We have all had a difficult two weeks of such unusual, bitter cold but even though it was cold here our hearts go out to those who are in Texas and still suffering the aftermath of such unusual freezing temperatures in other wise warm Texas.

Tuesday, February 23 The 54th day of the year 311 days left Today in History On February 23, 1885, a 19-year-old man named John Lee is sent to the gallows in Exeter, England, for the murder of Ellen Keyse, a rich older woman for whom he had worked. Although he insisted he was innocent, Lee had been convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.

25 Years Ago February 21- 27, 1996 A birthday party was held at Medicalodge in Columbus to celebrate the 105th birthday of Myrtle Correll. Helping her celebrate were family members Eugene and Marie Correll and Bert and Thelma Correll.

Last summer we heard the prediction that by the end of 2020, we would have a safe, effective vaccine to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which had only been discovered, of course, in December 2019, before causing countless deaths and mayhem in the world as we knew it. I must admit, I was skeptical.

Morton Trubletoof had some confusion with a customer service phone call. He said, “I was having plumbing problems at home, so I called the plumber we use. He’s the owner of Stan Clear Plumbing. Stan Clear’s sister answered the telephone, ‘Clear Plumbing.’

25 Years Ago February 21- 27, 1996 Columbus City officials voted to start legal proceedings against the Kansas City engineering firm of Larkin and Associates over design features of the city’s new water plant. Performance of the new plant has not been satisfactory particularly the continuing odor at the plant.

How pleasant it is to be clean. We all enjoy bathing ourselves and then putting on a fresh set of clothing. We do this regularly not only because it feels good, but because it is simply good hygiene as well. Some of the products that we use to launder and bathe with are identified as being “free and clear.” This means that they contain nothing that irritates our skin.

Thursday, February 18 The 49th day of the year 316 days left Today in History On this day in 1930, Pluto, once believed to be the ninth planet, is discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh.

25 Years Ago February 14-20, 1996 Rebecca Sue Grant and Brian Wayne Alexander were united in marriage Aug. 5, 1995 in a country setting at the home of the bride’s parents northwest of Columbus.

As we celebrate the Presidents birthdays in February, we need to remember that our first United States President, often referred to as “The Father Of Our Country”, was born February 22, 1732 according to the Gregorian Calendar. In 1752, the Julian Calendar was revised to what we now know as the Gregorian calendar, thus his birthday date was altered on the new calendar but that is a whole other story.