Column: Dedicated To doing the most good

column-dedicated-to-doing-the-most-good

Dear readers,

I ended up with the short end of the wishbone again this Thanksgiving. Wait a second. If you are an old-timer skip the next three paragraphs.

For you younger readers schooled in this modern world of Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, and Idlehead, but ignorant in the art of using part of a dead animal to get a wish granted, here is a brief tutorial. 

Some dinosaurs and all turkeys have a forked chest bone between their neck and chest. This bone is known as the “wishbone.” It was discovered in ancient times that the person who went home from a feast with the longest piece of this bone would be granted one wish. A contest determines who gets the longest piece of bone.

At the end of the meal two people are chosen for the chance to have their wish granted. Each contestant firmly holds one end of the wishbone. They pull on the bone until it breaks and the one who is left holding the longest piece is granted their wish. 

As I sat there looking at the shorter piece of the wishbone in my hand, I thought about all the people who are down on their luck this holiday season. I suddenly remembered a sign that was hanging in a restaurant when I was a boy. It read, “I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.”

Somehow getting the short end of the wishbone this year no longer seemed like such a big deal.

Tis the season of giving and many of you will be giving generously to help those who are in need. As a public service, I thought I would mention a local charity. The title of today’s column, “Dedicated to Doing the Most Good,” is the theme of The Salvation Army. 

The Salvation Army may have started in England but has become a part of Americana. An American Christmas scene isn’t complete without a Salvation Army band or bell ringer in the background. You will catch a glimpse when watching the classic Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” 

The 1983 classic “A Christmas Story” not only has the famous “woman’s leg” lamp, but also features a Salvation Army Band in the Christmas parade. They are playing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

A few weeks ago, a reader wrote to complain about all of the grifters out there in both the real and electronic world. When giving to charity it is more important than ever to do a little research. Many of the charities that solicit over the phone, by mail or on social media are scams. 

One of today’s photos is of The Salvation Army building (main photo) located at 136 E. Washington St. The modern brick building was dedicated in 1974. A plaque (photo above) on the wall just inside the entrance lists the names of the community leaders involved. Among those names was Harold Meloy. He was the Shelbyville attorney who taught me how to tie a bow tie.  Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the building. 

The Salvation Army tradition of raising money at Christmas started in 1891. The first red kettle used to collect coins was a crab pot. Salvation Army members have been ringing a bell and collecting coins in little red pots ever since.

This season, consider tossing in a few coins when you hear the bell ringing. 

See you all next week, same Schwinn time, same Schwinn channel.

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