Friday Fine Handwriting

            A personal facet of yesteryear, handwriting has become less and less used with each passing generation. Schools are one by one eliminating the lessons of teaching their students the proper methods of cursive writing altogether. While this author's cursive writing is rusty and far from attractive, the recognition of importance resounds in me. We can replace this teaching with lessons of new media methods, but what skill sets are lost along the way? Just to name a few, how about spelling, note-taking, and brainstorming.

            Past generations would no doubt agree. For readers familiar with the Palmer Method, fine penmanship rings true to days gone by. A nice article on Austin Palmer and penmanship appeared in the fall 1998 issue of Iowa Heritage Illustrated by William E. Henning, “The Halcyon Days of Fine Penmanship.” The author's father, William C. Henning had a fascinating career under the auspice of A. N. Palmer. The article mentions other fine writers such as John Hancock and Timothy Matlack. The necessity of fine handwriting isn't what it used to be. At the least we should think of our descendants and pass down a story or two in our own handwriting. After all, we could all use some practice to work on our rusty skills.