My first helpers were Rachael and Myranda Tyron. When I needed assistance I could pick them up before starting the route. They were a big help. As a reward for their wonderful assistance, we would occasionally go to Starbucks for brunch.
A couple of years later, Amy Storms began driving a bus for the district. Her twins, Abby and Chelsea, rode in to the transportation building with her each morning. I soon had talked Chelsea into riding with me. Abby helped her mom, who transported kindergartners and first-graders. The girls rode with us for several years; it was wonderful.
Sometime later, Chelsea, Abby, their good friend Kelsey Conaway and I started a club, The NO Adults Club. I was the only licensed driver in the organization, and we would go out to breakfast. We laughed and teased one another the entire time we were out. It was a great way to tell the girls how much I appreciated their help and friendship.
Our club met regularly for years. But now the gals have jobs and are going to college. I seldom see them, and when I do, it is usually just one of them at a time. Kelsey works on the Southside and on occasion we find time to go to lunch. Abby and Chelsea are working at Riley Hospital for Children. I’m hoping their schedules will soon be the same so we can get together.
Last Saturday I added a new member to the club. Briana Markland, daughter of Beech Grove bus driver Angie Markland, met me at Lincoln Square Pancake House for breakfast. Bri and I had a great time. We feel that a reunion breakfast should be considered.
Alicia Taylor also provided me with morning help for several years. She and her mom, Sara, now live in Ohio. They get back here several times a year. We got together for one of our O’Charley’s lunches a couple of weeks ago. I really look forward to those.
I am going to nominate Rachael, Myranda and Alicia to become members. It would be an amazing morning to have breakfast with all of them. I can see a couple of younger sisters getting close to joining our club ... Madison Markland and Emma Storms.
I was also part of a breakfast club that featured a few members who were parents or friends of some of the above club members. We met a couple of times on Saturday mornings at my house, where I cooked breakfast. My specialty was Tennessee toast. It is similar to french toast but features an added ingredient that’s produced by a Tennessee company ... the one that was started long ago by a man named Jack. We might have to consider a reunion with this group also.
My wife, Lyn, and I have some wonderful friends. They make every day special.