I was a subscriber for years, many years ago (15-20?) and my first-to -read section of my new Countryside was always Jerry's "Beyond The Sidewalks". I carted around several boxes of all my back issues for years, several moves, then finally while trying to de-clutter and simplify my life I gave them away... I was wondering if someone had a way where they could send me some of those old editorials, or any newer ones... any at all up until Jerry retired (right?) I'd like to hear from some other folks who might have been Countryside and Mother Earth readers way back in the 60's, 70's.

-- Misi (misi0@gateway.net), November 07, 1999

Answers

My ego loves messages like this! We have considered putting those old Beyonds into a book (by popular demand?), but when I look at them again now... naw. Lets move on. Jerry/Jerome/Jd is NOT retired from writing, and won't be until Diane tosses my ashes into Lake Superior. Im working on a second revision of Raising Milk Goats the Modern Way (the last one was in 1990, of a book written in 1975) and Im writing more than ever for the magazine. The kids are taking over the day-to-day headaches, so I can spend more time with the goats, rabbits, chickens and guineas and gardens, greenhouse, steam engines, etc. Bottom line: Look for the NEW editorials, which I anticipate will be much better, now that Im older and wiser and less stressed!

-- jd (belanger@midway.tds.net), November 09, 1999.

Oh my gosh, an e-mail response from J.D. himself. I'm simply AGOG! Thank you Jerry, and this was sure good news indeed. I've been off in another world in the past few years so had lost touch with all my country/gardening/self-reliant types of magazines! I just ordered some back issues of Countryside from the library. Gee Jerry, if many people read your response you should probably be awash with the same sentiment I've gotta send "Oh please, please, please publish a book of all the old, older and not-so-old Beyond The Sidewalks'!!!!!! If I understand correctly, you will still be writing the editorials? Forgive this Prodigal Reader, I'm back in the Fold!!! (that's magazine talk, get it? no, it's sheep talk... no it's... ha ha I'm very funny - maybe I could write an every-once-in-awhile article called "Way, Way Beyond the Sidewalks..." just kidding. Thank you so much. this is my first personal response from a writer and someone I hugely admire!! Wow! Misi, on the tidal waters of Puget Sound

-- Misi (no last name, really, legally!) (misi0@gateway.net), November 10, 1999.

I am also one of those that carted around boxes of Countryside for many years. I can't tell you how many address changes the magazine has had for me. I also gave away my copies before the last move and how I regret it. I am posting to tell you that as far as I am concerned (I wish I could remember the date of it) was one called...(You Gotta Have a Dream" Keep on keeping on Jerry.....

-- Ruth Guida (n5rjm@arrl.net), November 14, 1999.

Ditto for me...Moved so many times I finally gave them all away..now I hate myself...Well if I could just read one more time a really old one that I love called....You have to have a dream.....

-- Ruth Guida (n5rjm@arrl.net), January 03, 2000.