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Speaking dog

1/24/2018

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Several years ago our son, Mark, lived with us a few months. He and Stuart, our therapy dog, became good friends. It was enjoyable to watch them hang out together.

During that time we noticed that Stuart began trying to speak like a human. It was fun to listen as Stuart and Mark discussed worldly affairs, and there was always a treat delivered to Stuart by Mark at the end of these chats.

Lyn, my wife, and I were never a part of those discussions. We heard Stuart making strange noises that really sounded like he was attempting to speak words from the English language.

For several months after Mark moved to the Northside, we never heard Stuart try to speak. Then, on occasion, he attempted discussions with Lyn about going outside or his need for a tasty treat. I was never a part of any of those discussions.

A couple of years later that changed. One afternoon I was sitting in my favorite recliner chair, reading the latest issue of The Southsider Voice, when Stuart walked up to me and began trying to tell me something. I was shocked and surprised. 

These discussions don’t happen often and mostly occur when Stuart’s treats or meals haven’t been provided at the proper time. Stuart never tried to talk anywhere but at home.

Last week Stuart and I headed out Tuesday morning for our usual visits with patients at a nursing home. This particular morning it was very cold and icy, so we moved quickly from the car to the building. Stuart enjoys routine and was a bit upset that we didn’t stop to inspect his favorite bushes on our way in as we normally do.

His next routine is to march to the receptionist’s desk and greet her excitedly. In return for his friendly greeting, he is always given a treat. 

When we entered the lobby last week, Stuart noticed a problem. A resident, who is one of Stuart’s friends, was parked in his wheelchair at exactly the location that Stuart was going to claim his treat.

Stuart seemed a bit puzzled as to why his path was blocked so he took action.
All of a sudden he started speaking in human English (as well as he could) to the gentleman who was blocking his path. Stuart’s voice was solid and demanding. Everyone in the lobby stopped and focused on where those demands were originating. No one there had ever heard Stuart make this kind of vocal noise.

Not only did Stuart’s vocalization startle everyone in the lobby, staff from several close offices came to see what the strange noise was. After about two seconds of silence, the lobby burst into laughter. 

As the laughter subsided, I took the opportunity to explain to the gentleman in the wheelchair (Danny) that I could translate Stuart’s comment to him. 

Stuart had said, “ “Danny, get the h--- out of my way!” 
I’m sure everyone in the building had several good laughs telling this story.
​
Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools. 
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Revisiting previous homes

1/17/2018

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I really enjoy looking back through old photos and special things that I have saved throughout my life.
Two of the three houses that I lived in with my parents are still front and center in my life. Our first home was near Shelby and Raymond streets. I know where that house is located, and my mom’s parents used to live next door.
 
When I was about 3 we moved to our new home on Madison Avenue. My sister, Kathy, and I grew up in that house. It was a rural setting when we first moved to the area. There was a chicken house behind the garage. We had a flock of chickens for a while, and later the building was converted to a goat house because we had several goats.

My mom’s father, Grandpa Jones, built a small house on the property for my dad’s mother to live. She lived there for a few years before moving in with one of my aunts when her health began to decline. I thought it was so cool to have Grandma living in our backyard.

My dad had a nice garden each summer, and the property had several apple, cherry and pear trees. My first business was selling apples and cherries at my fruit stand in our front yard.

When I was in high school my folks decided to build a new home. Over the years I have lived in that house on three different occasions. I am still enjoying the time with my wife, Lyn.

It is so much fun to discover things that my parents used many years ago. I was going through some books the other day and came across a cookbook that came with the kitchen appliances when the house was built.

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t come in contact with something that brings all of my family connections back to mind. I remember that Mom used to enjoy eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while looking out the kitchen window. When I make one of those sandwiches I always enjoy it while staring out that same window.

Our previous house that is on Madison also holds many memories for me. It’s now known as The Longacre Bar & Grill, 4813 Madison Ave. Over the years I have enjoyed stopping in for a drink and a meal. My family once had a reunion at the “old house.”

A couple of years ago a bunch of my crazy classmates (we all know who they are) organized one of those “roasts” at the bar, and ohhyeaa, I was the guy being roasted.

A few months ago the business was closed and the building was put up for sale. I was shocked. I kept thinking that I might never be able to visit my old house again.

Good news. The building has been purchased and the new owner will reopen the pub this week. I have met the owners and gave them a little history of the building and the neighborhood.

They have made some changes and improvements to the building, and it is looking good. I’m looking forward to stopping by my “old house” as soon as it reopens.

Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools.
Picture
SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY B. SCOTT MOHR. The Longacre Bar & Grill, one of Fred Shonk’s old homes, will open this week under new management.
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IU fans remember trip to Rose Bowl

1/10/2018

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A lot of my former classmates and I seem to be celebrating way too many 50th anniversaries these days. And that’s odd because many of us claim to be celebrating our 37th birthdays.
 
Fifty years ago this month I had a wonderful time as Indiana University made its first – and only – Rose Bowl appearance.

My sister, Kathy, attended IU at the time and was enrolled in a year-round program that allowed her to earn a teachers licence with a master’s degree in four years.

IU’s football team had enjoyed a good season – a rarity in those times – and I was fortunate to attend several games that season, including the Old Oaken Bucket battle against Purdue.

By defeating the Boilermakers and having the best overall record of the three schools that tied for the Big Ten title, IU was going to its first bowl.

Kathy and her roommate, Sandy Byrne, and I wanted to go to Pasadena, Calif., for the game. We purchased packaged deals that included airfare and accommodations. The girls were able to buy student tickets, but I was on my own and figured I could buy one out there, which I did.

We flew to Los Angeles on a plane loaded with Hoosier fans, and our hotel was packed with supporters. Our packages allowed us four days to sight see before the game, plus tickets to the amazing Tournament of Roses Parade.

We rented a car so we could see as many sights as possible, including Disneyland, which was filled with about 75 percent of the IU fans who ventured to Southern California for the game. Chancellor Herman B Wells was among the backers. It was a blast to walk through the park and be part of the crowd wearing cream and crimson.
 
We were sightseeing during the day and partying at night.

John Pont coached the Hoosiers, and Jade Butcher, John Isenbarger and Harry Gonzo were a few of his prominent players who would be tested against USC, which featured Heismann Trophy winner O.J. Simpson, who led the Trojans to a 14-3 win.
 
We were scheduled to fly back the following day. We had been going full blast for several days and were tired. I can’t imagine going at that pace for that long now.

We arrived at the airport, checked in and walked to our boarding area, where we were reconnected with the group that we flew out with. I spotted Marilyn Nierman, who was sitting on the floor and had graduated from Southport with Kathy.

Marilyn looked like she hadn’t slept for days. I was about to ask her if she was OK when she proclaimed, “You guys look like s---!”

​We all laughed and soon were asleep on the plane heading back to Indy.

Over the years I have run across Marilyn several times. We always laugh about running into each other that morning at the airport.
​
It’s difficult to come to grips with it being 50 years ago.
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    Picture

    Fred Shonk

    Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools. 

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