Contributing writer
Who is an old settler? Is it the person who was born and raised here? Or did he move here when he was young? Maybe he gets so involved that everyone thinks he has been here a long time.
We came to Marion in 1920. We were ready to join in the fun. We found out that we weren’t welcome in certain groups. They just didn’t warm up to us — gradually they took us in. In school at that time, there were cliques. They had their secrets and weren’t wanting to share. It takes a while to be accepted. After living here almost 90 years, I think I could qualify.
You make it sooner if you are a mover and a shaker. Be willing to join in and help. I can think of quite a few people who have taken part in our town’s development.
I’m reading a lovely book, “Franklin and Winston.” What a wonderful friendship they had, and how they worked to shape WWII. They had their faults but on the whole, they were heroes. They sacrificed their plans and desires to help. This is a love story of two men who loved each other and their countries. My son-in-law, Bob, liked the book. He encouraged me to read it and even loaned it to me.
I haven’t heard how Art in the Park did. They couldn’t have asked for a better day. It is so much fun to look at the various displays. There seems to be some new things every year. The people who manage the affair should be praised.
See you at Old Settlers gathering. Make strangers feel welcome!