Friday Charlene Roth came to the Center with her mother, Nettie Fehlberg for lunch. Charlene now…

By Rosemary Johnson

Friday Charlene Roth came to the Center with her mother, Nettie Fehlberg for lunch. Charlene now lives in Greeley, Colorado where her husband, Ron, is pastor of the Greeley Mennonite Church.

Have you noticed how pretty the American flags look in the sunshine in a brisk breeze? More people seem to be displaying flags since Memorial Day. I guess you could call the last six weeks a “patriotic season.” This is a good time to remind people of the freedom and good life we have in the United States.

Monday, July 5th, was the official holiday and the Center was closed. So were lots of other things. Sunday we had a modern 4th of July picnic. We ate at the Kentucky Fried Chicken buffet. All the chicken you could eat with baked beans, assorted salads and desserts. The only thing lacking was the homemade ice cream. Everything was served on paper plates. This modern day picnic didn’t have any bugs or wind to battle and was eaten in air-conditioned comfort on a clean table and comfortable chairs. This modern comfort is hard to beat. It’s nice to remember those “made from scratch” picnics, but also remember the work and discomfort involved.

Tuesday Elma Jirsa of Wellman brought Ann Miller of Keota to lunch. Ann had an appointment in Kalona right after lunch. It was nice of you two to have lunch at the Center. Both ladies always got to visit with old friends when they stop in.

Ralph and Opal Glider treated guests to ice cream in honor of Opal’s birthday. It was July 5, but since the Center was closed, it tasted just as good the 6th. Thank you both. I understand Opal and Ralph participate regularly in the morning exercise class on Tuesday and Thursdays. Since Ralph’s surgery, this is a good way to get some organized exercise. Anyone is welcome from 9-10 a.m. those days.

Wednesday the people from Kalona came on the mini-bus. Grace Strickler brought Mable Speas with her. I believe Mable is a “first timer” at the Center, but certainly not to the community. Mable and I used to go to all the sewing and craft classes in Kalona. Mable said she attended high school in Wellman and lots of faces looked familiar. She even up-dated me on some of the newest crafts she’s seen.

Goldie Wade of North English had lunch at the Center Thursday. She came down to visit friends and stopped in for lunch and got to see even more friends. Goldie is active eating and volunteering at the North English Center and is presently driving a hospice patient to treatments.

Chuck and Bessie Capper brought their son Tom to lunch today. Tom is from West Branch. We miss seeing the Cappers together at our monthly pancake breakfasts, but it will soon be time to resume them again in September. Right now, ice cream socials sound more inviting with temperatures staying in the high 80s and 90s this week.

Most of the sweet corn in our area has tasseled, but it will be a couple of weeks before much is ready. It is hard to wait for the first to be ready. With the newer varieties, sweet corn is sweeter with bigger ears and lasts longer. Picked and eaten within a couple of hours, is sweet corn at its best. Everyone can hardly wait for the first garden tomatoes which should be coming along soon.