Goodbye Don Stevens

It is with great sadness that the Sun Lakes Writers Club says goodbye to longtime member Don Stevens, a truly unique, self-made man who loved the Marines, construction engineering, ham radio, writing, and most of all, “Marytheloveofmylife.” We will continue to feel his wit and warmth in the Ceramics Room every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Don Stevens

November 1934-December 2025

Valentine—A Cautionary Tale

Sue Donovan

“Won’t you be my Valentine?” said the spider to the fly.

When he brought her a grain of sugar, she claimed, “You’re my type of guy!”

So she buzzed along to his fancy web to enjoy an afternoon quicky.

Too late did she discover, his web was extremely sticky.

“Won’t you be my Valentine?” said the sly fox to the chicken.

“We’d make the perfect couple! With my forest friends you’ll fit in.”

So she took a ride on his back, soft and wide, but soon there was no chicken.

By the time Mr. Fox reached the forest edge, his paws he was a-lickin’.

“Won’t you be my Valentine?” said the lion to the zebra.

“I’d love to snuggle in your mane. Once you’re mine, I’ll keep ya.”

In his den she cooked him dinner with bananas from her tree.

Until she found his taste buds craved zebra fricassee.

So, ladies, when it comes to romance, use your heads before your hearts.

Consider all his attributes before you’re pierced by Cupid’s darts.

Don’t get stuck to a loser in the web of his deceit.

Don’t take a ride with a sly guy and end up his tasty treat.

Don’t make him dinner ‘til you’re sure he’s a winner and you know what he likes to eat!

The Humblest Hero

Lee Murray

The four-man singing group at the Unity Church of Westlake, Texas, had been practicing for months in anticipation of the Christmas pageant in which they would be headlining.

The annual event was a major attraction in the Dallas suburb, painstakingly organized by the church music director, featuring, among other things, a beautiful choir and a 15-piece orchestra.

The highlight of the show was to be these four chaps who’d rehearsed the carol selections for months and were ready to perform them acapella in only a week.

So much for best laid plans. The lead singer unexpectedly came down with strep throat and was in no shape to sing, instead relegated to bed rest. The director, now in a panic, quickly auditioned some other church members, none of whom could sing worth a plug nickel. Throwing his hands up, he endured sleepless nights wondering what would become of his prized annual show.

Enter one Stanislaw Mankowicz, the church janitor who no one knew had any musical talent at all. He occupied a small room in the back of the church where he spent his off hours listening to and singing along with his favorite singers like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Stanislaw had quite a history. He was a Polish immigrant who was smuggled out of the war-torn country in the early years of World War II, just before his parents were shipped off to concentration camps. Sent at the age of five to live with his aunt and uncle in the U.S., he was forced to drop out of school at age 16 to help support his relatives.

As time went on, Stan migrated to Texas, doing odd jobs before landing the position of janitor at Unity Church. His living quarters were provided by the church, and he had little to no possessions other than a singularly beautiful voice that no one knew he had.

One day the music director was rummaging around in the back of the church and heard the most beautiful baritone voice coming from the janitor’s room, singing along with one of the hits from The Great American Songbook.

The music director knocked on his door and asked Stan where he learned to sing like that. Stan told him he remembered his father singing to him as a young boy in Poland and always wanted to sing like his dad. He had no formal training but a gift that was unmistakable.

The director was incredulous that in this man was the answer to his prayers if only Stan would take the place of the baritone singer who’d fallen ill.

Stan was truly touched to be asked and agreed to participate. With now only days until the big show, last-minute rehearsals were held, giving him scant time to prepare. Fortunately, he knew the Christmas carol lyrics well, so he didn’t have to memorize, just had to practice singing with the group.

Finally, the big day arrived. As it came time for the singing group to close the show, Stan was visibly nervous, never having performed in front of anyone.

But you couldn’t tell from his singing. During rehearsals, the director was so impressed by the pitch of the man’s voice, he arranged for him to do solo parts of “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” that brought the house down.

Stan was brought to tears to be receiving this wonderful ovation from the assembled, one he never could have imagined in his wildest dreams.

The man of humblest origin became the hero of the Christmas pageant and carried with it a memory that would remain for the rest of his life.

Our Romance

Sandy Ilsen

Champagne and candles, though very nice,

Are only illusions that will not suffice.

Dancing in the moonlight may seem sublime,

But it takes much more to make it divine.

We were married over 50 years,

Shared happy moments, cried many tears.

In any setting we could find romance,

From a sensuous touch or not so casual glance.

Kids and cornflakes, carpools and schedules to make,

We would do it all, and then take a break.

While shopping for groceries, a meeting of eyes,

Could be filled with promise, and even surprise.

Our romance was not a visual array

Of hearts and flowers in an appealing display.

All of those may be very sweet,

But only a loving couple can make it complete.