News : Things you should do for your 70th birthday

The first thing you should do for your 70th birthday is help with the first graders at Tilford Elementary, at least if you are Harold Knaack, that's what you should do. Before the first graders called in Harold to celebrate his birthday, he was doing what he always does. Sitting quietly in the hall with with wife Cheryl at another table helping the children with their reading and spelling. As I was taking their pictures, I overheard one of the children say, "You're nice!" to Cheryl. Just watching this couple with the kids, it's obvious why they are such a hit with the kids. Two of the first grade classes where Harold and his wife Cheryl volunteer, Mrs. Laughlin and Mrs. Mathis' classes, filed quietly into one of the classrooms to surprise Harold for his birthday. To shouts of "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday" and some giggles at pulling off the surprise Harold didn't fail to show his appreciate for the children's efforts. Even though the couple doesn't have any personal investment in helping the children and teachers, they come in every week to lend a hand. "They are so dedicated and supportive in helping our children succeed and learn! We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our community that are willing to dedicate their time each week to help our students" said 1st grade teacher Sarah Mathis. The couple also volunteers to help with the 3rd grade classes. Harold didn't want anything special for his birthday, but the first graders didn't know that! And I don't think they would care. The first graders celebrated just like any other birthday with cake and Cheryl brought in popsicles to mark the occasion. (note the blue faces!) The children also presented Harold with a jar packed full of 70 things he should do now that he's 70. Just a sampling of those ideas, from the 1st grade perspective, they think Harold should have chocolate milk every day. The next suggestion was that he should go down the slide, backwards. The more adventurous thing he should do is to wrestle an alligator. The last sample of the things he should do was to win the lottery. I think he already has, but the kids just don't realize that he has. The smiles and the love these kids have for these two, is obvious. So we won't do anything special except wish you a happy birthday and thank you and Cheryl for what you are doing in your little corner of the round hallways of Tilford. To see more pictures click here!