A winner and some suggestions
The "unidentified shopper" contest could go on for another week. As late as Monday afternoon I was still getting suggestions at the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin office. I've received more than 60 votes for two candidates. According to the owner of the photograph and a child of the unidentified shopper (and who should know better than she), the man pictured with Ross Mathias in the quarterly alumni issue is Herb Kottwitz. The other candidate was Wayne Guthrie, who garnered six votes.
The contest winner's name was drawn from all the entries naming Kottwitz. The winner is Norm Claassen of Peabody. Norm will receive a one-year subscription to the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. Thanks to all of you who participated. We'll do this again sometime. (The best part for me is the knowledge that more than five people read my column. What an ego booster! Woo-hoo!)
A big thank you goes out to the Peabody-Burns High School junior class and the community volunteers who contributed their Saturday morning to clean up downtown. Now it is time for everyone else to get busy. Company is coming this weekend! Time to mow and trim.
There is a lot of junk in gutters all over town because of the hail storm and unusually heavy "bloom" this spring from elm and maple trees. Do us all a favor and sweep up in the gutter in front of your house. Pull the weeds and grass. If you have elderly neighbors, do the same in front of their house. We all thank you for your efforts!
This weekend local American Legion members will again be illuminating the Avenue of Flags at Prairie Lawn Cemetery. Make a point to drive out there and look. It is an inspiring display. Take your children or grandchildren. As word of the exhibition has spread, more and more people from Marion County and the surrounding area have made the drive to Peabody to view the flags.
You should see it too. And then send the legion a check to help support it. That is the least you can do — each flag represents a veteran buried at Prairie Lawn who fought to give you the comforts and privileges you enjoy. They are our own. Some died in battle far from Peabody. Some simply faded away, taking with them the memories of whatever war they fought. But they did it for all of us. It is time for us to give something back. The avenue is supported solely by donations and legion fund-raisers. This is something that deserves your support.
So there are two suggestions about how to support what is happening in Peabody. As I have said before, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Dig in and contribute to the community in which you live. Whatever is done here reflects on all of us. Go for the good stuff. Nothing could be easier.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
