Maybe you remember when I wrote a couple of columns about the book "Sacred Sea: a Journey to Lake Baikal." If so, you know that Peter Thomson, a man whose ancestors are from Decatur County wrote it. Even if you didn’t read the columns I can tell you now that it will be worth your while to attend. Peter will be at the Greensburg at the Historical Society Museum tonight at 7 p.m. and will give a program based on his book. It is free to the public and the story, according to the author, was a life changing experience. Peter formerly served as the environmental editor for National Public Radio. The story is about Peter and his brother’s trip to Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia. The lake is the largest fresh water lake in the world. A reception will follow the presentation and autographed copies of the book will be available. It will be great to hear about the trip but I hope he will also mention his grandfather William Orvillle Thompson who was born and raised here. If you are reading this earlier in the day you might give the museum a call at 812-663-2764 just so they will know how many chairs to set up. If you get your paper late you are welcome to come anyhow.

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Many comments came from readers about the Korean War series. Nearly all favorable. Don’t forget that this Saturday is "Buddy Poppy Day." You’ll see members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the auxiliary on street corners wanting to give you a poppy to wear in return for any change or bills you can give. The money goes into rehabilitation programs of service organizations so you know it’s needed. The poppy is accepted as a symbol of remembrance in America. The red petals stand for the outpouring of blood; the yellow and black center, the mud and desolation of all battlefields; the green of the stem is symbolic of the forests, meadows and fields where generations of Americans have perished for freedom; the stem represents the courage and determination of our fallen warriors. The poppy emblem was chosen because of poppies that bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their red color an appropriate symbol for the bloodshed of trench warfare. The assembled flower is a symbol of Resurrection, which is sure to follow. McCrae’s "In Flanders Fields" continues to be one of the most unforgettable war poems ever written. I hope that on Saturday you’ll give what you can, take a poppy, and wear it with pride.

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Several readers enjoyed the column about Gail Davis and Ben Richardson sent a humorous story. "She was one of Dad's teachers. He really liked her. She loved Shakespeare and got him interested in his writings and plays. I'd say that is the mark of a pretty good teacher.

Dad's classmate and lifelong friend, Charles ("Mose") Faulkner Jr. was a good artist. While in class, he drew a picture of Gail...a remarkable likeness but as a "fan-dancer". The scene he drew was of a theater, the back of bald men's heads in the foreground, a stage, curtains...the Miss Davis w/ show-girl garb and a fan...all that was needed for the scene.

Gail could move about the room with stealthy silence. Charles was putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece when Miss Davis just happened to be next to him and saw what he was doing. Charles realized that she saw the picture and sank down into his seat.

Gail picked up the drawing, looked at it a second then turned and went to the back of the room with it. Charles awaited his fate wondering what was gonna happen to him now. After a few tense moments, Gail walked back to where Charles was sitting and said, "Charles, this is very good. May I keep it?" Naturally Charles very gladly said, " Oh yes Miss Davis." He was so relieved that he didn’t get a trip to the principal’s office.

Charles loved Miss Davis from then on, so did Dad, and so did everyone in her class. I wonder if Gail kept that drawing. What fun it would be to see today. But I do have one of Dad's drawings from that era - of the Spirit of St Louis. After Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight, he and his wife made a world tour in another airplane. Dad, only 11-yrs old in ‘29, drew what he imagined the famous hero Lindbergh might have encountered, such as rescuing a downed pilot or a man from a sinking boat.