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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 14, 2004 23:25:57 GMT -5
I received a nice email from Bob Records, who sent along the following: Subject: Great Columbus High School Basketball I remember all those guys on the 1954,1955 and 1956 teams and I went to every game that I can recall. Mom (Kate Records) kept a score book for all the games and I think Jerry Records (Reck) still has the book that reflects the dogs data throughout his high school days. That was great High School basketball with a lot of spirit. The gym was always full and the crowd was always into the games. I suspect the three years sited above were some of the best of all time Columbus basketball. I will never forget the decorated parade of vehicles that drove to Butler Field House for the semi-state tourney. There was an enormous out cry for the dogs to win all the games. Jerry Schofield (Scho) and Reck were great and I agree with Reck's recent comments, that Scho should be in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He played not only great at Columbus High School, but at Utah State University. He was tough and highly productive in his years at the skyline conference and his team was ranked 6th in the AP poll and came in third in the NIT tourney. Scho lead the skyline college conference in most rebounds during his junior year and third his senior year. One game in college he had 27 rebounds. Scho was drafted by the NY Knicks in the 13th round. I remember the Bulldogs playing against the Ocar Robertson the "Big O",Merriweather, Searcy and coach Ray Crow under a crowd of 15,000 fans. Years later Reck played against the "Big O" in college at the Citadel Military College. Reck was tough in college and played against big names like Grady Wallace, Big O, Jerry West and many others. The Citadel played hard schedules in Reck's days, but they don't today. Scho played against such names as Johny Egan and Lenny Wilkonson. Max Perry and Bob Risk were also tough in High School and at Utah State and Tulane respectively. The 1954 and1955 team starters all got full scholarships to various universities. Even though Columbus had some great teams later; the 1950s were great to attend and promoted a close community of people crazy about the "Hoosier Hysteria" of roundball. The Bulldogs were always the talk of the town in barber shops, and stores around town. The dogs always brought pride to the community of sports minded folks. I miss the half-time popcorn and cokes (ha, ha, ha) and that distinct gym smell that still fills the air of today they say. Most of those team players came to our house on 15th Street and played behind the house. That ball rim (that Reck still has) was built by a blacksmith that Bill Stearman's dad had made while Bill was a young boy growing up. The side arches on the goal had bars to make sure that you arched the ball high enough for a lay up. Jim Conway, Reck and I played many hours on that rim including hundreds of former Columbus kids. Actually, the rim should be given to Columbus High School to add to the basketball trophy case area to reveal and story about Bill Stearman (he was MVP four years at Columbus High School and an Indiana All-Star). He gave the rim to Reck and I in 1951 for erection in the backyard. A man named John Hammond next door, and Pete Hall helped erect the goal in the rear of the house. A telephone pole with steel backing support held in place for almost 45 years or so until taken down. Pete and Rita Hall and Joyce Hand made sure that Reck received the goal after it was taken down. They all still live in the same houses on 15th Street. Thanks for these memories, Bob!, and welcome to the Historic Columbus Indiana Message Board! Dave Sechrest This is the rim that Charles Stearman father of Bill Stearman had made. IT was made by a local blacksmith. It was given to Jerry and Bob Records in 1950 and is still owned by a member of the Records family. Photo courtesy of RER
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 14, 2004 23:30:15 GMT -5
>>I remember the Bulldogs playing against Ocar Robertson<<
The Bulldogs played against the great Oscar Robertson? What team did he play for back then? Did the Big O play here in Columbus?
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RER
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Post by RER on Dec 15, 2004 20:33:28 GMT -5
The last Columbus High School team to play in the old Pearl Street Gym was a great team with a record of 21 wins and 6 loses for the year. Coach Bill Stearman had players like J.C. Gosnell, D. Miller, Allen Mohr, Jerry Records, Bob Risk, Bill Smith, Buck Smith, Max Perry, Larry Whipker, Joe Denny, Jim Wilbur and Harry Horn. This team played "little ole" Milan (student population 161) during a Christmas Holiday tournament at Frankfort Indiana, before the State of Indiana Tournament commenced in March. Milan beat the Bulldogs by only three points in that holiday tourney and Milan went on later to win the State Championship. When the State Tournament was dished out the Bulldogs were able to go to the Semi-State at Butler Field House and were beaten the first game, by Crispus Attucks ( Indiana Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson was a Soph then). Milan was at the same tourney for the next game against Attucks and Milan won 65 to 52. Milan went on to the Final Four of the tournament. Milan won by a 2 point shot by Bobby Plump in the last seconds against Muncie Central for the state title. The Bulldogs had a chance to win the state that year like other great Dog teams later, but without success. Many of the Bulldog players on this team were the first to play in the Columbus North Memorial Gymnasium. Some say that Bob Risk made the first shot in the new gym, but I can't confirm this. MOVIE MADE OF THIS FAMOUS MILAN WIN: The movie titled "Hoosiers" starring Gene Hackman was about that school and basketball team during the 1953-54 season. The Dogs didn't make the movie but were part of that historical semi-finals leading up to "little ole" Milan's win. Isn't Hoosier Hysteria wonderful ? The historical Milan team picture and movie details about them follow on this Web Site: www.hoopshall.com/inductees/2004/milanteam.html Submitted by: Bob Records
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 15, 2004 22:51:45 GMT -5
I was too young to remember Milan or the Columbus Bulldogs from 1953/54 (I was 2 years old).
The greatest CHS basketball team I remember was the 1964 team. When I originally scanned the 1964 Columbus High School yearbook, I did scan the clubs and sports sections of the book, but when I posted this yearbook to the web, it was during a time when I was using the free Angelfire site, and I was running really tight on webspace, thus, I only posted the faculty and seniors.
I do plan on expanding this 1964 yearbook offering sometime in the future to include the sports section, as well as the clubs.
But Bob? I'm really glad you emailed me about Columbus High School Basketball. This folder (or thread, as it's called) is proving to be one of great interest, and I appreciate all your information (as I'm certain many other readers out there do too!).
Thanks for all the info and keep it up!
Dave Sechrest
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 15, 2004 23:27:15 GMT -5
I noticed you put D. Miller in your previous post, Bob, and because of the email you sent me, I realize why.
Dick Miller loaned me his copies of the 1952, 1953, and 1954 CHS yearbooks for scanning and posting on the Historic Columbus Indiana website.
Dave Sechrest
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 17, 2004 10:47:42 GMT -5
Harry McCawley wrote an article for the December 9th edition of the Republic regarding the 50th anniversary of the high school gym on 25th Street. This 50th "birthday party" was celebrated during the halftime show at the game between the Columbus Bulldogs and Bloomington North on Saturday, December 11th. The emcee was Sam Simmermaker. Does anyone know if Sam called the play by play for the radio listening audience for this first game from the new gym?
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 17, 2004 10:54:27 GMT -5
Here is some information regarding the 25th Street Gym that some may not be aware of: "The auditorium is haunted by a ghost named "Mikey." Back over a hundred years before there was a school, there was a dirt road that ran through the school, but more precise though the auditorium. A kid named Mikey was walking on the street when a man driving a horse and buggy ran him down. At the exact spot where Mikey was killed is where the auditorium is today. If you are in the auditorium, you can sometimes see Mikey out of the corner of your eye run past the stage. You can also hear and see Mikey in the sound booth or up on the catwalk. Mikey has also been known to turn off the lights. Many people have witnesses Mikey or something that Mikey has done." This information was taken from www.angelfire.com/theforce/haunted/hauntedplacesofindiana.htm
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 17, 2004 10:58:52 GMT -5
I spoke with Sam back before my appendix ruptured. He told me he still had a reel-to-reel tape of the 1964 final game between the Bulldogs and Rushville(?) that he broadcast from Hinkle Fieldhouse. I told him I would be more than happy to transfer the tape to a digital MP3 format. This is something I need to follow up on.
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 21, 2004 1:03:02 GMT -5
Does anyone know if Sam called the play by play for the radio listening audience for this first game from the new gym? Bob Records advised me that Sam Simmermaker didn't come to Columbus until 1960. Was it possible that Jerry Castor broadcast the games in the 1950's?
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Post by David Sechrest on Jan 4, 2005 12:36:27 GMT -5
For those of you who pick up the Republic, most likely you saw Harry's article covering the great coaches that we, as a city, have been very fortunate to have on our side.
I received a touching email from Vic Thixton, and I sincerely hope he doesn't mind if I share it on the message board.
Dave,
I just finished reading your article about Bill Stearman. What a wonderful article. As we go through life and reflect back there are always things we would like to change. However, it is from those times that we think about those memories and we realize how our values and characters were built.
I wish you could have known Bill Stearman like I did. He was a wonderful man who loved the game of basketball. He was a very humble person who used the game to develop his players for life. He built the foundation with understanding that God and church came first, then family and education. Basketball took fourth place. The players on the 1964 Team loved the game of basketball and Bill used that to develop the character of the team with those values.
You have heard the expression that "team chemistry" plays a role in developing great teams. I can only share with you that it played a strong role in the make up of that team. That chemistry was very powerful and that lead to each player feeding off of each other. The strong desire for each individual to succeed led to the ultimate goal of focusing on the game with goal of winning THE GAME. The game, not the individual, was the goal. The love of the game and giving everything you had, in practice, and the game itself, was used to achieve the victory. Bill Stearman helped create that environnment for the team, as well as creating a wonderful time for the city of Columbus.
After the Huntington game, Bill and the TEAM felt like we had let the entire city and student body down. The TEAM had to live with "THE LOSS" for the rest of their lives. Bill was most disappointed for the city of Columbus and THE TEAM, not himself. How do I know this? Because after Bill retired he found a picture in his desk that he sent to me along with a note and he mentioned the wonderful times we shared but the only bad memory was "THE LOSS". The team wanted the victory for the city of Columbus and Bill Stearman.
Layayette Jeff won the state championship, however, if we would have played them in the championship game we know in our hearts that the championship would have come to Columbus. We had the ability and talent and it was all because of the leadership of Bill Stearman.
Those values still are with the team members today. How do I know this. Because I was one of those lucky team members. I have used those values in my life and at work. I only wish everyone would have had the opportunity to play for Bill but it is the memories and vaues that we continue to take with us through life.
Vic Thixton 1964 Team Member
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Post by David Sechrest on Feb 8, 2005 10:19:04 GMT -5
In Volume II of the Bartholomew County History book, Jerry Scofield, Jerry Records, James Wilbur, Max Perry, and Bobby Risk are mentioned as being the starting 5 that played the very first game in the "new" Memorial Gym on November 23, 1954. The Columbus Bull Dogs played the Bloomington Panthers, and beat them, 56 to 39. "Jane Ann Noblitt was the first CHS cheer leader onto the new floor," reported Scott Alexander, sports editor of the Evening Republican.
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Post by Vic Thixton on Feb 13, 2005 16:12:20 GMT -5
For those of you who pick up the Republic, most likely you saw Harry's article covering the great coaches that we, as a city, have been very fortunate to have on our side. I received a touching email from Vic Thixton, and I sincerely hope he doesn't mind if I share it on the message board. Dave, I just finished reading your article about Bill Stearman. What a wonderful article. As we go through life and reflect back there are always things we would like to change. However, it is from those times that we think about those memories and we realize how our values and characters were built. I wish you could have known Bill Stearman like I did. He was a wonderful man who loved the game of basketball. He was a very humble person who used the game to develop his players for life. He built the foundation with understanding that God and church came first, then family and education. Basketball took fourth place. The players on the 1964 Team loved the game of basketball and Bill used that to develop the character of the team with those values. You have heard the expression that "team chemistry" plays a role in developing great teams. I can only share with you that it played a strong role in the make up of that team. That chemistry was very powerful and that lead to each player feeding off of each other. The strong desire for each individual to succeed led to the ultimate goal of focusing on the game with goal of winning THE GAME. The game, not the individual, was the goal. The love of the game and giving everything you had, in practice, and the game itself, was used to achieve the victory. Bill Stearman helped create that environnment for the team, as well as creating a wonderful time for the city of Columbus. After the Huntington game, Bill and the TEAM felt like we had let the entire city and student body down. The TEAM had to live with "THE LOSS" for the rest of their lives. Bill was most disappointed for the city of Columbus and THE TEAM, not himself. How do I know this? Because after Bill retired he found a picture in his desk that he sent to me along with a note and he mentioned the wonderful times we shared but the only bad memory was "THE LOSS". The team wanted the victory for the city of Columbus and Bill Stearman. Layayette Jeff won the state championship, however, if we would have played them in the championship game we know in our hearts that the championship would have come to Columbus. We had the ability and talent and it was all because of the leadership of Bill Stearman. Those values still are with the team members today. How do I know this. Because I was one of those lucky team members. I have used those values in my life and at work. I only wish everyone would have had the opportunity to play for Bill but it is the memories and vaues that we continue to take with us through life. Vic Thixton 1964 Team Member
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RER
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Post by RER on Oct 11, 2005 16:40:47 GMT -5
The "Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame" was established in 1962. It's purpose is to honor those high school basketball players and coaches who gained fame on the hardwoods of Indiana and in subsequent years which reflects honor upon themselves. Columbus High Schools have been fortunate to have seven names inducted in the hall of fame starting with players in 1918 through coaches and others to the year 2005. Columbus can be proud of their achievements and abilities to reach this level of excellence. The following is the list of names and detailed summaries: Year Inducted/ Name/ High School &Year/ University 1971/ Ray Eddy/ CHS 1929/ Purdue/ 1979/ Paul W.Fehring/ CHS 1930/ Purdue/ 1997/ Jerry Newsome/ CHS 1964/ Indiana St./ 1983/ Bill Stearman/ CHS 1943/ Indiana/ 1984/ Charles "Chuck" Talyor/ CHS 1918/ ( Pro player and designed basketball shoes) 1982/ Robert Welmer/ CHS 1947 / Cincinnati/ 2005/ Steve Welmer/ CHS 1972/ Evansville/ 2006/ Steve Hollenbeck/ CHS / Indiana St./ (note: to be inducted March 22, 2006) 2006/ Tom McKinney/ CHS / (note: to be inducted March 22,2006) Inductions Information here: www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=90751&TM=42362.51 Submitted by: Bob Records
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RER
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Post by RER on Oct 11, 2005 18:26:33 GMT -5
Columbus' "Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame" Charles "Chuck" Taylor in 1931 designed the basketball shoes worn by early Columbus basketball teams and nationwide high school and college teams. This is before the present shoes (like Nike etc) that are worn today. They were called Converse "Chuck Taylor All-Stars shoes which could be bought in various colors including white or black. They were high or low tops, made of light canvas or leather and rubber soles. The shoes had his name on them for over 60 years and were the official basketball shoes for the Olympics from 1936 to 1968. The shoes have sold over 600 million pairs since development. He was an exhibition player in pro and semi-pro basketball for 11 years and created the first basketball clinic. In 1969 his name was enshrined in the national Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. To read about his life just type his name on any internet search engine and pull up the many articles about Chuck Taylor. Bill Stearman and "Chuck" were life long friends and many other Columbus people. "Chuck" Taylor is another famous former Columbus High School basketball star that made a huge contribution to the game of "round-ball" that Indiana folks love to play and watch. If you search hard you can still buy the All-Star shoes today. To read more about him and his accomplishments go to these two web sites: Key on these sites: (A) www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/TaylorC.htm (B) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Taylor_%28salesman%29(C) www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues01/nov01/object.html(D) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Taylor_All-StarsSubmitted by: Bob Records
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Margo CHS Class of 55
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Oct 12, 2005 0:44:23 GMT -5
Thanks, Bob, for your posts!! Oh, how I miss those games in the Cracker Barrel on Pearl Street !! Many a time the ball was richoted or pitched into the seats of us spectators as we sat so close to the floor, during the early 50's. Since I played in the Band we always set on the stage. It was the only way I could have gone to the games, as I got in free.
Do you remember the night Bob Knight came to scout " SCHO" and sat all the way up in the " pigeon's roost?" He had a wonderful friendship with Bill Stearman, even though Bill could not change Bob's style of talking when he got upset. If Bill could not accomplish that, I'm not sure anyone can.
I can still see Steve Schwaniger yelling " Co" and all the Cheer leaders doing the "stomp" around the jump circle, before the game. Can not remember the two cheerleaders that led us in "Iron 'em out ! " That was one of my favorites. Cheerleading has gone to a whole new dimension now. I'm afraid if our group would have tried to do pyramids or flips they would have hit the old light fixtures. Remember the wire protectors around those lights? I can still see the ball hitting one of them while we played the "Bears " from Shelbyville. Thanks to Doug Foulke, Steve Schwaniger, Judy Fleetwood, Ruthann Schwartzkopf, Jane Noblitt, and Jane Burns for all their hard work during the "Round Ball" Season. Then in 1954 we opened the season in our brand new Physical Education Plant... ( a fancy term for Gymnasium) What a season that was for the 54-55 team!! Thanks to Jerry Records, Max Perry, Jerry Schofield, Bob Risk, Jim Streitelmeier, Ron Whitehorn, Jim Wilbur and Ken Smith for some great evenings of Basketball!! And to "Coach" for some AWESOME victories!!! P.S. Does anyone remember who was sports commentator for our games?
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RER
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Post by RER on Oct 20, 2005 14:59:54 GMT -5
Coach Bob Knight now the basketball coach at Texas Tech was a friend of Bill Stearman for many years. Bob Knight's last book mentioned Bill briefly in his book. Bill received a signed copy of the book before his death from a relative that lives in Texas. I believe, but I could be wrong that Jerry Castor announced the games on the radio in the 1950s. Maybe, someone else out there in cyberspace can confirm it further.
Submitted by: Bob Records
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RER
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Post by RER on Oct 25, 2005 10:41:48 GMT -5
Each year the best high school boy's basketball players are selected in the state of Indiana. They are selected to be a member of the Indiana High School boys "All-Star" team. The team selected in turn plays the team selected in Kentucky each year. It is a honor for these players to represent the best of Hoosier basketball each year. Since the year of 1943 through 2004, Columbus has had seven high school players selected for the Indiana All-Star teams. They are as shown below: Year Name 1971 Bill McGinley 1968 Tom Arnholt 1964 Steve Hollenbeck 1964 Jerry Newsom 1963 Bill Russell 1955 Jerry Schofield 1943 Bill Stearman To read the full teams in the state go to the following web site: Key on this: www2.indystar.com/articles/9/023900-2459-114.htmlSubmitted by: Bob Records
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Post by richard on Nov 1, 2005 2:50:53 GMT -5
1960 Columbus Senior High School
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Post by Jerry Castor on Nov 20, 2005 22:08:18 GMT -5
Bob Records--Thanks for remembering me!! I came to WCSI Radio in the Spring of 1956 when it was an AM station only. The company was owned by Syndicate Theatres, Inc. which owned the Crump, Mode and Rio theatres in town and the Columbus Drive-In on State Road 31-A north of the city. Syndicate Theatres sold the radio station to current owner White River Broadcasting in, as I recall, 1957. The new owners applied for and received permission from the FCC to put an FM station on the air so we could stay on at night and broadcast local sports events. FM frequencies are set up as "100.1" "100.3", "100.5" etc. The owners wanted the 101.1 frequency to (as nearly as possible) match the 1010 frequency of the AM station..but101.1 was held by a station in Louisville, KY, so we went on the air as WCSI-FM at 101.5. In the first year we broadcast Football and Basketball games on FM, I did the play-by-play with CHS Teacher/Athletic Trainer Chuck Richardson as my statistician/color man. Another CHS teacher, Jim Orlosky, succeeded Chuck in this capacity. In 1960, Sam Simmermaker joined the staff as a weekend employee. I was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of that year, and Sam took over the play-by-play duties, assisted by Sid Thompson. After my military service, I returned to WCSI in 1962 as Program Director. Sid was hired by a station in Terre Haute not long after that, and I then joined Sam for the sports broadcasting. Sam was the primary play-by-play announcer, but we alternated duties during multi-game days when tourney time came around. We had great fun and once talked of publishing a guide on "Where to dine when you're following the 'Dogs to out-of-town South Central Conference Games." Being part of the broadcast team for the Bulldogs' unbeaten 1963/64 season was a never-to-be-forgotten experience that I will always treasure. And to have the privilege of working with a pair of Indiana Basketball legends: Sam Simmermaker and Bill Stearman. I still see Sam about once per year when he comes to my "Columbus Speedway Oldtimers Reunion" at the 4-H Fairgrounds every February..if the Bullfrogs aren't swimming in the State Tournament that day.
I once told Bill Stearman that although I never played basketball for him, I would always think of him as my Coach. Godspeed Bill, and thanks for showing us all that an individual can be successful and a fine human being at the same time. Go Dogs!
Best regards, Jerry Castor
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RER
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Post by RER on Nov 21, 2005 12:09:46 GMT -5
It was refreshing to hear from Jerry Castor through this media after almost 46 years. I talked on the phone with Sam Simmermaker about a year or so ago. Both you guys have left a positive impression on the Columbus community over the years. Your talented "Golden Voices" combined have contributed a lot to the Columbus sports and news arena for almost a half of a century. I recall radio stations at three locations from my early days till the present. One was South/West of U.S. 46 (Carr Hill Road) out in a corn field area going toward Nashville and the present Holiday Inn. I have been told that the radio tower is still standing on that location. The second one was 427 3rd Street, and the last station I recall is presently at Washington Street and U.S. 31. The WCSI crews always had special areas in the gyms and football fields. The old Pearl Street Gym radio location is not in my memory. I do recall listening to both of these voices as a young guy going about town year round. If Jerry Castor started announcing in 1956 and Sam Simmermaker started in 1960, then the question comes up: Who was the radio announcer prior to 1956 for the Columbus sports events ? Well another post says Bob Westermier of the former hardware store did the sports calling. Well, in closing I want to thank Jerry Castor for coming to this historical media and Sam Simmermaker too for our conversations over the years. Thanks guys for all you have done for the Columbus residents and former residents like me.
Submitted By: Bob Records
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