Well, the party’s over… and all went well.
I’m talking about the big 50th birthday party that was held at the Ansonia American Legion this past Saturday afternoon for my son, Jamie.
I can’t thank Gaylen Blosser, co-owner of My County Link, and Jim Kammer of the Ansonia Ansonia Legion for planning this celebration for my son, and to Ansonia Legion Commander Jennifer Anthony for the part she played in the celebration.
I didn’t count heads, nor did I offer a guest list, but Jamie was happy with the turnout and, as always, he was satisfied just to be around family and friends, even if it was the day before his actual birthday. He received a number of gifts and numerous cards offering well-wishes on his birthday.
Two things really cheered him up. Jamie, who is a big fan of wrestler Hulk Hogan who died July 24, was surprised when one of the gifts was a shirt featuring the famed wrestler given to him by Ansonia Mayor Ted Atkins and his wife Stephanie. And, just as we thought we were going to leave after all the birthday guests had gone, Jamie and I were asked if we could stick around for 15 minutes. We did.
And, lo and behold, someone who very much resembles the famous wrestler walked in the door behind the bar and shocked my son. It was Kris Shelley of Greenville, who has been known to dress in Hogan’s attire,
Apparently, someone who works with Shelley phoned him from the birthday party venue as he was getting off work and told him about the party for Jamie. I understood that Kris wanted to come to the party anyway, so he went home, cleaned up, changed clothes and made his way to Ansonia on his motorcycle.
That’s all Jamie needed to see on this special day.
You see, several years ago at the Darke County Fair, Jamie and I were in the gazebo area when Jamie saw Kris walking through the crowd. Jamie couldn’t believe what he was seeing and walked up to him and they became “friends.” I even took a photo of the both of them doing the “mega power handshake.”
Jamie didn’t talk about anything else other than that for a few days. He was amazed. I asked Kris at the party Saturday if he remembered that and he did. I am sure that’s why he wanted to make sure he got to the party. I know Jamie was a happy camper.
Like I’ve always said, Jamie is happy being with his friends and family on his special day. I want to thank the many people who wished him a happy birthday on Facebook throughout this past week, those who sent cards to him in the mail and those who attended the party.
Jamie said he was thankful for everyone who was there for him and for loving him.
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of: Dave Shook, Robert Jessup and Ruth Stammen.
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Please pray for Gary Knick, Kierra Reichert, Terri Baker Buteau, Judy York, Roxie Thornhill, Sharon Miller, Allen Whittaker, Mike Hopkins, Don Rhoades, Jason Bowers, Dave Brewer, Clarence “Sam” Wilker, Chuck Cruze, Roan Brubaker, Vic Bothast, Tom Brewer, Todd Anderson, Dawn Dilworth, Carol Schuh, Sunni Jones, Eddie Anjos, Gloria Hodge, Ralph Byrd, Jeff Brocious, Norma Kretschmar, Beth Davis, Terry Overbay, Michelle Young, Terry “T.A.” Anthony, Jason Kelch, Katie Cothran, Lynne Bruner Hinshaw, Tom Everhart, Donn Thornhill, Carissa Rodriguez, Kevin Christman, Ivan Christian, Roger Fleckenstein, Bob Jackson, Penny Hopkins, Sherry Lawrence, Evelyn Manning, Becky Shultz, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker, Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly, Robert Christman, Bob Christian, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Ken Wombold, Dan Lockhart, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz, DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Bridget Brown, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Judy Collins, Linda Gasper, Carol Hemmerich, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Nikole Baldridge, Mark Lovejoy, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:
Oct. 21 to Doug Amspaugh, Trudy Hileman, Randy Christian, Dave Brewer, Bevery McCabe Baker, Tim Tyo, Barbara Heindl, Rachel Wellman and Emily Sturgill.
Oct. 22 to Amanda Gibboney, Rose Stegall, Romie Kremer, Tina Kiser Deaton, Eddie Cline, Michelle Leugers and Rita McCans.
Oct. 23 to Gary Francis, Renea McCleskey and Heidi George.
Oct. 24 to Ron Cox, Gary L. Jenkinson, Marty Davis and Breena Hall Sanders.
Oct. 25 to Lois Hittle, Vic Rifenberg, Kami Shinn, Mark Phlipot, Jim Brewer, Jason Newbauer, Diane Keller, Danette Fitzgerald, Stanley Cox, Kali Wilcutt and Hillary Holzapfel.
Oct. 26 to Karen Price, John Hathaway, Jeff Zumbrun, Russell Rex, Sue Leugers, Tracy Post, Melissa Nicholson and Katherine Obringer.
Oct. 27 to Rusty Maloy, Dianna Bang, Ben Barnt, Tim Robertson, Tammy Arnett and Ann Mills Moore.
Happy anniversary to: Ed and Vicki Ruhe on Oct. 21; Gene and Cheryl Clouse, Doug and Carla Cothran, Drew and Roxanne Meadows and Mike and Rose Stegall, all on Oct. 22; Dan and Tara George on Oct. 23; Sheila and Dan Lenker on Oct 24; and Jeff and Candy Stump on Oct. 25.
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Think about it: “It says a lot about your character whether you lament a lost chance to do good or to be bad. ”– Author Unknown
