Tuesday, May 22, 2007

BABIES AND GRANDBABIES

A short update on Meemaw's three grand babies and her youngest child. We have surely been busy with all this activity, and a lot more to come, I'm sure.

Austin, the 13 year old, went back to have his sutures removed from his SECOND surgery the other day and after taking only a couple out, fluid start gushing again (not as yellow) and the entire wound laid itself back open. It hadn't healed a bit. The Doctor said he doesn't know what is going on, so Austin gets to go to a specialist (again) on Thursday. He was so looking forward to getting those sutures out for swimming, and all the other things a thirteen year old would want to do.

Collin, my six year old grandson, is recovering nicely from his tethered spinal cord surgery. He has finally regained control of his bladder; but still suffers from migraines every once in a while and his legs still bother him. The Doctors say the migraines are originating from where the spinal cord had his cerebellum pulled back and it's gradually moving back into place. His legs may always have symptoms of hurting. Poor little fellow. Gee. It could always be worse though, couldn't it. I'm thankful.

Aiden, Meemaw's Angel, is totally recovered now from his tonsillectomy. What a tough little fellow at three years of age. He got stung at our family reunion in the corner of his eye by a yellow jacket last year. Most kids would have had a meltdown right there (he was two at the time), but not Aiden. He simply shook his head a couple of times, smacked the corner of his eye, and off he went. A Boyd County police officer related to me told me "now, that is one tough little boy". Amen.

Crystal has gotten more bad news about this "Graves Disease" she has been diagnosed with. Evidently, her left eye has now swollen and she has already suffered loss of vision. We had three options in the beginning -- trying experimental drugs; using some type of radiation to kill the thyroid; or take the thyroid out. She started the medication a month ago; now it looks like we have to make an "immediate" decision as to which of the other two opportunities she HAS to explore. This child just doesn't seem to be able to catch a break.

Anyways, I write all of this in order to thank and let know those who have sent me or phoned me with inquiring questions, and their prayers. It also will explain why I will be extremely busy in the days and months to come, because of my family obligations and not updating my blog as regularly as I try to.

Peace, New Albany.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Harry Anson

Our community has lost a wonderful person, Harry Anson.

Over the years, I came to know Harry and worked with him closely on several issues regarding our community. He served as a great mentor to me, helping me navigate through County government's ropes, and some of the State's ropes.

Harry was instrumental in getting our School Board Members ELECTED, not just political appointments serving at certain people's whims; we joined hands as he was a Republican and I a Democrat in order to achieve this objective. It was hard work helping bring this idea to fruition, but a necessary one for the betterment of our childen's education.

My education about tax abatements was tendered to me by Mr. Anson. The first time I requested the tax abatement report, the one I received was only five pages long. It was Harry who told me to go back and asked for tax abatements broken by township -- then I got about a 20 page report.

The last time I spoke with Harry, he was still going up to Camp Atterbury and working with troops shipping out for war. His job was to take the DNA samples, their last wills, etc., in case they didn't come home. As I knew that had to be a difficult job working with these soldiers, at the same time I realized there couldn't have been a better person for that job; one who understood and one who cared.

He appreciated Mildred Wilson's, Susan Johnson's and my citizen activist work; because he knew someone had to care and keep watch over our monies and the politicians -- no matter the "party".

Being a past speaker at the Historic Kiwanis's Club, I didn't realize Harry may have been in the room when I spoke that night about how our past "sewer plan" was not going to work and where I passed around New Albany's two sets of books (which had recently been uncovered). After I spoke that night, someone asked me in the room what "they" could do to help out with the things going wrong at that time in New Albany...I remember saying I didn't know what each person's claim to fame was in the room...only they knew; I know now it couldn't have been Harry that asked that question. He had, and kept on, doing everything in his power to make all of Floyd County a better place to live.

He was a great and wonderful man and did so much good for our community. We should all strive to make our lives so worthy and giving as you did with yours.

Harry, I enjoyed working with you on various projects and I feel such a loss at your passing. My sincerest condolences to your lovely wife and family. You will be greatly missed by your community and friends.

Rest in peace.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

NEW ALBANY'S PRIMARY ELECTION DAY - TODAY

YEAH....IT IS FINALLY HERE...ELECTION DAY IN NEW ALBANY.

CALLING ONE, CALLING ALL...MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD -- CALL YOUR FRIENDS AND REMIND THEM, SEE IF ANYONE NEEDS A RIDE...

SURELY HOPE I CAN MAKE THE ELECTION RETURNS TONIGHT...IF NOT, IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

REPRINT FROM LEO NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

This article was published in the LEO on April 25, 2007 about New Albany.

I LUV NEW ALBANY

Most Louisvillians rarely cross the great divide that is the Ohio River. But I grew up in Southern Indiana, and I'm here to tell you something: Hoosiers know how to drink.

I'm not just talking about Rich O's, the well-known center of the Kentuckiana beer universe. There are at least 15 places to get your drink on, and that's just in and around New Albany alone: You've got Steinert's Tavern, with sports on TV and/or live music pretty much all week; you've got the Grant Line Road strip that includes the aforementioned Rich O's plus The Menu, Kelsey's Bar & Grill and Jack's; you've got the well-traveled Sam's Food and Spirits (try the steak bites); and you've got the downtown watering holes on Market Street.

And, at the end of Floyd County on State Street, there's Tucker's American Favorites Bar & Grill, which also serves as an Indianapolis Colts fan bar, and Sammy O's, just up the road on Paoli Pike, that serves the country-music crowd much like Jim Porter's and Coyote's do in Louisville.

I ventured to New Albany recently with a couple of friends in search of places we'd never been, and Michelle Voyles, the friendly bartender at Tucker's, not only sold us a couple of $1.50 longnecks but pointed us toward Mac's Hideaway.

Tucked into a small strip-mall complex just of Charlestown Road, Mac's might be the Back Door of New Albany, as it's open until 3 a.m. nightly, has plenty of seating, plus video games, pool tables, pub food and more. The specials when we were there included $1.75 domestic drafts and $2 margaritas.

Bartender Jenny Huffines said Mac's is a regular spot even for some Louisvillians. "It's kind of close-knit here," she said. "Everyone knows everyone. And if you don't you feel like you do."

But it was Hugh E. Bir's downtown on Market Street in New Albany that really captured our hearts. This is like a Germantown gathering spot, brimming with chatty locals and cheap beer. The $1 Bud and Bud Light drafts were enticing enough but Kenny Rouck, the friendly bartender who claims to work 11 a.m.-3:30 a.m. shifts daily, also helped us feel at home in the unfamiliar environs.

And at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, owner Hugh E. Bir (yes, that's a real person) and his band play live music ranging from Hank Williams to Gordon Lightfoot - on a stage that appears to be fashioned from an old shuffleboard table.

Keep the frosty ones coming, Kenny. I may never go home again - Kevin Gibson