The weather has been great, the days are longer and good nights to sleep. But Oh the spring is going so fast. The roses are in bloom. Lots of produce out of the garden.

Sorry to hear about my friend Joe Hemphill who was hospitalized and now in Washington for some rehab. I hope he makes good progress since his stroke.

Two busses were in Kalona from Colby Community College on May 27th. By touring this town they gained six hours credit in the college. I think they had a lot of reporting to do. Over one half were over 55 years of age. They were tickled when we went by Robert Yoders who had a wedding that day.

At the Body Shop, we take the dent out of accident.

The doctor’s prescription for a four-year-old , “Give half teaspoon four times daily for a funny nose.”

Sorry to see Country Livin’ going out of business. The bus tours always enjoyed the candy they made.

Don’t miss Kalona Days June 18-19. They seem to have something for everyone. Two things stand out — Ugly Cake Contest and Ugly Legs Contest. Wonder what prize they will get?

Have you noticed the new building put up at the Historical Village? That’s a good sized building and seems to be a good addition to the Village.

There seem to be many 50th wedding anniversaries this year. Three in one day, the Earl Fry’s, the Eli Swartzendruber’s and the Wilber Swartzendruber’s. 1949 must have been a good year to marry.

It’s good to see Vernon Fisher out at coffee since his operation. He says he is getting along o.k.

The word for the week is olfactory. It pertains to the sense of smell. “Old houses have an olfactory smell to them.” There are many smells that come floating into our lives and we need to make the best of them. Ann Landers had a man write to her, “What to do with a person you work with who has bad breath . Tell them to check out the word olfactory. That might stop it.”

The wind storm took down a tree in front of Nyle Jones’ house. I wondered how he got his car out of the garage.

The MCC Sale was held May 28 & 29. Lots of food, familiar faces, people working, parking cars. It takes quite an effort when you need to get a lot of help. The money goes for a good cause, it helps feed the hungry. I met our neighbors the Frenches at the Sale. The Sale grossed $180,000.00. One quilt went for $3,000.00.

In visiting with Omar Ropp an old time Kalona carpenter, he told me he has built over 100 houses in the Kalona town and area. He learned the business from his father Lewis Ropp. He has a crew of four or five at his busiest time. Most of these houses cost less due to the donated labor and maybe some hardship cases.

He never had any trouble in collecting his bills. He wants to build one house this summer before going to Florida for the winter. He enjoys working for the public. He does repair work in Florida in the winter. He draws up a lot of his own plans. His hobbies are collecting old tools, Cheney Hammers and Shuffle. He says he and Pearl will be married 50 years this fall.

Their children live in Georgia, Florida and Chicago, Ill.