Friday, June 22nd, 2007

Prayer for rain

From staff reports
Day after day the sun shone out
Till the earth was choking with dust and drought,
And millions of blossoms on hill and plain
Were almost dead for the want of rain.
All through the meadows the heads of wheat
Bent low with the long-continued heat,
And the farmer murmured: "No crop of grain
Shall I harvest this year if it doesn't rain."
The clouds hung heavy in hearts that knew
How much depended on the rain and dew,
And tears were plenty as the days went by
But clouds and tears were not in the sky.
Our Willie noted the frown that lay
On his father's forehead from day to day
And longed to banish with loving art
The fears that troubled the farmer's heart.
"Mommie, do you think that God will hear
If I pray for rain?" "Why of course, my dear,"
Was the mother's earnest and prompt reply.
"Well then," said Willie, "I mean to try."
At bedtime, Willie, overcome with play,
Forgot the prayer that he meant to say.
But the angels, watching his slumber, guessed
The thought that lay within his breast.
Next morning, all over the thirsty plain,
Was heard the steady drip of the rain.
And Willie, overjoyed at the welcome sight,
Said: "Who prayed for rain last night?"
Additional online stories on this date
Local officials Thursday held their first meeting to investigate establishing a federal program to improve water quality in the Grand Lake/Wabash River Watershed. [More]
An emergency water restriction ordinance was activated by Rockford Village Administrator Jeff Long on this morning prohibiting residents from watering their lawns. [More]
ST. HENRY - Hitting is contagious and the Coldwater ACME team proved that during the fourth inning of its game against St. Henry at the Wally Post Athletic Complex on Thursday evening. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Mercer County voters will be asked to approve a 15-year, 0.5 percent sales tax on the Nov. 6 election ballot to pay for the construction and operation of a new jail.
Montezuma received favorable bids for its upcoming village-wide street, sidewalk and storm drainage improvement project.
Mercer County Commissioner
The local chapter of the American Red Cross is teaming up with its Indiana neighbors for a go-kart racing series debuting for the first time at the Maria Stein Country Fest this weekend.
ST. HENRY - Local high school students who complete the recently added Project Lead The Way curriculum can receive 17 college credit hours at Wright State University-Lake Campus if they attend the college.
A Montezuma woman has pleaded not guilty to buying jewelry from three area jewelry stores and paying the combined $2,560 cost with checks that bounced due to insufficient funds.
A wheelchair-bound St. Marys man was sentenced this week to a total of three years in prison for having sex with two young children in January 2006 and February of this year.
COLDWATER - Helping establish Catholic clusters throughout the local deanery has been a rewarding challenge for the Rev. Ron Wilker during his 14 years at Holy Trinity parish in Coldwater.
By LARRY BOOS
Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG - NASCAR Nextel Cup stalwarts Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney readily admit that open wheel Sprint Car racing was very influential in developing their careers and welcome any chance to return to those roots.
Compiled by Ryan Hines
The Grand Lake Mariners have evened their record at 5-5 on the summer after picking up a come-from-behind 7-4 win over Lake Erie on the road at Ned Skeldon Stadium on Thursday night in Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League action.