July 31. 2021
Letter to The Peak Editor
Brother Conklin, I thought of you when I recently read that Lake Powell is at its lowest level since it was filled. Do you remember singing “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” to our wives on Lake Powell. Would the houseboats float today? Well, a delegation of Biking Sig/Road Scholars from our chapter (You know them all) recently made a road trip to serenaded Mimi Blankenship, 104. Could you publish our article about this event?
Claude Trottier 60′, Frequent Peak Contributor
Editor’s Response
Claude,
Please find the article you submitted below. Here is a link to a few photos from the Lake Powell Cruise. Thanks for your support. Les Conklin 60’ Lake Powell Survivor Cruise, 2001
Biking Sigs Serenade Oldest Sweetheart
Courtesy Biking Sigs/Road Scholars
The Biking Sigs/Road Scholars of Sigma Chi, University of Rhode Island have been bike riding and meeting for lunch for over 15 years. A delegation of the Sigs recently sang “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” song to Mrs. Mimi Blankenship in honor of her 104th birthday. View photo and learn more.
Lois Martin Blankenship (Mimi) is 104 years young and a resident of Elderwood of Scallop Shell. Elderwood is a senior care facility located in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Our Mimi has the distinction of being the oldest living senior in residence there and as you can see from the photo, she is remarkable and then some. The Biking Sigs organization has been serenading her since she turned 100. Our plan is to continue the tradition for as long as she is with us.
We started this labor of love through her daughter, Judy Martin. Judy served as the Sigma Chi Fraternity House Mother on the URI campus for a several years. Now in retirement, Martin is an honorary member of our housing corporation board. Judy first brought her mother to Rhode Island to care for her. Mimi has been going strong ever since. If you asked Mimi, she would tell you that other than her beloved birthplace Slack Hills, South Dakota, Rhode Island is the most beautiful place she’s ever lived and that she absolutely loves it here.
During her lifetime, Mimi was a celebrated dance teacher, owning and operating her own dance school for over 30 years in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Lois Martin School of Dance had a locally originated weekly television show in those wonder years, and there is no telling how many children she taught to dance. Mimi attributes her longevity in part to all those years of dancing and enjoying the good life. She was married for 52 years, raised 3 kids, boasted four grandkids, and four great grandchildren. In her lifetime she survived two pandemics, two World Wars, The Great Depression, and the other major happenings in between.
So, here is to Mimi as she makes her way toward the “BIG 105” on March 28, 2022. Rest assured, we will be serenading her again as our oldest and most treasured sweetheart.
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