Aug 212011
 
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By James F. Johans

During freshman year of college, Nancy and I were returning late at night to her home from a party.  We were both inebriated.  I was driving an old loaner car — her Dad’s car was being repaired.  I was driving south on I-270, going about 70 mph.  She was sitting next to me on the front bench seat.

Right before the Manchester exit, suddenly the right front tire blew!  The car immediately began veering towards the guardrail on the right.  To avoid a crash, I jerked the wheel to the left.  This caused the car to go into a spin, and the centrifugal force threw Nancy across the seat into the passenger door.  The door flew open and Nancy was thrown out of the car!!  We must have been going at least 50 mph by then!

The car spun around 2 and a half times, forcing me down the seat, almost under the steering wheel.  The car came to rest against the guardrail with hardly a bump, sitting on the shoulder of the freeway facing oncoming traffic.   Two large tractor trailers whizzed by as I struggled to sit up and look for Nancy.  I knew she must have been killed having been thrown out of the car — might have even been run over.  I was scared to even look down the highway as I raised my head and peered through the windshield.

She was running towards the car!  Not a scratch on her!  Not a bruise or a head bump!  Ejected at 50+ mph!  She said that she had just rolled along the ground.  Not only did the angels catch her and save her life, they also helped me to not get arrested when the state police arrived!

 

Jul 202011
 
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Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick, former reporter, award-winning journalist, feature writer and author of “A Matter of Happenstance” was our guest today on JOY Radio: People Inspiring People. Catherine grew up in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Now retired, her 30-year career as a feature writer took her from a neonatal hospital ward, to a Death  Row cellblock, to  a champagne garden party hosted by Ralph Lauren.

On September 11, 2011 Catherine happened to be in Manhattan to cover Fashion Week runway shows for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. At first word of  the attacks, she rushed downtown and filed award-winning dispatches from the chaotic street near Ground Zero. During the show, Catherine mentions reporting from New York that week was an unforgettable experience. And the irony of a fashion writer reporting a world-changing tragedy gave rise to her book, “A Matter of Happenstance.” Continue reading »

Jul 192011
 
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7.20.11, 11:00 -11:30 AM ET, Pattie Welek Hall welcomes award-winning journalist Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick, author of “A Matter of Happenstance”- a four-generation family saga set in St. Louis, Chicago, and New Orleans from the Gilded Age to the rock ‘n roll Fifties. Catherine graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. In a 30-year career as a feature writer at the Hannibal Courier Post, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, the Milwaukee Sentinel, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, assignments have taken her from a neonatal hospital ward, to a Death Row cellblock, to a champagne garden party hosted by Ralph and Rikki Lauren. Listen here.

www.amatterofhappenstance.com

 

 

Jan 162011
 
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Seven years ago today, my son passed away, and my heart broke into a million pieces.  Even though I know he is in a better place, I miss him dearly.

My daughter and I just released 7 colorful balloons, one for each year,  for his party tonight in heaven.  It has become our way of celebrating his beautiful gift of life on earth.