3 years and several months ago, I posted a guide to all the seals you might see at the bottom of an e-mail from me, which then looked like as follows (1)
I titled it “show-off” as there seemed to be an element of boasting about all the institutions with which I’d been associated. But, if you get an email from me these days, the bottom of the signature bar looks like this:
Clearly, there have been some additions. Some are from me seeking evidence of old associations, and some have just rolled in. unsolicited. The task of assimilating them is less, as there are only 7 new ones. But I’m sure you want to keep up to date. So, what’s new?
| The ICC saved my ass my senior year as I searched for housing. Their option of a shared room cost way less than any other option, perhaps because residents were expected to contribute to the maintenance work. I became a chef, responsible for feeding the whole co-op once a week. I entered up living there 2 years. The house I occupied – Zapata House – was less than a half mile from where I live now. The ICC dates to 1932, when my late mother was born (2). |
| The “Christian Brothers” (NE: StL, NW, Florissant) were a choice moonlighting gig for us Barnes renegades. Both had ERs, which were light compared to City Hospital, and NE had a house spot, where you’d cover the ICU but also the wards, like being a resident only with less pressure. There were some cutie support staff, and I snagged me an excellent girlfriend from my posting. The hospitals have been acquired by the Barnes system, so nearly 50 years hence, maybe I was in the right place! |
| The Phoenix Memorial Project was established in 1948 to explore peaceful uses of nuclear energy. (3) Until recently, the U had an actual reactor on North Campus. They solicited proposals for the use of that juice, and I offered one. Harvard docs had used a certain radioactive compound to fry inflamed synovium, and I wanted to duplicate the manufacture. It didn’t go far, but I’ll never forget the Phoenix guys who worked with me: Burn, Blackburn, and Cook. |
Maybe this one’s a little silly. My birth mom spent winters in Mazatlán, on the Pacific. When we visited her in March 2016, she surprised us with a surfing lesson! Neither of us had ever attempted such a thing, but we went down to Playa Norte Bonita beach and listened to our instructor telling us how to get up on the boards, which never happened, alas. Can’t you claim allegiance to an organization even if you didn’t meet its standards? (4)
The Vicksburg Arts council runs the annual Southwest Michigan Tournament of Writers competition. When then director Syd Bastos relaxed the entry restrictions and let this former Vicksburger in, I won an award! (5). Not so last year, but I’ll probably keep trying! I kidded Syd that her her logo looks much like that of the Veteran’s Administration.
I suspected this was a scam when it came in. Fork over $$, sign up for commemorate books and plaques. Not so, as it turned out. I accept and am proud of the recognition (6).
| This, too, was an out-of-the-blue surprise. The announcement didn’t enumerate which of my accomplishments merited this prestigious award but offered numerous opportunities to purchase memorabilia of the occasion, including attendance at the awards ceremony (7). I was told my award still stood regardless of my actions, so I happily claimed it. |
So, stay tuned. There might be more to come!
References
1. Ike B. show-off. WordPress 10/8/22. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2022/10/08/show-off/
2. Inter Co-operative Council of Ann Arbor. https://icc.coop
3. Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project. https://mmpp.engin.umich.edu
4. Mazatlán Surf School. https://mazatlansurfschool.com
5. Ike B. Speilberg ’70? 4 ‘burg boys go to the moon, 8 mm style. In: Vicksburg Cultural Center. Small Town Anthology X: Southwest Michigan’s Tournament of Writers 2024, pp76-81. Published 4/8/2024. https://a.co/d/dwPfFxf. Text of entry is in blog: https://wp.me/pbBaof-1xF
6. Marquis Who’s Who. https://marquiswhoswho.com
7. Health Scientists. Health Scientist Awards. https://healthscientists.org
Bob Ike's blog 
4He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.Solom
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