If you follow my posts at all you know that we have a very select group of cousins from Home PA that are the Skunk Hollow Girls.  We have outings and get-togethers and Christmas parties and are a very close group of eleven.  Well, Skunk Hollow Girls, we’re branching out!  Those are the HOME cousins, but the Greensburg cousins – the Steiner side- have decided to do some outings of our own.  And as our Grandmother Steiner’s name was Violet, we are now the VIOLETS!  There are only four of us, and one is permanently in Arizona, so the remaining three will be a VERY select group! 

After a little deliberation we decided our first outing would be to Smicksburg for the Christmas Open House at the downtown craft shops.  Kath could not join us – last minute- because of several issues, but Deb and I braved the wind and rain and cold temperatures and had a great time!  The Drying Shed is my favorite shop, but all the stores had great displays of Christmas trees, lanterns, snacks, jewelry, and of course crafts.  Deb and I both bought some Christmas presents and then had lunch at the Country Junction.  Food was great and prices even better.  It poured down rain while we were eating, but was clear and sunny by the time we headed home.  We stopped a few places on the back roads (aren’t they ALL back roads in Home PA???) and took pictures of the fall trees and the beautiful skies. 

It was doubly fun to be in a place that holds so many fond memories and then to make new ones with a Violet!  This was just the beginning of what we hope to be much fun and adventures as the Violets grow and blossom – no matter what the season!  I’ll keep you posted!!

It seems like over the last few weeks there has been a lot going on – lots of ordinary but spectacular things.  I think it started back at Ligonier Days – when I was asked to join Ellen Smail and Alice Ann Templeton in the judges booth at the parade.  That was a first for me, and I loved it!  Not only did I get an up-front seat out of the cold and drizzle, but got to hear a play by play of the entries.  The theme was Ligonier’s Heritage: Then and Now.  I enjoyed the huge inclusion of history in the floats.  I felt a little tug of nostalgia when the Hempfield Spartan Marching Band went past;  not only is that my Alma mater but my kids graduated from Hempfield and my two granddaughters are in 7th and 10th grades.  Punxsutawney Phil made an appearance, even though he didn’t see his shadow.  There was everything from Monster trucks to good old Santa Clause.  It appeared that one unfortunate witch ended up ‘wrong side up’ in a planter.  Can’t explain that.  We enjoyed the morning, complete with corn dogs and French Fries with cheese.  The damp drizzle did not actually dampen anyone’s spirits and the crowds enjoyed the craft and entertainment booths as well.  A huge thanks to Ellen for lunch and the invitation!

The next weekend I kept Chrissy and Autmn overnight to give Nate and Jen a chance to attend the Metallica concern for his birthday.  Autmn looked so cute and grown up – almost 16.  Can’t believe it. 

After I dropped the girls off at their respective schools, I picked up Kath and we went north to see Mom and John.  We were able to take mom to her medical checkup, get some errands handled, and do some chores.  The rain held off enough so we could take a walk Saturday morning, and the leaves were starting to turn.  Rolling right into Sunday, the church had their Trunk or Treat, and Mary/Joni/I did our area as a matchbox city.  We had a plastic road and a village built with Little People and Fisher Price buildings.  The kids loved the matchboxes and we had a good time handing out the candy. 

The following Friday Kathy, Paul, and their grandson Isaac and I went to Lancaster to the Sight and Sound Theater to see the production of JESUS. Before the play we stopped at Cracker Barrel and Isaac challenged his grandma to a rousing game of checkers.  I hung out for a few minutes at the fireplace, which was hugely blazing and warm!  We stopped at a few shops to pass the time until 3pm, and got a photo in a horse and buggy (not real but very fun!).  The play followed the life of Jesus from when he called his disciples until the day of Pentecost.  My favorite parts where where Jesus calmed the storm (It really rained on stage!) and the scene with Mary and Martha.  I am so blessed to be included in these trips.  They are amazing productions! 

Finally we got to Halloween – we were allowed to dress in costume at work.  I decided to throw a costume together from odds and ends that I had at home, and ended up as a sort of island hippie! It was a fun couple of weeks, and now I’ll wait and see what’s waiting around the corner!

This morning, in the gray hours before dawn, – October 13th – my sister took her first solo walk in probably ten years.  There was no prancing tan dog to sniff along the yards’ edges, and no leashes to worry about, and nothing to take her mind off of the chilling wind.

And this afternoon, when Paul gets home from work, there will be no Chester to bark his deep welcome as his hero and champion walks in the door.  Because yesterday, Chester the dog crossed over the rainbow bridge. 

Sarah said in her facebook post: Rip sweet Chester. The sweetest, most loving dog. We were blessed to have so many years with you xox we will miss you. Even though he was not my dog, he lived right down the street and I saw him often.  In fact, he was my therapy dog, completely certified and licensed. He was very free and accurate with his advise and consolation. Often just a few minutes with Chester was better than any other treatment I could be offered.

But now, he is running free through the meadows, chasing Oscar the cat (who had gone on before…) and lapping water from fresh, cool streams, and not having to worry about skunks or marauding deer in the neighborhood.

Something you may not realize, however, is that when he came to live at Seneca Drive as a puppy, the family decided that he looked exactly like Chester A Arthur, our 21st US President.  And he was well named.  Just like Chester A Arthur, our Chester offered professional services (Chester A was a lawyer).  Chester A struggled to overcome a negative reputation (our Chester ate piano benches, door frames, howled mercilessly at fire sirens and thunderstorms, and broke through metal cages).  Unlike Chester A, though, who was described as ‘the most forgotten US President’, our Chester will not soon be forgotten. 

So in the days ahead, while the heart heals and the house feels empty and lonely; when there is no dog food to buy or no little piles to clean up in the front yard; when no one howls a greeting at the door or curls up at the foot of the bed — just remember that the love of a pet assures that he never really dies.  He lives forever in the hearts and minds of those he touched. 

RIP, Chester

It’s been a long time coming, but here we are at the end of the Philly trip.  It was very hard to say goodbye, and I’d have loved having another couple of days to tramp around through history.  But all good things must move to the NEXT good thing so there you go!  Kathy and I got up early while the house was still sleeping and walked through the quiet neighborhood. We did a happy review of our trip and all the adventures, and arrived back to find breakfast in the making. 

We left in a flurry of packing and hugging and grateful, unending thanks.  This time, as we headed up 896 North, we did NOT take a wrong turn and drove into Lancaster smoothly and in good time.  We pulled into a gas station and parked beside an Amish horse and buggy.  Didn’t realize the horse needed that type of fuel!  But we did, and we also needed a rest stop. 

We had decided – on Anita’s recommendation – to check out the Turkey Hill Experience, and we were well pleased with that decision!  I LOVED the giant cow out front, and it even stood still while I tried my hand(s) at milking.  Not very successful there, though.  We were early so we walked a block down the street to a huge antique shop and browsed around in there for about 45 minutes.  It’s always fun to find things that we knew grama had, or Mom STILL had, or even that WE have and even use! 

Turkey Hill is not only a series of small stores, but also a line of drinks (starting with the original milk products) and ice creams.  The whole experience was basically centered around interaction with the processes and procedures of creating the products, including the ice cream.  There were lots of areas for kids to play and create their own flavors and products.  Kath and I picked our own product label, our own ice cream flavor, and even took a hand at driving the delivery truck.  The multi-colored farm cow was really cool, too!  My favorite parts were the local history room, which explained how the family business started in 1887 and was still family-owned to the present day, adding new products along the way.  The second favorite was the ice-cream tasting at the end.  We could even choose two different types to taste.  I remember Kath choosing the coffee flavor (which was NOT a choice for me!) but I had the double dutch chocolate fudge.  Heaven!  I was determined to buy some when I got home (which I DID!).  The gift shop had so many cute cow-related and ice-cream focused items that I could have spent a week’s pay in there.  I contented myself with a little refrigerator magnet (double dutch chocolate of course!) and a mini sized milk bottle (since I have a small collection of those already). 

It was definitely a great diversion from the agony of leaving Philadelphia behind, and by the end of the tour we were ready to head down the turnpike to home.  It was a vacation full of delicious, sweet, precious memories, sweeter family and hearts that share and care and offer their homes and themselves.  And of course, I have the best traveling companion in the world.  Home looked really great about 6pm – home to ones who love us and greet and welcome us.  We have memories to enrich us and delight and sustain us.  We are filled with more thanks than we can express; humble gratitude for what no one can take away:  a wonderful trip tucked in our hearts and minds, living a shared faith, family centered, fun-filled awesome adventure.  Philly or Bust!  PERFECT!!

After a late night at Longwood Gardens (definitely worth it!), it was a slow start on Friday morning.  But we did it, and were on our way in good time.  My friend Ron insisted that no trip to Philly would be complete without seeing all 3 stadiums (football, hockey, baseball) so as we flew down the expressway I snapped pictures of all of them.  There.  Mission accomplished! That’s actually as close as I needed to be, and we had a full day.  Flyers, Phillies, Eagles-  complete. 

And speaking of Ravens, our first adventure was the Philadelphia residence (although only for a very short time) of Edger Allen Poe’s home.  It was very unique in that there was no furniture at all.  There were murals on the walls depicting his life and writings – including Catterina his cat and the black cat in the basement, complete with authentic cobwebs!  The crowning glory was the statue of the Raven in the yard. 

Throughout the day we attended ‘Once upon a Nation:  There were 13  benches scattered through the historic area, and at each bench a storyteller shared a little known yet interesting (and often humorous!) tale.  Some of the topics were the origination of Hoagies, superheroes, the over-worked washer woman, slaves, the battle of the itch, Dolly Madison, sisters for freedom, a barrel battle, and the Oneida Indians.  At each bench we received a star for our booklet. 

Once we got all 13 stars we could ride on the carousel in Franklin Square. The park was decked out for the Chinese festival  so we walked around looking at the dragons and pandas and lanterns – and decorations. Kathy took pictures for her IUP student who loves pandas! 

We went back to Betsy Ross’s house, and this time we were able to go inside.  Although there is evidence that she lived there, and could be buried there, and sewed the first flag, none of that is documented facts.  We loved walking through the house and seeing the parlor set up as a sewing room, seeing her ‘work in progress!’  I’m willing to invest my belief in the fact that she lived there, sewed there, and is buried there. 

We had lunch at Sonny’s again – still yum! – then went on to the Christ Church cemetery.   The tour guide there was wonderful and we learned about the signers of the Declaration of Independence and many of the brave men who fought for our freedom.  We also saw a pattern of the flag that we had never seen before.  There’s a lot of stars on that thing!  We saw Ben Franklin’s grave, and the pennies thrown on it in honor of his ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’  They have collected a lot of coins for worthy causes. 

We went next to the state house, the county court house, and sat where history was made and made alive.  We stopped at the Independence gift shop – of course! – and then took one more walk through the city – one more glimpse at history, and one more sweet visit to Elfreths Alley. I could live there! 

On the way out of town Perry drove us to the Philadelphia Museum of Art – the Rocky statue!   And the steps!  I didn’t run up them, but we climbed them to the top, and the skyline was amazing. 

We pitched in for expenses with money from our purple bag, went back to Cann Road with Perry and Anita cooking for us – better cooks and chauffeurs and hosts we could not have asked for – including strawberry shortcake.  We were spoiled and pampered – an embarrassment of riches.  Family that are friends; friends that are family.  Our Philly trip will live long and happily in our hearts and memories.  As we slipped into bed that last night we were both content and sad – that it had to come to an end!  Maybe, just maybe, we can do it again someday!

This past weekend Camp Christian hosted Women’s Retreat for ‘girls’ of all ages.  It’s a chance to get together with women of like faith to attend workshops, eat, sing around a campfire under the stars, eat, watch skits and character dramatizations, eat, sing, eat, be encouraged and motivated and inspired, eat, and meet new people.  And eat.  🙂

Kath and I arrived about 4pm on Friday, and were quickly settled into our room in the Mill House.  When I was a young camper (well, younger than I am now!!), staying at the Mill House was for dignitaries and special guests.  I never even SAW the upstairs of the Mill House until my daughter spent a summer working there in the late 1990’s.  Now I was actually staying there!  And I had a room to myself!  That’s called camping in style.  Kath and her daughter Sarah and granddaughter Amelia shared a suite at the end of the hall, and several friends were in the rooms around me.  I felt like I had arrived. 

And speaking of arriving, the old stone pillars at the entrance are always welcoming and endearing.  The early bird workshop, which Kath taught, was at 5pm and very well attended.  The theme for the weekend was Jesus is the Light of the World and was depicted with lighthouses.  

After the workshop we had dinner, song service, then the main inspirational speaker, Barb Kalb.  Barb was a friend of mine from high school who also attended my home church.  She and her husband David were missionaries in Ghana Africa for over 30 years.  It was fun to spend time with Barbara and take her offering of God’s word to heart.

After brownies and ice cream we made our way to the camp fire, (Millie’s first campfire!) situated next to the creek, and sang choruses and camp songs under the stars;  Sarah and Ashly Staley led the songs for us. The lights in the Mill House were warm and inviting as we sat together blending harmony and exchanging favorite camp stories. Lynn Pelc gave the devotion at 11pm. I was ready to crawl into bed and slept well. 

At 6:30 my alarm went off, and I dressed quickly in my walking clothes and made ready to creep down the hall (so I wouldn’t wake baby Millie) to meet my sister for our early morning 2 mile hike.  When I opened the door she was standing there holding Millie (age 13 months!), all ready to go.  We plopped Millie in the stroller and went walking.  The morning was a little overcast but not too cool, and we enjoyed the fresh air and quiet. I was totally impressed with the delightful sign by the bridge that said BRIDGE.  Hmmm.  So glad they explained that. 

We had breakfast, a song service, a special music presentation by the DEANETTES (the six ladies who serviced as co-deans for the retreat), then were treated to recitations and dramatizations of women of the Bible.  My favorite were Sarah as Rhoda, Gwen Wolfgang as Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, Dianne Gresham as Hannah, and after a very nervous start, Ashly and I as Mary and Martha.  Portraying Martha in the skit came naturally:  I am a natural Martha in spirit and performance every day!  We had lots of fun with it while still delivering the message:  Mary had chosen the better part. 

I took another short walk after lunch, another song service, a second impressive message from Barb, then a common sharing of our involvement in our church communities.  So many loving people giving of their time, talents, and treasure!  To close out the weekend we gathered around the flag pole and sang ‘The Bells of Camp Christian’, which always makes me cry :*(  But it’s a good cry!  We packed up our respective vehicles, hugged goodbye with promises of returning again next year, and headed home.  God’s peace, love, and light washed over all of us, and no one left without a double portion of blessing.  The gifts we received during that weekend were priceless, and cannot compare with the gifts the world offers.  I’m already thinking about next year!  Maybe I’ll even teach a workshop…

After our yummy lunch we headed to Longwood Gardens.  I had no idea what to expect, but it was amazing!  I have never seen the likes of these gardens, and the conservatory was endless!  Every time we went through a passage way it was a different type of garden with different plants.  We could have wondered around there for hours, but there was so much more to see.  Again, as at Valley Forge, there was a video about Dupont who began the gardens as a labor of love as it continues today.  He left a legacy that is unequaled and almost indescribable.  You have to go there to really appreciate the splendor and majesty of it all. 

There were fountains and ponds and bridges and even a tree house to climb up (Perry in treehouse!). Even the trees put on a show, as if they knew they were part of a wonderful display. I was surprised and impressed when Perry told us that the flower displays are replanted for different seasons and holidays.  They had been there a few weeks ago and the front gardens had been filled with thousands of tulips. 

Now they were a variety of plants and colors of late spring and early summer flowers, shrubs, and bushes.  One of my favorite photo sites was the old bell tower by the pond – the reflection was beautiful.  It was hard to fathom the work and dedication it took to plan, plant and maintain these gardens.   

As we planned to stay for the fountain show that started after dark, we took a walk through the meadows to the historic house at the top of the property.  We sat on a bench under a shaded archway – and ended up finding the unwelcome company of ticks!  A quick trip to the restroom had us shaking out our clothes and checking each other for the little buggers. 

We beat a hasty retreat out of there and spent over an hour browsing in the conservatory.  Anita pointed out Perry’s favorite – the lily pads – and her favorite – the ivy-walled hall of restrooms! The old pump houses were open to walk through, showing the huge pipes and valves and signals that made the fountains dance and splash and play throughout the gardens. There was bloom after bloom after bloom, color after color after color. 

Orchards and Bonsais and fruit growing on wall.  Then the fountain show (set to show tunes) – the water splashing and danced to music in the moonlight and multi colored splays of fire and light. It was too much to take in, too much to describe – but we loved it.  Totally awe-inspiring!

We left Longwood well after 10pm, munching M&M’s (red white and blue, of course!) in the back seat and passing around peanut butter pretzels and Fireworks Oreos to the front seat.  It was too late for supper, but not snacking.  We had bean dip and Fritos to go with our blisters and dead cell phone batteries.  But we had memories and tons of pictures, filled with history and gardens and more history set to music and lights.  A successful day!

Day three was an adventure-packed day, so much so that I’m splitting it into two posts.  We got up early and headed directly to Valley Forge.  We were greeted by George himself seated on his trusty mount, then we went up to the theater to see a very descriptive film about the site. 

We walked around the fort, followed several paths, then looked in several cabins and could see how sparse and cramped they were, but as we later drove through the entire battle ground, we saw by the descriptive markers that each state had their own section to set up camp and were separated from each other.  The film described the freezing temperatures, the lack of food and clothes and blankets, and also lack of instructional leadership.

We were impressed by the statue of Mad Anthony Wayne and his determination to keep going at all cost, and also impressed by the huge arch dedicated to those men who braved the hardships and made it through the winter of 1777.  “…naked and starving.”

We walked down to the old railroad station (can I have a ticket, please?) and then to the stone farmhouse that Washington used as a headquarters and found a skit in progress.  We were invited to join the audience and follow the efforts of our patriot friends to unearth the spy among them with the clues we were given. There were secret messages and invisible ink and a beautiful, beautiful sky. We had a photo op with the actors, including the finally-captured spy!

A short drive down the road was Washington’s Memorial Chapel – the stained-glass windows were breath-taking and the courtyard with archways and statues were inviting and inspiring.  It’s totally humbling to stand where these brave men and women stood, and fought, and often died.  Even though we tend to forget, or glaze over it quickly, what a high price was paid for our country’s freedom! 

It was a full morning, and well into the afternoon when we were on the road again to seek out lunch.  We were treated to a yummy lunch at Victory Brewery – fish and chips were a favorite.  So stay tuned to the rest of Thursday’s adventures – soon!

Wow, what a weekend!  I was never popular, or even very comfortable, as a high school student, but I suddenly found myself enjoying the celebration of 50 years since graduation!  In June of 1968 our graduating class of well over 600 (I actually thought it was 700!) said our final farewell to the hallowed halls of Hempfield Area Senior High School.  We left behind a variety of teachers (some we would miss, some not so much!), fellow students, a handful of close friends (Diane and Kendra pictured), and cafeteria food! 

It’s amazing, though, what 50 years means in the realm of friendships.  Back in the mid- to late-60’s, the friendship ‘clicks’ and delineation of personalities and activities categorized everyone. There were the really smart kids (not me!), the popular kids (not me!), the sports kids (not me!), the Yearbook staff (not me!), various clubs (well, not TOO much me!) — but 50 years later none of that mattered.  We were all on the same plain.  We were talking retirement, health issues, aging parents, grandchildren, and who had traveled where.  We even had a fellow student who now lives in Greece!  (Not me!)

In those early years, our reunions encompassed hundreds of students and their dates, and we kept the hall hopping until 2am.  This year almost everyone was leaving by 10pm, and by 11pm the place was totally empty and the staff had torn down the tables!  But it was a very fun evening, chatting with classmates that we hadn’t – in some cases – seen since graduation.  The years fell away and we picked up where we left off all those years ago, possibly even more comfortably than we had been during those trying days at HAHS.  A girl I went through all twelve grades with – Ellen – came searching me out, and one of the first things we talked about were the Brownie and Girls Scout meetings we had been a part of – with my mom and Mom’s best friend as leaders.  I was amazed that she remembered that! 

When we collected our name tags (complete with senior picture from the high school yearbook!), there was a ‘Plugger’ cartoon enlarged and framed on the sign-in table, which when you get down to it, certainly is true!  The committee had done a great job of organizing everything – the decorations were fun, the food was delicious, the entertainment (our own T-Bird Kettren!) was perfect – a great nite for visiting and reacquainting with old friends.

Diane is our little ‘cheerleader’ to keep us all in touch, and she had a surprise for her three closest friends when we got there.  Kendra (aka Linda), Carol and I were all bridesmaids in Diane’s wedding the August after we graduated in 1968.  She had an 8×10 photo of the bridal party, and we had someone take the four of us together!  I can’t wrap my head around the fact that we were ever really so young!  I swear we looked to be about twelve years old! (We were, of course, either 18 or ALMOST 18!!)

Inevitably, there are always classmates that no one has heard of since graduation, and also ones that have passed away.  There was a memorial table with photos/names in the back of the room, honoring those who had died.  It was a nice tribute to those classmates who were gone.  Despite those who were missing, the evening was a great success and tons of fun, with lots of laughs and good conversation. 

But it didn’t stop there!  Today was the HAHS MEGA reunion – where grads from the 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, and even a few from the 1980’s came together at Mt. Odin Park for a potluck picnic and a very casual gathering of a blending of years.  It was much less formal, easier to search out old friends, and a great opportunity to just catch up.  Ralph K from our class worked the group telling his usual corny but very funny jokes; Carol M/N told us about her recent European cruise (envy!), Debbie Y/G shared so many fun remembrances of concerts and bands she and her husband had experienced.  Dan B told us about his experiences with jobs and Florida and bands that played the local bars back in the ‘day’.  Tons of food – too much to even figure out what to eat!  Photos of all the grad years; a great day of fellowship and sunshine! 

Again, I was never a comfortable high school student (I basically tolerated school to escape!) but I had a great time both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.  It will be interesting next year at the MEGA HAHS reunion to catch up with even more classmates and old friends.  And I promise, Diane, the minute Mark V announces the date I’ll mark it on my calendar! 

Here’s to the Class of 1968 –  and 50 years!!! 

Three days before I turned seventeen I walked into Bud Smail Lincoln Mercury and began my career in the automobile industry.  My aunt worked there as a bookkeeper and asked me to help out for the summer.  I would be starting the new school year as a senior and having a job seemed the perfect way to fund the crazy high school events ahead of me.

Thus began what would be fifty-one years (and still counting) of my employment for the Smail Family.  In 1967 there were just slightly over thirty people working for Bud Sr, who at the time was at the helm. (Bud Sr on far left, Bud Jr next to him)   These days there are well over 400 total employees, which is where I stopped counting.  But this is not about me – it’s about the man who took the helm and moved the Smail name forward.

Bud Jr. was very fun to work with.  In those early days, we worked closely together in everything from reporting sold vehicles to manufacturers to sending out customer statements with little, personal comments written on them.  The very first letter he dictated to me was a sales quote to a business for three different Mercury vehicles.  He was explaining the Mercury Brougham, but I thought he said Broom (how did I know what a Brougham was???), and I typed the letter and presented it for a signature.  It was a long time before he let me forget that.

When he paged over the intercom, he’d blow into it first – just a couple puffs – to make sure it was working and was loud enough.  Sometimes when we walked over to Gee Bee’s Department store next door we could hear Bud puffing through the outside speakers.  Occasionally he would ‘chant’, which always made us laugh. That, along with his never-ending supply of stories and jokes that ‘we never saw coming.’

It was nothing for me to sew stray buttons on his suit jackets, shirt collars, and cuffs.  Once I hemmed a pair of dress stacks for him while he had them on – he sat with his leg propped up on the desk.  I stitched in a circle around his leg while he conducted business as usual. 

In those early days, we often had cheesy steak sandwiches from Pete’s up the road, or rigatoni to go (with garlic toast!) from Rizzo’s right next door to Pete’s.  Valley Dairy had great Mac and Cheese and their hot rolls were yummy.  It was sometimes the biggest decision of the day: where to have lunch! Bud’s favorite – as I remember – was a Pete Junior.

As time went on, and the community up and down the Route 30 corridor changed, so did food choices.  Mostly the executive offices ordered from Vallozzi’s or Boston Market, but when the majority were out of town, Bud would call me and ask me where I was going for lunch.  That was my clue that he was hungry for something that he wasn’t supposed to eat.  Bud’s diet was to consist of healthy choices and increased water intake.  But those sneaky days when no one else was around, I would make a McDonald’s run and bring him back a hamburger with ketchup, small fries, and a vanilla milkshake.  It was always a vanilla milkshake.  Occasionally we’d pop over to Chick Fil-A, but it was always the milkshake!

Dealership hours were very long, and Bud never skipped out early.  He was there for the 8:30am sales meeting and was still there to lock the place up at 9:00pm.  The exception to that was on summer weekends when he joined his family at their cottage, and every Friday I would take his Lincoln (me, driving a Lincoln!), and always with Jim Croce’s 8-track playing ‘Time in a Bottle’ or ‘You Don’t Mess Around with Jim’.  I still think of Bud when I hear those songs! I would drive into downtown Greensburg and pick up his airline tickets right after lunch so he’d be ready to leave after work.

Unless it was for a business or community meeting, Bud seldom left the building.  He walked the dealership, knew his employees, and always enjoyed stopping to have personal conversations.  This practice – started when there were only a handful of people to chat with – continued until his health prevented him from being there.  Until then, every Saturday Bud would go around to all of the numerous building, walk through all the departments, and make himself accessible to the people he worked with.

Always the gentleman, he commanded respect by giving it, was pleasant and knowledgeable about every facet of the operation, and kept a good pulse on the community.  He genuinely cared about the people who surrounded him, both within the building and outside of the business.  He was a champion for the auto industry and was up-to-date and informed on issues economically and politically related to the business.  His love of all things vehicle was obvious even to the casual observer, and those who knew him well knew his name was synonymous with the very reputable business of selling and servicing cars.

But more than just respecting his relationship with his business and community, I appreciated his care and nurturing of a young, impressionable teenager, being patient with my mistakes, sharing in my joys and successes, and sympathizing with my hardships and sorrows.  He would encourage me to do my best and patiently teach and share what was important to him.  That relationship matured and continued throughout my years as an employee and friend. He would often introduce me as the “best damned title clerk in the state”, which I took as a compliment. When my book was published in 2014, he and Ellen were my champion sellers.  I do believe my book as traveled to more states and countries that I can ever hope to!

He was a great brother, husband and father, and his children and grandchildren now emulate his strong work ethic and devotion to family and business.  His legacy will continue to live on in the dealerships that wear his name, through the love and dedication of those left to move forward into  the future.

Not too long ago he began to be confused about the days on the calendar, the pages in his planner.  He struggled with his appointments and his schedule and repeatedly needed confirmation of day to day activities.  He had always double checked everything so that in itself wasn’t entirely unusual.  But this went beyond that.  Let me just say that it’s very hard to have someone be sitting at his desk – as he had for 50 years – but be somewhere else entirely.  It’s been a long, slow journey since then.

When I got the call on Wednesday evening that Bud had gone to be with the Lord (which was exactly how it was put to me!), I felt lost and overwhelmed.  Sleep was illusive and my thoughts stayed captured by a mixed up combination of my half a century of memories and my concern and sympathy for the Smail family.  By morning I felt ready to tackle the day, whatever it would bring – until I pulled into the parking lot and the flag was being lowered to half mast.  Then, I simply lost it. 

But I could not have been in a better place, because the text messages, emails, phone calls, visits and hugs from not only his friends but mine as well sustained me and encouraged me through the day.  I was surrounded by people who knew and often loved Bud Smail, held him in high esteem, and recognized him for the icon that he was:  An era had ended, and some things – many things – would never be the same.  With Bud’s passing we lost a connection to a time and way of life that will never be again.

I am honored and blessed to have had a part in that era, been a part of Bud’s life, and I will always respect and remember the gentleman who was Bud Smail.

In loving memory.