My County Magazine had the great pleasure of interviewing a young at heart, 83 year old hero of a time and spirit long lost to today’s society.  Bennie Bonney is a Bloomington, Monroe County native who transplanted himself to Putnam County and started a family oh so many years ago.  As I listened to his story, I became aware of his longing for adventure.

In 1943 Mr. Bonney finished High School and was drafted in the U.S. Army. “It was an exciting time!” said Mr. Bonney. “The war had started December 7, 1941 and everyone wanted to find a way to help, to make a difference.  After boot-camp I was assigned to the Air Corp as an electrical specialist. The U.S. Air Force wasn’t even a service until 1947 after WW II when the U.S. Government realized the benefits of having an entity dedicated to air warfare. A large portion of WW II was fought and won in air combat.” 

I’m going to tell you a little secret and I hope you will keep it between us. If my neighbors find out, I might lose my position as Neighborhood Watch Commander, a post I sought and would like to retain for my remaining years in our cul-de-sac.

Okay, here goes: In the mornings, real early, I run out in nothing but my sleeping shorts to grab the morning paper. I say sleeping shorts, but let’s call them what they are: underwear. They do come in some lovely designer colors and patterns and I think you could make a very good argument in court that they are no more revealing than a bathing suit or a pair of Bermudas. Plus, I am inclined to continue this behavior because I have never seen a case like this on Law and Order or Judge Judy.

Daylight Savings Time begins in November this year for the first time. Nov. 4 will mark the beginning of DST and we will gain an hour’s sleep. I like ‘falling back’ in time better than ‘springing forward’ because I can sleep later. Do I have that correct? I always have to think about that – do we lose or do we gain sleep?

The argument will go on and on about DST but Thanksgiving and Christmas will still be a large part of fall and winter and it won’t really matter if the time is different.