The last day of fun is here at last. Although I'm a bit tired and in need of a day off, I'll kind of miss this place. Mostly, we'll miss friends we've met along the way.
Upon arrival, I'm greeted by a smiling face working in general admissions. On weekends, that would be Patsy Lytle. We exchange pleasantries twice per day, on the way in and on the way out.
Lytle, an accountant during the week, is also looking forward to a day off. She will probably spend next weekend enjoying one of her other hobbies such as vintage cars or race horses.
The next greeting likely is from the beer guy, Don Wagnon, working in the John Justin Arena. And just like with Lytle, Wagnon always welcomes with a cheery, “Good morning Susan” and “Have a nice evening, see ya tomorrow” when I leave.
Wagnon, a manufacturer planner for Lockheed Martin during the week, said he will spend next weekend “getting off my feet.” Wagnon will also get back to working on motorcycles and getting his son Derek ready for the races.
I will miss seeing Michael Childers (left), an event staffer, holding down the fort in the horse stall area. Wearing an ear-to-ear grin he often asks “Well, hello Susie, can I buy you a cup of hot cocoa today?” as I rush through the area on my way to the media center.
Childers’ birthday is today. He is 60-years-old, full of life and “fit as a fiddle.” Semi-retired, Childers travels from west to east in search of enlightenment. He sings, tells fun stories of yesteryear and always has a good quote of the day for me. Today’s advice is, “We never know what the day will bring. We need to always be ready for the challenge.”
When I head to the exhibits hall, I make it a point to see Paul Matson, over at Custom Caps. He works for Collin Loesch, owner of the biz. Custom Caps has been an exhibitor at the Stock Show for 21 years. Matson’s plan of what to do after this event is perhaps the best I have heard. “I am heading straight to the watering hole,” he said with a grin.
And last but certainly not least, I will miss my friends in the media center, Deb Zihlman and Sharla Rainer, a.k.a. godsends for the pressroom. They are friendly, fashionable and fun to hang with. They make sure our every need is met, from fresh coffee in the mornings, (and afternoons, and evenings), to keeping the room full of other diet-naughty items such as donuts and fried pies. They also make sure we have fresh fruit each day, to help us feel less guilty about all of the corny dogs we consume.
Williams will go back to doing volunteer work. Rainer will head straight for jury duty tomorrow. Goodbye my dear friends! See ya
next year!
-- Susan Tallant
P.S. from the editor:
It's been a long 24-day run. Thanks to all the Star-Telegram staffers and correspondents who volunteered to work throughout the show. Above's shot is the (semi) regular Sunday Crew: Back row from left: Deb Zihlman, Amanda Rogers, Liz Zavala; second row, Sharla Rainer, Susan Tallant. Front, Jill Johnson.
-- Liz Zavala
