SPRING VALLEY – Special guests don’t get any more special than this.

Thursday, June 29, 2000

SPRING VALLEY – Special guests don’t get any more special than this.

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were guest speakers at the Spring Valley Community Historical Society’s "Good Old Days" celebration Sunday, June 25.

The first president of the United States discussed "history lessons" and who should know better than the man who made history.

Washington, white wig and American Revolution Army great coat and all, wasn’t without strong opinion.

In discussing the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of America, Washington noted the only change made to it through the years was to add the words "under God."

Then, he observed, "Isn’t it a pity, that today those two words are considered a prayer and banned in some places?"

Washington shared the spotlight with the 16th President of the United States, Lincoln.

Sans his well-known beard, Lincoln examined the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States and recited the American Creed.

This year’s Good Old Days came with a patriotic theme, that began with Dan Dilley performing a drum roll as Spring Valley Boy Scouts performed the flag ceremony and Julie Mlinar led the audience in singing the National Anthem.

The setting was the Methodist Church Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A welcome was given by Rosalie Kruegel. In the audience were several U.S. Armed Forces veterans, wearing their distinctive caps as members of the American Legion.

Kruegel noted the historical significance of the date in history. "It’s the 124th anniversary today of the battle of the Little Big Horn and Custer’s last stand," she observed. "It’s also the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War."

Kruegel also welcomed special guests, Washington as portrayed by Tommy Thorson and Lincoln as portrayed by Jeff Thauwald.

The pair of actors remained "in character" throughout the Sunday afternoon program. At one point in the program, Thauwald/Lincoln paid homage to Thorson/Washington, saying, the day "belongs to General Washington because he was in attendance at the Constitutional Convention and a part of these great events."

A men’s quartet of singers offered musical selections and led the audience in a patriotic sing-a-long.

Kruegel credited Barb Mosher and the Spring Valley Community Historical Society, Inc. with producing the program.

An ice cream social was held on the lawn of the Washburn-Zittleman House across West Courtland Street from the Methodist Church Museum.

Spring Valley is a designated Laura Ingalls Wilder historic site.