Spring 2009
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Seeking assurance that winter was truly past, we scoured the countryside for hints of Spring and discovered this idyllic scene in Mercersburg PA:
A polka dance in Lititz PA took us through Harrisburg, where we made a visit to the State Museum:
The main purpose of the stop was to view an exhibit created by the son of our dancing friends, Jan and Diane. It was a display of beautifully photographed murals from various post offices around the state. The original murals were created during the Great Depression to provide jobs for artists and to bring art to the people. One such photo is shown below:
Late May took us to Franklin Grove IL to visit with Patty’s mother. Fortunately, Patty was able to spend some quality time with her over several days. Other activities were easily inserted between calls at the nursing home, such as getting together with her brother, Terry:
and checking out the nearby Four Sisters Bike Path in Rochelle:
The small town of Franklin Grove is fun to explore by bike, but it also has a claim to fame. It is located on the historic route of the Lincoln Highway. As a consequence, the National Headquarters of the Lincoln Highway Association has been located in this building since 1999:
The building, on Franklin Grove’s main street, dates from 1860.
En route home, we couldn’t help noticing that the Illinois countryside is slowly changing. (As, no doubt, it has in the past.) It is becoming increasingly difficult to find barns and silos in good repair, a consequence of fewer animals being raised by farmers:
Mother’s Day weekend saw a return visit of John’s sister Julie and husband Tom:
Not having seen these Kansasonians in five years, it was a happy reunion! And, off we went, thither and yon, for entertainment and education. One such stop was the Jimmy Stewart Museum in nearby Indiana PA, the movie star’s hometown. Inside, you can even meet Jimmy’s rabbit friend, Harvey:
Another favorite we HAD to revisit was Knoebels Amusement Park near Bloomsburg PA. This family-run enterprise charges no admission and no parking fee. Customers simply pay for individual rides, making it a very popular place for parents and their youngsters. Out-of-town guests seem to like it, too:
With a healthy dose of imagination, our guests from the midwest traveled even further afield. Transport to Italy or to the south Pacific required only a walk downstairs:
With Tom and Julie safely home in Kansas, the Mt. Union Senior Prom beckoned us to attend. This shot, taken by a local newspaper, gives every impression that this was a truly romantic occasion. In fact, it was a well-lit afternoon event in the school gymnasium the day after the school’s senior prom. Ah well, like the best of us, a camera flash can throw its light only so far:
