Radishes, lettuce, spinach and all those early goodies from the garden are a reminder of how good those fresh items are at this time of year. The farmers markets are busy handling them if you don’t have a garden.

The flags at the cemetery were a nice sight on Memorial Day weekend. We must congratulate all the people who put them out and take them back down every year.

If you are not busy on Thursday evenings, the Washington Band plays in Central Park at 8 p.m. Remember the days when the bandwagon was pulled to the town square and they played for us here in Kalona.

Congratulations to Mrs. Wright in her teaching career. I first met her years ago when she would bring her class out to Country Lane eggs for a tour. I am sure she will be busy in her retirement.

Here’s one for you to think about: What was created without a soul, but had a soul and died without a soul?

The answer can be found at the end of the column.

The past actually happened, but history is only what someone wrote down.

The IMS class of 1949 celebrated recently by touring the IMS building, eating at an Amish home, attending graduation ceremonies, staying in the Amanas and watching a play. From the sound of things, they had a great time, according to Russell Miller from Arkansas, who was a former student of mine.

Have you been flying lately, as was one passenger in Burbank, California. The loud speaker said “Flight 374 has been delayed and will be arriving at 5:43 at an unknown date.” Seconds later, the announcement was corrected to say “at an unknown gate.”

As you see by the paper, County Livin’ is being sold. It is sad to see this happen, but maybe someone will continue the store. Mrs. Dwight Bender and Mrs. Elmer Yoder bought this from Emil Ropp in 1985.

It was a gift shop selling candy, popcorn, cookbooks, quilts, cards and whatever you need. The bus tours always enjoyed this place for tapioca and Lady Finger popcorn.

A lot of questions were answered by the ladies on Kalona, and they always had three to four part-time workers.

In visiting with Jennelle, she says they did enjoy the people, and she plans to relax and do more bookwork for Dwight. Marlene will spend more time with children and grandchildren. They both say they will miss the people. We wish them well, but will miss stopping there for the bus tours.

House guests the past weekend were Jim and Faith Carpenter of Anchorage, Alaska. They came to celebrate Wilbur and Lois Swartzendruber’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. Speaking of Wilbur, his birthday is June 24th. This picture of him was when he was about seven or eight years old. His small car he is driving belonged to Paul and Lester Miller. Thanks, Lester, for the picture.

Wonder if they had gun control in those days…

The word for the week is bonsai. The meaning is that they are miniature trees or shrubs that you see around people’s houses. It also means the art of cultivating such plants. When driving around, look and see if you find any in our town.

Answer to above question: The whale (or fish) in the story of Jonah.