ODDLY ENOUGH: Man, 89, comes clean, returns book after 76 years

ODDLY ENOUGH

Man, 89, comes clean, returns book after 76 years

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich.

Mark McKee is lucky a Michigan library isn’t charging him a late fee for returning a book 76 years late.

In 1934, the 13-year-old McKee checked out “A Dog of Flanders” by English author Marie Louise de la Ramee from the Mount Clemens Public Library.

Recently, McKee, now 89, said he discovered the book and mailed it to the library.

“I was entranced by the book and kept it with my prized possessions, intending to return it forthwith,” McKee wrote in an accompanying letter. “Thus began a 76-year odyssey of missed opportunity and intention.”

McKee, who is a former publisher of The Macomb Daily, said he found the book among his possessions and wanted to do the right thing.

“My conscience took over,” wrote McKee, who is now a winter resident in Chandler, Ariz.

Library Director Donald Worrell Jr. said he was thrilled to get the package from McKee.

“He spent a great amount of time in here,” Worrell said. “He was very supportive. He was very generous to the library.”

In his letter, McKee said he estimated the fine on a book overdue for 76 years could total thousands of dollars.

But Worrell said McKee doesn’t have to worry; there won’t be a fine.

“We figure the story is better than the money,” Worrell said.

Instead, Worrell said he plans to put the book and letter on display at the library and to send a fresh copy of the book to McKee.

Vermont governor gives press one last dog-and-pony show

MONTPELIER, Vt.

Sometimes derided for his “dog-and-pony show” press conferences, outgoing Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas used his last one to trot out the real thing.

The Republican governor, who leaves office next month after eight years, appeared at his weekly press conference Wednesday with a miniature horse and a Labrador retriever, in a light-hearted jab at his image. The press corps poked some fun, too, giving him a yellow Walmart greeter T-shirt and a set of scissors to kid him about his penchant for ribbon-cuttings and other ceremonial event.

Christmas cash: Man gives $50 bills at Goodwill

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

Those at a Goodwill store in Memphis got some extra Christmas spending money thanks to a man who handed out $50 bills to everyone.

According to WMC-TV, no one knows the identity of the man, who passed out the money Monday.

Store employee Chestine Dunn says the man carried a stack of envelopes with him. Inside each envelope was $50.

Associated Press