My Boyhood Home

I'm withholding the address for fear of disrupting the neighborhood....like a stampede or something.

But my old boyhood home that my Mom and Dad purchased in 1936 for 6 thouisand dollars was recently sold for over 200 thousand.


That's an impressive figure; however, it would have been much more if....I had revealed what I'm about to tell  you

There's a buried treasure on that property!

I know because two friends of mine, Earl Pope, Jimmy Weller and I buried it there in 1946.

I was sworn to secrecy, but to give you an idea of how valuable the treasure is....I can reveal that among its contents are:   a Tom mix secret decoder ring, complete with an "emergency" whistle, and "straight shooters" membership card, an autographed picture of "Tony," Tom Mix's horse  (Yes, apparently he could write) and several other priceless items.

Although I was greatly  tempted  many times to dig up the treasure (to purchase our home and send our kids to college..etc)...

I resisted.

So there it lies...undisturbed for over 60 years.

Oh...and one more thing:  Don't try to find the spot and  dig it up;  There is a CURSE on it!

The curse is:   IF THE CURRENT HOMEOWNER SEES YOU DIGGING UP HIS YARD...HE WILL EITHER SHOOT YOU OR ,CALL THE POLICE AND YOU WILL SPEND THE REST OF YOUR GOLDEN YEARS IN THE LOONEY BIN for digging up a man,s yard looking for a Tom Mix decoder ring!

Jimmy Pourlos

Jimmie Chris Pourlos, 85, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Novant Presbyterian Hospital. Jimmie was born in Domianous Greece on June 8, 1932, son of Efrosini Frankoskias and Chris Pourlos. Jimmie was the embodiment of the American Dream. He immigrated to the United States in March of 1951 and settled in Charlotte, NC. Jimmie arrived in America by himself with only $11 in his pocket, but through hard work and determination quickly found success in his new home.

During his first two years living in America he worked at Central Drive-In, known to the students of Central High as "The Maid". In 1953 he acquired the restaurant and renamed it Jimmies Restaurant. After 50 years on Elizabeth Avenue, Jimmie's moved to its Mint Hill location where it is currently run by his sons: Chris and Deno. Jimmie was a devout Orthodox Christian and was highly involved in his church, Holy Trinity Cathedral. He was a charter member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Foundation and a member of the Parish Council for many years. Jimmie was a founding member of the Charlotte Greek Festival and served as its treasurer for 23 years. He was also a member of the Evrytanian Association.

An avid outdoorsman, Jimmie loved to hunt and fish. He spent countless summer days fishing at Surfside Pier and autumn mornings running his beloved beagles. He made many lasting friendships through Jimmie's Restaurant and even met his future wife while she was a student at Central High. Ronnie Rallis and Jimmie were married in the Greek Orthodox Church June 1, 1958 and remained happily married for almost 60 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son George Pourlos, whom he missed dearly. His siblings: Stelio, George, Rodothea, and Elizabeth; all of whom died during the Greek civil war. Survivors include his wife Ronnie Rallis Pourlos, his son Chris and wife Athena, his son Deno Pourlos, and grandchildren Demetri, Alex, and Christena Pourlos all of Charlotte, North Carolina and Gabrielle Gibson of Austin, Texas, stepmother Helen Pourlos, brother Steve Pourlos and wife Haido all of Greenville, South Carolina, his sister Rodoula Giorgiadis and husband Thanasi of Athens, Greece, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved very much. Of all the things Jimmie cared about in life, family was always the most important. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 23 from 6pm to 8pm, with a Trisagion at 7pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 24 at 11am at the church, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jimmie's name to Holy Trinity Cathedral Foundation, 600 E Blvd Charlotte, NC. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our special angel Kameelah Blackwell for all her love and care for Jimmie. Notes of encouragement and condolences may be made to the family by visiting ellingtonfuneralservices.com.

My Next Career

I believe I've finally decided on my next career!

I'm going to be a guru!

That's right...a GURU!   Someone who knows...and tells...EVERYTHING.

My secret?

This list of ANSWERS TO EVERYTHINGF!


"Fly the friendly skies" — United Airlines (Leo Burnett)

"Where's the beef?" — Wendy's (Cliff Freeman, Dancer Fitzgerald Sample)

"We bring good things to life" — GE (Phil Dusenberry, DDBO)

"Don't leave home without it" — American Express Card (Bruce Silverman, Ogilvy & Mather)

"Be All You Can Be" — U.S. Army (Earl Carter, N.W. Ayer)

"Just do it" — Nike (Dan Wieden)

"Must-see TV" — NBC (Vince Manze)

"Breakfast of champions" — Wheaties (Knox Reeves, Blackett-Sample-Gummert)

"Trust the Midas touch" — Midas (Wells, Rich, Greene)

"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)"; "Have a Coke and a smile" — Coca-Cola (McCann Erickson, Billy Davis music)

"We try harder" — Avis (Paula Green, DDB)

"You're in good hands with Allstate" — Allstate (Leo Burnett; Ed Reimers, voice)

"You deserve a break today" — McDonald's (Keith Reinhard, Needham Harper)

"When you care enough to send the very best" — Hallmark (Foote, Cone & Belding)

"Sometimes you feel like a nut — sometimes you don't" — Mounds, Almond Joy (Cliff Freeman and Fred Massin, Dancer Fitzgerald Sample)

"They're grrrrrrrrrreat!" — Frosted Flakes (John E. Matthews, Leo Burnett)

"Got Milk?" — California Milk Processor Board (Goodby, Silverstein & Partners)

"It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" — Timex

"Aren't you glad you use Dial?" — Dial soap (FCB)

"Just for the taste of it" — Diet Coke

"Raise your hand if you're Sure" — Sure (Wells, Rich, Greene)

"Calgon, take me away!" — Calgon (Ketchum)

"When it absolutely, positively, has to be there overnight" — Federal Express (Joe Sedelmaier, Ally & Gargano)

"We will sell no wine before its time" — Paul Masson (DDB)

"Nothing runs like a Deere" — John Deere (Bob Wright, Gardner Agency)

"Something special in the air" — American Airlines (Bruce Silverman)

"Let your fingers do the walking" — Yellow Pages (Geers Gross)

"Have it your way" — Burger King (BBDO)

"Reach out and touch someone" — AT&T (Marshall McLuhan, developed by Ken D'Ambrosio, N.W. Ayer)

"It's everywhere you want to be" — Visa (Phil Dusenberry, DDBO)

"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz" — Alka Seltzer (Wells, Rich, Greene)

"Betcha can't eat just one" — Lay's (BBDO)

"Think small" — Volkswagen (Helmut Krone, DDB)

"The best a man can get" — Gillette (Michael Scheback, BBDO)

"Pizza! Pizza!" — Little Caesars (Cliff Freeman)

"When you got it, flaunt it" — Braniff (George Lois, Lois Pitts Gershon Pon)

"Not made in Nooo Yawk Ciddy" — Pace Picante (Bruce Silverman)

"It's not nice to fool Mother Nature" — Chiffon (Cunningham & Walsh)

"Please don't squeeze the Charmin" — Charmin (Benton & Bowles, John Chervokas or Norman Schaut, disputed)

"Still going ... nothing outlasts the Energizer ... they keep going and going and going ..." — Energizer (Chiat/Day)

"The ultimate driving machine" — BMW (Martin Puris, Ammirati & Puris)

"Like a rock" — Chevrolet (Bob Seger music)

"Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman" — Secret (Carol H. Williams, Leo Burnett)

"You can pay me now, or pay me later" — Fram

"At Ford, quality is Job 1" — Ford (Wells, Rich, Greene)

"The choice of a new generation" — Pepsi

"You got the right one baby, uh huh" — Diet Pepsi

"Melts in your mouth, not in your hand" — M&Ms (Rosser Reeves, Ted Bates & Co.)

"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" — Sanka, starring Robert Young

"Because so much is riding on your tires" — Michelin (DDB)

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression" — Head & Shoulders

"Finger lickin' good" — Kentucky Fried Chicken (Ogilvy & Mather)

"We do chicken right" — KFC

"Fixodent, and forget it" — Fixodent

"The Uncola" — 7 Up (J Walter Thompson)

"With a name like Smuckers, it has to be good" — Smuckers

"Inexpensive, and built to stay that way" — Subaru

"Friends don't let friends drive drunk" — U.S. NHTSA (DDB)

"The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup" — Folgers

"Definitely Doritos" — Doritos

"A Certs Encounter" — Certs

"The beer that made Milwaukee famous" — Schlitz (Claude C. Hopkins, Lord and Thomas)

"We want to help you do things right!" — Stanley

"The quicker picker-upper" — Bounty (Dancer Fitzgerald Sample)

"I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid" — Toys R Us

"Trix are for kids" — Trix (Joe Harris)

"Fly Me" — National Airlines (William Free Associates)

"Tastes as great as its name" — Old Milwaukee


-Ed

Another "Rest of the Story."

Being retired...and as old as I am...It's too late to add this to my "resume:"

But, the world's richest man once told me....and I quote....

"You have made me what I am today!"

Jeff Bezos, of Amazon.com  said that to me during an interview I had with him a couple of years ago.  

He was kidding, of course, but.....how many people get to "kid around" with someone like that?

I can't wait to tell my old buddies at WGIV about that!

That should impress the heck out of them!

Except.......

Except........they're not around anymore.

Dammit!

-Ed

Warren and Mary Sandra!

For Ever After!!

(I'm having some technical difficulties at the moment with this website.....Bear with me.....

-Ed

Hot off the Press!  Here is the first exclusive picture of the Social Event of the Year.  We're talking, of course, of the Sparrow -Shulkin-Costner wedding.  It was a grand affair held at the beautiful sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Forest City, NC.  Attended by over 100 family and friends, the happy couple said their vows at 2:00 pm, January 6, 2018.      Among the guests were classmates Bonson and Ann (Rich) Hobson and Obie Oakley      They plan to reside in Forest City.

LDL Tuesday January 9, 2018

By Jerry Gaudet

Wow!  It feels futuristic as we learn to say 2018, doesn't it?

Here we go as "LDL" (Let's do lunch) will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 11:30 AM at "Jimmies" Restaurant in Mint Hill.

Please help spread the word!  Invite other classmates to come!  Even better, bring someone with you! 

We sure hope you'll come!

A Grandfather's Advice

By Obie Oakley

My youngest grandson just graduated from the University of Colorado. Taking a
gap year after high school and a semester off the teach English in Honduras, it took him
5 ½ years to finish with a double major; math and bio-chemistry. Stephen didn’t get to
savor a formal graduation complete with all the pomp and circumstances that go along
with commencements since he finished courses in December.
His mother Wendy set about to provide him that experience, all unbeknownst to
Stephen. Since she is the Parrish Administrator for Christ Church, she had no problem
reserving the Great Hall on Thursday afternoon. She asked me to deliver the
commencement address, daughter Cindy to present a special award. She prepared a
printed program, complete with the U of C Buffalo logo. As the emcee, Wendy led the
processional to the music of Elgar, (Pomp and Circumstances). We then gave the pledge
of allegiance and National Anthem. The participants wore robes, including Stephen. It
was then time for my words of wisdom. Here’s what I imparted to the audience of about
20 friends and family, but mainly to Stephen. All this is rather “hokey” I know but there
is a message here.

A Grandfather’s Advice to his Grandson

Good afternoon. I consider this a distinct honor. We are here to celebrate a long-
awaited graduation, one’s that been five and a half years in the making.
For those of you in the audience, I will tell you now that this will be like no other
commencement address you have ever heard. I will also guarantee you that, unlike others,
you will remember this one. Thinking back at graduations I’ve attended, there’s only one I
remember and I’ll get to that in a moment. I heard Charles Karualt give Wendy’s at UNC,
Jack Kemp, NFL quarterback and congressman at Wake Forest. Couldn’t tell you what they
said to save my life. I cannot even tell you who spoke at my high school or college
commencement.

As for the one I do remember, it was when I graduated from the US Army
paratrooper school at Ft. Benning. We had just completed four very demanding weeks
which culminated with five qualifying jumps. Our class was very small, only 36 as opposed
to 600 or 700 in other classes. The decision was to conduct the ceremony right there on the
drop zone. This meant no bands, crowds in the bleachers or dignitaries, just the 36 of us
and a handful of sergeants and our speaker who was a full colonel. That was OK; I had
completed the program and was busting buttons with pride in what I had done. He never
once congratulated us, gave us any words of wisdom or inspiration but proceeded to tell us
we had really done NOTHING. After those deflating words, I didn’t hear anything he said.
Whatever his intentions, he failed miserably.
That said, I shall begin my remarks.

“Chug, chug, chug. Puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong. The little train rumbled
over the tracks. Then it broke down. Sounds familiar? It should for its ‘The Little Engine
That Could’.
(I then paraphrased the story about the train breaking down with a load of toys needing to
get over the mountain. The toy clown tried to get help from bigger stronger engines to no
avail. What were they to do? They even asked an old rusty engine who said it ‘Could not,
could not, could not’ It was finally when he asked the little blue switch engine if she could
help in pulling the load up the mountain to the waiting boys and girls.
“You remember? The little engine said, ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. And
sure enough, she pulled the train up the mountain to deliver the toys. ‘I thought I could, I
thought I could, I thought I could. The day was saved and there was much joy among the
boys and girls”.

‘Well you might ask, what’s the point, are there any life lessons in this funny little
children’s book? You bet there are!
Stephen, consider these:

 Make your goals in life things that benefit others.

 Never lose sight of those goals. There will be temptations to sidetrack you.

 Be persistent: Don’t give up. Never give up.

 Be prepared for the unexpected. That first train stopped. There will always be the
unexpected, so prepare yourself to deal with them.

 Be like the toy clown. Pick up that banner and take the leadership role.

 Be prepared for rejection. The world is full of rude and arrogant people just like
those two engines who shrugged him off.

 Be compassionate and understanding of others. That old train wanted to help but
just couldn’t. You will encounter others in life like that old train.

 Believe in yourself! I think I can. I think I can.

 Celebrate your victories in life. I thought I could. I thought I could. However, as
you celebrate, maintain your dignity and humility.

Stephen Cahill Mauney, you have cause for celebration for your accomplishments. You are
surrounded by your friends and family who will be the most important part of your life and
will be there for you should you need them. Never forget this.

CONGRATULATIONS!

-OO