The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Mingling & Visiting

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

2 August 2000

As I venture about the area attending everything from La Harpe Summerfest to Library ground breaking ceremonies, alumni banquet to county fairs, I find people and their lives, very interesting.

In fact, in mingling and visiting, I learn every person has a story to tell. A story that is fascinating and different than anyone else's.

It's: their own story - such as the one I told of Art Kane of Raritan last week, and his extra work with the ceramic pigs in promoting support for Relay of Life and a new library: or the fascinating story of a former Media youth, the late Fred Gibb who produced a world champion stock car on display Saturday.

Two young men I would like to mention is Jess Bond, a Junior at Southern, and Garrett Cargill, a recent Southern graduate. They are two of several who have shown genuine concern about Alan Durkee's plight with a leg injury last week by volunteering to help out with the farm chores.

There are probably others, but these two boys I have visited with and personally know of their concern.

Virginia Ross lives at rural Gladstone. She is not only an expert in genealogy, but also an excellent history teacher, and community minded individual.

I love visiting with Virginia who spends her days helping other individuals whenever she can, working tirelessly as President of the Henderson County Library to gain a new facility.

Virginia has been raised by her parents that one should always unselfishly give back, and that she has done, : to the community, state, and church.

Joan Siegworth lives in Henderson County, has a Lomax phone number, and is in the La Harpe school district. She is secretary at the La Harpe Elementary. She is very creative and good with crafts.

I've always known her to be cheerful and efficient as school secretary, but this lady seems to have everything within reach.

She is very generous and kindhearted. For example, she makes around 80 items for Christmas gifts to give to all of the school employees, individualizing each. Joan is also the type that makes small of her accomplishments while praising others.

Of course there is another lady I met through introductions from friends, Faith Mikita of Monmouth. Faith, has been declared legally blind but she still can teach baking skills to anyone. With arthritis and a knee replacement hindering her even more, Faith has not let her handicap stop her from producing.

She has won numerous times with her many entries at the Illinois State Fair and again will be taken to the fair by her son to attend some of the baking events of her students.

Faith's goal is to publish a cook book with many of her recipes in big print for the vision impaired. Without funds and support, the attempt to publish keeps hitting dead ends.

"It is so frustrating," she said. She is now putting together a smaller version to sell, but she is determined to someday publish her book. Friends have typed recipes on computer discs for her to take to the printer.

I find these people, and many others, amazing as I travel around our wonderful area.

Mingle and visit and you too will be amazed at the good people who surround you.