Ramblings from BJ Lunch

Carl Nelson, Dick Latshaw and Tom Moore

Dave Boerner, Bob Craiglow, Al Hunsicker and Gene McClellan

By Tom Moore

Two old faces showed at the retiree luncheon this month along with one guy who showed up for the first time.

Old timers are Dave Boerner and Dick Latshaw. New is Bob Craiglow who worked in accounting. He retired in 1999.

And of course a few of those who rarely miss a luncheon.

Once again, a great time was had by all, trying to recall folks we worked with at the Beacon Journal. Of course, as we grow older, some names escape us until we “play 20 questions” and somebody comes up with the right answer.

Speaking of old timers, Tom Moore told about a party he attended Saturday night at Karen Lefton's in Copley.

He and his wife found folks he'd worked with over the years and had not seen for a long time.

Among them, Colleen Murphy and her husband Bob Tigelman, Sarah Vradenburg, Betsy Lammersding, Jane Snow, David and Beth Hertz , Dave Adams and Don Roese.

There were others, didn't take notes (too busy visiting and recalling old times) and, of course, that old memory could be slipping a bit.

One of the big topics among the crowd, their trips overseas and the adventures they had. It's sure great to see the folks having fun and enjoying life after the life they've devoted to the Old Beacon Journal.

Don Roese said he had lunch the other day with former BJ photographer Tom Marvin. He also said he'd love the make another trip to Alaska. He usually spends a couple of months driving around and seeing the sights. But for now, he's involved with an organization that makes sure the homeless get some food. (Peter Maurin Cendter) Yes, Akron does have homeless, but you'd never know it the way the media ignores it. Guess they think if there's no publicity, it'll go away.

But back to the retiree luncheon.

Dick is visiting his 94-year-old mother who still lives here. He's now in North Carolina. He says she “still gives me hell.”

Bob, who lives in the Cleveland area keeps busy helping AARP members with their income taxes. It's supposed to be for those low-income folks, but he says you'd be surprised at the number of “rich” folks who try to use the free service (maybe that's why they're rich.)

Don't know what brought it on, but Carl Nelson came up with an old Army story. (Course you don't need a reason to bring up anything.)

Seems his company had been on two-week maneuvers and they were packed like sardine in the back of a covered truck and it was hard to breath. Carl solved that problem by cutting a hole in the canvas top and sticking his nose thru it. (He's always been a resource sort).