July in Happy Creek
By
F. Thomas Rondy
By
F. Thomas Rondy
[this is copy writed material not reproduction via any means without the expressed permission of the author]
It has been an unusual past several weeks in Happy Creek, MI, my home town. The annual 4th of July parade down Main Street was as grand and glorious setting the mood for the day’s event. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Four H’s Clubs, Future Famer’s of America, various church groups,and the American Legion Band stirred our patriotic emotions as they marched the route or rode on homemade floats. The crowd was enthusiastic waving American Flags. Happy Creek was a picture post card of patriotism that day. A Norman Rockwell glimpse of Americana at its best
The picnic was held at Hap’s Homestead as usual. Families brought their favorite picnic dishes to share. The food was placed on an extra long table in front of Hap’s Cabin. Pop was cooled in vast wash tubs filled with ice at each end of the table. The kids were allowed to run wild as they played softball or enjoyed themselves in some of the inflatable games or jumping tents. The young people went wading in Hap’s Creek or played volleyball. Some even wandered away for a while to sneak kisses out in the woods. The adults enjoyed horse shoes, three legged races, or just sitting in the shade talking with friends and neighbors. A grand time was had by all as they awaited twilight when the fireworks would commence.
Twilight descended upon Hap’s Homestead. Violet Crandall stepped on to the wood constructed platform which was draped with bunting and lined with American Flags. Violet and I were in the same class at Happy Creek High School. Violet distinguished herself as a singer. She was in the choir and sang solos at all the school and civic events ever since I can remember. She graduated from the Interlocken Conservatory of Music, was awarded a PhD. in vocal performance from Julliard. After several years in the chorus, she became the lead alto in the Metropolitan Opera Company. She retired from the Met last year moving back to Happy Creek.
She has been singing the National Anthem each year since 1957 and this year would be no exception. Violet was welcomed to the stage with thunderous applause. People just loved to hear her sing. She is one of Happy Creek's most famous citizens. The crowd was enthralled with her singing. The spell was broken when she began the last phrase, “…Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave ov’r the land of the free and the home of the brave.” For some unexplainable reason, a June bug though her mouth would be a good place to land. And, it did causing Violet to gag and cough. Embarrassed and humiliated she left the stage immediately without finishing the song. Some were shocked. Others cried openly. Several ran back stage to comfort Violet. Violet was inconsolable. She apologized to Mrs. Cripps, the organizer of the platform entertainment, saying how deeply sorry she was for ruining the song and the day’s activities. Mrs. Cripps hugged her, “There, there, honey it’s alright. We understand.”
The band played on. The fireworks began. Bang. Boom, boom. Oh’s and ah’s went up from the crowd. It was a grand and glorious night. Everyone enjoyed the 4th.
Well, not everyone. Violet’s head hung low and her hands covered her tear swollen eyes. Why had the June bug landed in her mouth? In all of her years of singing, this had never happened before. Why had it happened tonight?
Across town, Amy Lou and Ted, her son sat comfortably in the living room of their home. They had not attended the 4th of July celebrations. They were not too keen on community events. Keeping mostly to themselves except for Sunday visits to the John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church.
Amy Lou and Ted were not long time residents of Happy Creek. They moved here in February after she purchased Mildred’s Hair Salon and Emporium and Mildred’s house as well. Mildred was Happy Creek’s hair stylist for the last sixty-five years. She died one evening in January after locking up the Hair Salon and Emporium. She died in her sleep. Mildred was 89 years old when she passed.
Neal Boyer, the real estate agent, told everyone Amy Lou paid cash for both transactions. Eyebrows were raised. Questions asked. Who was Amy Lou Sommers? Where did she get the money? Why, had she come to Happy Creek? These and other questions captured the imaginations of Happy Creek’s town folk. Amy Lou Sommers’ name was on the top of the gossip list for a month or so until most of them realized she was a nice young lady, a good hair stylist, and that Ted was an honor roll student and good at computers. He worked part time for “The Geek Squad.”
The folks over at John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church don’t get too many visitors. The Covenanters are hyper Calvinistic. Staunch theologians and legalist. Like Calvin, the Covenanters would prefer the community to be run by the Church. Happy Creek’s other citizens hold a different opinion. Happy Creek is a diversified community of various denominations and ethnic groups. The Covenanters like to think of themselves as, “Defenders of the Faith.” You know those who keep the Church true, holy, and pure. A clannish group who can trace their ancestors back to the Ulsters. They refuse to participate in the Happy Creek ministerial association because it allows the Roman Catholic priest and the Jewish rabbi to be members.
The Covenanters were a bit taken back when Ms. Amy Lou Sommers and her son, Ted, visited them in March. She was cordially welcomed with a tad of suspicion thrown in for good measure. Amy Lou and Ted returned on a regular basis because it was only two blocks from their home.
She talked with Reverend William Campbell about becoming a member. Bells and whistles of suspicion began to go off in the good reverend’s head. He informed Amy Lou that he would take her request to the Consistory. He, also, informed her that the Consistory would meet twice to discuss her request. The first meeting would be open to the congregation for any comments the members might have. The second meeting would be a vote to receive her as a member. God only knows why Presbyterians vote people into or out of the church.
The first Consistory meeting took place the Monday after the first Sunday in July. The pastor, the elders, and most of the congregation were in attendance. The Stated Clerk kept minutes. During the discussion, it was noted that Amy Lou is an avowed Pescatarian and her son is a fan boy and both are addicted to Edamame. No one present knew what a Pescatarian was. They were certain, however, that no one like that should be a part of their church.
Mrs. Mary Jane McDonnell, the high school substances abuse counselor, told the Board and congregation about the dangers of addiction. “We have to think of our children,” she insisted. “We cannot tolerate anyone with an addiction to be a part of our God-fearing church.” The others agreed with her. A recommendation was made only to allow Amy Lou and Ted membership in the church after they both promised to disavow their devotion to Pescatarism and after six months of rehabilitation for being addictive to Edamame.
Others began to share some unusual things that happened to them since Ms. Sommers began attending their church. Michael McTavish worked for Happy Creek’s Utility Department. He told about an incident in May which startled him. He was in a cherry picker replacing a burn out light bulb when a bird flying over head “unloaded” on him causing him to drop the new light bulb and stumbling in the cheery picker. This had never happened to him before. He believed that the Pescatarian Amy Lou had something to do with it.
Mrs. Edith O’Brian told the group about Amy Lou’s cat. It was pitch black. The kind you see associated with witches during Halloween, which of course, the Covenanters avoid like the devil himself. Edith stated the cat’s name was “Druid.” “Now, who on earth gives a name like that to a cat?” she asked. “Mark my words, only a pagan witch would call her cat, Druid. I stopped going to her beauty shop when I found out she was a witch.”
The unanimous vote agreed that Amy Lou and Ted would not be allowed to be members of John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. A letter of the vote including the recommendation was sent to Ms. Amy Lou Sommers. The Stated Clerk wrote a PS, “Our hope is that you will abandon your pagan ways and come to the Truth of the Gospel. We pray for your soul.”
Amy Lou and Ted never set foot again in John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. She found another church which accepted her as a Pescatarian. In fact this church had a group of Pescatarian who met monthly. Her cat, “Drew Ed,” still warms itself in the beauty shop’s window and greets all of her customers with a welcoming “meow.”
Rumors can distort the truth. Coincident can lead to suspicions. Suspicions become paranoia. Lack of knowledge is often thought of as truth. It is difficult to explain things to people who have their minds fixated on paranoia and suspicions. Difficult as well to explain the read truth to those who are too busy playing with their mental blocks to listen.
So that’s the way it was this July in Happy Creek, Michigan, my hometown where 99% of the people are happy. It is a privilege to live in Happy Creek, the most fun place on earth to raise a family.
F. Thomas Rondy
©July, 2008
It has been an unusual past several weeks in Happy Creek, MI, my home town. The annual 4th of July parade down Main Street was as grand and glorious setting the mood for the day’s event. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Four H’s Clubs, Future Famer’s of America, various church groups,and the American Legion Band stirred our patriotic emotions as they marched the route or rode on homemade floats. The crowd was enthusiastic waving American Flags. Happy Creek was a picture post card of patriotism that day. A Norman Rockwell glimpse of Americana at its best
The picnic was held at Hap’s Homestead as usual. Families brought their favorite picnic dishes to share. The food was placed on an extra long table in front of Hap’s Cabin. Pop was cooled in vast wash tubs filled with ice at each end of the table. The kids were allowed to run wild as they played softball or enjoyed themselves in some of the inflatable games or jumping tents. The young people went wading in Hap’s Creek or played volleyball. Some even wandered away for a while to sneak kisses out in the woods. The adults enjoyed horse shoes, three legged races, or just sitting in the shade talking with friends and neighbors. A grand time was had by all as they awaited twilight when the fireworks would commence.
Twilight descended upon Hap’s Homestead. Violet Crandall stepped on to the wood constructed platform which was draped with bunting and lined with American Flags. Violet and I were in the same class at Happy Creek High School. Violet distinguished herself as a singer. She was in the choir and sang solos at all the school and civic events ever since I can remember. She graduated from the Interlocken Conservatory of Music, was awarded a PhD. in vocal performance from Julliard. After several years in the chorus, she became the lead alto in the Metropolitan Opera Company. She retired from the Met last year moving back to Happy Creek.
She has been singing the National Anthem each year since 1957 and this year would be no exception. Violet was welcomed to the stage with thunderous applause. People just loved to hear her sing. She is one of Happy Creek's most famous citizens. The crowd was enthralled with her singing. The spell was broken when she began the last phrase, “…Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave ov’r the land of the free and the home of the brave.” For some unexplainable reason, a June bug though her mouth would be a good place to land. And, it did causing Violet to gag and cough. Embarrassed and humiliated she left the stage immediately without finishing the song. Some were shocked. Others cried openly. Several ran back stage to comfort Violet. Violet was inconsolable. She apologized to Mrs. Cripps, the organizer of the platform entertainment, saying how deeply sorry she was for ruining the song and the day’s activities. Mrs. Cripps hugged her, “There, there, honey it’s alright. We understand.”
The band played on. The fireworks began. Bang. Boom, boom. Oh’s and ah’s went up from the crowd. It was a grand and glorious night. Everyone enjoyed the 4th.
Well, not everyone. Violet’s head hung low and her hands covered her tear swollen eyes. Why had the June bug landed in her mouth? In all of her years of singing, this had never happened before. Why had it happened tonight?
Across town, Amy Lou and Ted, her son sat comfortably in the living room of their home. They had not attended the 4th of July celebrations. They were not too keen on community events. Keeping mostly to themselves except for Sunday visits to the John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church.
Amy Lou and Ted were not long time residents of Happy Creek. They moved here in February after she purchased Mildred’s Hair Salon and Emporium and Mildred’s house as well. Mildred was Happy Creek’s hair stylist for the last sixty-five years. She died one evening in January after locking up the Hair Salon and Emporium. She died in her sleep. Mildred was 89 years old when she passed.
Neal Boyer, the real estate agent, told everyone Amy Lou paid cash for both transactions. Eyebrows were raised. Questions asked. Who was Amy Lou Sommers? Where did she get the money? Why, had she come to Happy Creek? These and other questions captured the imaginations of Happy Creek’s town folk. Amy Lou Sommers’ name was on the top of the gossip list for a month or so until most of them realized she was a nice young lady, a good hair stylist, and that Ted was an honor roll student and good at computers. He worked part time for “The Geek Squad.”
The folks over at John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church don’t get too many visitors. The Covenanters are hyper Calvinistic. Staunch theologians and legalist. Like Calvin, the Covenanters would prefer the community to be run by the Church. Happy Creek’s other citizens hold a different opinion. Happy Creek is a diversified community of various denominations and ethnic groups. The Covenanters like to think of themselves as, “Defenders of the Faith.” You know those who keep the Church true, holy, and pure. A clannish group who can trace their ancestors back to the Ulsters. They refuse to participate in the Happy Creek ministerial association because it allows the Roman Catholic priest and the Jewish rabbi to be members.
The Covenanters were a bit taken back when Ms. Amy Lou Sommers and her son, Ted, visited them in March. She was cordially welcomed with a tad of suspicion thrown in for good measure. Amy Lou and Ted returned on a regular basis because it was only two blocks from their home.
She talked with Reverend William Campbell about becoming a member. Bells and whistles of suspicion began to go off in the good reverend’s head. He informed Amy Lou that he would take her request to the Consistory. He, also, informed her that the Consistory would meet twice to discuss her request. The first meeting would be open to the congregation for any comments the members might have. The second meeting would be a vote to receive her as a member. God only knows why Presbyterians vote people into or out of the church.
The first Consistory meeting took place the Monday after the first Sunday in July. The pastor, the elders, and most of the congregation were in attendance. The Stated Clerk kept minutes. During the discussion, it was noted that Amy Lou is an avowed Pescatarian and her son is a fan boy and both are addicted to Edamame. No one present knew what a Pescatarian was. They were certain, however, that no one like that should be a part of their church.
Mrs. Mary Jane McDonnell, the high school substances abuse counselor, told the Board and congregation about the dangers of addiction. “We have to think of our children,” she insisted. “We cannot tolerate anyone with an addiction to be a part of our God-fearing church.” The others agreed with her. A recommendation was made only to allow Amy Lou and Ted membership in the church after they both promised to disavow their devotion to Pescatarism and after six months of rehabilitation for being addictive to Edamame.
Others began to share some unusual things that happened to them since Ms. Sommers began attending their church. Michael McTavish worked for Happy Creek’s Utility Department. He told about an incident in May which startled him. He was in a cherry picker replacing a burn out light bulb when a bird flying over head “unloaded” on him causing him to drop the new light bulb and stumbling in the cheery picker. This had never happened to him before. He believed that the Pescatarian Amy Lou had something to do with it.
Mrs. Edith O’Brian told the group about Amy Lou’s cat. It was pitch black. The kind you see associated with witches during Halloween, which of course, the Covenanters avoid like the devil himself. Edith stated the cat’s name was “Druid.” “Now, who on earth gives a name like that to a cat?” she asked. “Mark my words, only a pagan witch would call her cat, Druid. I stopped going to her beauty shop when I found out she was a witch.”
The unanimous vote agreed that Amy Lou and Ted would not be allowed to be members of John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. A letter of the vote including the recommendation was sent to Ms. Amy Lou Sommers. The Stated Clerk wrote a PS, “Our hope is that you will abandon your pagan ways and come to the Truth of the Gospel. We pray for your soul.”
Amy Lou and Ted never set foot again in John Calvin Covenanter Presbyterian Church. She found another church which accepted her as a Pescatarian. In fact this church had a group of Pescatarian who met monthly. Her cat, “Drew Ed,” still warms itself in the beauty shop’s window and greets all of her customers with a welcoming “meow.”
Rumors can distort the truth. Coincident can lead to suspicions. Suspicions become paranoia. Lack of knowledge is often thought of as truth. It is difficult to explain things to people who have their minds fixated on paranoia and suspicions. Difficult as well to explain the read truth to those who are too busy playing with their mental blocks to listen.
So that’s the way it was this July in Happy Creek, Michigan, my hometown where 99% of the people are happy. It is a privilege to live in Happy Creek, the most fun place on earth to raise a family.
F. Thomas Rondy
©July, 2008
