email: The Steve

March 1st

Good morning Elmwood,
this update from Chicago. Yes I am an ill fitting peg in an urban place, but I enjoy it never the less. I would not want to work or live here, at least it would not be my first choice. Last night, Alex and Erik came over as we got ourselves together for the trip. Erik is back at West Central today teaching students about Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
We encountered a few people last night and even early this morning who said hello to my sons. I am always impressed on how the people of Elmwood are sincerely interested in the students who were educated here. They still want to know how they are doing, they take pride in their accomplishments.
I think the people of Elmwood feel like their school plays an important role in the lives of young people. Elmwood people want to know that the education at Elmwood is preparing students for modern life. They all feel like they have played a part in the development of our students, and they have. Yes, I care about and am proud of my sons, but so are the people of Elmwood. Creating an environment to help families grow in ways that strengthen themselves is a community's highest priority. Staying involved with our schools allows our kids to become great citizens. Another reason I would rather live in Elmwood than in Chicago. If you can pick up the slack for my absence this week end, please volunteer, it is a trait of successful teams.

March 2nd

Good morning Elmwood,
missing being in my hometown this morning. Alex toured John Marshall (footnote on my timeline), then we went to dinner at an interesting restaurant called the Paris Club. In urban centers the bill is always padded by pricey side dishes, I had Short Rib Bourgulgnonne with root vegetables & horse radish. It was good; root vegetables are a few small potatoes and carrots in the dark gravy-like sauce, horseradish sauce was white had no zip. As we're having this meal I'm thinking the ribs at the Hick'ry Stick are better. Still I'm enjoying the experience, as I always do.
This morning, I wish I could be at the EDA booth at the Outdoor Show; the EDA probably wishes the same. I tried to convince Erik and Laura to be stand ins, but communication with busy adult children is inconsistent. I know tomorrow I was to sing with contemporary group Closer to Free, so will miss not being there for those services. I found a church within walking distance of hotel. I would probably be well advised not to sing.
I do enjoy visiting Chicago, but I know I don't make a difference by being here. I could really help out in Elmwood, but I am glad to experience life from a different perspective at least for two days. I would recommend the Paris Club not as an inexpensive place, do not let the two $$ signs mislead you, but as a place to try some good unusual difficult to pronounce entrees. Still all in all the Hick'ry Stick would be better, and maybe should have half a dollar sign on the web review. I would avoid one item if you go, Cour de Loin Calvados, pays d'auge, fine I thought after working on the elliptical, maybe I shouldn't blow easy calories on a dessert as Nancy and Alex were. Maybe an after dinner drink? Of course, I really had no idea what any of the choices were. It is an aged brandy made from fermented apple and pear juice (according wikipedia) As always I enjoyed the experience. I think I would rather do back to back hours on the elliptical, than try it again. Rural rubes really should stay with what they know, work with people who care, make a difference where it counts. Missing Elmwood this morning, not the brandy.

February 28th

Good morning Elmwood,
the snow hasn't stopped life, but it has forced some readjustment. Doing what is not the same old routine can grant new insights. I was brought to read Proverbs 16 yesterday, which then caused my thoughts and daily interactions to bounce around within its phrases. Often we wish some of the people with whom we deal could be less irritating. If they would somehow act as we want. We can imagine them being readjusted. Readjusted with a 2 X 4 seems appealing. In reality we must work together with people even those in sore need of adjustment.
v7 & 8 "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice."
So it appears it is myself that must be readjusted, for if my ways please the Lord, even my enemies will be at peace with me. Now, I would rather take the approach of I'll show him, but it would not be the just way, the way of the Lord. I am often reminded that I can not control others or events, but I can control my reaction. I am equally reminded how poor a job I often do of controlling my own reaction. Whether it is people or events that are impediments in my daily life there is a path that will lead me, if only I choose to follow.
Tomorrow Alex and I are going to Chicago to join Nancy. Alex will take a visit to the John Marshall Law School, I am just going for fun. I will miss the Outdoors Show and church. The singing at church may be improved by my absence, but now that Dr. Deppe has moved, I do have doubts about the coffee. I got started into Proverbs by verse 31, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." It seems I have a lot to live up to.
The Elmwood Development Association and the Boosters could still use some volunteers. Be at peace with yourself this weekend; volunteering will make you feel good. Parting shot, when you are at peace with yourself and doing good, it drives your enemies to distraction.

February 27th

Good morning Elmwood,
snow continued through the night, we now have a beautiful blanket of white. We have a manageable day ahead of us, temperatures in mid thirties will melt us into March Mud. In Illinois the famed March Madness comes with the mud. EHS boys sectional basketball in Mt Sterling tonight rescheduled from yesterday. The Weekly Post has a web site up and going, you will want to check it out. link of course http://www.wklypost.com/ -- If live out of the area you may want to subscribe. Speaking of newspapers my photo appeared in the Tri-County News while cooking pancakes at the Kiwanis Pancake Day, my first thought weight loss needs to continue. Today with no one here but the cat I will be totally responsible, no excuses as I continue the weight loss and fitness goals. Probably back to the Elmwood Community Center today so convenient, I could walk. Go Trojans get to Peoria

February 26th

My Orginally Projected Walking the Town Kick Off Date

Good morning Elmwood,
it is great that we have several Amtrak options in Galesburg. Nancy had a business trip to Chicago; she moved her ticket to the 7:30 AM train. I drove on clear roads to Galesburg. I came back in snow with an accumulation of about three inches by the time I drove in the our drive. Glad to be home in Elmwood on this snowy day. I went to the Elmwood Community Foundation meeting last night, it is easy to see we all have a role in building Elmwood's future. Uniting the pieces into a cohesive force for strengthening our ability to plan, implement, and enjoy the rewards of our efforts is the key to Elmwood's long term success. Now, I need to get to work on some of the contributions I promised to complete for the ECF. I had to perform my assessor role yesterday, so back to movie editing today.
Stay cautious, pay attention, be glad if you and your family are warm and safe. Nancy is now in the hands of Amtrak, cabbies, and the streets of Chicago what could be better, well being home in Elmwood would be better. Think like a kid, enjoy the snow.

February 20th

Good morning Elmwood,
I am very excited about the possibilities for Elmwood. I feel we can bring all the assets of our community together into a great future. Often so many good efforts have been started but not continued. Sometimes some of the good efforts have occurred in "fits and starts" I think this is hillbilly for in bits and pieces. We are working on coordination, we are working on communication, we are beginning to recognize the power of new tools the digital age offers us. Even though today is rather cold, it is bright and sunny, the day holds its own beauty. Elmwood's future awaits the Spring. We have laid the groundwork, prepared the fields. Many hands have planted seeds for Elmwood's future. Coming together in unity with a fixed vision on the future will allow the shoots to grow. Prepare for the coming snow storm, stay safe.

Feb 15th

Good morning Elmwood,
no more anecdotes today, and yes Valentine's Day was very nice. We enjoyed our evening in Elmwood. I saw this yesterday from the Small Business Administration, maybe it will cause you to reflect on business. Only you know your business but trying to step outside your own thoughts to see what the public sees is a good exercise. Here is a link to their seven suggestions to increase foot traffic. http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/7-ways-increase-foot-traffic-your-small-business Enjoy the sunny day - buy something in Elmwood Today

Feb 14

Good morning Elmwood,
another tale from the Louisville KY - farm show. The show runs from 9 to 6 for four days, if you work a booth, haul in, set up, tear down, stay an hour away from the show because rooms are booked; it is a tiring experience. I do not know if this was the same year, but I know the show ended on Feb 14th. We had a quick system for booth display all on one cart, some vendors brought in tons of iron. As we are heading out, a vendor from the booth next to us came over and gave Nancy a potted flowering plant, he said the decorators would just be throwing them away. I am pushing our cart with the tables, computers, and banner (the essential banner). Nancy is carrying the plant. I love farmers, I was a farmer, but it is fair to recognize some farmers are not the models for sophistication or sensitivity. A typical farm couple was walking near us. He was rather gangling probably thought a day studying livestock gates and self propelled hay mowers about as good as it gets. His wife saw Nancy carrying her plant, she put an elbow right in his love handles "see she got flowers for Valentine's Day" Fortunately Nancy did not hear this, or she may have expounded on her free-be flower and the anniversary card. My father walking behind the farm couple found this particularly amusing, a man done in by a rescued plant. So by the way it is Valentine's Day --

Feb 13th

Good morning Elmwood,
on a lovely early Spring like day. The first Valentine's Day anecdote is about attention to details. When I was trying to sell and establish the software program for farm record keeping I had developed. My life was a blur of hectic-ness during this winter season. The National Farm Machinery Show and Tractor Pull always happened this week in Louisville, KY. Valentine's day happened during or soon after the 4 day show. As I was heading out the door of my parents house I said I would have to pick up a Valentine's Day for Nancy. This was one of the years Nancy had very reluctantly agreed to go along. My mother said she had a Valentine Day's card that she had bought for my brother, but he had never given it. It had been for his now, ex wife. So ever the depression era child, she had it carefully stored it away. I slipped the flowery card into my computer bag. So on Valentine's Day as the show was closing I pulled out my card signed it with originality like, Love Steve, and gave it to Nancy. I am packing up as Nancy taps me on the shoulder and I see my colleague laughing so hard I think we may need a cart for him. I look at the card again the pretty flower photos on the front, but this time on the inside I see the words Happy Anniversary. I was forgiven and gave my colleague one of the funniest moments of his life. So pay some attention to details. second anecdote tomorrow.

Feb 9th

Good morning Elmwood,
I am getting ready to go to the high school to help with the Kiwanis pancake and sausage breakfast. I will help without partaking this year. I must jump start the weight loss trend this week. My body thinks it is great to run a hard hour, as normal. My body didn't think this 7 months ago. It seems to be wanting to stall the weight loss. Why go tempt myself, because in my America everyone helps out. Everyone gets involved, and everyone is responsible to the community they live in. Kiwanis is our primary service club, I try to do my part. You can do your part by eating some of the great pancakes and sausage. A role my body wants to fulfill, but the scale warns I should deny it. Have a great February Day

Feb 7th

Good morning Elmwood,
Des Moines édition -- Facebook thinks I am typing French. Will leave and head back to Elmwood, this afternoon. President Obama is speaking at National Prayer Breakfast - quoted Lincoln both pray to the same God, claim God is on their side, but God may be on neither side. Obama goes on to say how humbly we should approach the will of God. None of us can know the full complexity of God. He wished the spirit of unity at the prayer breakfast might at least last out the day in DC. We must recognize as assured we are that our side or our opinion is right, profess it to be God's will; it might not be. We never fully comprehend God, so we must embrace others, however wrong we perceive them. We must extend a portion of the Grace God has granted us when we deal with others. Have a great day I am sure I will.

Dec 17th

Turned in my candidate petition this morning, so I am officially a candidate for mayor of Elmwood, today. Unless there is a challenge like in Peoria, but I didn't see anything omitted.

Nov 8th

Author will be here, in Elmwood tonight. At our library I have a copy it is a great book. See you tonight. https://www.facebook.com/LoradoTaft

Beautiful Dreamer. Lorado Taft
Lynn Allyn Young has traveled around the country, hunting down Taft's many works and documenting their locations and their condition. She has combined this presentation with interesting vintage photographs and excerpts from numerous publications.

Nov 7th

I hope that all Americans come together as one nation to seek solutions, not divisions. We must unite with our President to make the next four years great years for America and the world. We can accomplish this if we seek truth, uphold compassion, and base decisions on facts.

Nov 5th

Maybe I should post this because I have had several people ask me. The local elections are next March.
I have to gather petition signatures now, which I have done. So I'll start running those TV ads in February. Actually I thought would walk around, listen to people's questions, try to answer them, encourage them to vote.

Start

Ok that's all worth posting.

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