Fall Greetings, Classmates
Needless to say, the big news of this issue is Hurricane Ike. After destroying Galveston, Ike raced northward and on September 14, he struck a massive blow to Ohio. No one was prepared for the 55-75 mph winds that downed trees, utility poles and power lines, and ripped shingles off many roofs. In central Ohio, the power was lost about 4 PM and statewide it was estimated that at its peak, 1.9 million households were without electric. Eighty-three of the 88 counties suffered Ike's effects.
All the utility companies had to recall crews that were sent to Texas and Louisiana, and many crews from Indiana and Michigan soon arrived. Those guys worked around the clock and they are worthy of the greatest admiration.
Here in Powell, power was restored after 23 hours. Delaware needed 48 hours in some places, and several days in others. On Sept. 24th, the last power company declared that everyone had been restored.
Terri Norris Bischoff took pictures of some of Ike's after-effects in Delaware County. To see them, click here.
Unfortunately, that was also fair week. On Sunday night, the 14th, after losing power, officials closed the fairgrounds and urged people to go home. Shortly after, they learned that there were so many trees down and so many streets closed, that getting out was a problem.
On Monday, thanks to portable generators, the races took place as scheduled but there were no other services available. There was a small amount of betting but simulcasts were cancelled. Late Monday or early Tuesday, power was restored to the fairgrounds. The Gazette had a very nice article about the grounds crews and volunteers who worked tirelessly through Sunday night, all day Monday and into Monday night, clearing debris and restoring order. When Bill and I visited the fair on Wednesday, several barns were covered with blue tarps.
That is as close as I ever want to come to a hurricane. It is fortunate that no one was hurt.
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Meanwhile, in news related to the fair, the annual Delaware County All Horse Parade took place on Sunday, September 7, one week before the fair opened. This is my all-time favorite parade. Started in 1986 and billed as "the largest non-motorized parade east of the Mississippi," this year's effort had over 500 horses and mules, several marching bands, countless 4-H groups, the essential pooper-scoopers, and entries from all across the US. See my photos here.
There are many websites with photos of this year's event. Here is a short video.
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As promised, here are photos of Brent Wilson's surprise 65 birthday party. My spies tell me that for an old dude, he was having one heck of a good time.
Congratulations and happy birthday, Brent! Enjoy many more.
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Here is something for you gardeners. The blackeyed susan we are familiar with looks like a daisy, with distinct petals. Eagle-eye Becky Ross Donovan spotted this plant, called a blackeyed susan vine. It is a tender plant, not hardy below 45°, but she couldn't resist. I couldn't resist including it in the newsletter. How appropriate!
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Last month I told you about Roger Gledhill's new hobby--hebephrenic songwriting. Roger has also visited Russia many times and that is the topic of this creation.
DON’T GET VOLGA WITH ME
(The Hebrephrenic Song)
Verse 1:
Boris is GUDENOV for me.
Is Boris GUDENOV for you?
But, if he gets the TROTSKI'S,
Keep STALIN,
And, don't LENIN him in.
Even if he tries to PUSHKIN his way.
Verse 2:
CHEKOV this, DUNEV.
Don't RASPUTIN the RED SQUARE
ICON see the KREMLIN
I CZAR it yesterday too
If UKRAINE your neck
YUKON see it too
MALCOLM X MARX the spot.
KOSIGYN it with me.
Verse 3:
Ivan the Terrible
Was not close to bearable.
Nicholas the second,
Defiant to the ENGLES.
But don’t honk a ROMANOV.
If you give a man a TOLSTOY,
He will read for a year
If you teach him to CASTRO a fish in his NYET,
He will eat for a (PERISTROIKA).
CHORUS:
(Everyone together in unison)
DA, DA, DA!
(Soloist alone)
I've been PUTIN up my hand.
I'm RUSSIAN to explain.
Capitalism: the unequal distribution of wealth.
Communism: the equal distribution of poverty.
(Everyone together in unison)
Yo-Oh heave ho,
(Soloist alone)
Even though YALTA LENINGRAD,
You can CRIMEA river, but
(Everyone together in unison again)
Don't get VOLGA with me.
© Copyright 2008
Roger Gledhill
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Need a chuckle? This skit by Alan King is 20 years old but still funny. "Survived by his wife..."
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Sandy Patrick Woods
Betsey Ingraham Rhame
Dick Burns
Ray Downing
Dennis Jackson
These birthdays were listed in the class directory. If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.