Ohio casinos seek new edge

We as people are great. Smoking kills people. Gambling is harmful. So, after a lengthy fight, Ohio has casinos. So, to accommodate those who are killing themselves smoking, an isolated area is set aside, and now they want slot machines in those areas. What about those poor souls who like to play 21 and smoke while doing so, what can they do? WHY NOT just, build a big casino, put a wall down the middle, one side smoking, the other no smoking? Problem .... NO SMOKING in state buildings, a casino is a BIG revenue source for the state ... almost a state building, now what? 

Many people apparently choose to die from Emphysema and broke, with a glove on their right hand. 

CINCINNATI — Ohio’s casinos are planning to ensure gamblers can still feed the slot machines during their smoke breaks.

Major casinos in Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo want to install slot machines in designated smoking areas while keeping their main gambling floors smoke-free. Ohio’s smoking ban has been seen as a competitive advantage to three riverboat casinos in southeast Indiana, where smoking is allowed.

Cincinnati’s downtown casino proposed plans to install about 150 slot machines and other gambling devices on a nearly 10,000-square-foot smoking deck now under construction, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Officials with the Columbus and Toledo casinos are also working on installing slot machines to their smoking decks. Ohio’s smoking ban has been seen as a competitive advantage to three riverboat casinos in southeast Indiana, where smoking is allowed.

Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for Penn National Gaming Inc., which operates the Columbus and Toledo casinos, said that adding smoking areas for gamblers “is a way to meet customer demand.”

Regulators with the Ohio Casino Control Commission said they are reviewing the Cincinnati casino’s proposal and will approve it as long as it meets requirements.

All five of Ohio’s racinos have at least a few slots in smoking areas, but the scope of the Cincinnati casino’s proposed gambling area for smokers is larger than anything currently in the state.

One-third of Ohio casino gambling revenue goes to the state in taxes. The Cincinnati casino could generate an additional $10 million in annual gambling revenue with the added slot machines if they generate the property’s average $175 daily unit revenue.

Jane Somers - A celebration of Life

Jane Somers has passed away ........ a short time ...... before her 104th Birthday, in Angola, Indiana.

Jane Somers was the sister of my brother's wife, Rebecca Rhue. I remember Jane from some visits she and her husband Dr. Jerry Somers, made to our home in Dayton, Ohio. Jane was one of a trio of sisters, all very gracious ladies.

One married an advertising man, he got me a tie, in the 40's, hand painted silk, of the NEW, Mercury Hurricane Outboard Motor, which was painted on that tie. I had one of the motors, and one of the few that had a tie.

Jane married a Doctor, Fort Wayne, Indiana, as I recall. I think he used to be a team physician of the old Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. I remember he had a party for the team each year prior to the season starting. I remember my brother and Becky, his wife went one year.

I don't recall the last time I saw Jane probably at a wedding, niece or nephew.

Why write about Jane Somers, well, for one thing at one time she had something to do with Magic Johnson in Lansing, Michigan, as a teacher or counsellor, and, she lived to be almost 104, and, as my niece, Jane Dooley told me, she drifted off in her sleep.

Indiana University doctoral student among Malaysia Air dead

(Reuters) - A Dutch doctoral student and former member of the Indiana University rowing team was among the passengers killed when Malaysian airliner went down in Ukraine, the university said Friday in a statement.

Karlijn Keijzer, 25, was a doctoral student in the chemistry department in the university's college of Arts and Sciences, had earned a master's degree from the university and was a member of the women's rowing team in the 2011 season, the university said.

"The Indiana rowing family is deeply saddened by the news of Karlijn's sudden passing," Indiana head rowing coach Steve Peterson said in a statement.

(Reporting by David Bailey in Minneapolis; Editing by Bill Trott)

Another trip down "Memory Lane"

I have gotten gas out of a pump like this, many years ago.

You would tell the attendant, "five gallons," or whatever. There was a handle on the side of the pump and he would hand pump that amount up into the top. He would then put the nozzle into the car's tank, and gravity would do the rest. No electricity involved, hand pumped and gravity would take over. Need one of those when the electricity goes out.

I remember a time back when the power was lost in Reno, and one old station kept right on pumping, using a pump like this. Cars were lined up for miles. Then some of the smart ones realized they could hook up their power lawn mowers and use them to run the pump.

There was a consistent aroma in old stations such as this, gas  and oil and cigar smoke, that memory still lingers in my mind.

There was generally a bench out in front of old stations like this where you could sit and watch the cars go by and talk with the locals that hung out there. I remember an old station in Mooresville, Indiana, my brother had gotten gas, and a few locals, my brother and I were sitting out in front talking about Indiana, basketball, Branch McCracken, the IU coaching legend, and the local Mooresville hero, John Dillinger, of bank robbing fame. The name Dillinger was prominent around Mooresville, gifts from John. His old barber cut my hair that day. They said the John had done a lot of good for the town. I think there was a Dillinger Park that  he had donated.

Amish Population Booms in US

By Megan Gannon, News Editor | LiveScience.com 

Though they travel at the pace of a horse and buggy, the Amish are spreading out across the nation more rapidly than most other religious communities. A new Amish settlement is founded in the United States nearly once a month, according to a new census, which also found that more than 60 percent of all existing Amish communities sprang up after 1990.


"The Amish are one of the fastest-growing religious groups in North America," Ohio State researcher Joseph Donnermeyer, who led the census project, said in a statement. "They're doubling their population about every 21 to 22 years, primarily because they produce large families and the vast majority of daughters and sons remain in the community as adults baptized into the faith, starting their own families and sustaining their religious beliefs and practices."

The census counts 250,784 Amish in the United States and Ontario, Canada, across 456 settlements where members live and worship. That figure is up from 179 communities in 1990.

Ohio has the largest Amish population at 60,233, and Pennsylvania is a close second, with 59,078 Amish residents, while Indiana has 44,831 Amish citizens, according to Ohio State. New York — where 15 new settlements have been established since 2010 ­— has seen the greatest recent growth in Amish population of any state.

Donnermeyer predicts that in 15 years, at least one county in the United States might turn majority Amish. He named Ohio's Holmes County — where 42 percent of the current population is Amish — as a likely candidate, with LaGrange County in Indiana following close behind. By 2050, he forecast that 1 million Amish may live in the United States across 1,000 settlements.

Jessie Maud Shannon Dooley

Jessie was my Mother, we lost her too soon. Life can be so busy, being a youth and being busy all the time, being in school and being busy all the time, then college, the Navy, married, and looking back, I really never had "quality time" with my Mom, I regret that.

My Mom bailed me out many a time. Dad would lay down the law, and Mom had her ways to circumvent those laws.  I guess I never really took his threats seriously, I knew Mom would intervene on my behalf.

She loved to have a good time with family and friends, she was a most gracious hostess, and she never met a stranger. Her happiest memories were when the whole family was at the dinner table, eating one of her home lovingly cooked meals.

I remember on one occasion, a friend of theirs from Columbus, Ohio drove over for a visit. With him, was Fred Taylor, the Ohio State basketball coach. Before they left, they had spent three hours talking, and Fred and Doctor Rose devoured most of a freshly baked apple pie she had made.

She was also a PK, a "preachers kid." Her Father was a minister in the old United Brethren Church and later became a Bishop. Mom and her sister Eva, and Brother Ora,  had many stories and memories of their early days.

Old Doctor Ed Werner, our neighbor, determined that Mom had high blood pressure. This was some sixty years ago. One recommendation, a shot of bourbon once a day. Mom had never tasted liquor. We had to disguise it in a large glass of juice to get her to take it. She only did it for a few days. I am not sure how we disposed of the bottle, she didn't want it thrown in the trash for anyone to see, I think we buried it out in the backyard.

She used a "cuss word" one time, that I know of. When Dad retired from practice, he went to work for Blue Shield, had an assistant, car and all. He used to travel around the state, attending local Medical Association Meetings,  "imploring" Doctors to NOT abuse health insurance. Mom used to ride with Dad on his trips. On one occasions, his assistant Nelson accompanied them and did the driving. During the drive, my Mom commented, "I've noticed there are not as many "bastards" on the road when Nelson drives." A rare outburst from my Mother.

She is buried next to my Father at the old Wilkins Corners Cemetery, a spot she has occupied since they married, many years ago, next to his side. I truly wish I had gotten to know her better. Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Shelters planning Super Bowl parties

I was searching about the number of Homeless in Indianapolis when I found this article. Turns out there are not too many homeless there, and they decided AGAINST rounding them up prior to the Super Bowl and keeping them away from the downtown. Then I found this, haircuts, meals, TV, all for the Super Bowl. That makes the Super Bowl more important than any other day of the year ..... a game, something wrong with that picture, somewhere.

Wheeler Mission Ministries, which provides services and shelters for the homeless, annually holds a Super Bowl party on game day for the homeless and will do so Feb. 5.

"They'll be able to watch the game, have some pizza and enjoy the festivities," said Steve Kerr, chief development officer for Wheeler. In addition to its shelter on Market Street, Wheeler has overflow space at its center at 245 N. Delaware St.

Wheeler Mission Ministries also operates a shelter for women and children at 3208 E. Michigan St., and Kerr said holding another Super Bowl party at that shelter is under consideration, depending upon the interest.

Among others planning Super Bowl parties for the homeless is Homeless & ReEntry Helpers, 940 E. Michigan St., which serves as a resource center for the homeless and provides a Helpers Helping Others Outreach Team.

Founded by street ministers about three years ago, the resource center serves meals three days a week to about 450 homeless people, said Don Hawkins, executive director. The center hopes to add a fourth meal day after the Super Bowl.

On the day before the game, the homeless will be offered free haircuts and a meal from 3 to 5 p.m. On game day, meals will be served from 3 to 5 p.m., after which those attending can watch the game on two big screens.

"We just thought it would be nice," Hawkins said.

James Whitcomb Riley

This was one of my Moms favorites. Riley was from Indiana, as was she, and I think somewhere years ago, my Grandfather or, my brother's wife, Rebecca Rhue's Father, John, met Mr. Riley. We heard this poem, or parts of it, often, around Thanksgiving time. Most of my family are Hoosiers, around Marion.

When the Frost is on the Punkin

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here --
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries -- kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below -- the clover over-head! --
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin' 's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! ...
I don't know how to tell it -- but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me --
I'd want to 'commodate 'em -- all the whole-indurin' flock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!

James Whitcomb Riley

R. D. Dooley, M.D. - Chapter XII

CHAPTER XII

Another important event in our calendar year was threshing day. Several neighbors pooled their teams, and personnel to form a thrashing ring. When threshing time came they contracted with a threshing machine operator to do threshing for the entire ring. It required several teams of horses and considerable manpower to keep the threshing machine in operation.

The most important item of the day was the dinner. Each housewife tried to outdo the others in quality and quantity. Usually after the threshing was completed, an oyster supper or ice cream social was planned to celebrate the end of the harvest.

Another humorous event has remained with me thru the years. We were shredding corn, which is a process where the corn stalks are fed into a machine, the ear of corn is shucked, and the fodder chopped in small pieces and blown to the hayloft for cow feed.

Several neighbors were helping us. Dad took me to town to buy me a pair of shoes, called Bump Toe shoes which were the prevailing fashion for adult wear. I set my heart on buying Bump Toe
shoes even though they were all too large for me.

I persuaded my Dad to buy the over sized shoes, and wore them home because I thought it would be nice to give our neighbors who where shredding corn, a fashion show. My legs were small and skinny, and my heavy ribbed black stockings which met my knickers at the knees, increased the effect of skinniness. The over sized shoes, increased by the big bump tipped toes, made me look like Mickey Mouse.

I walked by Dillon McCracken, the community dude, who I most wanted to impress. I expected to receive a flattering compliment from Dillon on my Bump Toe shoes.

Instead, he doubled up with uncontrollable laughter, and when he could get his breath again,
remarked, "You look like you have traded legs with the stork, and was cheated out of your rear."

I got the point of his joke, but I still loved my big Bump Toe Shoes.

I attended the little old one room Hanfield School. I liked school, and always made good grades. I developed an ability to concentrate because we had to study while other classes recited. My ability to concentrate was a talent I used to advantage through all of my educational experiences and on into the practice of medicine.

In school we regularly terminated the week by having spelling and ciphering matches on Friday afternoon. Our competitive inclinations were developed and whetted in the school room instead of on the playing field or in the gymnasium.

Once or twice during the winter we traveled to a neighboring school in horse drawn sleds where we engaged our rival school in spelling and ciphering matches. The contests were spirited, exciting, and the trip was especially nice because it afforded an opportunity to snuggle close to your favorite girl in the sled.

The last day of school was the biggest event in our social calendar. Parents came to school with well filled baskets and tables were fashioned out of boards laid across desks on which a veritable banquet was spread.

The pupils presented a program of theatrics, readings, and singing which always received the enthusiastic plaudits of our visitors. I was always anxious for school to end and equally anxious for it to start in the fall. While our present day educational system is far superior to the one room concept, there is some good that can be said about the schools of yesteryear.

Stress was laid on the fundamentals of reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic, which are
still the bedrock of an education.

Another social was sometimes held, the so called box social. The girls would bring fancy boxes decorated with crepe paper and filled with fancy sandwiches, cookies and other delicious tid-bits. The boxes were auctioned off to the highest bidder. The purchaser then was entitled to enjoy eating the contents, along with the seller. I am sure many a romance budded from a box social contact.

To be continued