Megaphone -- Page 5

The other day Craig posted a message Re: Willkie campaign buttons. I e-mailed him and said that I would look into his inquiry. Well, what I found was very interesting and I want to share it with the rest of the den.

At the library we have a glass display case that has quite a bit of Wendell L. Willkie campaign items from flyers, brochures and advertising from his Elwood launch. Also on the bottom are Willkie buttons. So I sat on the floor with paper and pen and wrote what the buttons had to say! So here goes . . .

America's Hope Wendell Willkie
For First Lady Edith Willkie
For President Wendell L. Willkie
We Want Willkie
We Women Want Willkie
If I were 21, I'd vote for Willkie
Eleanor Start Packing, The Willkie's are coming!
Roosevelt for EX-President
Willkie and McNary
Willkie Contributor

Willkie

All I have left is a vote for Willkie
Tennessee wants Willkie and McNary 1940
21 and voting for Willkie
Preserve your Bill of Rights Elect Willkie
Roosevelt and Relief Willkie and Work
We don't want Eleanor either!
Eleanor? No Soap!
Confucius say Willkie O.K.
Democrats for Willkie
I want to be a Captain too Willkie

Well, that is the list! Many of them are quite humorous and yet they give an indication of what life might have been like in the late '30s. Just thought you might be interested!

Nancy Sumner '66
Elwood

When there is a call for articles for the Megaphone, there is the tiny voice of guilt reminding me not to be so indolent and/ or indifferent.

However, what to write poses a problem and it becomes easier to ignore than to make the effort. Does one write once again of memories of a long ago childhood? Of personal aches or heartaches? Of moments that have taken the breath away because they were so beautiful? Of sorrows so gut wrenching that it aches to put them to paper?

Does one relate the big moments in life or examine the trivial? Does one wish to be a participant or an observer, a writer or a critic? Is it worth the effort to put the fingers to the keys lest someone find our work irritating -- or worse yet, boring.

We have in common a single thread, but we weave a coat of many colors when we dare to offer our single thoughts, memories, ideas, experiences. We are diminished by the parting of each member and it serves as a reminder that we are not alone.

So, my friends, when one thinks about it, what to write becomes less perplexing than what not to write.

Karen (Stine) Hollies '54
Virginia Beach, VA