Letter to the Editor

Reminders from our past

Sunday, July 18, 2010

To the Editor:

This is some info from the old days, circa 1958:

* Eisenhower sends troops to Lebanon,

* Khrushchev in as Soviet Premier, Bulganin out,

* Castros Guerrillas launch offensive in Cuba,

* Venezuela imposes restrictions on U.S. oil companies,

* Elvis Presley inducted in Army,

* Governor Faubus shuts Little Rock schools,

* NASA is founded,

* Music from 1958 -- "Gigi," "Witch Doctor," "Purple People Eater," and "The Chipmunk Song,"

* Winner Indianapolis 500 -- Jimmy Bryan, sponsored by Mobile Gas and Oil,

*President Dwight Eisenhower, Vice President Richard Nixon,

* Inventions -- Barbie Doll, Hula Hoop, Laser, and

* Miss America -- Marilyn Van Berbur, Denver, Colo.

More from 1958 and other years next time.

But before I sign off, I wanted to tell you that (a publishing company and I) have settled our differences.

In fact, they told me if I wanted to, or if I was still interested in buying the book with my poem in it, I could do it through the mail, and not worry about the Internet, but the price is a little high, so I told them I would have to think it over a long time.

Now they talk like they want me to write another one.

I may not have won first-, second- or third-place, but at least my poem, "God Is Love," was published.

Here's a few titles from first-, second and third-place by other people: First-place "Darkroom;" Second-place "Infinite Occasion;" Third-place "Lying There in the Dirt," "White Horse," "The Memory Quilt," "The Planting Place," etc.

This is all for now. Until next time, take care and be fair.

John Weddle,

Brazil