Yes, both writing a column and hosting a radio show are done alone in a room with no apparent audience, so you don't see anyone yawning or walking out in the middle of your presentation.
A wonderful story humorously told. With candidates buying lunch for a diner full of voters in PA and another bringing flood relief items, bags of pennies could be seen as a prophetic gesture haha.
That's a sore subject with me. In fact I posted an article a while back on my Substack, "Soil Your Own Nest" about the amount of dark money influencing our politics, and what could be done about that. Check it out.
Stunning Dunning would have had my vote. Brilliant of you to shower the audience with 2,500 shiny pennies, despite all of the injuries. Thank you for another great story, Bob.
P.S. I am trying very hard not to add any exclamation points!!!
Bob, once again you brought back a wonderful memory from my past.
Teaching at a junior high school for my entire career included witnessing around thirty-three yearly student election assemblies. Who could ever forget the skinny 7th grader who promised if he was elected Student Body President, there would be longer lunch hours, shorter classes, and five different soda flavors running through the drinking fountains? This kid was a born politician but the voters were smarter. They chose a more believable speaker to lead the school. We can only hope that today’s adult voters can make an intelligent decision for the leadership of our country.
Love this column. I also ran for office in 7th grade. It did not go well during my speech. I made a goof that made everyone laugh at me. Trauma to this day.
Thanks Bob and you did too. I agree about memories like this. Not a big deal overall, but a big deal when you are young. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger", is actually true in this case. :-)
As one who has taken your advice to reduce the use of "very," how did you decide to "really run," instead of merely "run" for treasurer? Otherwise, great story. And congratulations on doubling your vote total in a single year. It's really tough to put yourself out there as a kid,, but you did it - twice!
It really started long ago with being MC for Bob Hope in Rec Hall. Every inch of my being wanted to say "No, that's impossible," but I knew if I said "No" I would regret it for the rest of my life.
Now we know why you became a columnist and radio host instead of a politician or TV anchor. I love these blasts from the past.
Yes, both writing a column and hosting a radio show are done alone in a room with no apparent audience, so you don't see anyone yawning or walking out in the middle of your presentation.
Greatly appreciate your kind words, Michael.
Thanks for yet another wonderfully heartwarming piece, Bob.
I love the memories of have of growing up in this great town and the teachers I had along the way, including a special young man named Mr. Hulbert.
This is a STUNNING flashback.
I felt like I was there in the audience.
You listened to your heart and knew you had it in the bag, along with all those coins🤗
Thank you for sharing🙌
It was one wild day in my sleepy hometown.
A wonderful story humorously told. With candidates buying lunch for a diner full of voters in PA and another bringing flood relief items, bags of pennies could be seen as a prophetic gesture haha.
Is that "prophet" or "profit," Father?
Always appreciate your comments.
You can't maker this stuff up, Bob. Wonderful tale of youthful creativity.
Carl
Thanks Carl. I've been trying to live up to that day ever since.
Good story, Bob.
Sounds like "If you can't convince 'em with your sincerity or cleverness, you can always bribe 'em."
That's a winning political tactic, that still gets used to this day.
Yes, but instead of pennies from heaven, they're now tossing out billions from Elon Musk and George Soros
That's a sore subject with me. In fact I posted an article a while back on my Substack, "Soil Your Own Nest" about the amount of dark money influencing our politics, and what could be done about that. Check it out.
I will John.
Thanks a million
The images you paint are “stunning” :-)
You're making me smile, Diane
Stunning Dunning would have had my vote. Brilliant of you to shower the audience with 2,500 shiny pennies, despite all of the injuries. Thank you for another great story, Bob.
P.S. I am trying very hard not to add any exclamation points!!!
You are forgiven, Catherine, but three exclamation points is the absolute limit before we call security.
Bob, once again you brought back a wonderful memory from my past.
Teaching at a junior high school for my entire career included witnessing around thirty-three yearly student election assemblies. Who could ever forget the skinny 7th grader who promised if he was elected Student Body President, there would be longer lunch hours, shorter classes, and five different soda flavors running through the drinking fountains? This kid was a born politician but the voters were smarter. They chose a more believable speaker to lead the school. We can only hope that today’s adult voters can make an intelligent decision for the leadership of our country.
Perfectly said, Jacqueline. Thank you
Love this story so much. A very direct use of the campaign budget to acquire votes!
I'm not sure, Melanie, is the statute of limitations on bribery has run out.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing.
Was a special day in my life, Julia.
One I'll never forget.
hahahahhaha beautiful
Thanks, Chris. Much appreciated.
Love this column. I also ran for office in 7th grade. It did not go well during my speech. I made a goof that made everyone laugh at me. Trauma to this day.
It's weird how painful memories seems to last longer than the good ones.
But it appears you turned out more than okay, Gayna.
Thanks Bob and you did too. I agree about memories like this. Not a big deal overall, but a big deal when you are young. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger", is actually true in this case. :-)
Amen to that
Very clever Bob. Sounds like your classmates had a great time.
There are several who are still hospitalized.
Dear Stunning,
As one who has taken your advice to reduce the use of "very," how did you decide to "really run," instead of merely "run" for treasurer? Otherwise, great story. And congratulations on doubling your vote total in a single year. It's really tough to put yourself out there as a kid,, but you did it - twice!
Three times. Failed in 7th and 8th, succeeded in 9th.
Great story, indeed! I, too, cannot imagine you ever being shy.
Painfully shy. I still sit in the back row at Mass and have trouble walking up the aisle for Holy Communion.
Surely you jest.... How can you emcee so many events if you are painfully shy?
It really started long ago with being MC for Bob Hope in Rec Hall. Every inch of my being wanted to say "No, that's impossible," but I knew if I said "No" I would regret it for the rest of my life.
You mask your shyness well. I never would have known had you not admitted it. You are a natural emcee.
You're very kind, Anne.
Thank you