Monday, July 23, 2012

Peter Brackney: ‘Re-distribution of happiness’ reaches Lexington in form of 1939 postcard

Postcard of old Fayette County Courthouse

On Tuesday, I arrived at the office to find a letter and postcard from Mr. Lowell Joerg of Tucson, Ariz.. It was generically addressed to my office, but both found their way to my desk. The postcard, above, is of the old Fayette County Courthouse. His letter follows:

June 14, 2012

Good Morning:

I sure hope this letter brightens your day.

I was at an antique store here and found this old circa 1939 picture of your beautiful courthouse. How the card got to Arizona we’ll never know.

It’s an old time classic, for sure. I thought to myself, by golly, I’d send it home where it can be appreciated. Our heritage is valuable to all of us. Lots of changes over the years, I’m sure. Enlarged it will make quite a display.

Well, I gave $6 for it so if you want it for $7 or $8 or so, why that’s sure OK. Throw in a little postage if you want, too.

And my wife says if I hear from you I’ll have to take her to lunch. I am 84 years old and still going strong.

I like to call my littly hobby, “A re-distribution of happiness.” Our world sure needs it.

Thank you, and Godspeed in your work. Have a wonderful and progressive year.

Lowell Joerg

PS: Send along a little about your place today if you want. I enjoy souvenirs, too, if it’s OK with you. I chose you at random off the net.

It was a delight to receive and read Mr. Joerg’s letter. A Google search reveals that he is a retired insurance salesman and that he sends out two or three of these postcards a month to recipients across the country.

More text and photos at Kaintuckeean.com.

Peter Brackney has combined a love of Kentucky with an interest in history in www.kaintuckeean.com, where he shares his photos and stories about some of the unique places around the Commonwealth. Born in Ohio, he came to Kentucky at an early age and grew up in Lexington. A double alumnus of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s in accounting and his juris doctorate, he lives in Nicholasville with his family. Reach him at peter@kaintuckeean.com.