YES, I AM STILL HERE peeking out my window on Main Street, and if you or I compiled a list of really, really great citizens who left enduring and treasured footprints on our community, the name of Liz Bell would be up at the top. Maybe the very top.
She was a vivid example of what it is to take personal misfortune and use it to the great benefit of your fellow man.
It was in the late 60s or early 70s when she and some other kindred souls who had Special Needs Children got together and founded what is today known as the Howard County Children’s Center. The founding date is officially 1971.
In addition to working and running a household and being a mother, Liz managed to get college hours and become the first administrator of HCCC.
The ‘center’ began modestly in the back rooms of the First Assembly of God which was located then where the large North Main Street parking lot for City Hall is today (at the intersection of Main and Isaac Perkins). I was in the Jaycees, and we built a fenced playground in the area behind the church. The center was located at the church because the minister, Bro. Van Horn, either had a handicapped child or was very sympathetic to the cause. I can’t remember.
In the early 70’s the center moved into the first new building out at the county fairgrounds. More would come as services expanded.
Liz was an unstoppable force for serving the ‘clients’ and their families.
She retired after 30 years. By that time the center included adult residences, adult life classes, a sheltered workshop where clients could earn a living, the Rainbow Learning Center where special needs children were in a pre-school environment with fully developed children.
She didn’t just disappear. She returned for special events and if you saw the faces of clients and staff members on those occasions you would know that she was practically worshipped.
During her ‘active’ years she was recognized by this community. She was named Citizen of the Decade, but that title gradually morphed into Woman of the Year.
In my view, she still deserves to be remembered as Citizen of the Decade.
Liz died last weekend. See her obituary in this issue of the ‘News-Leader.’
Don’t forget Liz Bell and what she did for our town. Send a check to the center, or remember it in your will. The address is included in her obituary.
Peace to her family and thanks to the Almighty for putting such wonderful people among us.
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THE GOOD EARTH. The Japanese Cherry Blossom tree in my front yard began shedding its pale pink blooms on Friday. The tree’s green leaves are taking over, however, and I predict they will be totally in charge of the tree by late week.
At this same time each year there is a Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., which is where the original gift of trees was planted. Those trees bloom just a few days later than mine maybe owing to climate latitudes.
Wisteria is nice. When does Kudzu leaf-out? I spoke from ignorance recently and said I thought we wouldn’t see that creeping vine’s greenery until June. No one corrected me.
And, ominously, no growth is showing on my Gingko Balboa sapling.
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THINGS I LEARNED from opening email. “If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.”
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MORE THINGS I LEARNED from opening e-mail: “I’m not saying I’m old and worn out, but I make sure I’m nowhere near the curb on trash day.”
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WORD GAMES. The old-fashioned convenience store twins: Five and Dime. In our town — in my time — there was O’Hara & Majors; and there was Scotts, later re-named TG&Y. They were the precursers for Dollar Tree, Dollar General, etc., except you could get a Great Scott Hamburger or a hot dog at the lunch counter.
Funny thing: the two stores were literally next door to each other. They both had great popcorn for a dime. TG&Y outlasted O’Hara & Majors.
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HE SAID: “Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and He who is mighty came and in His compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall.” St. Patrick of the Emerald Isle.
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SHE SAID: “Wooing the press is an exercise roughly akin to picnicking with a tiger. You might enjoy the meal, but the tiger always eats last.” Maureen Dowd, newspaper columnist.
Not so fast, Maureen.
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SWEET DREAMS, Baby
