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Michael McLeod

John Jackson

Don’t forget No Kings tomorrow – I’ll be at my local protest.  Make it known that you think all that’s happening - Gestapo ICE tactics, crazy election fraud conspiracy theories, covering up sexual abuse of teenage girls by powerful men (Democratic or Republican) and waging a war of choice against Iran (which has starved the Ukrainians of the weapons they need to defend against the Russians) - IS NOT OK.

Joseph Gentilini

 We will be at one of the local No Kings protests tomorrow also. It is important.  joe

David Mitchell

Mike,

I was introduced to smoking by about 5th grade by my best buddy Tommy Litzinger. When I found out that some other buddys, Kevin Ryan and Mike Haggarty, also smoked, that was very cool. I figured what was good for them must be good for me.

But one day in 7th grade, a group of about six of us were all having a smoke together (down under the bridge on Rustic Bridge Road, in Old Beechwold) it occured to me that I didn't actually like it. I ficked my cigarette into the creek and neve smoked again.

My dad - a physician who's patients were mostly Allergy and Asthma cases - was a chain smoker (unfiltered Camels as I recall). I once saw old movies of Dad lighting a new cigarette off of the short end of another cigarette. I could hardly beleive what I was seeing.

He once had a visit with a long-time patient who was not going to live much longer, but who refused to give up smoking. After he left Dad's offfice, Dad grabbed his pack of cigarettes off his desk and schredded the entire pack and threw them in the trash. He never smoked again.

I wish my mom had done the same.

David Mitchell

Speaking of grade school "adventures", I wonder if anyone remembers receiving the "Brown Scapular"?

It was a soft material with two little prayer scenes on two litle felt rectangles having to do with Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was worn on a soft string necklace.

We were getting ready to receive ours one afternoon in 3rd grade. I believe it was Mrs.Maisel (?) 3rd grade class which was right across the hallway from the school side entrance to the church. Yes, the ugliest church ever - built to be a gymnasium, but served as a "temporary" church for about 25 years. 

I had askd Mrs Maisel if I could be excused to go to the rest room and she said "no". Too many kids had just asked her and I guess I was one too many. In a few minutes, we all filed out of the classroom and through the the church side-door. (the church and the school shared a common wall) We knelt in silence for a while waiting for Father Foley (the scary, violent one) to join us. I was growing "nervous". When he arrived he gave us some instructions as to how the proceedure would go. More time waiting - more "nervous".

Finally, we were lined up kneeling at the alter rail and Father began the ceremony - reading a series of prayers at each person one at a time - and of course - at the far end of the altar rail from me. I began to squirm as I knelt there waiitng. When he got about three kids from me, I could not hold on any longer. I sprang from my place and ran back to the side-door into the school hallway, down the stairs to the basement, and into the boys room.  

I was too late.

I managed to wet my pants thoroughly and was panicked as to what to do. I could not go back upstairs and be seen, so I decided to hide in the space that led to the back of the furnace room. I hung out there for quite a while until our assistant pastor (Father Tague I think?) came into the boys room entrance and gently called out to me. I finally came out from behind the furnace at the far end of the boys room.

I felt humiliated but he gently talked me into coming out and joining him in the Rectory (right next door) He escorted me into a back office and seated me at a desk while he called my mother to explain why I was not on my way home with our neighbors carload of kids. She arrived shortly to drive me home alone.

And I have made it this far without my Brown Scapular.

Michael McLeod

I gotta go with my mother's rhubarb pie and ben and jerry's Americone Dream ice creme in a tie as my favorite desserts. I mean the sentimental edge goes to mom -- well, mom's rhubarb pie -- so I guess that would be the tie breaker..

Joseph D. McCarthy

As I was just reminded -Happy Viet Nam Veterans Day today.

To all who served there and those that served elsewhere, may God bless you all.

Mark Schweickart

Mike -- to read your article requires one to have Sentinel subscription. 

David Mitchell

Thanks Joe,

I am still not sure why this is  seperate day from the regular Veterans Day in the Fall?

David Mitchell

Michael McLeod

Mark: Sorry. 'll figure out a way.

Joseph D. McCarthy

Does anyone remember the name "Denise (111) Long from Iowa and what she accompished?

Michael McLeod

I can still do the yard work I've always done.

But man, my body moans and groans a lot louder afterwards than it it used  to.

David Mitchell

Joe,

I had never heard of her until I read your post. But I looked her up. What a bizarre story.

Did she actually play any in an NBA game?

Joseph D. McCarthy

First Dave I have to admit something.  An article concerning Denise Long Rife was in the Tuesday edition of the local paper.

For those that didn't look her up here is the rest of the story.

Denise Long played on her womens basketball team in Whitten, Iowa where she averaged 69 points a game for four years.  She did have a high scoring in one game where she scored 111, but had multiple games in the triple digits.  She was the first woman drafted by a NBA team, when Wilt Chamberlain asked for her autograph.  She now spends her days as a retired pharmacy employee.

To answer your question Dave, NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy VOIDED the pick.  Only One other woman, Luisa Harris in 1977, has ever been drafted by a NBA team.

James Hamilton, M. D.

He is risen!

As I was checking the blue sky backing the Ponderosa Pine trees off our deck this Easter morning, one tree's top branches - at least in my mind's eye - reminded me of a crucifix shape. So I snapped a few cell phone shots and then did some cropping within the phone to target the area of interest.

Ponderosas are seldom (actually never) symmetric unlike some other coniferous species, such as blue spruce, but the top part of this one seems to be a little bit so.

Anyway, the photography side of me is always looking for something that does not fit all the rules and this seemed to do just that.

So, here is wishing a Happy Easter to all of our classmates and families and looking forward to our upcoming reunion!

Jim

Michael McLeod

happy easter all,and thanks for giving us something to ponder, Jim.

David Mitchell

HAPPY EASTER

This is the site of my 170 year-old historic church's sunrise service this morning. I was not there for the erly service but a friend sent the photo from this morning's service. This is on the banks of the May River in Bluffton (right beyond the draped crross), which as just featered in travel article in USA Today a few days ago.

David Mitchell

My 170 year-old church on the banks of the May River - the chairs were set up to the left.

John Jackson

Here was our President's Easter greeting, posted on Truth Social yesterday morning.  Is there anyone  who still believes that the leader of the most powerful nation on earth is dealing with anything close to a full deck?

John Jackson

And, Dave, the congregation at your church's early morning service appears to be bathed in a heavenly glow... 

David Mitchell

John,

I think the "glow" is from everyone holding a candle on their laps and the reflection on the backs off each person in front of them. Pretty cool anyway. 

John Jackson

Dave, you coulda fooled me - I thought it was some kind of divine manifestation.  Aren't we now particularly in need of some of that?

David Mitchell

Indeed John, we are in need.

Michael McLeod

THAT IS ONE GORGEOUS PHOTOGRAPH, DAVE!