April 16, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

“It couldn’t be done” read by Erica Guelfi

It Couldn’t Be Done
BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
      But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
      Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
      On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
      At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
      And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
      Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
      There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
      The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
      Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
      That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

Watch the SJO graduation ceremony here.

Banner
Related Posts

Remembering Ross Booker: ‘We are missing something special now that he’s gone’

March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

Before responding to an accident that would ultimately claim his life, Ross Booker made a point to roll down the...

Success of students, FFA is what Duitsman will remember about her time at SJO

July 30, 2019

July 30, 2019

This August will be a little different for Katie Duitsman. The former St. Joseph-Ogden High School agriculture teacher will not...

Kids Say

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

Ceremony to honor Edwards scheduled for Thursday

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

A Gift of Hope Flag raising ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the St, Joseph-Ogden...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th Grade High Honor Roll

November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021

Ames, Trevor Beyers, Kaitlyn Bird, Emily Brooks, Addison Bytnar, Sara Campbell, Shelby Carlson, William Childers, Adelyn Coffey, Christopher Evans, Callie...

SJO fourth quarter high honor roll

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

High Honor RollFreshmenAllen, Addison Altenbaumer, Tyler Anderson, Kailyn Armstrong, Ella Atwood, Madison Behrens, Abigail Beyers, Andrew Bowln, Brandie Burkhalter, Mara...

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people. They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

Voges urges St. Joseph residents to celebrate America

July 3, 2020

July 3, 2020

World War II veteran Bruce Voges loves America. When he told his kids he wanted to have a Fourth of...

10 tips to get your home ready to sell

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Clear out your personal belongings and declutter. It’s a good idea to eliminate clutter and depersonalize the home. You’ll want...

10 things you don’t know about me… Stacey Livingston

July 31, 2019

July 31, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 interesting things about themselves. This week we spoke to...

PVO to honor beloved teacher

March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

Prairieview-Ogden will have a new award to honor one of their most beloved teachers. Kathy Klauda, the mother of Jennifer...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden High School Board

February 27, 2023

February 27, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. Tonight they are discussing facilities updates. They are discussing a new...

Comments
Leave a Reply