Valentine’s Day The second month gives us a day When all the shops and stores display An article which we will find Especially for us designed. I play the faithful lover's part And send my love a candied heart, Gift-wrapped in paper colored blue— The color which we say is true. Although ’tis purely sentimental And the nexus accidental, The use, it seems, though apt and quaint, Has naught to do with any saint. A curious thought which— false or true— Depends upon one’s point of view; So take the pill and swallow it, Or spit it out, as you see fit. But as for me, I house a doubt Of something we should think about: Though I send her a valentine, How do I know that she is mine? Chester Wittell from “‘Garnered from the Garden Spot.’ Poetry contest Winner will get a prize! And, Mr. Wittell comments We recently received a letter from Chester Wittell, the Mount Joy man who has sent the Susquehanna Times so many poems. We take the liberty of repro- ducing portions of the letter below. Mr. Wittell refers in the following passage to our subhead over one of his peems, which called him ‘The learned and prolific bard of Mount Joy.” “‘...you have been most generous in accepting my humble bits of poetry for publication. 1 had no idea that 1 am taken so seriously as a poet, for poetry is only a side-line, or hobby, to which | turn for mental relaxation when making music manuscripts. As for being ‘prolific,’ some proof of guilt may be witnessed by 20 cases of music manuscripts, literary essays and poetry, stored at the Columbia Library, and 10 cases at the Lancaster Historical Society; but as for being ‘learned,’ 1 plead not guilty. There are too many things about which I know nothing. I don’t know how to build a bridge; how to make a pair of shoes; bake a loaf of bread, etc., in fact, 1 am (to quote Browning) only a picker-up of learning’s crumbs. How- ever, it is rewarding to hear someone say nice things about us and I am Remember Bill Haley and the Comets? Their famous song, ‘‘Rock Around the Clock,’ will be re-born this weekend when the Trini-Teens of Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Joy, sponsor the Rock Around the Clock Rock-a- thon. This is a benefit sure that I have plenty of po company there...” We answer as people whose business is words, and hence to a small degree learning: by our standards, Mr. Wittell is learned—he quotes Brown- ing, doesn’t he? We cannot speak for other circles, but here at the Times we take his poetry seriously enough to print, as readers may have noticed. We like his poems, and envy him his muse. Certainly there are other poets in the township from whom we have not heard, and whose work the public has not had a chance to read. Whether anyone can top Mr. Wittell’s rhymes is an open question now. To satisfy our curiosity, we have decided to award a prize for the best poem on the subject of Washing- ton’s Birthday, which now looms close on February’s calendar. The winner will be announced next week. Poems take up much room, so we must ask that no more than eight lines make up any entry. Send your poem [one per person] to Susquehanna Times Washington’s Birthday Grand Poetry Contest and Exposition, Box 75A, RDI Marietta 17547. Remem- ber, poems must arrive before the 20th, so mail before the weekend. February 15, 1978 Gymnastics exhibition Gym-Khana club will present feats of daring at Seiler School A message from the Mt. Joy Rec. Assoc.: The Mount Joy Recrea- tion Association is proud to present “The Gym-Khana Club” of Seiler Elementary; School for our program. The ‘‘Gym-Khana Club”’ will present various gym- nastic feats at the Seiler Elementary School on Feb. 22nd, at 7:30 PM. Refresh- ments will be served after the program, After the program the MJRA will hold its monthly meeting at the school. Under old business the float for the Memorial Day Parade will be discussed. Also, more information will be given about the Donegal Volleyball League. After the meeting, elec- tions of officers will be held. In the front row, left to right, are Jill Stettler, Heather Nonnenmacher, Mascot, Wm Zuch and Laurie Ruth.; 2nd row, Linda Eby, Wendy Stohler, Sarah Bowers, Jill Wagner, Tammy Shelly, Annette Zimmerman, Kim Makginchak, Tammi Lowe, and Linda Sherk; back row, Paula Maksinchak, Carole McManus, Carrie Yourglivch, Shari Eshleman, Lisa Ruhl, Stacey Gingrich, Jodi Gray, and Colette Cornwell. Not present for the photo were Liz Edwards, Crystal Kelly, Staci Stettler, Scott Houseal, Stephanie Maxwell, Tracy McCurdy, Jenny Crider, and Jim Buckley. Rock around the clock project whose proceeds will go to World Hunger. The Rock-a-thon pro- mises to be a good time as well as a worthy effort. People of all ages will be rocking, while others serve in the kitchen or sit as judges. The Rock-a-thon will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the church. It starts on Friday, Feb. 17th, at 7:00 PM, and will continue all night and through Satur- day. Last year the dance made more than $800. If you are interested in parti- cipating in any way, call one of these people: Mr. or Mrs. James Barrett, 653 -4444; Mrs. Evelyn Duke, 653-4844; Mr. or Mrs. Alan Swanson, 653-2688; Mr. or Mrs. Jay Bucher, 569-5207; or pastor Klepper at 653-4168. Everyone is welcome to stop by and see the people twist and shout the night away. Abominable Snowman?? Is your snowman abom- inable? The YMCA is sponsoring a snowman contest. The prize is a free youth membership at the Lancaster Y. To enter, send a glossy photo of your snowman to Rick Comegy, YMCA, 572 N. Queen, Lancaster. Entries will be judged on originality. DID YOU HEAR? Velma and Bob Lauver of Maytown celebrated their 23rd anniversary on Febru- ary 11th. IUD HOE
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