On Andy's IGA Reunion, roads and the King of Beer

Time to reach into the 'Notes' mailbag once again and check out recent communications from readers - snail, email and everything else.

Summer is the traditional time for reunions. That typically means lots of food and drink; some type of recreational activity like softball, horseshoes or volleyball; and plenty of stories about the fun and not-so-fun times of family members and friends.

Jeff Nobis and Carla White are looking forward to all those reunion joys in a gathering they're planning for a somewhat select group of individuals - former employees of Andy's IGA.

Jeff, a proud member (I think) of the Rodney B. Wilson Class of 1968, called recently to ask if I'd help publicize the inaugural Andy's Reunion by getting the word out via this column. Jeff, who returned to the area following his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1992, like other Andy's staff has fond memories of the business that was an employment starting place for a number of local students.

"Lots of kids my age and younger worked there over the years - we always had a good time," Jeff said, adding that the Andy's Reunion idea came from conversations with Carla at her Mint City Barber Shoppe - where a number of Andy's alumni come to get spiffed up.

"We've been talking about trying to get this together for the past two or three years; this year we just decided to give it a try," Carla says.

Like a number of other reunion planners in the area, Jeff and Carla are taking advantage of Mint Festival weekend that usually draws former residents back home as the date for the gathering of the Andy's clan. The fun begins at 5 p.m. at the home of Carla and Bill White, 1681 W. Price Road.

'Old' Andy's staffers can get more reunion info from Carla at either home or work, 224-3811 or 224-9540, or Jeff at 224-6654.

It appears I may have erred in using this space to announce plans to restart the County Roads series. It's not that I don’t appreciate the many comments from readers who are anxious to travel the roads again - I just don't know exactly what route I'm taking, so it's pretty difficult to answer questions about when the series is starting or where the road travels may lead.

Actually, I do have an idea for photographing structures of a particular type along whatever roads are taken - barns. Big, old farm barns have a special place in my heart and mind, just like they do for many area residents in our agricultural communities.

So, road readers, please be patient. Stories - and photos - are coming soon.

Speaking of roads, several fellow Rotarians and yours truly spent a rather hot hour a couple weeks ago picking up trash along US-27 as part of our club's commitment to the Adopt-a-Highway program - the two-mile stretch of the "bypass" from M-21 to about Taft Road.

It's always interesting to see what folks choose to throw from their vehicles, although I must admit to being a bit disappointed in the contents we bagged from this pick-up. Last time I helped, a gentleman's BVDs and a couple other similar items of clothing ended up in my MDOT trash bag - no undergarments were found this time.

I can report with some confidence, however, that Bud Lite is still the beverage of choice for highway travelers - at least those who throw empty containers along this particular stretch of highway. The brew easily beat out the leading contender - you guessed it, Lite's big brother, Budweiser.

The King of Beer still rules - just in a watered-down version.