Author Archives: Lemon Twist

By Gail Moore Woltkamp I had never heard of singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith until I met my future husband in 1990. Among so many fun things he introduced me to, Griffith’s music became something that uniquely captured the early parts of our relationship amidst a folksy blues backdrop. After both our busy work days, I wouldContinue reading “October Reasons 🧡”

By Gail Moore Woltkamp During the summer of 1983, leading up to my senior year in high school, I walked into my hometown’s dance studio to discuss music options with my dance instructor in preparation for a local pageant. Although I was never a Miss America contestant, I was delighted to have the opportunity toContinue reading “A Toast to Miss Mississippi 🍸❤️ 🩰”

Back in my beloved “old neighborhood,” our next door neighbor was an inventor. Lewis James had several patents and a couple cool products to his name, most notably, the James Dishwasher. Mr. James, with son Duane, were granted several joint patents throughout their careers. Their family business, the James Manufacturing Company, was in operation fromContinue reading “My Neighbor the Inventor 🩵”

By Gail Moore Woltkamp My dad was a proud barber by trade but his affection for music, particularly jazz, was one of his most cherished pastimes. Sharing his music interest with me gave us a connection that I still feel to this day. Dad was a jazz/blues/big band enthusiast to say the least. Among hisContinue reading “I’ll Be Seeing You 🎺”

My parents never really told me that I was named after Gail Russell, but the Golden Era Hollywood starlet was mentioned periodically throughout my childhood as one they both admired. Even in a time of no online perusing, they both knew that Russell had a significant career on the big screen, yet a tragic lifeContinue reading “What’s in a Name 🎥”

One of my first articles I wrote for a newspaper was when I covered a review of a classic silent film, The Italian Straw Hat, by Rene Clair. It was presented by one of my favorite professors at Baker University in Kansas, Miss Nancy Richards. At that particular time in Baker’s history, we were luckyContinue reading “A Cherished Professor and The Italian Straw Hat 👒”

My dad loved old movies. Many of his favorites came from the decades of the thirties and forties. I grew up spending Sunday afternoons with Ma and Pa Kettle, the Bowery Boys, Shirley Temple Theater, and maybe a couple Judy and Mickey musical dandies thrown in. I loved watching all the old stuff with myContinue reading “Stanwyck Earned her Groove 🎥 ⭐️ 🖤”

Sinclair Pipeline Company 🦕💚 One of my first toys as a child was an inflatable Sinclair Dinosaur. Many pictures of my early childhood years show me sprawled out on a blanket with that green dinosaur. Various Sinclair collectibles graced my home during those early years. This was because my mom worked for Sinclair Pipeline Company,Continue reading “Popular Pipelines Remembered 🦕”

By Gail Moore Woltkamp It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without her. The vintage ceramic “cold paint” angel passed down to me from my grandmother is a keepsake I look forward to displaying year after year. Aside from her festive style and intricate design, it’s her signature Napco marking that confirms her authenticity to prime collectors.Continue reading “A Nod to Napco (National Potteries Corporation) ❤️🤍❤️”

By Gail Moore Woltkamp Notable landmarks that were once part of my life and neighborhood while growing up in Independence, Kansas, are now gone. Some, I consider historically significant, not only to my life, but to the town and to the state of Kansas. Mercy Hospital 🩵 Something that seemed unprecedented, from the time ofContinue reading “Landmarks Lost : Reflections of a Kansas Town 🌻💛🌻”