Received an email from Janet Schultz this week that her Mother, Rachel Smith Lorentz, had passed away on February 9th. Rachel was the daughter of Stella Lawton Smith who is probably Plymouth’s best known artist. Rachel celebrated her 97th birthday on February 3rd with donuts instead of cake! So sorry to hear of her passing.
Brodie Hamilton is currently in Texas receiving cancer treatment. He and his family were affected by the black outs in Texas. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
All the cold weather and power problems largely overwhelmed a great happening this week. The United States sent up a Mars lander in July. It landed safely on Mars on Thursday. The safe landing in itself was quite a feat. The lander is sending back photographs. It has a small helicopter which will be deployed soon. It also has boring tools which will dig into the surface of Mars looking for life on the planet or past life. If this seems like a waste of money to you, you should know that a lot of our present medical and other technology is a result of advances learned during the space programs.
Once again, I am very happy to be living in Hancock County. If you watch the nightly news, you see the horror stories of people trying to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Hancock County put the contact information on face book. I called, left a message, and was called back with an appointment within a few hours. When I was due for my second shot, they called me with an appointment time. I arrived an hour early for my second appointment but found all parking areas filled so went to Hardees, got a sandwich and then parked near the church where the vaccine was being given. Called to let them know that I was present and was called just a few minutes late to come in. The short time that I was in the church, saw friends from my church, from the historic society, from auctions and from my teachers group. Someone asked how many shots had given so far on Wednesday and was told over 200 shots had been administered that day and that was just about 12:30 pm. Others, outside Hancock County to whom I have talked, were told that they would have to find the second shot themselves! Thank you Hancock County Health Department for doing such a good job. From what I see on the news, Adams County is also being very efficient in getting the vaccine into arms.
I’m sure most of you hate spam calls just as much as I do. Read that a majority of them originate from area codes 473, 809 or 900 but often they spoof local numbers. It is suggested that you not call spam callers back because that lets them know your number is good. Also try to avoid saying the word, “yes” as that can be cut and used to make it look like you agreed to something. Never respond to having to purchase a gift card to pay a bill. Probably best to just not answer if you do not recognize the number but if you own a business like I do, that is not such a good idea.
Noticed that Windsong Acres is having a pottery sale on Saturday, April 24th from 9 am to 4 pm. Windsong Acres is the home of Pastor Jeff and Shelli Rache and is located just northeast of Camp Point. They make lovely pottery as well as having a wedding venue.
Juanita Briggs will celebrate her 105th birthday on March 4th. Why not send her a card. Her address is Juanita Briggs, Apt 2307, Grand Prairie, 1307 Meadowlark Lane, Macomb, IL. 61455. Reaching 105 is a great accomplishment and deserves recognition and love.
Am doing a lot of reading. Sometimes one just wants light fluffy reading which requires no thought. Picked up one of those books this week. It ended up being pretty amusing because it was poorly researched or little thought was given. The book was set in Montana in the 1800’s. For the entire duration of the book, there was a blizzard raging. Snow was piled up to second story windows and tunnels were dug under the snow to get out of doorways. A gunshot triggered an avalanche yet the main characters were able to take a sleigh to the local Mercantile and purchase fresh roses and carry them home on a lap and put them in a pitcher of water. Wonder what airline flew in the fresh roses to the local Mercantile during a blizzard in the 1800”s?
Am very grateful that the temperatures have moderated. Did find that face masks help if worn outside during the bitter cold. Am thankful that furnaces kept running and that pipes did not freeze. Hope you had the same luck. Am so grateful for all the farmers who tend livestock during this frightful weather. Thankful that Living Faith was able to finally meet in the church building again today. Was good to see people who have been able to get the vaccine and to return to in person worship. Thankful that though a large beam fell in the church sanctuary, no one was in the building at the time and that no one was hurt.
Enjoy the warmer weather. Pray for your neighbors. Scatter Kindness.