Note from sunny FL to snowy OH

By John Olesky (BJ 1969-96)
Well, it was the second Wednesday of the month and 1 p.m., which is when Beacon Journal retirees gather to chat and laugh at Papa Joe's in Akron. But it was Sea Castle on Siesta Key, off Sarasota, FL. Just call it Papa Joe's South.

Former BJ printer Terry Dray and wife Cecily and former BJ newsroom rewrite man extraordinaire Don Bandy gathered on the beachfront deck of former BJ Television Editor John Olesky and former State Desk reporter Paula Tucker while their counterparts were at Papa Joe's. As usual, there were tales of the "good old days" at the BJ, when quality and accuracy mattered and it was fun to show up for work every day.

Terry and Cecily live in Avon Park, FL, 80 miles northeast of Sarasota.. Terry plays golf every day of the week at a nearby course. Cecily joins him a couple of days a week. Don bought a condo last May in Bradenton, 15 miles from Sarasota. Don lives in the same complex with his sister. Their brother and sister-in-law live in Naples, FL, 130 miles south of Bradenton.

After chatting and laughing on the beachfront deck -- retirees tend to do that more than those still dealing with the Knight-Ridder sale to McClatchy and the McClatchy sale to Black Press of Canada -- the BJ conclave headed to Captain Curt's Oyster Bar for food and more conversation. And a good time was had by all.

[Blogger Note: Not too many waded through more than a foot of snow to go to Papa Joe's]