GRIPE # 1, 2 and 3
By: Stan Jordan
I started in the Antwerp Post Office as a window clerk July 1st, 1946 @ $1.04 per hour. Then in 1948, I worked in the Railway Mail Service, and then I started on Route One in January of 1949. I did that for 34 years, but even before that, I put 3 years in the army during WWII. Now if you add all that up plus 250 days of unused sick leave, it comes to about 39 years.
I am very proud of those 39 years, but these shenanigans the postal department of the United States government are pulling now, are down right stupid. It takes three days to get a letter from Antwerp Bank to the Antwerp Post Office, a distance no more than 50 feet.
But better than that, or worse than that, is that it is about 7 feet in the Antwerp Post Office from the drop box to my mail box (cost of $50.00 per year) and it still takes over three days. The Pony Express back in 1860 was better than this, and this is progress?
I was always proud of my time with the postal department, but now?
Now I don’t blame the local employees of the department, because I know they do what they are told, but that doesn’t make it right. 3 days for 50 feet, that is idiotic.
I know the idea is for the department to save money by not having workers in the small office to work and sort mail, so it is all sent lock, stock and barrel in trays to Columbus or some big city who has a sorting machine. Big hairy deal! Some boys in Washington had these silly ideas and to make it work the local American has such lousy mail service. Three days for 50 feet? That is just not acceptable. This is 2018! Next, they will be heating the local post office with corn cobs or buffalo chips to save money.
If you want a letter or card delivered locally in one day, you must take it in and hand it to the clerk and tell them to put it in today’s delivery.
Now this is a ruling from the higher ups, not the local clerks. They are doing as they are told.
See ya!
MORE ON THE WILDLIFE
By: Stan Jordan
On Friday, the 9th of November, Terri Gorney stopped in the office here at the West Bend News and we had a fine talk about wildlife. She is the lady that wrote that fine article on wildlife on the front of the West Bend News on November 6th, Issue 45: The Little Auglaize Wildlife Reserve.
She lives over in Indiana and she and her husband, Dave, are knee deep in wildlife. They both are members Stockbridge Audubon Society in Northern Indiana. We talked a lot of the wildlife reserve and all the birds they saw there.
I really recommend that you read her article on the front page of Issue 45. It is very interesting.
She sort of has roots here in Antwerp as her great grandpa was Bert Zeigler. He operated a grocery store on the corner of South Main and Railroad Street, where now Hometown Pantry is. That was in 1920’s or earlier. It later moved across the tracks and became the The Oak Bar & Grill which later became The Oasis.
I had a fine talk with Mark Mabis the other day and he was telling me that he saw four eagles in a field the other day right across from his house. There was two adults and two younger ones. He remarked how big they are.
Van Hanenkratt, our United Parcel Service driver, keeps a look out for wild game and nearly everyday he sees some and tells me about it. This area is well blessed with wildlife.
I was told that the other day Mark Larimore saw 10 or 12 eagles in a field eating something. There was two adults and the rest were full grown young ones.
That goes to bolster my idea that the parents of the young eagles that they have raised always stay in contact and get along together.
We have been told about people seeing a group of eagles together before.
Thanks for those reports.
See ya!
I HATE WINTER
By: Stan Jordan
This November 13th and winter is here. The outside temperature is 22 degrees. I had to finally put on my heavy winter coat and I hate to do that. These old arms are not as strong as they used to be. I hate winter.
But looking back I guess it is time for winter and cold weather. I know lots of people like the winter. Those people have snow mobiles and snow plows, little kids with new boots and sleds. And those guys who are ice fishermen and the people who sell Christmas trees.
There are some farmers who have to wait for the ground to freeze so they can finish getting their crops in, they didn’t get that job done in the fall.
I have a nephew who is an avid ice fisherman, yes he has all the gear for that day, but I still think Bobby is losing it.
Yes when you live here in the four season country, you are going to have some cold weather. That is the way the ball bounces.
Looking back, we had a good summer.
We had 12 days over 90 degrees. We had about 50 days over the daily average. We had quite a bit of rain, but that made the crops produce better. Here in Antwerp all of the summer activities were celebrated without being rained on.
Now the rain did make the water in the Maumee River rise up and down and the Maumee River Raft Race, so far, has not come about, the water was too high at times.
I guess I will spend the winter here in my corner looking out my famous window at traffic on SR 49.
There was a time in October that our temperature went from almost 90 down to almost freezing in three days. That is what happens when you have the four seasons.
I don’t like winter, but I love the other three seasons.
See ya!
SCHOOL BUS PROBLEMS
By: Stan Jordan
In a column last week about people passing a stopped school bus, I said there are other people to blame besides the driver of the passing vehicle. I caught a lot of slack because I think all I said was all school buses stop and pick up the students right by the curb. No student, anywhere, should have to cross a state highway or busy artery to get on a school bus. I think that should be a law in all states.
I know all states have laws about passing a stopped school bus, but a lot of people don’t stop, I don’t know why, but they don’t. If there were stiffer penalties, besides a ticket, like maybe lose your license for six months or a year, maybe that would help. There is way too much trouble now with people not stopping for a bus loading or unloading.
People who don’t obey the laws should receive a stiff penalty.
Maybe put another 24 cents nationwide on gas tax and return that money back to the schools to pay for the extra expense of new bus routes.
Something has to be done because too many students are being killed by careless drivers. Being sorry just don’t do it.
Maybe equip some buses with cameras for a while and see if that helps. Just anything to make the drivers aware that is a school bus and you must stop.
If the word would get out that you can lose your driver license for a year or six months maybe that would help.
See ya!
MY THANKSGIVING
By: Stan Jordan
My sister and her husband, two children, two of her grandchildren and I all descended upon United Methodist Church and had a wonderful meal and fellowship… just a real fine day. The dinner was put on my Dave Fisher and Jim Hunt.
My niece, Sharon Hicov, took care of me all afternoon. I met some old friends, along with some hugs and kisses on the cheek. I tell you, this being 94 stuff isn’t all bad.
With all that delicious meal, I had 2 ½ pieces of pie…they had to roll me out.
I went home and watched the Chicago Bears win over the Detroit Lions. I have liked the Bears ever since they had William Perry, also called “The Refrigerator”. He was 6’3 and weighed 350 lbs. but he was fast. He could run 100 meters in under 12 seconds. All Americans loved that guy.
Then I watched a good game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott, the fine running back from Ohio State Buckeyes a few years ago, plays for the Cowboys now, and he had a fine game.
After a fine meal and eight hours of football, I fell into the arms of Morpheus.
See ya!
