It was an ordinary day. Just got my latest Reader's Digest Magazine in the mail. The cover declares that this is the "Anniversary Issue." The issue celebrates the magazine's 100 year of publication. All began in February of 1922 after the founder of the magazine, Mr. DeWitt Wallace, decided to take his plethora of three-by-five inch slips of paper that held his notes and quotes from just about everything he read and did and began to share his version of the articles with the world. It was right after he returned from serving in World War I when he and his wife Lila Acheson Wallace worked together on the very first issue of Reader's Digest which they in turn published in 1922. Today, their mission of sharing amazing stories with the world still continues. The latest issue of the 5" X 7" magazine holds about a dozen pages of stories from the past which were their biggest stories of the past 100 years. I will try to give you a sampling of the stories in case you may have missed a few of them along the past 100 year journey. The Reader's Digest has published close to 35,000 articles in the nearly 1,200 issues they have printed in the past. The century-long table of contents features stories from short essays to lengthy book excerpts; from famous artist's drawings to unknown designer's sketches; from hilarious jokes to quirky anecdotes. This "Little Magazine," which is what Mr. Wallace refers to it as, is filled with big names, world leaders, musicians, inventors, sports legends as well as everyday Americans trying to tell you a story that you may remember for a lifetime or forget by the time you have finished the magazine. I enjoy Reader's Digest since it reminds me of my own life. Also reminds me that I too can write stories such as are published in the Reader's Digest. Follow along as I give you a synopsis of a few of the stories that were featured in the 100th issue of Reader's Digest.
How to Keep Young Mentally, Feb. 1922 - The very first article in the first issue told of inventor Alexander Graham Bell and his belief in lifelong learning: "The first essential of any real education is to observe. Observe! Remember! Compare!" It was an apt beginning, reflecting the self-educated founder's endless curiosity.
John Steinbeck - The June 1964 Book Section excerpts Travels with Charley, Steinbeck's last book before his death in 1968. The work chronicles his road trip with his trusty poodle, Charley. According to Steinback's son, the author knew he was dying and wanted to see his country one last time. "From start to finish, I found no strangers. If I had, I might be able to report them more objectively. But these are my people and this is my country."
I Am Joe's Heart - by JD. Ratcliff, April 1967 - I'm certainly no beauty. I weigh 12 ounces, brown in color, and have an unimpressive shape. I am the dedicated slave of - well, let's call him Joe. Joe is 45, ruggedly good-looking, has a pretty wife, three children and an excellent job. Joe has it made." So began the first article of the popular health series that would continue until 1990, in which readers heard detailed accounts from 36 body parts of Joe and his female counterpart, Jane.
Chappaquiddick: The Still Unanswered Questions - By John Barron, February 1980 - In November. 1979, Senator Edward Kennedy was poised to seize the Demoratic nomination for president from incumbent Jimmy Carter. Then came this story, which recounted in shocking detail the 1969 car accident that left campaign worker Mary Jo Kopechne dead, contradicting Kennedy's account. Barron, a naval intelligence officer and Cold War spy turned investigative reporter, joined RD's Washington, DC, bureau in 1965 and filed more than 100 articles before his retirement.
Papa Was an American - By Leo Buscaglia, February 1992 - This quintessential immigrant story tells of Rocco Buscaglia, who landed in the United States in 1911 and was as enthusiastic about becoming an American as he was about being born an Italian. His son Leo grew up to be a renowned self-help author who praised the power of relationships and earned the honorary title Dr. Love.
Amy's Choice - By Rena Dictor LeBlanc, September 2000 - A 19-year-old fights for - and eventually wins - custody of her four younger siblings, managing to keep the family together after her drug-addicted mother landed in prison. The story spurred hundreds of donations for the family from our readers, and was adapted into a Lifetime movie, Gracie's Choice.
These are only six of the 32 small stories that are featured that were at one time part of one of Reader's Digest Magazines. I know the magazine is small in stature, but the stories are remarkable. I have been reading it for years and wouldn't miss an issue. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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