I have re-located to the Columbia, SC area. I accepted a position with SightLine Sign and Graphics in West Columbia.
They brought me on board to utilize my vast experience in the trade and to elevate their business to another level. The owners, Richard and Kitty Larson, have done very well for themselves but feel that they needed to add another person.
They have recently moved their business to a 21,000+ square foot facility. The shop does a wide variety of work with a focus on vehicle wraps.
I am quite excited to a part of this enterprise and look forward to a very long and prosperous relationship.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Good going, Bruce! that sounds like you're living Art's words there... 21,000 ft. man, they must some major work there. It is warmer in SC than in Minnesota, eh? hey, St. Cloud and SC...hmmmm...works in mysterious ways...;o)
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
From six below to 60 in a week... Nice!
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
If you get up my way, give me shout.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Ya never know where life is gonaa take you. All the best for you!!!!!!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Congrats on the new gig - I grew up in Columbia and that 60 turns to 90 real quick - but you're only 2 hours from the beach......
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Good luck Bruce, things are looking up.
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Congratulations Bruce and all the best for the future.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Sounds like they'll let anybody work there!!! hahahaha
Congrats!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
A friend loved living in South Carolina. He said he was only a couple hours from anything: the beach, the mountains, waterfalls, rapids, caves, canyons, etc. You can probably tell he was an outdoors type like me.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
And the accents. One of the few places on the planet where Red is a 2 syllable word, good luck Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
They won't sound like Joey.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
I kinda have a hanker'n to go myself...after all that is in my neck of the woods.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Congrats, Bruce!
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Good luck Bruce, it sounds like a good gig, lot's of challenges.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Congratulations! Considering your abilities, it will be hard for them to adequately compensate you, but it sounds like a really cool job.
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Hey Bruce
Sounds like your gettin around!...Hope all is well...long time!
Robert
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Congrats, Bruce, happy that you are happy;take good care of yourself and don't eat too much chinese food!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I just might have to replace Chinese with BBQ... Dang but it is good schtuff!
They do talk a bit different down here but I am sure that they think the same about my WNY mixed with a liberal dose of Minnestoan mixed in accent, too.
Posted by Bevin Finlay (Member # 2159) on :
Congrats Bruce. Sounds like a great opportunity. Oh, how I envy you guys south of the border. You can just keep moving towards a warmer climate while us poor Canucks are up here freezing our butts off... lol
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
WTG Bruce!!!
Looking foward to seeing you in Bama.
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Congratulations Mr Bowers. Sometimes, when one door closes, it's only because a better one is about to open. Good luck in your new job!
Posted by Tom Rose (Member # 606) on :
Enjoy the nice southern evenings!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I'm glad to see things working out for ya, Bruce. You'll have a southern drawl in no time!
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
SC is going to have some good looking vehicle wraps on the street. Good luck Bruce!
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Congratulations Bruce...but you know in SC they think "hockey" is something you spit up.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Yes, Rusty, I have noticed that. That is where having cable service on the TV is a real boon.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Bruce, that's not BBQ, that's pork with sauce on it.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Well, Raymond, it sure tastes a sight bit better than the slop they BBQ in Minnesota...
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
Great! Enjoy the new playing ground!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Just so ya know - Columbia is in the sandhill region and the BBQ sauce is mustard based - tangy and slightly sweet. West Columbia is home to the original Maurice's Piggie Park. Don't be upset by the obvious display of rebel flags and segregationist posters on the wall - just look the other way and order a Big Joe Q with onion rings and hash on rice. Trust me now, thank me later.......
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Sonny, you'd be proud...we always have a stash of hash (corned beef hash) and grits here in Mexico!!!
We only serve it to deserving and appreciative visitors from the southern states though.
The "northerners" get regular old bacon and eggs and toast!!! UNLESS they ask that special question "What are grits?" THEN we will introduce them!!! Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
I just can't win. When Bruce was in Niagara Falls, it was easy to get together and explore the wonderful World of online chat. Now that I'm old like Si and Joey, he moves to a really nice place. Send me photos of gals on the beach....oh yeah.... Keep your brush wet Bruce... you are one of the best.
BTW... I really, really like grits. Can't find them anywhere up here. If you'all want to send me a box I'd be more than pleased.
[ January 24, 2013, 12:33 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I am two hours from the nearest beach. I am three hours from my parents and my sister. Two hours from the mountains.
As far as grits go... y'all can have my share.
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
You will be a valuable asset to this sign company.
Great Luck Buddy. Hope to see you in B'Ham.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Steve, I am so glad you like grits, and now I see Bruce doesn't. I still like both of you!! I'll keep that in mind about grits, and do you have eggs with them?
I fell in love with them when I lived in Florida.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Sheesh Steve....I had 3 boxes of grits "muled" down to Mexico from TN. Do I have to mule back one box back to Canada for you???
BTW...Congrats on getting smart, finally, Bruce.
North Tonawanda was cold enuf, then you went to Minnesota????...Finally you are heading to warmer country.
[ January 26, 2013, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Some of the nicest of Souvern ladies live down around there.. Watch out for those sweet accented ladies. They can melt yer heart. Then when they cook you up a mess of eggs and grits,, its all over,,
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Bruce Good for you! One more reason to visit the south. Enjoy the SC winter. BTW, y'all can have my grits too!
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
kiss my grits......not
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
"Yer not from around here ar ya?" get used to it. Don't worry, the culture shock subsides after about twenty years. Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Bruce, since you're now a Southern transplant, you'll need to get some lessons on the rules pertaining to proper Southern manners. Hopefully, this will help......
Jerry Clower....... yessir, the pride of Yazoo City MS. His stories entertained me at night over a lot of miles back in the early 80s. 3 or 4 years ago, I was in Yazoo City. I hadn't had a good feed of southern cookin' in years & I figure there had to be a place there. Nope ..... couldn't find one. So Bruce, if you decide that you would like to try fried okra, catfish, candied yams, collard greens & all that other good stuff, there's a chain around Columbia called "Lizard's Thicket". My mouth is watering just typing the name.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Hey Rodger - let's meet up in Columbia and we'll show Bruce the true southern cuisine. Gotta get him over to Oak Grove Barbecue too - all you can eat and nanner pudding too.....
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I ate at the Lizard's Thicket... Had breakfast there. Was decent enough. Ate at Maurice's BBQ. Discovered Firehouse Subs...
I really like my new job. Could not have asked for better employers.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
wishing you the best of everything in 2013 and beyond Bruce!!!
...& Happy Chinese New Years to boot, even if you are cross-grading to BBQ etc...
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Congratulations Bruce. You are officially, no longer, a hapless loser. Now get started on creating a Chinese BBQ.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Oh no, I am a hapless loser because I used to own a shop and had to lower myself to getting a job in a sign shop...
Cripes, I can't stop laughing!
Personally, i feel blessed. I work for people that truly appreciate my knowledge and abilities and do not feel threatened by it. All I want to do is make them money and earn a living where I want to live.
The weather here is pretty darn good. I have felt really hot weather before and I am betting the month or so of oppressive heat here will not be as unbearable as a winter in the great white North.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I'm saving that last statement to quote back to you around the end of July......
(he ain't seen nothin' yet)
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Heat isn't so bad so long as you stay near AC.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Heat is even worse in the Souf. I mean any thing Souf of I-10 is really the Souf. Your in the quasi Souf. The heat aint so bad.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
If the heat don't get ya, the humidity will.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I have no disillusions of the heat. I have felt it before. However, i have also suffered through having to work outside in the cold.
It was 2o below when i was loading the truck. it was six below when I left St Cloud. When it is so cold outside that it hurts to breath, I have to say that is cold enough.
I don't need no stinking AC... I am cool enough on my own... LOL!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Bruce,
You may be cool enough on your own right now, but later in the summer, you'll be stinking along with the AC if you don't use it!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
LOL! Dave, I truly believe that you are correct.
The way I see it, I have yet to see someone have to shovel sunshine... )
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
They do plenty of shoveling in the South... but it ain't sunshine!
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
debris and personal belongings Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :