It’s corn planting time in beautiful east central Illinois! It’s also National Poetry month! Visit the Champaign County Historical Archives and ask to see this little gem, Corn Silk, (A 811 CUR), a poetry book that is also a family history.
Published by the grandchildren of Eugene Curtis in 1979, it contains poems written by “Grandpa Gene” from 1948-1979 that tell his family story in rhyming verse. The book opens with a photo of Eugene Curtis from 1940 and a poem called “For Grandpa”, written by Curt and Pat, the grandchildren.
From “An Unforgettable Trip” by Eugene Curtis:
“I tho’t I’d write a poem
About some early years
I tho’t I’d make it good
And bring a lot of cheers.”
There is also a small family tree included.
Cheers to Grandpa Gene!
- Marnie, Archives Assistant