Independence Day (July 2011)

For many of us, the Fourth of July is a day for parades, cookouts, baseball, fireworks, and family get-togethers.  But today is also the 235th anniversary of the official approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress.  Americans have much to be thankful for because of the work of our Founding Fathers.  Their tenacity and bravery put their lives and those of their families into potential jeopardy.  To be sure, some of the facts related to the signers of the Declaration have been stretched a bit (see The Price They Paid), but these brave men put their lives and futures on the line for generations of Americans to come.  We owe them a debt of gratitude.


Over these past 235 years, the Fourth of July has the occasion for some well-known and less well-known events.  In 1826 (the fiftieth anniversary), both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other.  They had been political opponents for decades, but they became reconciled shortly before their deaths.  During the American Civil War, the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg were decided by July 4, 1863.  Many historians suggest that those two battles signified the turning point of the Civil War.


More recently, the nation celebrated our Bicentennial in 1976, with much fanfare and hoopla.  Along with the useful fireworks displays in Washington, D.C., and New York City, there was a spectacular passage of the "Tall Ships" in the New York Harbor.  On a more personal note, I will always remember July 4, 1989.  Cynthia and I had been on a tour of England with the Owatonna High School Orchestra in the United Kingdom.  July 4 was the day we were to return to the States.  On the elevator at our hotel, one Brit asked us, "How are things in the Colonies?"  I replied that we were on our way to find out!  We flew into St. Louis from Heathrow Airport in London, and then we made our way up the Mississippi River that evening.  It was a spectacular sight as we saw fireworks displays in little towns all along the way.  What a great memory.


We all have our own memories of the Fourth of July.  And I am sure there will be many more in the future.  Have a great day.

Sixtieth Anniversary

As regular readers of this blog will remember, my father-in-law (Roy Crane) passed away this year on February 19. He died just a few months short of his 84th birthday. Had he lived until this week, he and my mother-in-law (Vera Crane) would have celebrated their 60th anniversary.

They were married in Michigan on August 2, 1947, after my father-in-law had returned from serving in the US Army during World War II. After attending one year at Olivet Nazarene College, he enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He graduated in 1951 and then stayed on a year to get a teaching certificate. My wife Nancy and her sister Darlene were born in Greenville while their folks were living in Greenville.

Roy and Vera returned to Roseville, Michigan, in 1952. There they raised their family of seven children, and Nancy's mom still lives in the same house that the Cranes bought about 45 years ago. When they first moved to that house, it was located along Eleven Mile Road. About 35 years ago, Interstate 696 replaced Eleven Mile Road. The house had to be moved back and then relocated on a new foundation. The westbound service drive for I-696 runs right in front of the house.

We spoke with Mom yesterday, and we reminisced about the many good years that she shared with Dad. We are so glad that she is still with us. We pray that she will be around for years to come.

Enjoying Life in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Nancy and I (along with Tricia, Peyton, and Oscar) are enjoying a some beautiful days at the family cottage on Piatt Lake, located near Whitefish Bay and fifty miles north of the Mackinaw Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1957, exactly fifty years ago. As you approach the bridge, which is part of Interstate-75, it is pretty overwhelming, as you can see from the photos to the left.

The bridge is approximately five miles long, including the approaches, and it has four lanes. What can be somewhat unnerving is that the left-hand lane going north and south is not solid pavement. The left lane is a metal grid, and you can actually see the water 450 feet below you in the Straits of Mackinac. The reason for this is that the bridge has to be able to withstand the wind currents and have some "give and take." It was very elaborately designed back in the 1950s. The bridge connects the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Today (July 24) is also our 37th wedding anniversary, so it is a good time to reminisce about getting married back in 1970. We spent our honeymoon up here at the cottage. Nathan and Andrea Crane (our nephew and his wife) have recently purchased and renovated the cottage.

During our honeymoon we visited the Soo Locks over in Sault Ste. Marie as well as taking a boat trip to view the Pictured Rocks along the southern shore of Lake Superior. We drove down to St. Ignace and took the ferry boat across to Mackinaw Island. In addition to the historical sights such as Fort Mackinaw and other related buildings, the island is home to several dozen fudge shops. Incidentally, there are no cars on the island. One either walks, rides a bike, or rides in a horse-drawn carriage.

But your trip to the Upper Peninsula is not complete without a trip to see Tahqhamenon Falls. There are the Upper Falls (pictured here), as well as the Lower Falls. The river actually has a copper cast to it because of the minerals deposits that the river flows through on its way to Lake Superior. There is a five-mile trail connecting the Upper and Lower Falls, but most people just drive from the one area to the other.

All in all, it's been a wonderful time this week. Watching our grandkids swimming and having a big time reminds us of thirty years ago when we would bring our own gang up here summer after summer. Nancy's dad took great delight in his role of "King of the Raft" by throwing the kids off the raft. And Nancy's mom made great pies out of the blueberries the kids would pick. Nancy often reminded the kids about the children's classic story Blueberries for Sal, which was set in New England. But we leave Friday and return to Owatonna where we begin in-service training for the fall semester at Pillsbury.

The Detroit Tigers

On Tuesday evening this week, three of my sons (Daniel, Darrell, and Andy) attended a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins. This has become somewhat of an annual ritual for the McGuire boys and their dad. Although the game was played at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, we were all rooting for the Tigers. And the Tigers won the game 1-0. Of course, many of our fellow Minnesotans do root for the Twins, so when our two respective teams are playing each other, we just have be nice. In fact, Tricia's husband Harlan is a diehard Twins fan, so we just talk about other stuff when the Tigers and the Twins are playing each other.

We often form allegiances for our home team based on childhood memories and experiences. Although the Tigers now play in Comerica Park (photo above courtesy of Ryan Southen), when I was growing up in Plymouth, Michigan, during the 1960s we went to games at Tiger Stadium (pictured on the right). As a junior high kid, I would sit with my dad in the upper deck bleachers out in centerfield. As I recall, it cost 50 or 75 cents to get into the bleachers. I knew that it was asking too much to sit in the box seats behind home plate; those tickets cost $3.50 in the early 1960s.

When Nancy and I were first dating nearly forty years ago, we did sit in the box seats—the price had skyrocketed up to $4.50 a seat. We did see Mickey Mantle play during his last season with the Yankees. And did I tell you that we Tiger fans were NOT Yankee fans in those days? Indeed, when the Tigers defeated the Yankees in the 2006 playoffs, there were a lot of older Tiger fans who remembered the days when the Yankees seemed to be unstoppable. But much has changed since those days.

I must say that I am glad to continue the tradition that my dad started with me. Going to the ballpark with your boys (even though they are now in their twenties) is a lot of fun. It creates some good memories. I hope they will do the same with their children. In the interim, GO TIGERS!

The Importance of Family

From time to time, we are reminded of the importance of our families. My mother-in-law recently visited us here in Owatonna. During the course of her visit, we took this four-generation photo. Tricia, Peyton Rose, Oscar Jonas, and Nancy are in the back row, and Nancy's mom is seated in the front. One sometimes sees five- and even six-generation photos in the local paper, but we are very happy to show off our four-generation family.

We attended a McGuire reunion in Louisville on June 2. The irony was that most of those in attendance were cousins, second cousins, and "cousins-in-law." There is only one living spouse from my father's generation of seven siblings. We must acknowledge the fact that we now live in the twenty-first century, and the future lies with our children and grandchildren. We are thankful for our children and grandchildren. And speaking of those grandchildren, here are two more photos of Har and Tricia's contributions to the cause:

The Thread That Runs So True

Last week Pillsbury College presented its spring play, The Thread That Runs So True. "This drama is based on the true life experiences of Jesse Stuart, an unusual educator who fought all his life for quality education in rural and mountain schools. His experiences as a beginning teacher in the Kentucky mountains inspired this play." Our students, under the direction of Mr. Ken Marsh, did a wonderful job portraying the trials and tribulations of encouraging education in the rural areas of Eastern Kentucky in the early twentieth century.

My father grew up in Eastern Kentucky and was a contemporary of Jesse Stuart. As many children did in those days, my dad attended a one-room school like the one portrayed in the play by Jesse Stuart. When my dad graduated from the eighth grade, he stayed on to help the teacher for a year. The teacher just happened to be his older sister. He then went off to attend high school in another town. Dad had to pay room and board and work his way through high school. When he finished high school, he went off to college. Like many of his siblings and cousins, Dad eventually became a teacher. I often say that education is a "disorder that runs in my family." I appreciate the fact that many members of my immediate and extended family have been involved in education.

One more note about Pillsbury's production. Our youngest son, Andy, had a role in the play. He portrayed Guy Hawkins, a rough character who always wanted to beat up the teacher and put him in his place. Eventually, Guy comes around and becomes one of Jesse Stuart's star pupils.

We are very proud of Andy. In addition to performing in the spring play, he sings in the college choir and has been one of the catchers on the Pillsbury Comet baseball team this spring. He is planning on working at a Christian camp this summer, so he will be a pretty busy young man. I forgot to mention that Andy just turned twenty. We have no more teenagers! What a blessing. Of course, our granddaughter Peyton Rose will become a teenager in just three years. The cycle will begin anew.

Easter Reflections

As is the case with almost all religious holidays, the "religious" character of holidays is often overshadowed by commercialism and materialism. Easter Day is no exception, what with Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter outfits, Easter candy, and the like. Even though it is the culmination of "Holy Week" within some liturgical churches, it still should be a day of great rejoicing as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord.

Numerous composers have written profoundly beautiful music to celebrate the day, running the gamut from Bach and Handel to more contemporary Christian composers. Athough Handel's Messiah is often performed during the Christmas Season, many of the well-known and well-loved portions of Messiah are actually taken from biblical texts celebrating Easter. One of Ron Hamilton's earlier works, The Centurion, tells us the story of Easter from the perspective of one of the Roman centurions involved with our Lord's crucifixion.

Here in Owatonna, we enjoyed worshiping at Grace Baptist Church this morning. In our first service, we read several Bible passages and sang a number of hymns related to Easter. We also celebrated the Lord's Supper. Then we were treated to a nice Easter morning breakfast. During the second service, there were several special musical numbers appropriate for the day. And finally, we heard a message from God's Word that empahasized how we should be affected and influenced by Christ's resurrection.

Nancy and Tricia prepared a nice turkey dinner for Easter. We had some of our children (and our two grandchildren) over for the afternoon, because we consider family fellowship to be vitally important. Although there is probably not the same level of excitement as at Christmas, we eagerly anticipate these opportunities when our family members are able to get together for fellowship. All in all, this was a good Easter Day for our family.

Tribute to Roy Crane (1923-2007)

My father-in-law, Roy Crane, passed away at the age of 83 on Monday, February 19. He had been in poor health for the last several years, but he died from acute toxic shock after being transported to the hospital by ambulance. He is survived by my mother-in-law, Vera Crane, who is in her later 70s. She had been my father-in-law's primary health care provider in recent years. My mother-in-law did not want to see her husband placed in a nursing home or in an assisted care facility, so she provided the love and attention that only a wife of nearly sixty years could give. She transported her husband to the doctor's office and took him to see their children and grandchildren on special occasions. Although we will miss him greatly, he is now with his Father in heaven, and he is a far better place.

Nancy's dad was born in Farmington, Michigan, and he grew up in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His folks later bought a farm in southern Indiana, but he did not live there. Roy enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He served in India, Burma, and China under General Stilwell. After the war, he married Vera Abbey on August 2, 1947.

He attended Olivet Nazarene College for a year, and then he enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he graduated in 1951. Roy and Vera returned to Roseville, Michigan, where they lived together for over fifty years and raised a family of seven children. Dad taught math and driver's education in the St. Clair Shores School District. He was also very active in his church, serving as a deacon and moderator several times over the years. And one of his favorite things was to take the family up to the family cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All of us enjoyed going to Piatt Lake, where Grandpa Crane took great delight in being "King of the Raft." We have many great memories of the days we spent at the cottage.

My father-in-law was a repesentative what Tom Brokaw has called the "Greatest Generation." I concur with Tom Brokaw. It was most fitting that there was a military honor guard at the cemetery. When the two soldiers folded the American flag that had been draped over the casket and presented it to my mother-in-law, it was an emotional moment indeed. Dad had fought to defend this country, and he was rightly honored at the time of his death. Several of his grandchildren have volunteered to serve their country in the military. He was proud of their willingness to do so.

My wife Nancy is the oldest of the seven children. The Cranes also have thirty-eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. At the funeral service on (which was held on Saturday, February 24), 37 of the 38 grandchildren were present, along with 14 of the 15 great-grandchildren. In my personal remarks during the funeral service, I pointed out the rows of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and stated that they represented my father-in-law's "greatest legacy." Faith Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan, provided a lunch for the members of the family, and we were able to take several photos of those who were present. This photo includes the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren, and Grandma Crane sitting right in the middle. When she came up to take her seat, the kids cheered and applauded her. That WAS an emotional moment.


















The last time that Grandpa and Grandma Crane visited us here in Minnesota was when Andy graduated from high school in 2005. They flew from Detroit to Minneapolis on Northwest Airlines. Although it was a little difficult on Grandpa Crane, he and Grandma managed just fine. We took Grandpa to church and to the graduation ceremony for Andy. He also enjoyed the graduation open house. It just so happened that the next day was Grandpa's 82nd birthday, so we had a party for him. You can see him here blowing out the candles on his cake, along with the help of his great-granddaughter Peyton Rose Vasquez.


















Nancy's dad and mom would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 2, but her dad slipped away before that could happen. On the occasion of their 50th anniversary, we had a great celebration in Michigan. But they were quite the pair, right up to the end. Indeed, it's hard to think of Roy Crane without also thinking of Vera Crane.
















On Nancy's birthday last December 10, she was talking to her dad and mom on the phone. After chatting with her dad for a few minutes, he sang "Happy Birthday" to her over the phone. Even though he was in the twilight of his life, he remembered and recognized one of his children. As Psalm 116:15 so eloquently states, "Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints."