Time to Catch Up With Summer

Summer has come to an end so it's time to catch up.

"The Cedar Valley Road," a book about the Waterloo, Cedar Falls, & Northern Railway that used to run between Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls, has been published and will be available Oct. 20, says author Linda Betsinger McCann of Shell Rock. She interviewed 62 people for the book, including many from the Cedar Rapids area who responded to my call to reminisce on Feb. 6.

"I heard all kinds of memories," Linda says. "It was fun to hear them."

The book, published by The Iowan Books, can be pre-ordered for $19.95 at Iowan.com under "shop" and the button, "books."

In addition, Linda continues her series of "Lost" books about ghost towns in select Iowa counties with the publication next year of "Lost Linn County." She'll include such towns as Lafayette, Mon Dieu, Paris and Alice. If you've got memories of Linn County ghost towns contact Linda at linjenka@yahoo.com or (319) 885-6687.

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Speaking of lost, some 20 years ago Rick Henry of Cedar Rapids removed a metal box of letters and papers stashed into a secret hiding place in his rented home at 1619 Sixth Street NW in Cedar Rapids.

"It would be nice for the rightful person to have it ‘cause it's history," Rick said, opening the dark green tackle-box-like container.

A quick look inside showed a receipt from 1937, letters written to private Alan Taylor while serving in World War II and some correspondence to other Taylors and Chadwicks.

Rick lived in the house for 1 1/2-years, leaving it in 1990. The house blew up from a gas leak about a year later, he says, and was then torn down.

If you've got a clue who should have this treasure trove of yesteryear, let me know.

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Long ago, five-generation pictures were uncommon. I'm not sure how often you see a six-generation photo these days, but I was surprised when regular reader Frank Reynolds of Marion sent one along. I always figured a generation was 20 years so that would cover a century.

Well, the photo Frank sent along pictured Donald Herring, 101, of Cedar Rapids, and his great-great-great granddaughter Arabella Stewart who was just 18 days old when the photo was taken in July. In between them were Robert Herring (son), James "Pat" Stewart (grandson), Sarah Smith (great-granddaughter) and Cyler Stewart (great-great grandson).

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On July 11 I wrote about Steve Bristow's yearlong quest to cross the United States on a virtual bicycle trip. He'd ride his stationary bike and record the mileage on a map. At that time he was in Tennessee.

Well, Steve finished ahead of schedule on Aug. 22. He began Oct. 17 at Blaine, Wash., and completed the 3,750-mile trip in Miami.

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Finally, a few words from regular reader Harvey Hop Jr.

"I was visiting my daughter and son-in-law last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper," he writes.

"This is the 21st century, old man," they said. "We don't waste money on newspapers. Here, you can borrow my I-Pad."

"I can tell you, that damn house fly never knew what hit it."

Comments: (319) 398-8323; dave.rasdal@sourcemedia.net