SHERIFF’S WEBSITE/COUNTY AUCTION
It’s good to see the Highland County Sheriff’s website up and running again. It’s useful for checking up on who’s in jail, what sex offenders are registered in the county, etc. Also, there was a notice about a county auction of property and real estate coming up Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. The auction will take place at the Highland County Fairgrounds, and Hess Auction Company will handle the auctioneer duties. Here are some links:
LAST WEEKEND FOR HANSEL & GRETEL
The updated take on “Hansel and Gretel” has been playing at Magic Waters Summer Theatre for the past two weekends, and this weekend marks the final weekend of the run. “Hansel
and Gretel and the Book of Spells” was written especially for the Magic Waters stage by Tony Copper, and is proving to be most entertaining for the adults as well as the children in the audience! The final weekend of performances are this Friday through Sunday, July 30, 31 and Aug. 1. The Friday and Saturday shows will start at 8 p.m., and the Sunday show will start at 7 p.m.; however, most folks come earlier to catch a bit of Boonie, the Magician’s pre-show magic which actually begins one hour before show time. Folks who have ordered pre-show dinners also need to arrive one hour early, as that is when the dinners are served.
Admission prices are: adult, $7.00; child, $3.50; and seniors, $4.00. The pre-show dinners which need to be ordered at least one day ahead cost $7.95 plus tax for adults or $6.95 plus tax for a child’s dinner.
For more info, call (937) 365-1388 or visit the website at:
www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters
BENGALS BUZZ
The Cincinnati Bengals have created a lot of buzz this offseason, no more so than when they inked Terrell Owens to a one-year, incentive-laden deal. The schedule still looks awfully tough, but this may be the most talented Bengals team ever! There are definitely some colorful personalities on the team, and let’s hope Marvin Lewis can channel Clyde Beatty to keep order in the three-ring circus that is sure to entertain.
The other colorful Bengals wide receiver summed it up pretty well in a tweet about the signing: “This is Siskil and Ebert. Bonnie and Clyde. He’s Bonnie, I’m Clyde.”
TERRELL OWENS QUOTES
And now, a plethora of T.O. quotes:
Get your popcorn ready, 'cause I'm gonna put on a show.
A lot of people think I'm stuck up. Pretty much that I'm arrogant. I only do that when I'm on the field.
I'll watch the highlights every now and then but, as far as watching the game, I feel like I am the game.
A lot of people expect to see the same type of character that they see on the field off the field, and that throws them for a loop.
As you get to know me, you kind of figure me out, that I'm not as probably as bad of a guy that I've been reported to be. I'm not that jerk.
I am sure I lost out on a few million or more in money but I am happy with the team that I am on and the quarterback that I am with.
I am the Terrell off the field who is laid back and this is me.
NAMING BANDS
One of the enjoyable features of the Wheels of Progress Festival is the opportunity to hear bands that play different types of music. One such band consisted of Dr. Kevin Zent and his wife Autumn, Matt Shonkwiler and Bob Lanning. The bluegrass stying of the band were a nice change of pace from much of the music heard at the festival, and the band members obviously had fun performing. Before the performance, I asked Dr. Zent how the band should be introduced, as the festival schedule had merely referred to “Kevin Zent & Friends.” Dr. Zent, who plays the standup bass, said he wasn’t the star of the band and indicated that honor should lie with Bob Lanning, the mandolin/banjo player. Grasping at straws for a band name, he said something about Bob and the Ramblers, or Bob and the Back Alley Boys. I pointed out that with Mrs. Zent in the band, it would be politically incorrect to call them the Back Alley Boys. After a brief interrogation of Bob Lanning, who confessed that he once lived on the south side of Greenfield, I suggested the name Southside Bob and the Back Alley Ramblers. To my surprise, they said that sounded okay, and so – for one day at least – I helped to name the band.
I don’t know how often they perform, but they did a nice job at the festival on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a photo:
COFFEYS AND COFFINS
Received an interesting email last week:
Hello Ron Coffey this is Ron Coffey of lansing mich. I found your site when looking for ancestor, in Ireland the Coffin's, yes I said Coffin, ta and God bless Ron n. Coffey
My response: Hey Ron, Good to hear from you. There are more Coffeys out there than I used to know about, but I didn't know we had Coffins in the family too! (Probably some skeletons in the closet as well!) Hope all is well in Lansing. I have some friends in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids -- it's a beautiful state. There's another Ron Coffey in Missouri, an auctioneer I think. I don't know how those guys talk so fast! He has the website www.roncoffey.com
Best wishes, Ron
ATCO UPDATE
In noting the relationship between Atco, GA and Greenfield, I neglected to mention the fact that Larry Chapman visited the Georgia community a few years ago and wrote about it. The latest Facebook post from Atco, Georgia, the Village mentions Larry:
VERY interesting photos and documents from Jerry Moreland's family's collection have been added. Also added is a post of an email received from Greenfield, Ohio native, Larry Chapman who visited our Village several years ago to document the history and preserve a bit of it.
McGUFFEY LANE
Columbus area band McGuffey Lane has released its first new album in years. It’s called “10” for several reasons, including the fact that this is McGuffey Lane’s 10th album and it contains 10 songs, plus it’s 2010. The album is also notable in that it’s the first CD since the 1980s featuring all original surviving members (Steve, John Schwab and Terry Efaw).
Another important angle for the band is that the distribution group E1 has chosen it for distribution at Walmart, so it’s easy to get. The album can also be ordered from McGuffey Lane’s website.
To hear a song from the album, visit the band’s website and click on the player at bottom of page.
http://mcguffeylane.com/fr_home.cfm
HALL OF FAME!
Well, the cat is out of the bag. My dear mother, Thelma Coffey, is one of the honorees scheduled for induction into the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame in August. She was totally surprised, and the family couldn’t be more thrilled. Way to go Mom!
Mom is in great company too. Joining her in the Hall of Fame will be Rose Fisher Merkowitz, Virginia Milner Purdy and Louise Fenner Sprinkle.
Here’s a link to news coverage of the announcement:
http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=74&ArticleID=4245
QUICK QUIZ
Jim Fenner recommends this knowledge test. This is VERY FAST, so be prepared. You only have 8 seconds for each question. I tried it while listening to classic rock and the computer told me I’m 9.9% smarter than average. Of course, everyone around this part of southern Ohio is smarter than average, so that might put me below the area average. Out of curiosity, I took the test again, and this time I was 53% smarter than average. Of course the same questions were asked, and I STILL missed one or two.
http://www.flashbynight.com/test/
ATCO, GEORGIA ON MY MIND
I got a nice email regarding something I posted on Coffey Grounds about a year ago concerning the Jayne Mansfield dolls produced at the American Pad and Textile Co. factory. In return, I received some information about Atco, Georgia, which was founded by Edward Lee McClain to help provide a supply of textile items for his business empire. Here’s the note, which includes some links. I especially like the “History” section of the Atco website:
Ron, I happened upon your blog and thought your post about E.L. McClain’s company and Jayne Mansfield was a terrific item for our ATCO, Georgia, The Village History. I’ve posted a link to your blog, plus photos and the post on our facebook page. I hope you don’t mind. If there is a problem, please let me know, and I’ll remove it. (I hope you’ll be OK with my doing this.)
Links to our website and facebook page are below.
Yvonne Mashburn Schmidt
On Facebook search for "ATCO, Georgia, The Village"
the story of a southern mill village and the children who loved it
GOOD SHEPHERD VBS
The Good Shepherd Church of Greenfield, Ohio invites all children ages 4 - 12 to join the "Kingdom Of The Son" on July 26-30 from 6-9 p.m. each night. “’Kindgom Of The Son’ is a safari theme VBS that the children will never forget,” says pastor Mike Anderson. Activities at "Kingdom Of The Son" will include music, skits, crafts, games, snacks and much more. Most importantly, children will have the opportunity to get to know God through prayer. “We are looking forward to sharing this exciting event with the children of our community,” Anderson added.
Good Shepherd Church is located at 12920 St. Rt. 28 (1 mile west of Greenfield). For more information please call (937) 981-7112.
WIT & WISDOM
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. - Oscar Wilde
Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. – Lou Holtz
Now that I’m retired, I want to say that all defensive linemen are sissies. - Dan Fouts
ATTENTION JURORS
If you or someone you know is scheduled for jury duty in Greenfield on July 28, please pass along the following information:
The jury trial scheduled for Wednesday, July 28 in the Highland County Court, Greenfield, Ohio, has been cancelled. Due to a problem with the telephone system, jurors may not be able to access the phone number they were instructed to call (981-2130). All calls to the court are currently being handled at the main number, 981-2139, which is still working correctly. A message about the trial being cancelled can be heard when dialing that number.
Jurors summoned for the trial on July 28 will be sent a new notice if they are needed in the future.
COFFEY GROUNDS
Occasionally I write something a little longer than the usual blog entry. The latest effort to fall into this category is a discussion of trash pickup techniques at the Wheels of Progress Festival. I imagine this subject has been on your mind for years as you observed Rotarians sweeping up the streets at festival time since 1987. Or maybe not… Nevertheless, that’s the subject of the latest Coffey Grounds entry:
http://www.coffeyweb.com/coffey_grounds.html
FLING BARN
Blues fans will be glad to hear that Cheryl Renee and Them Bones will be performing at the Flilng Barn Saturday evening, July 24. Food will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. (just $5 per person), and the music starts at 8 p.m.
More info:
WHEELS OF PROGRESS
Still recovering from the warm weekend, but I have posted some pictures from the Wheels of Progress Festival on the Greenfield Rotary Club’s website. Click the link below to have a look:
http://www.greenfieldrotary.org/festival_pix.html
MHS PERFORMING ARTS FUNDRAISER
MHS Performing Arts Boosters will be having a fundraiser at Pamida this Saturday, July 24. Come out after 10 a.m., buy a hot dog for $1 and get the drink for free! Pamida is giving us 100% of proceeds! Show Choir kids and parents, get in touch with Jayne Honnold to sign up for a 2-hour work time. “We are having a bake sale as well, and will need your yummy baked goods!” Jayne says.
UNSUNG HEROES
I just voted for Chris Dodds on www.searsunsungheroes.com. Please vote and help him win!
We are trying to give our community playgrounds a facelift.
Read more about it at:
http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=4070
SOLE RECOMMENDS…
World traveler that he is, Sole Blog Reader likes this website for providing a quick look at headlines around the world. Just put your mouse on a city anywhere in the world and the newspaper headlines pop up.
Double-click and the page gets larger; you can read the entire paper on some if you click on the right place. You can spend forever here.
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Also, if you look at the European papers, the far left side of Germany will pop up as The Stars & Stripes (European edition, of course). AND, this site
changes every day with the publication of new editions of the paper.
Hope you enjoy this.
Thanks, Sole. But I want people to spend forever on MY website! Oh well. Sole also commented my photo from the festival featuring the Paint Valley Jamboree crew: “That guy in the Wheels of Progress photo on your site sitting on the far left in the white pants and salmon colored shirt looks like my twin bro!” – Sole
That guy was the master of ceremonies and did a great job… or, was it really you?
NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S “HANSEL & GRETEL”
The young in heart of all ages are enjoying the very clever adaptation of the old “Hansel and Gretel” story at Magic Waters Theatre. Producer Janny Brizius says, “I never liked this story as a child because it was way too gruesome, so when I kept getting the impression that that is the children’s show that we should do for this summer, I totally rejected it, but it just kept returning-‘Yes, Hansel & Gretel,’ the impression kept up.” A phone call from Tony Copper, playwright, confirmed it. “Janny, I’ve written the new children’s show for Magic Waters for next summer. It’s ‘HANSEL & GRETEL AND THE BOOK OF SPELLS,’ but not the traditional story--an updated fun version!”
In Tony’s version, Hansel and Gretel have escaped from the witch, and have become teenage witch-hunters! What they discover turns a neighborhood upside down!
Directed by Becca Wise, she proves that her Dad, Boonie, the Magician is not the only wizard in the family. What she has done with this crew of kids is simply magic, though she gives the parents a lot of credit for making sure the cast all know every line, every cue and every exit and exit just like old pros! Becca makes an appearance on stage, also, as the Sutherland kids’ goofy Aunt Petunia.
Folks have six more chances to experience this fun childfen’s production:July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, & August 1. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 pm and Sunday shows start at 7 pm. Admission prices are: Adult - $7.00, Child - $3.50 and Senior - $4.00.
Optional Pre-show dinners may be ordered by calling a day ahead. They are served one hour before show time, and also Boonie the Magician entertains for one hour prior to the actual show.
To ask Magic Waters to save you seats, to order dinners, or for more information call (937) 365-1388. You’ll find this unique outdoor theatre just off of US Route 50 on Cave Road (4 miles west of Bainbridge).
www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters
WIT & WISDOM
I think likable is a word you have to think about a lot. If people believe their country is in trouble, they want a captain of the lifeboat, they don't want a fraternity brother. – Newt Gingrich
Thus the metric system did not really catch on in the States, unless you count the increasing popularity of the nine-millimeter bullet. - Dave Barry
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness. - Friedrich Nietzsche
WHEELS OF PROGRESS
The festival in Greenfield is in full swing, so come downtown this weekend and enjoy the entertainment, games, food and antique vehicles. Festival time is also a great time to see friends and make new ones!
Friday evening attractions included the opening ceremony, music by Rockin Ron’, Dumbfounded and the Paint Valley Jamboree. Some of the Jamboree pickers are shown above. Saturday’s highlights include games, contests, the Rotary auction, and music by Filo Beddoe and Inside Straight. Check the Rotary website for more festival information:
http://www.greenfieldrotary.org/festival.html
LEBRON
Probably the most sensible opinion piece I’ve seen about the LeBron James decision to relocate to Miami comes from Andy Vance of the Agri Broadcasting Network.
On the subject of business and loyalty, Vance quotes his friend Scott McKain: "It's not that LeBron James wasn't loyal. It's that he chose to be loyal to something other than the organization." Continuing in that same vein, Vance added, “As McKain points out, employees are loyal to people, not to companies.”
See the entire column at:
http://www.timesgazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=382&ArticleID=174220
BIKE RIDE
The Greenfield Eagles raised $6,000 in their recent Charity Run, with 459 bikers taking part. What a great way to have fun while doing good works!
http://timesgazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=175&ArticleID=174181
HANSEL & GRETEL
“Hansel & Gretel & the Book of Spells,” the updated version of the children’s classic, is playing July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Aug. 1 at Magic Waters Theatre. In the photo here, Hansel and Gretel accuse Harriett Hagwood of witchcraft (L-R are local actors Caleb Tong, Phoebe Whittacre and Jenna Winters).
For more info, call (937) 365-1388 or visit the website at:
www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters
OIL SPILL
The world got good news this week when the new cap stopped oil from spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, after 85 days and perhaps 184 million gallons of spillage. Even better news is a report that the BP oil spill won’t end the world. No less an authority than Yahoo says so! The reasons are spelled out in an article entitled “Will human life be wiped out by a BP-induced methane eruption? No.”
Here’s a link that that article:
FASHION PLATES
Even if you hate golf, you’ve gotta love John Daly and Tom Watson, who occupy opposite ends of the fashion spectrum!
ROLLER WRITES, ILLUSTRATES BOOK
William D. Roller, McClain class of 2000, is a talented artist and I always loved his version of SNL’s Chris Farley giving a motivational speech and confessing that he lives “in a van, down by the river.” Our son Wade also graduated from MHS in 2000 and ran into Bill Roller at their 10-year class reunion this summer. Bill brought some copies of a children’s book that he wrote, illustrated and self-published called “David and the Crocodile,” and Wade and his wife Susan acquired a copy. Wade gave the book a good review and I took a look during a “work session” at their Zanesville house recently when I was supposed to be painting. I snapped the accompanying photo of the front of the book, and hope that Bill is able to get some more copies published soon. It would be nice to see it on Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble!
Wade and Susan’s house is looking pretty good too, and hopefully the last of the primer will peel off of my skin any day now!
LAST CALL FOR C.A.M.P.!
C.A.M.P. (Constructing Assured & Motivated People) is a highly acclaimed program for Middle School through High School youth. The program has received awards of merit from Parents Magazine, Successful Meetings magazine, from the Governor of Ohio, and the President of the United States -- just to mention a few!
Directed since its inception in 1956 by Janny and Boonie Brizius, the camp is celebrating its 55th camp session during the week of their regular camp session, August 1-7, 2010.
At press time there are still some openings for this unique motivational camping program. A call to Janny or Boonie at (937) 365-1388 or to Dave and Tina Brizius at (614) 475-0740 will answer many questions about C.A.M.P., but a visit to their web page might be better, as you can read all about it and actually sign up right there online.
GREASY GOOD GUITAR
Never heard of Peter Parcek until a recent article in Guitar Player magazine. The guy’s a pretty amazing player in the roots music/blues vein! I heard chicken-pickin’, lightning-fast licks, greasy blues bends and even some psychedelia! Some sample tunes from his album, The Mathematics of Love, are posted on his myspace page; I’ll have to ask John Baal about the math.
http://www.myspace.com/peterparcekband
MATH QUOTES
As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality. – Albert Einstein
Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty -- a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture. - Bertrand Russell
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. - Albert Einstein
Yes, we have to divide up our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever. - Albert Einstein
There is still a difference between something and nothing, but it is purely geometrical and there is nothing behind the geometry. - Martin Gardner
In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them. - Johann von Neumann
We used to think that if we knew one, we knew two, because one and one are two. We are finding that we must learn a great deal more about “and”. - Sir Arthur Eddington
FARMERS MARKET
The Greenfield Farmers Market hours have been changed. Until further notice, the Wednesday get-togethers at the Pamida parking lot will take place from 3-6 p.m.
HERE COME THE KIDS AND FUN!
Starting July 16, the youngsters take to the MAGIC WATERS THEATRE STAGE with “HANSEL & GRETEL & THE BOOK OF SPELLS.”
Indeed, not the Hansel and Gretel many of you knew as children, but a special updated version written by Tony Copper especially for the Magic Waters Theatre stage. In this play, Hansel and Gretel have escaped from the witch, and are now teenage witch hunters. There are many wonderful aspiring young actors and actresses getting a chance to turn their dreams into reality in this fun presentation at Magic Waters. The production also features some talented adult players.
Dates of the production are: July 16,17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Aug. 1. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows start at 7 p.m. Most parents will want to bring their children earlier, though, as Boonie the Magician entertains with his special brand of kiddie magic for nearly an hour before show time. Actually, folks of all ages will enjoy this delightful play and also the magic!
Admission is adult, $7.00, child, $3.50, and seniors, $4.00.
For more information about the Hansel & Gretel show, to make theatre reservations, or to order pre-show dinners, call (937) 365-1388.
www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters
THE MAN BEHIND THE SOUND
Jay Martin “Pokey” Post is providing the sound system for both stages again at this year’s Wheels of Progress Festival. Pokey has been a staple at the festival for several years now and brings a wealth of equipment and knowledge to help showcase the bands, performers and speakers. Thanks to Pokey and his staff!
KERRY JEAN
Nice article about Kerry Jean Friend in the Highland County Press. Glad to see she’s recovering from her bout with a life-threatening illness.
http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubsectionID=73&ArticleID=4023
THE ZEUCHS
Remember Scott and Amy Zeuch? They taught in the Greenfield Schools in the mid to late 1990s, then moved out of the area. Eventually their passion for the Indian people has taken them to India, where Scott teaches music at an international school and both he and Amy are involved in humanitarian activities. They were in Greenfield Sunday evening to see old friends and tell about their adventures, along with their growing family consisting of sons Micah and Jesse and new daughter Selah. Upon seeing me, Amy commented, “Thanks for the name,” meaning my suggestion that Selah would make a great name for a daughter. You see, Amy was choir director at our church and both Scott and Amy are great musicians. If you read through the book of Psalms, there are frequent references to “Selah,” which can indicate a point to stop and reflect, or a musical interlude. Amy’s got a great memory, because Selah was just born this year and it’s been a good 10 or 11 years since my suggestion. Anyway, I got to hold Selah for a while, and she is a cute little princess.
Here’s how the family looks these days:
LEBRON FALLOUT
All the hype has stirred a lot of emotions. Perhaps we’re nearing the end of the insanity, now that Jesse Jackson has come forward to add his two cents:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AieJvmue.h8RuyodIAVqMkg5nYcB?slug=ap-gilbert-jessejackson
TEST YOUR SMARTS
Sole Blog Reader recommends this test of your “Dining out in the world” smarts. After a slow start, I got a little better, but would only pass if graded on the curve.
http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf
WISDOM
I’ll close tonight with some quotes from Mother Teresa, the saintly lady that Amy Zuech got to meet during her first trip to India:
If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. – Mother Teresa
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa
Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own. - Mother Teresa
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. - Mother Teresa
OLD ROCK PIX
John Countryman enjoyed the old rock & roll photos posted on my photos page and sent the following note:
Ron, Thank you for the photos. Sure brought back a lot of memories of the 60's. If I'm not mistaken I think the Nightcrawlers also played at the Sugar Shack. Those were some good years for local rock n roll. – John Countryman
John, I remember seeing the Nightcrawlers, but I think I saw them with the Standells (of “Dirty Water” fame) at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Doesn’t mean they weren’t at the Sugar Shack at some point as well! It was nice to have some big-name acts at southern Ohio venues back in the day.
If anyone has old photos along the lines of those posted, if you can send me a scan I’ll add them to the collection!
PARTY WITH THE PAINTS!
Speaking of rock & roll, Dumbfounded will “party with the Paints” Saturday evening, July 10 after the game vs. the Slippery Rock Sliders. Game time is 7:05 p.m. and the first 500 adults (21+) will receive a Budweiser keychain.
Come on down!
http://www.chillicothepaints.com/
LEBRON JAMES
Cleveland fans are gnashing their teeth following LeBron’s announcement that he’s taking his basketball talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat. I wish LeBron well, but would have to smile if the Cavaliers somehow put together a championship effort without him!
ORACLE OCTOPUS
If only NBA fans had asked Paul the “Oracle Octopus,” the LeBron James drama may have ended long ago. The octopus, who resides in a German aquarium, has become an international sensation due to his ability to predict the outcome of World Cup soccer games. Now, in the aftermath of Germany’s loss to Spain (as predicted by the Paul), the octopus’ life is being threatened. It’s not easy being an oracle!
NEW PHOTOS PAGE – ROCK & ROLL ARCHIVES!
Dear friends: Hope you enjoy the pictures on the photos page. They were copied from a friend of a Facebook friend who has an extensive collection of probably 300-plus photos and other memorabilia from the area rock & roll scene in the 1960s. If you remember going to the Sugar Shack (Chillicothe) or Ater’s Lake (Ross County) or seeing some of the local bands that played or passed through the area, hopefully these photos will revive some memories from those long-ago days.
A few of the photos or ads that were especially interesting to me included:
- An ad for The Dead End featuring Ralph May, vocalist, at Ater’s Lake. I played in Ralph’s band for a time back then and am pretty sure I played at least once at Ater’s Lake, when the fog along SR 138 was incredibly thick.
- Some ads and photos of The Brud, a rock band populated for a time by Scott Cossu of Greenfield.
- A photo of the band Swiss Navy, among whose members was Craig Fuller, who later achieved some rock stardom in the bands Pure Prairie League and Little Feat.
- An ad for the Paint Valley Jamboree featuring the “modern sounds” of the Morlocks as well as the traditional country music that has been the hallmark of the PV Jamboree for years.
- An ad for the Paxton Teen Center, which apparently was part of the Paxton Theater for a time during those turbulent 1960s years.
- My favorite photo unearthed in this process was of the Byrds performing at the Sugar Shack in Chillicothe. You see, I was there at that concert and the back of my head may be in some of the pictures I found online. The main memories I have of the show was that the Byrds’ performance was pretty brief, and that singer/guitarist David Crosby had an STP sticker prominently featured on his guitar. I too had an STP sticker on the Volkswagen I used to drive, but I think his STP was a was slang term applied to the long-lasting psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine, also known as DOM (as described by Wikipedia). And so, if you can imagine the back of my head in 1967 – my hair was a lot darker then and pretty short – you may be able to spot me somewhere in the crowd of the Byrds photos.
Thanks to Ed Schmidt for posting the link to photos taken, collected and posted by David J. Coyle!
Also included are some pictures from George Smith and my own photo archives. Hope you enjoy!
SKATE PARK ROLLS TO JULY
Pepis has rolled the Greenfield Skate Board Park project over into July, giving voters another chance to get outside help in raising funding for the project. According to a report on Larry Chapman’s website, Greenfield was in seventh or eighth place for much of the voting but slipped to 12th and so missed out on the June funding. He advised everyone to keep voting and spread the word. For more, visit Chapman’s website at:
http://www.greenfield-ohio.com/
To vote:
www.refresheverything.com/greenfieldohioskatepark
DIVORCE LAWYERS LIKE FACEBOOK
Everywhere one visits online leaves a trail. Divorce lawyers like that! Do you know the top source of online evidence in marital litigation? Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are making it easier to gain incriminating evidence. Here's a story:
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=12722850
SCOTT COSSU INTERVIEW
The former Greenfielder and my onetime bandmate is writing new material and planning to record soon, according to his Facebook page, which contained this link to an interview:
http://www.smoothjazznow.com/interview_scott_cossu.htm
MAUSOLEUM INFO REQUESTED
The City of Greenfield is attempting to contact relatives of people interred at the mausoleum in the Greenfield Cemetery. The condition of the mausoleum is deteriorating, and at some point something will have to be done with the building.
The following names were provided, along with dates of birth and death. If anyone seeing this is a relative or knows how a relative can be contacted, they are asked to call the city offices at (937) 981-3500.
To view the list, click HERE.
THE MACHINE
If you were a baseball fan in 1975, when the Cincinnati Reds dominated the National League and then edged the Boston Red Sox in what many still consider the best World Series ever, I suspect you will greatly enjoy reading “The Machine” by Joe Posnanski. I just finished the book Wednesday evening, and it was a real treat for me to re-live that season when the Reds finally confirmed their greatness after some near-misses in the early 1970s.
This was the team of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez, the mega-stars of a star-studded squad managed by the incomparable George “Sparky” Anderson. In 1975 I was on the road a lot, working for newspapers in Leesburg, Lynchburg and New Holland. During that 80-plus-mile roundtrip beginning and ending at the newspaper office in Greenfield, I listened to a lot of Reds games on the radio, and when the games weren’t on I fired up my trusty eight-track tape player. Even then, the world was changing at a rapid pace and most fans realized that this team was indeed a rare collection of talent. After winning consecutive World Series, the “Big Red Machine” earned its way into the discussion as possibly the best team ever.
My wife and I got to attend our one and only World Series game that year (Game 3, the “Ed Armbrister game”) and we watched the others on TV even though the announcers Curt Gowdy and Joe Garagiola seemed to have a huge bias towards Boston. (Later, I was able to understand the mentality when I realized that it had only been 35 years since the Reds had won a World Series in 1940. Boston had not accomplished the feat since 1918, when Babe Ruth was a member of the team; the Sox finally got rings again in 2004.)
Back in 1975, I never heard a member of the Reds utter a coarse remark, let alone cuss a blue streak – but that kind of stuff didn’t make the airwaves and rarely appeared in print. “The Machine” portrays the Reds as they really were, warts and all, so don’t blame me if the language is sometimes offensive or if your favorite has been removed from his pedestal. I really enjoyed this easy-reading book that captures much of the magic of that season when the Reds knew they were the best team in baseball but still had to prove it to the rest of the world. Even those who would disagree might concede that they were the most entertaining.
Interestingly, the Reds on May 17, 1975 had a record of only 18-19, and then they caught fire. I hope the 2010 Reds can keep up their recent hot streak and produce a memorable season as well.
More about the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Legendary-Season-Heart-stopping-Cincinnati/dp/0061582565
The Series:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_World_Series
BASEBALL QUOTES
Tied. - Bill "Spaceman" Lee, when asked after Game 2 to describe the 1975 World Series to that point.
Many people don't know what DH stands for. It stands for dumb as hell. – Marty Brennaman
I get a kick out of people saying they are going to break my record. Guess what. Nobody’s breaking that record. The first three thousand hits are easy. Baseball’s an easy game to play when you’re 100 percent. But try getting those hits when you’re old, when you bat’s slow, when your back hurts. Hell, it was easy in ’75. I was young. We were all young. – Pete Rose
