April Fool!
For all the ethnic jokes you may have heard, you probably haven't heard one about a Frenchman. That's perhaps because the French started the best joke of all: "April Fool!"
This observance originated in France, according to The World Book Encyclopedia, after Charles IX adopted a reformed calendar in 1564. Under the old calendar, the New Year celebration began March 21 and ended April 1. The new calendar shifted New Year's Day to Jan. 1, but some people — the uninformed — still celebrated it April 1. Hence, they were the April Fools.
It soon became popular throughout France to fool friends on that day, and, says World Book, the custom soon was exported to other countries. It was widespread in England by the 1600's. In France, the fall guy is called "April Fish," and in Scotland he's "April Gowk." The gowk, by the way, is a cuckoo.
Other lore also marks April 1 as a day of trickery. During the Hindu Feast of Huli, which ends on March 31, the chief diversion is to send people on fruitless errands and expeditions.
Some say the custom commemorates Noah's sending the dove from the ark before the flood abated, which occurred on the first day of the Hebrew month which corresponds to April. Jews who did not remember this event were sent on ineffectual errands to remind them of the useless flight and return of the dove.
Reverence is also made to the Passion of Jesus Christ, his being mocked and tormented by being sent from Annas to Chaiaphas, Chaiaphas to Pilate, Pilate to Herod and back to Pilate again, starting the precedent for making a person the object of ridicule by sending him from place to place and person to person.
The day is also intertwined with mythology and the celebration of the vernal equinox. In mythology, there are links with the Roman Saturnalia, when people poked fun at one another; with Aphrodite, relating to the constellation of fishes, and with Persephone, in both Greek and Roman tales. Some say the month itself plays the joke because of the uncertainty of its weather.
And this is no April Fool's joke either. It came straight from World Book.
Vern Livingston, manager of City Utilities, will begin a semiretirement this summer. He hopes to spend more than just a few weeks in south Texas during the winter months.
Meanwhile, back in the home of Arbor Day, Vern has been plugging away with his relentless energy and as president of the Arbor Day Foundation, he keeps us informed of goings on.
Gordon MacRae is scheduled to attend the Arbor Day celebration in Nebraska City April 29. Allen Beermann, secretary of state and son-in-law of the Walt Dierkings, is making the flight arrangements between Disney World at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Lincoln.
Mr. Livingston invited the film and TV star to attend a luncheon at the Elks and participate in the parade and program. He asked Mr. MacRae to sing the National Anthem accompanied by the SAC band.
Mr. MacRae starred in "Oklahoma" and "Carousel." Ought to be a great day.
When the late Carl Baltensperger called a meeting to organize the showing of the Billy Graham film, "For Pete's Sake," he asked for ideas of how to fill the Pioneer Theater each showing.
He asked if we would help. Newspaper people are generally appointed "public relations" or "advertising." (I dunno why we don't get the jobs as treasurer).
In this particular instance, Carl asked if we would help with the advertising and asked for fresh ideas and pep.
He said he didn't want to see the program fail for lack of get up and go.
To which we replied:
"WELL . . . for pete's sake . . . well, for PETE'S sake. WELL, FOR pete's sake."
Carl was smiling so broadly we all halted the chant and excused ourselves to start work.
That was Carl Baltensperger . . . his smile and Christian attitude had a way of drawing out the best in the people with whom he worked.
Didya ever have trouble trying to remember what someone gave you for Christmas? Or was it for your birthday? I hesitate to admit it, but that's one of my usual boo-boos.
Like the other day . . .
"Hey there, Mrs. B. I sure like this ole' sugar burger rattlesnake tie." (I call it by name because it looks like the color of and design of rattlesnake skin . . . that is if you have looked at any rattlesnake skins lately)
"Ummm. That does look nice with that shirt," the queen bee replied.
"Yessiree bob, dear girl. You sure have good taste."
"Ivan!"
Oh, Oh. I knew I blew it.
"Err . . . ah . . . oh . . . The kids sure were clever to get me something like that for Christmas."
"Ivan!"
(It was getting worse all the time)
"Valentine's."
"Ivan!"
"Father's Day! St. Patrick's Day! Memorial Day! How about my birthday?" (I finally gave up and went to work).
Charlie Stastka: "Ivan, you are the story thief so here's one . . .
Didya hear the one about the two men talking over acupuncture?
One fella said he had read all about acupuncture — the Chinese pain reliever by needles — and his wife was an authority on it.
"Whaddya mean?" the other fella asked.
"You have to be careful on the administration of acupuncture, my wife has been needling me for 25 years."