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Ques

How to vote

Q. Some helpful guidelines for thoughtful voting were presented at the Jan. 28 college program on ISIS. What were those suggestions?

A. Tim Kuehnlein, Alpena Community College Instructor of Political Science and History, encouraged citizens, when voting in the March 8 Michigan Presidential Primary Election, to consider the following criteria.

“Who are these people? (What background and experience do they have?);? What are the options?;? Where will each take us as a country if given the power?;? And, most importantly, how exactly?

Details are very important. Holding candidates accountable for the specifics of what they profess is critical.”

Kuehnlein adds that he hopes that voters on March 8, both Democrats and Republicans, will consider such questions as those above for both the domestic and foreign policies of each candidate.

Long Rapids country doctor

Q. Reader Arnie Black is interested in information about Dr. Purdy, a blind doctor who served the Long Rapids area for many years in the early 1900s.

A. Many people have stories about Dr. Purdy, a well-loved country doctor. Ruth Ann Cochrane’s history titled “Long Rapids & Vicinity” gives the following information about Dr. John Purdy as well as a sense of those earlier times.

According to Cochrane’s history, Dr. John W. Purdy was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1878, attended the University of Toronto and the medical school in Saginaw, Mich. Immediately upon graduating, May 29, 1902, he arrived on a lumber wagon in Long Rapids and set up his medical practice in the Loomis Hotel.

Cochrane writes, “When the people needed his services elsewhere, they made a trip to the corners, picked him up, and took him to see the patient. After treating the patient, they returned him to the hotel.” Later he bought a horse and buggy.

In 1903 he moved to his own home next to the Maccabee Hall where his office remained for the next 43 years. Starting in 1904, eye problems and cataracts led to blindness. He continued to practice and was very dedicated to his profession and to the community.

He was a specialist in treating pneumonia. During the flu epidemic in 1918, he treated patients day and night. During his time in Long Rapids he delivered over 2,000 babies.

In 1935 he married Lillian Woelk, who had served as an Army nurse in World War I. In 1945 Dr. and Mrs. Purdy moved to Alpena to set up practice there. Their home was at 333 Washington Avenue. He continued his practice in Alpena until shortly before his death in 1957.

Cochrane comments that when “Doc” left Long Rapids, it marked the end of the “old country doctor” in Long Rapids and area.

Who said it

Q. Who said, “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”?

A. Victor Hugo, 1802-1885, French novelist.

Please send questions and comments to gvnethercut5@charter.net or to “Questions, Anyone?” The Alpena News, 130 Park Place, Alpena, MI 49707.

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