Wally Cornelius is active in the Silver Open Shop. Here he is with a leather mallet rounding out a sterling silver “twisted” bracelet for one of his great-great-granddaughters. Note the beautiful, tightly woven wire bracelet on the circular display in front of him, which he made 20 years ago and still wears today, and the close-up of two watch band end pieces, which he is currently working on. (Photo by Doug Williams)
Doug Williams
Welcome back to a former member, “Wally” Cornelius, who turns 96 on the 27th of this month.
Wally moved from Chaska, Minn., to Sun Lakes Country Club in 1984 and stayed for 26 years before moving to Palo Verde 13 years ago. The first thing he did was join the Rock Club, because he wanted to learn how to make jewelry. After mastering the art of Lost Wax, Wally became an instructor so he could teach others.
Back in Minnesota when he was just a 17-year-old kid, he jumped at the chance to join the United States Marine Corps and proudly wears a “Semper Fi” tattoo today. He served at the Northwest Aleutian Islands for two years. Returning home in 1947 after the Marine stint, he applied for an OTR (over the road) truck driver position with the Munsingwear Corporation out of Minneapolis. After 29 years, they decided to move headquarters to Alabama, and Wally said, “no thanks,” and started his own company. How? He bought a rig comprised of a tractor and two 45-foot trailers and continued his 40-year career hauling cargo. Where did he drive? All over the USA from coast to coast and throughout the South.
Wally has been a Shriner and a Mason for 65 years and is still a member. After 12 years enjoying retirement, he decided to come back and get active and have fun in the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem & Silver Club. Still think you’re too old to join the Rock Club? Here’s some acronyms you may want to use while “texting” your friends.
ATD = At The Doctors; BTW = Bring The Wheelchair; BYOT = Bring Your Own Teeth; DWI = Driving While Incontinent; FWIW = Forgot Where I Was; FYI = Found Your Insulin; GGPBL = Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low; GHA = Got Heartburn Again; LOL = Living On Lipitor; TOT = Texting On Toilet; TTYL = Talk To You Louder; WTP = Where are The Prunes; GGLKI = Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking In.
Wally says, “Everything is beginning to click for me! My knees, my elbows, my neck …”
The Rock Club’s website is www.slrgs.com. You should join up!