Those Good Old Days

Our area’s history holds keys to who we were, and are even today. That history gives our community and peoples a view of how the community began. Something simple like a yearly event or as simple as a walk into town could end up being the basis for a historical event through how it’s shared and recorded. When we look at history we often see it as events and people from a long time ago. That past seems far removed from who we are today, instead of being a real part of today’s world.

The Civil War like many American wars affected the whole of our country and even in Michigan the war and issues caused men to feel the call to volunteer, go off to war and return with memories and ideas that change the worlds they know.

Most of what we learn about history comes from books, and exhibits at museums. But, on August 8^th and 9^th the Holland Museum will host an event to help share living memories in the first of what will be an annual Civil War enactment at the Van Raalte Farm creating parts of the Battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia. Fought from August 5 to August 7, 1864 this battle touched many Michigan soldiers including a son of the Van Raalte family. Benjamin Van Raalte, Reverend Albertus Van Raalts’s son enlisted and fought with the company of the Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Though the battle was inconclusive, this became a part of General Sherman’s eventual thrust that assist the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman’s March to the Sea.

On Saturday, August 9th in Centennial Park the museum will continue the experience through a Union encampment at Centennial Park from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a Company drill, a look at the music from the period, the medicine of the era and a look at the clothing of that time period as well. There is a no charge for this historical event. Why not take the kids and make the weekend the beginnings of an historical encounter that can become a time to reach out and touch another time.

There is nothing like rubbing shoulders with figures from the past to help you better understand what life was like in those good old days.

A Small "i" That Melts Away...

“When summer comes i’m going to…” In those dark days of winter we all promise to get out more do more when the weather is warmer. I did, and i have thus far. But the weather is turning humid and hot, and that is something i don’t do well in because i become a ball of sweat. I have since i was a skinny little kid. I don’t perspire like they say women do down South, i sweat! I can go through 3 sweat bands (of any kind!) in a single afternoon when working in my garden.

I have found that taking off my glasses helps in that it doesn’t all run into my eyes then, but it makes working in my garden a total chore. When i was little i use to hide as much of the day as i could under a huge lilac bush so as not to have to get drippy. And since i had difficulties with the multiplication tables i use to lie under my mom’s lounge chair and stay cool there while saying the tables over and over again to her while she basked in the sun. I’d do anything to stay still in the cool shade.

Today, i get out there when i can because i love my garden. I drink as much as i can during the day when working outside, but it never seems to be enough, because for the next 24 hours i inhale liquids. I also burn very easily with my lovely pale Irish complexion so the shade has become my constant friend.

With all that frustration, i continue to spend time outside. I’m often found in the shade, but make mad dashes to my garden with my head band, floppy hat and bottle of water on my hip. A garden is a place of refuge – and to have it look grand, it must be worked. So every lovely hot and humid day this summer remember to toast those who treasure gardens. Oh, and pass the glass, i’m thirsty!!

Even while walking downtown Chicago (our favorite place to visit!) i need to find every “watering” place to stop along Michigan Avenue. No not a bar, but any restaurant that serves water and ice tea! It can make for a long walk down that Magnificent Mile. I am always like a man in the desert searching for something to drink and it can sometimes prove to be really frustrating.