Yesterday we enjoyed being with friends honoring Fred & Louella Cozad for their long-time service to others. Larry Long, former State's Attorney in Bennett County and currently a judge, was the keynote speaker. He recognized the service the Cozads have given to the community and state of South Dakota, the Veterans, the legal profession, their religion, and their family (not listed in any order of importance).
Honoring Louella & Fred CozadThe day had been proclaimed by the Governor of South Dakota as "Fred & Louella Cozad Day." Representatives from the American Legion were present to honor Fred for his 60 years of service as Bennett County's Veterans Service Officer.
Fred was also honored for his years serving as a city attorney for Martin and as a judge and the state's attorney in Bennett County. As prearranged, when Judge Long was presented with a special mentoring award by the SD Young Lawyers Association, he gave one of the two medal coins to Fred for mentoring him when he started his career as a young lawyer (see photo above).
Every guest speaker, including Fred's remarks, emphasized the contributing role Louella had made to these numerous achievements. A unique talent of hers that was mentioned frequently was how she could keep up at the typewriter with Fred's dictation resulting in a legal document ready to be signed. Fred quipped that they worked so much as a team that sometimes she would even finish the typing before he finished the dictating.
In their later years, Fred & Louella have chosen to dress identically. This has become a trademark and was mentioned by several last evening. Their daughter, Cathy, lovingly said in her remarks that only they could make a fashion statement of wearing matching clothes. As you see in the accompanying photo above, their clothes and accessories match in every detail.
Louella had a masters degree in Music Education and had been offered to try out for the Chicago Symphony with her clarinet talent, but instead she married Fred and moved to Martin where they still reside in the same home. Louella was the 13th person in the state of South Dakota to become a certified legal assistant.
Following the prime rib dinner, an invitation was extended to anyone else who would like to add their comments. I thought it was impressive that the son-in-law of their only daughter took the microphone and shared that he had never heard about most of the philanthropic things his parents-in-law had done through the years that were being recognized that evening.
One of the volunteer speakers was Jim Gardner, a cousin of Fred's. During the dinner, Jim had shared his musical talent at the keyboard playing from memory and moving smoothly from one song to the next. In his tribute to Louella, he mentioned that he had taken piano lessons from Louella for five years.
I admired how beautifully Jim had developed his musical talent. I, on the other hand, had taken piano, organ, and clarinet lessons from Louella; but I apparently didn't take lessons long enough! She was, however, an excellent teacher; and last evening I had the opportunity to thank her and to tell her that I enjoyed having her as a teacher those many years ago.
Louella has been the organist for the Presbyterian church for years and years, so I am sure she was instrumental in having me become their organist my senior year in high school. As I realize now, it was because of her support I had the courage to be the accompanist for the high school choir that same year and to do a clarinet solo at contest. Sadly, I have not maintained these talents and do not like playing in public. Nevertheless, I am glad that I had those experiences. They have contributed to my love and enjoyment of music and my appreciation for the talents of others.
I read an article recently written by Janice Kapp Perry entitled "The Fun (and Fear) of Developing Our Talents." Here is a quote from the introduction:
"An important part of life is discovering our talents. They provide a focus for our lives, they bring us happiness, and it is through our talents that we serve others. It is important to watch for the right time and season and show gratitude for our gifts by magnifying them and using them with an eye single to the glory of God, who will bless our efforts. Part of discovering and using our God-given gifts is gaining enough confidence to overcome our fears and gain the appropriate amount of self confidence that is necessary to use our talents to bless others."
Fred was also honored for his years serving as a city attorney for Martin and as a judge and the state's attorney in Bennett County. As prearranged, when Judge Long was presented with a special mentoring award by the SD Young Lawyers Association, he gave one of the two medal coins to Fred for mentoring him when he started his career as a young lawyer (see photo above).
Every guest speaker, including Fred's remarks, emphasized the contributing role Louella had made to these numerous achievements. A unique talent of hers that was mentioned frequently was how she could keep up at the typewriter with Fred's dictation resulting in a legal document ready to be signed. Fred quipped that they worked so much as a team that sometimes she would even finish the typing before he finished the dictating.
In their later years, Fred & Louella have chosen to dress identically. This has become a trademark and was mentioned by several last evening. Their daughter, Cathy, lovingly said in her remarks that only they could make a fashion statement of wearing matching clothes. As you see in the accompanying photo above, their clothes and accessories match in every detail.
Louella had a masters degree in Music Education and had been offered to try out for the Chicago Symphony with her clarinet talent, but instead she married Fred and moved to Martin where they still reside in the same home. Louella was the 13th person in the state of South Dakota to become a certified legal assistant.
Following the prime rib dinner, an invitation was extended to anyone else who would like to add their comments. I thought it was impressive that the son-in-law of their only daughter took the microphone and shared that he had never heard about most of the philanthropic things his parents-in-law had done through the years that were being recognized that evening.
One of the volunteer speakers was Jim Gardner, a cousin of Fred's. During the dinner, Jim had shared his musical talent at the keyboard playing from memory and moving smoothly from one song to the next. In his tribute to Louella, he mentioned that he had taken piano lessons from Louella for five years.
I admired how beautifully Jim had developed his musical talent. I, on the other hand, had taken piano, organ, and clarinet lessons from Louella; but I apparently didn't take lessons long enough! She was, however, an excellent teacher; and last evening I had the opportunity to thank her and to tell her that I enjoyed having her as a teacher those many years ago.
Louella has been the organist for the Presbyterian church for years and years, so I am sure she was instrumental in having me become their organist my senior year in high school. As I realize now, it was because of her support I had the courage to be the accompanist for the high school choir that same year and to do a clarinet solo at contest. Sadly, I have not maintained these talents and do not like playing in public. Nevertheless, I am glad that I had those experiences. They have contributed to my love and enjoyment of music and my appreciation for the talents of others.
I read an article recently written by Janice Kapp Perry entitled "The Fun (and Fear) of Developing Our Talents." Here is a quote from the introduction:
"An important part of life is discovering our talents. They provide a focus for our lives, they bring us happiness, and it is through our talents that we serve others. It is important to watch for the right time and season and show gratitude for our gifts by magnifying them and using them with an eye single to the glory of God, who will bless our efforts. Part of discovering and using our God-given gifts is gaining enough confidence to overcome our fears and gain the appropriate amount of self confidence that is necessary to use our talents to bless others."
Our daughter Beth told me last week about being a visiting teacher for a 79-year-old sister who every ten years chooses a new talent to develop. This past decade, she has enjoyed learning to paint. What a great way to enjoy life!
