Clinton Township Newsletter

3 a p r i l 2 0 2 2 Oriental Rug Specialist Since 1934 Sale & Service of Oriental Rugs & Carpets When, back in 2009, Fred Keesing interviewed me to take on the role of laying out this publication, after telling me of its storied history with the passion of a Mad-Men era retired newspaperman, he asked if I had any questions. Just one," I said. "Will I have to write a column? Because that's one thing I really wouldn't want to do." No, never," he answered. As they say, we make plans and God/the Universe laughs. I found myself suddenly the "Editor" of this publication after Fred passed away a year later, at the enviable age of 97, having fought combat in WWII (with a fantastic Patton-encounter tale to tell afterward), married three wives, had three kids and worked a fascinating career as a newspaper photo-editor. After Ruth showed me many of his stunning prints of famous celebrities of the latter part of the 20th century, I asked, "But where are the negatives?" "Oh, I threw those out long ago!" Ruth shot back, ever quick to purge unwanted items. I have to say, writing this column is probably the most difficult part of this job for me. I've had a many-decade career as an art director in advertising and a graphic designer as well, so, as you might have noticed, designing the covers is what thrills me the most. That and helping small businesses and non-profits shine in our community. But writing? For me, it can sometimes be like pulling teeth. Once one of my children was lamenting a writing assignment they had for school. I said, "Yep. Now imagine that it needs to be non-political (y'all know I mess up on that one sometimes), well-written, (ditto), possibly humorous, thought-provoking, inspiring, and interesting. Oh, and it might be read by possibly 15,000 people, and you know many of them. And you have to do it monthly. And they'll let you know if you mess up." I'm energized by the memory of Ruth, who used to sometimes hand me three columns at a time. ("Use this one in the next issue. No, maybe use this one. No, save those and use this one.") She was a prolific writer, funny and wise – like having Erma Bombeck as a great friend.) I'm also galvanized by my great-grandfather, F.F. Bingham, who wrote a regular column in his local paper, the Pensacola Journal beginning in 1912. Long story short, he was successful in many fields, funny, very active, and prolific as well. He and his wife Fannie had seven children, naming three of his sons "Tom, Dick, and Harry". This lively brood cavorted in and around Pensacola with abandon. I know because, in 1991, two professors in Pensacola, having come across the microfiche versions of his columns about the family's weekly adventures boating throughout the bayous, meeting various strangers and camping throughout west Florida – put them together and published them in a book (called "Log of the Peep O' Day, Summer Cruises in West Florida Waters, 1912-1915.") After receiving a copy that same Christmas, suddenly my grandfather and his siblings, whom I had always known as elderly people who loved to swap stories, were presented to me in real-time, as children, their weekly exploits and conversations illuminated. I also felt as though I got to know my (long-ago deceased) great-grandparents as almost contemporaries, in the present time. This is the power of writing! All of us have just gone through a historic time these last two years. I encourage you all to write about it – not just for yourself, or for your children, but for future generations whom you may never meet – but they will feel like they know you! -Julie Flynn DAYS TO KEEP IN MIND Friday April 1 April Fool's Day Friday April 1 first day of Ramadan Saturday April 2 World Autism Awareness Day Sunday April 10 Palm Sunday April 12, 1861: Beginning of the American Civil War Friday April 15 Good Friday Friday April 15 Passover begins at sundown Friday April 15 Income taxes due (most years) Sunday April 17 Easter Monday April 18 Easter Monday Friday April 22 Earth Day from Carol Beder's Wishing You a

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