A few weeks ago after awakening from one of this old codger Charlie’s afternoon nap, he was channel chasing in the late afternoon and guess what?

On his Comcast channel 131 Hallmark he found one of the old Walton’s programs.

I never used to watch this popular program at the time.

But you know what? I found out that starting at 3 p.m., there are several hours of the Walton’s family adventures.

Remember how they used to end the program, as the lights went out in the windows, all the family was saying goodnight to each other.

One of the good actors was called John Boy. I bet a lot of my readers will remember this series.

Well, I got hooked on the several hours that it is on every afternoon.

This was then followed by several hours of the other well-known old program, “The Little House on the Prairie.”

I hate to say it, but this sentimental old fool Charlie has recently enjoyed many hours watching these two old TV reruns.

Life in those days such a simple life compared to now. Both programs had their problems, but they were always solved by honesty and good old common sense.

Too bad we in this day and age couldn’t do the same.

So, if there are any old timers like myself who are tired of all the “bang bang” stories on television, plus the movies that don’t seem to have good stories, may I suggest you click on to “The Waltons” or “The Little House on the Prairie” for a few hours of good family entertainment.

You may even get hooked on these two old programs that are on from 3 p.m. until 9 or 10 each weekday.

It’s a good way to leave all the problems of our city of Dowagiac, the state of Michigan and even the good old USA.

Get away from reality and our problems and watch the simple way of living.

“Good night, Grandpa. Good night, John Boy.”

Recently, I was given a long tube that contained four old diplomas.

They were two of eighth grade (yes, Dowagiac used to have graduations), which entitled you to enter DHS. The other two are DHS graduation diplomas.

Two of the four are for Clarence Carey (the old Dowagiac key and paint store on Courtland Street).

The other two are for Adaline Wiest, who later became the wife of Clarence.

The diplomas are fascinating as they are quite large compared to diplomas now.

I think they may be vellum paper. Anyway, it is the kind when you unroll it, you have to hold it down to read it.

Clarence Carey graduated June 9, 1927, from DHS. Adaline Wiest on June 18, 1927, from eighth grade and from DHS on June 3, 1931.

One of the diplomas was 13 1/2 by 17 inches, the other three measured 16 by 13 inches.

Some familiar names on the school board were Charles Biek, Otto Bigelow, Charles Mosher, Charles Meyers and one of the Phillipsons.

I was also given two official cards of Adaline Wiest’s membership in the Camp Fire Girls for February 1932 and 1933.

I want to thank the nice lady who gave those to me and would like to get any other old Dowagiac stuff.

“Cardinal Charlie” Gill writes a nostalgic weekly column about growing up in the Grand Old City. Email him at cardinalcharlie@hotmail.com.
His book collecting his columns has just been reprinted.