Monthly Archives: December 2010

Walter’s Cans by Garry Groves

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Jan Verhoeff

Garry Groves asked me to upload a poem he wrote for Walter Ely – since he was unsure how to submit or upload it to facebook. Please feel free to tag anyone else you’d like to have read this here, or post a link to it so they can stop by and read the poem. Thank you Garry for sharing this, Jan ************ Walter’s Cans Walter was a special soul Who walked the streets of Lamar. He would stop in each store Both near and far. When he saw you, He’d run up and give you a hug. Then place his head against you To show how special you were with his love. Walter was my friend So special in every way. Why – when you saw him He would make your whole day. I guess the Lord Needed hugs too. So You took Walter home To be with You. I only have one question Left to ask of this town. Who – Who – Will take care Of Walter’s cans now? To my friend – Walter Ely Lamar will miss you forever. Garry Groves 12-12-2010

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Local Icon – Another Community Treasure

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Jan Verhoeff

My first memory of Walter Ely comes when I was about three years old playing on a blanket at the Willow Creek Park for the Old Settler’s Reunion. As usual, many kids were sitting nearby and Walter had snuck up on us and tickled me. It’s been years since I attended an Old Settler’s Reunion, many of them have passed on, and as heirs to the event, most of us have forgotten or gotten too busy to celebrate the Pioneer Spirit that settled communities south of Lamar, known as Maxey/Deora. Yet, for many, that heritage lives on… Walter attended Melvin School and learned math (he was a whiz at addition, and loved helping me count and roll quarters when we had a vending business in town). He learned to sign, and did it so fast, I often had to ask him to slow down so I could understand. He made fun of me often for not keeping up better. *ooops* Later, he worked with SDS on various projects, helping sweep and clean parking lots all over town. Although, I often wondered how much cleaning he got done, stopping to talk to friends so often. Walter never missed an opportunity to read more…

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Please Come Home for Christmas

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Jan Verhoeff

There’s a tune playing over the speaker with one of my favorite singers at the microphone. I struggle a bit with the words to the song, because there are those in my life who will just not be home for Christmas this year. Not a thing in this world I can do about it, they’re gone and nothing short of a heavenly miracle will bring them back. The song, promises happiness when all come home for Christmas, but I’m sitting here looking back at the missing persons in my life, knowing that happiness would not be the end result of those loving folks coming back home for Christmas. Some were in pain, struggling through the desperation of a disease that erodes from within, the life of wonder that brought joy to many. Others struggled with discomforts that held them far away from those they loved, and yet others struggled to be near their families, while suffering untold pain. Life for those did not always constitute pain, nor did pain encircle their lives, it simply took over at the end, bringing them into the presence of God. Lord, I thank you for coming here as a child and bringing us salvation, read more…

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