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Dreams do come true...
Posted Friday, December 16, 2016, at 10:43 PMWhen I was about thirteen or fourteen I was a skate guard at the roller rink on South Walnut Street in Brazil. I think Dick and Ann Burchell were managers at the time, although I was employed by several managers there. I have to admit, I was a pretty good skater. ... -
Death
Posted Monday, May 30, 2016, at 6:56 PM1It happened 800,000 times last year. It happened to me and a few people I know, I hope it didn't happen to you. What is it? It is the death of a spouse. Five words, the death of a spouse. Never have so few words had such an impact on my life. Why does it happen, what does it mean, what does it entail, what will the future hold? The answers to these questions will probably never be comprehended... -
My First Job
Posted Friday, December 6, 2013, at 8:42 AMI'm 62 years old, and I still remember my very first job about 55 years ago. Can any of you readers match that? My first "paid" job was at the Gulf filling station at the corner of National Avenue and West Street, across from Hedge Motor Company. Where the Gulf station was, is now Emmert Realty. Casey's General Store sits where Hedges was... -
My High School Job
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 8:22 AM3At age 16, I started a job that I would continue for some 16 more years, with a little military and a short time job in between. All throughout high school, I worked for this local establishment that had few employees outside of family. It really tore into my social time with school friends. ... -
Going, But Are You Coming Back?
Posted Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at 2:34 PM2A short time ago Chad, a Christian friend of mine, passed away in a tragic car accident. His brother was critically injured. Prior to leaving Brazil, he probably told his mom, "See you later Mom, we're going to (visit my brother). Be back this afternoon. I love you."... -
A Hairy Decision
Posted Sunday, March 3, 2013, at 1:15 PM1Along about a year ago, after dreaming about it for more than ten years, I decided to purchase a hairpiece. I was instructed by the stylist to refer to it as a "hair restoration system" (HRS). I began looking at HRS's years ago and even went to a free assessment in Indianapolis to delve closer into it. ... -
My Jamaican Friend
Posted Thursday, October 4, 2012, at 8:08 AMA while back, around 8 o'clock in the evening, our telephone rang. I picked up the receiver and a thick accent said, "May I speak to Steve Loomb, please." In order to appease myself, I said, "This is Steve Loomb speaking." Without a pause, the man on the other end of the phone started telling me how fortunate I was and that my name was selected to win $1.4 million in cash and a candy apple red Mercedes. ... -
Where is Lee Thall?
Posted Sunday, July 29, 2012, at 1:07 PM1Remember Lee Thall, who later added I. M. to his name? I'm sure even the dullest person in Brazil could figure out he was saying "I am lethal". Now, what he meant by that, other than his rather uncivilized tongue, I do not know. But I do know one thing... ... -
Rambles of the Good Ol' Days
Posted Sunday, June 17, 2012, at 7:02 PMAt age 16, I started a job that I would continue for some sixteen more years, with a little military break in between. All throughout high school, I worked for this local establishment that had few employees outside of family. It really tore into my social time with school friends. ... -
Requiem For A Friend
Posted Monday, April 16, 2012, at 12:08 PM1The other day a close friend of mine passed away. I'd know him for about 45 years. Seems impossible. Chris was a dexterous type of guy, easy going, care-free of sorts. Very likeable and talented in so many ways. His best feature was his boyish looks at age 59. I often told him how he looked like he just stepped out of his yearbook picture from Brazil High School, class of 70... -
My First Job
Posted Friday, March 2, 2012, at 6:31 PMI'm 60-years-old and I still remember my very first job over 50 years ago. Can any of you readers match that? My first "paid" job was at the Gulf filling station at the corner of National Avenue and West Street, across from Hedge Motor Company. Where the Gulf station was, is now Emmert Realty. Casey's General Store sits where Hedges was... -
No Party to Console me ...
Posted Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 8:08 AM13In September 2009, I decided to step away from the political party, which I had been associated with for approximately 40 years. There were a couple reasons for that, which I will try to explain. In the particular party I was involved with, it appeared that if you were not 100 percent in favor of all they said, they assumed you were 100 percent against them. ... -
Sagging? My Bad
Posted Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 1:38 PM2Two things have "my goat" in this writing: sagging and the use of the term "my bad." Sagging has got to stop, NOW. A few cities around the country are adopting a "no sagging law" of sorts. Delcambre, La., adopted an indecent exposure ordinance in 2007 which prohibited "intentionally wearing one's pants in such a way as to show underwear." March 2008 Hahira, Ga., created a similar ordinance "in the name of public safety." That council vote was tied 2-2; the mayor broke the tie, voting aye. ... -
Indiana's Crazy License Plates
Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at 7:15 AM4Where is the proper place for the license plate stickers you receive in the mail? Where do you put them; the new year over the old year? Over the county, perhaps? Maybe place it over the month and day of expiration? A call to the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles yielded no answers when I asked "Do license plates expiration year stickers come with instructions?" The lady who answered had no answer, similar to your all too familiar "help desks" in similar situations. ... -
Big Dreams, Little Money
Posted Thursday, March 17, 2011, at 8:32 PM6As a recovering person myself, I see a need for rehabilitation housing in this area. As my wife, Susan and I were driving on Hendrix Street in Brazil, we passed by the former Clay County Health and Rehabilitation Center. Sitting there empty and probably deteriorating, many good uses could come to this building. One is a place for people with alcohol and drug problems to continue recovery. Rules, of course would be necessary and enforced... -
Twentyless-fifth Anniversary
Posted Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at 8:23 AM5My wife and I will soon celebrate our fifth year anniversary. Five years, wow. Big deal? Yes, it is and I'll explain why later. Susan and I have known each other since the 60s. I remember her from the old skating rink, which was located on South Walnut Street in the Alphonso Rios Cigar Factory. ... -
Why not try it?
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 4:42 PM4I've been thinking for several months about writing a blog that might be published in The Times. Today, I decided that I might try it. You see, today is Election Day, a day of decisions. How do we decide? Which one do we prefer? Why isn't it as simple as it used to be? Would one end up costing us more money?...