This arrived soon after I wrote about the suspension of Akron’s cop-in-the-box program, which is under fire from the state. The automated speed cameras had been set up in Akron school zones since 2005.
Bob: Again, a riveting article. I received one of those tickets, yet unpaid.
Heard a rumor that traps only were set up in public-school zones, not any Catholic-school zones. Could you verify?
If so, I go on record: “Catholic lives matter.”
Feel better now.
Ron Rett
Akron
Ron: Urban legend. At various times, the cameras were set up at St. Paul, St. Sebastian, St. Matthew and St. Vincent Elementary.
But now that you mention it ... with the city’s program on hold, maybe the parochial schools should take matters into their own hands and hire one of the speed-camera companies directly. Imagine the fundraising possibilities!
No more bake sales! No more reverse raffles! No more silent auctions!
Running a cop-in-the-box camera is just like having your own free ATM!
PLUMBING PROBLEMS
Marty LaConte thoroughly enjoyed the juxtaposition of two advertisements in a recent edition of the South Side News Leader.
On the bottom of the page was a big ad for a gastroenterologist who is accepting new patients. Immediately above was an ad for a company that does septic-tank plumbing.
Guess they’re sort of in the same business.
CHAPEL HILL MEMORIES
Here’s an entertaining slice of local history, compliments of Paulette Beal of Stow.
“My 95-year-old dad [Harry Hausman] read with great interest your column about the land that eventually became Chapel Hill Mall.
“He lived in a house on that property with his five siblings and parents.
“My grandfather paid $29 a month for several acres. They grew vegetables, milked the cow and went about raising their family.
“When my dad’s brother got a job at Firestone, they could no longer keep up with the work and sold the farm back to the original owner.
“Dad remembers the mine. In fact, he said they used very small donkeys to go in and haul out the coal.”
Paulette says the mine came into play when her grandpa wanted to upgrade the bathroom facilities.
“They had an outhouse, and my grandfather called someone to come and drill for water so they could have indoor plumbing. When they started to drill, they almost lost their equipment because there was no ground where they were drilling.
“The man said he was afraid to try anyplace else on the property, so the outhouse stayed out.”
SENIOR FUN
Folks who move into a retirement facility have two ways to go: sit in the corner by yourself or revel in interacting with others.
Jack Coberly opted for the latter. The former Akron school principal, now living at the Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, belongs to the Reader’s Theater there.
The performers read from comedic scripts. Because both the actors and the audience are elderly, the scripts are short, and the actors mostly sit.
Coberly not only performs but, starting in 2011, at the tender age of 80, he began to write some of the plays and has cranked out 20 that were staged.
The ex-principal is eager to share the fun with other retirement communities and will make his scripts available at no cost. Call him at 330-721-3028.
SAD DEMISE
Death is never pretty. But when you die after alienating everyone in your family, it can get downright ugly.
Check out this brutal obituary, which recently appeared in my favorite newspaper.
“Beverly lived most of her tormented life in the CuyFalls area. Struggling to survive on her own, she succumbed to her illness a year ago. Allergies and chemical sensitivity led to various cancers and to her death. Beverly passed away alone in Akron’s Palliative Care Unit. She lay in the morgue until her son was notified.
“Survived by [nine relatives]. Family she lost, gave away, and never knew.
“Memorials are asked to be kept in your heart. Cremation has taken place.”
Ouch.
Bob Dyer can be reached at 330-996-3580 or bdyer@thebeaconjournal.com. He also is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bob.dyer.31.