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Just Chillin’ MOST UPBEAT 4TH of JULY, in 1776! By Ellie Schmidt • eschmidtty@sbcglobal.net


SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ How clearly I recall, when I was almost 5, riding on the broad shoulders of one of my uncles, when my parents and I strolled through beau- tiful Central Park Mall in New York to enjoy another 4th of


July


band concert in the park. “Stars and Stripes For- ever” blared forth from the classic con- crete shell stage that held a proud brass band all dressed up in


scarlet and gold uniforms with gold buttons that shone in the hot sun—and they wore snappy caps! John Philip Sousa’s toe- tapping music has given joy to countless audiences whenever performed. Our family picnics were often at Tibbetts Park, facing the mighty Hudson River. Now it is a highly de- veloped recreational area. Our food-line oriented family also loved music. Such enthusiasm shown by those brand-new cit- izens allows for the mangling of lyrics of many stirring, patriotic songs. Their hearts were always in the right place. Semper Fidelis and Anchors Aweigh were their favorites. There was non-stop eating and drinking throughout the day at the close, rough picnic tables in the deep woods, only just past Yonkers, into the late eve- ning. The men saw to grilling plenty of sausages and there was usually a keg of beer. The ladies set out innumera-


ble bowls of potato-bacon sal- ad, fresh fruits, rolls, cakes and strudels. Huge old-fashioned pots of coffee followed. Older boy cousins mostly called me Yankee Noodle, which rhymed with strudel. They gathered


sticks and taught me how to toast marshmallows. Life was mellow. Laughter fl owed. Maybe our family numbered close to the number of 56 del- egates to the Second Con- tinental Con- gress that swel- tered in the heat of humid Philadelphia from May 2 to July 4, 1776, before the signing of The Declaration of Independence. Having lived in the Philadel- phia area for a time, I perspire just thinking


how hot it can get. The stables next to the State House, now known as Independence Hall, hummed with large horsefl ies. Thomas Jefferson was 33;


John Adams, 41; and Benja- min Franklin was 70. The most “practical” of the three, the gifted and accomplished Ben coaxed and cajoled, along with Tom and John, through inde- fatigable campaigning to get their shared dream of colonial unity written down and signed in a Declaration of Indepen- dence from the tyranny of the Kingdom of Britain. Always exciting to me is the discovery of real creativity and original- ity in individuals I meet, no matter how brief the acquain- tanceship.


Peter Hess Stone, the late, celebrated screenwriter and author, was a fellow student in an 18th Century English Lit class we took in college. The astonished professor, when- ever Pete chose to attend our seminar, could barely handle the heated discussions which were incredibly informative


... continued on page 7 Dada’s Deli Restaurant


UPBEAT TIMES • July 2014 • 5 Little Stuff 2


I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger, then it hit me.


The lumberjack loved his new computer. He especially enjoyed logging in.


Police were called to a day- care where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.


Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 2


In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Day as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year.


The brain can be kept alive outside the body for days.


Depression can cause you to dream up to 3-4 times more than normal.


At Dada’s you’ll only fi nd the real thing...Great sandwiches, burgers, fries, homemade lasagna, soup, salads, desserts, and much more. For 46 years our customers have become our family and friends. We are family owned and operated. Find out why Dada’s is such a favorite!


OPEN M-F - 7am to 3:30pm The grill is open from 7am-2:30pm


3100 Dutton Ave., Suite 122 Santa Rosa, CA


707-526-3232 HWY 101 Corby Ave Auto Row


Dutton Ave


Standish A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time - pills or stairs. ~Joan Welsh UPBEAT TIMES • July 2014 • 5


Hearn Ave


Bellevue Ave


Todd Rd


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