This memory popped up many times over the years, including some that didn’t make the column in 1994! -Jean Borgeson
Globe Free Press, Rippey News, Page 5, February 10, 1994, Velda’s Varieties, by Velda DeMoss
This has been quite a week in my household. I managed to have enough happen this week to write two or three columns. I think this week I’ll concentrate on the good news; save the bad until next week.
The BRR ride turned out to be all we had hoped for with about 850 riders. The Perry Chamber of Commerce must have a direct line to the weather man to get a decent day for the ride. Riders reported it was pretty cool as they headed west toward Rippey from Hager’s farm.
We had a busy and fun day at the cafe, dishing soup, making sandwiches and serving pie. We had some excellent volunteer help: Jay Williams, John Welsh, Jean Borgeson, Lori DeMoss, Mary Fry, and Rick Liebich. Jean was also serving as a reporter and my personal PR person. Before we got busy at the cafe, I suggested she take my camera and go down to visit Ethel Correy. Ethel always entertains her grandson and lots of his friends during the BRR Ride. They all love her cinnamon rolls and whatever else she prepares. Jean found that the main crowd hadn’t arrived but she did find the “Iowa Boy” and his wife visiting Ethel.
Jean must have done quite a sales job and got The Offenburger’s to the cafe to meet “The Mouth of Rippey.” I was impressed! I was further awed when I returned from Zach’s birthday party Sunday evening and checked my answering machine. “Chuck” wanted me to give him a call. Did my head swell or what? Thinking that he was impressed with the “Mouth of Rippey,” I returned his call to find out he wanted to know the correct spelling of Ethel’s name! I guess those cinnamon rolls were memorable! Don’t worry, Ethel, I didn’t spell your name, Ethel “Leadfoot” Correy!
A preview of the next column: How one family can have two car accidents in three days and entertain the BRR Ride the same week.
Guess what my “Hugs from the Heart” calendar says for Monday, February 7? “Raising children can sometimes be as rewarding as trying to nail a poached egg to a tree.”