Take a Walk You often hear people say, “Oh, Madison is such a good walking town!” I guess they mean that there aren’t steep hills within the populated areas of the city such as Cincinnati has. But if you think…
Take a Walk
Category: General Commentary
Opinions, Commentaries and Editorials by Wayne Engle
Memorial Day ’08
Memorial Day ’08 Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day, honoring those young Americans who have given their lives in all our wars. Each year we do this, but in some of our wars — like the one in Iraq — we…
Emmett Miller
EMMETT Listened to any Emmett Miller records lately? No? Don’t feel lonely. He was a giant American musical influence of the 20th Century who is almost unknown today. Emmett Miller sounds like it could be the name of a guy…
The Mayor Speaks
The Mayor Speaks A city is like a person going for an important job interview: It should have a shine on its shoes, a smile on its face, and a firm handshake for those it is trying to impress. While…
Womens Health Day
Womens Health Day The annual Speaking of Women’s Health Day has come and gone again, and it’s a good thing that this event has been organized to make women both locally and nationally more aware of how they can practice…
Driving on Borrowed Time
Driving on Borrowed Time “I’ll never see one built in my lifetime.” That was a typical Madisonian — could have even been me — talking about the new bridge that hasn’t been built and to hear us tell it never…
Assessed from afar
Assessed From Afar Roger Brooks has no dog in the hunt which could be termed “What To Do With Downtown Madison, IN.” He’s a professional consultant who came in here, Madison previously unseen by him, and gave us his assessment…
To Do List
To Do List Our new mayor Tim Armstrong has been in office for three and one-half months now, and seems to be settling in reasonably well, with no major missteps. I’m sure he and his staff have a detailed agenda…
50 Years Ago
50 Years Ago Ever wonder what downtown Madison will be like in 50 years? I can remember what it was like 50 years ago, and I’m concerned that opportunities are being lost here, big time. If you want to see…
Smoke-smoke-smoke
“I’d walk a mile for a Camel!” If you remember that cigarette slogan, you must be as old as I am — or close. There must have been 100 different magazine ads depicting some Hollywood star or famous professional athlete,…
Wrong Drinking Age?
Wrong drinking age? We’re in pretty select company here in the U.S.: We’re one of a small handful of nations in the world that believe people can’t be trusted to drink or buy alcohol until they’re 21 years old. Think…
The Day The Music Died
Elks Building The news went all over E.O. Muncie Junior High that day 50 years ago when I was in the eighth grade. Yes, Muncie had a junior high in those days. Two of the entertainers killed in the tragic…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 1
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 1 By: Wayne Engle South Boston gets cold, snowy winters, and the one that Irish enclave in Massachusetts got in the year 1925 was no exception. Big white flakes were falling on its streets one…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 2
Mary Kate’s Christmas© part 2 By: Wayne Engle Mary Kate and Pat had a happy first few months together. Pat was a hod carrier for several South Boston bricklayers. Mary Kate stayed at home, the dutiful wife. Sometimes Pat could…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 3
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 3 By: Wayne Engle Mary Kate, always a practical lass, decided that waitressing where she could get tips would bring in more money to fill the larder than housecleaning. Besides, being Irish, she was gregarious,…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 4
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 4 By: Wayne Engle Black Mike came back in from the snowy night, and Mary Kate said, “Well, Michael, do you think business will pick up, with Christmas coming and all?” “Aye, and it’ll rain…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 5
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 5 By: Wayne Engle Old Hilda, the skinny, angular cook, told her sister the next evening over coffee that when Mary Kate flew into her rage, it was so intense she could actually FEEL the…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 6
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 6 By: Wayne Engle Black Mike went out on the night after his lecture from Mary Kate, got very drunk and morose, and arose feeling terrible the next morning. He also did some deep thinking.…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 7
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 7 By: Wayne Engle Mary Kate took the couple menus and her best smile. “Good evening, folks! Welcome to Dinty Callahan’s, the best meals in South Boston!” she said. “Humph! I should hope so, with…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 8
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 8 By: Wayne Engle Mary Kate returned to the dining room, approached the old couple’s table, and said, “Can I be gettin’ anything else for you folks?” “I’ve asked you twice already for more coffee,”…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 9
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 9 By: Wayne Engle A thousand dollars. The bill was new and crisp, the portrait of President Grover Cleveland staring at her, looking for all the world like her Uncle Seamus back in County Cork.…
Mary Kate’s Christmas – part 10
Mary Kate’s Christmas © part 10 By: Wayne Engle Mary Kate stared at Michael, unable to speak for a moment, tears standing in her eyes but not quite falling. Finally she said, “We’ll come. And thank your mother kindly for…