Rock Around The Clock

(Published on iSurf News on September 15, 2011)

I was born and raised in Muhlenberg County, only leaving long enough to go to college and then rush back home. Seems like I ran back just as fast as I ran away, something about growing up and hitting the pavement makes you realize that things were not nearly as bad as they had seemed.

There are so many things about this area that I am I proud of. I love to tell people that I am from the same place as the Everly Brothers. I love telling about how this area is so rich in coal, music history and wonderful people. Music has always had a special place in my heart, so when there is a concert or a music event in the area, I'm usually there.

Grandparents Day

(Published on iSurf News on September 8, 2011)

When my son was born, he was the first grandchild for my parents and the first great-grandchild for my maternal grandparents. That kid did not have a chance. Something happens to a person when they become a grandparent. Remember all those rules they had as parents? Well, they do not apply to the grandchild. They still apply to you, the child, but not the grandchild.

Sugar In The Land

(Published on iSurf News on September 1, 2011)
 

A little over a year ago, my best friend introduced me to a county singing group called Sugarland. I had heard a little about them, but my friend thought they were amazing.
I soon fell in love with the song “Stuck Like Glue” and that is how we compared our friendship. We were stuck like glue. When we found out that Sugarland would be in concert at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, we planned a weekend trip to Indianapolis.

My Friend Herb

(Published on iSurf News on August 25, 2011) 

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher named Herbert Smith. Mr. Smith, or “Herbie” as we called him when he was not within earshot, was a jovial man, always smiling, laughing and having a wonderful time. Herbie was a tall, large man with a heart just as big. He was also bald. Well, nearly bald. He did have that ring of hair that runs right above his ears and around his head, but the majority of his head was hairless. He had the same hairstyle as my great-grandfather, what I like to call “Grandpa Hair”, so I thought of Herbie as a little more than just a teacher.

My best memory of Herbie was the day he came into class and started talking about the fact that he had just gotten a haircut. He ran his hand over his hair, what little he had, and announced, “I got a haircut.” I just couldn't resist. I piped up and said, “Herbie, which hair did you get cut?” He gave me the Herbie-Glare, slowly took out his grade book, ran his finger down the list of names as he eerily repeated my name over and over. When he found my name, he took his ink pen in hand and then he said, “Douglas...conduct...F.” The only “F” I have ever gotten in my life!! But it was so worth it.

I have such fond memories of Herbie roaming the halls of my old high school.

My Epiphany

(Published on iSurf News on August 18, 2011)

I was a late bloomer when it came to going to college. There were so many things that I wanted to do, I couldn't decide what to do.

I finally decided that I was going to be a teacher and help young people learn, but as soon as I realized that I would probably be going to school the rest of my life, I decided to pursue another path. By the time I packed my little orange Toyota Corolla, which I called my “Pumpkin”, and headed off to college, I was 21-years-old.

Dreaming The Dream

(Published on iSurf News on August 11, 2011)

When you are young, was there an ice cream truck that came through your neighborhood? Or did you have a neighborhood store that you could walk to on a hot summer day to get your favorite ice cream treat? If so, you were lucky. I had neither. 

I grew up in a rural area where the closest neighbor was a “good, loud holler away”. I always envied the kids that grew up in neighborhoods where they could ride their bikes up and down the sidewalks and where they could just run next door to play with their friends. Not only did I not have my own ice cream truck or a neighborhood store, I also did not have a sidewalk for riding my bike or a friend that lived close enough I could run next door.

Keepin’ the Faith

(Published on iSurf News on August 4, 2011)

With the first Saturday in August being National Mustard Day, things will sure be hopping in downtown Middleton, Wisconsin.
 
The National Mustard Museum moved to its current location in 2009. Before that, it was located in Mouth Horeb, Wisconsin. The museum was founded by Barry Levenson after he started collecting mustards in 1986 while working as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin. In 1991, Levenson abandoned his law career to pursue his passion of collecting mustards and mustard memorabilia full time.