I do not know if it is because February is the shortest month or what, but it has really gone by fast. It is good to have these pretty days but I imagine March will bring some high winds and cold days! Like I have mentioned before, I have seen snow on March 26 many times in the last 43 years. That's the birth date of our oldest son.

Also, one of the worst ice storms I can remember was in April of 1960.we should enjoy all of the pretty warm days as they come! Fran and I had to try to get home from Columbia College in it. It took us a long time to say the least!

Kathy Barker shared some little band music books from the 1960s with me recently. I told her I would take them to The WHS Gathering in September. Included in what she brought to me are: 104 FOR BAND 50 Classified HITS, TIME-OUT Band Book (It has Patricia Ann Roberts name in it.), March Time (It has Joe Butts name on it and is dated 10-19-64.), The Bennett Band Book No. 1 (dated 10-21-64); Short and Snappy Band Folio, Hill Billy Hits, and Big M Band Book (It has Lou Barnett's name on it.). The only one that looks vaguely familiar to me from 1959 is the Hill Billy Hits one.

• Happy Birthday wishes are extended to Mr. John Clifton Gibson. His family honored him at a birthday luncheon on Sunday.
• Happy birthday wishes go to Kelly Foster and Hilda Fleming..
• Get well wishes are sent to Jean Turner, Elizabeth Buttes, Cindy Santos, Hazel Murphree, Belle White, Jewell Haney, Rosa Lee Isbell, Kristy Strickland, and Peggy Morgan.
• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs. Hazel Childress who was buried on Sunday afternoon. God bless her daughter Carol and her family.
• Our love and prayers are extended to the family of Mrs. Christine Bryson Campbell. God bless you all.
• Congratulations to grandparents Larry and Mary Lou Sobczyk who welcomed a granddaughter born to their daughter Amy and her husband last month in Canada. The Sobczyks were there in Ontario to greet the baby. Larry's mother is a very proud great-grandmother. She told me about the baby!

I am so happy to report that Jennifer D. Adams was not hurt when involved in a two-car collision in Seneca on Friday. No one was hurt in the wreck. PTL!

It is always good to meet up with Mrs. Eleanor Cowen during our morning walks. She is a friendly person. Her husband Rodney is not able to walk with her now. Also on lots of mornings we meet Bill Strickland and George Harper walking.

Sam and Sandra Gassaway visited Sarah Chastain in Morningside Assisted Living in Greenville recently.

I visited Hilda Boggs Fleming, a classmate, in St Francis Hospital in Greenville on last Thursday. She continues to do well following valve replacement surgery. I also visited Charlie Ruff who was at the hospital on Thursday morning. He is home and doing well.

I am happy to see that Ingrid de Waele has announced that she will become the esthetician for SOLUNA on March 5th. We are proud for you Ingrid.

Meeting for a day of fellowship at Unicoi State Park in Helen Georgia on Saturday were Jiles and Poly Crisp Lovin of Hendersonville North Carolina, Jack and Voyce Crisp Lovin of Robbinsville North Carolina, Gene and Joyce Crisp Carringer of Oak Ridge Tennessee and Gwen Duncan of West Union.

Jennifer D. Adams hosted a luncheon at her home on Saturday. Attending were Ruth Brown, Lorraine Harding and Rolann Lee.

It was good to see Jackie Gagnon and Marjorie Campbell recently. We all enjoyed lunch at The Madren Center.

People are still calling inquiring about Jack Hunt's book. I have about a dozen hopefuls on a list. All of the information to order a book is now on the Internet.

I had a chat with Harry Freeman on Tuesday morning. He has some good pictures of the property where my home is that was made when nothing was here and Mr. Gus Gossett had a hone on away from the corner. He is going to have me a copy made. Julia Ballenger has one framed of her home that was the Doctor Hall home. I enjoy those pictures of the past.

It was good to see where Ben Simpson was in Westminster recently. I remember his mother Mrs. Ada Baker Simpson so well. We all loved her at school and she went to my church.

Gladys Sims called me one day last week. It is always a joy to talk with her.

I have had several calls inquiring about the pianist /organist who is seeking to play for a local church but no decisions have been made. If you wish the number, call me.

I enjoyed Oscar Night. I was happy one of the winners was Jennifer Hudson!

I happened to have in my possession a copy of The Anniversary Times dated 1966. Miss Ruth Brown shared it with me. Printed in it is the following from the year 1941:The BEST ENTERTAINMENT- Best Movie: How Green Was My Valley; Best Actor: Gary Cooper; Best Actress: Joan Fontaine; Radio: Dinah Shore and The Red Skelton Show; World Series: NY Yankees over Brooklyn. Interesting!

The Reverend Mitch Kyllenon will be guest speaker at Homecoming on April 15th at The Westminster United Methodist Church.

FYI: Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls. When you need to use the 411 information option at home or on cell, simply dial 1(800) FREE 411, or 1 (800) 373-3411; without incurring any charge at all. I tried it and it is FREE!

Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year 1906:

• The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
• Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
• Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
• There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
• The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
• More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at HOME.
• Ninety percent of all U.S. DOCTORS had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
• Sugar cost four cents a pound.
• Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
• Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
• Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
• Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
• The American flag had 45 stars.
• Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

And They Ask Why I Like Retirement.

• How many days in a week? 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
• When is a retiree's bedtime? Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.
• What's the biggest gripe of retirees? There is not enough time to get everything done.
• Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors? The term comes with a 10% percent discount.
• Among retirees what is considered formal attire? Tied shoes.
• Why do retirees count pennies? They are the only ones who have the time.
• What do retirees call a long lunch? Normal.
• What is the best way to describe retirement? The never ending Coffee Break.
• What do you do all week? Mon to Fri. Nothing, Sat & Sun I rest!

There have been so many nice comments received about Newsy Notes this week. I do so appreciate them.

"NOTE" to Remember: Blessed "The Will of GOD will never take you where the GRACE of GOD will not protect you."