Thinking Out Loud

A simple message from a Gentle Soul.

At daycare they used to call son David a "gentle soul." Larry Horstdaniel, the Madison Street barber and sage, is a much older version of the same personality type. He's been at his present location for 48 years, and at another downtown location for 16 years before that.

Larry's wife, Barbara, passed away recently after several months of decline following a stroke. Larry's simple message on the shop door let his customers know.

I can't imagine how heavy his heart was as he wrote those few words to let his clients know why the barber pole was not rotating that day.

Godspeed, Larry.

 

 

 

New Vitae Foundation leader - Only its second.

You're not supposed to toot your own family's horn on a semi-public weblog, but today we will make an exception. In an announcement today the Vitae Foundation revealed the successor to my brother Carl, the fellow who organized the effort 25 years ago. I love the origins: a BBQ in Don and Ruth Ann Schnieders' back yard. 

Vitae has taken a very contentious and emotional issue and approaches it from a personal perspective. It's all about options (aka "choice") -- letting the real decision makers (moms and dads, not just politicians) understand that there is a lot at stake and they can choose life if they want. The media messages are "in your heart' and not "in your face." They're on the Mizzou and Cardinals sports networks, and their presence has become international. Brought to you loud and clear from good old JCMO.

Carl will remain active at Vitae. Wife Carolyn will want him out of the house once in a while.

Best wishes, Carl. Your best efforts may still be coming! And Pat Castle sounds like a great choice to fill some shoes. Sounds like they'll be Adidas and not Florsheims.

 

 

Ed's New Venture in Communications

Friend Ed Stroesser is a partner at Communique, a premier communications, media and public relations firm in Jefferson City. Yesterday Ed was one of eighteen "permanent deacons" (i.e., ok to be married; not planning on becoming a priest) ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City. This morning Ed celebrated his first Mass as a deacon at his home parish -- Immaculate Conception. Pastor Msgr. David Cox (right) is shown with Ed.

Having become proficient with human communications, Ed hopes to expand his scope to include the divine. 

We suspect he'll do a great job at that too. Best wishes.

Make a positive out of a negative.

Last night some sorry souls toppled the statue of the Blessed Virgin at Helias, a gift from the Vanderfeltz Family, Leon and Rita Mae in particular.

Let's focus on foregiveness and repair. Send a small donation to Helias High School  % the Statue Repair Fund.

Spend a moment thinking about foregiveness. It will help you deal with this event, and others like it. 

Missouri Wine: Peter Hofherr Tells All

Peter Hofherr is chairman of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board and vintner at St. James Winery. Here is everything you want to know about Missouri wines: past, present and future. 

 

Five Lessons from a Torn Meniscus

Wednesday Jonathan Craighead at JCMG did a nice job repairing my knee.

That experience, plus several days of convalescence, prompts me to add five elements to my list of Fundamental Truths.

1.  Excellent health care is something our community should not take for granted.

    With JCMG, St. Mary's and Capital Region at our doorsteps we have access to an exceptional array of healthcare. If they can't help you, call me for some estate planning. 

2.  Nurses and legal assistants (& others like them) make the world work.

    Docs are the quarterbacks but nurses hold your hands, find the veins and watch for the nuances. Our staff at CVDL kept me in touch with clients and took care of the paper flow. All reminders about people on whom we rely all the time.    

3.  Slowing down is ok; exception.

    Could not get the mail, cut the lawn or put away the outdoor lawn furniture. They will all wait. Everything moves slower with a cane. You see more that way. (Except BMs. Have to keep them moving after anesthetic and pain meds.)

4.  You can do without TV for a week, or for the rest of your life.

    Read a great Lee Child novel and watched an entire Wagner opera, a gift from Anne-Marie Sippel, our recent law intern from Germany. Looked through our book and CD collection and decided I could get along just fine without any news channels or current entertainment on the tube for the next ten years or so. Checked Twitter twice a day to make sure the Canadians had not invaded Detroit.

5.  People are very kind when you're having a little trouble.

    If you let people know what's going on in your life most of them are supportive and patient. American males of German descent might want to open up a little more with friends, families and clients. Our little dog Colby knew I was laid up and stayed close by my side. Humans have the same instincts way down deep.

Charles Palmer Is Blazing Old Trails

There are tons of books on Lewis and Clark, and during the bicentennial celebration we learned a lot about the Expedition. Charles Palmer has been a strong supporter of local efforts and he's a docent at the Trailhead Memorial in Jefferson City. But he's taken his mission to a new level. His handy publication, "Follow the Lewis & Clark Trail in Missouri" follows the expedition trail through present day settings through Missouri. It's both historical and modern, with local folklore, photos and directions for obscure sites you'd never be able to find without his help. It's spiral bound to sit on your dashboard all the way from Bird's Point to White Cloud. Mine will have an honored place in my bedside reading library.

Charles will be signing his books at Downtown Book and Toy in Jefferson City Thursday at 11:00. You can order through Book & Toy, or post a Comment and I will get you connected. 

Dingani Beza: Dreams and Reality

Dingani Beza is an accomplished actor from Jefferson City. He returns occasionally for local plays, adding to our strong talent pool. His next appearance will be with the Capital City Players production of Superior Donuts starting July 13. The co-star is another interesting fellow, Tom Durkin. Call 573-681-9012 for tickets.

Dingani posted the note shown below on Facebook recently. It's pretty inspiring. He said it was OK to pass it on to Highstreetbeat followers.  

 

 

 

My grandfather worked in mines in South Africa...with the hopes of one day making enough money to pay for a decent education for my father. They lived in a small village in northern Malawi, Africa, called Ethuleni. My mother shared a story with me today how my father, as a little boy, walked with his grandfather, for two days to the post office to pick up a package his father had sent him from South Africa. In that package was a single notepad and pen. My father was the only one in the whole village with a notepad and pen. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in America....and when he returned to Malawi....the story goes that my grandfather met him over 10 miles outside the village, wearing a white DR coat and carrying a staff....well, my grandfather marched in front of my father’s S.U.V.....it took all day as the truck crept along at 5mph while my grandfather nodded to passersby....proud of his son. 

Upon retiring as a college professor, and accomplishing more than I could possibly write in this post, my father became a member of Parliament for the Republic of Malawi. He passed away in 2009. This year Lincoln University decided to name the International student center after my father. 

And you all wonder where I learned to dream.

My assessment: There are dreamers, and there are people to turn dreams into reality. This father and son are in the latter category.

 

 

Kehoe Flapjack Tour Could Expand

Senator and friend Mike Kehoe has done a great job of getting around his newly configured district to listen to the folks. He serves pancakes and coffee at various locations, most recently here at McClung Park. He has continued his tradition of passing out handy culinary untensils. Last year the spatula. This year the measuring cup. And they're actually pretty handy. Much better than the lip balm he was dishing out during the campaign.

Word is that Mike may some day aspire to higher office. I hope he does. He'll do a good job. This may be more than a rumor. I saw a few of these in his trunk, ready for the next campaign. Sign me up.

Trollies @JCMO: It feels good just saying the word.

Some words are fun just to say. Lollypop. Grand Slam. Picnic.

"Trolley" is one of those.

Trollies are alive and well @JCMO. Decades after the disappearance of the rails and cables, Michael and Donna Deetz have revived the amenity with rubber tired versions and their new company. Mega Fun. 

Here's the old version at the corner of High and Monroe.

And the current version.