Thinking Out Loud

Say a Prayer for the Pie Lady

Phyllis and Sam Rush are two of the hardest working, honest and straight-up people I know. They farm and do other good things in rurual Miller County with their children and extended family. Yesterday Phyllis delivered six apple pies to our office, part of the long standing Pie Fundraiser for her church, Eldon First Church of the Nazarene.

After she delivered the pies she went to a dentist appointment in Jefferson City and returned home to drive the school bus. When she and Sam would make appointments we'd have to schedule around this important part of her day.

Yesterday afternoon Phyllis suffered a heart attack and died while driving the bus. No kids were injured. I think she passed away doing something she liked to do, and she is relieved that the children are safe.

Don't know what to make of this. Just passing it on. This year, there will some melancholy served up with the wonderful pies. Phyllis would tell you to add some ice cream and appreciate the moment.

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.

 

 

Goodbye to an Imaginary Friend

We have used Quality Cleaners on Leslie Boulevard for many years.It's a Saturday morning ritual. Mary Ellen, the nice lady on duty, presides over the front desk. There are no cleaning operations going on. It's very peaceful. 

As I leave the store, a male voice always says, "Thank You." I know the owner. I presumed he was in the back room doing books, there to help Mary Ellen if necessary. I always said, "You're welcome," loud enough so he could hear it in back. Truly a Mayberry RFD moment.

Last week I realized there is no one there on Saturdays except Mary Ellen. The "Thank You" was generated by the cash register every time Mary Ellen entered a transaction. 

I still enjoy going by Quality Cleaners every Saturday. It's still a Mayberry RFD experience even if my Imaginary Friend is no longer there. I do wonder what Mary Ellen thought about me talking back to the cash register all those years. 

 

A Little Piece of Heaven In California MO

Learned last week that most Friday afternoons a few friends get together at "The Sweet Buy and Buy" antique/flea market store in California, Missouri, to play a few tunes. It was a nice break from law business at the Moniteau County Courthouse just three blocks away. They joked between songs about what key one of them thought they were in. 

I suspect these folks have burdens to carry like us all. But they've carved out a little piece of heaven very close to home.  

 

Bike/Ped Bridge Will Open NEXT Friday

What if someone said, "Let's leverage federal dollars that would otherwise go somewhere else, extend our greenway system with parks dollars and raise the rest from private contributors to connect the most beautiful Capitol in the United States with the most popular outdoor tourist amenity in Missouri . . ."

What would you say?

Well, several years ago some people with a vision said "Yes" to connecting the Katy Trail to Jefferson City with a bike/bed walkway, complete with overlook stations high above the Mighty Missouri. 

Friday morning at 10:30 join us at Noren Access NEXT FRIDAY 4-8  (north side of the river) to celebrate The Vision. 

 

 

Important Message from Moniteau County Missouri

Occasionally you find a treasure as you drive through small towns. This one is located on the front lawn of the County Courthouse in Moniteau County, Missouri.

Mission Accomplished: Waveland Trailer Returns

When Katrina hit in 2006, Jefferson City responded. Based on an affiliation with the Catholic parish in Waveland, various local efforts were directed to that town and St. Clare Parish. You can see a diary of their courage on the web.

Last week, Ron Medin and friends brought back a trailer donated by Playmor Trailers (the Willibrand family) that served the parish and community well. The trailer was used initially for showers and beds. Eventually it became the church office while they dug out of the destruction. They're ready to move into more permanent quarters and the trailer is now back home, possibly to be used for other relief efforts closer to home. 

It's a testament to Waveland, and to Jefferson City. Check out My Parking Lot for some pics of the trailer "on location" and the new church building. I like the sign.

 

Kolb & Rollins: Statewide Recognition For JCMO Project

Wednesday two local gentlemen will receive statewide recognition for their local redevelopment project. Larry Kolb and Steve Rollins will join just a handful of other honorees at the Rotunda at 11:30 to accept a Preservation Honor Award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation for their work on Dunklin Street.

Here's the takeway: Preservation must make economic sense and engage developers who have the skill sets to make it work. And it helps to have a community that's ready to step up to the plate.

Update on MO River bike/ped project @JCMO

Two months ago MODOT supervisor Chuck Sullivan gave an update on the progress of the bike/ped attachment to the Missouri River Bridge at Jefferson City -- shown second below.  Chuck's video covers the tower on the north side to connect with the Noren Access. Last week I caught the progress on the south side.  Looks like things are moving ahead nicely. They're talking about an early April dedication, but the traffic may start sooner.

 

          

Visit the Virtual Viet Nam Wall

If you knew anyone who did not come home from Viet Nam, you can find them at The Virtual Wall. The heroes are organized by their home town and each is assigned his or her own memorial page. Here is the list from Jefferson City.

 

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI:
SGT JOHN ROBERT BAMVAKAIS Jr	CPL VICTOR PAUL CASSMEYER Jr	CPT CHARLES WILLIAM CHANDLER
LCPL DALE LEE CLARK	CAPT ROBERT DEAN DAVENPORT	PFC MICHAEL RICHARD FORCK
CPL ROBERT JOHN HARRIS	CAPT CLARENCE JOSEPH HEMMEL	SGT JEFFREY LYNN HICKS
CAPT EUGENE PHILLIP Mc KINNEY	SP4 LARRY DEAN SMITH	1LT RONALD WINSTON THOMPKINS
1LT RUSSEL EARL VORIS