Shameless Plugs seem to have taken over this column. I guess, dear readers, you’ll have to wait till next week to hear from my e-mailbag.

Here are the plugs, in no special order.

u A special prayer event is set for 7 p.m. next Friday at the Benjamin Rush Middle School flagpole. It’s being called "Circle of Prayer." This will be the first of three prayer events scheduled before the Rush County Youth Group Work Camp kids arrive next June. Organizers are hoping for a lot of churches and folks to come together and believe God is going to do something great in Rush County!

u The Community Thanksgiving dinner is coming up soon, as is my favorite holiday, you guessed it, Thanksgiving. Yes, without Christmas and Easter life would be unbearable, but celebrating at least one day a year by being thankful includes acknowledging the significance of those two days as well.

Part of the reason I love Thanksgiving is of course the food and getting together with family. I can still recall coming home from Hanover College for the first time my freshman year. The trees were bare and dreary looking, but when we got home and entered the house (through the back door into the kitchen, of course) as we opened the door there was a warm blast of delicious smells and seconds later, hugs from Mother.

I also remember one year when I was teaching and coaching at New Palestine. The weather turned nasty and I had to call my guys in Rushville and tell them how to cook the turkey while I made pies at my NP home. Fortunately the pies and I were able to travel home to Rush County the next day and dinner was on time thanks to the menfolk’s culinary efforts.

Back to the Community Dinner, check today’s page A1 for more detailed information on this event. The meal is delivered each year to more than 500 persons by volunteer drivers. Main Street Christian Church in Rushville is planning the annual dinner with guidance and assistance from many churches throughout the county.

To submit the name of someone who should get a meal, call the church office at 932-2997 between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

u Also associated with Thanksgiving is the annual “pilgrimage” to the Mountain Mission School at Grundy, Va.

According to one of the organizers, Jerry Kent, this is the 62nd year for the benevolent trip. Watch the Republican for a list of needed items and where to take them. Monetary donations can be taken to any Rush County bank. Money will be used to purchase shoes for the children needing them. Additional money will be used for the purchase of washing machines and dryers. All the washing machines and dryers used to care for the 275 plus residents and staff members have been purchased by our local community for many years! Way to go Rush County! Organizers hope to raise more than $7,000 this year and consider this a very realistic goal with the help of the community.

No used clothing will be taken this year so get that by Nov. 25 to Arlington Elementary School for the Clothes Free-for-All from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in the school gym.

u The fall dinner meeting of the Rush County Historical Society will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Benjamin Rush Middle School. The program will be "Show and Tell With Antiques & Collectables" by J. Scott Keller. Cost is $14 for members and $16 for non-members.

On a different note, with a can-you-help tone, the Joe Cotton exhibit at the Rush County Historical Society museum is being expanded. When we discovered some local folks aren’t aware of this man’s accomplishments, I decided it was time to dedicate a column on this aviation pioneer. My problem is that my rememberer isn’t functioning very well. Does anyone remember when Cotton Alley was dedicated or when Joe Cotton spoke at a historical society dinner meeting? Then maybe I could locate my information and give better details. Let me know at one of the addresses below please.

Yes, I remember both events, just not when they happened and my files are so disorganized. They were fun and very interesting.

A mega-thanks again this year to the folks who worked so very hard to provide the Shrine breakfast last Saturday. It’s always fun to meet and talk to lots of different people and the food of course is a drawing point.