Our own Jim Helms took the podium and reminded us that he was a PK. What is a PK you ask? It means Preachers Kid and as the son of a preacher, Jim experienced many Easter Services, especially Sunrise Service. Jim recalled visiting an area of Arizona known as Window Rock, commonly referred to as the Navajo Nation. It’s an area his father visited back in 1935 during the Great Depression to bring the Word to the Navajo people. Don’t forget, it was the Navajo who helped us win WWII by sharing their language (Code) with our armed forces, that code, was never broken by the enemy.

Jim still remembered, as a young PK, an Easter Sunrise Service at Window Rock with an altar and organ set-up at the opening, while he watched the glorious Sunrise.

Mimi Hennessy remembered wearing matching Easter dresses with her sister, Easter baskets and dying Easter eggs and don’t forget the Jelly Bellies she has shared. Her most enduring Easter memory was of the Ramos Gin Fizz, playing Messiah and celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She recalled while in colonial Taxco, Mexico, with its cobblestone streets, there were endless parades depicting Jesus carrying the cross, people carrying chains and walking on their knees all through the Plaza Borda (the main square). There is an elaborate landmark 18th century rose-colored church named Iglesias de Santa Prisca where Easter services continue for as many as eight hours.

In Greece, Easter services conclude around midnight, at that point all stand, holding candles and sing “Christ has Risen”. The faithful then break the Lenten fast with feasts of lamb and fish and of course red dyed eggs.

Board Member Frank Hall, a past President of Palm Springs Rotary Club in 1972, coordinated a memorable Rotary Easter egg Hunt, together with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. It was suppose to be a unique venue at the top of the Palm Springs Tramway. Volunteers met the day before to hide the Easter eggs along with a select few special eggs that contained a gift card for a Mc Donalds hamburger. Unexpectedly, it snowed that night and by the time the event started the eggs were buried under snow. Franks daughter was lucky enough to find one of the special eggs with a gift card but when she opened another egg in the car, it had not become “hard boiled”, still had its yoke due to the altitude and boiling temps. Needless to say Frank had to pull over and clean up the Easter mess.

Thanks to our three speakers for their great Easter memories.

(Pat Dolphin)