By R. David Shew
Decided to begin a new column for WBON-TV and call it “On the Road with Shewbop.” Hopefully, Kelly gives me the thumbs up to continue.
Monday, I introduced a young friend to a local attorney who was having a problem with his landlord. We will see how that goes. For dinner, several Rotary members fixed a meal for the New Opportunity School for Women in Berea at the First Christian Church.
Tuesday, my sister Rhonda and Darlene Snyder took me to lunch at the Thomas Round Hill General Store. The salmon patties were fine, and the banana pudding was delicious. The store opens at 7 a.m. and is located at 805 Kirksville Road. The Kirksville community is happy to have a place to meet and eat.
Wednesday was my milestone birthday. Yes, it was lucky number 70! I tell people that I am 70 going on 30 in my mind, and I beat the odds at 50, 60, and now 70 which makes me happy to say the least. Thank you, Wesley and Donna, for graciously opening your lovely home to me and several friends to celebrate my birthday. It was a beautiful early summer evening on Wilgreen Lake. Also, thank you to my friend Owen Grise for entertaining my friends and me on my birthday. If you need an entertainer for the evening, please look up Owen. Call me and I will give you his number or reach out to me on Facebook.
Thursday, Darlene and I were treated to lunch with Alan and Pat Banks at the Arlington Grill to finalize our plans for the “Evening with Cody’s Wish” at the Gallery on Main this Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The live auction will start at 7:30 p.m., and the silent auction will end when the live auction starts. Thursday evening, I showed up just in time for dinner at the Matter of Pride dinner to hear Brian Milam interview Coach Walt Wells and his friend, Will Muschamp. Will and Walt were assistant coaches at EKU for one year under Coach Roy Kidd and became life-long friends. Three highlights of Will’s coaching career were winning the BCS National Championship at LSU in 2003 as the defensive coordinator; the 2022 National Championship at Georgia as the defensive analyst and special teams coach beating the Crimson Tide; and the 2023 National Championship destroying TCU. For the record, Coach Muschamp gave me a hard time, and I gave Will the same.
Friday, I attended the visitation of Rondall Durham at Oldham, Roberts, and Powell. My memories of Rondall were the best. My Richmond Register team unloaded many boxcars of newsprint next to Richmond Bottling Works with Rondall looking over our shoulders to make sure we did not get hurt. After a lunch with the Romeo 2.0 Club at Madison Garden, I was off to the newly renovated Madison Country Club to toast the life of Rondall Durham. Thanks to the staff at the MCC and Hubert Broaddus for hosting the event.
Saturday was an excellent day. I drove to Midway to pick up framed pictures of Cody’s Wish that Darlene and I took at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm in Lexington for the “Evening with Cody’s Wish.” Then, I met Kim Perry who painted a fabulous picture of the starting gate at Keeneland. The painting is breathtaking and absolutely extraordinary to say the least. Next, I met Scott Franklin and his wife Tammy who are thoroughbred enthusiasts, and she was a barrel racer as a young lady. I shared my news about Midway Barrel Racing Champion, and Scott bought her a book. The highlight of the evening was meeting the Executive Chef at Keeneland, Bill Bliziotis who is originally from Greece and the former owner of several restaurants in New York City. He even cooked dinner at the Thoroughbred Restaurant for my friend, Doug Vescio, at 9:45 p.m. Doug had lamb chops, pan fried grouper, jambalaya, mixed vegetables, and chocolate cake. Doug did take some of the jambalaya and chocolate cake home.
Sunday was a great day to finish the week. My mother, Kitty, has taught our family to enjoy birthdays as a family. We celebrated four family birthdays including mine, my nephew Lane Orttenburger, my great nephew Levi Toutant, and my great niece Delta Trinh. Darlene and I were late for this event because we started the evening at Nuevo celebrating David “Cazz” Kamps 75th birthday. Say that one more time: David “Cazz” Kamps 75th birthday. Happy Birthday to all!
I’m tired and need some rest.
