Chester Chatter: Remember our veterans

By Ruthie Douglas
©2018 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Our family was excited. World War II was over and my cousins were coming home at last.

Right about lunch time the taxi pulled into the driveway. Out jumped my two cousins, the only two I have ever had, and the family went running to them.

Such hugging and kissing like you never saw, with mothers and aunts crying.

My sister and I hung back because we were shy. The cousins had left for the Navy and the Army when we were just babies. They had never seen us before. They were dressed in uniforms and looked so handsome. My sister and I stepped forward and out of their travel bags they handed us red pocketbooks with shoulder straps and two metal models of a bus, painted like the Greyhound they had traveled home on.

We sisters had a great sandbox where we played often, those buses traveled many miles playing in the sand highways and they lasted for years.

With this time of remembering our veterans, I recall the day that the cousins arrived home. I must have been only 4 or 5 years old, but I remember. Take time to remember.

New beginnings, and losses

Congratulations to Chef Jason Tostrup, new owner of the Free Range Restaurant.

David Rorison died this past week. He was 91 years old. For many years he was the milk tester on our farm. Our thoughts are with his son, my classmate, Bob Rorison.

Barry Erskine, who grew up in Chester, has passed away. Family members include Bob Erskine, Ann Bailey and Bryan Erskine. Much sympathy.

It is sad to say goodbye, farewell to Misty Valley Books. It was a special place in Chester for 31 years.

Get well soon Ann Bailey.

What a great turnout for the Tuesday, Nov. 6 midterm election. More than 1,250 voters out of 2,394 on the voter checklist: A 50 percent turnout.

November is Down Syndrome Month.

  • This week’s trivia question: Where were the barn dances in Gassetts held?
  • Answer to last week’s trivia question: Springfield Hospital, now 105 years old, opened its doors in 1913.

Street Talk

With the closing of Misty Valley Books, this week we ask: Does a bookstore affect the community in a small town like Chester?

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Filed Under: Chester ChatterCommunity and Arts Life

About the Author: Ruthie Douglas is originally from Springfield but has called Chester her home for 58 years, and has been writing the Chester Chatter column for more than 40 of those years. Ruthie is also a longtime volunteer throughout the community.

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  1. Amanda Shute says:

    Ruth, we recently met for a short time while I was visiting a family member. I wanted to mention what a pleasure it was talking with you. I enjoyed your passion for Misty Valley Books. Even though I am visually impaired and require devices and readers and more often than not use audio readers for hearing books, there is something to be said for a good old fashioned book in hand. It was nice talking with you two about it. I do hope all is well and thank you for introducing me to Chester Telegraph. Happy Holidays.

  2. Joy Gerber says:

    Ruthie, Even though we have been gone from Chester for 6 yrs, we enjoy every minute of your columns. And, we will never forget you in our heart….Keep it up girl, you are doing a great job.

  3. Diana Ashworth says:

    Ruthie – Just wanted you to know how enjoyable your columns are. Your reminisces are vivid and heartwarming. Thank you.