THANKS TO CARING GRANDMA FOR THE INFO ABOUT JUDY ANN B.C.

I saw the first Hummingbird of the season on Monday. It zipped in and landed on the feeder, drank briefly and then zipped away. They always make me smile. I think it is because it reminds me that there is a God and that he has a sense of humor.

Hi Jerry,

I suppose I could have left your name off, but since I was replying directly to your post I figured it was okay. I apologize if you didn't appreciate being addressed directly.

Good on you for doing your research. I'm sure snopes has inaccuracies on some things, but it sure comes in handy for all those goofy emails that end up getting forwarded either from people in your office, or from friends/family. I too enjoy a good story, just think of my post as an addendum to yours so that folks aren't mislead by the last sentence in the story you were so gracious to pass on. Have a great weekend!

I'm not sure what Obama had to do with the VA "hospital" in Indiana

In 2005 I complained to Senator Obama and Senator Bayh about the condition of the hoptel at Indy's VA, this was long before the Walter Reed mess. Bayh sent some type of red-tape form several weeks later. Obama sent a two page letter apologizing for the conditions and his delay in replying do to the 4 month backlog he inherited when he was sworn into office. On my next visit to the hoptel, the place had a new paint job, new air vents, and the toilet facility was clean and fresh. I would also like to add he cosponsored and voted for an amendment that increased veteran's health care funding by $2.8 billion. He also stated he has a high personal priority to our brave servicemen and women. Often there are thing going on behind closed door we don't always hear about some good and bad.

PS: On this day in History (from history.com): 1864 Union General John Sedgwick is shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter during fighting at Spotsylvania. His last words are: "They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist–"

The Keystone Sunday School Class of St. James United Methodist Church picked up trash around the church last Saturday. We covered the area from Oak to Vermilion between W. Seminary and W. Fairchild. We filled a dumpster from just that small area.

COME ON, PEOPLE! Have some pride in yourselves. Clean up the litter around your house and/or business. The lazy idiots that throw the stuff on the streets are not going to pick it up so you might as well. Why in the world would anyone want to live with it? It ain’t no big deal after you do it the first time if you continue to do it regularly. Aggravating maybe but not hard work.

Aaron, I read about the beetles attacking the forrests in the West. I hope they solve that problem quickly. I have spent a great deal of time in them. I would hate to see them destroyed.

dear tired of danville....i know just what you mean. I am a new mom and have decided to go tot hte health department and get on the wic program which is awesome. I am on it because since i moved back to danville i haven't been able to find a job and my husband is the only one working. Well i told someone about it and they were then like....you should try to get the link card...i thought well maybe...then they said....i was thinking about going down there with mine and someone elses social security card and getting twice as much money on it.....I was appauled and definitly made sure it was know that it was not cool that people do that and explained that it's people like them that make it so hard for people like me to get these services and the reason why there is so much red tape....fraud of the system makes me moore mad than anything....I refuse to speak to that person anymore

"Frequent cleanups keep trash down"
does me proud to see this article in my hometown Danville Commercial News. Kudos to everyone from spokespersons, managers, members and volunteers associated with the mentioned Neighborhood Associations and other simular groups.

I have been selected to present a speech at the local (Surprise, AZ.)Kiwanis Club soon, regarding organizing and setting up BLOCK WATCHes and the National RUOK Program and our block testing of a newly-forming Infirmed In-Home Volunteer Services Visits. I will certainly be even more proud to quote pieces from the article as an added needed concept here. You see, we have a need for exactly these types of neighborhood help programs all over our Sun City, Sun City West and Sun City Grand cities of aged folks. In many cases some cannot afford to keep ahead of our summer Monsoon rains sub benefits of weed growths. We have a huge PRIDES Volunteer crews that keep streets and tree-trimmings in show-case shape. Yes, there is a nasty program by our HOA to ticket, clean up & bill absentee snow-bird properties for run-away conditions. They are reqd to maint their property grounds year around. Far too much lag time betwn citizen complaints and action now. I see it as swifter reaction with fines being shifted into patroling Neighborhood Assns actions & for their needed tools/equip(?)to maintain our reputations of spit/polish award winning neighborhoods. Keep up the good neighbors working together programs!

In no particular order, here are 17 WORDS THAT WILL NEVER FAIL YOU :

(1) PREPARE
(2) BELIEVE
(3) TRUST
(4) LISTEN
(5) RELAX
(6) CHANGE
(7) SMILE
(8) ACT
(9) PERSIST
(10 CARE
(11) PRAY
(12) ACCEPT
(13) CHOOSE
(14) FORGIVE
(15) RISK
(16) FOCUS
(17) WAIT
Please add your words of life, inspiration, motivation, etc to this list if you wish. ***Jerry***

JEFF TURNER: Hi Buddy. Thank you very much for your alert; it caused me a tad bit of research, of especially the quoted SOURCES in the usually distorted reporting as is so often done on Snopes.com. You will be shocked how much mis-quoting has been done in the Snopes articles and distortingly sad paraphrasing to add anti-religious dressings. I was taught not to have much faith in Snopes right here on DCN Guestbook. So that leaves me only THE READERS DIGEST and ARIZONA HIGHWAYS to trust in a highly charged political and anti-Christ fictions in print. Heck I will read anything, believe very little reporting or "facts" outside the Bible and really leave it up to those who read these uncensored kinds of stories. As in most cases they are passed on without my personal endorsements. Just a nice story.

Good job, Jeff, but you could have left my name off and just reported it as another Snopes.com take. Then you would have had somewhat a general undistorted quality review ref & questionable reporting as is oh so prevelent as truth in a very diversely confused USA in modern world ending times. IT won't get much better, Jeff, because IT isn't meant to be getting better. I read for enjoyment to keep my mind fresh and with a tinge of entertainment, usually smile at the conclusion of most stories circulating by certain known authors and editors here and yon. It is just a story, Jeff, just a story, not meant to be categorised (AU spelling, that one is) as a falsehood, M8, or sworn statement by the poster, Sir. Meanwhile, awaiting Sunday's comic section. Copy my kind, Dude, and just smile at this.

I was reading about Senator Obama missing so may seeions of the senate on some important votes but have not read about Senator Clinton. I am watching to see who McCain pucks as a runnig mate. If he opicked Condoleeza Rice it would be a fantastic move. I would then vote for him becasue I don't think he will live through a four year term if elected. I don't want to sound accous but at Jack Webb would say "Thats the facts, maam"

Dear Tired of Danville,
I agree that many people see reproduction as a means of income. As a person who suppoerts themself and their children, hang in there, you can do it. Although other people might have it "easier", you have something far better- personal pride. Continue to be an example to your children. You will never regret it.
I also love the Lincoln quotes.

I find it interesting that politicans tell us how they are for us and working or will work on the problems at hand, while on the campaign trail they miss voteing in congress. I did notice that Obama has missed quite a lot of votes while out campaining for president, one was the veterens bill that would help many returning veterens. Yet, he had time to vacation in the Bahamas. How can you trust a man who has given up on representing Illinois in favor of gaining his personal goal of being president. It filters down to our down home representive Bill Black, can you trust a man who retires, quits, retires, quits, retires and wants to be recycled? It is time to put the recycled canidate out to pasture and elect someone willing to represent ALL the people. Next step would be to replace the aldermen and mayor to get Danville moving into the future. Question is what good is a well groomed ghost town?

The mayor of Georgetown is a retired GM skilled tradesman.For those who know and walked the walk,that should answer all questions.Good luck.

I have come to the conclusion it is better to live off the system in Danville; then it would be to work for a living. Here are some examples:

1. I could receive a link card for my two kids and myself. Then I could sell it off for $$$ to friends and family (or local businesses).

2. My kids could eat breakfast and lunch for free at school.

3. I could get Section 8 housing, and assistance with my bills.

4. I could get a medical card for myself and my children.

I work and support myself and my two kids without help. I do know people that these programs help, and that's what their meant for. I also know people that take advantage of it and will always be content never to better themselves or their situation. People that do this - don't care about their kids, but as means to a bigger check. Why should people like this be rewarded? This town needs help not more Section 8

I have a question about our elected county officials. Why aren't they required to be in their actual office a set amount of hours per day or days per year, and who sets the rules regarding this issue? I think they should have to punch in and out so everyone would know just how often they are actually working. If the "worker bees" are doing all of the work, they "earn" their raise. What would happen if every elected official had to prove they were worthy of a raise?? Those of us working in the real world get a raise when we do a good job and the company is earning money. If not -- no raise. Plus, the county officials get a "stipend" or bonus at the end of the year. Who determines that and based on what??

Jerry,

While it's a true story, it didn't quite take place at such a prestigious institution as the University of Maryland, and it was only a handful of students that worked it out beforehand that participated in the "God Bless You". It seems that the story has become pretty distorted to add a larger sense of relevancy. Here's the link to the snopes article that is describing the actual event that took place at Washington Community High School in Washington IL.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/sneeze.asp

It never ceases to amaze me how the internet can so easily turn a molehill into a mountain.

During this political season let's be reminded of these wise words.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage
by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently
by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln

Hi Todd - I appreciate it that citizens take an interest in what we are doing, take the time to express an opinion, and are willing to either attend the meetings or have a statement read. Give me a call or an email if you (or anyone) wants to discuss this further. See you Saturday at the Mother's Day sale at Sully Schultz's Nursery!

>They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the
already crowded auditorium.
> With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked
almost ... as grown up as they felt.
> Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away
tears.
> This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but
because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
> The principal and several students were careful to stay within the
guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging
speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for
blessings on the graduates or their families.
> The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech
received a standing ovation.
> A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and
silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.
> All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!
>The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, "GOD BLESS
YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage...
> The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a
unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the
court's approval.
> This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland .

I am a proud Hillary supporter,however with her ailing numbers I would love to see the dream ticket of Obama/Hillary.If that doesnt pan out I will be voting for Obama!!Thanks to the city Republican officials of Danville my vote is clear!Democrat!!!!I will never vote for another Republican after what I ve seen happen in Danville over the past few years!

Marlene what a wonderful tribute to your mom.....My mom has been gone for 22 years and I miss her everyday...

Anybody who thinks gas prices are high in the USA is misinformed. Just a few years ago gas was cheaper than bottled water. It's about chickens coming home to roost. Gas costs up to three times more per gallon elsewhere in the world. In Europe, gas prices are mostly over $8 a gallon. Sure, gas is 12 cents a gallon in Venezuela, but would you want to live there? How about Iran at 40 cents or Saudi Arabia at 45 cents? Take your own AC and fridge if you’re going. Yes, distances are shorter in Japan and Europe, but they’re still paying more. The difference is they’re getting more for it. In most of those countries, fuel is heavily taxed to provide other transportation options, as well as cheaper health care and higher education. Demand for oil in many such countries hasn’t gone up much over the last 25 years, but it’s up 20% in the USA. Here, we came up with the idea that the only way to save the auto industry was to allow them to build gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups. And demand is up in China, which makes all the stuff we used to make here. It’s shameful that only one of the presidential candidates, Obama, had the courage to tell us that gas taxes aren’t the problem.

To Johns Girl,
I lived just down the street from the McCains. Helped Cindy raise money for Arthritis Assoc. Went to their home for events.
LIVED THROUGH THE SAVINGS AND LOAN SCANDLE IN PHX
WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR MCCAIN!!!
not to mention he is wrong on Iraq, Foreign Policy, Healthcare, education, taxes,
LOL! I guess I am defintely not voting for my former Senator McCain for Prez!