July-2017
We live in Urbandale, Iowa. This is a special year--2017 is the 100th "birthday" for our city, so this year's July 4th season theme is "Celebrating the Centennial." I wanted to celebrate this occasion in my own way so I could promote my hobby as I promote my city--then it hit me. This year, Urbandale Parks and Recreation is sponsoring "Let the Fun Begin--32 Parks in 90 days" challenge. I decided to do a one-up on that. I visited 33 parks in 30 days--all on my bicycle. I try to do a blog page each year to feature bicycles or bike trails, so this fits right in. It is my opinion that central Iowa has one of the best recreation trail systems in the world and Urbandale is certainly in the mix. When I head out to visit the various parks I can access the trail just two blocks from our home--a few hundred feet if I cut through our neighbors yard. I have a confession to make--when I arrived at most of my park destinations, there wasn't much for me to do by myself other than say I'd been there. Sometimes I would have a snack or energy bar then move on to my next destination. That is not a put down on the parks--quite the opposite. Each park I visited adds so much to its own community. The parks provide so many opportunities for family and/or group outdoor fun with picnic areas, children's playgrounds, basketball courts and much more.
100 and 100
Today, June 21, 2017, I attended a thank you celebration at Bankers Trust Windsor Heights Branch recognizing the company's 100th year in business. It was a double blessing for me as: (1) this is where I have done my banking for 56 plus years and (2) I had lunch with my long time friends, Don Steele and Diana Willits. Don was a former Windsor Heights City Council member and later mayor. Diana was a former Windsor Heights City Council member and is the current mayor. Here is the common denominator. I was a former Windsor Heights City Council member and each of us served for approximately 20 years. I was really bummed out when I forgot to take a picture of the three of us --so here is my rendition of the three of us in the lunch line. You know--I think we all three look pretty good--considering 60 combined years of public service--20 + 20 + 20.
Bankers Trust has been a locally owned community bank for 100 years. It takes a lot to make that happen--good facilities, good management, good service by good people--and good customers. Here is my customer story: I graduated from the University of Iowa in June, 1961 and took a job at Harder Pharmacy, 6601 University in Windsor Heights. On my very first lunch hour I walked across the shared parking lot to the old Bankers Trust Windsor Heights Branch Office. Tiny Williams greeted me, set up my account, and welcomed me to the community. From that day forward most of the office staff greeted me by name when I walked through the door. I liked that! Years went by and this branch moved to 70th and University--our account went with them. I have a fondness for all employees, but Fran and Judy were (and still are) very special to me. Now here it is some 56 years later and I still have my accounts at Bankers Trust--I have seen no reason to go elsewhere.
NOTE: This is not an advertisement for Bankers Trust--it is a "thank you" example and an expression of loyalty to all of those who have been so kind and helpful to me throughout the years.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. (NAS) (2 Peter 3:8)
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE>>>>>>>>
100 and 100--This page features another milestone month with anniversary events.
URBANDALE--100 years
BANKERS TRUST--100 years
Concluding note: I didn't join the contest--you were to include a picture of yourself or your group at every visited park. But wait--I do think I see a common theme--I believe I see my bicycle in every pic. These are a few of my faves.
Above: Bankers Trust Centennial Celebration at Windsor Heights Branch, June 21, 2017.
Right and Left: Scenes from Bankers Trust Centennial at Cowles Common in downtown Des Moines, June 02, 2017
20 + 20 + 20