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Sugar Creek Wanderer, 07-27-10
The week you read this article ends the month of July, Saturday July 31st. July 31st 1948 began the first year of marriage for Mary and The Wanderer. Saturday July 31st, 2010 end the 62nd year of marriage. Sunday August 1st being the first day of year 63; only 364 days to go.
Sixty two years of memories good and bad. The good: four children, Tom, Susan Petry Miller, Donald and Mark; four grandchildren: Amy Lynn Petry Thorpe, Chrissy Lea Petry Henning, Alecia Miller Hughes and Jeffry Miller; and three great grandchildren: Timber Thorpe, Austin and Sierra Rose Henning.
The memory for The Wanderer going to evening church on Ash Wednesday 1946 and down the step (old St. Paul Church had step) came this gal with Cousin Mary Lou Koch Rozum, and ending being married Saturday July 31st 1948.
Another good memory during courting and married life was following Joe Ladd with his opening and closing theme piece "Indian Love Call". Any of you readers remember Joe playing the platform dance floor, Troy Homecoming and Weber Farm between Marine and St. Jacob? His 1st came back at Worden Y and 2nd time at O'Fallon K of C's Hall?
Dancing, Mary and Wanderer's courting song was Glenn Miller's "Star Dust" and later "Spanish Eyes". Wanderer never could do the old fashion waltz step, but Mary could.
Wanderer retired January 12, 1980, and he and Mary took a lot of trips and later took trips with JR's Travels of New Baden. Wish now we had taken more trips but August 5th, 1999 5a.m. when Mary had her 7th TIA. So readers that are able too, travel with a tour group, as it is enjoyable and no need to worry where you're going, eat and sleep and the sights you'll see. There always was a great group of people on JR's tours. Remember one guy from Germantown that kept us entertained - UNTIL - coming out of Yellowstone Park he was up front and he became silent rest of trip. He was on side of highway that dropped off and pine tree tops were eye level with bus and especially those places nothing but space. The Wanderer was kind of silent coming over one of the mountain passes that was just opened the day before. We were out visiting Pat and Les Potthast and went another way to Carson City, Idaho but came back through that pass with 15' to 20' of snow on upside and the scenery seen to the front; it was beautiful (OK for political correct types awesome). Didn't do much looking out window and seeing a wall of snow and space opposite side; so looked out windshield forward to all that indescribable beauty ahead.
Another memory is the trips to New Glarus, Wisconsin to shoot. There was the August Swiss Festival out at the old shooting park (understand range building being restored - Helvetia Sharpshooters building is no more), and listening to the musical sounds made by coins in a bowl. The gathering at Otto's to partake of refreshments and visit. The Highlanders water hole for the Frey Fishing group north to fish, and The Highland Pistol & Rifle Club members to shoot, eat and party, but it was Otto's. The Wm. Tell outdoor play in another New Glarus Park done in English one day and Swiss another day. Generally stayed in motel (believe Wagon Wheel) in Monroe and made reservations in January for August or September shoot and some other events. Asked about up front deposit, and reply would be, "none, you're from Highland'. Then it was off to Three Oaks creamery for aged brick and Limburger cheese, and county line for other cheeses. The Wanderer would bring back between 100 to 200 lbs. and Joe Hass 500 lbs. Got a Limburger aging yet in frig. that Joe got shipped to him last January. Then there was the day shooting silhouette in Monroe gravel pit and a ground hog started across the range and all the Highland shooters rifles line up on it and Lawrence Raymer loudly "Don't shoot, they are protected in Wisconsin". Those were the fun days.
The bad days were: when son Tom, 11 days before his 18th birthday, had his auto accident; Mary and The Wanderer are cancer survivors; and Mary has her buddy Arthur in her knees. Mary has ASPHIA in that she knows what she wants to say but says opposite.
So year 62 and wedding anniversary ends and 63rd begins. What is ahead?
Received a letter from Bev Caulk, Pocahontas that she saw two all black wooly worms and one with a small band in middle of brown, and it was July 5th she see'um. The Wanderer saw one in garage, Friday, July 16th, and it was all black with some almost not seen brown hairs in middle. So what kind of winter is in store for us? This is about a month early to see wooly worms. Anybody see wooly worms and what color, let The Wanderer know. Will the dogs, cats, horses and cows hair be thicker and longer? What will be seen in the persimmon seed, a knife of a spoon or a fork?
The Wanderer got his muzzle loader deer permit 5 weeks ago and firearm permits last Tuesday, and now it's to Jerry's Tackle to get the archery permits. Will The Wanderer with his cross bow put the bolt (arrow) in the deer (if he sees one) or in the turnip patch again? Waiting for some rain before putting in deer food plots (9:45 a.m. 7/18 it is raining). Plant one plot wheat/soybeans; another winter oats/soybeans; double cross/soybeans; turnips and no plow. All those plots are like a rest stop on the interstate highway between Klaus Lake and areas SE of Lindendale Park and Highland Home. Wanderer's goal is to harvest a deer on his property; so far a tree and turnip. A DVD pro deer hunter said, "their best hunting is over corn and soybean patches".
Have not seen doe tracks in garden since a deer (doe) was killed on Iberg Rd., and have not seen the twins for a month now, or any tracks in bottom or through conservation area. Unless the weather is bad the corn should be harvested early.
There are several Boy Scouts with Eagle projects to be completed before they are awarded their Eagle Badge. Jacob Bush, Eagle Scout Project is to send CARE PACKAGES to men and women serving overseas. His goal is to send 50 or more CARE PACKAGES. To get info. or send on you can call Jacob 1-618-675-3172 or EagleO1043@mail.com or 12528 Tree Line Dr., Highland, IL 62249. His plan is for two types of CARE PACKAGES: Food and personal. Readers please support the various Eagle Scout Projects.
WANT SOAP BOX? Just read the Belleville News Democrat OPINION page letters and McCoys drawings. Vote Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010.
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