A bit of truth and levity from good friend Bill G. (ESQ)

On the first day, God created the dog and said,
"Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past.
For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking.
How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

And God saw it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said,
"Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this,
I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years?
That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God, again saw it was good.

On the third day, God created the cow and said,
"You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun,
have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this,
I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years.
How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said,
"Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years?
Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back,
the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.
For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family.
For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.
And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information.
I'm doing it as a public service. If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

That's about as good an explanation as I have ever heard, and yes I am the one on the porch!

Tom Ford

NO. 1026

Memorial Day 2012 and our men and women are still on the battlefield!

Ladies and Gentlemen, this Monday when you're visiting friends and family for BBQ and fun I ask that you please take a moment to remember those who have sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy those outings.

Before you leave the family gathering please take one last look back for those who are no longer here to do so, and thank them for preserving your God given right to do so in the face of those who would remove that right.

One last thing if I may, when you see a service person in uniform please stop and thank them for their sacrifice on the alter of freedom, and thank those who have gone before them as "All GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.




Tom Ford

NO. 1025

What to do with the Sappington House now that the RFP has no takers?

Well the RFP for the Sappington House Barn drew no takers as far as the restaurant folks in this area goes, so why not start looking at alternative uses other than a restaurant?

We have a National landmark in the middle of Crestwood that for the most part sits there with little to no recognition from us or the good folks in our area. Has anyone even considered what we could do to promote this place?

As you know the John Sappington House was built in 1808 by slaves for the Sappington family, and they resided there for some time after the completion. Let's look for a minute at the history of the area, and what it means to Crestwood as well as America.

As you may know the Sappington Cemetery has revolutionary war veterans as well as veterans from other wars this Nation has been engaged in resting there. The Sappington House has for all intent and purpose witnessed the coming and going of one of the most prolific times in American history, and yet it sits there virtually unnoticed to all but local history buffs.

I have been given some ideas on how to promote this landmark to our advantage as well as giving our area residents the chance to see "living history," and I think they are good ones, so here is a short list.

1. Have a "living history" club (The Sappington Militia Company?) do a period "show and
tell" during certain hours on Saturdays.

2. Have a "story Lady" dressed in period attire there for a children's story hour to be
held every Saturday during the summer vacation season.

3. Have a shop that is dedicated to early Americana selling antiques, and items for the
the home, and hearth.

4. Set up a seasonal stand to take advantage of the "traffic" on the trail behind the
Barn.

5. YOUR TURN! Please give me some ideas I can present to the Board so we can get this off the ground as were paying to have it, so let's use it!


Tom Ford

NO. 1024

Crestwood Veterans display at Oak Bend Library for the Month of May.

With thanks to our resident historian Ms. Jackie Stock we have a memorial display to Crestwood veterans from Crestwood both living and past. If you have the chance to get there (Holmes and Big Bend behind the quick trip,) you will find it in the main lobby.

Jackie has spent a lot of effort making this happen and I would really appreciate it if you stop by and after you have viewed it, you send her a note of thanks.

While your at it please help us recognise the veterans who have given the final measure of devotion by signing a pledge card at City Hall to improve our memorial. Just visit the police department office and you will be given a card to pledge, or you may make a donation by cash or check to the veterans committee at the police department.

Tom Ford

NO. 1023

Answers come to those who are patient enough to wait.

http://www.callnewspapers.com/Articles-Opinions-i-2012-05-09-260255.112112-Exadministrator-receives-sweet-deal-from-Crestwood.html Please cut and paste the editorial by Mr. Mike Anthony of the Call for the answer to what some of you have been "dying" to know, that being the City Administrator's release and settlement. I can believe the fact that the mentioned EX (thank God) Alderman voted to give up the ship's store, and I am not At all surprised that Mr. Robert Golterman (of Lewis, Rice, and Fingersh) had not the will for a court fight, but I am sad that this was at all necessary. Come down on whoevers side you choose, I am but giving you the story as written by Mr. Anthony (and a good one it is.) Tom Ford NO. 1022

White House requires registration of UN-born children for tours!

I knew they were pro choice but to require the parents of an unborn child to register? I tell you folks, you just can't make this up! What next, do we have "people" then come to your residence and "suggest" that you really don't want or need this child? Nuff said, please click on the link and form your own conclusion. And before anyone goes nuts here saying this is "not Crestwood," nor is it relevant, I beg to differ, it is relevant, and it goes to our leadership now in office. Tom Ford NO. 1021

Crestwood resident admonishes we "anti-tax zelots," how dare we not want to give, and give, needed or not!

Crestwood resident, Mr. Michael Nolan backs EX Alderman Beezley's push for a tax increase (Keep Prop S:) http://www.callnewspapers.com/Articles-Opinions-i-2012-05-02-260143.112112-Crestwood-resident-supports-Beezleys-proposal-to-extend-Prop-S.html. In fact he goes so far as to advise the great unwashed, "And, we need to beware of the anti-tax zealots who will try to crush that spirit by appealing to our selfish nature." Now that's an interesting comment to make when your out trying to gin up support for your idea, no? The appeal is, if nothing else impeccably timed to coincide with the Call front page story "Overall balances increase in Crestwood during first quarter." Well done Mr. Nolan, and please let us know when (and why) were supposed to send in our checks, minus any and all check's and balances of course! Tom Ford NO 1020