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Open Session: November 2008

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Stitches and a steer – My niece, Ti Wright, of Bridgeport, Neb., poses with her Grand Champion Home Environment Quilt, which she made for the Morrill County Fair. Oreo, Ti’s 4-H Grand Champion Market Steer, helps her display her work. Ti enjoys quilting and is a university freshman this year here in Nebraska. – Marci Paulson, Fremont, Neb.

Drive-in theater – When I opened the July issue, it fell open to the Heart of the Home section, and my eye caught on the phrase “Twin Drive-In Theater” in a reader’s story (“Fireworks Bring Back Memories of Dad”). Surely this couldn’t be the same Twin Drive-In in Independence, Mo., that I grew up with, could it? Of course, I stopped and read.

Sure enough, it was. I, too, enjoyed movies at the Twin, and went on a few dates there with the father of my children. And then later, we all went there as a family.

Even though the Heart of the Home contributor’s story was more about her father and fireworks than about the theater, I want her to know that the Twin is still a thriving business, and my children still enjoy a movie there now and then as adults. My oldest daughter has two daughters, and she and her husband take them there.

The writer also mentioned visiting Kansas City, Mo.’s Swope Park and zoo. When I was growing up, my siblings and I would go on an outing there with my cousins every year. We would picnic and climb the 100 or so steps there. We need to take our grandchildren there. I recently took three granddaughters to see High School Musical at the park’s Starlight Theater.

So, yes, everything’s up to date in Kansas City, and still a bit nostalgic in Independence.

Delores Champ
Bates City, Mo.


Visitors brightened day – One afternoon, after a heavy downpour, we looked out our picture window and saw a pair of geese out for a stroll with four goslings between them. I got out my camera and took a photograph of them through the window, so as not to disturb them.

The group circled the farm, then came back by the same spot, before heading into our windbreak for the evening.
It was a sight that brightened our day.

Merleen Miller
 Tecumseh, Neb.


Remembers picnics – I read a copy of your paper while seated in the waiting room of an auto repair shop in Emporia, Kan. It brought back memories of my very young days living in Topeka, Kan.

We lived a few short blocks from Ripley Park and the swimming pool. Many days were spent there in summers with my sisters.

That park was home to Sen. Arthur Capper’s picnics, which we always enjoyed. Capper was always there with his entourage. We, as well as many others in attendance, were from poor families, so the free rides and ice cream cones were like manna from heaven.

It was something that no young child could ever forget.

Jim Sells
Emporia, Kan.

Editor’s note: Thank you for sharing this memory with us, Jim. We’re always fond of reading about how Arthur Capper, as publisher of CAPPER’S WEEKLY and in other ways, affected people’s lives.

Open Session

We welcome letters from readers. If you have an opinion or comment on an article you saw in CAPPER’S that you’d like to share, send it to Open Session, CAPPER’S, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265.