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The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives 102 Old Lincoln Way West Galion, Ohio 44833 (419) 462-2212 Voice |
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A Question Answered...
April 25, 2003
Dear Friends,
The question has been asked,
Perhaps it can best be answered in a story.
Many years ago while at the Girl Scouts,
As I drove into Galion there were trees and limbs
It looked like a battlezone.
Seeing an opportunity,
I went to the local rental shop and made the plunge.
I called a friend and asked if he would help,
I called another friend and he said Ok too,
I was counting the cheese as we speak.
The plan was to drive around and do the little jobs,
In other words, volume, volume, volume.
Helping lots of people and keeping it fresh.
At least that was the plan.
But then like George Bush,
Actually,
Not having done this before,
I quoted him $75.00,
Hours and hours and hours later,
Boy was that a mistake!!
We finally finished and were able to pick up
My 4 to 5 hundred dollar day had quickly
My former friend and I talked about it
But hey,
While the storm debris was soon gone,
It was driving me crazy.
So I thought, OK
Several months later I rounded up my last $12,000,
What a piece of equipment...
It would take a 9 inch tree and
I started at the Girl Scouts,
Everyone from private citizens to the township trustees.
Since I was a one man show,
At first,
Over and over again,
Some of these people had been stairing at these piles for years,
They didn't pay someone else to come in and take care of it,
Their attitude immediately changed
Now this is what I call this a
The more I did it,
Most jobs are really pretty easy
In this case a $12,000 tool.
In addition,
Enter,
I would provide the tools and help any man
As one person did their yard,
Neighbors who were here-to-fore strangers
Suddenly we were moving,
The fee for this service...
Just an envelope marked tree fund
OK, so all well and good,
Trails at the Girls Scouts,
One day at the Galion Public Library,
I almost said something to the director
On the way out to the truck,
She said,
Well, the original idea was for the library,
So off to the Directors house I go.
When I arrived I saw this TV antenna laying off to the side
After the chips were unloaded,
Seems they just put in cable
Well, I guess...
It was like preaching to the choir.
Unbeknownst to her,
After a while 4, 6 & 10 gets to be pretty old.
Well, I'm sorry
I couldn't believe it,
It was a Channel Master
After rounding up a new tower from my roofing friend
It was amazing,
I paused for a second in wonder
They had been there all the time,
Hope that answers your question...
Warmest Regards,
Since January 16, 2004
"...how do you summon the strange clairvoyance? "
there was a terrible Ice Storm.
down all over the place.
I thought now if a guy had a chipper
he could do right well for himself.
Ok got that, but now all I need a truck.
so now were off to the races.
$10 bucks here, $20 bucks there and maybe an occasional
$50 or $100 job in between.
at the last minute I threw out the plan
to take advantage of a target of opportunity.
I saw a friend in need with a big pile
and pulled in to offer assistance.
my eyes were much bigger than my stomach.
thinking it wouldn't take too long
and then off to work we went.
we were still plugging along.
a few other jobs before it got dark but,
I'm here to tell you...our buts were sure
dragging on the ground.
evaporated into one just barely breaking even.
and decided not to go back for a second day...
it was fun
we helped some people out
and it was a good experience.
it seemed everywhere I turned there
was a pile of brush calling my name.
I'll do my homework.
jumped off the deep end and bought
a brand new Vermeer 935 Chipper.
gobble it up in no time.
making trails and cleaning up the place
and suddenly people started calling me asking for help.
I always asked the owner to help out.
they looked at me
like you must be crazy...
But once they got the hang of it,
you could see a strange sense of satisfaction
come over their face.
it seemed to ring true.
and suddenly it was gone and they actually helped.
they got all hot and sweaty and did it for themselves.
and when it came time to settle up
they couldn't wait because they knew first hand
what was involved and the benefit they had received.
"Value for Value Transaction".
the more I got to thinking.
assuming of course you have the right tools.
it didn't make sense for everyone with a small pile of brush
to go out and buy a Vermeer Chipper,
but what if I made it available for people who wanted
to learn to fish.
"Lets do it Together"
who was willing to help himself.
the neighbors came over to check it out,
and pretty soon we were doing their yard.
were suddenly talking,
helping one another out
and taking a genuine pride in their mutual work
and accomplishments.
and get this...a sense of community began to develop.
and the words:
"Make Yourself Happy."
but what do you do with all the wood chips.
neighborhood gardens and landscaping projects
and wherever else you can find.
I noticed their flower beds and thought maybe
they could use a load of chips.
but changed my mind at the last minute.
it came at me again,
so I said, "OK",
and go back in.
"You know I was thinking about that just yesterday,
not for here but at my home."
but a friend in need is a friend in deed.
and though I wonder what that's all about.
she asked if she could pay me
and I said,
"What's up with the TV Antenna?"
and did I know anyone who wanted it.
not days before I approached the Girl Scouts
about just such an Antenna for the rangers house.
there's no money in the budget,
better luck next time.
not in my wildest dreams.
complete with rotor and control.
the big day arrived.
not only did I get 4, 6, & 10,
but 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 28, 34,
on and on it went.
and then it hit me.
all I needed was a better antenna.
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