About two weeks ago a new issue of Tower Tales appeared in the boxes of all residents. This publication features writings by persons who live at Kendal at Granville, and a new issue is published every six months or so. (In the interest of full disclosure I need to quickly note that I'm a member of the seven-member editorial board, and so cannot plead indifference in assessing the publication. That having been said, I'll immediately note that I think this new issue features many interesting pieces.)
The first thing to be noticed, however, is the cover, which displays a richly-colored photo of a twelve-patch needlework quilt created by Terrie Cheaney, one of our fine resident artists. With its ochre, orange, purple, and blue pattern, it evokes the atmosphere of the Southwest.
The issue proper leads off with a reminiscence by Wib Smith of the many summers he spent at his wife's family camp in Maine. The delightful memories include boat misadventures, struggles with weather and insects, the installation of indoor plumbing, and picnics. As a reminiscence, the piece can't help but be autumnal. But its spirit evokes happy and (usually) sunny summers.
Judy Chambers follows by relating a tragic moment in the life of her family and describing the deepening of understanding that subsequently fortified her. "The living," she concludes, quoting the advice her husband offered as they coped, "have to go on living."
Residents of CCRCs know how to look death in the eye and stare it down. Judy Ingram provides a humorous poem that does precisely that, even as it celebrates an eightieth birthday.
Our proud Scotsman, Ted Barclay, tells of his and Pat's visit to explore the ancestral Barclay lands in Scotland. (They threw in a pub or two, but even though included in the tale, that aspect of the tour is a different story.) The highlight of the visit was the opportunity to gain access to Barclay Castle, with its enormous fireplaces, impressive suits of armor, and other echoes of the past. The family boasts a fierce motto: Aut agere aut mori – Either Action or Death!
Dan Fletcher continues a technology theme begun in the previous issue of Tower Tales by explaining how his iPad won him over. Our CCRC generation tends to be behind the curve when it comes to the modern devices of communication, but our grandchildren's example is spurring us into trying to catch up, and Dan is an enthusiastic convert. As he says, even while reminding his reader of the joys of exploring book stores, "hey, I have the whole Library of Congress in my hand! Pretty cool."
No good magazine is respectable without an occasional piece on crime-busting, and in this issue Jack Ingram tells a tale from his youth, when, with the approval of the management of the bank he worked for, he investigated what appeared to be a misappropriation of funds. Lest I spoil the story, I won't say more.
Finally, Virgil Hoftiezer writes an apologia on behalf of his grand hobby of genealogy, posing the question – is it an avocation, an affectation, or an affliction? He argues powerfully for the pleasures of the chase, the excitement of making connections, and the sheer joy of discovery. He is likely to have made converts.
One point that the editorial board takes particular pride in is that Tower Tales is not a vehicle for a just a small group of residents. With this issue, the board notes, fully forty-five residents have shared their writing with the community through its pages. Never once has there been an issue with fewer than three new voices. And why? Because in sharing one's writings one is sharing something of oneself. It's a way of gifting the community.
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