Another story of Dr. Stewart's kindness

With Dr. Henry Stewart's passing, Maizie has a story connected with him. When her daughter, Helaine, was about 10, she cut the tip of her finger off at school with a paper cutter. The nuns rushed her home (with the finger tip), and M took her to the emergency room at Carson Tahoe Hospital. Dr. Stewart just happened to be there at the time, and they asked if she would mind if he sewed it back on, since M's regular doctor, Jack Harper, was unavailable. That was fine with everyone, and Dr. S proceeded to sew Helaine's finger back together. It was a beautiful job, and when Maizie asked him for his bill, he said, "Oh, no ... you're Dr. Harper's patient. I couldn't charge you for this." And he didn't. What doctor today would do that? Dr. Harper said of him then, "He's like that. Always kind." As for her finger? It's still looking good, and you can't tell where it happened. To this day, we're still grateful. Dr. Stewart was one of those caring doctors who went out of his way for his patients. He will be sorely missed.

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And our condolences to the family of Maxine Peters, who also passed away this week. She always took the time to smile and say hello, and it was always nice to see her.

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We see the trees have been chopped down at the old Bodine's, and the construction on that new casino has already begun ... whoopee. The Casino Fandango is getting ready to put in a hotel and movie theater, and Jethro's is still sitting fallow, waiting for Godot, no doubt (where's all the "retail" that was supposed to go into that shopping center?). We've heard the OH will be starting up again in September with its never-ending remodel, and we've also heard the Tooth Fairy is now giving out gift certificates to Wal-Mart ... will miracles never cease?

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DeeAnn Parsons tells us this story: "An old Italian man (probably named Ruggeri, we think) lived alone in the countryside. He wanted to plant his tomatoes, but the ground was very hard. His son, Vinnie, usually helped him, but this year Vinnie was in prison. His father wrote to him, 'Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty bad because I am too old to be digging up the garden by myself. I wish you were here to help me put in the tomatoes. Love, Dad.' A few days later, the father received a note: 'Dear Dad, Thanks for writing, but don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the bodies. Love, Vinnie.' At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police were digging up the entire area, without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. The same day, the old man received another letter from his son. 'Dear Dad, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes. It's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love, Vinnie.'" Gotta love it.

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Apparently, a lot of people were "busy" in the month of October in years past, considering all the July birthdays, that is: Andy Harvey, Jody Crews, H Bentley Hawley, Gene Butler, Jerry Nielsen, Roger Maillard, Kati Sherwood, Maizie Pusich, Rett Jesse, and Maizie Harris Jesse. Happy natal day to all, and a get-well wish to Norma Conway, who's having her back operated on this week. Get well soon. And thanks to Sandy Palmer for the nice words.

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We had "Lunch at the BAC" on Friday ("Friday Classical Lunches" will be a weekly thing from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Ate a sandwich, saw nice people (like Rolf Johnson, feeling better after a hospital stay three weeks ago), and listened to the Silver Strings (or "Three strings and a silver flute," according to Ellie Bugli) ... just lovely. And in the shade, too. You can either buy lunch, or bring your own.

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We can't harp enough on some political commercials. According to one, the lieutenant governor can tackle illegal immigration, and have the National Guard protect our borders. From whom? California? Arizona? We weren't aware we bordered Mexico or Canada, or has our geography changed? If this person gets elected, the governor better not leave the state. Caveat emptor.

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Michele Lambert is inviting all cancer survivors and their families to a dinner Thursday night at the Casino Fandango from 6:30-9 p.m. It's in conjunction with the Relay for Life, which will take place on Friday and Saturday at Carson High School from 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. If you are interested in helping the American Cancer Society with this benefit, call them at 828-2202, and if you are a cancer survivor and can attend the dinner Thursday, call Michele at 841-0805. It's a great cause, and they would love for you to be there.

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Starting Friday at 8 p.m., the Brewery Arts Center will host "A Touch of Rodgers," a musical revue, in the Performance Hall, "a celebration of America's most beloved composer of musical theater." BAC will also be hosting the original works of Nick Josten at 7:30 p.m. in the Don Reynolds Theater, one night only, before Nick leaves for three years in Japan. Call 883-1976 for information on both. The Dakota Organization in Minden at the CVIC Hall will be showing "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," so don't complain that you have nothing to do this weekend.

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Mollie Sanders sent us these "snappy answers": "A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys in the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, 'Do these turkeys get any bigger?' The stock boy replied, 'No ma'am, they're dead.'" And, "A cop got out of his car, and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the cop said. The kid replied, 'Yeah, well, I got here as fast as I could.' When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.'" We should all be so lucky.

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Now, go help someone out, and feel good for the rest of the week.

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.