By Dixon Bledsoe
In April, I sent the managing editor my column with little time to spare as usual, wanting her to be able to start formatting it and have the word count so it would fit in the next publication. I wrote about a wonderful young man who made a poignant gesture, except his name escaped me. So I made one up just to get the submission to the managing editor, with the full intent of getting the right name prior to the paper coming out. It didn’t work – I was too late. So if your child or grandchild is named Emmitt Johnson, I am sure he is special to you but he isn’t the young man I intended to write about. I know Everett Goode is special. The 4-year-old son of Courtney and Ken Goode and grandson of Mike and Martina Bielemeier recently took a Bible lesson to heart when hearing about kids who were hungry. On his own accord, he got into his piggy bank, took out $2 and went shopping for food for the hungry kids. His selection? A six-pack of applesauce that would serve as a healthy treats for six kids, and he even picked out an offering that was exactly $2. The young and purely fictitious Emmitt Johnson could take a lesson from Everett, as he came down to the local food bank with his grandmother Martina, watched as we weighed the food in at SACA, and then put it on the shelf. He doesn’t want the recognition, which is also part of the lesson. Random acts of kindness from tiny huge hearts? Priceless.
It is simply heart-rending to read the notes taped to the Palace Theatre doors, expressing sympathy, empathy, well-wishes, and pleas for a speedy “recovery” after the fire. It reminds me of the movie, Things We Lost in The Fire. But as the marquis says, “We Will Be Back,” and that is good. We need the Palace, and we need to say thanks to Stu Rasmussen and those responsible for keeping it open as part of a vibrant downtown instead of taking the easy route by simply riding into the sunset with Roy, Dale and Trigger.
What do you call a mother whose son has overcome major medical and learning barriers, became a successful helicopter pilot in Iraq, executive office of the ROTC campus at University of Wisconsin –Madison and is now a millionaire? Very proud. Paula Jones, office manager of Prudential Real Estate Professionals Silverton Branch office, just received news that her son and daughter-in-law, Dave Brown and Rachel Holm won the 2012 Amazing Race, CBS’ blockbuster hit show that takes contestants on incredible challenges all around the world, for the chance to win a million. Well she didn’t really just receive the news – she watched her son and daughter-in-law win on the big season finale May 6. Both the winning couple and their relatives are under contract to keep specifics at a minimum for a year, but Jones got to see what the world got to see – a dynamic couple with the brains, competitiveness, physical stamina, and teamwork to win the grueling event. More next month.
It is spring and we are inching closer to summer. As I write, I am reminded just how beautiful a place this is. The sun is out, flowers are blooming, and the dreariest days are behind us, at least until the next rain that will invariably occur at any time. Seniors at Silverton and Kennedy High are eager for graduation, the Pet Parade is upon us May 19 along with the Wine and Jazz Festival, and Homer awaits his turn. Birds are out yet birdies are elusive as ever for those of us whose golf handicap is our swing. We honored our mothers last weekend and look to do the same for dads next month. We will remember those who have passed, and celebrate weddings all summer long. We will gather at the Garden July 3 to say thanks for being allowed to live and live freely in the greatest nation on earth. Hopefully we will hear Ben Rue and Tiffany Kuenzi sing there, enjoy John Philip Souza’s rousing marches, Lee Greenwood’s Proud to Be an American, and a fireworks show that keeps us all guessing when the big finale is coming.
