Sherrills need to work on revenge

By James Clark

It pays to get on the bad side of Duane Sherrill and his wife, Janice. I say that after the two combined to play what has to be the worst-ever practical joke on me last week.

I think the foolishness stemmed from the fact April Fool’s Day took place Thursday. And most folks were in a crazy kind of mood in the days surrounding it.

I have to admit I started the mischief when a lady came down to my office and wanted me to sign a petition. Now let me say I’ve never been a big fan of petitions because I’ve always believed if they fall into the wrong hands it will result in some big guy coming to your house and beating you up.

This petition was especially bothersome because it involved gay issues, which are a hot enough topic as it is right now. I refused to sign the petition but told the lady she might have better luck with another member of our staff.

“If I were you, I’d talk to Duane Sherrill about signing your petition,” I told the lady. Then, for reasons I still don’t completely understand, I added, “because Duane is homosexual.” How I managed to say it with a straight face I still don’t know.

This caught the lady’s attention and she immediately asked, “Which one is Duane?” It also caught the attention of a couple of our co-workers who overheard the conversation.

To make a long story short, Duane is not gay and he did not sign the lady’s petition. But he did say she acted a little weird around him. As soon as she left, Duane was informed about my gay comment.

“You told her what?!?” Duane said in amazement. After he recovered from the initial shock he vowed revenge.

The “revenge” came the very next day when I returned from taking pictures. Sitting squarely in the middle of my desk was an impressive display of flowers from All-O-K’sions. I don’t pride myself in estimating the value of flowers, but those things must have cost $25 or $30. And considering I’m a gardening nut, flowers are OK in my book.

The so-called joke came because the card was supposedly signed by a gay person in the community and said something like “Just thinking of you, James.”

Right away I knew the flowers weren’t from this guy. The timing was so awful, I knew they had to be from Duane. Turned out, they were technically from his wife. So I just tossed away the silly card and left the attractive flower arrangement on my desk.

Boy, talk about payback. I told Duane if he really, really wants to get revenge he should get a large pizza with mushrooms and extra cheese delivered to my desk and sign it from the same guy. That would certainly get me upset.

No, wait. What would make me the most upset is a box of donuts from this guy. I don’t know if I could handle that.

I think Duane better plan his revenge just a bit better next time. From where I’m sitting, it looks like I have some nice flowers and his family has a $25 flower bill. Folks aren’t that nice to me who don’t come seeking payback.

More change coming to North Chancery Street
At the beginning of the year, O’Reilly Auto Parts opened its doors on N. Chancery Street. Now, the finishing touches are being applied to a three-store strip mall that features Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

But that’s only the beginning. The house next to Enterprise that’s currently home to the store called Baseball Card Center is about to be leveled. In its place, Jewell Hale and Bobby Kirby will construct another three-store strip center that mirrors the one that’s about to be completed.

“We’re going to double the size of our building,” said Bobby. “The addition should take five or six months.”

That means the big question is what will happen to Baseball Card Center, which has been located in that old, white house on N. Chancery and owned by Doug Travis for the last 12 years. Well the baseball card place is temporarily moving next to Enterprise to fill out the three-store center. Next to the baseball card place will be a discount tobacco/ discount beer store which should be opening any day.

If all of this isn’t confusing enough, try to follow me one step further. The baseball card place will only be located next to Enterprise until the new three-store center is complete. Then it will move again to the end of the new center which will be its permanent home.

Whew! To summarize, look for the house that’s currently home to Baseball Card Center to be demolished in the coming weeks and a new three-store center to be constructed in its place.

Delores Jones opens flower & gift shop on Beersheba St.
Delores Jones is a lady who certainly had her work cut out for her. She decided to take the store on Beersheba Street that was formerly a Harley-Davidson shop and turn it into Rainbow Flowers and Gifts.

Now if that’s not a 180 degree turnaround, I don’t know what is. If you ask me, that’s probably a building that’s suffering an identity crisis. It goes from being a loud, macho Harley shop for men to being a pristine, feminine store for ladies.

“We’ve been working here for about two months to get the place ready,” said Delores. “The motorcycle guys were a little messy.”

Delores, who is the property owner, said she was looking for a unique store to put on that stretch of Beersheba Street, which is right before the bridge. She said since there isn’t another flower and gift shop in that neck of Warren County’s woods, she thought it would be a nice fit.

Rainbow Flowers and Gifts is set to open this Wednesday with the grand opening scheduled for this Saturday. Delores will offer fresh and silk flowers, angels, candles, jewelry, balloons, baby gifts, a crystal line, and the safari themes which are so popular now. She’ll also cater to weddings and last-minute gift ideas.

“A lot of times you need to buy a gift and you need it wrapped right there on the spot,” said Delores. “We’ll be able to offer that service.”

If you want to order flowers, give Delores a call at 474-2012 or stop by her store beginning Wednesday. She will give away a variety of door prizes every hour during Saturday’s grand opening.

Supreme makes its addition official
Now that sales are at an all-time high, it’s a little easier for the folks at Supreme Building Products to admit they were a little nervous about their recent expansion. And with Lowe’s coming to town, getting bigger was a bit of a gamble, but one which has paid big dividends.

“This is the best money Supreme has ever spent,” said company vice president Ryan Moore. “We have 22 house packages going on right now and that’s incredible for it to be in March. If anything you’d think building 22 houses would be something you would do in July or August.”

Much of the increased business has to do with Supreme’s new showroom, which has been finished for a couple months, but was officially unveiled last Saturday during the company’s contractor night. It’s the contractor Supreme is looking to cater to the most since its emphasis has shifted from small-ticket items to hundred thousand dollar house packages.

“We’re going to give our customers what they want, even if it’s just a couple of screws,” said Supreme owner David Moore. “But the contractors get our attention first.”

David said there’s really no secret to the company’s success.

“We work hard,” he said. “We get here early and we stay late.”

If you’re thinking about building your own home, Supreme can take you through the process from start to finish. That includes everything from paint, to bathroom furnishings, to kitchen cabinets, to trim and tile. If you want to give Supreme a call, the phone number is 473-WOOD.

Clothing store starts a new Trend
I have to wonder where Charlotte McGregor finds the time. In addition to being the administrative assistant to County Mayor Kenneth Rogers (he’s no longer supposed to be called the county executive), Charlotte is now the proud co-owner of Trends.

At least she has a good business partner – her own daughter, Stacey Love. Stacey had previously owned Trends with her step mother-in-law Melissa Knowles until about three weeks ago. That’s when Melissa decided to sell her share of the popular women’s clothing business to Charlotte.

“I thought it would be a good adventure for mother and daughter,” said Charlotte. “I’d been to a few clothing shows with her anyway and worked down here a few times filling in. Any time you get a chance to spend time with your daughter that’s a good thing.”

Trends has been open on Sparta Street since November when it made the move with Southern Traditions and owner Dale Groves. Stacey had nothing but praise for the new location of Trends.

“It’s the best thing we could have done,” said Stacey. “Dale has his clientele built up real well and we’re located right downstairs.”

Trends has recently added pageant and prom dresses to get ready for the upcoming season. The store is also conducting a fashion show May 8 to correspond with its grand re-opening May 7-8. The store’s phone number is 507-8808.

Lancin honored with prestigious award
Heather Lancin, daughter of Larry and Sandra Lancin, recently received two honors for her work at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.

Heather is serving in her third year as the assistant director of student activities and leadership programs at the University of Miami. She was awarded the Administrator of the Year for 2003 as voted on by the student body.

Heather then received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award this January. The award is given to those who serve as a role model to others by demonstrating a commitment to high moral qualities, ideals and greatness of character in accordance to the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Congratulations Heather. It sounds like you are doing well down there in the Florida sunshine.

That’s all folks
I have more business news than I can fit in one column which is a good problem to have. It’s not quite as nice a problem as having Duane Sherrill after you for some revenge, but it’s an OK problem nonetheless.

Rumors have been flying about possible new businesses locating in the Carrier building and I will address that topic next week. There are also several new businesses I plan to visit and tell you all about.

I only hope you found this column more interesting than the 13-year-old boy found President Bush’s recent speech in Orlando, Fla. In case you missed it, the president was giving a speech while the boy, Tyler Crotty, was yawning directly behind him. Pictures of the teen’s boredom are available on today’s Entertainment page on 10-C.

And don’t forget to give me a call with your business news at 473-2191.