As many of you know, Stuart, my canine partner, and I have been a therapy team for more than seven years. We visit nursing homes and occasionally someone who is hospitalized. We also conduct a reading program at a couple of Beech Grove Schools.

We have met so many wonderful people during our visits to these facilities. A few years ago we met a sweet lady named Lizzy Payne, who lives at Madison Health Care. 

Stuart and I realize that it isn’t polite to ask a gal her age, so we were surprised a few years back when we were informed that Lizzy was going to be celebrating her 100th birthday.

The staff told us that Lizzy always wanted to be busy. She helped staff members in the laundry room by folding towels and sheets.

I remember visiting Lizzy in her room, where she and Stuart posed for a couple of birthday photos. I thought it was quite an honor to help someone celebrate 100 years of life.

Last week Stuart and I attended Lizzy’s 102nd birthday party, which was a lively affair with lots of guests.

Stuart and I met Lizzy’s daughter, Norma Cross, who was busy getting the party off to a great start. She told us a few interesting things about her mom. Lizzy’s granddaughter Katrina Wilson was there too, and she was also a birthday girl. 

Lizzy was born in Kentucky and moved to the Indianapolis area in 1934. She raised five daughters, two of whom are deceased; two live in Florida and Norma lives here.

Lizzy worked outside of her home while raising her family. Norma told us that Lizzy worked for many years in the medical records department of Community Hospital. She also held a position in the City-County Building for quite a while.

It was fun to watch the staff and residents taking turns having pictures taken with Lizzy. Stuart waited in line and was excited to have an opportunity for a couple of pictures.

There was a beautiful birthday cake and plenty of cupcakes. 

The party was still going strong when Stuart and I needed to get going. We stopped at Lizzy’s table to visit for a minute or so. The last thing I said to her was something I often say to friends. I smiled and pointed to Lizzy and said, “Behave.”

She returned my smile, slowly shook her head and said, “No way.”

Happy birthday, Lizzy Payne!

My wife, Lyn, and I attended the women’s basketball game at Marian University on Saturday. 

The Knights, coached by Beech Grove High School graduate Katie Gearlds and ranked No. 3 in NAIA, defeated Spring Arbor (Michigan) 79-52 for their 17th consecutive win and the Crossroads League regular-season championship. By claiming the league title, the Knights received an automatic bid to the Division II tournament. 

And the victory came without starter Jessica Almedia (10 points per game average), who didn’t play.

The Knights (25-3, 16-0) fell behind by nine points early, and it was evident that Gearlds was frustrated during a time-out. Marian got on track to take a 32-27 lead at intermission. 

 I watched an online video interview (http://www.muknights.com/article/4574.php) with Gearlds, who commented about her halftime address to the team. 

Kellie Kirkhoff (Roncalli) started in place of Almedia and led the team with 13 points; she also had three assists and two steals. 

I really enjoy watching the coaches making substitutions. The Knights have the ability to be affective with any five players on the court.

Marian travels to Grace College today for its final away game before closing out the regular season against Goshen at home at 1 p.m. Saturday. I think all Southsiders should attend Saturday’s contest so the lady Knights know that we are behind them. 
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I hope we fill the building.

I heard a lot of reports about the death of Amy Beverland Elementary Principal Susan Jordan, who was hit by a bus that jumped the curb at the Lawrence Township school. This hit me quite hard as I have been involved with school bus transportation since I was 21.

Bus drivers understand the complexity of the profession. I have been in discussion with many people trying to understand what happened that afternoon, but that’s not known yet.

I watched updates on the accident and the coverage of Jordan’s funeral. I was so impressed with her daughter telling everyone things that her mom would tell her friends, students and staff. The one that hit home most for me was, “Make good decisions. I hear teachers and principals telling students to do that all the time at Hornet Park Elementary and South Grove Intermediate schools.

I see where some schools have reviewed and made changes in some of the rules for the operation of buses while on school property. I am certain that the majority of bus drivers from all over the country have reviewed their procedures and are making sure that they are doing their jobs as safely as possible.

Over the years as a bus driver for Beech Grove Schools, I became friends with the personnel at the schools. Most schools operate like family, and that family includes everyone affiliated with the school.  Those of us who are involved in the daily operation of the educational system were shocked and saddened by the accident.
I remain close to the intermediate and elementary schools as my therapy dog, Stuart, listens to the children read on a weekly basis.

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I attended the Southport-Columbus North basketball Jan. 29, during which Southport’s Indiana All-Stars were honored. Fred Fleetwood (1962) Louie Dampier (’63) Jim Krivacs (’74) Linda Mallender (’81) and Erica Fall (’93) were in attendance.

I enjoyed visiting with Louie for a few minutes. I was so happy to see Shelly Condon (a Southport alum), who is a counselor for Beech Grove Schools. We have been friends for a long time. She and her family, including her dog, Cha Cha, used to meet Lyn, Stuart and me at Ritter’s, which provided our canine companions with vanilla custard treats. 

As the players were being introduced, I was surprised to hear the public address announcer recognizing Josh Speidel, the Columbus North player who was involved in an automobile accident last year and suffered brain trauma. He had been recruited by the University of Vermont and is visiting the school. It was so exciting and encouraging to see him standing and waving to the crowd.  

I also attended a women’s game at Marian University, where coach Katie Geralds’ team has won 13 games in a row and is 21-3 (12-0 Crossroads League).

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I was surprised and saddened when hearing about the closing of the Longacre Bar & Grill a couple of weeks ago.  

I didn’t like driving past it at 4813 Madison Ave. and seeing no activity. The bar was once a house, and it was my family’s home from the time I was 3 until about 17.  

It reopened Monday under the same name with Elaina “E” Power and Lonetta “Loni” Cooper as the new proprietors. I got to know the ladies while having a great lunch there. They were still in the process of getting everything up and running smoothly. They have been working almost nonstop getting the place ready
I was told that they will open every day at 11 a.m. for lunch, and there will be some drink specials. 

The gals enjoy motorcycle riding and the company of other riders. I’m fairly sure they will host a weekly biker night. to be back in business. 

I’m so happy the bar is open again for business.
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Welcome to the Southside, ladies.