me like it always does. 

       After thoroughly enjoying the Sand Hills of Nebraska this past May, while vacationing with my sister Doris, I have totally been flipped over. The real kicker or seal to the deal was enjoying this past Saturday with fans from North Dakota. In talking to some of them about their state and sharing with me about  its beauty, I was convinced to head north next Spring. Hey Doris, do you want to go?   

ANOTHER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN & WOMEN!

      A lady came in to the Burg Grocery the other day with her youngster. The check out lady asked the customer how old the "little one" was. The lady thought a bit and responded that next week it would be 7 months. I mentioned that it seems like women or mothers always know within a day or week of he age of their siblings. Most men would probably say that the child, when asked the question will be one year old next ??  or some other simplistic answer!  

CAME BACK WITH THE CARRY-OUT GUY!

      The little things in life are what makes it worth while. I was carrying out groceries for a lady this past week, and, as we approached her vehicle, she yelled to her daughter in the car: "I went in for three items and came back with the carry-out guy!" I loved it!

COLESLAW EVERY MEAL!

      While helping out a customer this past week, I mentioned that the head of cabbage she bought, she purchased, was one of the heaviest items in density that I have to sack. In that quick conversation she mentioned that when she was growing up her family had coleslaw for every meal. Obviously, she was of German ancestry. Ya! What no sauerkraut!

THE BISON CAME TO REALLY ROAM!

      It seems like we worry about things we shouldn't and the things we should worry about we really don't! I wasn't really worried about the Hawks Saturday losing. Maybe close!! I was really worried about getting tickets for my daughter, friend, and me, when I heard that the North Dakota Bison were bringing 10,000 fans down from Fargo.

       First, it was a beautiful day. Second, it was always a thrill to ride the Hawkeye Express from Coralville to Kinnick. Next, I obtained one ticket, really cheap, from a NDS fan. While my daughter and friend ate at one of the vendors on Melrose, I went to work and found a couple of  additional tickets for far less than par. That worry was now past. It was a little nerve wrecking for a bit before getting tickets when I saw the huge wave of Bison fans.

       My seat was in the north end zone among a huge group of NDS fans. One thing that was neat was that their colors were green and yellow which was Laurel's colors when I went to school there. Next, I told one fan I never had been to North Dakota. (Another story coming) The one thing I did pick up from the  NDS fans was their one cheer! After a penalty on the Hawkeyes-they chanted"YOU CAN'T DO THAT! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" I never heard that cheer ever. I did like it. Bottom line-Hawks lost, but it was a beautiful day with my beautiful daughter and did enjoy the heard from North Dakota!
  

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SKIN A CAT?

      Someone at the Burg Grocery on who knows what topic brought up the fact that there is "more than one way to skin a cat!" First of all, who would want to skin a cat or do it in more than one way? As a cat lover, I take offense, sort of, that we would still use this expression. It did come from an older lady which explains most of it. I'll let you google up the various derivations of the expression. 

VISU SEWER-NO THANK YOU!

      Today, I saw a truck drive through our Burg Grocery parking lot. I had never seen that company name or logo, but, my first thought was not that pleasing. Without checking it out, I presume it competes with the likes of Rotter Rooter and the likes. Still, the first thing I think of when seeing that logo is not what I want to visualize and think about for very long. It wouldn't have been my first choice for a name. But, maybe that IS the whole idea!

IS KILLING COPS BECOMING OLD HAT?

     I don't think I was dreaming, but, I I just saw yesterday on one of the newscasts where a guy tried to run down three cops in Phoenix, Arizona. I haven't really seen much about it since. Is it because they weren't killed? The attempted killer was an African American, I believe, and maybe with all going on racially in this country it is being down played? What do you know?

TRUMP NOT THE BEST LIAR!!

        It seems like all you hear lately is Trump lying about this and lying about that! No matter what you believe, and I don't really care, he is not the best liar of all time. That honor goes to Tommy Flannigan-The Pathological Liar-played by Jon Lovite on Saturday Night Live many many years ago.  Oh Ya! Did I tell you that years ago I had a lunch rendezvous with Jill St. John at a little bistro in Chicago? Ya that's it! That's the ticket!

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME!

        I saw this in the USA section of the Des Moines Resgister yesterday. Sooner or later it had to happen.

        CHEVY AIMS FOR HUNTERS 

WITH SILVERADO EDITION

        Chevrolet is introducing a pickup aimed at hunters and outdoors-men. The Silverado Realtree edition is covered in camouflage graphics from an outdoors company called Realtree, which Chevy says is the leader in cameo designs. The package is being offered on the Silverado 1500LTZ  Z71 crew cab.

        Does this mean we could be driving down a road in a wooded area, let's say, and we might not see the pick-up? I hope I am just kidding. 

DON'T SQUEEZE THE CHARMIN!!

       Remember the famous TV commercial from the 1970's with Mr. Whipple caught squeezing the Charmin. I always thought that was one of THE best and effective commercials all time. The only reason I bring it up was I caught a woman today at the Burg Grocery squeezing four different packages of hamburger buns at least two times each very quickly. She simply gave me a very innocent little smile and ended up buying all four. Please don't squeeze the buns! 

DEMENTIA AND THIN PEOPLE!

       There was an article in the factual "check out"  magazine Enquirer that I picked up on this past week during my break at the Burg Grocery. It had to do with Dementia and that there has been a study and it was found that thin people were more apt to get it.  Not to make fun of the source or subject, if it were true, and with my personal battle on the scales,  I should be good with my "sharp mind" for another 20 years or more! 

MOM HEAVY DRINKER! NOT!

     A fellow came into the Burg Grocery this past week and asked if you could buy beer in individual cans. He mentioned that some function he was attending was BYOB. His comment was that he only drinks one or two beers a year. I wish I could have done that when I was a younger man.

       It did remind me on occasion when I would go out to dinner with my mom and stepdad. If it was a fairly nice place and maybe a special occasion, my mother would order a "cocktail!" Most always she would turn to my step-dad and asked him what she had the last time she had an alcoholic drink with dinner. He would usually say something like a "Whiskey Sour or CC Seven." I always thought it was cute and looking back I only wish I could have drank so infrequently that I forgot what it was! 

JUST GET TO GAME/FORGET HYPE!

     Leading up to the college football season, all you saw in the sports section was all the detail about and especially our two major college teams-Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones. Articles upon articles and details and statistics on the most trivial stuff. 

     Maybe I/m just not big enough fan to not want th hear all this hype. The same is going on this week with the BIG Cy-Hawk rivalry game at Kinnick. Just get me through the week and bring on the game. If one of my favorite players has a hang-nail so be it. Let's get to the kick-off!

A GREAT YOGISM!

       Talking about how he watched a Steve McQueen movie after his death  "He must have made that before he died!"

MORPHINE CAUSES DEATH OF DOCTOR-Laurel from Ago!

     Donna Ingraham Wernberg, classmate of mine from Laurel, class of 1962, sent to me an article from the Marshalltown Times Republican dateline November 3, 1919. **Only the portion of the article pertaining to the cause of death has been re-copied.

MORPHINE CAUSES DEATH OF DOCTOR

-------------------------

Dr.C. W. Patton of Laurel,

Dies from Overdose of Drug

-----------------------

BELIEVED POISON TAKEN  WITH SUICIDAL INTENT

----------------------------------

       Had been sufferer from Kidney Trouble and despondent for  ten days-said to have  threatened suicide--served, with three brothers, in World War-practiced in city.

                                                              --------------------------------------

       An overdose of morphine, believed to have been taken with suicidal intent, caused the death of Dr. Charles W. Patton, of Laurel, and formally of this city at 9:15 this morning at his home. Dr. Patton had been suffering with kidney trouble for some time and had been despondent the past ten days. That he had threatened to end his own life was the statement of Mrs.Patton to the physicians. Dr. Ralph E. Keyser and Dr. W. F. Hanultou, called from the city.

        The physicians were summoned  at 11:00 Sunday night, shortly after the drug had been taken, and were at the bedside until 6 o'clock this morning when Dr. Patton's heart action showed improvement and his respiration was easier. Dr. Keyser said today that Dr. Patton had take three or four ounces of chlorodyne and morphine prescription in a glass of water retiring for the night.

        Dr. Patton seemed to be in good spirits Sunday evening and accompanied his wife to church. He had not been in good health, however, since he underwent a minor operation last July. he had been worried over delays in this and added worry on the erection of his new home in Laurel is believed to be largely responsible for his act. Up to noon today it could not be ascertained whether the coroner would be called into the case.
                                                    -------------------------------------------------

      *** What is interesting is that today most obituaries do not mention cause of death.  

   

SUSPENSE YOU WON'T BELIEVE!!

       I just came back earlier from one of my Sunday morning movie ventures in Corralville.
In its second week, I saw the suspense thriller "DON'T BREATHE!" If you like a really good suspense thriller, this is probably will be the one this year. It has been rated highly by the critics and they are not wrong in my opinion. As a matter of fact the title could have been:"Don't Breathe or The Suspense Just Keeps On Coming!" For me it has been a while to have seen a movie based more on suspense than "Blood and Gore!"

SUSPENSE YOU WON'T BELIEVE!!

       I just came back earlier from one of my Sunday morning movie ventures in Corralville.
In its second week, I saw the suspense thriller "DON'T BREATHE!" If you like a really good suspense thriller, this is probably will be the one this year. It has been rated highly by the critics and they are not wrong in my opinion. As a matter of fact the title could have been:"Don't Breathe or The Suspense Just Keeps On Coming!" For me it has been a while to have seen a movie based more on suspense than "Blood and Gore!"

SHORT & SWEET 1904 SOCIAL EVENTS-LAUREL!

**Mrs, Cecil Rogers was at Marshalltown Tuesday.

**Tobias Stonewall was at Gilman on business Friday.

** J. W. Ellsworth of Grinnell was in town Friday 
interviewing friends.

**Rev. Gallagher and mother arrived Saturday
with their household effects and will soon be settled in 
the parsonage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Cecil Rogers and R. Kohler arrived home Saturday 
from a trip to Milestone,Canada, where the latter
purchased one and half sections of land and will probably
become subject of King Edward.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Courtland McBroom left Tuesday for Iowa City
to enter the state hospital, where he will undergo an oper-
ation upon his knee cap, which has caused him much 
discomfort all summer. He was accompanied by Dr. L.W.
Pence.

**Foreman McNally, who has been undergoing treatment 
for stomach trouble at St. Thomas hospital in Marshalltown
thepast two weeks, returned home Wednesday. His condition
is not as satisfactory as his friends might wish.

MY OWN GIZMO!!

     Just like last year, I didn't make the Iowa State Fair. The one big thing I go for in terms of food is a Gizmo sandwich from Carl's located near the Bill Riley's Stage. However, I have developed my own "Gizmo" which I like just as much as Carl's. 

          I have changed mine slightly by using a mixture of cooked sweet sausage and hamburger. I also use Provolone rather than Mozzarella and a small locally baked Italian/French bread. I top my sandwich also with sweet peppers wrap it all up in tin foil and in bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

       Interestingly, a writer  covering the Minnesota State Fair named the "Gizmo" from Carl's (originally from Des Moines) as the best food item at that fair. If you haven't made a Gizmo or sausage sandwich lately or ever, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!   

2ND HALF-LAUREL vs OSKY 1962

       --------------game continued to second half.

       Laurel's cold shooting, if you can call it that, was due to a streak late when they failed to score from the field for almost three minutes. Tom Schollenbarger, Stineman, and Murphy all hit two baskets in the period as the smooth working offense moved the ball around until they got the good shot.

      Stineman really went wild in the third quarter as he personally outscored Osky in the period. He missed only one shot he took, and that was a free throw. He sank all four attempts from the field and added three fee throws after missing his first attempt.

       The Hornets continued to increase their lead as they took a commanding 52-28 lead into the fourth quarter. In the last period all Laurel regulars except Stineman scored from the field and on two occasions his fine passing set his mates up for cripple layups as Osky applied a full court press but to no avail.

       The fourth quarter was a replica of the first three as Laurel continued to add to its margin and twice led by as much as 30 points as Jerry Roberts hit three early buckets before the reserves took over. Had it not been for Moore in the fourth quarter, the score would have been considerably worse. 

       The Osky pivot dumped in seven buckets in eight tries and two free throws to keep the game from becoming ridiculous. His torrid shooting was the reason the Indians were able to shoot 50 per cent in the last period, but he could not get the help he needed from his team-mates. He led the Osky scoring with 20 points. Ulmet hit ten and Bill Norris added nine.

        For Laurel, four regulars scored between 13 and 20 points. Stineman's 20 led the way while Murphy followed with 16, Jerry Roberts 14 and Campbell 13. Schollenbarger added the other seven points and turned in a fine rebounding job along with Stineman. The Hornets canned half of their 50 attempts from the field while Osky hit 17 of 54.


******The Newspaper Account was provided by Jerry Roberts!  

LAUREL SHOCKS OSKY 70-48 in BOYS BB!

LAUREL SHOCKS OSKALOOSA IN

FIRST ROUND OF DISTRICT MEET,

70-48

      Stineman Hits 20 To Lead Hornets Past Class AA Foe.

By Lyle Birks

TR Staff Writer

Marshalltown Times Republican Saturday, March 3, 1962

        NEWTON--Laurel, behind 50 percent shooting and balanced scoring, waltzed to a 70-48 win over Oskaloosa here Friday night in a first round game of the boys district tournament. The Hornets, in crushing the Central Iowa Conference school, had little trouble after the first quarter against the Indians as they fired at better than 50 per cent from the field in three of the four quarters while their stingy defense allowed Osky only one quarter of hot shooting.

      Paced by big Mike Stineman again, the Hornets recorded their 20th win of the year against a single loss and will now meet North Mahaska, which defeated Pella Christian, 38-35, in the second game. Stineman was outstanding Friday, leading the Hornets with 20 points and clearing both boards consistently. He also set up his mates frequently for layups with excellent passes when the losers two-timed him.

       The lead exchanged hands four times in the first four minutes of the game, but after Gary Campbell. who held the Hornets together in the early moments of the game, hit a jump shot to tie the score at 6-all that was the last time Osky was close.Mistakes plagued Laurel early as it tried working the ball for the good shot and several times failed to get the shot. The Hornets still moved into a 13-8 first quarter lead.

       The balance of the Laurel regulars killed the Indians. Each of the five starters took turns getting scoring spurts that carried Laurel to its victory.After Campbell struck early, Stineman and Larry Murphy took over and each hit a pair of buckets to give Laurel the lead.

       The second quarter was the only one in which Laurel did not shoot 50 percent or better and the Hornets didn't miss it too far, hitting seven of 16 shots. But Osky was ice-cold. The Hornets reeled off 14 points in the first four minutes of the period while holding the losers to two free throws by Bill Ulmet and Wes Moore.

       All five Laurel regulars scored in the spurt, with Murphy leading the way with two buckets.  The stingy Laurel defense, forcing Osky to shoot from out, held the Indians without a field goal for almost six minutes in the period as they took a 32-19 halftime lead. 

------------------------to be continued

*******Newspaper Account provided by Jerry Roberts!

        

STINEMAN/LAUREL SHOCK OSKY 1962 coming Monday!

LUNCH WITH GOOD FRIEND JERRY!

         I had called Jerry Roberts Friday and just mentioned if wasn't doing anything exciting for lunch Sunday maybe we could meet somewhere between Urbandale and Williamsburg. I was hinting and leaning to Goldie's in Prairie City. They have great tenderloins and ice cream products. Yum!

       When Jerry called back there was some concern about Goldie's not being open on Sunday. So, he mentioned if it were that maybe Okoboji Grill in Newton could be an option. The key selling point was that Jerry had eaten there some time ago and had a "great" Walleye meal.

      We talked after the Hawkeye game and he had found out that Goldie's was open on Sundays. Too late! He had already done his sales job to me and my brain and/or stomach. I am a real push-over for Walleye. Okoboji Grill it was. It was great! And, as usual Jerry and I had a fun luncheon together. Besides, and I'll never tell Jerry that I stopped at the Iowa's Best Burger Cafe on the Kellogg exit and had some hard Blue Bunny strawberry ice-cream and back in the car to listen to my Chicago Cubs. PS The Cubs won in 13 innings. Is this a great country or what!!!

MY DAY AT KINNICK!

      I can't imagine being anywhere else yesterday, Saturday, September 3, 2016,  than going to Iowa City and attending the first game of the 2016 Iowa Hawkeye  football season. I went through my usual ritual of driving to Corralville, and taking the Hawkeye Express train to Kinnick. 

        I obtained my "scalped" ticket after walking around and through the pre-game crowd. After listening to the Hawkeye Marching Band warm up on the south side of Kinnick, I got a couple of egg rolls from a vendor on Melrose. Then part of the days enjoyment was sitting ouside Kinnick, eating and striking up a little conversation with a couple from Des Moines.

        My seat was in the northeast corner of the north end-zone and up about 30 rows with a fantastic and panoramic view of the whole stadium and a direct view of the the team coming out of the tunnel in the southwest corner of the stadium. I never tire of the feeling as the team slowly makes there way out onto the field. 

          The attendance was almost to capacity of 71,000 and interestingly the ridership set a record that day for ridership on the Hawkeye Express. The Hawks won somewhat easily and it wasn't a bad game but have seen better played. 

        The couple sitting next to me, from near Waterloo, came in via parking at a downtown parking garage and taking abus over to the stadium. I was reminded by the husband that they only paid $6.oo for the parking as I paid $12.00 for the train ride. With humor intended, I brought up what sounds better-- a parking garage in downtown Iowa City and the  "bus" or parking in the suburb of Corrallville and taking a train called the "HAWKEYE EXPRESS." I rest my case. The guy was an attorney. As I left early, I told them that I had to get an early seat on the "CLUB CAR" for cocktails. They didn't know that the train had a club car. GOTCHA!  It was a great day!  

BIG FIELD DAY/LAUREL IN 1904!

        Back on September 24, 1904 Laurel, Iowa held what they called the BIG FIELD DAY. I am sure it would compare to our Oktoberfest's that are held around the country today. I have also written about the main event which featured my grandfather, Henry Smith, versus Harve Morgan in a 100 yard dash for a purse of $30.00.

      What struck me of interest was the other activities that were held then and can't imagine even being thought of today for enjoyment and entertainment. Here are some examples from the "flyer" at the time.

        There was a 50 yard dash for children 50 pounds or under with 50 cents for first prize. A running broad jump (free for all) with a prize of $1.00. A biscuit contest, a pie contest, with a 50 cent prize. There was a fat man's race(over) 200 pounds with a prize from LR Maytag. I would have loved to have watched the Turkey Chase or the Throwing of the 16 lb. Hammer with a pize of $1.00.

       Sadly, my grandfather lost that race, but, I still possess the original photo of the race, his spiked racing shoes and jersey that he wore for races like it. Interesting times and I think would have been lots of fun!
       

LAUREL'S NEW HOTEL OPENING-1904!

       The following was taken from the "LAUREL DEPARTMENT" a Laurel newsletter put out by a Vera McBroom October 27, 1904.

        "The opening of our new hotel Saturday was a grand affair. There was not much doing until 5 o'clock when the guests began to arrive and a little after 6 o'clock they were seated and partook of a sumptuous supper, prepared by our landlady, Marha Autry, whom everybody knows to be an excellent cook. 

        There were guests from Marshalltown, Newton, Gilman, and Kellogg, and with one or two exceptions all our business men had their families at the opening. John Emery of Newton, the Swedish dialect man, was the toast master and his toasts were very much enjoyed, as well as the musical numbers given by Lewis Maytag of Newton, Miss Dolly Funk of Grinnell and Misses Maggie and Emma Patton of Laurel. 

      After supper there was a dance at Woodman Hall, which many attended, some to hear the excellent music and others to dance,m music being furnished by the Marshalltown Orchestra. 

      We can now boast of a first class hotel--large, roomy, new through-out and modern in every respect. There are but a few towns in Iowa of our size and many much larger, that have as fine a hotel as we have. 

******a copy of this article provided by Donna Ingraham Wernberg classmate of mine at Laurel Consolidated School.

MY GRANDPA /BIG LAWSUIT-1904.LAUREL,IOWA

      The following was taken from the "LAUREL DEPARTMENT"- a newsletter put out by a Vera McBroom in October, 27, 1904. Henry Smith was my grandfather.

          "An interesting trial occurred Monday in which Henry Smith was defendant to an action brought against him by Tony Brown, who sued for $70 damages. Counsel for defendant was Aurel Moser; for the plaintiff Gus Smith. The rendered a decision in favor of Mr. Brown, but divided the costs between the two contestants." 

*******copy of this article provided by Donna Ingraham Ernberg classmate of mine at Laurel Consolidated School. 
.

BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO DORIS MAY SMITH LAVERTY KORTE

     
      She was born on September 3, 1913, on a a farm northeast of Laurel,Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Minnie Schultz Smith. She was married to William John Laverty on December 1, 1932, in Rock Island, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 1953.

      Reared and educated in the Laurel area, she graduated from the Laurel High School in 1931. While in school, she helped at her parents restaurant and pool hall and became very good at shooting pool. She also worked at the grocery store in Laurel, was a switch board operator for the Laurel Telephone Company and was a cook at the Laurel School House. 

      Her memberships include the Laurel United Methodist Church of which she was a long time youth fellowship leader and Sunday school teacher, the Laurel Federated Study Club, a charter member of the Tuesday Study Club, the UMW of her church, active in the Laurel Alumni, past president of the Laurel PTA, the Melbourne 50 plus Club and had attended the Melbourne United Methodist Church.

       On December 12, 1964, in Van Cleve, she was married to Maurice C. Korte, he preceded her in death in July of 2002. 

       At age 89, of 106 College Drive, Melbourne, Iowa, she died suddenly early Wednesday morning April 9, 2003, at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. 

      **The following information was  as of her passing April, 9, 2003.

       Three children survive.: Doris Eddy of Gilman, Dennis Laverty of Marshalltown and Deborah, Mrs Jim Arges of Winfield, Indiana. There are seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren surviving and one great-great granddaughter.

      Her parents, husbands, two brothers, two sisters, one one Robert, and one great granddaughter preceded her in death. Two stepchildren survive, *Alice, Mrs. Karl Pannkuk of Ames, and James (*Metta) Korte of St. Loius, Mo. Also, there six step grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren surviving.   

****taken from Obituary Marshalltown Times Republican.
         

IOWA'S BEST BURGER (&ICE-CREAM) CAFE!

      This past Sunday while coming back from a Iowa Cubs baseball game in Des Moines, I had to make a "sweet tooth" stop at the "Iowa Best Burger Cafe" in Kellogg, Iowa just off I-80.

        This place is a real sleeper. Their Burgers are just plain good old fashion hamburgers. They are really good. Their ice-cream is hard served Blue Bunny! I had a double dip butter brickle/chocolate chip cone while my friend,Tom, had a double dip all strawberry. The serving sizes were extremely "generous!" 

       If you find yourself traveling along this stretch of I-80 between Newton and Grinnell, do yourself a big favor and stop in to this "Gem of an Eatery!"

THE NAME IRVING IS FUNNY!

       This past week-end I attended an Iowa I-Cubs-Omaha Stormchasers AAA baseball game. There was one player for Omaha by the name of Irving Falu. He appeared to be a African American and/or from possibly another country south of the USA.

       I am not trying to show any dis-respect but, when I was a kid the Name Irving seemed to be used for someone that was in a comedy role and usually Jewish. Can't you just hear Jerry Lewis saying Oiy-ving! Sorry! I just found a little "funny memory" in seeing that name posted. 

DO YOU BELIEVE THE MEDIA?

        If you watch cable news like CNN or MSNBC you would think Hillary Clinton will win this election with the biggest landslide in US history. According to most of these news outlets, Clinton has all the Millennials, the college educated, Hispanics, African-Americans, women, urban, and suburbans, and dead people Did I leave anybody out. No way can just old white un-educated men defeat this kind of power!