Karen Fulks

Here’s what I remember: every year we went to the Illinois County Fair (in Peoria), mainly because it was blocks from our house and we could hear it, we could see it and we could definitely smell it.

One of the first times I remember clearly was when I was probably nine. My mom took all four of us kids, and we were walking through the exhibition halls. Most of it was farming related, but then we turned a corner and what we saw we couldn’t believe. There were two “things” on the table, and there was a mechanical sound coming from one. As the woman behind the table started explaining what this was, I vaguely remember my mom trying to get us away, but to no avail.

We were to witness the effects of cigarette smoking on the lungs (sponsored by the American Lung Association), the HORRIBLE effects of cigarette smoking. My Mom smoked. All four of us stood mesmerized as the woman went on and on and then, as if something had hit all of us, we started crying. Sobbing. Wailing, I don’t want you to die, please don’t smoke, Mommmmmmmmm…..

Mom quickly ushered us down the aisle and around the corner. There was the printer’s union booth, handing out pieces of type. A kind man handed one over to me and said, “The Lord’s Prayer is at the end of this, can you read it?” I could, and I was amazed.

That was 64 years ago. I have lost furniture and friends, but for whatever reason, I still have this 7/8” type slug, although, I cannot read it anymore…even with a magnifying glass.