Features

When one approaches the American Legion Home in Ramsey, the first impression is one of reverence and appreciation of the serene setting for the memorial walls and benches dedicated to the area’s veterans.

As you enter the building on any given weekday at the noon hour, you may again be impressed, this time by the small group of senior citizens who gather for a nutritious noon meal, conversation and companionship. This is the highlight of the day for some, and a time of enjoyment for all.

This week, Betty Bolles Feezel continues her remembrances of Carter Oil Co.’s Williams Camp north of St. Elmo.

The Move to Williams Camp

“We moved to Williams camp in 1939,” Feezel said. “My dad had a house built in Williams camp, which was nothing but a farm field.

“The company leased the land and made out streets. Every street had a wide, concrete sidewalk on each side and an alley. We had a ton of fun skating on the sidewalks,” she said.

If you see a cowboy riding his horse down the street amid traffic in Vandalia, you could be reminded of the old big-city-based TV series, “McCloud."

That cowboy is Brad Mason, doing what he likes to do best – work with horses

Brad, one of Don Mason’s sons, was born and reared with his dad’s horses, and his background includes roping cattle, breaking horses to ride, working as a farrier for 13 years and working with horses at a racetrack. He still practices roping locally, but hasn’t made the rodeo circuit recently.

Mark Heischmidt is very talented and creative, seemingly in any endeavor he undertakes. He taught art and English in the St. Elmo schools to all ages before retiring after a career of 34 years.

As an interior decorator, he has lent his talent and touch to Mary Ann’s Restaurant's walls and also to friends’ homes.

An artist, he likes to paint scenic landscapes, and he drew the illustration for cover of “Living the Dream," a historical fiction novel written by Barry A. Coughlin.

The site – the rural setting of Crown Point Church. The occasion ­– the first practice for the church family’s annual Easter presentation. The tone ­– good-natured, but committed, cooperation as the cast works together to tell the story of Jesus Christ’s last hours on earth.

The inspiration was intensely felt as the curtains closed and the heartfelt voice of Marcia Frailey softly, but clearly, filled the sanctuary as she sang the poignant words to “How Can You Refuse Him Now?”

Last Monday, the Evergreen Outreach party was a special one, as they celebrated EO charter member Polly Grinnell’s 90th birthday with songs, well wishes, refreshments, and balloons.

And the guest of honor reciprocated by sitting down at the piano and playing one of her favorite songs, “Turkey In the Straw.”

Polly, who was born on Feb. 15, 1919, began taking piano lessons when she was 8 years old and was urged diligently by her mother to practice, practice, practice.

Megan Roper grew up on a farm and loves animals so much that her heart’s desire was to be a veterinarian. However, she also loved animals so much that she decided her sensitivity for them would cause her too much distress to see them suffer, from illness, injury, abuse or neglect.

“I knew I couldn’t take seeing them in pain and abused, and I’d end up taking them all home with me.” So she decided to become a photographer and take photographs of animals. Thus, the startup of Diekemper Photography.

The word shawl is described in the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary simply as “a fabric square for the head and shoulder.”

The word “shawl” also brings to mind thoughts of being wrapped or enfolded in warmth, shelter and comfort.

These are the feelings and sensitivities a group of Brownstown–Sefton United Methodist Women members is endeavoring to give to others with their hand-crocheted prayer shawls. The shawls also symbolize encouragement, understanding and Christian love through prayers for the recipient.

“Parkinson's is a long, lonely road … for the afflicted and for the caregivers. It’s just as bad as Alzheimer’s. At least with Alzheimer’s, they are still moving. With Parkinson’s, everything shuts down, and it’s a long, lonely road.”

These are the words of Charlene “Pokie” Pryor, as she described the disease that began to claim her lifestyle when she had two grand mal seizures in 1996.