Do you know who Jim Lehr is? He probably is internationally known. The other night I turned on KPTS and there he was on Charlie Rose’s program. Besides being a well-known TV personality, he has written 20 or so books. Years ago, he attended the third grade here in Marion. In fact, he was a member of the same class as my daughter, Mary, and others. He and his family lived in the valley in an apartment. His father drove a bus from Wichita to Emporia. He picked up passengers at Marion Pharmacy, which was located on the bank corner. The bus was sort of a broken-down machine. They did not live here long and then moved to Wichita. I think he eventually attended Wichita West.

Now you can see him any evening on national news on KPTS. He is well acquainted with many politicians and worldly people. His special hobby is writing novels. They are sometimes humorous and of ordinary people. His first book tells of living in Marion as a young boy.

A few years ago, he was to do a speech in Salina. The people there knew that my daughter, Mary, was acquainted with him. They asked to “introduce him.” Several of us went to Salina to hear him. Afterward we visited with him and bought some of his books. Now we can claim him as our celebrity.

He is not handsome but has a good sense of humor and a down-to-earth personality. During national elections, he usually gets to be in charge of campaign contests between people running for president. He has just written a new book. I am sure our library will get it.

— norma hannaford