Archive - May 1, 2012

I used to enjoy watching the NFL draft when it was on Saturday and Sunday.
You could have the TV on and be doing other things while watching because you didn’t have to watch every minute.
Most of the time you had someone like Mel Kiper, Jr., who has been on ESPN as a draft analyst since 1984, breaking down each player and that gets a little old after five to 10 days of pre-draft talk.
Last year, they moved the draft to prime time on Thursday and Friday night and I miss the all-day Saturday and Sunday event.

Emma M. Pranskunas, 91, of Prairieburg, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass was held April 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Prairieburg by Father Wayne Droessler. Burial was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Prairieburg.
Local survivors include nephew, Joseph (Jo) Hogarty of North Liberty.

Joe Coker, 59, of Cedar Rapids, died at the University of Iowa Hospital on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Memorial Services were held May 2 at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Local survivors include his stepchildren, Theresa (Michael) Accola and Joel (Jill) Tresslar, of North Liberty.
Joe was born March 21, 1953, to Merle and Lucille Coker. He graduated from Marion High School where he was involved in track and wrestling. He received an associate degree in wastewater treatment from Kirkwood Community College and was employed by the Laborer’s International Union of North America, Local #309.

Helen J. Axline, 92, a resident of the Meth-Wick Community, died Sunday, April 22, 2012. Funeral services were held April 28 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Chaplain Kay Mineck of Meth-Wick officiated. Burial was at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Local survivors include her son, Dave (Penny) Axline of Solon and their children; Jeff (Janna) and their children, Ashley and Kelsey, Shelley (John) and their children, Justin and Isabella; Stacey (Rick) and their children, Christopher, Joseph and Stacia; and Jennifer (Mark) and their children.

My mother called it May-basket Day, and for a good many years, that was what I thought it was all about. The ancient Romans celebrated that day in honor of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers. Later, in England, the day was dedicated to Robin Hood, and celebrated with festivities which included Maypole dancers and the election of a local Queen of the May. In the U.S. It was celebrated as a Labor holiday between the years 1886 and 1894. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, it became a day for military pageants and parades in many countries.