February 28, 2008

I'm just saying . . .
Respect may be earned, but now disrespect is given way too freely
By James Cook, Times Editor

Too many times we do not show the proper honor or respect for those we care for until it is too late. We sit back and think about all the good someone has done and yet we can not find a few minutes of our time to express our thoughts. It is sad, but too many times we pass on our respect and honor after that person has passed on.
But in recent months, several honors and shows of respect have been given to those who deserve it. Last October and early November, we at the Times, in some fine article written by David Griffin, expressed our respect for some important people. We did a series of stories on the Greatest Generation – the World War II veterans who are still with us today. For too long they have been ignored, even though they fought a war to keep us free when the world doubted if we could hold on. But the American spirit and their sacrifices have earned them the highest of respect. Or at least it should have. I know they have my utmost thanks and respect.
Last week I got to witness the baseball Pirates show some respect and honor to the first four coaches for the school. These men literally started a program that is one of the most successful not only at the school, but also the entire district and region. Sure they may not have won a lot of regional championships. But respect can be earned through hard work and doing the job right. I can not think of a time that the program has not had the respect of their opponents and it was because of these men. Bill Orme, Bill Spencer, Charlie Childers and John Combs not only were great coaches, but great human beings who cared enough not just to teach the game of baseball and try to win a few games. They also taught their players to become men and to make something of themselves in life. They showed respect to their players and earned it back.
I did not get the chance to meet Coach Spencer, but have heard a lot about him. Coach Orme was the Athletic Director when I was part of the program from 1981 to1983. Coach Combs was still coaching basketball, but his knowledge of baseball was also well known and sought after by the players. I played for Coach Charlie Childers and I learned more about baseball and life in those three seasons than anyone could imagine. I may not have totally realized it until later, but he earned my respect and still does.
Like his predecessors and those who came after him, I have seen him use his people skills to help teach the game and a life lesson in the same moment. I have seen him literally take money from his pocket to help the players and the program. He earned your respect because he was genuine and he cared. Much like the others who were honored last Saturday night with induction into the Pirates Baseball Hall of Fame, he means a lot to his former players. To this day, when I meet him it is always like the student meeting the teacher and showing him the respect he deserves for all his efforts and hard work.
However, disrespect does not have to be earned. It is given freely by those who care about nothing but themselves. It can be subtle, like Channel 27’s two part interview with Tubby Smith and he has not even been gone a year. If Billy Gillispie and UK were having a super season, they would not dare do this. Talking about disrespect.
Sure, we say respect is earned, but that usually goes for sports or in the workplace. Too many times people can not show the decent, common respect that we should show all human beings. Instead, smart remarks, blowing them off or not caring if they are alright seems to be acceptable. It should not be acceptable anywhere.
Granted, I am one who may not like a certain thing that is being done, but the person implementing the rule still deserves some human respect. They do not deserve to be torn down, belittled or made fun of just because you are having a bad day. It seems to be easier to lash out than to see the bigger picture and that is that we are all God’s creation and deserve to be treated better just for that fact alone.
Now let me just say here, no one has taken out their frustration on me and that is not why this column is being written. I just happen to be a people watcher and I have seen a lot of disrespect being dished out lately. People in too big a hurry, kids not wanting to listen to parents, others just wanting to blame someone else for their problem – all seem to be disrespecting their fellow man. It is wrong and we need to change it.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:17, to “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” Since we are all His creation and thus part of the brotherhood he speaks of, maybe we should act like it more often. I’m pretty sure there would be fewer problems in your daily life.
I’m just saying . . .

View from the Mountain...
Memories of Sleigh riding on U.S. 25
By David G. Griffin, Times Reporter

After witnessing a couple of snows on Furnace Mountain last week, I started to think about the huge snow storms that we had when I was a teenager. Marty Cox of Mt. Vernon sent me an e-mail about one night when several of us rode our sleighs on Old US 25. We had over a foot of snow.
Before you get concerned about teenagers riding sleds on a highway, let me assure you that automobiles were not capable of coming up that particular road with the snow that we were experiencing. The stretch of road running from my house to the cemetery was probably about two miles.
We had not had school for several days and, as you might expect, we were bored. That afternoon several of the girls started calling their friends to invite them to a “bonfire” and skating party at a place near my house.
By night fall, there were approximately a dozen guys and girls who had gathered around a huge fire which we had built near the road. The guys had been asked to bring their sleds so we could accommodate everyone. Some of the sleds were big enough for three people. On those that were just singles, a couple of the girls would pile on top of a guy and then they would begin the exhilarating ride all the way to the cemetery.
This was during the time when I owned a ’58 Chevy. That afternoon we had put chains on the tires so that we could use my car to carry us back to the top of the hill via the new US 25 section of the highway. Marty and I tried to recall the names of the “party goers,” and we believe that they included: Carla Baker, Gary Foster, Paul Thompson, Lloyd Fain, Gary Coffee, Bud Cox, Bobby Sweeney, Dorcas Woodall, and Paul Daily.
Sometime during the evening, some guy decided that the fire was not big enough and added a couple of automobile tires to the flames. It created a huge flame with black, tar-like smoke. Marty recalled, “I do remember getting black faces from standing around the burning tires trying to keep warm before we climbed back on for another scary ride – laughing our heads off all the way down the long hill.”
I remember that Gary Foster lived at the bottom of the hill. After a few trips, he contacted other teens to join us. Marty referred to him as a “dare devil,” and I know why. He was always the one to volunteer to try something new – especially if it was risky. Due to his efforts, we had several other car-loads of young people join the party.
One of the sharpest curves on our trip downhill was the area in front of McKinley Arnold’s house. I remember being on the bottom of a sled when it became top-heavy and tossed all of us into the ditch at the side of the road. We had snow all over us by the time we got back to the fire. Shivering and cold, we stood as close to the blaze as we could possibly get so that we could thaw out – only to begin once again after we had warmed up.
After a few hours of this adventure, some of the girls suggested that we ask Mommie Katie to make some hot chocolate. Of course, she was more than happy to oblige. All of my friends felt at home at her house.
So we put out the fire, and everyone went home except a few freezing individuals who decided to join us for hot chocolate. Mommie Katie was buzzing around like a busy bee making sure that everyone was toasty and had enough of her warm potion. Our snow-soaked boots made a huge pile on her front porch.
Some might believe that such a night was too tame, but good clean fun was the order of the day. We talked about the excitement of the evening for years to come.
Sledding has come a long way since then – especially in the area of “equipment.” But I in my mind, nothing could ever top a good sled with several teens piled on board.
(You can reach me at mtnman@mis.net I appreciate your responses and suggestions for this column. I answer every one.)