By Dorotha Schaefer

The obituaries last week brought to mind many memories when reading about Betty Hanenkratt, a Paulding native. She was one of the many granddaughters of Otto Ludwig, a man who lived in our county to the age of 104 years. The reason I recall the lady so well is due to the fact that she was my first employer.

I had been writing items for the Progress for a few years without being paid, also writing for the Payne Reflector whose editor also used my many words for free. Betty called me and amazed me with these words: “Dortha, we have many people here at the office who know how to take pictures and put a newspaper together, but none of us are any good at writing. I want you to come and write for the Progress.”

She also agreed to pay me for my efforts, but that was so long ago – over 40 years – I have forgotten how much. I do remember how kind she was and how much I enjoyed writing in the early years for Betty.

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The first-of-the-season storm hit last week, complete with hail, thunder and lightning in two parts. It was fun for young and old here in the month of March.

There was a report of a second grade boy who hurried out in the yard of his house, carrying his last summer’s beach sand bucket, and came back with a treasure of hail stones. He wanted to put the rapidly melting load of little white items in the freezer.

“They are dirty,” said his mother.

“I am going to wash them first,” said the kid hopefully.

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The wise man says, “A small town is where everybody knows what every body else is doing, but they read the weekly newspaper to see who got caught at it.”

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A friend tells me they intend to visit the Fort Wayne Zoo this summer. She is hoping to find out if it is true they have a boa constrictor with an unusual name – Julius Squeezer.

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A popular couple of a Sunday school class in Fort Wayne invited guests to a reception recently. Most of them were members of the class and had been watching with speculation as to when, if ever, the couple were going to get married. None of the class were told about the wedding; all were invited to a reception, which advised that no gifts were wanted.

Each guest was given at the reception door a small parchment paper scroll and told to hold it so that all guests could open it at once. Inside was the following verse: “We don’t want you to forget the date – That is when we sealed our fate – Don’t be angry, don’t be mad, We hate to say it but you have been had! We meant no harm so keep it cool. We hate to say it, but APRIL FOOL!” It was signed by the couple.

People from Nebraska showed up, as did others from faraway places. Members of the class are thinking about ways to get even ... one of them filled the “groom’s” bathroom with bubble bath, but an actual wedding is still unknown.

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As you well know, there is a wedding coming soon in London. Did you know there is only one kitchen in Buckingham Palace? Is is a quarter of a mile by dumbwaiter and corridor from the royal family’s private table. A kitchenette next to the dining room heats foods that have cooled in transit and where persons can prepare such mundane items as bacon and eggs.

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Are you remembering your first job, are you going to a fake wedding, or eating dinner at Buckingham Palace? Tell us, we’ll tell everybody.