For several years Charles and his wife Verda spent winters in Lakeland, Florida, where they owned a mobile home at the El Camba mobile home park. They became good friends with many of the other residents, most of whom were also northerners spending the winter in Florida. He wrote several poems there, commemorating anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

Untitled, 1985

Here is to old man winter
As he comes to the Sunshine State.
He comes here uninvited,
By the Snowbirds, at any rate.

He likes to kill the little flowers,
And wrinkles up the leaves,
And makes us put on heavy clothes
And sweaters with long sleeves.

He freezes up the water pipes
So you can't even get a drink,
And sometimes plugs up the drain
That comes from the kitchen sink.

Now all of this we do not like,
And we tell our neighbors so,
Or put it in the Ledger
For all the world to know.

But back home a while ago
I was knee deep in the snow,
And I will long remember
It was seventeen below.

Even though it's chilly,
I am sure glad to be here
To wish you all the very best,
Throughout the coming year.

Fashion Show

When the cold winds start blowing
And the air is filled with snow,
The weatherman is saying
To Florida you must go.

We all enjoy the sunshine,
And even a little rain,
But no matter what the weather is
Our friends remain the same.

But as we look around us
We can always see the signs,
That tell us never to forget
The friends we left behind.

Some of us play bingo
And others chat and sew,
While others dig among their plants,
And watch the flowers grow.

Some folks like to shuffle
Or sit along the wall,
While others go across the street
To hit the little ball.

Some enjoy watching birds
And listen to their call,
While others sit and dream
About the pot luck at the hall.

At Friday night we gather
For cards and aggravation,
While others just sit and listen
To the general conversation.

You know you are sometimes lonesome,
And the days seem going slow,
That is why you were invited
To El Camba's fashion show.

Now that you are with us
And you have no place to go,
Lots bring on our lovely models,
And on with the show.

Untitled

When the cold winds start blowing
And the air is filled with snow,
The weatherman is saying
To Florida you must go.

We all enjoy the sunshine,
And even a little rain,
But no matter what the weather is
Our friends remain the same.

But as we look around us
We can always see the signs,
That tell us never to forget
The friends we left behind.

Some of us play bingo
And others chat and sew,
While others dig among the plants,
And watch the flowers grow.

Some folks like to shuffle
Or sit along the wall,
While others go across the street
To hit the little ball.

Some enjoy watching birds
And listen to their call,
While others sit and dream
About pot luck at the hall.

Here are some things you remember,
Just for old times sake,
Like when Trumie went out fishing
And wound up in the lake.

Oscar did not say a word
About that eventful day,
Because he is the one that rocked the boat
That sent us all that way.

And how about the golfers?
I cannot understand
How you can drive a ball
Over all those piles of sand.

McGeachy likes to shuffle,
They say he is a pro,
And if you wish to try the game
He is the guy that you should know.

There is a certain couple
We seem to watch somehow.
I won't tell you what is name is,
But I believe it rhymes with now.

Every morning I hear voices,
And I know it is no trick,
When you hear Marie is calling
"Here chick, here chick chick."

And now that the snakes
Have left the Irish shore,
We hope you will be happy
Now and forevermore.

El Camba, 1980

El Camba is a pleasant place
For folks who are retired,
Where the sun shines every day,
What more could be desired.

When winter grips the northern states,
And Canada the same,
We think of what we left behind,
And we are mighty glad we came.

Those friends we have from Canada
They come by plane, train, or bus,
And we are glad to see them,
Because they are just like one of us.

When the folks arrive each winter
They are greeted by their friends,
And soon the activities
Of trailer life begins.

To start the week on Monday
We gather at the hall,
And we know the dance has started
When Ernie starts to call.

On Tuesday night it's Bingo.
It draws a big crowd now.
And if you don't win a game,
Just blame it on Ralph Howe.

Wednesday is the ladies day,
For those who like to sew.
What they do with the things they make,
No one will ever know.

Once a month on Thursday
It's pot luck here for all,
And every one is happy,
With the new kitchen at the hall.

Friday night is game night,
For cards and aggravation,
And everyone will join in
The general conversation.

Saturday is left to you
So make your own decision,
To read or rest or meditate,
Or stock upon provisions.

The Vesper service welcomes you
on Sunday of each week,
Or it may be some local church,
That you may wish to seek.

Untitled, April 5, 1979

El Camba is a quiet place.
The folks all treat you well.
But there are a few things
I feel that I should tell.

Some ladies walk around the park,
They talk and talk and talk,
And soon they have forgotten
How many rounds they walked.

Now one lady in this group,
Her name I will not mention,
She placed some sticks upon the wall
That brought some bird's attention.

Those sticks were meant to count the rounds
That she had walked that day,
But soon the birds had built a nest
And settled down to stay.

The folks all keep watching,
And soon to their surprise,
Two eggs appeared within the nest,
Like oranges in size.

The eggs were there for several days,
They lay there in plain sight,
And who could help but see them
Right there in broad daylight.

Now I know you are waiting
For this the latest part.
Two little birds will tell the world
How Louise gave them their start.

There is much more for you,
Many things I could recall,
Such as going across the street,
To hit that little ball.

It may be the shuffle court,
May seem to be your aim.
If so just see Mike Wagner
For the fine points of the game.

There are many other trailer parks,
But none as nice, I know.
And Frank and Jane, the owners,
Have helped to make it so.

Gone Fishing

Some folks like to go fishing
And some folks like to swim,
But you never know when they start out
Just which one is going to win.

Now on this day three fishermen
Went out to Sadie Creek.
The one who sat in the middle
Is the one that did the trick.

The sun was shining brightly
But the water it was cold.
It was not a day for swimming,
For young folks or for old.

The fishing it was mighty poor,
The fish refused to bite.
While two of us was changing bait
The third went out of sight.

The water it was pretty deep
And the current it was strong,
So to be more comfortable,
He took a chair along.

He went down to the bottom
And found no fish down there.
He stayed there just a moment
Then came back up for air.

Now you may not think
That this is on the level,
But if you think it isn't true,55th
Just go and ask the Bevils.

Tribute to our Canadian Friends

If you are here from Canada,
You are welcome as our guests.
We hope you enjoy the evening,
Along with all the rest.

We hope to make you feel
That you are one of us,
And you enjoy the sunshine
From early morn till dusk.

If we can make your stay
With us a little brighter,
And if your load is heavy
We will try to make it lighter.

And as you travel homeward
When the winter turns to spring,
We will keep you in our hearts
Until you return again.

Ladies Night, March 17, 1982

You Ladies of El Camba,
There's something long overdue,
To show our appreciation
For all of the things you do.

You ladies have made it possible
To have potlucks as well as shows.
If it were not for your efforts
We would not have any of those.

You have worked very hard we all know
To put on the dinners and such,
And help with the entertainment
That we all enjoy so much.

Now maybe no one has told you
How we appreciate what you have done,
But I think I speak for the others,
In our book you are Number One.

We hope you enjoy the evening,
Though we wish it was much more grand,
But we have limited talent,
So we just do the best that we can.

Christmas at El Camba, 1979

We are gathered here this evening
In a celebrating way,
For it is known through the world,
That this is Christmas day.

For Christ was born in Bethlehem
Nearly two thousand years ago.
His greatest gift was peace on earth,
So let us keep it so.

Most of us are far from home
From friends and kin we know,
But we like the Florida sunshine,
Much more than winter's snow.

Our friends back home will miss us
And we will miss them too,
But the friends in El Camba,
We know are good and true.

The time is drawing near
For the Christmas bells to ring,
And old St. Nick is on his way
With the presents he will bring.

And though there is no snow down here
For Santa's sleigh to glide,
We know he never misses
To make his famous ride.

And though we are not children,
We can be young at heart,
And as senior citizens
We have a good head start.

As we share these moments
Of friendship and good cheer,
We hope they will continue
Through the coming year.

Now as these few verses
Must come to an end,
Just turn and shake the hands
Of your neighbor and your friends.

And as you shake your neighbor's hand,
In a voice that's clear
Wish them all a Merry Christmas,
And a happy prosperous New Year.

Bill Elder's Birth Day, Feb. l975

In a little town in Ga.
Where the road is not too wide,
A boy was born that wintry day
He was his parents' pride.

And though it seems like yesterday,
Though time is sometimes slow,
That little boy was born
Just seventy years ago.

He lived among his kinfolks
Until he became a man,
Then left the comforts of his home
And tried the northern land.

He worked for a big car maker,
But now that builder's gone.
But the friends he made along the way,
Their memory lingers on.

He tried his hand at many jobs
But none that seemed just right,
Until he tried electric work
On this he set his sight.

His restless nature took command
And he left his northern town,
And the next time we heard from him
He was in Washington.

But Washington was not for him,
With the crowded streets at night,
And so he started working
For Florida Power and Light.

But his home state seemed to beckon
And the voices seemed to say,
Come on back to Ga.
For the rest of your working days.

His Macon home held him
While he helped make Campbell soup,
But to retire in park El Camba
Was his greatest hope.

Now often there is someone
Who doesn't have a car.
He says "Come on, I'll take you,"
It matters not how far.

He sometimes helps at Bongo,
He helps to keep the score,
And we all stop to listen
As he calls out forty-four.

Now the man we wish to honor,
Bill Elder is his name.
He is the one referred to
When we told you of his fame.

Bill Elder's Birth, 1978

Bill Elder came from Sunnyside,
And Carter came from Plains.
If Bill had grown some peanuts
Their position might have changed.

But Bill chose retirement,
And in the regular course of events,
He was unanimously elected
El Camba's Vice President.

He takes his job most seriously,
He tries to do his best,
And not until all work is done
Does he set down and rest.

Bill and Kitty have a new trailer,
It's twenty-four feet wide.
If you would like to see it
Just stop and step inside.

Now today is Bill's birthday,
But don't give him a gift.
He just wants you considered
To be his honored guest.

So let us join together,
And all be of good cheer,
As we wish the very best
On his seventy-third year.

The refreshments that are served you
Are furnished by our host,
And is just a small reminder
That your friendship matters most.

Bill Elder's Seventy-Fifth Birthday, Feb. 1980

Three-quarters of a century has passed
Since he could see the dawn.
For that was the famous day
Our good friend was born.

His birthplace was Sunnyside,
The weather it was cold.
But he does not remember,
Because he is seventy-five years old.

Sometimes you hear of Heartwell
And wonder about that name.
But don't let that bother you,
Because that's Bill's other name.

He had been hearing strange noises
Beneath his trailer late at night,
And though the hour was very late,
The moon was shining bright.

As he looked between the skirting,
Right there to his surprise,
He was looking straight ahead
Into a possum's eyes.

Next day with the help of Oscar
They pulled with all their might,
And out came Mr. Possum,
Right out in broad daylight.

What came of Mr. Possum?
We do not know his fate.
But we suspect that somewhere,
He was on someone's dinner plate.

There are many things I know,
If time would let me tell,
For I have known him many years,
And been his friend as well.

As this is Bill's birthday,
And the seventy-fifth as well,
We hope he has many more,
No matter where he dwells.

A Tribute to Paul Day

On a cold cold month of Feb.
In nineteen hundred eight,
A little boy was born one day,
The tenth is the famous date.

He lived among his kinfolks
Until he became eighteen,
Then off to LaPorte he went,
To join a working team.

It happened in Aug. of twenty-eight,
That he went on a blind date.
That is how Marie
Became his running mate.

From that time on the romance grew
Until Apr. 13, twenty-nine.
He took her home as his lovely bride.
To him the world was fine.

More blessings were to come to him,
As Janet came to stay.
He looked upon that sleeping babe
And said "This is my day."

Since that time the clan has grown,
Three grand children strong.
And to add to these blessings,
Three great ones came along.

City life was not for him,
He loved the country air,
And so he up and bought a farm,
And started living there.

With pigs and goats and also ducks
And chickens around the door,
He soon began to realize
He had troubles by the score.

The watermelons were growing fine
With pigs just over the fence,
And as they found a little hole,
That's where the melons went.

You know a goat eats everything,
At least anything that's stable.
But did you know they jump in cars
And eat the battery cable.

With all the problems on the farm
He came to one conclusion.
There must be a better way
To get out of this confusion.

So Allis Chalmers took him back,
Where all good men are hired,
And there he stayed til sixty-eight,
The year that he retired.

The frozen north was not for him,
With many chills and frostbites.
That's why we all are happy
That he is here with us tonight.

He fixes things about the park,
A handy man is he.
So call him early in the day,
Because he is busy as can be.

He goes fishing most every day
Out at Saddle Creek.
That's the place to find him,
Unless he is awful sick.

Now even though he likes to fish
With worms and fancy baits,
But to catch a gar upon his line,
That's one thing that he hates.

Now that you have heard the story
About the things we had to say,
We think you probably know his name,
If not it's our own Paul Day.

A Tribute to June Woodsby, June 1984

There is a charming lady,
I believe her name is June.
She came to El Camba,
But not a bit to soon.

Now this lady has a birthday,
The same as all the rest,
And we hope that this one,
Will be the very best.

People will surely ask you
How many years have passed.
Just smile at them and say,
"I hope this is not the last."

Or if you wish to tell them
How long you have been alive,
Just say it's only eleven,
When multiplied by five.

We hope this day will he a happy one,
Not painful and not sad,
So it will be the very best
That you have ever had.

The whole park sends its greetings
With good wishes by the score,
And everyone is wishing,
You wi1l have many, many more.

Now the author of this little verse,
I do not know his name,
But I hope he can be counted
As a friend just the same.

And as the years go passing by
With the many friends you know,
We hope you keep us on your list,
No matter where you go.

Arnold Woolf's Birthday, January 28, 1985

Arnold Woolf was born
Just ninety years ago,
And there have been some
Changes in this world I know.

Since Arnold Woolf was born
In eighteen ninety five,
These are some of those changes
That affect our daily lives.

You could not fly the ocean,
Or through the friendly skies,
For the airplane was just a dream
In some inventor's eyes.

You could hook up old Dobbin
To the buggy or a sleigh,
And that is how you traveled
Back in the good old days.

You did not have a radio
To get music from the air,
Or listen to a ball game
From your favorite rocking chair.

You did not have a TV
That you watched most every night,
To hear your favorite singer,
Or watch some fellow fight.

You did not have electric lights
That light your home so bright,
And light up streets and highways
Of the cities every night.

The telephone in those days
Was mounted on the wall,
And everybody listened
To everybody's call.

There are many more changes
Since that winter morn
When our good friend and neighbor
Arnold Woolf was born.

Happy Birthday

In a little town in New York State
Where the road is not too wide,
A little girl was born one day.
She was her parents' pride.

As the time goes passing by,
Though it sometimes seems quite slow,
That little girl was born
Just ninety years ago.

She lived among the rolling hills
Throughout her childhood years.
Some were filled with happiness,
And some were filled with tears.

As a little girl she can recall
The pleasant summer breeze,
And how she watched in wonder
At the swarming of the bees.

And a little snake in the family car,
Though now that is history.
But where that little snake has gone
Is still a mystery.

As the winter months seemed mighty cold,
And the snow drifts lost their charm,
She longed for the sunny south
Where the days are always warm.

She loves to walk around the park
Before the sun goes down,
And gives a friendly greeting
To everyone around.

Now Mildred loves El Camba,
And so do all the rest.
So let us give a welcome hand,
Because she is our honored guest.

Mike Wagner's Birthday, 1981

This day will be remembered,
Back in year one nine one three,
When a new name was added
To the Wagner family tree.

In a little place called Merrell
Where the road is not too wide,
This little boy became a man.
He was his parents' pride.

He left the comforts of his home,
And for four years and some days,
His time was taken up
Making GMs and Chevrolets.

But Chevrolets were hard to sell,
They were things that no one needed,
And so the next three years or so
He lived by pulling weeds.

But things got tough for everyone,
You could hardly pay your board,
And so he started washing windows
For a man named Henry Ford.

Now the love bug is always present,
It's that way in every state,
And Catherine had been waiting
To be his running mate.

David was a blessing sent,
Who took a wife of his own,
And to this union, I am told,
Three children made a happy home.

And as the years go passing by
We hope with us you will always stay.
And all of us are hoping
You have had a good birthday.

Our Best to Bill and Kitty, Sept. 6, 1975

From a little town in Georgia
Where the road is not too wide,
A man we call Bill Elder
Came and claimed Kitty for his bride.

They both have many friends,
And we know if they were here,
Would wish you the best of happiness
Throughout the coming year.

Now Sunnyside has gained a friend,
And Jones beach a friendly man,
And all of us are happy
As these two join hands.

And now as we are parting,
We hope you understand
Our prayers are always with you
As you journey o'er this land.

Russell Shell and Helen Dill, March 3, 1984

If one is sometimes lonesome,
Someone else may be lonesome too.
That is what has happened
With two people that we knew.

As the love bug hit them
The romance grow and grew,
And so we are here today
To congratulate you two.

For wedding bells rang out today
With a message loud and clear,
That told about this wedding
For all the world to hear.

Russell is a friendly man,
And Helen is friendly too,
So we wish for you the very best
From all of us to you.

And as the years go passing by
And good things come that's due,
Just remember that is what
El Camba hopes for you.

As you travel onward,
Wherever your footsteps lead,
We hope you will remember
This day is yours indeed.

Now all of us are hoping
That your lives will be blessed,
With lots of love and kindness,
And most of all, with happiness.

We may be a little selfish,
As over the world you roam,
But all your friends are hoping
You will make this park your home.

A Tribute to Paul and Marie Day, Apr. 5, 1979

We have gathered here this evening
To congratulate our friends,
Who are thinking of those fifty years
Since their wedded life began.

As we look into the future
Let us not forget the past;
For the memories of yesterday
Are the memories that last.

Those memories will take them back
To an Indiana scene,
Where a young man in his twenties
Met a maiden in her teens.

This maiden didn't know him,
For they met on a blind date.
Paul didn't know until that night
This date would seal his fate.

When Paul gave her the magic ring
They went to a movie show.
Marie couldn't see the picture.
She was watching the diamond glow.

It was a happy life for two,
As this romance grew and grew,
And on the thirteenth of April of twenty-nine
The minister tied the tie that binds.

Life went along in a normal way,
As many others you might say,
Until there came that blessed event.
A package from heaven the angels sent.

Like all married couples, they always say,
Some skies are bright and some are gray.
But now that Janet had come to stay,
Nothing could cloud that beautiful day.

They lived on a farm, and that is true,
With ducks and chickens and a goat or two.
But farming for them soon lost its charm,
So back to LaPorte they went arm in arm.

Paul worked for a large manufacturer
And built mowers, bailers, and such,
While Marie stayed home with their daughter
And gave their home a personal touch.

Through snow and sleet and sometimes rain,
Through ups and downs and even pain,
Through joys and sorrows and sometimes tears,
They have lived together for fifty years.

What kind of folks are these we honor?
We know quite well they are no prima donnas.
They are just plain folks as you can see,
The kind of folks we wish them to be.

Marie is the kind
Who likes to go visiting,
While Paul is the kind
Who likes to go fishing.

They have worked long and hard,
With one great desire,
To have a home in Florida
When they retire.

Now you have their life's story it's true,
But best of all they are here with you.
So let us all stand and give them a hand,
To show how much we appreciate them.

Helen and Leo Bowman's 50th. Anniversary

When Leo reached a certain age
He was standing tall and straight.
That is when he sought out Helen
To be his running mate.

Now that was fifty years ago,
And oh how time does fly,
But we know that they are thinking
Of those joyful years gone by.

You know Leo was ambitious,
He worked hard every day.
So they were wed in the early morn
So he still got a full day's pay.

And as they sit and reminisce
While they are visiting with you,
They think about how cold it was
The day they said "I do."

I am sure they will remember
When the pressure cooker blew,
And the kitchen ceiling caught
All that precious stew.

There have been many changes
Since that early farming day,
When that little house out back
Tipped over all the way.

Well, Leo rescued Helen,
As she is here, you see.
Now that is the story
as it was told to me.

Let us think now of the present
And forget about the past,
For you are now a member
Of the Golden Wedding class.

You have many friends
Back home as well as here,
But we are glad you stay with us
For several months each year.

And if you ever travel
To places we don't know,
Our prayers will be with you,
No matter where you go.

Untitled, 14 February 1984

Let us pause for just a moment
While the Millers we discuss,
Of something that happened
Before they were here with us.

We are told that Florence
Was manager of a store.
That is where the love bug hit them,
As Ralph walked in the door.

For thirty years or more
They worked a farm they owned.
Then Ralph picked up a saw and hammer,
And built their home sweet home.

To this happy couple
Two sons brought laughter, tears, and fun,
With seven grandchildren
And two great-grandsons.

By this happy married life
The time has come at last
To join that exclusive club,
The Golden Wedding class.

Thru fair and stormy weather,
Thru laughter, pain, and tears,
We congratulate you dear friends,
You have lived together for fifty years.

As you reminisce
About the good old days,
And how the ever-changing world
Made each one change his ways.

Do you remember way back when
You went to a picture show?
You thought it cost too much.
It was twenty-five cents, you know.

Don't forget the family car,
How the brakes would scream and holler,
And you could buy the gasoline,
Five gallons for a dollar.

We are glad you are with us,
And we wish for you the very best,
Because we want you to know,
You are El Camba's honored guests.

Untitled, 1 February 1985

We have gathered here this evening
To congratulate our friends.
For fifty years have passed
Since their wedded life began.

As they sit and visit,
Their thoughts may be far away,
And many things have happened
Since their wedding day.

Their homes may be far apart,
And many miles away,
But now that they are here with us,
Let's make it a happy day.

In those joyful years you have had
There may have been some tears,
We congratulate you, dear friends,
You have lived together for fifty years.

Just look into the future
And be glad that you are alive,
And you can celebrate with diamonds
When you are wedded seventy-five.

The Saudys could not attend,
The honor class of eighty-four,
So we extend them
A welcome hand once more.

In a court house back in thirty-three
A judge sentenced them to life,
As he made them repeat the words
That made them man and wife.

Through years of joy and sometimes tears
They have lived together for fifty years.
And as the family grew to five,
Each one was blessed as they arrived.

The Galberths made their home
In a little Illinois town,
And taught the little children
From many miles around.

The pictures that they take
Are as beautiful as can be,
When we gather at the hall,
Their travelogue to see.

The McGradys made a lot of money,
And they have plenty still.
If I treat them kindly
They may put me in their will.

When Dave began to realize
That the time was getting late,
That's the time he asked Leola
To be his running mate.

Most of us have cousins,
Though they may be miles away,
But we know some Cousens
We can see most every day.

In the spring of nineteen thirty-four,
In that great state of Maine,
A man they call Ken Cousens
Made a lady change her name.

Fourteen children's names are written
Upon the Cousens family tree.
I am sure it hangs upon the wall
For all the world to see.

In these fifty years of married life,
With blessings by the score,
We wish for you the very best
Of many, many, more.

In the depression year of thirty-four,
As many folks had done,
John Cunningham took himself a wife,
So two could live as cheap as one.

The Cunninghams lived happily,
Even though their guess was wrong,
For the ten dollars a week that John could make,
Was soon eaten up and gone.

But times have changed in fifty years,
And they will not be the last,
Who along with many others
Will join the Golden Wedding class.

Now we must close this meeting
At the end of a perfect day.
But we will remember you,
Though you may be miles away.

And as the years go passing by
And good things come that are due,
We wish for you the very best
From all of us to you.

Golden Anniversary

You are welcome here this evening
As El Camba's honored guest,
To visit with your neighbors
Or just sit and reminisce.

We hope this will bring back memories
That were pleasant long ago,
And we hope you enjoy this evening,
And we will help to make it so.

Your memories will take you back
To your early childhood ways,
When all our thoughts were for having fun.
Those were the Good Old Days.

But as the years went passing by,
And you began having dates,
And each of you were searching
To find a running mate.

As time goes on it never stops,
Thru laughter, song, and even tears.
We congratulate you my friends,
You have lived together for fifty years.

We hope many years will follow
And you have happiness on every hand,
And others like you will join
This Golden Wedding Clan.

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As we grow older
How the time seems to fly,
And the calendar shows
Fifty years have gone by.

These fifty years of married life,
Filled with good times or maybe some tears,
We congratulate you my friends.
You have lived together for fifty years.

Think of the good times you have had,
With blessings by the score,
And all your friends and neighbors
Hope you have many more.

Let us imagine a visit
With our honored guests in their home,
Where I am sure we will be welcome,
As if it were really our own.

Our first visit on our agenda
Is the Benders in the Wolverine state,
Where we learned he was County Commissioner,
And always kept everything straight.

The next visit is with McFadens,
And found everything in order.
They are one of our many friends
Who live just north of the border.

The McFadens live on the seashore
Where boats go by every day.
No one knows just how many
Go past their home each day.

The McFadens look out over the blue water
From the comforts of their easy chair,
As the sailors line the ship's railing,
And Kay flirts with everyone there.

As we visited with the Harts
We had lots of fun,
Because they did a lot of things
That no one else has done.

Years ago when the wheat was fallow
And threshing time was near,
A spark of romance started
That grew for many years.

Lorene received a message
Over the phone one day
That said "Let's get married,"
And they did it right away.

Lorene is afraid of a little mouse,
A toy mouse at that,
But she will feed a little skunk
When she feeds the other cats.

Now I must end my story.
I can't think of another line.
And even those I have written,
I am not really sure they were mine.

Barbara Belisle, 1985

You may think these programs
Are picked right from the air,
But you should see the work
That comes from everywhere.

Now it takes a special talent
To pick the good seed from the bad,
And that is why our chairman
Is the best we ever had.

She does a lot of typing
When making up the script,
And that is why things go well
When Barbara steers the ship.

Barbara doesn't get paid
For anything she has done,
She just wants to see a smile
On the face of everyone.

Now Barbara says next year
Someone else can take it on,
But if you let her get away
You will be sorry every one.

So let us show our gratitude
For all the work she has done,
By giving her a great big hand,
Right now from everyone.

Ernie Knox, 1985

I know a man
from long ago.
He came from
way up north you know.

He didn't like the cold up there
When winter came and the woods were bare,
And the birds had flown
That once were there.

His name is Ernie,
I think I am right.
That's what they called him
Just last night.

He has been a good neighbor,
And a friend indeed.
More folks like him
Is what we need.

When the park was young
And needed a guiding hand,
You gave of yourself.
We all understand.

When problems came up
We ran to you,
For that was the easiest
Thing to do.

Now rumor has it
You are staying home next year.
We hope for you the very best,
From all of us back here.

Wherever you travel
We want you to know,
Our prayers go with you,
Wherever you go.

Best Wishes to the Klockow Wedding, Aug. 30, 1980

We looked for a present
But none could we find
That carried the thoughts,
We had in mind.

So here is a token
That sends a message to you,
That wishes you happiness,
Your whole life through.

The Beasley Reunion, 1983

Do you know that a reunion
Is a time for having fun?
And do you remember
How this family one begun?

Some came from way out yonder
And some from homes nearby.
They all had one thing in common,
To eat a good supply.

We all like to hear the gossip
And string a line or two,
Or tell a lively story,
Even though we know it isn't true.

Don't forget this next reunion
Will be held July the tenth.
There will be games for the children,
And horseshoe for the gents.

And while you are at the Zoo
Look careful and you may see
Some little faces in the trees.
Do you think they look like you or me?

Bingo is a simple game,
It takes no strength or skill.
You ladies can have all the fun,
While your husband pays the bill.

The fun you had last year,
I know you can't forget.
This year will be much better.
That is one thing we predict.

Now this is your reunion,
It's success depends on you.
So pack your car the night before,
And we will meet you at the Zoo.