Portsmouth Ohio's Mound Park revived ... Thx Blaine B! - Wonderful to see! Bring back the pool!

Kalb+makes+Mound+Park+building+her+life’s+work

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Blaine Bierley	6:20 AM (34 minutes ago)
to me, Nelson

http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/8659/kalb-makes-mound-park-building-her-lifes-work

WOW ! Sgt Looney of the US Marines ... Thx John Bob L!

Dick Klitch and I meet for breakfast, Bob.  Your name nearly always comes up.  He and I  believe that you are the Angel of the WW II era Mound Park Urchins in Portsmouth, Ohio.  Dick becomes eighty Aug. 15.  Ronnie Walters and I have Nov 13 birthdays and he joins Mr. Klitch while I become eighty-one.  Yours is a lofty perch, Sarge!

SamKat


WOW

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> I DO BELIEVE
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> If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. - Matthew 21:22
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> Angels       Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.       I sent an angel to watch over you last night, but it came back. I asked "why?"...The angel said: "Angels don't watch over angels!       "Please read.... not joking.....God has seen you struggling with something. God says it's over. A blessing is coming your way.       If you believe, send this message on. Please don't ignore it. God is going to fix two BIG things tonight in your favor. If you believe in God, drop everything and pass it on.       Tomorrow will be the best day ever. Send this to ten friends, including me. If I don't get it back, I guess I'm not one of them. As soon as you get five replies, someone you love will quietly surprise you.

Mound Park in the fifties

My brother, Jim, sold the Scioto Voice, a weekly newspaper he owned in Wheelersburg, Ohio east of Portsmouth, a few years ago.  He still sends a "High Notes" article in each week.  The Kegleys lived on McConnell Ave. two blocks below Mound Park and we ten kids each spent time in Mound Park.  Thanks to Jim for this nostalgic piece about the park.

 

High Notes 05-23-2013 Mound Park

 

Three old men were sitting on painted green wooden park benches under the large Sycamore trees at the top of Mound Park, Portsmouth.  They were sitting facing West toward the horseshoe mound, and could view the panorama of play area, from the croquet courts on the corner of Grant and Hutchins to the no longer used croquet courts at 17^th and Hutchins Streets, and by turning slightly they could watch the short-shorts clad girls playing tennis on either the clay courts, or the asphalt courts located across the alley from the Park Shoppe.  I didn’t know all of the men, but I do remember one was named, Joe C. Robinson, a fireman on the N & W Railroad.  Like my own Dad, most railroaders wore puffy blue-denim bill caps as part of their working togs, but I remember that Mr. Robinson, who lived in the 1600 block of High Street, had a finely starched sheet-white railroad cap he’d wear to the park.  It seemed to me that he also had a set of starched white overhauls he’d sometimes wear. 

It was 1950, and I.B. and Paul Thompson still ran their small grocery store cata-corner from the park’s sandstone tapered step-up water fountain on the corner of Grant and Hutchins.   At that time, I.B. (Isaac) and his wife, Estelle Thompson played shuffleboard on the smooth concrete finished courts, located directly opposite the Thompson’s 1812 Grant Street home.  The croquet and shuffleboard courts were lighted, and the old folks would play into the midnight hours at times.  There was no hurry to return to those sweltering homes during the summer months.

I think old I. B. must have been the president of the local shuffleboard club, because he was the “keeper of the lights” and was responsible for their use.  Now and then he would allow some of we park urchins (We were young raggedy rogues) access to the implements, pucks and court time.  Shuffleboard was a fun way to while away some lazy-time.  It was darn competitive too, even among the kids.  You certainly know the old codgers enjoyed their gamesmanship!  The oldsters didn’t like us playing, but since Mound Park was a public park, they grudgingly let us play if we raised enough Cain.

Along with the fountain at the south croquet courts, there were four of those stone drinking fountains in Mound Park…one near the shelter houses at the top of McConnell Avenue, and the third at the tennis courts, behind the softball field bleachers.  The fourth was at the north end of the horseshoe mound, across from Logan Street.  I think Mound Park’s structures were built during the Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency under the auspices of the WPA (Works Progress Administration).  On Sunday my 41-year old son, Forest came down from Circleville to visit and he reminded me of a unique kid’s sliding-board, designed like a space ship, with a red painted and pointed top, which was there during his generation’s Mound Park activities.

For we 1950’s urchins who happened to get caught by some of those older high school hooligans, our right of passage into high school was to be  “set on the fountain” at Mound Park.

The area around Mound Park was an ideal place to grow up.  I haven’t spent much time in the park lately, but I suppose there are still old men ogling the girls, and many a parent with their kids at play. 

Thompson’s Grocery building is still standing at the corner of Grant and Hutchins, but it has housed several businesses since the 50’s including Gomer and Clark Moore’s tv electronics store, and now it is a Pro Tan tanning salon.

Dr. Benny Benz. ... Reply from Bob Looney (MPU)

Yeah Bob. He came to the book signing with us in Portsmouth, recently. He told me he was nearly an incorrigible to PHS, but he was amazed that most all of the teachers at PHS came to him for glasses when he went into practice. Examples: Freda Burke and Elizabeth Musser. He is really a likeable character. He also got serious about his education and won a scholarship of some importance. He and I were in a chemistry course with Mr. Cole of PHS at OUPB. Isn't it surprising how most of us Mound Park urchins made our way out into the world. Maybe not all rich like Benny, but we weren't robbing banks or raping women. It only proves to me that our God is a good and merciful creator.

Sam

-----Original Message-----

From: johnlooney@windstream.net

Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 11:04 AM

To: Sam Kegley

Subject: Re: Dr. Benny Benz fishing in FL ... Thanks Jim Kegley!

SAM--REMEMBERING BENNY BENZ FROM THE OLD DAYS , AT MOUND PARK, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT HE WOULD BECOME A DOCTOR????????

BOB

---- Sam Kegley wrote:

> EBRUARY 12, 2012

> Dr.Benny Benz in FL's panhandle ... thanks Jim!

> Labels Portsmouth

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> This was Benny's 5th Pompano this week. Fishing with David Windes.

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> Dr. Benz is a class person from Portsmouth Ohio! Dick Klitch and I are proud that he is our friend!

> Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook

> Posted by Sam, Kegley at 7:52 AM

Where did the shirt come from, Bob?

I believe the fourth person may be Greg Hatch, but, otherwise,  it is Dick Klitch, Bob Looney and Ron Walters from left to right.

 Who got that shirt for him, Bob? It would not have been Joan. I saw him Tuesday morning at breakfast with Smokey Gibson, now 90, and his wife Alice. He looks a lot healthier with that forty pounds, but he is looking healthier each time I see him. Smokey said: "Somebody is looking after you."


Coach Smoke is also looking good.



You and I and Ronnie know that he had a lot of Mound Park Urchin prayers as well as those of other P'Town friends.



Thanks JBL!



Sam





From: golfjl@aol.com

Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 00:47

To: skegley@columbus.rr.com ; buckdayo@gmail.com

Subject: When did Klitch get out of prison? HaHaHeHe

Re- The Sugar Bowl... Jack H Plymale & Sarah Rapp

Sam, I don't remember Dick Klitch. Must have been a heck of an


athlete. I remember Bill. He wasn't. I remember three Spencer girls .

Jeanette, Nell and an older one( name I forgot).. I am planning to

leave here for the states on 10 June and shortly thereafter the old

home town for what will probably be my last trip north. I think I

mentioned to you that Fout had to have a pacemaker. It seems all the

wheels are starting to come off,I don't know whether I sent you a

picture of Jim and myself taken, the first week in June 1944. We'll be

about a week late but we are going to try and recreate that little

jewel 66 years and a week or so later.I'll keep you posted.It should

be a laugher. Our kids will probably get a kick out of it. Time and

the tireless tides of nature are beginning to ravage us pretty good,

but we're hangin in there. Jack P.



On 4/28/11, Sam Kegley wrote:

> Mound Park Urchins spent a lot of time in Mrs. Ford's Sugar Bowl. The

> Spencer family (girls) owned it before her.

FW- Thanks for your time Bob Looney

Bob Looney is a special Mound Park Urchin friend from Portsmouth who forwarded this to me.  Spending time with him and other fellow urchins have been so good for me.

Sam Kegley

To all my friends I want to

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

ONCE YOU READ THIS

YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!





A young man learns

what's most important in life from the guy next door.







It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.



College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way.



In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.



There, in the rush of his busy life,



Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time

to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.



Over the phone, his mother told him,



"Mr. Belser died last night The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.



"Jack, did you hear me?"



"Oh, sorry, Mom.

Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him.



I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.



"Well, he didn't forget you.



Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence'



as he put it," Mom told him.



"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.



"You know, Jack, after your father died,



Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence

in your life," she said



"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "



I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him.



He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom,

I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.



As busy as he was, he kept his word.



Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral

was small and uneventful He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.



The night before he had to return home,



Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next

door one more time.



Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment.



It was like crossing over into another dimension,

a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered.



Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.



"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked..



"The box is gone," he said



"What box?" Mom asked.



"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk



I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside.



All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how



Jack remembered it, except for the box..



He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.



"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.



"I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."



It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died



Returning home from work one day Jack discovered

a note in his mailbox.



"Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop



by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package.



The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.



The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return

address caught his attention.



"Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out

to his car and ripped open the package.



There inside was the gold box and an envelope.

Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.



"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to



Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life."



A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing,

as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box.



There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.



Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing,



he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:



"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."



"The thing he valued most was...my time"



Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and



cleared his appointments for the next two days.



"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.



"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.



"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"



"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by



the moments that take our breath away,"



Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.



1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much



they would die for you.



2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.



3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,



even if they don't like you.



4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before



they go to sleep



5.. You mean the world to someone.



6. If not for you, someone may not be living.



7. You are special and unique.



8. When you think you

have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time,



sooner or later, you will get it or something better.



9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,



something good can still come from it.



10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look:



you most likely turned your back on the world.



11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.



12. Always remember the compliments you received.



Forget about the rude remarks.



13. Always tell someone how you feel about them;



you will feel much better when they know and you'll

both be happy.



14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.



Send this letter to all the people you care about,



if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's

day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.



To everyone I sent

this to " Thanks for your

time".

=

Portsmouth OH Plymalisms

Ted Truitt- One small comment from me in a reply is why the warning opens when my blog is approached. You loved these Mabert Roaders like Mr. Plymale, didn't you. Of course, I am a Mound Park urchin, McConnell Ave. guy.

Stag Pool Hall and Cameo-Portsmouth Ohio

As Mound Park Urchin, I would have felt out of place at either the Stag or the Cameo, therefore I never ventured forth to those esteemed halls of young P'Town society.

I would appreciate anybody writing me an email of Stag or Cameo stories which I want to add to my blog. Hint- Blaine Bireley, Jack Plymale, Sarah Rapp, Al nelson - virtually anybody. Maybe Pete Minego featured the places at times, Blaine.

Stan Workman's obituary PDT 11-3-10

Stanley Edward Workman Sr., 75, passed away at Southern Ohio Medical Center early Monday morning on Nov. 1, 2010.



Born in New Boston, Ohio, he was the eldest son of Cowan Workman and Pauline Crabtree.



A lifelong resident of Portsmouth, Ohio, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris Jean (Gore) Workman, whom he married on Sept. 23, 1954; six children, Karen Lee Grashel (Scott) of St. Petersburg, Fla., Kimberly Sue, Stanley Edward Jr., Gordon Cowen, Bruce Maurice (Polly A.) and Polly Jean Bowman (Richard), all of Portsmouth; eight grandchildren, Amy and Zachary Grashel of St. Petersburg, Fla., Woodrow and Jack Workman, Mark Jackson Jr., Richelle, Candace and Richard Bowman II, all of Portsmouth. He is also survived by four brothers and sisters, Thomas Workman (Martha) of Mount Olivet, Ky., Jenny Klein (John) of Oak Hill, Ohio, Jim Workman and Marta Hale, both of Portsmouth. In addition, he is survived by his nephews and nieces, Doug Workman, Kelly Mullins, Laura Tilton, Darren Maple, Josie Howard, Samuel Blanton, Patrick and Matthew Hale.



He was preceded in death by his parents, and by nephews, Scott Maple and Wesley Workman.



Stanley worked early on as an assistant manager at Albers Supermarket, and then for many years as produce manager at Emnett’s IGA in New Boston. He was an avid sports fan, and spent many years coaching Portsmouth Little League, Pee Wee Football, as well as several years of coaching football and basketball at Grant Middle School. He loved all children and youth with which he came into contact; no matter whether they played on the team he was coaching. He was always willing to pitch in and give “hands on” instruction. He also had a great love for horse and dog racing, and had many good times attending these events with friends.



Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary Company in Portsmouth, with Rev. Stanley N. Webster officiating. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Daehlers and one hour before the service on Thursday.



Donations may be made in memory of Stanley Workman Sr. to the Wesley Workman Scholarship Fund, and sent to the Portsmouth City Schools Business Office, Kyle Smith, Treasurer, 724 Findlay St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.

Copyright 2010 Portsmouth Daily Times. All rights reserved.

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Read more: Portsmouth Daily Times - Stanley Edward Workman Sr

Stan Workman dies- Another Mound Park Urchin passes on

Thanks Frank,




Yes, Stan was a Portsmouth icon for knowing all of the great athletes there

throughout his life. He came with several others to a New Boston Library

meeting where I received suggestions of interviewees for my "Excellence in

Athletics" (2004) book.



He was a youngest member of Herman Klitch's highly achieving Grandview Cubs baseball team.

His son is an OSU grad I believe who sang for the OSU halftimes a few times
because of his excellent vocal talents. Stan was, of course, a Mound Park
Urchin of the highest stature.



Sam









----- Original Message -----

From: "samgabe"

To: "Sam Kegley"

Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 07:58

Subject: Stan Workman





> Hi Sam,

> Stan died last night evidently from a heart attack. I am sure you know him

> from around the park. He was 75.