Hair-raising question



Hi, Don,

 

Keep up the GREAT WORK !

I just noticed a picture in the July 28 sports page of a girl pitcher on the Top Guns 12-and-under team.

It is an excellant picture of a pitcher.

 She seems to have a catcher’s mask on, no hat and shin guards. That is very cool indeed.

 I’ve never been to a game, but I get a very proud feeling reading about them.

 Could you maybe find out why the girls don’t wear hats? I like the visors, French braids and pony tails, but was just wondering .

 

Jim Steward



Jim, thank you for the kind words. The girls don’t wear regular hats because they don’t fit well on their hair and, if they do, they fall off quite easily. — DM





Remembering Kay O.



Dear Don,



Thank you for your wonderful article on my family’s special friend, Catherine Ondrejovich.

Another aspect of K.O.’s life, which should be mentioned, was her dedication to her church. She attended our church on a Sunday in 1959. She came in, heels clicking on the tile floor, a short lady with her hair pulled back in a severe bun, a bundle of dynamite with determination!

After the service, my mother, Katherine Hart, who was a charter member of our church, greeted K.O. and K.O. told her she was “church shopping.” Mother told her to stop shopping and join our church because “we have the nicest, warmest people here and you won’t find a better church.” In August 1959, K.O. joined St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson.

From Day 1, she was an asset to St. Paul’s. In a short time, she was elected to church council and took the job of secretary/treasurer. She’d serve two terms, be off one year (according to our constitution) and then be re-elected again. Council kept her on as secretary/treasurer during her off years because she was so efficient and level-headed. She kept “in-the-know” on church business!

On Sundays, she had her special seat — the last chair in the choir section, her back to the organ and next to the wall. She’d arrive at church at least 45 minutes before the service, sit in “her chair” and speak to everyone who attended. If she motioned for someone to come over to her, it was because she had a church job that needed to be filled or she had a special recipe to share.

In addition to her secretary/treasurer’s job, she sang in the choir (in past years) back with the men “because my voice is so low.” She also coerced people to read the Sunday litergy from the pulpit during services — no one could tell her “no” without deeling guilty for letting K.O. down!

She was the “salad lady” for many of our speghetti suppers. She did numerous jobs to help out in any way she could. Pastors loved her — she was happy, involved, loved the congregation, interested in our young people and she could get most anything accomplished.

On May 22, my husband (who served with K.O. on council many years and respected her judgments), our daughter and I visited K.O. We knew it would be the last time we saw her. She was in pain, so we started reminiscing about St. Paul’s, hoping pleasant memories would help her if only for a few minutes. The good memories, the happy current events of the church and our kisses on her cheek made her smile.

To paraphrase an anonymous note in our recent church newsletter, written by a member: “Kay has now moved to a place of wonderful memories in my heart... she no longer has to deal with the pain of life, but can enjoy the eternal love of Jesus pain free.”

If possible, heaven is a letter place with K.O. helping out. She was a blessing here on earth.



Her 50-plus year friend,

Diane Haines



Diane, Mrs. O was truly a special person. Wherever she went, that place immediately became a better place... and I have no doubt that is the case for her now, too. — DM



Dear Don,



Mrs. Kay Ondrejovich was not only loved and respected by generations of students.

We felt the same way, here at St. Paul’s, where she was a member for 51 years, and Treasurer for most of those. She was my “Favorite Treasurer,” and I was honored to be her “Favorite Pastor.”

Mrs. O was also a great sports fan. She was much like my Bexley High School Latin teacher, Opal Wiley, who quietly attended ALL our football games, home and away, to “support her boys.”

As wonderful as Mrs. O. was, her taste in teams was unbelievable. While she was a loyal supporter of the Jefferson and Ohio State teams, her MLB choice was the New York Yankees, and she pulled for the Denver Broncos, during football season. She grudgingly supported the Indians and Browns as her “second choice!”

I loved her, anyway!

In 2000, I was taking my annual three-day trip to see the Tribe play an out-of-town opponent. This year, it was a trip to Toronto. My trip always includes three guys from Columbus, whose wives are happy for a three-day break!

We are a walking joke: a police psychologist, a Capital University Math professor, a traveling salesman and me, the pastor!

While walking to the ballpark, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There, on the streets of Toronto, was Mrs. O! We did a double-take at each other, hugged, and laughed. She was attending a Retired Teachers’ Convention right next to the ballpark!

Before we parted, she said that it was a long way to come to “check up on me!”

She was a gem, and I know she counted you among “her boys,” Don.



Pastor Fred Grimm

St. Paul’s Lutheran, Jefferson



Pastor Fred, what an awesome story! We’ll just have to forgive Mrs. O for her trespasses in regards to the teams she rooted for. — DM





Missing Grandma



Mr. McCormack,

 

I wanted to thank you for the kind words you printed about my grandmother, Eva Heidecker.

After reading your comments, it made me reallize how many people she touched over the years and it makes me proud to be her grandson.

She will be missed dearly by her family, actual and extended.

 Once again, thank you,

 

Sean Heidecker



Sean, I should be the one thanking you. You shared your grandmother with thousands of of kids such as yours truly and her impact has not been forgotten. — DM





Tales of inspiration



EDITOR’S NOTE — The following letters are in repsonse of my request from Loyal Readers for tales of inspiration, acts of good will or kindness. Thanks to all who responded. You succeeded — you inspired me. Thank you. — DM



Don,



In the late 1970s or early 1980s when Harold Rose was the head boys baskeball coach and I was his JV coach, we had a game at Conneaut versus an Erie, Pa. team.

The game was close and we were winning, the Erie team was very frustrated and had started to foul, mostly out of frustration.

We were on the free-throw line with our point guard and great scorer, Brad Gee, on the line.

Jim Davin our power forward, who went on and played football on the offensive line for Cornell, was lined up on the lane ready to box out for the rebound.

An official was at the scoretable making the call. The player who had made the foul was walking around agitated at halfcourt when just as Brad was to recieve the ball to shoot, the agitated Erie player walked up and kicked Davin in the butt.

It was like, Holy Cow!... Right in front of everyone! Jim was the strongest kid on the floor and what did he do?

He turned around and smiled, never moved a step. Everyone in Garcia Gym saw this ,but the Stage Crew didn’t move, no one came out of the stands, Jimmy just smiled.

The officials reacted and gave a technical foul and had the Erie player removed from the gym. The game continued without further interruptions and Conneaut won.

As a coach and a teacher ,I used that story as an example of being under control and having class.

To me, Jim Davin embodies sportsmanship and being a class act.



Dave Simpson

Conneaut



Dear Don,



A 20-year-old Marine, I was home on leave prior to heading to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the fall of 1968.

My uncle, an Ohio State history professor, had invited my parents and me to the OSU Faculty Club for a farewell dinner. As we were departing the club, my uncle said he wanted to introduce me to a colleague of his.

It was Woody Hayes.

Coach Hayes took the time to ask about how I was doing, and to promise he would try to bring the films of the upcoming Rose Bowl game to Guantanamo with a USO tour.

I remember listening to Armed Forces Radio from a tower on the Cuban perimeter, as the Buckeyes knocked off Southern Cal and O.J. Simpson.

Woody never made it to Cuba while I was there, but I never forgot his kindness to a nobody Marine corporal.

Thirteen years later, ironically, I was again a guest of my uncle at the OSU Faculty Club, but this time, I was there with my wife and two children.

I had gotten a college degree from Capital University, coached football at Pickerington High School for four years, and had worked college admissions.

My uncle was hosting us in another farewell dinner, as I prepared to leave for Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I.

During dinner, I took my turn escorting our kids to the rest room. On the way, I spotted Coach Hayes, who seemed awfully thin and frail to me, having been beaten down by the conclusion of his coaching career.

I introduced myself, had my kids shake his hand, and thanked him for his kindness those many years before. He again asked how I was doing, and I told him of my upcoming service. After asking where we were eating, he said goodbye.

Ten minutes later, he showed up at our table and sat down with us. For half an hour, he shared some inspiring stuff about his Naval career and left me feeling a lot better about what lay ahead for me.

His kindness to my family and me were not uncommon actions in the life of this coaching legend, and I will not forget him.



Pastor Fred Grimm

St. Paul’s Lutheran

Jefferson



Don,



About three years ago, our last game of year was with Youngstown Christian.We had heard earlier in the year their all-state point guard, Kara Cooper, had blown out her ACL.

Well, a week before the game, thier head coach called me and asked for a special favor. She was recovering from surgery and was on crutches but she was feeling alot better.

She was a senior and she had 996 career points and they had never had a girl reach 1,000 pts. He asked if she could play at beginning of game to get two baskets (4 point).

We set it up were she would be at her end of court (on her crutches) and off jumpball, score basket then we scored then she got another hoop. We then got a uncontested hoop to make it 4-4.

They called timeout.

She left court to a standing ovation and her mom and dad cried.It was awesome.

The real key was our five seniors: Cali Orlando, Mallory Johson, Kayla DeGeorge, Jamie Kapferer and Nicole Pawlowski.

I let them vote on it and it was unaminous. They were honored to help out.We evened practiced it the day before on how to do it.

 We had a great team that year with 17 wins. But even more so, they had amazing character. It was a memorable moment for everyone in attendance and showed what high school sports are all about.

On a footnote, Kara went on to Akron University with a full soccer scholarship.



Nick Iarocci

SS. John and Paul

Girls Basketball Coach



Hi, Don,



I am one of the Hospice clowns and we were out doing our monthly visits to some area nursing homes. When we are finishedm we always stop for lunch somewhere.

This particular daym we stopped at Kay’s Place in Kingsville and as usual, everyone was asking questions and just being so friendly and nice. A

fter this one couple left, the waitress came over and told us that they had paid for all of our lunches because they were so appreciative for what we do. The waitress did not know who they were as they weren’t “regulars” at the restaurant and they didn’t want her to tell us until after they left.

We were just overwhelmed by this kindness plus, it really made our day. I have been wanting to somehow some way pass this on and when I read your article I knew... here was my opportunity.

Thank you for your time.



Vicki Stofan



Dear Don,

 

Your request for a “Nicest Thing Done for You” submission quickly got me to reflecting backwards to the summer of 1992.

I was finishing up my term as President of Pymatuning Area Youth Organization when I got a call from Tony Tulino asking where my paperwork was to certify that the various members of the PAYO league were eligible for All-Star rosters.

Tony was the District 1 Administrator of Little League, which controlled postseason play, and was technically my boss.

 Well, to put it mildly, I was a befuddled local poo-bah who had not a clue what I was doing. Bluntly, I was up a creek without a paddle and the water was getting fairly high in the boat.

Tony must have sensed what kind of predicament I was in. Without certification, all of my league players would be ineligible to play in All-Star games, through no fault of their own.

Tony said, “I’ll tell you what I will do. I will come down to your office this Sunday afternoon and we will get this thing fixed.”

He drove all the way down from Ashtabula to Andover and gave up his whole Sunday afternoon to help me get all the rosters, birth certificates and paperwork in order. As a result, my talented PAYO group got to play All-Star games at various levels and this frazzled President saved a ton of egg from being tossed in his face.

I am sure that I am not the only one whose bacon Tony Tulino has preserved over all these years. But I am most grateful that he chose to make the effort and sacrifice his time for me.

This event happened 18 years ago and I have never forgotten it, nor will I ever forget the person who put “Service Above Self” into everyday, ordinary practice.

Thanks!

 

Rich Mole, CPA

Andover



Don,



I had just turned onto Euclid Avenue after circling Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

I was in the last mile of the 1996 Revo Marathon. Cruising down Euclid Avenue, I passed the little sign that all marathoners look for — the one that says, “385 yards to go.”

I immediately got my runner’s high and started my kick to the finish line. Focusing completely on my destination and in a total state of euphoric bliss (that’s what a runner’s high is), I  was passing the runner who had run out of gas and were struggling to the finish. I was smiling! I was happy! I felt great!

Then, just as I entered the finish shoot, out of the corner of my ear I hear a lady in the crowd lining the street comment, “Look at No. 783... he looks fresh and he’s smiling.”

I crossed the finish line, got my medal and headed straight for the food and drinks table. As I shuffled toward the refreshments, I got to thinking about the lady’s comment. Who was she talking about? She had mentioned No. 783. I looked down at my chest. Hey, I was 783. The lady was talking about me. I was the one who looked fresh and was smiling. But, why would she comment on it? I started watching the other runners coming down the street to the finish. Sure enough, they weren’t smiling and they sure didn’t look fresh.

I kept thinking about this. That lady’s comment inspired me to do something to help inspire the runners at the back of the pack to finish their races with smiles.

By the time the Johnnycake Jog rolled around two months later, I had a plan. I turned my Revco number over and wrote, “Finish With A Smile” on it. Then, I pinned it to the back of my singlet and started the race. After about a block, somebody said, “I like your sign — I’m smiling!” Then, others made similar comments along the course. My sign was working. I was actually inspiring the runners I was passing who were reading my sign.

After the race, as I chatted with friends about how hot and humid the race had been, people were coming up to me and telling me that my sign had gotten them through the heat and to the finish line — with a smile. And that’s when it dawned on me that while I was inspiring them to FWAS ( Finish With A Smile) with my sign, their comments were inspiring me to stay focused and to keep smiling.

About a year later, I retired the signs and went to Sports and Sports and had them make me an orange singlet with “FWAS” on the front and “ Finish With A Smile” spelled out on the back.

Many of you runners and walkers and bicyclists who are reading this have seen it at races or as I run, walk and bicycle along the roads of Ashtabula and Lake counties. I know, because many of you have told me. Because of your comments, I’ve finished every race and training run, walk and ride with a smile. FWAS has gotten me through many non-sports-related projects, too.

Thank you to all of you reading this who have ever commented on my “FWAS” singlet. I’m glad I am able to to inspire you. And I appreciate you inspiring me in return.

FWAS, everybody!



Your Loyal Reader,

Ed Ayersman

Geneva



Don,



Coaching high school cross country for several years was far and away the most rewarding experience I have had outside of my family life.

Over the years, I have had a lot of positive feedback from many people about their experiences associated with our cross-country teams. I would like to share just one such instance that meant a lot to me.

This past November, I received an unexpected phone call from a former runner that I hadn’t heard from in many years. He says something to the effect “This is Jamie. Do you know what day this is? It is the 20th anniversary of the first time I made it to the state cross-country meet (state meet is the first Saturday in November) and I just wanted to thank you for helping me get there. You said I would never forget the experience and I haven’t. I think about it often, especially this time of year.”

Jamie was a great kid and a great runner. As a freshman, he was the lone Edgewood representative in Columbus in 1989. He ran well, posting a time of 17:12 and placing 66th overall. More importantly, the experience he and I gained on our first trip there was invaluable to the future of Edgewood cross country.

Over the next three years, Jamie was a key member of teams that finished 1st, 3rd and 2nd at the state meet. His senior year, he ran 16:01 and placed 5th.

Jamie and I had a great conversation that November evening. It left me with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.

Many thanks to all the kids, parents, coaches and faculty who were a part of my coaching experience.

Like Jamie, I will never forget.



Ed Best

Ashtabula