I remember Bob from much earlier years when I was on the chamber's tourism committee and we met at General Mills because Bob was chairman. He was a charming host while still being a brisk and efficient businessman, and all went well on his watch. I watched Bob straighten the city out on truck route matters that affected General Mills and I always felt, like a lot of others, I'm sure, that as long as Bob and the Mill were there, Lodi was all right. He always spoke to me by name, although we did not meet often, and I was pleased to be remembered.

Baltimore, as I have mentioned before, is just 40 miles from my childhood home and adjacent to many historical places of interest. Right next door is Ft. McHenry, site of the battle which led to the writing of our national anthem, and right down the Chesapeake Bay is Annapolis, state capitol and home of the Naval Academy. At Ft. McHenry, there is a small building where one can see a stirring film presentation of the anthem being sung against the battle background. At the close, curtains over a large window to the side are drawn apart and there is the fort with the flag flying. It is thrilling.