GK Happenings: Hard times make a case for frugal living of bygone days

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By MARIAN COLLINS Times are just getting tougher. First the gas prices, then grocery prices and now the trouble with big finance. It’s worrisome. Thankfully, our family hasn’t been directly affected, but we’re still waiting for the trickle-down and therefore trying to practice frugality. Many people tell about how they grew up poor but didn’t know they were poor until they were grown. I might say the same thing. Both my parents worked. We had a big family. Dad’s car was provided by his company, and mom didn’t get a car until later when half the kids were out of the house. The folks also collected a percentage of my brothers’ paychecks, and we were all expected to do chores. Still, dinner was on the table most nights and we always looked cleaned and polished for church on Sunday. Every birthday and Christmas was special, and we could always count on a nice, big dinner on Sunday afternoons. I’ll never forget the magnificent look and smell of three whole chickens slowly spinning on Dad’s rotisserie barbeque. My dad recently told a different story when he recalled a time he so desperately needed money he had to cash in 10 treasured silver dollars; a gift from his Pa. He took them to the currency exchange and asked the attendant if she’d give him cash, but save the coins until he could buy them back after payday. She agreed and dad did eventually retrieve his coins. Remember, this was over 35 years ago, when $10 went a long way. So I guess we weren’t really poor, because while we didn’t have much, I still couldn’t qualify for financial aid for college based on my parents' modest income. Neither could they afford to send any of us to college. I suppose we were a truly middle class, Irish-Italian family with enough to get by most of the time as long as we worked hard and saved. It’s made me who I am today, and I carry it proudly. Save some time for Halloween Happenings, 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, at Kiernan Park, where games, rides, food, candy and more are planned for the whole family. Judging for the costume contest starts at 3 p.m. The Genoa Park District’s annual Halloween coloring contest is on now. Coloring pages can be picked up at the recreation center or kids may have received them at school. They must be returned to the park district by Oct. 22. Prizes are awarded in these age groups: under 24 months, ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-10, and 11 and up. Winners will be announced during Halloween Happenings. The season’s last Open Air Market is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in the municipal parking lot on Main Street. It’s time for the rummage sale at Kirkland’s United Methodist Church, at Third and South streets. Find great deals on clothes, toys, household items, baby items and more, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, or 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 18. The Genoa-Kingston Fitness Center is offering a program similar to, “The Biggest Loser,” seen on TV. It’s called the Great G-K Meltdown and the kickoff seminar is 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the fitness center inside G-K High School. The $49 fee (a $200 value) gets you access to personal trainers, a dietician, a sports nutritionist, and discounts on classes throughout the eight-week program. Professionals will help you set a goal whether it be to lose weight, lose inches, increase energy or tone up. They’ll follow up and cheer you on. The program ends in December with a results and awards party. Call for more details at 815-784-3488.