This is a Blog site created by Bob Reed (in Florida) for folks who live--or used to live--in Marcus, Iowa. Its purpose is to exchange notes, news, remembrances, and thoughts about life in and about Marcus, or news about one's family, friends or acquaintances.
Monday, January 02, 2006
January 06 Discussion
This discussion thread is closed. You may click below to read and catch up, but go to the current thread to continue the conversation.
Hi there, I just stumbled upon this website and figured I would comment. I noticed that you are all talking about Marcus Iowa like it is something spectacular. I was also born and raised in Marcus Iowa, and moved away about 5 years ago. I was home recently to visit, and noticed that Marcus is NOT what it used to be. Marcus used to be the place to be. It was wonderful growing up there. But now, what a disappointment. I will continue to go home and visit ONLY because my parents and some of my family are still there, but if they ever moved, I would never return. The people in Marcus Iowa need to quit worrying about what your name is, and more about who you are on the inside.
WHAT IF? Max and I are just back from the Outback Bowl in Tampa and what an experience! Sadly, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to—like last year with the miracle of “THE CATCH!" This year Iowa came up short, but goin’ bowlin’ with the Hawkeyes is still wonderful!
Some 25,000 Iowans descended on the town, coming via charter plane, cars, and buses (six from Iowa City alone). It proved too much for some of the restaurants where waits for tables exceeded one and a half hours.
Somehow we ended up staying at the headquarters hotel for the Florida team and man—are those Gator guys big! There were two planeloads of Hawkeye fans there, however, and the lobby was full of black and gold.
Iowa-friendly greetings of “Go Hawks” resounded. Some Iowa fans wore gold T-shirts that proclaimed that they were “Corn Fed.” A few of them appeared to be capable of playing tackle for the Hawkeyes—and they were persons of the female persuasion!
The Florida fans were smaller and they had their little pregame gathering in the hotel ballroom on Sunday night, while we walked over to the Convention Center for the “Hawkeye Huddle.” Wow!
Some 16,000 Iowans drank, ate, mingled, and cheered in a cavernous room. Folks wore outlandish and inventive Hawkeye costumes. Along with the farmer’s bib overalls in wide gold and black stripes, there were guys with corncobs on their heads, girls in “Florida Wrestling Team” T-shirts, elderly ladies in gold lame skirts—and one fellow in a zoot suit and hat in the school colors. The most memorable fan for us was the handicapped fellow in a wheel chair dressed in black and gold with a Dr Seuess tilted black hat. His chair and T-shirt told everyone that he was “The Hawkeye Hat.”
The place rocked with music that pumped your heart, the cheerleaders and dance team sparkled, the parents of the players were introduced, folks had their picture taken with Herky, and the Hawkeye Marching Band (260 strong) included President Skorton on the flute. It was wild!
The next day we got our game tickets from the Tampa Alumni Club and attended a breakfast brunch in Tent City next to the stadium. Our seats were on the 30-yard line with easy access to escalators, drink, food, and restrooms in a sparkling new stadium with great facilities.
There were nineteen high school bands, a Harrier jet flyover, and the game ball was delivered to the field by three parachutists. Ah yes—the game.
The Hawks dug themselves into a hole and couldn’t recover. They were pretty much outplayed for most of the game. The Gators stopped our running attack, and the penalties (some bizarre) killed us. The offside penalty that negated our recovery of the onside kick with a minute and a half to go was wrong, but . . .
The consensus of most of the Iowa fans—and players and coaches—was that we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position in the first place. The refs didn’t lose the game for us—we lost it.
We shared a bus back to the hotel with the Kyle Schlicher family. The parents of Iowa’s placekicker are gracious and warm Hawkeyes. Kyle is the perfect Iowa boy, a good-looking, blond, modest lad who likes to tease his 15–year-old sister and hold hands with his girl friend.
He allowed as to how he had looked forward to kicking a game-winning field goal, but that opportunity didn’t come and the season ended in a lot of “What shoulda’, what coulda’, what woulda’ happened” questions.
The Hawkeyes were a couple of plays from tying Penn State and Ohio State for the conference championship. What woulda’ happened if the Hawks had stopped that swing pass against Michigan or recovered that on-side kick against Northwestern. Or if Hinkle hadn’t broken his arm? It was a season of “What ifs?”
Still, the Hawkeyes were rewarded with their fourth straight invitation to a January bowl game, which put Iowa in the select company of USC, Georgia, and Florida State, who are the only teams to accomplish that feat during the last four seasons. And there is always next year! Can’t wait!
I'm quite sure in five years that Marcus hasn't changed that much, but, of course, you have, I have, we all have. Give yourself another decade or two -- maybe your opinion will mellow a bit. Maybe the sharp edges of memories will be worn away a little more. And maybe the fact that someone even remembers your name, or your grandfather's name, or where you were born, or what house you grew up in -- all of that -- will start to have some importance in your life. It's all about those connections we have to a place, a past, an identity. Then come back and visit again. Maybe some of us will still be here sharing our thoughts -- paying our respects to a small town that maybe wasn't spectacular, but sure gave us something solid and whole to hang on to in a world of anonymous people who could care less what your name, much less what your name is. At least you got us riled up enough to start off the 2006 with a little heat! Bless you!!
Sorry, the English teacher inside me has to correct that last sentence:
Then come back and visit again. Maybe some of us will still be here sharing our thoughts -- paying our respects to a small town that maybe wasn't spectacular, but sure gave us something solid and whole to hang on to in a world of anonymous people who could care less what your name is, much less who you are on the inside.
I have just read the 2006 comments and it is disturbing that someone feels that Marcus is just not the place that he (she) remembers. I left Marcus in 1977 and I am able to return upon occasion and I always see the same quality and caring each time. Too, this blog spot proves the superior education that so many received there. It says a lot for the whole town that this has been maintained through the years.
My condolences to the Rae family in the death of Earl. I got somewhat acquainted with him when we worked together on the annual Marcus picnic here in the Phoenix area. I also shared time at an art show where I had a chance to appreciate what a fine artist he was. I particularly remember his painting of a locomotive plowing through a blizzard. Your eulogy was wonderful, Bob.
I hope that I might see some of you in this area and I would welcome a phone call or visit with anyone when you are in the Scottsdale area. Maybe we could straighten this former resident who seems to be disguntled about something.
Well then, let me just go on the record to say that it was spectacular ... and in all ways still is. I love the comment "Marcus used to be the place to be." Was it ever really the place to BE? Weren't we always hankering to BE somewhere else in high school ...? Just wondering. No flamebait here.
It's human nature to think somewhere else is "the place to be". At least when you're young. When you grow up in Marcus, Des Moines seems quite the experience. When you're from Des Moines, Chicago is the place to be. When you're in Chicago, it suffers from being "The Second City" compared to New York. When you live in New York, San Francisco is more appealing. When you live on the West Coast, Hawaii or Europe are the hot spots. And so it goes.
For many, as they age they find out that "the place to be" is much the same the world over. There are trade-offs everywhere. Do you want traffic congestion, earthquakes, hurricanes, smog, increased costs of living, neighbors you don't know, competing for elevators, parking places, apartments, commuting, higher housing costs, higher auto insurance rates, and an increased noise level in return for pro sports, theatre opportunities, museums, mountains, ocean, and higher pay? Some do and some don't. And neither is wrong. It's a personal choice.
My experience is that the older you get the less appealing the "glamour" of a location is and more important are the people, family, ease of taking care of the needs of daily living, healthcare facilities, and staying alert intellectualy. "The place" is not as important as how comfortable you are with yourself and the people around you.
You can drive to a shore or a mountaintop or take a trip to a foreign destination for a temporary change of scenery , but when you get home, you still have yourself and your own needs to contend with, wherever you live. Without some resolution of that inner piece (peace?), you can be longing for someplace else your whole life and never find it.
With few exceptions, the southern writers captured our restive nature best: Willie Morris, Faulkner, Harper Lee, Thomas Wolfe, Margaret Mitchell, and Erskine Caldwell to name a few. (John Steinbeck is one of the exceptions, of course.) Many of us go looking for something someplace else only to find it was right in front of us all along.
And to the unhappy blogger who triggered these reactions - the secret is that only you can make yourself feel that way. What others think, say or do to you is irrelevant, unless you allow it to affect you. So ease off on yourself. You are probably a much better person than you've ever given yourself credit for or chosen to believe.
The old saws are true: Money doesn't buy happiness, physical beauty doesn't guarantee contentment, no one's health is guaranteed, and life is what you make of it.
Marcus is what each of us want it to be, as much as it is "what it is". Of course it's a mix of good and bad for all of us. Some choose to focus on the positive. If you feel you didn't get respect when you lived there, or didn't feel satisfied for one of several other reasons, look around. The homecoming queen probably got fat, the king is bald, the star running back in high school probably has health or family problems, the cheerleaders may be struggling to hold their families together financially, the class valedictorian may not be running his or her own company and many, if not most, didn't realize all our dreams from high school days.
But you can choose to be happy and seek contentment in your life, wherever you were born and Marcus is certainly one of those places. So what if it is on one of William Least Heat-Moon's "Blue Highways". There are lots of us who would have it no other way. Earl Rae travelled the world over and on his death wanted his ashes returned to Marcus.
So, to Marcus (and all those who started from there or came to her) - Happy New Year! Fred
We wanted to thank everyone from Marcus that sent well wishes for our father, Earl Rae. I suppose no one is ever fully prepared for the death of a loved one, and the same follows with us. Dad was healthy and active up to the moment he fell ill, and we never expected to lose him this soon. My brother and I, as well as my sister’s children gave tributes to my father at his funeral service on January 3 in Phoenix. Bob Reed’s tribute (posted in December) really is beautiful and says it best: Earl Rae was a special man who will be missed by all those who knew him; we hope from the good deeds he did on this earth that his legacy will live on.
Our immediate family, who is scattered between Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Hawaii and China, all were with my father the final two weeks of his life and at his service this week (Jan 3). Many of us will also honor him as we bury his ashes in his hometown of Marcus, Iowa this May. Marcus is a town that created many special memories for my father, which we heard of both growing up and most recently on this blog site. Fittingly, it is where my parents met and married. Our family very much looks forward to ‘meeting Marcus’ this spring as we embark on our final memorial service to my father and lay his remains to rest in the Marcus-Amherst Cemetary on Memorial Day. We also look forward to watching the procession of flags and to honor the veterans in Marcus.
Thanks again to everyone for your messages, postings, tributes, cards and emails. It is heartfelt.
I just wanted to let the Marcus community know that one of their own's son provided the most fascinating trip that one could ever have access to yesterday.
Brian Peavey son of Denny Peavey and grandson of Dorothy and the late Howard Peavey gave a private tour of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TEXAS to me and my daughter Amelia.
It was an absolute RUSH to sit at the controls of the Space Shuttle and my daughter was all set to take off for SPACE where she thought it would be awesome to be able to experience weightlessness and bounce wherever she wanted to go. To sit in the cockpit of one of these amazing machines was without a doubt one of life's amazing experiences.
We then proceeded with Brian to the Space Station and got to go inside it as well. We just missed some of the astrounauts who were training with some instructors in the Space Station.........to see how the Russians, Japanesse, Americans and numeorus other countries have come together to build this amazing machine is beyond description.
We were able to see the Central Command Centers for both the Space Shuttle and Space Station and observe the folks do their jobs.....currently they are tracking the Space Station which we got to observe.........AWESOME what they can do with technology.
Last but not least we got to see some ASTRONAUTS who were training in the largest pool in the world........over 40' deep and 300 yards or so long. The astronauts were training in conjunction with the Space Shuttle in anticipation of their May launch.
All of Marcus should be proud of the Peavey family knowing that Brian is proud to recognize that he has Marcus, Iowa blood in his veins..............BTW.......Brian is heading to Moscow in a short week or so where he goes to train the Cosmonauts as well as the work he does with the astronauts.
Have a safe trip to Moscow Brian and thanks for making a "MEMORY" for me and my daughter........Amelia thinks you are the greatest and have the coolest job EVER!!!!
P.S. Denny and his lovely new bride Rosmary are wonderful host if any Marusites ever make it to League City, TEXAS....i.e. suburban Houston!!!!!
The following posted at the request of the Marcus Picnic Committee, AKA Chuck Beaton:
ANNUAL MARCUS PICNIC FEB 19
The Annual Marcus Picnic will be held on February 19, 2006 at the Hometown Buffet, 1312 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Az.
We have reserved the meeting room from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner will be smorgasbord style so you will be able to eat as you arrive. A short program will feature a discussion on the future of the picnic plus possible new sites.
The past six years, beginning with 2000, the attendance has been 45, 35, 41, 42, 48, and 45. Last year again was pushing the capacity of the room we had reserved. (The best part here is that we do not have to pay extra to guarantee the room.)
There will be time to visit after lunch. Bring your memories to share with old friends.
If the need for more information arises you can reach the committee by calling Chuck Beaton at 602-789-6253, or e-mail him at cnbeaton@juno.com or e-mail Marcia Beaton at MarciaMLBeaton@aol.com
And please use the above contacts to let the Committee know that you will be attending.
To the Anonymous poster on Jan 6 about the amount of change in 5 years. Being from one of the founding familys (Collins) in the area I am glad to say the world will change more in the next 5 years than Marcus has changed in the past 150 years. I will be smilling on the 4th of July when I stand on my land (NW of Marcus) knee high in the food that feeds you and will continue to feed people for years to come.
Well, isn't that because we have our own little outpost of Marcusites (Marcusonians?) down in that area of the country. Which gets me to thinking ... are there any Northeasterners out there who check out this site with Marcus heartstrings? Maybe we could create our own Marcus Picnic in this area of the country ... it's worth a try!
Hey, what's with this anonymous Collins stuff! Don't be afraid to plant a name on the posts here! No one should be anonymous at this hometown website ... and if you're related to the Collins family, well, we long-rooted Marcus types have a good idea who you are anyway!
Funny you talk about the Collin's. I have the Collins name spray painted on the side of the lean-to of our barn because the farm use to be a "Collin's Farm". Proud to still be living in the NE Marcus Area for my entire life.....
Not to beat a dead horse here, but i haven't read the posts here for quite some time; just did, and as most of you, I got quite fired up at the Anonymous post early on in the month. It's so great to me to see how many people jump right in and stick up for the town that we all know and love so well. Gina, your post really got me going-thanks. I'm probably one of the youngest people to post on this site, but Marcus and its people have given me so much over the years; I can't imagine having grown up somewhere else, and all that I would have missed out on. Just recently, my family experienced a prime example of the overwhelming compassion and caring that Marcus and its family of friends and neighbors are capable of. When my dad, Clark ran into heart troubles before Christmas and then ended up having to have emergency quadruple bypass surgery, the support that was shown to our family was unimaginable! Friends, neighbors, and even many whom we would have never expected, did so much for Mom, Dad, and the rest of us, that it simply blew us away. The generosity of this community is truly unspeakable. From feeding our cattle, to baking food, from financial support to prayers and moral support--we simply could not have asked for a better place to be, nor for more caring people to be with. Marcus means the world to my parents, Clark and Vickie, my siblings and myself. Marcus has been our lives and our lives have been Marcus. I'm proud to say that it is where i grew up and I will ALWAYS call it home!
I tried to post a comment to anonymous a few days ago, but guess I didn't know what I was doing! I wont try to write that again--it was too long--, but will try this to see if I have it right this time. I say "AMEN" to all who have answered anonymous. You'll never find a better place than Marcus, Iowa to live and raise a family! I miss you all the past 3 1/2 years--but, love CA and don't miss the cold, snow and ice!
By the way--Chuck Nielsen. If you happen to read this, please send me your email address.
Hi Fellow Marcusites! I check in about once a month to read the Blog. Some great comments. I particularly enjoy Fred Dorr's vivid memories! He's a great writer too. Just for the record, my mother was a Collins too. I know there were a number of Collins families in the area..I'm not really sure what or to whom the earlier comments were referring to. I grew up in Marcus & return regularily. I love the Marcus Fair, & the class reunions. I no longer have any family there but I have kept in touch with lots of friends. I moved to Southern California in 1977. You can't beat the weather here, but I've missed the Midwestern people. We used to have quite a large group of Marcusites here in Orange County. Dan Ohlendorf, Teresa Flanagan, Chuck & Dick Nielsen, Bob, Richard & David Haines, Todd & Kent Martin, Kitty Pallesen,etc. My sisters, Rosemary & Sheila both live in San Diego & are close by as well. Some of the original group have returned to Iowa. Dick Nielsen & Bob Haines have both passed away. There are just a few of us left here now. My husband Jim & I are retired & plan to move back to Iowa (Spirit Lake) this May. I've always loved the lakes area. Jim is a native Californian but he loves Iowa. Although he has never spent a winter there... I won't miss the hectic pace & all the traffic here. Caifornia has really changed over the past 30 years too. Some of my fondest memories of Marcus are the Band Concerts downtown on Saturday nights in the summer.It gave everyone something to look forward to & I'm sure it helped the local merchants as well. Marty Crandall was our director. What a great guy he was! I also remember going to Dr. Joynts office & getting a certificate for an ice cream cone downstairs at "Fred's." It sure made going to the Dr. alot easier! We looked forward to the movies at "The Marland" every Friday night. It didn't really matter what was playing. We practicly lived at the swimming pool in the summers. Do you remember the hayrides in the fall? What a treat! To Joan Roethler: I forwarded a link to the blog to Sheila so I'm sure you will hear from her. Is the Holy Name reunion an all school reunion? To all the bloggers, Thanks for the memories! Colleen
I think it's fabulous that Marcus has a blog spot! I used it in college and found that many where provoking others to spur the conversation into different directions. As I've experienced in Marcus, you all have a special connection to one another, and one that us city folk just don't have. This sense of community is certainly coveted by me, and I love coming to visit my grandma to catch up with her friends. Take care all.
Colleen: Your post brought back a few memories of Marcus, relating to names.
(Especially with a name as common as mine) I always thought Rocky Bork and your sister, Sheila Whealon, had the coolest names in Marcus. Rocky - because it sounded like a tough guy, which he was and Sheila - because it was so distinctive and exotic sounding.
I only ever knew one Rocky and one Sheila, both from my home town.
Whenever I turn on the TV set and see Sly Stallone doing the Rocky Balboa series or hear Tommy Roe belt out, "Sweet little Sheila, you'll know her if you see her..." I always think of those two.
Rocky was a good friend growing up. I never really knew your sister. But both of their names live on in my memory, ever tied to Marcus.
Finally, another "name story". I had an older sister Shirley - now deceased. I was once talking with another woman named Shirley and I interjected that I had a sister of the same name. She stopped the conversation indicating that she was sure she could guess my sister's age. She then did. I asked her to explain. Her reaction: "Oh, it's easy. We were all named after Shirley Temple. We're all the same age."
Funny how those name things evoke so many different memories.
Hi there, I just stumbled upon this website and figured I would comment. I noticed that you are all talking about Marcus Iowa like it is something spectacular. I was also born and raised in Marcus Iowa, and moved away about 5 years ago. I was home recently to visit, and noticed that Marcus is NOT what it used to be. Marcus used to be the place to be. It was wonderful growing up there. But now, what a disappointment. I will continue to go home and visit ONLY because my parents and some of my family are still there, but if they ever moved, I would never return. The people in Marcus Iowa need to quit worrying about what your name is, and more about who you are on the inside.
ReplyDeleteKurt, this is a textbook example of flamebait. I'm disinclined to edit contributions, unless they are off-topic.
ReplyDeleteWHAT IF?
ReplyDeleteMax and I are just back from the Outback Bowl in Tampa and what an experience! Sadly, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to—like last year with the miracle of “THE CATCH!" This year Iowa came up short, but goin’ bowlin’ with the Hawkeyes is still wonderful!
Some 25,000 Iowans descended on the town, coming via charter plane, cars, and buses (six from Iowa City alone). It proved too much for some of the restaurants where waits for tables exceeded one and a half hours.
Somehow we ended up staying at the headquarters hotel for the Florida team and man—are those Gator guys big! There were two planeloads of Hawkeye fans there, however, and the lobby was full of black and gold.
Iowa-friendly greetings of “Go Hawks” resounded. Some Iowa fans wore gold T-shirts that proclaimed that they were “Corn Fed.” A few of them appeared to be capable of playing tackle for the Hawkeyes—and they were persons of the female persuasion!
The Florida fans were smaller and they had their little pregame gathering in the hotel ballroom on Sunday night, while we walked over to the Convention Center for the “Hawkeye Huddle.” Wow!
Some 16,000 Iowans drank, ate, mingled, and cheered in a cavernous room. Folks wore outlandish and inventive Hawkeye costumes. Along with the farmer’s bib overalls in wide gold and black stripes, there were guys with corncobs on their heads, girls in “Florida Wrestling Team” T-shirts, elderly ladies in gold lame skirts—and one fellow in a zoot suit and hat in the school colors. The most memorable fan for us was the handicapped fellow in a wheel chair dressed in black and gold with a Dr Seuess tilted black hat. His chair and T-shirt told everyone that he was “The Hawkeye Hat.”
The place rocked with music that pumped your heart, the cheerleaders and dance team sparkled, the parents of the players were introduced, folks had their picture taken with Herky, and the Hawkeye Marching Band (260 strong) included President Skorton on the flute. It was wild!
The next day we got our game tickets from the Tampa Alumni Club and attended a breakfast brunch in Tent City next to the stadium. Our seats were on the 30-yard line with easy access to escalators, drink, food, and restrooms in a sparkling new stadium with great facilities.
There were nineteen high school bands, a Harrier jet flyover, and the game ball was delivered to the field by three parachutists. Ah yes—the game.
The Hawks dug themselves into a hole and couldn’t recover. They were pretty much outplayed for most of the game. The Gators stopped our running attack, and the penalties (some bizarre) killed us. The offside penalty that negated our recovery of the onside kick with a minute and a half to go was wrong, but . . .
The consensus of most of the Iowa fans—and players and coaches—was that we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position in the first place. The refs didn’t lose the game for us—we lost it.
We shared a bus back to the hotel with the Kyle Schlicher family. The parents of Iowa’s placekicker are gracious and warm Hawkeyes. Kyle is the perfect Iowa boy, a good-looking, blond, modest lad who likes to tease his 15–year-old sister and hold hands with his girl friend.
He allowed as to how he had looked forward to kicking a game-winning field goal, but that opportunity didn’t come and the season ended in a lot of “What shoulda’, what coulda’, what woulda’ happened” questions.
The Hawkeyes were a couple of plays from tying Penn State and Ohio State for the conference championship. What woulda’ happened if the Hawks had stopped that swing pass against Michigan or recovered that on-side kick against Northwestern. Or if Hinkle hadn’t broken his arm? It was a season of “What ifs?”
Still, the Hawkeyes were rewarded with their fourth straight invitation to a January bowl game, which put Iowa in the select company of USC, Georgia, and Florida State, who are the only teams to accomplish that feat during the last four seasons. And there is always next year! Can’t wait!
GO HAWKS!
Bob Reed
I'm quite sure in five years that Marcus hasn't changed that much, but, of course, you have, I have, we all have.
ReplyDeleteGive yourself another decade or two -- maybe your opinion will mellow a bit. Maybe the sharp edges of memories will be worn away a little more. And maybe the fact that someone even remembers your name, or your grandfather's name, or where you were born, or what house you grew up in -- all of that -- will start to have some importance in your life. It's all about those connections we have to a place, a past, an identity.
Then come back and visit again. Maybe some of us will still be here sharing our thoughts -- paying our respects to a small town that maybe wasn't spectacular, but sure gave us something solid and whole to hang on to in a world of anonymous people who could care less what your name, much less what your name is.
At least you got us riled up enough to start off the 2006 with a little heat! Bless you!!
Sorry, the English teacher inside me has to correct that last sentence:
ReplyDeleteThen come back and visit again. Maybe some of us will still be here sharing our thoughts -- paying our respects to a small town that maybe wasn't spectacular, but sure gave us something solid and whole to hang on to in a world of anonymous people who could care less what your name is, much less who you are on the inside.
I have just read the 2006 comments and it is disturbing that someone feels that Marcus is just not the place that he (she) remembers. I left Marcus in 1977 and I am able to return upon occasion and I always see the same quality and caring each time. Too, this blog spot proves the superior education that so many received there. It says a lot for the whole town that this has been maintained through the years.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the Rae family in the death of Earl. I got somewhat acquainted with him when we worked together on the annual Marcus picnic here in the Phoenix area. I also shared time at an art show where I had a chance to appreciate what a fine artist he was. I particularly remember his painting of a locomotive plowing through a blizzard. Your eulogy was wonderful, Bob.
I hope that I might see some of you in this area and I would welcome a phone call or visit with anyone when you are in the Scottsdale area. Maybe we could straighten this former resident who seems to be disguntled about something.
Just thought I'd offer a poem to start the year that I connected to at www.prairiepoetry.com
ReplyDeleteWhite Dandelion
They say when you leave the prairie
you toss your soul to the wind
to float, late-blown
as a wisp
from a fairy-seeded flower,
to be carried
from field to field,
swept from the ruffle of wheat
across a hundred acres
over the silver slope
of a city
beyond the calamity
of geese
to a place of quiet
under the rippled wing
of grouse, where the constancy
of the earth keeps its promises.
We like to think we can bargain
with these broken bodies
and we go on,
blinded by the skies,
peeling the feathers
from our own soft flesh.
Vicki Goodfellow Duke
Copyright © 2005 Vicki Goodfellow Duke
p.s. that's www.prairiepoetry.org
ReplyDeleteWell then, let me just go on the record to say that it was spectacular ... and in all ways still is.
ReplyDeleteI love the comment "Marcus used to be the place to be." Was it ever really the place to BE? Weren't we always hankering to BE somewhere else in high school ...? Just wondering. No flamebait here.
It's human nature to think somewhere else is "the place to be". At least when you're young. When you grow up in Marcus, Des Moines seems quite the experience. When you're from Des Moines, Chicago is the place to be. When you're in Chicago, it suffers from being "The Second City" compared to New York. When you live in New York, San Francisco is more appealing. When you live on the West Coast, Hawaii or Europe are the hot spots. And so it goes.
ReplyDeleteFor many, as they age they find out that "the place to be" is much the same the world over. There are trade-offs everywhere. Do you want traffic congestion, earthquakes, hurricanes, smog, increased costs of living, neighbors you don't know, competing for elevators, parking places, apartments, commuting, higher housing costs, higher auto insurance rates, and an increased noise level in return for pro sports, theatre opportunities, museums, mountains, ocean, and higher pay? Some do and some don't. And neither is wrong. It's a personal choice.
My experience is that the older you get the less appealing the "glamour" of a location is and more important are the people, family, ease of taking care of the needs of daily living, healthcare facilities, and staying alert intellectualy. "The place" is not as important as how comfortable you are with yourself and the people around you.
You can drive to a shore or a mountaintop or take a trip to a foreign destination for a temporary change of scenery , but when you get home, you still have yourself and your own needs to contend with, wherever you live. Without some resolution of that inner piece (peace?), you can be longing for someplace else your whole life and never find it.
With few exceptions, the southern writers captured our restive nature best: Willie Morris, Faulkner, Harper Lee, Thomas Wolfe, Margaret Mitchell, and Erskine Caldwell to name a few. (John Steinbeck is one of the exceptions, of course.) Many of us go looking for something someplace else only to find it was right in front of us all along.
And to the unhappy blogger who triggered these reactions - the secret is that only you can make yourself feel that way. What others think, say or do to you is irrelevant, unless you allow it to affect you. So ease off on yourself. You are probably a much better person than you've ever given yourself credit for or chosen to believe.
The old saws are true: Money doesn't buy happiness, physical beauty doesn't guarantee contentment, no one's health is guaranteed, and life is what you make of it.
Marcus is what each of us want it to be, as much as it is "what it is". Of course it's a mix of good and bad for all of us. Some choose to focus on the positive. If you feel you didn't get respect when you lived there, or didn't feel satisfied for one of several other reasons, look around. The homecoming queen probably got fat, the king is bald, the star running back in high school probably has health or family problems, the cheerleaders may be struggling to hold their families together financially, the class valedictorian may not be running his or her own company and many, if not most, didn't realize all our dreams from high school days.
But you can choose to be happy and seek contentment in your life, wherever you were born and Marcus is certainly one of those places. So what if it is on one of William Least Heat-Moon's "Blue Highways". There are lots of us who would have it no other way. Earl Rae travelled the world over and on his death wanted his ashes returned to Marcus.
So, to Marcus (and all those who started from there or came to her) - Happy New Year! Fred
We wanted to thank everyone from Marcus that sent well wishes for our father, Earl Rae. I suppose no one is ever fully prepared for the death of a loved one, and the same follows with us. Dad was healthy and active up to the moment he fell ill, and we never expected to lose him this soon. My brother and I, as well as my sister’s children gave tributes to my father at his funeral service on January 3 in Phoenix. Bob Reed’s tribute (posted in December) really is beautiful and says it best: Earl Rae was a special man who will be missed by all those who knew him; we hope from the good deeds he did on this earth that his legacy will live on.
ReplyDeleteOur immediate family, who is scattered between Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Hawaii and China, all were with my father the final two weeks of his life and at his service this week (Jan 3). Many of us will also honor him as we bury his ashes in his hometown of Marcus, Iowa this May. Marcus is a town that created many special memories for my father, which we heard of both growing up and most recently on this blog site. Fittingly, it is where my parents met and married. Our family very much looks forward to ‘meeting Marcus’ this spring as we embark on our final memorial service to my father and lay his remains to rest in the Marcus-Amherst Cemetary on Memorial Day. We also look forward to watching the procession of flags and to honor the veterans in Marcus.
Thanks again to everyone for your messages, postings, tributes, cards and emails. It is heartfelt.
The Earl Rae Family
marcus is freakin sweet
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let the Marcus community know that one of their own's son provided the most fascinating trip that one could ever have access to yesterday.
ReplyDeleteBrian Peavey son of Denny Peavey and grandson of Dorothy and the late Howard Peavey gave a private tour of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TEXAS to me and my daughter Amelia.
It was an absolute RUSH to sit at the controls of the Space Shuttle and my daughter was all set to take off for SPACE where she thought it would be awesome to be able to experience weightlessness and bounce wherever she wanted to go. To sit in the cockpit of one of these amazing machines was without a doubt one of life's amazing experiences.
We then proceeded with Brian to the Space Station and got to go inside it as well. We just missed some of the astrounauts who were training with some instructors in the Space Station.........to see how the Russians, Japanesse, Americans and numeorus other countries have come together to build this amazing machine is beyond description.
We were able to see the Central Command Centers for both the Space Shuttle and Space Station and observe the folks do their jobs.....currently they are tracking the Space Station which we got to observe.........AWESOME what they can do with technology.
Last but not least we got to see some ASTRONAUTS who were training in the largest pool in the world........over 40' deep and 300 yards or so long. The astronauts were training in conjunction with the Space Shuttle in anticipation of their May launch.
All of Marcus should be proud of the Peavey family knowing that Brian is proud to recognize that he has Marcus, Iowa blood in his veins..............BTW.......Brian is heading to Moscow in a short week or so where he goes to train the Cosmonauts as well as the work he does with the astronauts.
Have a safe trip to Moscow Brian and thanks for making a "MEMORY" for me and my daughter........Amelia thinks you are the greatest and have the coolest job EVER!!!!
P.S. Denny and his lovely new bride Rosmary are wonderful host if any Marusites ever make it to League City, TEXAS....i.e. suburban Houston!!!!!
The following posted at the request of the Marcus Picnic Committee, AKA Chuck Beaton:
ReplyDeleteANNUAL MARCUS PICNIC FEB 19
The Annual Marcus Picnic will be held on February 19, 2006 at the Hometown Buffet, 1312 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Az.
We have reserved the meeting room from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner will be smorgasbord style so you will be able to eat as you arrive. A short program will feature a discussion on the future of the picnic plus possible new sites.
The past six years, beginning with 2000, the attendance has been 45, 35, 41, 42, 48, and 45. Last year again was pushing the capacity of the room we had reserved. (The best part here is that we do not have to pay extra to guarantee the room.)
There will be time to visit after lunch. Bring your memories to share with old friends.
If the need for more information arises you can reach the committee by calling Chuck Beaton at 602-789-6253,
or e-mail him at
cnbeaton@juno.com
or e-mail Marcia Beaton at
MarciaMLBeaton@aol.com
And please use the above contacts to let the Committee know that you will be attending.
Any movie goers out there? How about a discussion of your favorite all-time movies set in the Midwest ...
ReplyDeleteTo the Anonymous poster on Jan 6 about the amount of change in 5 years. Being from one of the founding familys (Collins) in the area I am glad to say the world will change more in the next 5 years than Marcus has changed in the past 150 years. I will be smilling on the 4th of July when I stand on my land (NW of Marcus) knee high in the food that feeds you and will continue to feed people for years to come.
ReplyDeleteSorry, my previous comment I stated my land is NW of Marcus. It was a fat finger mistake. The land is NE of Marcus.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering:
ReplyDeleteThe Annual Marcus Picnic will be held on February 19, 2006 at the Hometown Buffet, 1312 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Az.
Why Scottsdale, AZ?
Why not in Marcus, IA?
Well, isn't that because we have our own little outpost of Marcusites (Marcusonians?) down in that area of the country. Which gets me to thinking ... are there any Northeasterners out there who check out this site with Marcus heartstrings? Maybe we could create our own Marcus Picnic in this area of the country ... it's worth a try!
ReplyDeleteHey, what's with this anonymous Collins stuff! Don't be afraid to plant a name on the posts here! No one should be anonymous at this hometown website ... and if you're related to the Collins family, well, we long-rooted Marcus types have a good idea who you are anyway!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I even knew the NW was wrong from the get-go!
ReplyDeleteFunny you talk about the Collin's. I have the Collins name spray painted on the side of the lean-to of our barn because the farm use to be a "Collin's Farm". Proud to still be living in the NE Marcus Area for my entire life.....
ReplyDeleteNot to beat a dead horse here, but i haven't read the posts here for quite some time; just did, and as most of you, I got quite fired up at the Anonymous post early on in the month.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to me to see how many people jump right in and stick up for the town that we all know and love so well. Gina, your post really got me going-thanks. I'm probably one of the youngest people to post on this site, but Marcus and its people have given me so much over the years; I can't imagine having grown up somewhere else, and all that I would have missed out on.
Just recently, my family experienced a prime example of the overwhelming compassion and caring that Marcus and its family of friends and neighbors are capable of. When my dad, Clark ran into heart troubles before Christmas and then ended up having to have emergency quadruple bypass surgery, the support that was shown to our family was unimaginable! Friends, neighbors, and even many whom we would have never expected, did so much for Mom, Dad, and the rest of us, that it simply blew us away.
The generosity of this community is truly unspeakable. From feeding our cattle, to baking food, from financial support to prayers and moral support--we simply could not have asked for a better place to be, nor for more caring people to be with.
Marcus means the world to my parents, Clark and Vickie, my siblings and myself. Marcus has been our lives and our lives have been Marcus. I'm proud to say that it is where i grew up and I will ALWAYS call it home!
--Joe Rainboth
Vermillion, South Dakota
I tried to post a comment to anonymous a few days ago, but guess I didn't know what I was doing! I wont try to write that again--it was too long--, but will try this to see if I have it right this time. I say "AMEN" to all who have answered anonymous. You'll never find a better place than Marcus, Iowa to live and raise a family! I miss you all the past 3 1/2 years--but, love CA and don't miss the cold, snow and ice!
ReplyDeleteBy the way--Chuck Nielsen. If you happen to read this, please send me your email address.
Greetings Bettye and Lori!
ReplyDeleteWhat a special treat to see your notes here!
Hi Fellow Marcusites!
ReplyDeleteI check in about once a month to read the Blog. Some great comments.
I particularly enjoy Fred Dorr's vivid memories! He's a great writer too.
Just for the record, my mother was a Collins too. I know there were a number of Collins families in the area..I'm not really sure what or to whom the earlier comments were referring to.
I grew up in Marcus & return regularily. I love the Marcus Fair, & the class reunions. I no longer have any family there but I have kept in touch with lots of friends. I moved to Southern California in 1977. You can't beat the weather here, but I've missed the Midwestern people.
We used to have quite a large group of Marcusites here in Orange County. Dan Ohlendorf, Teresa Flanagan, Chuck & Dick Nielsen, Bob, Richard & David Haines, Todd & Kent Martin, Kitty Pallesen,etc. My sisters, Rosemary & Sheila both live in San Diego & are close by as well.
Some of the original group have returned to Iowa. Dick Nielsen & Bob Haines have both passed away.
There are just a few of us left here now.
My husband Jim & I are retired & plan to move back to Iowa (Spirit Lake) this May. I've always loved the lakes area. Jim is a native Californian but he loves Iowa. Although he has never spent a winter there...
I won't miss the hectic pace & all the traffic here. Caifornia has really changed over the past 30 years too.
Some of my fondest memories of Marcus are the Band Concerts downtown on Saturday nights in the summer.It gave everyone something to look forward to & I'm sure it helped the local merchants as well.
Marty Crandall was our director.
What a great guy he was!
I also remember going to Dr. Joynts office & getting a certificate for an ice cream cone downstairs at "Fred's." It sure made going to the Dr. alot easier!
We looked forward to the movies at "The Marland" every Friday night. It didn't really matter what was playing. We practicly lived at the swimming pool in the summers.
Do you remember the hayrides in the fall? What a treat!
To Joan Roethler: I forwarded a link to the blog to Sheila so I'm sure you will hear from her. Is the Holy Name reunion an all school reunion?
To all the bloggers, Thanks for the memories! Colleen
Geez...Colleen....
ReplyDeleteYou must be ready for retirement...you just repeated yourself twice!
Love, Kevin Flanagan
I think it's fabulous that Marcus has a blog spot! I used it in college and found that many where provoking others to spur the conversation into different directions. As I've experienced in Marcus, you all have a special connection to one another, and one that us city folk just don't have. This sense of community is certainly coveted by me, and I love coming to visit my grandma to catch up with her friends. Take care all.
ReplyDeleteColleen: Your post brought back a few memories of Marcus, relating to names.
ReplyDelete(Especially with a name as common as mine) I always thought Rocky Bork and your sister, Sheila Whealon, had the coolest names in Marcus. Rocky - because it sounded like a tough guy, which he was and Sheila - because it was so distinctive and exotic sounding.
I only ever knew one Rocky and one Sheila, both from my home town.
Whenever I turn on the TV set and see Sly Stallone doing the Rocky Balboa series or hear Tommy Roe belt out, "Sweet little Sheila, you'll know her if you see her..." I always think of those two.
Rocky was a good friend growing up. I never really knew your sister. But both of their names live on in my memory, ever tied to Marcus.
Finally, another "name story". I had an older sister Shirley - now deceased. I was once talking with another woman named Shirley and I interjected that I had a sister of the same name. She stopped the conversation indicating that she was sure she could guess my sister's age. She then did. I asked her to explain. Her reaction: "Oh, it's easy. We were all named after Shirley Temple. We're all the same age."
Funny how those name things evoke so many different memories.
Great to hear from you. Blog on! Fred