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Meet Me at the Corner
A former newspaper reporter who has lived in Franklin for nearly 40 years, Marjorie is active in several Franklin and Hales Corners organizations.
November 2008 - Posts
By Marjorie Pagel
Sunday, Nov 23 2008, 08:06 PM
The 75th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps was celebrated locally last week at Boerner Botanical Gardens. It was a well-attended event, and though only a handful of people could share firsthand experiences of this chapter in American history, almost everyone could remember someone -- a father, an uncle, or a grandfather -- who had been part of the CCC.
Young men between 17 and 25 earned $30 a month -- $25 of which was sent directly home to “ma and pa” to make sure they had enough to eat. They worked hard for the $5 they got to keep: planting trees, building roads and bridges, and helping to develop park land. These young men working in the 1930s left a legacy which all of us continue to enjoy today.
During the celebration, members of the Milwaukee Community Service Corps quietly read the names of all 7,000 Wisconsin men who were part of the CCC. Undoubtedly, there are more names, and Chris Litzau, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Community Service Corps, hopes to hear who these other workers were and publish them on a CCC website. For more information, you may contact Litzau at 414-372-9040.
There were several special treats in store for the guests, including a taped rendition of the bugle call, “Reveille” – played four times all the way through. (County Executive Scott Walker joked that he’d like a copy of that tape for his teenage son, because it would take that many bugle calls to rouse him.) The taped bugles played again at the end – “Taps” -- just before the soup lunch was served.
The sing-a-long of the “National CCC Song” featured all six verses followed each time by this chorus:
“It’s up in the morning and work all day under a boiling sun,
Then back to camp with darn good pals when an honest day is done.
Now some are good and some are bad as fellows will always be,
But we all stick together and now I’m glad that I’m in the CCC.”
My favorite verse was the last:
“We’ve worked in many places – over forest, gully and hill.
And when Franklin D. says, “Do it, boys,” you can bet your life, we will.
And if it weren’t for men like him, I don’t know where I’d be.
Now I’ve got a home no more to roam, and thanks to Franklin D.”
Litzau used the opportunity to draw some correlations between those lean economic times of the Depression and this country’s current economic crisis. In a recent article from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, he was quoted as saying, "From the worst of times, you have the greatest human spirit arise.” He sees the Milwaukee Community Service Corps as “a grandchild of the CCC.” (www.jsonline.com/business/34563724.html)
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By Marjorie Pagel
Friday, Nov 14 2008, 08:21 AM
Those of you who read my blog last week know about Cailinn Lynch, the six-month old daughter of Brian and Kelly Lynch, of Hales Corners. Kelly writes all the latest news in an online journal sponsored by Caring Bridge. The alert I received today told me the news and I want to pass it on to you:
Welcome Home Baby Cailinn!
Our little girl came home yesterday. We can't even begin to describe how happy we are. It's amazing how much you take things for granted, such as sitting in your living room with your spouse, your baby and your dog, eating dinner together.
Brian, Cailinn, and I would like to say thank you to all of our doctors and nurses at CHW that helped us get home.
We look forward to seeing everyone that will be able to make it on Saturday. - Kelly Lynch
Reminder: The Saturday event that Kelly refers to is a fundraiser November 15, 7 to 11 p.m., to help pay some of the medical costs for Cailinn. Michael Stickney, a family friend, is organizing a fun-filled event for people of all ages -- families invited -- at Waynz World in New Berlin. The cost is $25 per person. RSVP to Michael 630-802-1380; donations to the Cailinn Lynch fund may be sent to him at 1569 S. Carriage LN, New Berlin WI 53151. Details about Waynz World, along with directions, can be found at waynzworld.com.
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By Marjorie Pagel
Sunday, Nov 2 2008, 07:21 PM
Brian and Kelly Lynch, of Hales Corners, were ecstatic to become first-time parents on May 8, 2008. Their daughter, Cailinn Maureen, was born at 9:07 p.m., weighing 5 lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 18 inches long. She had a full head of beautiful brown hair with red highlights.
Soon after her birth, a blood test determined that this darling little girl had a rare and serious chromosomal disorder. She was to spend four long weeks in intensive care before coming home. On August 6 she was readmitted to Children's Hospital because of breathing problems. Later that month, doctors surgically inserted a tracheotomy tube to help her breathe, and on August 19, Kelly wrote in an online journal, which she shares with family and friends:
"Cailinn had her trach placed yesterday. It was a rough day for all of us, but Cailinn is so strong. She slept most of the day, but is already starting to perk up today. I've never know a stronger person. We can clearly see the improvement in our beautiful daughter. It's a little hard, seeing her with all of her 'accessories', but knowing that she is breathing so much better and is more comfortable is a precious peace of mind. We know now that we made the right decision."
Then on September 25 Cailinn had heart surgery to correct congenital heart defects. The little girl came through that surgery triumphantly as well. One month later, on October 25, Kelly posted this note: "Well, we are getting closer to going home! . . . Cailinn came down with pneumonia last week and some other respiratory challenges, as well as a slight tummy bug. She had a really high fever and was very sad, but fought through it like the little trooper that she is. . . . She never fails to amaze me. She is doing very well, and smiles & talks to us all the time. She is probably the happiest baby I've ever met."
The latest posting tells about a special benefit for Cailinn that's being organized by a family friend, Michael Stickney. The benefit, to be held on Nov. 15 at Waynz World of Recreation in Waukesha, will be a family event with food and beverages served and games of volleyball, bean bag toss, and ping pong. There will also be a silent auction and raffle.
Michael writes: The cost will be $25 per person. If you can't make it please feel free to send a donation on your behalf. Please RSVP to Michael Stickney 630-802-1380 or send a donation to 1569 S. Carriage LN, New Berlin WI 53151. Also, if you can donate anything for the auction, it would be much appreciated. For directions to the event visit waynzworld.com.
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