Driving tip: Watch out for road hogs

3/17/2001

Another roadside adventure: Once, driving along State Rt. 613 in Hancock County near Bloomdale, Gilbert Manecke of Risingsun, Ohio, was minding his own business when he came upon a large sow on the highway.

“I got out to chase her off the road,” Gilbert said.

But before he could do that, he saw an approaching car and ran back to warn the driver. He pointed at the motorist, then at the sow, and shouted, “Pig! Pig!”

He was not sure he got through. “The driver glared at me as if to say, `You calling me a pig?' and he kept right on coming.

“At the last second, the driver saw the sow. He hit the brakes and swerved to miss both that big hog and me. Close call!”

March 21 is a big day, wedding-wise, in the Walbolt family.

Wayne and Marjory Walbolt of Monclova were married 65 years ago on that date, which was the 47th wedding anniversary of Wayne's grandparents, Alden and Ida Walbolt.

Nancy, daughter of Wayne and Marjorie, married Joseph Yeary on March 21, 1998. They live in Grand Rapids. Nancy's daughter, Debra, who lives in McClure, Ohio, married Randy Strausbaugh on March 21, 1992.

“It's not hard to meet expenses. They're everywhere,” says the Rev. Clyde Steele, passing on wisdom imparted to him.

Speaking of which, the retired minister says, “It's easier to get older than it is to get wiser.”

And: “I finally got my head together but now my body is falling apart.”

Clyde, whose collection of witty notes has amused many a friend, says he likes a version of the familiar serenity prayer that has been making the rounds:

“God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do like, and the eyesight to tell the difference.”

At a Kroger store, Sam Kallile of Toledo asked a bag boy what he planned to do in his future. I'd like to be manager of this store, the young man replied.

Sam said he couldn't resist telling the boy: “OK, but remember, baggers can't be choosers.”

“Customers Wanted. Apply Inside.”

Sign outside One-Stop Auto Finance Center in Wauseon.

When Julianne Warr, who is 4, answered the phone with “Who is this?” a voice on the other end said, “This is Father Dennis, can I speak to your daddy?”

An awestruck Julianne handed the phone to her dad, saying: “Daddy, your father didn't die! He's on the phone!”

Julianne is the daughter of Charlie and Roxanne Warr of Holland. Father Dennis - the Rev. Dennis Metzger - is pastor of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church.

“Well, how fast was he going?”

So asked Abbie Soltis when mom Lisa Soltis of Toledo told her that their golden retriever, which had run away, had been “picked up by the police.”

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Mike Tressler is a Blade columnist. E-mail him at mtressler@theblade.com, call 1-419-337-7780, or mail an item at The Blade, Box 921, Toledo, O. 43660.