……Good news! Actually, great news when I drove past Franco’s on High St. and Veterans Blvd. in New Manchester and saw a sign which read “John Hale is coming to Francos.” I think all area residents mourned the closing of Franco’s after Dave Ireland devoted 17 years to the business, so the news that the business is re-opening with John was welcome news. His cuisine is a favorite of many and having carry out available “just up the road” is going to brighten our life. While much can be said for small town life, we are sometimes an oasis with limited culinary options. Looks like John will stick with the Francos menu, but he has indicated he will branch out in the future.. Good luck and please dear readers, support small business!
…..The Graham Building sale was in the June property transfers posted several days ago. The buyer was actually listed as Ohio Valley Corridor. I looked the business up and it is a commercial real estate company whose president is Bryce Custer. Included in their property listed is the Graham building for sale for $240,000.00 (sold to Ohio Valley Corridor for $80,000.00) or for lease for $6 to $12-per-square-foot. Suggested used is multi-tenant, mixed-use retail and/or office space. A lot of the properties are in Ohio. Two are listed in Wellsville. West Virginia properties listed are the former steel plant in Weirton and 37.39 acres on Crescent Brick Drive north of New Cumberland.
……I also checked the Northern Panhandle Business Development Corporation website to see what property sites they had available. It lists three Hancock County properties: The Frontier Properties in Weirton; the Rock Springs Business Park in Chester; and the Hancock County Business Park in Weirton with 19.5 acres on Route 2. Only problem is that the picture appears to be the land on Route 2 (Ohio River Blvd.) south of Mountaineer. Hmmmmm.
…..Saw a documentary entitled “What would Sophia Loren do?” about a woman who often considered her favorite actress when deciding how to proceed. I do that, but my role models vary given the situation. Just Like those of us who are living, those loved ones who have passed exhibited behavior that sometimes serves my purpose. . It’s no secret that my Dad is my go-to for inspiration, political and life advice, so he touches on a lot of issues. Not all the advice is what you would expect. He thought it necessary to know what your enemies are up to, so I’ve always adhered to “keep your friends close….and your enemies closer.” Not everyone likes you when you run for office and that includes people who claim they like you. Yep, Dad told me to always check the financial reports of your opponents after the elections because those people you think are supporting you may have donated to your opponent. That falls under “you got your friends and you got your enemies. Check the financials because sometimes your friends ARE your enemies.” Been there….done that.
…….But, what about practical advice? My Mom was anything but practical, but in my mind, I often asked myself, “what would Mom do?” How about when confronted with an unsurmountable task, do the ridiculous. Her decision to wallpaper the ceiling in my Dad’s office was not to be thwarted when the chairs with the board across them didn’t quite get her 5ft 2 in frame tall enough. So practical woman that she was, she put on high heels. Did it work? Better than you would think. Two State Troopers stopped by to see my Dad and asked her what she was doing. When she explained they stepped in and wallpapered the entire ceiling for her. Or, how about making sure everyone can express their own individuality. When her great-granddaughter, Abbi, struggled being the middle child, Mom declared “Abbi Tuesdays.” Every Tuesday, Abbi would come to Grandma Margaret’s by herself. The only rule was that four-year-old Abbi could wear whatever she wanted so Abbi would deck herself out in jewelry, hat, striped tights and oh yes, sunglasses. I think everyone needs an “Abbi Tuesday” and a person who allows them to be whatever they want to be.
……I might be somewhat unique in that I often ask myself, “what would Shannon do?” Who uses her daughter as her role model? I do when I get too caught up in what I have deemed to be important, immediate and necessary and forget when we focus on the big moments we miss the little moments. As a mother I was possessed with picking up toys and much to my regret never took time to simply sit and play my kids. Shannon always took the time to sit on the floor; play with her kids; read to them; indulge in the tiniest whimsy.
…….Take a moment….smell the roses….dance in the rain.