Thanks to supporters of fund raiser
We would like to thank everyone who came to our chili/hotdog fundraiser and made it such a great success. We would also like to thank all the businesses and people who donated to this event and or made personal donations, and to everyone who came and to help and to the kids from the El Paso and Peoria classes who did a demonstration with Mikalie. A special thank you to Julie Schmitt and Barb Hahn for all the time and hard work they put into the fundraiser, without them none of it would have happened. All of you have made it possible for Mikalie to take advantage of this great opportunity to spend time in China and train with Master WuBin. Thank you so much. Mikalie Stalter & Sis Hovey
A Special Thank You From Chief of Police Bill Butler
On June 3, 2006 I will be retiring after thirty years of service as a police officer with the City of Minonk. The last twenty-two of these years has been as your Chief of Police. It saddens me to be leaving at this time. I have many friends and supporters in the community. I am now pursing a new career as a salesman for Heller Ford, in El Paso. I am really excited about working for Heller Ford. I enjoy selling. Prior to me working for the City of Minonk I worked for Sears Roebuck and Company as a salesman in Springfield, Champaign and Bloomington, Illinois. As the Chief of Police for the City of Minonk, I have worked for seven mayors. I have worked for Mayors Nick Butera (deceased), Dave Shirley who also was a past City Council Member and City Administrator, Ron (Corky) Marshall, Bill Herman Sr., Earl Anderson, Mark Spencer and Bill Koos. I enjoyed working for and wish to thank past Mayors Shirley, Marshall, Herman, Anderson and Spencer for their help, support, encouragement, leadership, kindness and friendship. I also wish to thank City Council member Sean Cunningham and past council members Steve Mattox and Sherry Stalter for their help, support, leadership, encouragement, and kindness. I also wish to thank Administrative Assistant Bobbie Evans, City of Minonk Public Works, Ambulance, ESDA, Minonk Fire Protection District, Minonk Township, Fieldcrest School District personnel, Minonk Businessmen's Association, Sheriff Jim Pierceall and the Woodford County Sheriff's Department, and my friends for their help support, friendship, encouragement and assistance. I especially wish to thank my wife Shelly and my kids, Stephanie, Rick Katelyn, Madison and other immediate family member for their strength, encouragement and support. It has not been easy for them to be related to a police officer in Minonk. Their support and love has been very important to me. Sincerely,
Bill Butler
Eurasian doves not uncommon anymore
Dave,
I read the photo caption on the Eurasian banded doves. They are actually called Eurasian Collared doves, originally from India, and they are not that rare in this area anymore. They arrived in the southeastern U.S. in the late '70s or early '80s, and have been spreading since then. I have had at least one resident pair, at my home in Rutland, for the last three years. We feed birds, and they seem to be here year round. There have been several more
sighted in the Rutland area. There have been documented nested pairs in Nebraska (1998), and Indiana (2002). This link discusses the Indiana birds in detail;
http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/eudove.htm.Duane Knepp
Rutland, IL
Comment on boredom
In a recent letter it was telling about boredom in early teenagers.
This is not a new condition, and I've got news for you, it will always
be there. I have lived over three quarters of a century, and this is
not something that has just been revealed. There have been youth
'hangouts' started in almost every community, and they eventually close
down due to the lack of funds, people that try to run them get fed up
with the abuse shown by the youth. And, for various other reasons, they
run their gamut.So,
back to what can be done. Motivation is the word we are looking for.
Instead of poor me, and nothing to do. Think of others that you might
do for. It's called volunteering. I spend several months a year in a
community that is called a city of volunteers. Thousands of dollars are
saved each year by volunteers. Maybe that person living alone up the
street or your grandparents would love to have someone call on them and
just talk. You could asked them what they do, when they get bored. Play
games with them, help them clean out the garage, or the yard. You don't
need to be paid for it in cash. It will sure make you feel good inside,
what a report on your resume someday down the road. Go
to the nursing home, and play games with lonely people there. ( And,
there are some there.) We have a 102 year old aunt in a senior living
home, and she loves it when teenage girls come, and they talk, do their
nails, fix their hair. What an education these girls are getting to
hear about teenagers, 100 yrs. ago. Minonk
has one of the nicest libraries is the country. What a resource of
information it contains. Take up a hobby, learn about it at the
library, or on the internet. Join a scout troop, 4H club, or start a
club for 'bored' kids. Take up a new sport and spend this time
practicing new skills. Go to the fitness center, and work off some of
the built up energy. Come to my house, and I'll find something for you
to do. Last
but least, clean your room. I've seen a few teenage rooms, and there is
always something to be picked up, and rearranged. Learn to cook, help
your mother out. But, you have to be motivated, and this is done by a
spark of encouragement from a parent, or friend. Boredom is built up energy directed in the wrong direction. Emily Zivney
Town-wide garage sale reminder A town-wide garage sale is being planned for Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.If anyone is interested in participating sign up forms are available at Pop's Sweet Shop, Visions Video, or downloading the form from this website. To
have your sale advertised in the map you must fill out the form with
the $4 for advertising, etc and return both to Cathy McKay, 626 Locust,
Minonk no later than April 23rd. The final garage sale map will be available at Pop's Sweet Shop, garage sale participants and on www.minonktalk . If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact Cathy McKay. Thanks very much.
Cathy
Response to Eric's editorial Great Editorial!
Unfortunately, I'm not surprised by Minonk's above average crime rate.
I would like to add something that was not mentioned. Much of this
vandalism is done out of boredom (in addition to what was mentioned in
the editorial). I have a 15 year old son and he is constantly
complaining that there is nothing to do here. So, it got me thinking,
what is there for teenagers to do? Some go uptown to play pool and go
bowling. Unfortunately those are in bar environments…is that where we
want our kids going to get off the street? When the weather permits,
there's the skate park for those that are into that. What else is there
here? I'm drawing a blank! Does anyone else know? Many are excited for
the race track. It doesn't look like that's happening in the time frame
we were told and many are beginning to think that it's not even going
to happen!What
may help is a game room. A place for kids to play video games, shoot
pool and internet gaming. What also may help is jobs other than fast
food that these kids can to do.
Don't get me wrong, the
vandalism and theft needs to stop. I'm trying to offer some ideas and
other causes. We live across from the park. We call the police every
time we witness suspicious activity although we don't see and hear
everything that's going on. We urge everyone else around the park to do
so. We cannot ignore it. We do get frequent patrol car coverage, but
unfortunately, nothing is occurring during those times. Sherry Willis
Minonk
Sorry about the loss
Mr. Foster, on Wednesday my son and I were outside working in the yard.
We are just 1 block away from where your son lived. We were very sorry
to see that the house was on fire. It is such a sad feeling standing
there watching and knowing nothing could be done by us. It was so windy
that each time the wind gust it just billowed black smoke and fed the
flames.I am so glad your son was not injured, nor any of the firemen from all the departments that came, as I am sure you are.
I
am very proud of our Fire Department we have here in this town. We just
spent last Sunday morning after church enjoying breakfast at their
annual Fireman's Breakfast, and visiting with all the volunteer
Firemen. Thanks guys, you are all so courageous and we tip our hats to
you. It's nice to have you as our neighbors.
Lisa Zimmerman
Results and progress in Iraq Dave,
Here
is the results from Iraq that I was telling you about. I want to thank
you for allowing me to share these results with everyone on this
website. Its good to hear the awesome progress and work of the armed
forces instead of the media portraying the negative things. Hopefully
anyone reading this that does not feel we should be over there will
understand the good that is coming out this conflict. Although, I know
everyone has freedom of speech guarenteed by the Bill of Rights, I know
from experience that there is nothing worse than being a soldier,
deployed to Iraq, and seeing our own people protest and talk negatively
about the war. But no matter what is seen on T.V. soldiers like me and
every other branch of the armed forces will still fight for their right
to talk bad about us. So if you could pass this on, I would greatly
appreciate it.
Thanks,
Rick Butler
Our Results You Don't Hear About in the Media About Iraq!
Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished their embassies in Iraq ?
Did you know that the Iraqi current government employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?
Did
you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under
rehabilitation, 263 schools are now under construction and 38 new
schools have been built in Iraq ?
Did you know that Iraq 's
higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes
or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?
Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the reestablished Fulbright program?
Did
you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? They have 5- 100 foot
patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.
Did
you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operation l squadrons,
which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft
(under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will
soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 bell jet rangers?
Did you know that Iraq has a counter terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?
Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?
Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?
Did
you know There! ere are more than 1100 building projects going on in
Iraq ? They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83
railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69
electrical facilities.
Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?
Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?
Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?
Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consist of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations? Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?
Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a recent televised debate recently?
All of the above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.
Immigration reform Dave, In response to your Immigration comment;
IMHO, the immigrant subject is a touchy one mostly because of the
media's play on words. They began by using 'illegal immigrants' then
dropped the word 'illegal' once they had fired up a controversy. Many I
talk to are now confusing immigration with border jumping. The issue is multi-pronged and is much more complicated than a simple bill is going to fix. First
off, the issue is with drug smuggling and coyote traffickers. Swarms of
border jumpers are crossing over to take advantage of jobs and social
programs and don't pay a dime in taxes to support them. The border
needs to be closed but for legal checkpoints. Missing
in the prime time news is the property damage and thefts happening on
the US side of the border. Cut fences on ranches, butchered animals,
gardens raided, clothes and money stolen, groups defecating in peoples
yards, stolen cars...the list is endless. Then
there are the fights and rape cases to contend with. Sure, most might
be poor people looking for the proverbial streets paved with gold, but
there's a large enough percentage coming across who are scumbags. Then
consider the fact they are here illegally which in itself makes them
criminals the second they set foot on US soil. Why should they be given
'rights' to become citizens when those who came legally had to wait for
years? Try crossing into any other country that way and you'll see what
their prisons are like if you live long enough. Guest
workers programs are in effect already. All the US Government has to do
is own up to it. Passing new laws to cover old laws which aren't
enforced is ludicrous.
Notice the new laws proposed are lacking in
varying degrees in provisions for enforcement. So what good are they?
They sound good in an election year. Another
thing that pisses me off is when they catch a border jumper committing
a crime, they get deported. Gee, I wish I could have been sent home
instead of being locked up and hiring an attorney. They should have
sent me home for a week until I had a chance to sneak back out on the
corner. First
I would lock down the border. Perhaps open a few more crossings for
those who do things the right way to come over. Build a fence,
electrify it, monitor it, and triple the budget for Border Patrol
Canine Units. Then construct a few prison camps to detain those who try
and get caught. Work
visas could then be reformed to always allow enough migrant workers
across when needed. Those who have a history of migrant labor would get
priority. They must check in on a regular basis the same as being on
probation. Penalties imposed for violations. Make illegal immigration a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Offer
an amnesty period to register as a non-resident alien, but having to
wait longer than the rest to qualify for resident status and/or
citizenship. Once the amnesty period expires, those caught thereafter
should have their property confiscated the same as a drug dealer or
poacher. Jail time and then deportation. No
social handouts for illegals and no free education at our expense. If a
woman crosses to give birth, send her and her kid back. The kid can
re-enter on his 18th birthday legally as a natural born citizen. While
most states are strict concerning the issue of drivers licenses, a few
aren't. No DL should be issued unless they can prove beyond any doubt
they are here legally. Leasing, renting, or selling property to a known
illegal should also be a crime. If they want to live here, they can
prove they belong here. Make it tough to be here illegally and things will get under control in short order. Sincerely, John Novak
Let it Rest Dave,
It's been almost a year since legislation was passed allowing marriages
for same-sex couples. It's been much longer that same-sex people have
been getting married in Canada. Has the sky fallen? Has the meaning of
marriage become any less for heterosexuals? No. The reintroduction of
the same-sex marriage question can only be a homophobic response to
something that is so clearly benign. I just don't get why people care
so much about other people sharing their lives together. It has nothing
to do with you or your marriage and it truly is sad to see us debating
over the right people have to share their love when there are so many
more important issues in this world that need our attention. Stop
hating what you don't understand or what is different from you. We're
all human beings and none of us can claim superiority over another.
There is no reason why a homosexual couple who wish to be married
should not receive the same benefits and rights that heterosexual
married couples receive from the government. Also, a legal marriage is
not necessarily a Christian marriage. Churches still reserve the right
to choose not to a marry a couple, for many reasons. Same-Sex marriage
is a dead issue, let it rest in peace. John Novak
Thanks to Richard Olson
Just a simple thank you to Richard Olson for his remarks about Dave and
his website. You worded my exact feelings probably much better than I
could have. I will take this opportunity to thank you also Dave.
D.J. Sweeney
Homosexuality is an abomination
The family has been God's primary vehicle for evangelism since the
beginning. Its most important assignment has been the propagation of
the human race and the handing down of the faith to our children.
Malachi 2:15 reads, referring to husbands and wives, "Has not the Lord
made them one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because
He was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and
do not break faith with the wife of your youth." That responsibility to
teach the next generation will never recover from the loss of
committed, God-fearing families. The younger generation and those yet
to come will be deprived of the Good News, as has already occurred in
France, Germany, and other European countries. Instead of providing for
a father and mother, the advent of homosexual marriage will create
millions of motherless children and fatherless kids. Are we now going
to join the Netherlands and Belgium to become the third country in the
history of the world to "normalize" and legalize behavior that has been
prohibited by God himself? Heaven help us if we do! Have a Great Day!
~*Kelly Lane*~
Is it over yet? Dave-
I
usually enjoy logging on to your website to find out what is happening
in Minonk. However, ever since you wrote the editorial regarding St.
Paul's UCC the website has been filled with nothing but people
bickering and using the website as a forum for their sermon. It's
really getting old and I keep wondering how long people are going to
drag the subject out. Do half of the people who keep writing in even go
to St. Paul's UCC? If not, then what are they worried about and how
does it affect them? If they do go to the church, then I think their
issues should be taken up with the church directly and not addressed on
a website such as Minonk Talk. I think the intended purpose of the
website it to keep the community abreast of what is going on not to
serve as a place for people to stand on their high horse and preach. Is
there really nothing else that is going on in the community that is
newsworthy?Lacy Orabutt
A Christian Perspective
On Easter Christians celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus
Christ who gave His life that we may have eternal life. All we have to
do as stated in Romans 10:9 is "That if you confess with your mouth,
"Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the
dead, you will be saved." We then want to live our lives to please God.
We are all sinners but the Lord's Prayer says forgive us our
trespasses, debts or sins as we forgive others. Jesus said "Go and sin
no more." We should not keep repeating the same sins over and over.
Will God ever quit forgiving?We
should believe what God and His disciples said about sin as written in
the Bible. We all know that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. He
hasn't changed his mind to fit the times. In
I Corinthians 5 it says that if a member of a church continues to sin
(here it is a sexual sin) he should be expelled in hopes that he may
repent and be saved so that the church will remain pure, filled with
the Holy Spirit and be a viable witness for Jesus Christ. Jari Lynn Oncken
Looking for German potato salad recipe Dear Sir;
My
name is Lisa Proffitt and I live in California. My maiden name
was Lisa Konwinski and I grew up in Minonk, perhaps now you recognize
the name now. I am residing in California with my husband who is active
duty military. (Navy) I have lived in California for nearly 20 years
now. (too long)
We are getting close to retirement from the
Navy and plan to move closer to Illinois in the next 24 months. To make
a long story short, I have been craving some German potato salad like
they make back home . I have asked everyone here if they know what it
is and the silly Californians just give me that "deer in the headlights
look" and say what is that? If you would be so kind to put a request
for the recipe on the Minonk website I would be very thankful. Please
feel free to include my email address in case they want to drop me a
line. I always enjoy hearing from home and it sure helps to make those
6 month deployments with my hubby away, go so much faster if I have
emails from home. Thanks for all you are doing back there in Minonk.
May God Bless you,
Lisa "Konwinski" Proffitt
lproff@sbcglobal.net
Why such an uproar over gay marriage? Dear Dave,
Why is there such an uproar
over same sex marriage? Lets take a look at some other events that
caused uproar in our society. Women the right to vote, civil rights
movement, Copernicus theory on earth revolving around the sun. These
are just a few that caused us uncertainty when they were introduced to
us. To this day I believe these were all for the good of our nation. As
will same sex marriage, two people in love should be allowed to join in
the union of marriage. Are we taking away freedoms from the
homosexuals? Are hetrosexuals afraid the homosexuals will have a better
success rate at marriage? My God loves all and created us as we are.
David Dunham
|
Food available at St. Paul's Church on Saturday
Dave,
Just wanted to let everyone know that on Saturday the 29th we are not only having our fried chicken dinner from 4:30-8:30 at St. Paul's UCC with carry-outs available, but we are also having food available during the garage sales. Cinnamon rolls, coffee, BBQ, Hot dogs, chips etc. St. Paul's is located at 326 W. 5th in Minonk. All proceeds from this weekend will go towards our Sr. High Youth trip to Philadelphia in June. Thanks so much for your help.Sincerely,
Suzie Schertz
Why no class of 2000 reunion?
I was wondering if anyone knew why the class of 2000 has not had a reunion. If anyone knows whats going on with that feel free to email me at heatherae_21@hotmail.com. Thank you!
Heather Amigoni Peiffer
Reminder: Cub Scouts bake sale this weekend
Hello! I was wondering if I could send in an email to remind everyone that the Cub Scouts will be having a bake sale during the town-wide garage sale time. This is very important to them, as the funds they raise are being used to purchase and plant 4 White Oak trees in the town of Minonk. They hope to also place some sort of plaque by one of the trees in dedication to our town. This is all part of a national program through BSA (Boy Scouts of America) to "do a good turn" for America. We hope to recieve support in any form from our community. Our bake sale will be located in the parking lot between the Dollar General and the old antique mall.
Thanks,Sarah Prosser
Committee Chair for Pack 78
Pitching record set by son of former resident
Hi everyone in Minonk!Here's a little bit of information from the southern part of the state. Kyle Jones of New Baden, Illinois broke the NCAA II pitching record for the most consecutive innings of not scoring a run in 54 innings. Kyle is a senior pitcher at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. He came within five innings of the longest documented scoreless innings streak in baseball at any level.(59 for Orel Hershiser in 1988 and Irvin Wilhelm in 1907). His streak ended Saturday, April 22 in the first inning, at a home game in front of friends and family. Kyle is a graduate of Wesclin High School in Trenton, Illinois. He is the son of Randy (MDR-1975) and Jean Jones of New Baden and the grandson of former MDR superintendent Don and Joan Jones of Trenton. (And I was his music teacher for all of his grade school years at Wesclin!) We are all excited down here for Kyle and his family! Bonnie Janssen Arentsen (MDR 1974)
Clarification on firemen response time
In reply to Mr. Foster's letter in which he stated that the Minonk Fire Department arrived at the Methodist parsonage fire at 1:10 p.m. I would like to give the times recorded by the Minonk Fire Department.We received a call from Wood Comm at 12:49, we were dispatched at 12:51, Minonk firemen were enroute at 12:53 and the first firemen arrived at the scene at 12:54. The fire department cleared from the scene at 3:17. Minonk Fire Chief
Bill Herman, Jr.
Trip planned for Presidential Library
I am writing in regards to a bus trip I have planned for Saturday June
3, 2006 We will leave from Fieldcrest East Wenona @ 7:15 am. We
will be going to the Presidential Library in Springfield, along with
New Salem, Lincolns Home & Lincolns Tomb. The cost is $48.00
includes bus transportation, Admissions to everything and lunch. If you
have, any questions please feel free to call Sheila Healy at
815-853-4606. Sheila Healy
Looking for MDR recipe Hi Dave;
To begin I really enjoy coming to Minonk Talk to catch up with the news
and see who is doing what since I can't get home very often.
I enjoy the different views also, hey, that's what Minonk always had,
various opinions on everything. It has been a great place to live and I
do miss it a lot.
I am hoping someone might help me find a
recipe from our "good ole" school system. Does anyone have the recipe
for the "Peanut Butter Balls"? Those were real treats when going to the
grade school and I do hope someone has that recipe to share.
My email address is SKYA5e01@Allstate.com.
Thanks so much and keep up the great work here. Sincerely Barb (Lambert) Pitcock Bowling Green, Ky
Part time help needed
Stoller International in Minonk is looking for a part time high school
student to do yard work and other odd jobs. Must have own
transportation.
Apply at:
Stoller International
1451 Industrial Park Rd
Minonk, IL
Clarification on parsonage fire Just to clarify a couple points on Wednesday's fire (not Thursday):
First
of all, I don't believe the fire could have started in an upstairs
bathroom. I believe it started in the garage, or in the wall between
the house and garage. (Look at the picture -- if it started upstairs,
it would have burned up and through the roof before descending down to
the garage.
Secondly, one of the renters (my son) WAS at home,
watching the White Sox game on TV. He called 911 at 12:48 PM. The fire
department arrived at around 1:10 PM, and the garage was already
engulfed.
Sincerely,
Jim Foster
Dixon, IL
Tougher immigration laws
If the people coming across the border were not able to get employment,
the immigration would stop. So let's not belittle the Mexicans who make
the decision to sneak across the border but penalize the people who
hire them. Not just fines, prison terms...long ones. Wal-Mart has been
hiring undocumented Mexicans, so if you believe this anti-Mexican bunk,
perhaps you should quit shopping at Wal-Mart and anywhere else that
employs people here that do not contribute to the health and welfare of
this country.
Lisa Zimmerman
Busting drugs in Minonk in 1973 Hi, Dave;Do
I ever have some stories about Minonk, Illinois! I was retelling a
couple of them this evening in an email addressed to a relatively new,
strictly Internet acquaintance in Decatur. After that correspondence, for old-time sake, I Googled Minonk and found your blog. I rolled into Minonk in the summer of 1973, fresh out of rural Missouri.
I
was 18-years old and was working on what was called a summer "extra
gang" (aka "gandydancers") for the Santa Fe Railway. The first week in
town, the police chief came to our bunk cars for a meeting that lead us
to believe the last man he'd ever shot was a railroad worker. The
chief's pep rally sent me scurrying back to my hometown, where my
father was county chief corrections officer, to retrieve one of my
firearms. I literally went back to MO in order to bring back to Minonk
my Marlin .44 magnum lever-action rifle to potentially protect myself
from your police chief. Fortunately
nothing but intellectual shots were ever fired. I allowed the chief to
"nab" me with "pot" one evening in the park/town square area. Sitting
on a bench and using bright strawberry pink cigarette papers, I rolled
a "joint" not more than 50 feet from the chief; he strolled up and said
"Give me the joint." Breaking
open the so-called joint, the chief discovered it was mere pipe tobacco
(Borkum Rifff, Whiskey flavored). He said: "You think you're clever." After
that incident a senior railroad worker advised me that the chief had
confided to him that he would see me do five years in prison. I'm not
certain the chief wasn't kidding. There
was a drug bust in Minonk that summer, at a small house alongside the
railroad track, at the outskirts of town, and I was at that party the
very minute police came rushing in. The bust was reported in the local
paper. I think it was July or August. The
day of the party/bust our gang was working on the track next to that
small house. During the morning hours a guy in his 20s, apparently the
man of the house, brought his young daughter and several chicken cages
within 50 feet of us. The girl danced and whirled and clapped as dear
old dad decapitated the birds... and not with an ax. He'd grab a
chicken by its feet and laying it on the ground, with his boot on the
bird's neck he'd give a hardy yank... a bird would flail; a girl would
whirl. We
(mostly college summertime workers) joked about the little girl's
future as a homicidal maniac. We were confident that although dear old
dad appeared very angry, a display apparently directed at us, he didn't
stand a chance against any of us, for we were Mighty Gandydancers. We
weren't concerned so much about our safety--- but the Children of the
Corn factor was admittedly spooky. Later
that afternoon, the lady of the house came out and offered us lemonade
and we profoundly thanked her. She also invited me to a party at her
house that very evening. She asked me to bring something special to the
party. The Party. I
was seated on a lounger in the living room, the front door was to my
left and the kitchen was to my right. There were a lot of partygoers,
many drinking beer, but as far as I could see none were doing drugs.
The lady of the house walked up to me and asked if I'd brought pot. I
pulled my baggy (the same Borkum-Rifff pipe tobacco) from my front
pocket and patted it, and then I watched her walk a beeline to her
bedroom and pick up a phone. A moment later Minonk's Best came blowing
in the front door. I ran out the back door and, as they say, "Never
looked back." But still fond feelings: I wish Minonk and its citizens well. Lee Mathews Editor's note: I did check the Minonk News-Dispatch and verified that there was a drug bust in Minonk in August 1973.
My 2 cents worth
In response to Lacy Orabutt. Did you not read Mr. Olson's letter? If
you don't like what is published on the website, look away! Your letter
was published and your opinion was heard. Just maybe we don't want to
read what you have to say, so does that mean that we can censor you.
You
have to realize that this is a NON-profit website, maintained by Dave,
for the community, which you are a part of. He makes every effort to be
fair, though he doesn't have to. He publishes any letter that is
signed, even though he doesn't have to. He makes every effort to keep
the community updated and informed, though he doesn't have to. Bottom
line is-when you decide to devote the many expenses, and the many, many
hours of your time, pro-bono, then you can dictate what will be
discussed on this website.
If you don't like this letter, skip to the next one, but remember, I have a right to voice my opinion, just like you! Judy Olson
What's wrong with intelligent conversation? I am sorry to hear that a few people find the subject of the Bible and other peoples beliefs and feelings as bickering.
I
am grateful to the people who have responded to the editorial and,
sharing their knowledge and giving us the opportunity to educate
ourselves even more on whatever the topic. I know you had to know Dave,
when talking religion or politics, that you were going to receive a lot
of attention. I have enjoyed coming home everyday from work and reading
the educating emails. I just don't want to see a division because one
person believes differently then another. We all have a right to our
opinion and I will respect them enough to listen, as I would expect
them to do the same for me.
I do not know the Bible as well
as some |