Message Forum

Jodelle and Peggy,

I also experience some COPD symptoms (40+ years of Sarcoidosis, shortness of breath, and serious lack of energy and balance from a severe car accident in 2023).

But I still wonder what the problem is about an elevator door that I can walk through and ascend that half story to the main room?

My biggest challenge was standing in the meeting hall - I took many sit-down breaks to get through the evening, but getting access to that half floor was no problem.

If you needed help getting up that half story, we would all have been happy to assist you.

08/08/26 09:54 PM

#17406

Peggy Southworth (Townley)

For those of you who were unable to attend this reunion, or simply have not been to Columbus in a few years, I was shocked at some of the changes I saw while there.

First of all the national trend of ugly square 6-story boxes containing modern condos or apartments seems everywhere in Columbus.

And while there, staying wth a young cousin, we ventured out to eat lunch at the "New North Market" (as opposed to the "OLD North Market" - 100 year old near the short north).

It is located in the once tiny village of Dublin Ohio. Growing up, we knew it as a small farm town with a tiny downtown and a high school. Then Jack built his new gold course there and hosted a tournament.

Since then all-hell has broken loose!

It wasn't several dozen 6 or 8 story new buildings. It's Downtown Chicago ! - with 50 or so 10 to 20 story office buildings! Block after block after block of new large office buildings! Simply amazing!

But get a load of this last one. Do you all remember the recently closed Lazarus store at Kingsdale Shopping center? (Lazarus was 2 stories - I think) and a large parking lot left over - but has been gone for years)

Get a load of this;

the northern portion of Kingsdale shopping center (see the MCL cafeteria lower right)

Looking from across Tremont Road. The rest of the shopping center is behind the building on the right. And Giant Eagle is now something else???

08/08/26 10:07 PM

#17407

Jodelle Sims

Dave, I will tell you what the problem is, it is you and your self-absorption. You obviously did not research the topics I gave you or care about any of my conditions. You have no right questioning why I was not at the reunion .

08/08/26 10:57 PM

#17408

#17407 Dave Mitchell

Dave, you have shamed Jodelle and me for not attending the reunion. You've pretty much said our previously stated issues are frivolous. This is really disappointing to me. I just never saw you like this.

08/09/26 01:06 PM

#17409

Francene Maple (Kriegel)

Joelle and Peggy, I'm sorry you could not attend the reunion. I'm sure there were others who could not attend as well because of health issues. It is one of the most frustrating things about aging. It seems like we loose the ability to do something every day. I give the reunion committee a high grade anyway, everything was lovely and I had a great time. I'm sure in 5 years that accessibility will be an even greater concern, hopefully it will be considered.

08/09/26 03:14 PM

#17410

Wow!

First of all, my sincere aololgies to Peggy and Jodelle. I had no intention of upsetting you.

I had no idea how much my confusion about the elevator would offend people.

Your earlier comments had me worried that I would need to bring my "walker". I had never been to that place before and wasn't sure how it would go. But I was able to use the stairway without it.

08/09/26 11:13 PM

#17411

Jodelle Sims

Joe McCarthy, have you ever been to the Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek? Unlike the Der Dutchman in Plain City, they have a pie sampler on the dessert menu where you get a half slice of three different pies. I love this option because I always have a hard time deciding and if you have a table of four just think of all the pies you could enjoy!! The restaurant is about 5 miles from the Amish Country Theater which has great entertainment.

08/10/26 10:24 AM

#17412

John Maxwell

I don't know what the hubbub is about and I don't care. I had an interesting time in Columbus. As I drove throughout the north end and Arlington/Grandview areas I felt like a total stranger in this city of alcohol. There are two or three bars almost every mile. Columbus is the biggest bar in America. Then I tried to find the bar where our party was and it too almost an hour. When I finally got there, it was empty. So I drove around some more and forgot to eat.
When I returned to the bar thins were in full swing. It was fun playing, 'Who are you?' It was great to finally arrive with things in full swing. I was so hopeful that no one had changed much but you can imagine the speed at which my brain was processing. Am I at the right spot? Who are these people? Am I at the right spot? Freak out! Then I saw Dave Dunn, and knew I was safe. First time that ever happened. Next came the delight of speaking with everybody. Which is impossible with so many people in the same spot. Then came self conscienceness. Did I say the right name? Oh God don't let me reveal my idiocy. Hope no one notices all my mistakes. Finally I relaxed and got into the flow. It was indeed nice to see everyone. Finally, Bob Berkermer, Julie Carpenter and I closed the place and left. I went to find a motel. I finally found one. A Red Roof. They had one room left. But the stairs were broken so the clerk said I would have to take the elevator. She neglected to mention where that was exactly. I drove to the middle of the complex, parked, suddenly felt ill. I hadn't eaten all day, but had brought some food with me, so I had a bite of chicken and promptly threw up, then I dizzy and fainted. When I came to I decided I wasn't dead, and there was some guy on the grass going through a suitcase on the ground, like he was looking for loot, throwing clothes and shoes away and then rifling through the pockets. Wierd I thought. Finally, I came to my senses enough to get me and my bag up to my room. I was soaking wet from sweating. And exhausted. I began questioning why then fell asleep. The next day was better. Was it fun? Visiting with everyone was a blast. I've only passed out once since I've been home, it was accompanied with a very bright light. Maybe I died. I couldn't have though, I had to go to work. I worked at the machine shop yesterday. They just wrapped up the historic baseball tournament. The La Di Dahs didn't win. But a grand time was had by all. HUZZAH! Next up is the Holloween season. Lots of vampires, whitches and some very creative costumes. It is fun and the food is amazing.

08/10/26 10:26 AM

#17413

Hi Jodelle. First let me say NO, no I have not been to the Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek (OH). Sounds like a great p;ace to visit and dine. I wonder if it is owned by the same owners? I have heard that the location in Plain City was sold be the original owner about ten to twelve years ago.

Talking with a couple staying at the Homewood Suites in Hilliard, they have enjoyed the Plain City location and have friends working that location. They are from near the Hocking Hills area and mentioned a similar type called Dutchman restaurant in their area.

Now for the Second. Tp the East of me in California there is a town called, of all things, Walnut Creek. At first I was thinking of that city, but decided to check Ohio. Maybe next year If we come East I will try your suggestion. Thanks for the info. I thinkthere is at least one other in Ohio.

P.S. Checking again I was able to find more info.

Der Dutchman, owned by an outfit in Middlebury, IN has six locations:

Walnut Creek, OH, Sugar Creel, OH, Bellville, OH, Plain City, OH, Berlin, OH and just for Mr. Mike Saratoga, FL, Tells me the oweners must have a second/vacation home in Florida so that they can try and write off the expenses while "Checking" out the Saratoga location.

08/10/26 08:42 PM

#17414

sometimes I can't tell Jack Maxwell from Jack Kerouac.

This is one of those times.

Hiya Jack! Thanks for checking in with that catastrophic flair I could always count on -Always an adventure, sorry I missed it!

Anyway miss you, compadre, glad you survive!

08/11/26 08:51 AM

#17415

Just to keep everyone quessing. "Hopefully, pictures to follow."

08/11/26 11:19 AM

#17416

Daniel Brown

Michael McLeod,

After reading Jack's post (more than once) the author Malcom Lowry popped into my head. Without the alcohoI. I hope he takes that as a compliment.

08/11/26 07:36 PM

#17417

and once again to Jack: you have damn good material and you have written it up in damn good style.

it's book worthy. If you haven't shopped it out already I'm urging you to do so.

Love ya brother. You have a natural voice that rises up off the page and guys like me hate you for it.

08/12/26 08:41 AM

#17418

Frank Ganley

Dave Mitchell and all Roy Orbison fans the reason for Roy's wearing sunglasses all day long and everywhere is somewhere in the late 50s early 60s. Roy was in a severe fire and the sunglasses help hide scars and aid his eyes in someway but the sunglasses are necessary. I hope this clears it up.

08/12/26 09:44 PM

#17419

Lawrence Foster

Hi Friends,

Sorry I could not make it to the reunion. I had some family needs come up and that caused me to cancel my plans. It sure looks like a good time was had by all of you who could attend.

I talked with Joe McCarthy after he sent me this photo of him, Dick McNamara, and Al Judy. They were able to meet at the Villa Nova Ristorante on High St. near the Columbus - Worthington border. Joe is still on travel status somewhere in the midwest, probably Detroit area, so he asked me to post this for him.

I'm doing well out here in California. The two grandsons started school today - 4th grade and 2nd grade. I do a lot of driving to soccer, swimming and basketball practices and have good conversatons with the boys. The Chicago family was out here in early June. Granddaughter Vivi is with the School of Rock program and they were doing a musical tour in Cali and we got to see her perform on stage. She will start 9th grade this fall and she is a Taylor Swift fan. And rock and roll music nowadays is a whole world different than our times!

My best to all of you. Keep going as best you can one day at a time.

Wait - one more thing: Dan Schafner Cody ( I hope you read this): Do you have an ancestor named Esther Cody who might have been born around 1910 -15? I have a photo of her and she is a distant cousin of mine. So you and I may be cousins. How's that for a scary thought?

08/13/26 07:38 AM

#17420

THANK YOU LARRY. I couldn't of done it without your help.

Hope to see you sometime this fall.

08/13/26 02:36 PM

#17421

Wow!

2 lost souls and the artist formerly known as Larry!

Wish I had known about this gathering. Sorry to have fallen out of touch with Al, and I haven't seen Dick in years.

Hello to all 3 of you guys if you read this Forum.

Fun memory:

I started kinderarten at Glennmont grade school with the two McNamara twins, Bill and Dick. One or other of the two would start the other one to crying so bad that the teacher had to call Mrs. McNamara to come pick them up early - almost every day. I still recall the image of Evelyn pulling sowly up to the school front door in that black Cadillac from the funeral home (about 1952 with little lumps for the tail lights) to pick the two of them up early and take them home.

08/16/26 03:51 PM

#17422

Maybe everbody knows this. maybe not. but the other day I wondered just how useful google can be -- and i decided to ask google how long I will likely be able to live.

As a journalist I had used google extensively to get info of all sorts, so I figured what the heck.

I entered in some biographical information and answered some of the follow up questions the algorithm asked me, such as was I a smoker. Nope. I went back and forth with the algorithm as it posed a few other questions that were not unlike questions from a flesh and blood doctor.

In the end My gal pal Miss Google advised me that statistically I can likely make it to my late 80s or even better.

Maybe everybody knows this trick but thought I'd mention it in case not. The answer I got was pretty much what I expected, but still, kinda reassuring. Again, I knew Google was a valuable program for getting info, but had never thought of using it to ask a rather personal question - a question I'd ordinarily be a bit embarrssed to ask a fellow human being..

I apologize if you find this morbid - and you might just be of a mind to put yourself in the hands of God and not trouble yourself with his timetable. Oops I mean Her timetable.

Live long and prosper.

08/16/26 08:38 PM

#17423

While I was in Columbus for the reunion, I was staying with a younger cousin who shared a lot of a common interest - music.

He informed me that the number one "alternative pop" group in the country right now is called

21 Pilots!

from - wait for it - Columbus Ohio

They are quite different.

I guess they are scheduled to perform the first ever concert in the OSU "shoe" during football season. They sold out 100,000 seats within 12 minutes after the sales on-line site opened.

08/16/26 08:52 PM

#17424

But I am already in love

with Indila !

08/18/26 03:56 PM

#17425

Mike I had thought you were / are a great reporter. After your post 17422 I am having to rethink my opinion. Shouldn't you have said Her timetable?

Inquiring minds just want clarification.

08/18/26 09:06 PM

#17426

this one's the original. the original artist.

i like it better.

just now discovered it.

the best version of the greatest kiss-off song in the history of the universe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crd-jZqpSHk

08/18/26 09:21 PM

#17427