Mt. Pleasant News

By Curt SwarmIs the Blood Moon an ominous warning of some cataclysmic event on the offing? Naw. If anything, I told myself, it?s a harvest moon.And what a harvest! Farmers are saying they?ve never seen yields like this. I believe?m! Driving around the countryside, I?ve never seen crops so lush and thick. It?s all because of the abundant rains we?ve had this year. My yard has never looked so good.Now the ...

By Curt SwarmContrary to the popular saying, ?Money Doesn?t Buy Happiness,? people in upper income brackets are happier and have more going for them. Here are the simple facts, as most facts are, from a recent Time Magazine report.Forty-one percent of people in the $200k+ bracket say they are ?very happy.? Whereas 38% of people in the $100 - $199k bracket make the same claim. And it goes down from there. 36% in ...

By Curt SwarmThe first thing I noticed about this group of elderly country-schoolers was that they were not obese. Maybe it was because they grew up in a time when sugar was a rarity, used only for special occasions. Or maybe it was because they drank from a common bucket and dipper at the one-room schools, or, because of outdoor toilets, didn?t wash their hands after using. Whatever.I had been invited to ...

By Mary ZachmeyerOne more time, I would like to write about my grandmother and a little about mothers. Mary?s Memos is coming to a close and so I dedicate this one to my grandmother and all moms and grandmas?.Grandmother?s ways weave within me as my kitchen sparkles. A few pin oak leaves cling to their branches like a baby to its mother. It?s the new millennium, but thoughts embrace a more simple world and play ...

By Mary Zachmeyer?Mt. Pleasant, Be It Ever So Humble? was my first article October 3, 2012. The Mt. Pleasant News kept changing my ?titles.? I wondered if they knew how hard a writer works on her titles, be it prose or poetry! It?s the first hook to get your reader to read your writing. I stewed about it for a few weeks, wondering why Norfolk Daily News in Nebraska let me keep my titles. Then, Brooks explained ...

By Curt SwarmWire corn cribs make great gazebos. They?re sort of the art-deco, in-thing to have nowadays. People run around the countryside, buy up old cribs, and relocate them to their yards.But have you seen a double-decker corn crib? No? Well, Don and Judy Skinner of rural Montrose have one.Tucked in their Garden-of-Eden paradise on the banks of the Mississippi River, Don and Judy also have a vine-covered ...

By Curt SwarmIt?s been said that you can tell a person by their shoes. What style are they?--Wingtips, loafers, sandals, sneakers, high heels, hiking boots, work shoes, thongs (oops they?re called flip-flops now, or shower shoes. Thongs became underwear.) What kind of soles do the shoes have, crepe, gum, leather, Vibran, Neoprene? Are the shoes scuffed, shined, suede, or patent leather? As an insurance salesman, ...

By Mary ZachmeyerHere is a memory and free advice from a few years ago. Thought snow might cool you off a bit, these summer days.Snow covers everything, even the neighbor?s deck. Only yesterday my golden retriever chased a rabbit under it. Now, a fantasy of white covers the deck. It is early morning and I cannot wait to get back to my book. But the dog comes first. Snow blocks the door. I push and shove, even ...

By Mary ZachmeyerThere were rats in the soufflé again. I jumped back and knocked over my husband. The coffee cup from his hand flew through the air and plopped in the punchbowl. The cranberry punch then dotted my heirloom Irish linen tablecloth.?What the??? hubby said. His ears wiggled as he spoke, so I knew I was in trouble.?Honey, there?s rats in here again.? I helped him up.He stuck his nose an inch from ...

By Curt SwarmRural Mt. Pleasant resident Bob Batey, formerly of Wilton, was 15 when he lied about his age to get a job at the tank arsenal in Bettendorf. It was a good job, and well paying. Because of the war, the country was short of labor. But the movie, ?The Shores of Tripoli? infected young Batey with the desire to be a Marine. He was big for his age, and mature looking. So, still 15, it was no problem lying ...

Dear Editor,My name is Karen Hassell, a retired Speech-Language Pathologist, and was assigned schools in the Mt. Pleasant Community School District for 41 years.I?m for children. Children are our most important assets.I?m for air conditioning at the 4 elementary schools.I?m for repairing the structures to serve children/students.I?m for technology.I?m for safe schools and safe playgrounds.I?ve put children/...

To the editor:I must admit I have not followed the superintendent issues at Mt. Pleasant Community School District as closely as I should have or claim to know all the issues. I do know in the business world providing a false resume is grounds by itself for termination.A leader is supposed to excite, inspire and fuel passion. How can our children get the best efforts of our teachers and staff if they are ...