Cracks and Thumps: Lafollette to Elkhart

small creek before wooded area in Tennessee

       In late September of 1963, eight years old, I would walk to West End Grade school in Lafollette Tennessee. I would cross a small creek. I would then make my way through a wooded area and then up a steep hill. The school lay beyond the hill.

 

in 1963 this was all wooded area in Tennessee, steep hill upper right

   I remember along the way through the wooded area, in the moist, crisp fog, walnuts would fall. I heard them crack upon tree limbs and then thump upon the ground. That experience and memory comforts me as if God reassures me through my walk in life.

    After school, along the path back home, I would gather many of those walnuts and, with my grandfather’s hammer, crack them open for their fruit. My goodness did my hands become stained with walnut oils. It was all much fun!

 

Woodland Conservation Garden Wellfield Botanic Gardens

    This morning, walking along the Woodland Conservation Garden at Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart Indiana, I was inspired again as I heard some nuts crack upon limbs and then thump upon the ground. I don’t know if they were acorns or hazelnuts, but squirrels seemed not to care much as they quickly grasped them and hurried along.

   Shallow rain puddles adorned the walkway as these squirrels jumped and skittered about.

   I love autumn. It is truly my favorite season.

   Also, neither acorns nor hazelnuts stain your hands!

If you get a chance, you ought to visit Wellfield Botanic Gardens for a wonderful seasonal experience!

You can read more about this place at their website:

 https://wellfieldgardens.org/

And tell them Mike sent you!

A gift of a Beatles ticket from Sharon

   The ticket pictured belonged to Sharon Sommers until she, as a wonderful gesture, gave it to me last night at the church’s Administrative Council Meeting.. Sharon has learned what a Beatles fan I am and figured it carried more sentimental value to me than ever it would to her. I explained that receiving it was “a very big deal, as if Neil Armstrong were to give you something related to his moon mission.” She responded “seeing the smile on your face is worth it!”.

   Sharon, far left in photo, serves as Financial Secretary at the Claypool United Methodist Church in Claypool Indiana, she serves food at our community dinners, and she serves to enhance my collection of Beatle memorabilia by her gift.

   She explains in her note, kept from 1964,  that she had been asked to go to this concert by a friend.

I asked her to describe the event. She said “It was loud!”

   I’m sure Beatle fans out there who, like me, were never able to attend a Beatle concert will understand…as I looked at the ticket, felt its texture, and “lived” her description of the event, I could almost imagine myself there at the Indiana Fairgrounds, outside, as a group of four people from England ascended the stage and performed a radically different popular music. I imagined the energized crowd of fans, perhaps still numb from the Kennedy assassination just months earlier, eager for some new, fresh experience to begin the process of a “cultural resurrection” of some kind.

Thank you, Sharon, for this great gift. Of course I shall cherish it along with your story which accompanies it. Imagine receiving such a gift at a church business meeting!

And also, I’m sure as many other Beatle fans read this, they are stirred with envy!

Mike's Once in a Lifetime Beatle Moment

South Bend Tribune photo by Andrew S. Hughes

Originally set to be at the Morris Performing Arts Center, it was moved to the Century Center

Mike and Son, Eric waiting for the doors to open.

Sir Richard Starkey, also known as Ringo Starr, former Beatle, performed along with his All-Starr Band at the Century Center in South Bend on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

   Having been a Beatle fan since that culture-defining moment on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, I have always sought opportunity to be in presence of a Beatle. I was pleased when my Son, Eric informed me of this concert.

I immediately committed myself to attending. I purchased three VIP tickets the moment they went on sale. I planned to wear my Sgt. Pepper costume. I was going to make this event much more than an experience of rock and roll music. I intended to make it a once-in-a-lifetime celebration!

totally sold out

   Having purchased the Sgt. Pepper costume for a 50^th Anniversary Party for the Sgt. Pepper album in 2017, I felt wearing it may be my best chance of being recognized by Ringo. Our seats were close enough to the stage. And I made myself as prominent as I could without gaining unwanted attention from security. 

 And sure enough I was successful!

Ringo and band

 Often referred to as a “Shout Out” in concert vernacular, Ringo pointed at me and said from the stage “Sgt. Pepper, I see you there.” then, turning to the other side of the venue added “Sgt. Pepper is over here. You can’t see him, but he looks good.”

   Bam! Or whatever exclamation one may choose, I was recognized by a Beatle, by Ringo Starr, by one knighted by the Queen of England! Each of those three personal roles is significant to me in many ways.

    What may be a passing moment of trivial regard to most people is a story-worthy, self-esteem enhancing experience to me. After fifty-four years of me recognizing Beatles, one has finally noticed me!

    Feeling quite proud of my humble personal accomplishment, there is another, yet more satisfying experience to report.

   I was indeed hoping to get the attention of Ringo by wearing the Sgt. Pepper costume. But, it turned out to be something that enhanced the experience of other concert-attendees. Many people asked me to pose with them for selfies. I was pleased to say “Yes!”

This is Peggy who saw the Beatles live in 1964 and 1965

   That people would invite me to be part of their personal celebration and memorabilia of this singular moment made me feel very special, like a part of a huge family!

   I have often said “If one is willing to make a fool of one’s self, unexpected opportunities will present themselves!”

   I had fun at this concert!

   Of course who would not!

    Ringo, dressed in black leather pants, a t-shirt which looked as though it had photos of flowers imprinted upon it, and a jacket of plaid red and black adorned with sparkles, performed energetically and sang with strong voice.

    Even jumping about on stage to the beat of music, at age seventy-eight, I was impressed with his performance.

    Along with Ringo was his band, comprised of  Colin Hay ("Who Can It be Now", "Land Down Under"), Steve Lukather ("Africa", "Hold The Line", "Roseanna"), Gregg Rolie ("Black Magic Woman", "Evil Ways") and new member Graham Gouldman of 10cc ("I’m Not In Love", "Things We Do For Love").  On percussion and sax is Warren Ham and on drums Gregg Bissonette.

    As Ringo was singing "Don't Make Me Cry" it occurred to me "I wish Ringo would sing that with Mick Jagger!" Their voices would sound great together on that song.

    

    On the back of the Beatles 1967 “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” album there is this promise. “A splendid time is guaranteed for all.” Ringo continues to fulfill that promise!

I would like to thank my wife, Sherry, for taking the photos. Also, Sherry much enjoyed the concert. She especially enjoyed the Greg Rolie performance of Santana material.

South Bend Tribune photo by Andrew S Hughes
I stand in aisle making myself available for selfies