Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Lucky laughing 'leven lunch


Rosetta Blanton brought friends and laughter to Wednesday’s monthly BJ retirees lunch at Papa Joe’s.

It was Rosetta’s first appearance since her husband, Watson Blanton, a BJ engraver for 22 years, died March 25, 2009 after 53 years of marriage. Accompanying Rosetta were Lonnie Thomas, long the
driver/friend for the Watsons’ appearances at Papa Joe’s monthly lunches; Lonnie’s wife, Sharon; and Rosetta’s foster cousin, Michael Goop.

That burgeoned the attendance to 11, the largest number since the July 9, 2008 Sandy Levenson/Bob Pell memorial lunch drew 23. It was a stark contrast to the February lunch, when only engraving’s Pat Dougherty and composing’s Gene McClellan braved a Northeast Ohio snowstorm.

The BJ’s Rosetta, instead of uncovering the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, unleashed a torrent of laughter.

The second-Wednesday 1 p.m. monthly gathering hasn’t had that much joy splashed around the tables in a long time.

Others enjoying the special camaraderie were McClellan, fellow retired printers Al Hunsicker, Cal Deshong and Carl Nelson and newsroom retirees Tom Moore, Harry Liggett and John Olesky. That's laughing Al (left) and Gene (right) in the photo you see.

Click on the headline to see photos of the laughing ‘leven.

Click on obituary to see Blanton’s death notice.

Click on Cub Scouts to see 2009 blog item about Blanton being honored for his Navy service.

Click on 50th anniversary to see the Blantons’ golden anniversary story and photo.

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