We learned about something new happening in Beech Grove – an afternoon concert. “Music on Main” was held Aug. 9, and even with some spotty showers, it sure looked like a successful event. I was told that the Chamber of Commerce and the Eagles organized the event. While walking toward the stage, we ran into Paul Doyle and his wife. I drove a bus with Paul for Beech Grove Schools.
Lyn and I decided to slip into one of our favorite places, D’s Taps, which is a fairly new restaurant and pub. The place was packed, and we had a short wait before being seated. We noticed another couple waiting, and since our table could accommodate four people, we invited them to join us.
We introduced ourselves and met Jim and Deanna Brooks; Deanna told us that she was friends with some of my cousins, Nancy Bice, Betty Haussecker, Sue Ellen Johnson and Jim Jones and his sister Sharron.
Deanna also told us that their grandson, Dillon Brooks, rode my bus when he attended South Grove Intermediate. She also remembered Dillon telling them how I named my bus (No. 5) after the young lady – Ursula – who held the No. 5 case on the TV show “Deal or No Deal.”
We had a wonderful time eating and visiting. I was amazed at the connections we had with a couple that we had just met.
Stephanie Alford was my original connection to D’s Tap. She and her husband, Nick, are part owners. Stephanie worked in the office at Hornet Park Elementary, and Nick is a fireman. She is now in the office at Central Elementary.
As Lyn and I were leaving, we ran into Karen and Diane Stewart. I learned that Karen’s daughter and Diane’s sister is also part owner of D’s Tap. Dorothy Crouch is Karen’s oldest daughter her husband, Brent and mother-in-law Jackie round out the ownership.
On a totally different note, Carly Brooke, a great young lady we have known for a few years, is going to sing the national anthem at the Colts game on Saturday.
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.