Rotary getting in the swim of things
When he's not swimming across the English Channel, or around Manhattan or the Isle of Wight, 66-year-old Michael Read of Ipswich, England, is making an annual visit to see his daughter in Sugar Grove.
In being such a prolific swimmer, with world records and swimming across the English Channel 33 separate times, it makes sense Read would try to find a place to swim when he was in this area.
Don Cummings of Geneva, a member of the Geneva Rotary Club and an area triathlon champion, exercises at the Delnor-Community Health and Wellness Center. One day, the excellent swimming form of an elderly gentleman in the pool caught his attention.
"He had a great swim stroke, real strong and with good speed, and I met him later and got talking to him," said Cummings, who made a quick connection with Read.
"I learned that he was on the British Olympic swim team in the 1960 Olympics in Rome," said Cummings, who talked Read into speaking to the Rotary Club recently before heading back to England.
"Not only did he achieve all sorts of various swim records, he also had polio as a kid and asthma, too," Cummings said. "I found him to be very friendly, full of great stories, funny and a good speaker."
Read left last week to return to England. We can't help but assume he's intending to swim around or across something again soon.
Bell-ringing boost:
I enjoy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at this time of year, and I am really thankful that my assignment is indoors at the Charlestowne Mall. But it can get a tad boring after, say, 90 minutes of a two-hour shift. But members of the Thompson Middle School band and choir helped last week by performing for holiday shoppers in front of the Carson Pirie Scott entrance to the mall or about 10 yards away from where I was ringing. Thanks for the extra dose of holiday spirit.
For cookie cravings:
My readers know of my love for cookies, so they surely understand how my cravings go wild at this time of year.
It also make me wish I was a kid again. I'd be one of the first in line at Good Cents Children, 220 W. Sate St. in Geneva, this Saturday and Dec. 22 to decorate holiday cookies at the store.
Kids are encouraged to participate in this fun holiday event and, of course, I would do it because I'd certainly have to "taste" a few of my creations.
Going with tradition:
Yes, it might be odd to stand in a line for 20 minutes to get a candy cane at Graham's Chocolates in Geneva during Christmas Walk, when you could do it in far less time any other day.
But it's tradition, folks. Every part of the Christmas Walk and other area holiday events has great tradition. And this new one: A video crew from the "Ellen" show was on hand at the Christmas Walk because Geneva resident Cathie Fischer sent a letter inviting Ellen DeGeneres, who could not attend.
dheun@sbcglobal.net