Business Pulse: High school graduate has no arms
I sure stumbled on my share of off-the-wall news this week. Maybe it was because it was Fourth of July week. Maybe all those firework explosions impaired people’s thinking.
I don’t know, but I’m not complaining. It sure makes for some interesting reading.
Case in point, the Texas Legislature just passed a bill to ban doctors from performing surgery while intoxicated — except in an absolute emergency. Maybe I’m just naive, but I thought this is something which was generally understood. I sure wouldn’t want to hear my doctor say, “Scalpel, forceps, Budweiser.”
While not quite so weird, I’ve got to applaud a Minnesota man who finally fought back against telemarketers. By now, anyone who has a phone knows what a nightmare telemarketers can be. Apparently they were so annoying to Marc Plaisted, he decided to get even.
Enraged that Minnesota Auto Glass would call him at least three times a day – even after registering his name on Minnesota’s do not call list – Plaisted decided to give the business a taste of its own medicine. Over the course of two days, he called Minnesota Auto Glass over 100 times.
“I just called them every five minutes and let them know that, no, I don’t have a crack in my windshield,” Plaisted said in published reports. “This seems to be something they are very concerned about.”
A spokesman with Minnesota Auto Glass said Plaisted would not be called again. Chalk one up for the good guys.
And since I’m handing out praise, how about the truly amazing story of a Michigan girl who recently graduated from high school. She earned above average grades and was a varsity cheerleader – and she also has no arms.
Think about what a handicap that would be for most of us. If I didn’t have any arms, I couldn’t even answer the phone, much less go through high school like a regular student and graduate.
But having no arms didn’t hold back Jessica Parks, although sources say she still can’t catch very well and has trouble playing guitar. Among her special skills is she can: drive a car with no special equipment, just one foot on the gas and one on the steering wheel, and she can put in her contact lenses with her toes.
And no Business Pulse would be complete without a report on the latest hot dog eating contest. Hot dog eating contests rival only dumb criminals as my favorite Business Pulse topic.
This time the backdrop was the 88th annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place every Fourth of July. Two-time defending Japanese champion Takeru Kobayashi was victorious once again – this time beating opponents that included former NFL player William “The Refrigerator” Perry.
In winning the title, the slender Kobayashi, who might weigh 150 pounds, ate more hot dogs than his competitors, most of whom weighed in the neighborhood of 400 pounds.
How he can put away over 40 hot dogs is a mystery. For the record, “The Refrigerator” ate all of four hot dogs. Come on Fridge! I can do better than that.
New bakery ready to cook on Main Street
Since we’re on the topic of eating, it’s my pleasure to tell you Joyce Rowland is opening a bakery on Main Street. It is accordingly named Main Street Bakery.
If there’s one thing I like, it’s talk of a new bakery. New donut shops aren’t bad either.
Joyce is busy fixing up the store which used to be Heavenly Grounds some years ago. After that it was a consignment shop called Everything Baby and most recently it was used as Democratic headquarters for the most recent election.
With her new bakery, Joyce will specialize in cakes in general and wedding cakes in particular. She will also have pies, cookies, muffins and cinnamon rolls. I can feel my waistline expanding as we speak.
“I’ve had a few people who have heard about this try and place orders already,” said Joyce. “We’re not ready for that yet, but we’re aiming for July 15 as an opening date. If we can’t do that, it will be sometime in July.”
Don’t worry about the exact opening date because I will let you know. Joyce said the magic words “Free cookies” to entice me to return for her grand opening.
As for birthday cakes and wedding cakes, Joyce asks for 24 hours notice. As for other goodies, she will have her cookies and muffins and such available for sale individually or by the dozen.
“I’m just going to have to feel this out as I go and see what sells and what doesn’t,” said Joyce. “I don’t want to be throwing away dozens of cookies.”
Joyce will also be helped by the fact her daughter, Linda Holland, operates a Main Street business called The Treasure Chest. You will be able to place cake and bakery orders at both businesses.
Buildings torn down on N. Chancery
I noticed the two building at the beginning of N. Chancery Street are no longer standing. The two buildings were most recently home to Biker’s Billiards and an alternator repair shop. It’s the two lots which are directly next to the car wash and across from the Citgo station. If you still don’t know which property I’m talking about, I can’t be much more specific than that.
There have been plans to level the two buildings for many months and I’m not quite sure why work was delayed for so long. What I do know is that O’Reilly Auto Parts will be moving from its Sparta Street location to that heavily traveled spot on N. Chancery.
Growing blueberries with the best of them
If you’re looking for some delicious, home-grown blueberries, look no further than Dwight Taylor who has no shortage of blueberries on his property on Lawson Mill Road.
The first thing I asked Dwight was how he makes his blueberries grow, but he wasn’t so willing to divulge that information.
“It’s an old secret and there’s a trick to it,” said Dwight. “But I’ve got about three main competitors around here so I don’t want to say too much.”
I don’t blame Dwight. You never saw Colonel Sanders spouting off his secret chicken recipe and Dwight sure isn’t going to tell the secret to his blueberries. But I can pass along this little bit of information – they sure are good.
“I figured with the rain we’ve had this year we would have a monster crop and we do,” said Dwight. “This is just the first of the season and we have about a four-week window.”
Dwight said his blueberries are good in pancakes, pies and muffins. He also said they make good blueberry syrup and can also be made into wine. He says he doesn’t use any chemicals on his blueberries and his family does all the picking.
Another interesting note is that blueberries are an anti-carcinogetic food, meaning they have cancer-fighting qualities. Dwight first began growing blueberries back in 1988, which, in this little known bit of trivia, is the year I graduated from high school.
“One of the things I like is sitting on the porch and talking to people when they stop by,” said Dwight. “Sometimes I don’t see folks but once a year when they stop by for blueberries.”
I you would like some of Dwight’s blueberries, his number is 668-9035. He sells them by the quart or the gallon and says they are great to put in the freezer.
Vick Rogers is one safe driver
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s those crazy truck drivers who try to run you off the interstate. Really, there’s not much you can do because you’re in this little car and they’re in this gigantic 18-wheeler. It’s a matchup which doesn’t favor the car.
But I’m happy to report Warren County resident Vick Rogers is one safe truck driver. And he has the certificate to prove it. Vick was recently honored by Ryder Integrated Logistics for one million hours of accident-free driving.
“It’s something to be proud of and I am proud of it,” said Vick, who said he has never had his picture published in the newspaper because he’s always traveling. “I’m gone too much. I’ve been driving a truck for 37 years.”
Vick is gone all week and only returns home on weekends. He is stationed out of Spring Hill where he drives to work on Monday and returns to pick up his car on Friday.
He drives with a partner which means his truck is moving almost all the time. While Vick sleeps his partner drives, and vice versa. “It’s how I make my living,” said Vick, who grew up in Morrison and is married to Marcy Rogers. The couple has four daughters: Tara Rogers and Stephanie Evagues, both of McMinnville, and Torie Dickens and Sally Smith, who both live out of town.
That’s all folks
In honor of remarkable high school graduate Jessica Parks, I will write next week’s Business Pulse without use of my arms. OK, maybe not.
Remember to keep those business tips coming. The phone number is 473-2191 and the e-mail is [email protected].