10th anniversary reunion

On Saturday, June 10, Paula and I stepped into the Falls Art Center on the Front Street Mall to view the bonsai exhibit during a break in Irish-American Festival musical performances. Only 18 days short of the 10-year anniversary of my retirement from the Beacon Journal, we ran into Art Krummel, retired as chief artist of the BJ, who had several of his bonsai efforts in the exhibit. Also Art's wife, Charlene Nevada, another BJ newsroom retiree; Bonnie Bolden, fellow West Virginia University School of Journalism graduate; and her husband, Bruce Winges. Bonnie and Bruce still show up at the BJ. What a surprising and joyous reunion!

Art handed me his calling card, which includes a miniature version of his painting of Point of Rocks, on the south end of Crescent Beach on Siesta Key, off Sarasota. BJ printers and others, such as Art and Charlene, vacationed for years at Poor Bill's, a rental that is maybe 100 feet from Crescent Beach and a view of Point of Rocks. Former BJ printer Bob Lewis, who stayed at the late BJ printer Bill Gorrell's place for many years, later purchased a home within 300 feet of Poor Bill's that Bob rented out and used himself when there was no one renting it.

Paula and I stayed at Sea Castle, on the beach and across the parking lot from Gorrell's former rental, in April. My late wife Monia and I spent a month at Sea Castle every February for five winters.

Art's miniature Point of Rocks brought back good memories. And the chance reunion gave me a chance to catch up on BJ folks and doings. A certain Canadian also was mentioned.