September 18th has special meaning for me. My father, Ray Geiger, was born September 18, 1910. He joked that he came in as Mark Twain was heading out and that they touched along the way. Ray was the 6th editor and the reason we have a Farmers’ Almanac today. In honor of his 96th birthday, here is the Ray Geiger story:

• Born in Newark, NJ, he was a born salesman. As a child he regularly sold lemonade at street corners in Irving, N.J. His family owned land that Barnum & Bailey Circus used. When the event was over, he’d collect manure and sell it to farmers. He left nothing to waste, not even waste.

• Graduated second from the bottom of St. Benedict High School. Went to Notre Dame where he graduated #13 in his class.

• In 1932, he entered the family business - Geiger Bros.

• That year he met William Jardine (editor #5) and agreed to work with him on the almanac.

• Became editor # 6 when Mr. Jardine passed away at age 91. Started editor duties with the 1935 edition and set a record with 60 consecutive issues. Circulation went from 86,000 to 6,500,000 copies all given away by businesses. During WW II he continued to publish the almanac with help form his stateside sister, Loretta.

• 1964 - 1990 also edited the American Farm & Home Almanac - a separate retail product.

• He participated in over 30,000 interviews and speeches. Appeared on virtually every interview program in America including Truth or Consequences, Today Show, Art Linkletter, Mike Douglas, David Letterman and thousands of local shows. He traveled 180 days per year to accomplish the growth of the Farmers’ Almanac.

• He was married to Ann Heuber, had 5 children and moved to Maine in 1955.

• He was an outstanding showman. He celebrated his 15th Anniversary with a billboard between hometowns of Lewiston/ Auburn (first person to do this). He thought bigger for the 25th when he borrowed the Goodyear Blimp. Hung a sign that read “Thank Your Ann for 25 Good Years.” This photo was picked up in papers around the world.

• He was dubbed the “most interviewed man in America” by Linkletter. He said he was “Corny, not Porny.” And, passed away on April 1, 1994.

• In 1990 he held a “Predeceased Adventure” at his tombstone (located near the office). Forty business friends attended and heard his poem which read:

Friends I am delighted and really quite excited
That you came to this unusual grave event,
For I’d rather have you gather as I write it
Than to have you come to see me when I am dead

He concluded “Yes, you can’t enjoy a tombstone when you’re dead.”

Had young Ray Geiger not met William Jardine and fallen in love with the publication, chances are it might have ended it’s run after 116 issues. Instead the Farmers’ Almanac is a well-respected part of America and today we celebrate what would have been Ray Geiger’s 96th birthday….. and yes, he would have wanted a party.

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