Maude was born in Claridge, PA, near Pittsburgh, on February 16, 1906. Her father was one of the first electricians in the area and was responsible for lighting and air pumps in the mines of the Westmoreland Coal Company – the first to export coal to Europe at the turn of the century.

Maude finished high school in West Park, Pittsburgh at age 16 and went to work for the Horne Department Store assigned to keep the 50 seamstresses supplied with sewing accessories and was being groomed as a Buyer when she chose to go to Chicago and attend Moody Bible Institute in 1923. There she met and married Meredith Plunkett of Chicago. The Plunketts were one of the first caterers in Chicago and Maude became involved in the business until they moved to Milwaukee in the 1930’s where they co-pastored a small Bible church until 1962.

In the 1920’s, Maude was the feature actress in hundreds of commercials her husband filmed for the advertising dinners the family served in Chicago, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Cleveland. After serving the meal that was basically free, the attendees were presented with a lecture about Kraft Foods, Pepsi Cola, Sealtest products, Tenderoni Salad, Mickleberry sausage, Karo Syrup and scores of other products. Her husband spiffed up the lectures with 16mm movies of how the products were made and how they were to be prepared which is where Maude came in. She still uses many of these products.

When she was 80 and still a beauty, we informed Kraft Foods that they could use a film of Maude making salad in her Los Angeles kitchen in 1928 and a current segment to show that Kraft Mayo is a great product of choice, but they were not interested. The family still has thousands of feet of film from the 1920’s through the 1940’s when the advertising dinners turned into catering.

During her “church years,” Maude conducted neighborhood Sunday Schools, Co-pastored the Church of the Open Bible near Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee, and was an accomplished musician – piano, marimba, and had (has) an operatic soprano voice that is as sweet as you couid imagine.

Maude has lived in the Dunwoody area since 1981 and is still “active” and fully in-charge! She has to deal with arthritis and macular degeneration but it has not slowed her down very much. Her eyesight was saved when The Emory Clinic needed a 94 year-old-eye for the experimental program that was developing photo-dynamic, low-power laser surgery for macular degeneration. This technique is now commonly used all over the world.

Her mind remains keen with perfect memory and reasoning. It’s more difficult for her to write but not much. She still writes notes on birthday and get-well cards and regularly sends notes of encouragement. Her daughter, Judy Kreklow, has been living with her for the past five years. Her presence has allowed Maude to maintain her independence. Maude still practices her “old-fashioned” to our present culture, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, praying for others, and is know to wake up in the middle of the night creating her own personal concert, singing the songs she has sung for so many years.

Two years ago she was hospitalized for the first time in her life when she fell and broke her hip. She had four of her six children in a hospital but this was the first time it was for illness or accident. At the ER of Northside Hospital a technician came rolling into the room with an EEG machine, made a big circle looking at Maude and then left. A few moments later she returned and asked if she was Maude Plunkett. “Oh, my goodness, I was looking for someone born in 1906 and knew it couldn’t be you!” Because of that accident she now uses a walker, but not all the time, especially when she’s washing and drying dishes, which brings a frown to Judy’s brow.

Maude Plunkett keeps up with politics and local issues being a frequent viewer of Fox Cable News, C-Span 1 & 2 when something is cooking in Congress, and is a daily listener to the Rush Limbaugh Show.

Her birthday party was held at the China Inn at Chamblee Plaze, her favorite restaurant, and was celebrated by 23 family members who had come in from Arizona, Wisconsin and Florida.

Maude has six children, (one who had lived in North Dekalb since 1963 and was an associate pastor of First Baptist Chamblee for 15 years before it chose to leave the area), 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, five great great-grandchildren, three step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren and three step great great-grandchildren. What a legacy of life!

The last visit of Haley’s comet in 1986, Maude joined a group of celestial observers who had gathered on the front lawn of the First United Methodist Church of Chamblee on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The group was thrilled when her son announced this was the second time Maude had seen it, though she was only four years old in 1910. She remembers everyone going outside to look up into the clear sky that was not diminished by electrical lighting and hearing her father say, “It looks like a street light in Pittsburgh!” An interesting side story is that her father was one of the first electricians in the country, becoming one in the late 1800’s. He made a set of electrical lights for their Christmas tree in 1898 and had the only “lit tree” in the neighborhood; maybe even the countryside for many years. The remarkable thing is that the family in Pennsylvania still uses that very string to light their Christmas tree today. Seems like Dad Parfitt could teach the Chinese a thing or two about Christmas lights.

Four years ago, Maude’s optimism and joy was interrupted by several family crises that impacted her loved ones. At a time of great stress she cried out to her Lord and asked why all of this was happening to grieve her so. Maude enjoys telling the story. “It was the first time I had gotten such a quick answer from the Lord. Clearly in my heart and mind the answer came loud and clear. 'Maude, you’re not supposed to still be here. I’m sorry you have to endure right now but there are some side benefits you can focus on.' ”

The family has been video taping her historical recollections and stories for several years and have many hours of amazing information that will not be lost. Maude recently went through all photographs putting date and names on all of them. It was astonishing to watch her identify photos she had not see for 40- 50 years.

“Conestoga Lady!” is what the family calls Maude -- who has been a pioneer woman in so many ways. She recently asked to have her clothes alterd to fit better because she has things to do. "This birthday is an amazing milestone for me and I realize, as never before there are a lot of things I still want to do. I plan to get to it."

IN HONOR OF MOM ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY, WE ARE RUNNING KATE SMITH, HER'S AND MEREDITH'S FAVORITE SINGER. Be sure to click the audio link above before you read further. This audiocassette tape arrived on an afternoon that my wife Nancy had to go to her oncologist for a ProCrit shot and check-up. On those days I would wait in the car. While waiting that hot summer day in August 2001, I put the Carnagie Hall tape in the player. I had not heard Kate Smity's voice for 40 yearsexcept the televised Philadelphia Flyer hockey games a few years ago. When the tape stared I was stunned... so many memories raced through my mind and I cried through the whole concert. I hope that you are old enough for this Ramblin' audio to, if not bring a tear at least make you stop a moment and remember how incredible the gift of life is no matter what we have to face. Now here's Kate's minibio.

"KATE SMITH." The mention of her name still evokes a warm feeling of nostalgia in the hearts of millions who are old enough recall Kate and her thrilling renditions of popular ballads -- and her powerful, outgoing personality and infectious laughter. Her autographed publicity photo shown here is a prized part of my radio memorabilia collection.

An untiring patriot, Kate Smith was honored by every President from Roosevelt, who called her an "American treasure", to Reagan, who gave her the highest civilian award in the nation, the Medal of Freedom. During the Second World War, she was personally credited with selling six hundred million dollars in Defense Bonds. Do you have any idea of what $ 600,000,000 was in the early 1940's?

Kate was called the "First Lady of Song" or "America's Southern Songbird" by her peers. Voted one of the three most beloved and important women of her time, Kate Smith was the very embodiment of the American spirit and an inspiration to millions everywhere. Her popularity and her music transcended a half century, all the way from vaudeville to soft rock. She introduced over six hundred popular songs. Yes, you read correctly -- 600 popular songs! More than twenty of her records were million sellers -- back in a culture when selling a million records really meant something.

As a true pioneer in both radio and television, her importance as a public personality is unsurpassed in the annals of broadcasting history. She is undeniably an American original! Can you believe that Kate Smith was more powerful as leader, entertainer, and spokesperson for all America than any one since including Ophra Winfrey, Sen. Hillary Clinton, or Condalisa Rice. Hard to believe, but it's very true.

Kate had been making records since 1926 but was discovered in 1930 by Columbia Records vice president Ted Collins, who became her partner and manager who developed her public career which included her radio programs. Kate was an immediate success on radio and she soon broke the record for the number of continous performances at the legendary Palace Theatre.

She soon had the most popular radio variety program, The Kate Smith Hour, which aired weekly from 1937-45. At the same time she had the No. 1 daytime radio show, the midday Kate Smith Speaks, a news and commentary program. Everyone listened to this show which she did with her agent, sidekick, and beloved friend, Ted Collins. She talked about issues before talk radio, gave the editorialized news, entertained and interviewed guests. In 1950 Kate entered television with a Monday-Friday afternoon variety show, The Kate Smith Hour (1950-54). It proved so popular that NBC gave her a prime-time show on Wednesday evenings, The Kate Smith Evening Hour. Her last TV series was CBS’s The Kate Smith Show, a weekly half-hour musical series in 1960.

Kate's biggest hits were River, Stay ’Way From My Door (1931), The Woodpecker Song (1940), The White Cliffs of Dover (1941), I Don’t Want to Walk Without You (1942), There Goes That Song Again (1944), Seems Like Old Times (1946), and Now Is the Hour (1947).

Her theme song was "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain," whose lyrics she helped write. Irving Berlin regarded the song she made most famous, "God Bless America," as his most important composition. In 1938 Kate predicted that the song would still be sung long after all of us are gone—and it surely will.

In the fifties and sixties, she began making LP albums, with such best sellers as Kate Smith at Carnegie Hall (1963), How Great Thou Art (1965), and America’s Favorites: Kate Smith/Arthur Fiedler/Boston Pops (1967). You can hear the entire Kate Smith at Carnagie Hall on Norm's Radio. My prize collection of "mint" LP albums includes all of Kate Smith's albums from the 1950's and 1960's as well as many of her 78's and some of the sheet music that used to be on every piano. I also have a full collection of Guy Lombardo, Wayne King, and Fred Waring LP's. I'd be honored to send you a CD of some of them. All you need to do is send me your address and I'll get one off to you.

Kate was a regular part of the home I grew up in -- we had her receipe books, 78rpm records, sheet music, books, listened to her radio programs, and watched her television shows. Her photo was in all the magazines and on billboards endorsing various products as Michael Jordon or Tiger Woods are today.

Kate Smith has a passion for wood inboard boats. I knew that as a boy as I knew that Guy Lombardo was a champion speedboat driver and owner. Kate owned a 1929 Chris Craft and loved it. As I remember she had it on a lake in upstate New York and was photographed with it often. Restoration Hardware had one of the photos some five years ago AND I DIDN'T BUY IT? I found a great photograph on the Internet that was made possible by Kate's official web site and association. I have a link to it below.

Kate Smith had a voice you never forgot once you heard it. Be sure to click the audio above and listen to 30 minutes of her 1968 concert in Carnagie Hall. It will introduce the youngun's to a jewel they missed. And to those who know....? a wonderful moment of memory and maybe a tear or two.

1854- The first packaged box of Whitman's chocolate debuts.

1868- Richard Cadbury introduces the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates.

1880s- Wunderle Candy Company creates candy corn. In 1898, Goelitz Confectionery Company began making candy corn and has made this Halloween favorite longer than any other company.

1893- William Wrigley, Jr. introduces Juicy Fruit gum and Wrigley's Spearmint gum.

1896- Tootsie Rolls debut, introduced by Leo Hirshfield of New York, who named them after his daughter's nickname, "Tootsie".

1900- Milton S. Hershey of Lancaster, PA introduces the first Hershey milk chocolate bar.

1901- Pastel-colored little candy disks called NECCO wafers first appear named for the acronym of the New England Confectionery Company.

1902- Necco makes the first conversation hearts - tiny Valentine's Day favorites with messages printed on them.

1906- Hershey's Kisses chocolates appear in their familiar foil wraps.

1911- The Ziegler Giant choclolate bar debuted in Milwaukee. The Ziegler family lived in Wauwatosa, WI and Mary and I went to school with some of the children of the extended candy family as well as the Davidsons of Harley Davidson. This was an incredible candy, my favorite even before Snickers. Giant Bars can still be found in Phoenix, AZ -- why, I don't know, maybe that's where the family retired.

1912- Life Savers, the candy named for its ring shape with the hole in the center is introduced in peppermint flavor. It would be 22 years before the popular five-flavor roll is introduced.

1912- The Whitman's Sampler box of chocolates is born when the company president decides the needlework sampler hanging in his home would make beautiful packaging. It was the first box of chocolates to include an index showing the filling in each candy.

1913- Goo Goo Clusters, a Southern favorite, was the first bar to combine milk chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and peanuts.

1920- Fannie May Candies opens its first candy shop in Chicago producing a variety of chocolate enrobed buttercreams and caramels.

1920- The Baby Ruth candy bar is first sold, named for President Grover Cleveland's daughter - not the famous baseball player.

1923- Mounds, the double candy bar, offered a coconut filling enrobed in chocolate.

1923- M&M/Mars Milk Way Bar is the first of many candies to be introduced by the Mars family, created to taste like a malted milk that would be available anywhere, any time.

1925- Bit-O-Honey debuts, the honey-flavored taffy bar made with bits of almond.

1926- Milk Duds are introduced as bite-size caramel morsels covered in chocolate.

1928- Crunchy Heath Bars appear, offering chocolate covered toffee.

1928- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, named for the man who created them, are a peanut butter-chocolate combination among the most popular candy bars today.

1930- M&M/Mars introduces the Snickers Bar, named for a favorite horse owned by the Mars family. It is the number-one selling candy bar in the U.S. today.

1931- Tootsie Roll Pops are introduced and soon widely advertised as the lollipop that offers two candies in one - flavored hard candy on the outside and chewy Tootsie Roll center inside.

1932- MARS® Almond Bar introduced by M&M/Mars.

1932- Red Hots are made by Ferrara Pan Candy Company. These fiery little candy pellets are flavored with cinnamon.

1932- M&M/Mars debuts the 3 Musketeers Bar, originally made as a three-flavor bar featuring choclate, vanilla and strawberry nougat. In 1945, it was changed to all chocolate nougat.

1936- The 5th Avenue Bar was originated by the man perhaps best known for his cough drops - William H. Luden. It was made from layers of peanut butter crunch coated in milk chocolate.

1939- Hershey's Miniatures chocolate bars debut.

1941- "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies are introduced in response to slack chocolate sales in the summer months. Fifty-nine years later, M&M/Mars changed the name of this popular candy item to "M&M's" Milk Chocolate Candies.

1942 to 1945- Women working on the Whitman's Sampler production line secretly slipped notes to soldiers in those boxes destined for military shipment. The notes resulted in several long-term friendships and even a few marriages.

1949-Junior Mints offered soft mint centers drenched in dark chocolate.

1949- Smarties small pastel candy disks are introduced, followed by the Smarties Necklace nine years later.

1950- Bob’s Candy Canes, sold under the Cris Cringle brand, are introduced nationwide. Candy canes were originally created by a German choirmaster.

1954- Marshmallow Peeps are introduced by Just Born, Inc. in the shape of Easter chicks. Today, Peeps come in a variety of seasonal shapes and more than 2 million Peeps are made each day.

1960- M&M/Mars Starburst Fruit Chews are introduced and later fortified with 50 percent of the daily value for Vitamin C.

1960- Blammo becomes the first sugar free, soft bubble gum introduced by Amurol Confections.

1960s- Lemonheads are created by Ferrara Pan Candy Company, later inspiring the introduction of Grapeheads, Appleheads, Orangeheads and others.

1963- Sweet Tarts, the candy pellets with the original sweet and tart flavor combination are introduced.

1976- Introduced by Herman Goelitz Candy Company, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans offer consumers fun and unique flavors in a tiny jelly bean.

1978- Hershey's Reese's Pieces bite-size candies are introduced and four years later made popular by the blockbuster movie E.T.

1979- TWIX Caramel Cookie Bars introduced in the U.S. by M&M/Mars.

1980- Goelitz introduces the first American-made gummy bears and gummy worms. Formerly, these candies were imported from Europe.

1981- A European favorite since 1974, SKITTLES Bite Size Candies are introduced in the U.S. by M&M/Mars.

1992- DOVE Dark Chocolate Bar and DOVE Milk Chocolate Bar introduced nationally by M&M/Mars.

1994- Blitz Power Mints are one of several strong mints introduced in the 1990s as the breath freshener category grows.

1998- Holopops become the first hologram lollipops introduced by Light Vision Confections. The design on their etched surface appears to change as you move the pop.

1999- Sound Bites Lollipops from Cap Candies is the first radio-lollipop combination in the growing interactive candy segment.

2001- "M&M's"® Dulce de Leche Caramel Chocolate Candies introduced to tap into a growing Latino market

Interested in finding more history and information about your favorite candies? Then have a look at the Candy USA website sponsored by the National Confectioners Association linked below. And if you live within driving distance of Chicago and you are a Sugarholic, you might consider getting some black market tickes to the Candy Explo being held at McCormick Place in that great city in June.

Even when my way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid! Why? Because he is walking close to my side.

Psalm 23:1-4 The Message Bible, Nav Press, Glen Eyrie Castle, Colorado Springs, CO.

Do you believe this? Then, what more is there?

"If you aren't familiar with this site, check it out. It's pretty amazing. Try to find a hymn they don't have listed." Put it on your favorites for that time when there is a questions about "words."

Norman and ChrisPlunkett

God is good -- ALWAYS!

And especially as He floods you with all the grace you need no matter what the situation. As you trust Him, God's grace is always just enough and always on time.