For the Record – March 12, 2015

Fifteen minutes of fame …

I’m betting that few among us are aware that Jim Hedgeland who writes “Jim’s Journey” has had a few ‘fifteen minutes of fame’ during his lifetime, including a time when he sang with the late country singer Faron Young.

Do you remember when? …

Margarine, when first introduced, was marketed as a substitute for butter. In the late 1940s and early 1950s margarine was white and came in a plastic bag with a red color dot. You had to squeeze the red dot to spread color through the bag and turn the margarine yellow. Margarine was first introduced in the late 1880s. For those among us who are too young to remember margarine in that manner, Chapman Township Supervisors’ Chairman Tim Horner of Farwell did some research. He tells us that margarine came into the marketplace in the late 1880s. It was white and unappetizing so producers would dye the margarine. Dairy farmers weren’t keen on the competition and in an effort to protect their market for butter, they tried to get the manufacture of margarine banned. It worked for awhile during the 1800s and even into the mid 1900s.

Robins arrive …

The robins have arrived. Deb Proctor wrote recently to say her husband saw a robin on the Penn State campus in mid February and another reader wrote to say five robins had been spotted. But Bud Hallberg was telling Karen Probst at Dr. Sadka’s office that he hadn’t seen any in Farwell as of last week. Karen used her artistic skills and drew Bud a beautiful red breasted robin on his next appointment card.

GI Joe and ETO …

WWII Veteran John Curcio of North Bend was among those who served in the European Theater Operation during The war. Last Wednesday Curcio received the French Legion of Honor medal at the French Embassy last Wednesday afternoon, March 4. The medal is the highest award France bestows to those helped liberate France during the second world war. After the ceremony Curcio and others who were presented the medal were served champagne and cookies.

Curcio was driven to Washington by his nephew, Roy Cowfer of Renovo, and accompanied by a niece, Kathy Harmon of Haneyville. They left North Bend about seven in the morning and arrived at the French Embassy about 1:30, were told to come back at 2:30. The hour-long ceremony began at three in the afternoon. They were back in North Bend between 11:30 and midnight.