to the church on time

For the first time in 15 months, getting to church on time meant leaving later, a lot later than the 6:30 I'd gotten used to. I got to East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church in time to warm up an ensemble of voices to sing "Up the Mountain," an anthem for Transfiguration Sunday. Let's see--back row, l to r, is Jonathan Towles, Peter Eash-Scott, Dirk Eitzen, Margaret High, Rebecca Weybright, Sarah Schrock; front row, Sue Shirk and Marilou Adams and me. A big thanks to those fantastic voices. (Levi Rempel Smucker photo)

not fighting commies in 59

Not fighting but inviting. In the depth of the Cold War, this was pretty bold. This comes from the back page of today's New Era, a newspaper in Lancaster, Pa. Maurice was my uncle. The image at right is generic online to represent the era.

50 years ago...

CHURCH INVITE: Deputy Premier Anastas Mikoyan of the Soviet Union declined an invitation to attend services at the Chestnut Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster. The Soviet embassy said Mikoyan, who was visiting Washington, D.C., was simply too busy to accept the invitation, which had been issued by the Rev. Maurice Lehman, a former pastor of the church. “I believe Mikoyan should be given an opportunity to learn that Christianity is the answer to man’s needs, rather than Communism,” Lehman said. (Jan. 14 and 15, 1959)

going, gone

What would you give for the 1996 Plymouth Neon? Two hours after this photo I took $800 in cash for it, standing at the AAA counter in Lancaster.

My sister Loretta bought it new when she and Patrick lived in Quarryville. About four years ago she sold it to me.

Kelly blue book lists it at $1,125. I placed a classified ad for six days, asking for $950 or best offer. With a fuel guage and speedometer on the fritz, with the a/c totally concked out ($800 repair), with it burning up oil a quart per 400 miles--hey, I'm not trying to balance out the world's finances.

There is an element of self interest. I don't want the buyer to call me in two weeks and threaten me or put guilt on me. I did feel my mother's instinct come out in the moment. It's an instinct to think an object one is selling is not really worth as much as you as asking. Why am I a used car prophet, warning the buyer of the doom to come? The headlights look like they have cataracts.

Anyway, if you want to see it, it now lives in the 100 block of East Chestnut Street, Lancaster.

citizen dad and dau

Sarah and I made a pact for some early Monday citizenship. In this case, going to the Lancaster Obama rally.

One hour in line (after two and a half hours on Saturday to get the tickets), and a half hour wait. Well, you get it. But we're glad we did.

How many fellow "East Chestnuters" we saw? Over half a dozen.

In a sentence the message: power to the people. That sounds like democracy.