SOOT IN THE FLUES

I know this is the March issue and here I am talking about
putting Christmas things away, but it’s only the first week in
January — just as I talked about in the column last time –getting
things out way ahead of time. And I had a letter recently from one
of our good subscribers who informed us we surely do get the
magazine out ahead of time, and the same week I got a letter from
another good subscriber who says we get it out too soon, it ought
to come a few weeks later. Anyhow — just so we keep getting it out
— how about it??

I guess I shouldn’t but I can’t help it, I’ve got to
brag a little, let off a little steam about our famous East
Pennsboro High School football team. This year they not only won
all the games, but also went untied and unscored upon. And when you
figure they are the only team to achieve such a record out of about
10,000 such teams in Pennsylvania, I think that is something to be
proud of, and believe me these fellows are a grand bunch of guys.
The town people and merchants sponsored a banquet for them and the
boys received beautiful jackets and there were speakers. One of the
things the coach said was that with this group of boys there was no
bickering and spatting among themselves, which I for one think
means a lot in any field, of sport or work. Of course they had a
wonderful coach too, and I believe the boys respected and obeyed
him. All in all, it surely paid off. It’s been a season
we’ll never forget.

Ernest Cox of Lafayette, Indiana, sent us a little article he
thought was worth while and I feel it is quite timely, after just
hearing the death toll of automobile accidents over the holidays.
It’s called ‘Sing, While You Drive’– at 45 m.p.h. sing
‘Highways Are Happy Ways’ — at 55 sing, ‘I’m But a
Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home’– at 65 sing, ‘Nearer, My
God, To Thee’ — at 75 sing, ‘When The Roll is Called Up
Yonder, I’ll Be There’ and at 85 m.p.h. sing ‘Lord,
I’m Coming Home’.

Had a letter recently from Henry Jeanerette of Orrville, Ohio,
and he tells us of another Steam Engine group forming called the
Valley View Group. They intend to meet with several steam engines
next Labor Day. He says this year they had a 16 hp Russell on silo
filler on Labor day, no advertising and had a large crowd. The
engine belonged to Jack England. He has it stored at Henry’s
for the winter and it draws many spectators. They had a chime
whistle on an air compressor this past summer and had a lot of fun,
and that started the ball rolling to the forming of the new group.
Glad to hear it, Henry!

And – if you women-folk like a new tip on vegetable dishes now
and then-here’s one you might try. After your green beans are
hot and ready to serve, pour some cream of mushroom soup,
undiluted, over them and some grated cheese. I use a mild or
pimento but I suppose any kind would do. I didn’t give any
measurements because it depends on how many green beans you use —
you use the other ingredients accordingly. We find this quite tasty
after serving beans just plain so often.

Well, Friends, I’m afraid I’ve run out of gab — imagine
that? Found this in a book recently written by Alma L. Weixelbaum
and it goes: ‘Friendships are the fruits gathered from trees
planted in the rich soil of love, and nurtured with tender care and
understanding. These trees are never subjected to drought. They are
moistened with sympathy and kindly deeds, shielded from the wintry
blasts by the warm softness of tender affection, and with this care
they yield a harvest richer than all the wealth of Croesus, and
blessed is he who possesses them.’ (I like that, how about
you?)

And do you like jokes??? ‘Have you been to any other doctor
before you came to see me?’ asked the grouchy doctor. ‘No
sir,’ replied the meek patient, ‘I went to a druggist.’
‘That shows how much sense some people have!’ growled the
doctor. ‘And what sort of idiotic advice did he give you?’
‘He told me to come see you!’

And in closing — remember — Men with clenched fists cannot
shake hands.

‘BY — and keep smiling!