A Fond Farewell...For Now...

Well, it's that time of life again for me. Time for a change. I'm planning to retire from column writing for awhile.

My first column for this paper appeared in the May 2nd, 2006 issue, and it concerned my growing up in Lakewood. Since that time, I've written about 80 articles or columns for the Lakewood Observer, and it's been a wild ride indeed. As this is now the 100th issue, I think that it's only appropriate that we pause for reflection.

I had the opportunity to meet so many great people during this journey, including retired Great Lakes Captain Harry Anderson, Chef Weldon Carpenter, former soldiers Pat Ginley, Maynard "Doc" Unger, and Dr. Richard Dutro, as well as fisherman Randy Walthius, dentist Tommy Leatherman, Lakewood Hometown Band Director Don Santa-Emma, Fridrich Moving's Mike Fridrich, Educators Music's John Stavash, my former Scoutmaster, Robert Lees, Library Director Ken Warren, LO Publisher Jim O'Bryan, and woodworker Jim Tigue, along with so many others--including the many great people who are a part of Lakewood's schools and institutions.  All of these people added, and continue to add, to the rich tapestry of our city.

I once received an exciting and encouraging call from a former Lakewood Sun Post columnist, the wonderful Dan Chabek, whose book, Lakewood Lore (available at the Lakewood Historical Society), continues to inspire anyone seeking information and insight into historical Lakewood. Dan is no longer with us now, but his words will inspire all who seek to learn about the pulse of this city.

All of these musings of mine would not be possible without the advice and encouragement of Jim O'Bryan and company here at the paper. Jim's done more with trying to bring Lakewood together than anyone I know. This paper is, in itself, a fine example of Lakewood coming together to overcome whatever may come our way.

Some of my columns were personal in nature, and often brutally so, for me. In the wake of Lakewood's pit bull controversy, I wrote a column about a dog named Skippy that I'd had when I was a child. Although many years had passed, I was nearly unable to finish the column because of the emotional memories that it raised for me.

The same was true with several columns that dealt in one way or another with my dear late mother Betty Rice, as well as columns covering my own past illnesses and life trials. Also, a special column was written covering our home's close call with a gas leak.

Of course, we also had a few columns about Dad too. Robert Rice continues to inspire those around him with his energy and his talents with music, as well as his love for helping others.

I discussed some of Lakewood's many churches and groups like Lakewood's VFW, the Freemasons, Scouts, DeMolay, and others, all of whom have contributed to the pulse of our city in special and sublime ways.

Lakewood's rich history was covered too, with discussions ranging from the Lakewood schools to Native Americans, the Underground Railway, Lakewood's celebrity moments, the effects of war, and the day that Highland Avenue (West 117th) blew up, among other topics. I also tried to teach a few things, like how to be a better photographer, and even, at times, how very important a spiritual life continues to be, at least for me.

I tried to bring some lighter moments to these pages as well, like when we looked at the animals around here, as well as mini-cars, musical moments, Lakewood language issues, and of course that over-the-top column about the Rice toilet paper! (Should toilet paper indeed go over-the-top, or down-the-wall?)

I tried to cover controversial issues too--from the demolition of the Hall House, to the pit bull situation, to others like the garbage issue, the war in Iraq, and the closings of area Catholic Churches. Always, I tried to address controversy in a respectful way, but at the same time an opinion's exactly that, and I felt the need to express my opinion, as I am certain we all do.

I plan to continue to submit feature columns from time to time in the future. Those of you who might be interested in some of my past columns can read them online at the Observer's website, or perhaps the LO staff may choose to run one again from time to time. As for now, I'm planning to take the summer off, enjoy life a bit, and get these old batteries of mine recharged.

Maybe you have something to write about? If so, here's your chance! The Lakewood Observer is a great place to express yourself in a public forum, and in a way that can benefit all of Lakewood. We all can, or rather, we all MUST be a part of the pulse of this city.

It is, after all, still a great and special place, not so very different from when that little 7-year-old arrived here from Franklin, Pennsylvania in 1958 to a beautiful brick street called Rosewood Avenue, lined with those curbside stately elms. The bricks are buried under the blacktop these days, and the elms are long gone, but the same infectious spirit of can-do is still on that street, and on every Lakewood street.

I tried to make a difference for you here on this page. Now, it's your turn.

What say you about the pulse of this city?