Autumn

Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk. — George MacDonald, 19th century Scottish novelist, poet and pastor

Third season, second chance.
Fall upon autumn —
embrace it.

Rosh Hashanah, school term.
New years bring beginnings —
opportunities appear.

Fresh life heralding hope.
Maturity emerges
already wise.

Failing light, gaining night.
New vision in darkness sees
resurrection —
rejoices.

Janet B. Eldred © 1998

*Note: This poem, "Autumn" won a recent poetry competition for the Areopagus Magazine in the UK. It appears in their Autumn '98 issue. Congratulations Janet!

From Dear Abby:

Old Folks are Worth a Fortune

(as shared at a recent OSC Womens Guild Meeting.)

Old folks are worth a fortune:
with silver in their hair,
gold in their teeth,
stones in their kidneys,
lead in their feet and
gas in their stomachs.

Illustration by Christie Allan Piper

I have become a lot more social with he passing of the years; some might even call me a frivolous old gal. I'm seeing five gentlemen every day.
As soon as I wake, Will Power helps me get out of bed. Then I go see John. Then Charley Horse comes along, and he takes a lot of my time and attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up to spend the day. (He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint.) After such a busy day, I'm really tired and glad to go to bed -- with Ben Gay. What a life!
A. Jean Grace Folle
P.S. The preacher came to call the other day. He said that at my age, I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him I do -- all the time. No matter where I am -- in the parlor, upstairs in the kitchen or down in the basement -- I ask myself, "Now what am I here after?"

Trivia XI

by the Quizmeister

Late Revision (October 1 98) over Printed Copy : The winners of our trivia challenge are Allan Piper, Boston's own budding Kurosawa, and the Rev. Robert L. Lewis of Edinburg Virginia (a UCC Minister who attended OSC -- and BU & ANTS -- from 1956-61!) who both correctly identified the four prophets immortalized in stained glass in our sanctuary. The seers of old looming above the pews are Big Wheels from the Old Testament: Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah. For his troubles, Allan wins an Old South plate, suitable for home display but not microwave or dishwasher use.

Now, here's this test of your historical knowledge: please identify the following person:
Clarence E. Burt.

The first correct response earns a special prize. Return your answers to the Publications Box with the date and your name or via e-mail The Quizmeister

If you would like to go back to the Reporter Contents, click on Table of Contents

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