Local artists share skills and space 11/12/2009 10:25:00 AM One of my favorite teachers was Fran Land. She shared her love of art with me and all the kids at Caldwell Junior High way back in the late 1960s.
John Dorroh: From lime to shine 10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM I can’t count the number of people I know who, because of the economic downturn, have had to take desperate measures in order to be able to bring money into their households. Just three weeks ago I drove one of my neighbors to Tupelo to catch a Greyhound to attend truck-driving school in Texas.
John Dorroh: Lifeclinic’s health stations: More than checking your blood pressure 9/10/2009 9:45:00 AM There was a time not so long ago when people would have laughed in your face if you had asked them to pay for drinking water. Those same people probably would not have bought into the idea of a portable telephone that could act as a camera, music center, GPS and a complete media center.
John Dorroh: Tomorrow’s pride: When a house becomes a home 8/13/2009 10:38:00 AM One summer while visiting friends in Flagler Beach, Fla., I was treated to the best seafood meal I had ever eaten. It was local gourmet, sort of like what you might see on Guy Fierri’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” on the Food Network. To this day I can’t recall having a feast topped in quality, presentation, taste and price.
John Dorroh: Bees are thriving at Busy Bee Nursery and Lawn Service 8/6/2009 10:45:00 AM Last summer I worked for a short period of time at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. One of the first displays you see upon purchasing your ticket in the foyer is a legend under glass dubbed “What’s Blooming This Week?”
John Dorroh: Toning up at Toner Van saves green 7/30/2009 10:43:00 AM When I bought a printer for my first computer, I was surprised how inexpensive it was. Several friends warned me, “Don’t get excited yet. Just wait until you start buying printer cartridges. That’s where they get you!” It was true, too.
John Dorroh: Melange: Two friends and a leap of faith 7/23/2009 10:17:00 AM I had a friend in high school who knew from elementary school he wanted to be a veterinarian. There were animals all around his family’s farm house, and there was always a crisis, an animal dilemma. He thrived off of it.
John Dorroh: Styling has gone to the dogs 7/16/2009 I read the results of a study that identified characteristics of dogs in animal shelters with a higher adoption rate by families or individuals. It wasn’t surprising to learn that the highest percentage of adoptions were of pure breeds, dogs that are well-groomed or both.
John Dorroh: East Columbus man has lots of sole 7/9/2009 I have a friend who is a flashy dresser, all the way down to his shoes, which he never throws away. I believe he has the first pair of tennis shoes that he got in junior high.
John Dorroh: Greek/American restaurant under new management 6/25/2009 Not so many years ago I would often celebrate the end of a work day at West Point High School by enjoying an early dinner at “It’s Greek to Me,” which was located about 200 yards from the “back gates” of Columbus Air Force Base. I would drive a few miles out of the way to the non-descript strip mall where “It’s Greek to Me” did a nice business for more years than I can remember.
Home-based businesses among the bounty at Farmers’ Market 6/11/2009 I took a stroll last Saturday morning through the Farmers’ Market, heading straight to the coffee station upon my arrival at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 2nd Street North. I had to have some java in order to function, and the southern pecan kicked in quickly. My focus was to purchase vegetables for a quiche.
A true Full Nelson: Local coach makes tackles by the yard 6/4/2009 June arrived and summer was born, as if it might have been turned on with the twist of a water spigot. WHAM! ... just like that! Teachers and students started their summer break just before the humidity became an issue. The heat is on.
Wingin’ it: a national culinary phenomenon 5/28/2009 I had a high school government teacher who often kiddingly told us, “Don’t mess with my money, and don’t mess with my food.” I wondered what he meant back then, but I think I’ve long since figured it out.
Local sister companies offer unique product line 5/21/2009 A few weeks ago at Market Street Festival, I ran into a former student, Luanne Green, who is now Luanne Massey. After we reminisced about the old days at New Hope High School, I asked what she was doing with herself.
‘Time for a change’ 5/14/2009 There might be some truth to the adage that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but you can give an old dog a new bed. And he will appreciate it.
John Dorroh: Yard projects and produce 5/7/2009 I have often fantasized about having a yard, which has been landscaped by a professional. It would take on a natural look, with lots of pools and stones with cascading water, cattails, water lilies, and whatever else my landscaper decided to place there.
John Dorroh: Scrapbooking, bistro dining in downtown Columbus 5/6/2009 As it is shaping up, the debit/bank card is one of the handiest inventions ever. I seldom write a check anymore. However, it would be equally helpful to have yet another invention that would record each transaction in my ledger.
New Market Street business caters to older crowd: Fuhgetaboutit 4/16/2009 Have you ever had one of those days when you just wanted to throw in the towel, quit, and tell your boss what you really thought? We all have. Downtown Columbus has a new place for you to go and just forget about it. Located on Fifth Street in the old DC Music store, Fuhgetaboutit is the newest kid on the block.
John Dorroh: Pork and bugs? Water’s boilin’ at The Dooey 4/2/2009 Everybody’s heard of pork and beans, but who has heard of pork and bugs? If you haven’t, you will.
The bugs, of course, are mudbugs — crayfish if you live north of Kentucky. Crawdads or crawfish if you live around here. Fat, red, juicy, spiced-up crawfish, in a boiling bath with new potatoes and corn. Mmmmm. Some like them so hot-and-spicy they burn the lips, fingers and hands. The Dooey does ’em just right.
Another unique Columbus business: Ashley Sling, Inc. 3/26/2009 When my mother had cataract surgery back in the 1980s, she forgot that she was not supposed to lift any object heavier than a few pounds. Since it was Thanksgiving and she always cooked the meal for two families, she figured that that is what she would do.
New 2 U Consignment: Clean out and cash in 3/19/2009 Most of you have heard the expression, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” I think it has to do with weddings.
It really is all in the family 2/26/2009 By now many of you have eaten either at the Green Olive in Littlewoods mini-mall or at the Front Door/Back Door restaurants in downtown Columbus. Chef Sarah Labensky, owner and entrepreneur, has been an integral part of the Columbus culinary scene for several years, offering area diners choices, ranging from basic and regional Italian to homemade soups, salads, wraps and so many other items I can’t mention them all.
A taste of central Mexico — Mi Hacienda 1/29/2009 As we age our taste buds seem to change. For example, when I was in elementary school, I despised mustard. Now I could eat it with a spoon. There are numerous nuances of the stuff, most of them not yellow, and each one representing a mini-thrill for my tongue.
