March 22, 2021
RIPPEY LIBRARY
Website: www.rippey.lib.ia.us / Email rippeyli@windstream.net / Hours: Mon-Fri 2- 5 pm
~by Phyllis Bardole, librarian
The first few days of spring have been enjoyable. It hasn’t been bad weather, but the wind seems to make it seem cooler. I am ready for green grass and flowers. My magnolia tree is starting to bud. I hope it doesn’t turn too cold and freeze them.
Phyllis Lepke brought us some more books. She has left us quite a few. One of the books is a story about the woman who built the Brooklyn Bridge. It is “Engineer’s Wife” by Tracey Enerson Wood. I hope to read it soon. I also ordered Kathy Reich’s book, “A Conspiracy of Bones.” I found I liked Sue Grafton’s books, so I bought three of her earlier books in paperback. I always hate it when an author I like dies.
I was a fan of Mary Higgins Clark, too, so I’ve read all of her books. I ordered a book that was supposed to be her style of writing. The author is Shannon Work and her first book is “Now I See You.” It was set in Aspen, CO. That sparked my interest because I used to live in Boulder and we drove all over Colorado.
I also ordered Lisa Gardner’s new book, “When You See Me.” A patron brought in clippings from the Sunday paper about books she thought would be good. “The Soul of a Woman” by Isabel Allene and the other is “Infinite Country” by Patricia Engel. Come in and check some of these out.
Jo Bardole also donated three adult mysteries to the library, along with some Elizabeth Bromke books. She bought two more to fill out a series. We really appreciate donated books. Thanks to those who have brought in books for us.
Our town has decided to have our Sesquicentennial Celebration on July 31. We hate to wait another year. If we don’t do it now, we never will. I’m hoping more people will have all their shots by then. It is time to get back to our normal routine.
Happy Reading!
Jean’s Jottings – In answering a genealogy question for a couple of people this week, I had to look in the Lee-Rhoades family tree and of course, I knew I would find more than the person would know. We had a nice visit about some of the descendants still living around this area, including Virgene Morse, Denny Ulrich, and Delores (Rhoades) Heater. The person was thrilled to visit with someone who actually knows some of their descendants and will enjoy filling in the blanks in their tree.
In visiting with Phyllis (Adamson) Gannon, the story of how nice Eleanor (Rhoades) Alex is surfaces. Eleanor was so kind to Phyllis on that first bus ride to a new school, those many years ago. Of course, she knew Eleanor was going to be 94 this week, so Happy Birthday to Eleanor June Alex, who celebrates her birthday on March 24, 2021. It just proves that an act of kindness can leave a lasting impression for a lifetime, no matter how old you may be. Both these neat ladies are now 94!
When I was a wee child, maybe 3 or so, my neighbor Virgene Morse remembers watching my mother walking the buggy with my twin brother and sister, and I was holding on to the buggy, “helping” with the babies. It seems my folks lived in the same neighborhood in Perry as Virgene’s family those many years ago. She always mentions how cute it was.
Fast forward to November 10, 1963, when I got married, her daughter Delores was my flower girl at our wedding. The “cuteness” was there when that little girl looked into the mirror and declared how cute she looked! I only mention this because on April 3, 2021, Virgene celebrates her 90th birthday. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want a fuss, but I just couldn’t help myself! Happy, Happy Birthday, dear neighbor!
