There usually are a few weeks during the summer that are worth living through on the high side. Community planned activities create a feeling of fellowship and help recycle old memories. Lincoln Nursing Home picnic in July, 1988 was a good example. It was a privilege to visit old friends and neighbors. There was a caring atmosphere where people are allowed to live out the twilight of life in dignity.
It was nice of the Gene Stuckles, Drefs and Roger Hein to bring vintage cars to the back end of the nursing home picnic area. Some of those that were able to go for a ride, received flashbacks of days when their first cars were simple but stylish horseless rigs.
A sad note hit me when my neighbor of many years smiled and looked at me with empty eyes. He is suffering from Alzheimer Disease. His son Gene gave him a ride in his restored 1915 Model T Runabout, with the car top down. His daughter, Pauline knew how to get him to smile and wave, so cameras could record—probably one of the last responses left in dear old Albert. On the higher note. Flora Sayres is as sweet and bright as always. Reminiscing with her about the years her husband ran the old Burgans Grocery Store in Davenport was interesting. He used to buy eggs from old Bill Chapel that had to be cleaned with a scrubbing brush, so customers could tell whether they were laid by white or brown hens. Buying butter from farmers was a problem. A lot of butter was too salty for the cowless customers to buy.
Also in July 1988, Sugar’s 4-H girls were staring 40 years of living in the face, and got together at Porcupine Bay for their first reunion. This group is exceptional—they all kept their same youthful appearances. Its been a long time since these days of 4-H living. They had a lot to share and compare, while devouring picnic food. Those days of life guarding at Camp-Na-Bor-Lee, and being a flunky for camp cooks, Sugar and Betty, was worth rehashing.
The Sunday morning of July 24th found a large group of fundamentalists and their not so fundamental friends gathered under Mielke’s popular picnic grove. The ‘Cathedral Under the Trees’ services were followed by an old fashioned picnic that used modem insulated jugs for cold drinks and plastic plates and spoons. However, an old homestead spring was used to chill watermelons and pop—just like in the olden days. Like all picnics, time spent visiting is still very popular. High energy games, hay rides and a sunset wiener roast, ended that special day.
Summer Activities, Kik-Backs No. 3, page 51, part 2 (previous) (thread) (home)
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