SOLON & BEYOND: Revisiting a past interview

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be happy.

Baker Mountain Ski Tow, in Moscow, had a great ski season with all the wonderful snow. Thank you to all the volunteers who made that possible. On March 24 they held age-category and male/female races and a BBQ. Winners of the races included snowboarders: (kids) first place winners, Levi Hills; (age 13-17) Drake Whittemore, Jada Ward, and Alvaro Martin; second, Nikk Dube; (adults) first place, Dennis O’Connor and Kelly Vicneire. Ski winners included: first place, Hunter Tewksbury, Cylee Pratt, Tian Jacques, Tyler Jacques; second, Fisher Tewksbury, Hallam Singer, Ethan Wyman, and third, Xavier Belanger, (adults) first, Damian Belanger and Maria Cirelli; second, Tanya Langly; third, Rachel Tremblay.

The above e-mail was sent to me by Judy Belanger.

And….sad but true, that is all the local news that I have received for this weeks column. By now you know that I have been going through old papers from times gone by. They all had long columns of what people had been doing, who had been visiting who, etc… the times, they have changed in these modern days.

I am sad to tell you of the death of my brother-in-law, Howard Rogers, of Solon, who died last week at the age of 97. He had just recently received the Boston Post Cane as Solon’s oldest resident.

Howard and his wife Peggy moved from Flagstaff to Solon back when we were flooded out and had to move. I always enjoyed talking with him about the friends we had there, and the good old days. I’m afraid that I’ll be the only one left soon that remembers way back then.

The other day I came across a, issue of The Town Line paper printed on September 18, 2008, with Percy’s and my picture on the front page. Under the picture, these words were printed: Marilyn Rogers discusses Percy’s philosophical contributions for her weekly column, Solon and Beyond. The article was written by Lyn Rowden , and the picture was of Percy and me laying on the floor, ( and it did look as if we were discussing something!) Lyn also took the picture.

The following is some of what Lyn wrote about Percy and me: “I like to write , I have no formal training but I like to record history, and have it to go back to,” she said. For nearly 25 years she has been doing just that, writing of local events for local papers. She had a weekly column in the Morning Sentinel. She wrote for the Skowhegan Reporter which became the Somerset Reporter and later the Somerset Gazette. She also contributed articles to the Carney Brook Chronicle of Bingham and the Chronicle of Jackman. She had her first front page in 1986 with the Somerset Reporter. In that paper she liked to add old photos and write about historical events such as log drives, which ceased in 1976. “My step-father was on the drive: I wish he would write it all down, she said, noting that it is important to record these happenings while people are still here who remember them. Then, I just had to admire her spunk when she put aside her documentarian side and added, ‘I don’t write about political things anymore, but I can get controversial if something doesn’t seem right to me. Even if sometimes people don’t like it. I stand up for what I believe in,’ she avows, a true believer in the freedom and power of the press. (It was a wonderful long column, with lots of other complements to Percy and me, and our writing, on a blustery, cold, snowy day recently, it really lifted my spirits!

Lyn ended her column that day with these words about Percy: Percy was adopted as a stray kitten nine years ago and has made himself at home. I would say his philosophy is like Marilyn’s: he adopted a home and embraces it as she does Solon.; “he’s a different animal,” she says, and she’s a positively uncommon soul too; he is beautiful, talented, sharp-witted, playful, a great and loving companion and “a good judge of character,” and full of the very words Marilyn would use if Percy didn’t come up with them first.

I asked Percy if he could come up with some lines to pay tribute to Marilyn at the end of my article, and he obliged saying:”To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded.” Marilyn, you have succeeded; Solon and way, way beyond love you!”

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of April 18, 2019

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To submit a photo for The Town Line’s “Give Us Your Best Shot!” section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@fairpoint.net!

FROZEN SUNSET: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, captured this sunset over a frozen China Lake.

 

COUNT THEM: Pat Clark, of Palermo, snapped these two dozen grackles in her back yard.

 

LONER: Betty Dunton, of Gardiner, photographed this bluebird on her deck.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Talking With Your Health Care Provider About Kidney Health

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(NAPSI)—Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health problem, affecting an estimated 30 million adults in the United States. Yet more than nine out of 10 people who have kidney disease don’t know they have it. The sooner you find out you have kidney disease, the sooner you can take steps to prevent or delay serious health problems.

CKD means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. Kidney damage can cause wastes to build up in your body and can lead to other health problems such as anemia, bone disease and heart disease. You can have CKD without any symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease, and over time it may lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain your health. You can’t reverse progressive kidney damage but you may be able to avoid or delay dialysis or a kidney transplant with medications and lifestyle changes.

Understand Your Risk for Kidney Disease

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure, you are at risk for kidney disease. An estimated one in three people with diabetes, and one in five adults with high blood pressure, have CKD. Therefore, it’s important for people who are at risk for the disease to get tested.

Get Tested Early

Testing for kidney disease is simple—it involves a blood test and a urine test. Your health care provider uses a blood test to check how well your kidneys are filtering your blood and a urine test to check for protein in your urine.

Talk with Your Health Care Provider

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure, talk with your health care provider about kidney disease. Stay informed and ask for the results of your kidney tests. You can start the conversation with your health care provider by asking these three questions:

  1. Have I been tested for kidney disease and how healthy are my kidneys?
  2. How often should I get my kidneys checked?
  3. What should I do to keep my kidneys healthy?

Take Steps to Protect Your Kidney Health

If you don’t have kidney disease but are at risk for it, your health care provider may suggest ways you can keep your kidneys healthy. Here are some steps you can take to protect your kidney health:

  • Manage your diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
  • Make healthy food choices
  • Aim for a healthy weight
  • Make physical activity part of your routine
  • Get enough sleep—aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night
  • Stop smoking
  • Find healthy ways to cope with stress.

Learn More

For more information about kidney disease, kidney failure, diabetes and more, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) website at www.niddk.nih.gov.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: The inner child in all of us

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by Debbie Walker

(This is a ‘memory’ column with a few notes added at the end.)

The other day my mom stopped in with one of my aunts, a cousin and two great-cousins. Poor Ken, we are a rather loud family when together. Even poor Benji, our grumpy old Shit-zu, reacted by barking at us because he doesn’t like loud.

Some of you know that I have written some fairy stories, 21 at last count. I know it will sound strange, but I find my writing is assisted by what I happen across for critters (toys). Recently, I was given a little rabbit (toy) with such a look on his face, his name is now Hiram. His story is running through my mind just waiting for me to write it.

These critters usually sit on my kitchen table until I introduce them by giving each its own story, and add it to my collection of stories. We live together in a way.

When the girls were here, Christy Ray (great cousin) asked me if I was still writing fairy stories. So… we were off in our own little fairy world! Mom certainly came to life on that note! She explained that she has had three adult children and one who is a forever child. Guess who she meant, with me sitting here showing Christy Ray (16) my latest critters and thoughts of my next stories.

I will admit I enjoy being “a child.” My grandmother, mom’s mother, told me that we have to grow older chronologically, however, we don’t have to grow up. She was 81 when she told me that! And my grammy wouldn’t lie!

Keep in mind, I work with first graders at school and I love it. I have this past year’s five, six and seven year-olds convinced (?) that I am only five years old. I turned six on my birthday in January, they insisted. However on the last day of school I became five again for the fall’s children!

I said all that to tell you we all have a little child inside us. Don’t be intimidated into keeping him/her inside and hidden. You will so enjoy the time spent with him/her. Even when your “child” is not front and center, people will be impressed with your child-like enthusiasm for life. I can’t say for sure that we will live longer, however, you will so enjoy your time here!

Of course, I am just curious if you are enjoying your inner child. For any questions or comments I am reachable at dwdaffy@yahoo.com sub: inner child. Thanks for reading!! Don’t forget to check us out online!

JUST A LITTLE FUN:

Play, laugh, sing and dance: Look at things with child-like wonder and you’ll never be old!

The cure for boredom is curiosity; there is no cure for curiosity. (I’m counting on this one!)

“Intelligence is knowing that tomato is fruit. Wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if ketchup is a smoothie.” (by Miles Kington)

There is no such thing as too much sparkle! Just ask some first graders (and me of course!)

Thanks for reading.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Composers: Ginastera, Chopin, Moussorgsky; Pianist: Charles Rosen

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Charles Rosen

 

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Ginastera

String Quartets 1 and 2
Henschel Quartet; Arte Nova-ANO 721250, cd, recorded December 9, 10 and 14, 1999.

Alberto Ginastera

Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera (April 11, 1916 – June 25, 1983) was born in Buenos Aries, Argentina, to a Catalan father and Italian mother. In addition to composing a huge legacy of his own music in different forms, he taught much of his life. His students included the well-known Tango composer Astor Piazzolla and classical-pop arranger Waldo de los Rios, whose own 1970s Ode to Joy was a smash hit in the U.S.

The Two String Quartets, from 1948 and 1958, have wild, savage rhythms in the fast movements, haunting mystery and beauty in the slower ones and wondrous moodiness evoking the vast landscapes of Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, etc. I have played both works several times this week, enjoying them more and more.The best approach for new listeners is simply to relax and let the music happen.

The Henschel Quartet was founded in 1988 ; its members were three siblings – brothers Christoph and Markus Henschel on violin, sister Monika as violist and cellist Matthias Beyer-Karlshoj. They are still together, except for a different violinist since Markus left in 2012.

Chopin

2nd Piano Concerto and the Liszt 1st PC
Charles Rosen with John Pritchard conducting the New Philharmonia; Odyssey Y 31529, LP, 1972 reissue of an original 1966 Epic LP.

Charles Rosen

Charles Rosen (1927-2012) was one extraordinary pianist, very gifted writer on music and other subjects and brilliant teacher who crammed several lifetimes into one. He not only played these Concertos well but wrote the insightful liner notes on the back of the record jacket.

Moussorgsky Pictures

at an Exhibition (Orchestrated by Maurice Ravel); Night on Bald Mountain; Vladimir Golschmann conducting the Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Vanguard SRV-117SD, LP, recorded early 1960s.

Vladimir Golschmann (1893-1972) brought a suave elegance to these two works, so often performed with hyper intensity; and they hold their own against the great number of other recordings of them. His 27 years as music director of the St. Louis Symphony from 1931 – 1958 were very accomplished ones and he treated his players as colleagues, getting very good performances on 78 and LP records.

 

 

 

SCORES & OUTDOORS: It’s the time of year to start watching out for the groundhogs on our roadways

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Groundhog day was a little over two months ago. However, this is the time of year when they usually start to make their appearance, emerging from their dens following a long winter of hibernation. Until last Monday – when winter reared its ugly head, once more – it looked as if we would be seeing these little rodents soon. They may have rethought their intentions, and gone back to sleep.

Groundhogs, Marmota monax, also known as woodchucks, are a rodent, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

The groundhog is also referred to as a chuck, woodshock, groundpig, whistlepig, whistler, thickwood badger, Canada maramot, monx, moonack, weenusk, red monk, and, among French Canadians in eastern Canada, siffleux, which translates to whistler.

They are a lowland creature, found through much of the eastern United States across Canada and into Alaska. Adults are 16 – 20 inches long, including a six-inch tail, and weigh between 5 – 12 pounds. Extremely large individuals can weigh as much as 15 pounds.

The name woodchuck is unrelated to wood or chucking. It stems from the Native American Algonquian or possibly Narragansett word for the animal, wuchak. The similarities in the name led to the popular tongue-twister: “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could if a woodchuck could chuck wood.”

Groundhogs prefer open country and the edges of woodlands, and is rarely far from a burrow entrance. It is typically found in low-elevation forests, small woodlots, fields, pastures and hedgerows. It constructs dens in well-drained soil, and most have summer and winter dens.

In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years, although three years is the average. In captivity, they can live up to 14 years. Humans, dogs, coyotes and foxes are about the only predators that can kill adult groundhogs, with the red fox being the major predator. Young may be taken by owls and hawks.

According to studies, despite their heavy body weight, they are accomplished swimmers and will occasionally climb trees to escape a predator. They prefer to retreat to their den when threatened, and will defend themselves with their incisors and front claws. They are territorial among their species and will skirmish to establish dominance.

When alarmed, they will use a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of the colony, hence the nickname whistlepig. They will also squeal when fighting, seriously injured, or caught by a predator. They will also produce a low bark and a sound produced by grinding their teeth.

They are excellent burrowers, using the burrow to sleep, rear their young, and hibernate. An excavated den can remove about six cubic feet of soil, on average, or almost five bushels per den. They are relatively large and include a sleeping berth and an excrement chamber.

The burrow can be a threat to agricultural and residential development by damaging farm machinery and even undermining building foundations. However, in a June 7, 2009, issue of the Humane Society of the United States, How to Humanely Chuck a Woodchuck Out of Your Yard, John Griffin, director of Human Wildlife Services wrote, “you would have to have a lot of woodchucks working over a lot of years to create tunnel systems that would pose any risk to structures.”

The burrow is used for safety, retreat in bad weather, hibernating, sleeping, love nest, and nursery.

Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation. In most areas they hibernate from October to March or April. They drop their body temperature, the heart rate falls to 4 – 10 beats per minute and breathing falls to one breath every six minutes. Researching the hibernation patterns of groundhogs may lead to benefits for humans, including lowering the heart rate in complicated surgical procedures.

Groundhogs are already used in medical research on hepatitis B-induced cancer. Humans can’t receive hepatitis from woodchucks but the virus and its effects on the liver make the woodchuck the best available animal for the study of viral hepatitis in humans. The only other animal model for hepatitis B virus studies is the chimpanzee, which is an endangered species.

Always thought to be a nuisance species, groundhog dens often provide homes for skunks, red foxes and cottontail rabbits. The fox and skunk feed upon field mice, grasshoppers, beetles and other creatures that destroy farm crops. In aiding these animals, groundhogs indirectly help the farmers.

Well, I had a groundhog living near my garden a few years ago, and he unceremoniously cleaned out all my string beans. Well, I unceremoniously captured him in a Hav-a-Hart trap, and relocated him to the wild, and wished him the best of luck.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Before Mookie Betts, who was the last Boston Red Sox player to win the American League batting title?

Answer can be found here.

SOLON & BEYOND: Food cupboard at new location

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Received an e-mail from Linda French which is very important. People seem to be having trouble with the new location of the food cupboard. It has been moved to 120 Pleasant Street, in Solon. Just before you turn onto the Brighton Road. It is open the second and fourth weeks of the month on Thursday and Friday. The hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The phone number to call is you want to check to see if it is open or if you need to make arrangements for a different time is 430388.

Received the following news by a letter from Charlotte Withee, in Anson: Athena Cemetery Association meeting at the Anson Town Office meeting room on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.

I had begun to think spring was finally here. The snow had been melting every day, and it was beginning to look more like spring, but then I looked out the window, and it was snowing AGAIN! And it wasn’t long before I received an e-mail that school had been canceled in MSAD #54 schools because of the weather. So now I will have to call all my friends in our painting club at Skowhegan High School and tell them there won’t be any meeting tonight.

Lief and I went to the Solon Congregational Church sale last Saturday at Solon Elementary School, and were very impressed with all the people that had tables there, it was a great fair. Now, mustn’t forget Percy’s memoir; Never accept the negative until you have explored the positive.

As you know by now, I’ve been going through old clippings from old columns back when I used Salada Tea tag sayings (this one from December 2, 1994). “This week I’d like to thank Ben Safford for the tea tags that he saved for me, thanks so much Ben. And so from Salada Tea, Ben and me…“Time wounds all heels.” Now I must run and call all my friends to tell them there won’t be any painting class tonight!

SOLON & BEYOND: Activities at Somerset Woods, model aircraft flyers

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Received the following e-mail from Somerset Woods Trustees: Forest Birds, Save-the Dates, & Weston Woods & Waters. SWT Hosts Audubon’s “Forestry for Maine Birds” at Weston, Madison. Did you know that Maine is said to be a “baby bird factory?” Do you love birds and would like to learn how to maintain your forests to improve the habitat for more bird species? There will be a meeting on the above on Monday, June 10, from 4 – 8 p.m. Register at mainaudubon.org/ffmb. There is a book called Guidebook for Foresters Managing Woodlots ‘With Birds in Mind.

I am going to give you the dates in April when the Weston Woods and Waters will be having other events, Save-the-Dates. April 25: Eaton Kennebec River Trail workday: Ready to use those loppers? We are looking for folks to help us improve SWT’s Eaton River Trail on East River Road in Skowhegan.The time will be 3 – 6 p.m., on this date to help us get this trail ready for the summer. Once you see Eaton Rivers trails, it’s going to be one of your favorites! More details to follow asap!

Another event the Somerset Woods Trustees are having is on Saturday, April 27: Earth Day, Kennebec Banks Picnic Area Clean-up (April 28 rain date) from 1 to 4 p.m. Can you help us spruce up our popular Kennebec Banks Picnic Area? Every year many wonderful volunteers help us clean-up the area. Please join us! With your help we hope to be even more ambitious by picking up litter from the east side of the Eddy to the picnic area and boat launch. ( According to the e-mail I received, there aren’t any events listed for the month of May at this time.)

I received the following e-mail from one of the members of the Franklin County Aircraft Modelers Club. It starts, “We Dare You! To Actually Fly .”This is not a game, so you’ll find no reset buttons here.

We want you to experience the excitement and satisfaction of piloting model air planes.

Today there are so many aircraft models to choose from: Fixed Wing land and float planes, Sail – Helicopter Quad.

We have models you can borrow to train and with free instruction!

Scale and 3-D, All flown safely – remotely, using either ground view or from aircraft perspective (FPV).

Indoor flying is held at the Calvary Pentecostal Church, in Madison, summer flying places are at Whispering Pines, on the Embden Road, and at Lily Pond, in Concord. (Any of you who know Lief, know how much he enjoys anything to do with planes and flying, is a member of this club.)

Received the following e-mail from Angela Stockwell, of the Margaret Chase Smith Library, in Skowhegan: Cold temps but warmer days give us hope that spring is around the corner. The March newsletter is available for viewing and features Director David atop a snow bank that touches the roof. And we just discovered that Georgia McKearly is a songwriter! And with all the talk about “the wall” a featured article describes the Berlin Wall with a photo of MCS standing outside the Brandenburg Gate. The U.S. Senate Youth Program selections were made and two students from Maine traveled to Washington DC. One regional contest for National History Day in Maine has been held; one more to go, and then on to the state competition. Scholars continue to study the career of Margaret Chase Smith.

And here is Percy’s memoir for this week, cheerfully called: “Welcome Spring.” O welcome Spring! We’ve waited long To feel your touch and hear your song, To smell your flowers-scented breeze, And view again your blossomed trees. O welcome Spring! We’re glad you’re here To spread your beauty and good cheer. You bring god’s vivid promise true… That all things shall be born anew. ( words by Beverly J. Anderson.)

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Old newspaper clippings

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Shared by Debbie Walker and Dee Dillaman

You know I love to read and so does Ms. Dee. Since I have been here in Florida, Dee as has been cleaning out her sewing room to give it some order, she has been sharing old newspaper clippings with me. I hope you enjoy them as we have today and once again cut them out to save for younger generations!! They will always bring a chuckle. What follows is not intended to offend anyone:

Letter from Mom

Dearest Redneck Son,

I’m writing this slow because I know you can’t read fast. We don’t live where we did when you left home. Your Dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your home, so we moved. I won’t be able to send you the address because the last Louisiana family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so they wouldn’t have to change their address.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. I’m not sure about it. I put a load of clothes in it and pulled the chain. We haven’t seen them since. The weather isn’t bad here. It only rained twice last week; the first time for three days and the second for four days.

About that coat you wanted me to send; your Uncle Billy Bob said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

Bubba locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because it took him two hours to get me and your father out.

Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven’t found out what it is yet so I don’t know if you are an Uncle or an Aunt.

Uncle Bobby Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated, he burned for three days.’

Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck. Butch was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn’t get the tailgate down!

There isn’t much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened.

Your favorite Aunt,
Mom

This one is how I feel sometimes with computers:

I’M OBSOLETE

I never could admit defeat. But now it’s clear – I’m obsolete.
When I hear someone say “dot-com,” I don’t know where they’re coming from.
A mystery that I still don’t get, Is what and where is the Internet?
When Larry said he had a mouse, I said, “Well, fumigate the house!”
Am I the only living female, Who doesn’t understand e-mail?
I always vote and pay my taxes, But I’m not sure just what a fax is.
Nor do I quite know what it means, When people go to church in jeans.
It doesn’t matter what we wear, The main thing is that we are there.
Sometimes, I must tell myself. “You’re old. You belong on the shelf!”
But really, that’s not hard to bear – I’m obsolete and I don’t care!

From “Nuggets and Doozies,” of Ann Landers.

Check out Creators Syndicate Web page: www.creators.com

Of course, I am just curious if you are still chuckling after reading this. I sure hope so. Don’t forget to cut out and share. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading!

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Book: Above Suspicion by Joe Sharkey

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Author Joe Sharkey

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Above Suspicion
written by Joe Sharkey; published 1993, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 310 pages.

Above Suspicion is the account of an eastern Kentucky woman, Susie Smith, murdered back in 1989 by the area FBI agent, Mark Putnam, also a married man with whom she was having an affair. The murder case has sustained interest since then with films, other books and droves of media coverage while this title was turned into a film a year ago. Meanwhile the author Joe Sharkey has been working on an updated edition.

I have dipped into it as I frequently do these days with the many read and unread books around here, not finishing that many.

The author has a gift for narration and a sense of humor. So I offer an example referencing the criminal element in those Kentucky mountains:

To a bank robber, eastern Kentucky offers unusual challenges and unusual opportunities. In some ways, it is not an ideal place to rob a bank. For one thing, the region has an FBI office, and bank robbery has been a federal crime since John Dillinger’s days. For another, robbing a bank is usually a daylight pursuit requiring the capacity to get away in a car – not an easy task in a place where the roads run up one side of a mountain and wind down the other, and the nearest interstate is two hours of bad road away.

But on the other hand, banks in isolated mountain settlements tend to be guarded with about as much fortification as a hot dog stand, in towns without full-time police protection. So they draw free-lance opportunists who haven’t always clearly thought through their plans, such as the robber who hid on a bank roof to pounce on the driver from the Piggly-Wiggly store making his night deposit – and missed, knocking himself out cold in the parking lot. Or the hapless gang who held up a bank on Peter Creek, found themselves stranded when the getaway driver got lost en route, politely borrowed a teller’s car keys, and ran out of gas a half mile down the road.

I notice the rave reviewers mention nothing about the humor.