Darke County Ohio Senior Scribes

Darke County Senior Scribes… TWERPY, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Hey, you scrawny little twerp. What do you think you’re doing? Standing out there on stage with Marilyn and showing off. Don’t you remember that I’m the dominant twin? I was born first and weighed the most. And I’m smarter than you are. At least I think I am. That’s why I gave you the name “Twerpy.” Actually we’re both scrawny little twerps, but I reserved that name for you. I don’t understand why Miss Graham... read more

Sleeping Accommodations... © By Abraham Lincoln
The bed I slept in was iron, rusted here and there; but some chipped, white, paint remained. Instead of a set of box springs and a mattress we had a set of flat springs that hooked into the iron bed rails and if you sank down, almost to the floor, then the springs were worn out. Between the mattress and springs mom would add one or more layers of newspapers to keep the cold air from seeping up through the mattress... read more

Old Dogs, Children, and Two Boost Cell Phones, By Mona Lease
I woke up Sept. 20th with Tom T. Hall singing "Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine" in my head. Lots of unusual stuff goes on inside my head - this was most unusual. In 2009, I started Doula training. Doula is old Greek for "She who helps." It mostly relates to childbirth now. They are licensed, but Ohio declines that. I had to go to Marion, Indiana. Life altering events hindered me from completing that. A Doula works... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes… Meet Bill & Joan Blaine, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
William (Bill) Blaine and Joan are world travelers. They have visited 41 foreign countries, mostly as a result of their involvement with The Friendship Force International. Bill and Joan became active members of the Dayton chapter in 1990. The purpose of the organization is to foster friendship between peoples of different cultures. “A World of Friends is a World of Peace” is the motto of The Friendship Force. Details of exactly how... read more

An Old Dog and An Old Leather Jacket, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Didja ever have one of those days when everything just "fell into place?" Sat. 9/15 saw me dealing with my 6 year old Lab. In, out, up, down, and all around. Sigh, yip, arf, and sad, googly eyes. I'm not much better. I bought a Harley leather jacket a long time ago. I had thoughts of "breaking it in" with a first time wearing on a Harley - say maybe Signature Series. That didn't happen either. Then I remembered the Burn Dog Poker... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes… Hi Dad, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Wow! Here I am on my way to perform the most important task of my life. I’ve been in cold storage for several months and I’m glad to be thawed out and on my way. You see I’m part of specimen #1 produced by donor #00700 in an IVF program. There are millions of other sperms also on their way to find that special ovum, and I’m going to win the race. Let me tell you about my producer, #00700. His name is Bill and he grew up... read more

Musings of a Senior Scribe… The Answer, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I left you with the question - In the movie The Wizard of Oz - "Who said the Wizard was a wizard?" Answer - "The Munchkins." Critical Thinking - With their limited understanding (we all have "limited" understanding), the Munchkins reasoned that only someone with exceptional mental capabilities could "fall from the sky - from another world." They could not do that. In the end, the Wizard explains that he can not get home... read more

From Monet to Taize, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
The French Impressionist Claude Monet is famous for his paintings of his Japanese gardens. We got to visit his home in Giverny, France on May 13, 2000 when we joined a group from Bethany Seminary. The tour was organized by Nancy Faus, retired Bethany professor, and our destination was Taize (pronounced Tayzay.) Nancy had conducted previous tours to Taize so she knew her way around France. We arrived in... read more

Poetry for Simple Enjoyment, Part 3, By Hope Louise Edwards Wills
This is the third in a series of poems by Hope Wills. They have been sent to County News Online by Senior Scribe Marianne Clark. Marianne said Hope writes about experiences that have been important or interesting in her life… her goal? Simple reading enjoyment. As with the others, we enjoyed them. We think you’ll like them, too. Don’t forget that Marianne’s Book, Yogi Boy Cox and Friends, is still available for interested... read more

What Happened? By Mona Lease
A couple of friends and I were relaxing at our Darke Co. Fish and Game Club. As twilight fell, we started in with our "war stories." As usual, that started my brain rambling. There was a time (Gee, I feel old) when a guy put his "mark" on his car or truck. Where ever it was, you'd know, Joe's ride. It could be anything - racing slicks, center caps, the rear end up maybe an inch or two, everything perfectly waxed, "all chromed... read more

El Paso to Ciudad Juarez, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Rachel Zerkle crossed the bridge spanning the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas, to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, several times a week. It took her 45 minutes to walk from Annunciation House in El Paso to Casa Peregrina in Cuidad Juarez where she worked as a volunteer caring for homeless women and children. Rachel is our granddaughter and we arrived in El Paso to visit her on April 1, 2001. She had graduated from... read more

Fall © By Abraham Lincoln
When tree leaves begin to change color and fall; it is fall. Fall brings back memories of great tepee-like piles of leaves burning along curbs. When you see pumpkins rotting on vines in weedy fields and choke on smoke from burning leaves; it’s fall. Fall is when spent flowers take on a startling change in their appearance. What was a beautiful, purple cone flower, that fed the world of honeybees... read more

Once in a Blue Moon, By Mona Leise
For those of you who wanted to read my writings again - THANK YOU. I'm still stunned. Thanks for your encouragement. A number of us are going through "life-changing" events. And yes, Deb; I agree. We need to stand together. We are all we've got. It's interesting - all of us are close to the same age... 50 - 56. We all grew up with the same moral teachings. I've only encountered women with the life-changing events. As we... read more

Remarkable People, By Abraham Lincoln
People — some 'remarkable people' have crossed my path over the years. My mother kept us alive when all hope must have vanished. My wife, these last 50 years, has been a calming influence on my life. I think of the dogs I have called my own, by personal name, who have kept my blood pressure low. Miss Beatrice Brown, my country schoolteacher who taught generations of kids in the small village where I lived. The Army set... read more

E R… By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
I was an intern at Providence Hospital in Portland, OR, in 1956. The Emergency Room, ER, was fairly active because we got most of the skiing and other accidents from Mt. Hood. I was on duty one Saturday when some high school students came in with their injured friend. They had been climbing on Mt. Hood, which is a relatively easy climb, when a girl fell and pulled several others down on top of her. They had been tied together... read more

“What a Ride” By Phyllis Mong
When you are in your mature age aren’t you’re supposed to take it kinda easy? No Way! A great opportunity came along when my son from Rhode Island came for a visit. He came home a few days earlier than planned to attend a special event. The event was with the American Huey 369, an organization stationed in Peru, Indiana, that was appearing in a Veterans celebration at Fort Jennings, Ohio... read more

C O S T A R I C A, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
On September 6, 1991 Wilbur (Red) Long, Martha, Louise and I planted trees in a reforestation program at the University of Peace in Costa Rica. Red had planted thousands of trees on his farm on Boyer Road here in Darke County. I think that the prospect of planting trees on foreign soil convinced him to go on this Elderhostel trip. While at the University we heard lectures about past presidents of Costa Rica. The most famous... read more

From Abraham Lincoln… When dandelions bloomed
© By Abraham Lincoln - Heat and humidity was summer. Cold and ice was winter. We opened the windows when it was hot and sticky and closed them when it was raining or cold and windy. I suppose air conditioning was when the windows were open and the lace curtains flapped outside in the breeze. Most families felt lucky to have a roof over their heads and to have survived The Great Depression. If it was hot outside it was... read more

Brethren Retirement Community... Meet Jim Fourman, By Delbert Blickenstaff
It’s good that the price of gasoline was only 21 cents a gallon in 1950. Otherwise Jim would not have been able to make his frequent trips (almost weekly) from Dayton to North Manchester, Indiana to see his sweetie, Donna Olinger. Donna was a Freshman at Manchester College and they had met at the home of her roommate, Beverly Bright, near Vandalia. Jim remembers that he proposed in a canoe on the Old River ... read more

John Hanes’ Horse Barn, By Abraham Lincoln
This barn housed race horses. I never saw them race but when I was small John still had a horse or two in this barn. Gordon, Ohio, where this barn is still located, and where I was born, was a bustling village of a hundred or two families between 1848, when the village was platted, and 1860. There was a man, south of town, who did have a race track built for horse races and no doubt John Hanes raced his horses there... read more

Not My Doctor, By Delbert Blickenstaff
Bob arrived ten minutes early for his appointment with Dr. Madison. He was anxious to find answers to questions about his symptom of vomiting at 2 AM. That’s why he asked his family physician to refer him to a specialist, a gastroenterologist. As Bob sat in the waiting room, thumbing through a back issue of National Geographic, he reviewed his medical history: coronary artery bypass surgery, total right knee replacement, and... read more

Big, Fat, Yellow Pencils, By Abraham Lincoln
I can still remember the big, fat, yellow pencil I took to school that first day when I became a first grader at Gordon school. It was a big one and Miss Beatrice Brown had to sharpen it with her pen knife as the two pencil sharpeners mounted on opposite walls of the school house had no holes to sharpen big, fat, yellow pencils. I can remember that I also had some problems learning how to draw letters or draw the numbers... read more

Dayton Business Journal... Baby Boomers present plenty of opportunities for innovation
Commentary by Mike Mitchell - The needs of the aging Baby Boomer generation will create significant opportunities for innovation. Unlike their parents, boomers will not slip quietly away into old age. Instead, they will reshape what growing old looks like and in the process define the new needs of the elderly. The roar which boomers have made at each stage of their lives is about to rock the world of innovation as they roll into retirement and beyond. Nowhere... read more

Senior Scribes... Poetry for Simple Enjoyment, Part 2… By Hope Louise Edwards Wills
About a month ago, County News Online published a series of poems by Hope Wills. You can see them here. Five more poems have been submitted for your “Simple Enjoyment” by Senior Scribe Marianne Clark. In one poem, The Way West, Hope writes about one of the notable experiences of her life... “When we got to Saint Louis this rhyme was born. It’s strange but I didn’t see highways and all the tourist trappings of today. I saw... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes… Lois Wilson pays tribute to Independence Day
The Senior Scribes Poet Laureate Lois Wilson usually has something to say about our holidays, changes of season and any other event worthy of notice. Independence Day is no different. Below are two poems designed specifically for this day... also, don’t forget she has published two of a series of books of her poems. Click on the above banner for details. THE FOURTH OF JULY By Lois Wilson ... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes… Heat Wave, By Lois Wilson
Heat advisories have been issued. Restrictions on burning have been issued. Darke County Senior Scribes Poet Laureate Lois Wilson first published these in The Early Bird in 2010... she acknowledges, however, that the current heat wave is a little heftier than the one that occurred then. Be sure to check CNO Books for offerings from her and other Senior Scribes writers... read more

Senior Scribes... That “Special Dog’s Story” now available to readers
Proceeds to benefit CNO and the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund - After decades of having his story told to grandchildren and friends, Yogi Boy Cox has achieved immortality through a new book... “Yogi Boy Cox and Friends,” by Senior Scribe Marianne Cox Clark. It’s sale will benefit young people seeking scholarships through the Senor Scribes Scholarship Fund. All proceeds will be turned over to... read more

Senior Scribes... Poetry for Simple Enjoyment, By Hope Louise Edwards Wills
Hope Wills lives in Adrian, Mich., formerly of Union City, Ohio. She’s an avid reader and loves to write. Hope is the librarian at the highrise where she currently lives, as well as previously at the highrise she writes about in many of her poems. Hope is married and her children have families of their own... she has written about some of her grandchildren. This poetry series has been submitted, with the author’s permission, by... read more

Senior Scribes... Lois Wilson’s Springtime
Once again, Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson offers her thoughts on a changing season... It’s springtime. She has published the first two of a planned series of four or five. The third will be available soon. Wilson is offering these booklets to anyone who is willing to help in the Darke County Senior Scribes’ endeavor to provide scholarships to Darke County youth. The Scribes is a not for profit organization dedicated... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... Poet Laurate Lois Wilson: Thoughts for Easter
Recently County News Online posted a release from the Darke County Senior Scribes that local poet Lois Wilson has published her first of four books of verse, “Slices of Wry.” This first in the series is available for a $10 donation to the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. The booklets are currently available and anyone interested may contact a Scribe member or email Lois at loiswilson@darkecountyseniors... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... March Moon, Slothful Winter, By Beverly Hughes
This has been a strange winter. Senior Scribes poet Bev Hughes offers her take on the March moon of winters past and the unusually mild winter of 2012. Bev’s articles appear in County News Online and the Early Bird Newspaper. Senior Scribes is a group of adults with a common purpose... we love to write. New members are always welcome. Drop a line to CNO if you’d like more information... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... St. Patrick’s Day... Irish Cream, By Lois Wilson
From Darke County’s Senior Scribes Poet Laureate, a poetic missive about an Irish tradition... Irish Cream. Lois is a published author who plays poetically with everything from politics and the weather to our cherished holidays, often with wit and humor. Word has it she’s working on a new book... we’ll let you know when it becomes reality. MIXED DRINK - Irish farmer Sean O’Shea - Was seen in town every day... read more

Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund… Annual Scholarship Request
All previous scholarship winners and all Darke County Schools should submit their applications for scholarships in accordance with the instructions available on the Senior Scribes Website. Go to darkecountyseniors.us. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Al Bliss at 937-548-5687 or email at abliss@woh.rr.com. Last year, the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund awarded $5,500... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... An Ode to March, By Lois Wilson
Darke County’s Senior Scribes Poet Laureate turns her thoughts to March, the month of mixed weather messages. This year, as in any year, March could bring anything from a taste of the summer to come, thunder storms and tornados or the heaviest snowfall of the year. About the only thing we can count on is wind... INFATUATION - March swirls in on wings of wind— Blows an air on the budded bough... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... To be 8 again! Submitted, Author Unknown
A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she’d like to have for her birthday. ‘I’d like to be eight again,’ she replied, still looking in the mirror. On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Coco Pops, and then took her to Adventure World theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in... read more

What are we allowing ourselves to become? By Sharon Hopper
It seems like every day we hear more and more about the cruelty of people on the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and all public media. It seems to me in this day of fast communication and instant messaging that we need to learn to be far more compassionate and credible in everything we say and do. The cruelty in school is bad enough, but to put it in writing on public media for everyone to see is absolutely unforgivable. It is true that... read more

Senior Scribes... “Puns for my Friends with Higher IQs”
From a friend... be forewarned, it’s slightly off-color. Still game? Get ready to groan. Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine. A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking. Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.
Practice safe eating - always use condiments. Shotgun wedding - A case of wife or death. A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy. A hangover is the wrath of grapes. Dancing cheek-to... read more

Senior Scribes... Poetry with a Heart... for Valentine’s Day, By Lois Wilson
Our Senior Scribes ‘Poet Laureate’ has a word or two to say about just about every special occasion. The day set aside each year for lovers is no different. Here, she gives you three completely different approaches to the traditional Valentine’s Day observance. County News Online is pleased to offer you the following: HAVE A HEART - On other occasions, I like any card, Even comical ones picked in a rush... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... The Basic Rules for Clothesline
(If you don’t even know what clotheslines are, better skip this.) Author unknown - submitted by Dan Harless
1. You had to hang the socks by the toes ... NOT the top. - 2. You hung pants by the BOTTOM/cuffs ... NOT the waistbands. - 3. You had to WASH the clothesline(s) before hanging any clothes walk the entire length of each line with a damp cloth around the lines. - 4. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... Poetry for the Undecided, By Lois Wilson
“I noticed these four candidates had short names that could be interlocked,” Senior Scribes Poet Laureate Lois Wilson said. “So many voters are still undecided… so I created a yard sign for them.” Wilson put her talents to work and created a few verses that millions of voters could probably read and say… “That’s me!” PUTTING IT TOGETHER - Sometimes when we’ve heard all the candidates, And we still like none... read more

Senior Scribes... A Message for the Groundhog, By Lois Wilson
It is Feb. 2 and we’re about to find out if Mr. Groundhog in Punxsutawney is going to see his shadow and return to his burrow - signifying six more weeks of winter - or find a cloudy day and leave his burrow... signifying spring is almost here. County News Online’s ‘Poet Laureate’ Lois Wilson has her own idea about when spring is coming... she shares it with you here: SHADOW INSURANCE... read more

Senior Scribes... Are you smarter than a 60 year old?
Written by “who knows?” Editor: I had fun with this. Only missed two. This is a test for us “older kids.” Remember the Lone Ranger, The Twist, Satchmo, Red Skelton? If you do, then you’re a prime target for the quiz. Enjoy. 01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don’t know, but he left this behind. What... read more

Darke County Senior Scribes... Poems for the Season, By Lois Wilson
The Darke County Senior Scribes’ Premier Poet Lois Wilson has attacked the season in her usual tongue-in-cheek manner, first taking on how we address problems with “At Last,” then leading into the symptoms of “Presidential Fever.” As we all know our president has a lot of problems to address. Our next leader will have 10 options... which one will be followed? Then we get Wilson’s take on New Years Resolutions, followed by the... read more


		1911 This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine! The year is 1911 - One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1911: The average life expectancy for men was 47 years ... read more

		Along Life's Way "Degree to Disagree", "A Guiding Light", "Out of Sorts" are Lois Wilson's latest "Along Life's Way" offerings ... read more

		Vitamin F Unknown Author ~ Submitted by Wavelene Denniston Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character? How can I get along with them all? I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me. With one of them I am polite. ... read more

Citizens answer the call… plus a little irreverence
A collection of Poems from Lois Wilson
Editor: With her usual play on words and poetic form, Lois Wilson offers us a collection of four, from patriotic to slightly irreverent… Grateful Allegiance, Mirror! Mirror!, Have a Seat and my favorite, written in 1966, The Committee.
Enjoy.... read more

Senior Scribes... Places I have been, Submitted by Larry Nelson
Anonymous - I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I’ve also never been in cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have however been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends and family. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you... read more

Senior Scribes... Baby Boomer Test
(Have a paper and pencil handy to record your answers... Your mind isn’t as sharp as it once was!) So they say! The individual who sent it to me got 16 out of the 20. The note below indicates the average is 12. I guess I’m either weird, a TV junkie in my youth or really old. I got all 20… Bob Robinson, editor and Senior Scribe. This is NOT a pushover test. It’s a Baby Boomer era test! There are 20 questions... read more

Senior Scribes... Biblical Humor
It doesn’t hurt to have a little Biblical humor to start the day... Q.. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? A.. Ruthless. Q.. What do they call pastors in Germany? A.. German Shepherds. Q.. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? A.. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation. Q.. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible? A.. Pharaoh’s... read more

The New American Christmas, Author Unknown
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is... read more

Poetry by Lois Wilson
Editor: Lois Wilson is one of Darke County’s shining stars in the field of poetry. Local readers have been entertained for years by her short, insightful and often humorous stanzas. She has been a member of the Senior Scribes since its inception as Senior Advocates when I was the editor of the Daily Advocate. County News Online is pleased to offer three brief approaches to our daily living, beginning with... read more

Are you a pumpkin? Submitted by Nadera Williams
Unknown Author - An “Object Lesson” from the Senior Scribes... A woman was asked by a coworker, ‘What is it like to be a Christian?’ The coworker replied, ‘It is like being a pumpkin.’ God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed... read more

Koinonia Christen Sentrum... 92-Year-Old Preacher
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked... read more

Senior Humor 101, From Karen Brooks, Author Unknown
I very quietly confided to my best friend that I was having an affair. She turned to me and asked, ‘Are you having it catered’? And that, my friend, is the definition of ‘OLD’! Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, ‘How old was your husband? ‘98,’ she replied: ‘Two years older than me’ ‘So you’re 96,’ the undertaker commented... read more

When I’m an Old Lady, From Diane Rhoades, Author Unknown
When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with each kid, And bring so much happiness ... just as they did. I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided. Returning each deed! Oh, they’ll be so excited! When I’m an old lady and live with my kids. I’ll write on the walls with reds, whites and blues, And I’ll bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes. I’ll drink from the carton and then leave it out. I’ll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they’ll shout... read more

A Herd of Cows, A Flock of Chickens, From Sharon Hopper – author unknown
The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective nouns for the various groups of animals. We are all familiar with a Herd of cows, a Flock of chickens, a School of fish and a Gaggle of geese. Less widely known is a Pride of lions, a Murder of crows (as well as their cousins the rooks and ravens), an Exaltation of doves and, presumably because they look so wise, a... read more

A Dog’s Purpose? From a 6-year-old... Author unknown – submitted by Barbara Rolfe, Boise, Idaho
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their... read more

Interesting Definitions... Compliments of Dan Harless, author unknown
ADULT - A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle. BEAUTY PARLOR - A place where women curl up and dye. CHICKENS - The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead. COMMITTEE - A body that keeps minutes and wastes... read more

Huffington Post... ‘Web Cam 101 For Seniors’ Turns Oregon Oldsters Into YouTube Celebrities - 9/14/11 - A couple from northwestern Oregon who are Internet newbies have found themselves the unwitting subjects of an instant viral video, thanks to a little help from a grandkid. Bruce Huffman, 86, and his wife, Esther, 79, of the Hillside Retirement Community in McMinnville, recently purchased their first laptop computer –- an aqua colored beauty with a built-in webcam. Late last month, the... read more

Gold Nuggets, Submitted by Wavelene Denniston... Author Unknown
Someone has written these beautiful words. Must read and try to understand the deep meaning of it. They are like the ten commandments to follow in life all the time. 1. Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout. 2. So why a Car’s WINDSHIELD is so large and the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST... read more

The Grey Headed Brigade, Submitted by Al Bliss, Author unknown
They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs. Some of us are “baby boomers” getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some... read more

Wasn’t this us? From Phyllis Mong, Senior Scribe
A Walk down Memory Lane for those who have a sentimental heart! A little house with three bedrooms, one bathroom and one car on the street. A mower that you had to push to make the grass look neat. In the kitchen on the wall we only had one phone, And no need for recording things, someone was always home. We only had a living room where we would congregate, Unless it was at mealtime in the kitchen where we ate... read more

Midday Dawn, a Poem by Lois Wilson
Damp, dismal, Dreary day. Abysmal Gloomy gray... read more

Clear Vision, a Poem by Lois Wilson
Everyone knows As each life goes, There are the throes, Of pains and woes... read more

Mom’s Empty Chair... From Dan Harless, Author Unknown
A woman’s daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her mother. When the minister arrived, he found the woman lying in bed with her head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside her bed. The minister assumed that the woman had been informed of his visit... ‘I guess you were expecting me, he said. ‘No, who are you?’ said the mother. The minister told her his name and then... read more

My job search, Submitted by Phyllis Mong, Author Unknown
“This is quite clever. I wonder who thinks of all this stuff.” 1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn’t concentrate. 2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the axe. 3. After that, I tried being a Tailor, but wasn’t suited for it -- mainly because it was a sew-sew job. 4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting. 5. Then, tried being a Chef - figured it would add... read more

Senior Scribes... Free Range Chicken Capitol, From Lyn Bliss
This was posted on Facebook by a friend of mine (the Recorder in Geauga County). Her comment was... “Folks... Geauga County is a unique place to live... things happen here that you would not believe... but this Burton Village post is a must read. We haven’t had this much controversy since the “flap over pancakes” on the water tower.” I would love to hear about the “flap over pancakes” on the... read more

Senior Scribes... Seniors at Starbucks, From Dan Harless
A group of seniors were sitting around talking about all their ailments. “My arms have gotten so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee,” said one. “Yes, I know,” said another. “My cataracts are so bad; I can’t even see my coffee.” “I couldn’t even mark an “X” at election time, my hands are so crippled,” volunteered a third. “What? Speak up! What? I can’t hear you!” “I can’t turn my head because of the arthritis... read more

Two Groans for your Reading Pleasure
My Dog Mace - From Dan Harless - A mechanic who worked out of his home had a dog named Mace. Mace had a bad habit of eating all the grass on the mechanic’s lawn, so the mechanic had to keep Mace inside. The grass eventually became overgrown. One day the mechanic was working on a car in the backyard and dropped his wrench, losing it in the tall grass. He couldn’t find it for the... read more

Senior Scribes... Retirement Perspectives: Take Your Pick!!!
From Barbara Rolfe, Boise, Idaho - author unknown - You can retire to Phoenix , Arizona where... 1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade. 2. You’ve experienced condensation on your hiney from the hot water in the toilet bowl. 3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town. 4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food. 5. You know that “dry heat” is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your... read more

Happy Birthday, Doc!! By Bob Robinson
From the Senior Scribes of Darke County - Well… he’s still alive and kicking, and he assured me that his water-logged ears have been drained by now. He hasn’t said much about his experience yet, but maybe one of these days he’ll take a few minutes to write about it. So who am I talking about? Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D. Retired. The Family Healthcare icon turned 90 years old on July 3. The... read more

From Lyn Bliss... Texting Shortcut Tips for Seniors
I thought you might need help texting your friends. After all, the kids have all their little codes... like BFF, ROFL, etc. So here are the texting short cuts for seniors (and did you notice how big the font size is?). For those of you that are not seniors, or close to it, you will still enjoy these... read more

A burned biscuit, Submitted by Al Greiner ~ Author unknown
When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I... read more

Carefree Connection Tours... Second Year Anniversary... Seniors Welcome
Seniors welcome... in celebrating Greenville’s Carefree Connection Bus Tours 2nd year anniversary! Family owned and operated by Flory sisters, Angela and Shelly! Jump on board with us for an adventurous trip! Enjoy a full day of traveling and seeing new and exciting places with no parking worries, no gas fees, no miles on your car, no scheduling worries and ALL hassle-free! Sit back... read more

He sent her roses, Submitted by Kay Seiler, Greenville, Author unknown
The person who did this was Jack Benny (unverified).... Please read this - it is absolutely beautiful..... Each year he sent her roses, And the note would always say, I love you even more this year, Than last year on this day. My love for you will always grow, With every passing year.’ She knew this was the last time That the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses In advance before this day... read more

History Lesson on Your Social Security Card, Submitted by Kay Seiler
Not Verified - Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn’t know this. It’s easy to check out, if you don’t believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what’s what and it doesn’t matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts. Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat... read more

Crabby Old Man
A classic - When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Moosomin, Saskatchewan , it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to... read more

OLD PERSON PRIDE - Author unknown, Submitted by Barbara Rolfe, Boise, Idaho
I’m passing this on as I did not want to be the only old person receiving it. Actually, it’s not a bad thing to be called, as you will see. Old People are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the National Anthem. Old People remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them. Old People remember World War II, Pearl Harbor , Guadalcanal , Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean... read more

God Made You, From Ginger Wittwer, Bend, Oregon
A little girl was sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, “Grandpa, did God make you?”... read more

Dear Bo$$ From Dan Harless
One day an employee sends a letter to her boss asking for an increase in her salary !!! Dear Bo$$ In thi$ life, we all need $omething mo$t de$perately. I think you $hould be under$tanding of the need$ of u$ worker$ who have given $o much $upport including $weat and $ervice to your company. I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon... read more

Author unknown... Murphey’s Other 15 Laws
Submitted by Ginger Wittwer, Bend, Oregon 1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. 2. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well. 3. He, who laughs last, thinks slowest. 4. A day without sunshine is like, well... Night. 5. Change is inevitable, except from a vending... read more

A fun fact for each of our United States
Interesting, but unverified. Author unknown~submitted by Kay Seiler, Greenville - FACTS THAT YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW. ALABAMA - Was the first place to have 9-1-1, started in 1968. ALASKA - One out of every 64 people has a pilot’s license. ARIZONA - Is the only state in the continental U.S. that doesn’t follow Daylight Savings Time. ARKANSAS - Has the only active diamond mine in the U.S... read more

5 lessons about the way we treat people, Author unknown
6.20.11 - Submitted by Pat Turner, Gibsonburg, Ohio - 1. First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?... read more

From Dan Harless, Bye - - Bye - - - Things are going to be changing - -
Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come! 1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive... read more

From Linda Brenner, Author Unknown... Getting old
“Be kind and enjoy today, there may not be tomorrow.” A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember... Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. ‘Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?’ he asks. ‘Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?’... read more

Mollie Breno, By Delbert Blickenstaff, Senior Scribe
Mollie was born in England in 1922. Her family lived in London in a museum area, and as a child she often played in museums. When Mollie was 17 years old her family’s home was bombed by the Germans. She joined the British Army and was stationed at Winchester, where she did office work. Molly met an American soldier at a dance. His name was Paul Breno, and they were married in 1947. They had four... read more

Two Poems by Author Lois Wilson, Greenville, Ohio... read more

From Judy Bolin, Columbus, Ohio... The Clothes Line
My wife was after me for a clothes dryer for Christmas. I got her the best one I could find and she has been mad with me ever since. My goodness what kind did you get her? The best clothes line they had. One that wouldn’t rust, with a large bag of clothes pins. You just can’t make some women happy. REMEMBER THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHES LINES? Remember? You have to be a certain age to appreciate this. I can hear my mother now... THE BASIC RULES... read more

Auditor, Judge guests of Senior Scribes at Recent Meeting
Heartland Director of Admissions Amy Farmer explains information regarding Medicare/Medicaid to Senior Scribes at their recent regular monthly meeting held at Heartland of Greenville. Also present at the meeting were Darke County... read more

The Final Years... Retiring from Greenville Fire Department and moving on to new horizons
By Robert Rhoades, Senior Scribe - It’s sort of hard to tell when I started thinking about doing something else. Having spent 25 years of my life, which seemed like an eternity, at one job was a pretty big task I thought. But I could tell that my body was starting to fight back. It seemed that I was having an expansion in my mid section which was not welcomed at all. I was... read more

40 years of Card Playing, By Lyn Bliss, Senior Scribe
“Laughter is the best medicine and we do lots of that!” said Libby Koch about the afternoons the group spends playing cards and socializing. For more than 40 years, the group has been playing cards every Wednesday afternoon at the Greenville VFW. There are three members of the original group still playing. Ramona Amore is the youngest of the group at 82. Oldest is Lova... read more

Senior Scribes meet at Heartland
Senior Scribes enjoyed a great breakfast courtesy of Heartland of Greenville and its admissions director, Amy Farmer, Thursday morning. Farmer told the group she’d completed, so far, 22 hours of education in Medicare at the state level, with more coming, and offered her services as an advisor to the group, plus any other senior citizens in need of advice on the program... read more

Hog Log, By Lyn Bliss, Senior Scribe
He is usually named Phil, this hog... read more

Two feet of snow, By Phyllis Mong, Senior Scribe
I plan ahead for the incoming weather. Try to get a few grocery supplies in the house, even some potato chips, cookies, ice-cream ─ you know, the comfort food that adds calories (which I don't need). But, so comforting! Just in case the power goes off and the stove and microwave are powerless, the night before the storm advisory, I fill two large thermos bottles with very hot water that I may use... read more

The Early Days, By Bob Rhoades
January 31, 2011 - My first day as a firefighter was July 2, 1967. We’ll call it the early days. I heard stories about the iron firemen, real smoke eaters, guys with leather skin and lungs to match. I’m not sure how much of that was true, but I do know that breathing a lot of that into your lungs hurt a lot after the fact, like someone was sitting on your chest. A lot of us “new guys” decided... read more

Senior Scribes Meets at Family Health
Senior Scribes met recently at Family Health for their regular monthly meeting. Left to right: Lyn Bliss, Delbert Blickenstaff, Al Bliss, Marianne Clark, Bill Stevens, Phyllis Mong, Jan Boyer and Al Greiner. The next regular meeting will be at 10 a.m. February 24…location to be announced... read more

Senior Scribes host Spring Fling by Lyn Bliss, Senior Scribe
Lighthouse Christian Center was the setting for the Senior Scribes’ Scholarship Fund’s Spring Fling, with a western flair. The Fling was held as a fundraiser for the Senior Scribes’ Scholarship Program. Earlier this year, the Scholarship Fund awarded $4,000 in scholarships to Darke County youth.  Rockin’ Robin provided the music for the evening... read more

A good laugh, even if you're NOT over 60! When I bought my Blackberry I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only... read more

And then it is Winter You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.   It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.
I know that I lived them all... read more

Strictly American, By Ross Princiotto - Apple Pie: It is said that nothing is more American as Apple Pie. Where did the phrase start? Perhaps it started in our New England Colonies. There apples are found at any meal. Yes, apple pie with a slice of cheese is so good, of course, for breakfast. All kinds of pies were made with tarts or fritters. Check this saying out. “An apple pie without the cheese is a kiss without the squeeze”... read more

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