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Thought it would be nice to start the week on a good note. We all know this site has got to be "challenging" for Steve and Barb and thought it would be great to give an online thank you card to them and perhaps share a particularly heartwarming or funny story.
I don't know them well enough to submit a story, but I'll start by saying:
Thanks for being patient! There are a lot of different personalities that frequent this site, and I appreciate your patience amidst that diverse background. I hold you up for sainthood.
Have an outstanding day, and know you are appreciated!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Well, I may not be the first to respond but to add to Todd's post I think many of us would not be the success we are without this Bullboard- it's been the foundation of my learning, and continuing to learn, this business. To have a place where everyone can share their knowledge and experiences with each other still leaves me dumbfounded at times. Some of my pleas for help may have sounded stupid to some but no one ever made me feel that way. I, for one, appreciate what what Steve and Barb are offering here. I hope I never take it for granted- imagine not having this! So Steve and Barb for all your thankless hours and the patience and wisdom you've shown to all of us.
-------------------- Linda Schmidt Vital D'Signs Greers Ferry, AR signlady@ozarkisp.net Posts: 160 | From: Greers Ferry, AR | Registered: Sep 2001
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One of the first stories I remember was talking for hours outside in my yard with Steve and Barb on one of their first visits with me. It was 4pm in the afternoon, and Barb and I were still in our pajamas. The day had whizzed by on us. I remember a customer stopping by that day, and here I was conducting business with them wearing my jammies. It was a Saturday, so if figured jammies were acceptable work attire on a weekend ... no? Well, my customers didn't seem to mind
Steve just shook his head and said ... "only in this biz can you get away with that".
Since those days, my friendship with the dynamic duo has grown, as has my respect for their ideals with this website.
I know this is going to sound hokey, but my life really did take a major turn with my involvement with here. I've got so much to be grateful for, and will keep trying to give back as much as I've reaped (and continue to reap) from this place. Friendships, support, education and wonderful influences for me creatively.
Todd, thanks for starting this post. It sure does feel good to talk up about two of my favourite people, and one of my favourite places to hang.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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well i sure can say that my life has turned to the better since hanging here...i have met so many wonderful people...some i speak with daily(or more) the knowledge and support line here is invaluable. the story that brought tears to my eyes was steve telling the "mr bellevadiere"(sp??)storyline. we were howling!
hopefully i'll see them again at the maritime meet this summer! kudos to mr mayor and his first lady!
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I remember the shear terror on Steve's face and the anxiety Barb displayed not knowing how Steve would react to being served fresh grilled salmon! These folks don't do fish or fresh veggies and that was about all we were eating when they visited. I remember forty something of us at a letterhead meet going to this seafood-sushi place and Steve ran out and left the crowd to find some steak. They had a great attitude and easily accepted the teasing.
Apart from the food stuff, there have been numerous conflicts on this site that required sensitivity and wisdon and insight to decipher. These Shortreed's do it well. I have never seen hasty decisions, and know of many that are called for council. Folks are treated by them as they'd want to be treated.
There was once a major decision about the direction of this site, whether the focus should be the work or the people, and I respect how they went with this even though I did not agree.
My life is enhanced greatly by this site and the real relationships that have been formed here.
Thank you
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank Todd for a great thread. Linda you have it nailed! I came to Letterville with an empty head and heart for signs. My life is changed forever by not only the sign biz, but the people here.
Steve & Barb are REAL. To me that is the best thing you can say about someone. Barb is such a sweet gal with a heart bigger than Steve's red thongs! The thing that amazes me most about Steve is that once a thread goes sour, all he has to do is chime in, give his two cents, then things get back on course. I think diplomacy has a lot to do with it but what gets results is R-E-S-P-C-T.
They are the backbone of this wild and wonderful family.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I'd venture to guess that I'm probably one of the people that this site has had the biggest, life changing affect on!
I really do view all you guys as extended family, especially Barb and Steve. I think my best single word to describe the two of them would be genuine. What you see, is what you get.
As good as I am at rambling on, I'm gonna leave it at that. MANY MANY MANY thanks to two of my favorite people that I'm honored to call friends!!
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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I remember seeing them at Kenlake for the first time but we really didn't connect for long other than saying hello. There was too much going on. My favorite story was when they stopped at our shop a few years ago on their way to Fred's meet. We showed them our gold-leaf glue chipped glass piece we were doing for a local doctor's home theatre. We went out for supper after Bill took Steve for a ride in the semi truck sitting in our lot. We went to a mexican restaurant and Steve wasn't sure what he had gotten himself into..."Just what is IN a Chimichanga?" The next day they got ROBBED staying in a motel in Bloomington/Normal. (I'm sure that was memorable for them, but NOT in a good way!) It was fun getting to know them a little bit and sharing. Hope they come back this way again and we would like offer the driveway for their camper or our house for a bed & breakfast. Also, it has been nice to feel that we have new friends from Canada, and because of them, new friends from all around the GLOBE, even if we haven't meet them all face to face. Thanks, Barb & Steve, for having this board for ALL OF US!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Best story I can think of was when Steve and Barb drove to the Bloomington meet with me. They arreived at our place in the dark the night before we were to leave. This was the middle of summer so I figure it was around 10pm. As soon as Steve arrived he asked to borrow my phone and telephone book. He proceeded to call a couple of his old cronies from way back when he used to drink! (I knew em both, they only live a couple of miles away)
Anyway, he invited them to come on over to our place and have a wee party. They drank all the booze in the house and didn't leave till around 2 in the morning. We were supposed to be on the road around 6 am!
Steve don't drink but he sure knows how to host a party!!!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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I have a couple Steve-n-Barb stories. By the way, they are without question my favorite couple on the planet. The first one would be when I was planning the Mars meet. I was out on a job. On their way back from Nettie's, they stopped at my place. I missed them! But they had plastered my porch with Letterville business cards. There was even one inside the grill & another in my mailbox. The second would be my PJ Jam. Seeing them in their jammies was such a hoot. I wanted to keep them both here forever. I loved when Steve broke out his guitar and we had an impromptu sing-along. Barb has it on tape for future blackmail! But my favorite is this one. In 1999, I took my 15-year-old son to Mazeppa. I didn't mix much with folks. But I heard rumors later on from a sign pal that someone had been caught having sex in a port-o-john. Scandalous! The next year, I hosted Krazy 8. Steve & Barb showed up and we had a great time. However, when my son arrived, I saw Steve peruse him with knowing eyes. Turns out my son was one of the imfamous port-o-potty trysters! I was the last one to know... Thanks for a good thread AND thanks to our gracious hosts of Letterville, the on-line meet that never ends! Love...JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I say the best about them is...they are TRUE beleivers. The beleibved in this site from 1996, when internet was "without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."
..and they carries their beleif thru thick and thin, personal medical problems, never losing the faith. Not very often one can see this convictions today.
posted
I have to say without a doubt, Steve and Barb are the GREATEST! Their website here is beyond measure. I also had the pleasure to meet some wonderful folks who are real down to earth people thru this website, and this place keeps growing and growing everyday. You both are doing fabulous, it was fun eating and meeting you again at Mazeppa. And thanks to Barb for her photography, because it wasn't even cold there...yeah right!
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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If you buncha ***kissers are trying to goad me into getting wound up and getting deleted AGAIN - it won't work. I am Turning Over A New Leaf and I will stifle.
The only funny story I know of is the one Rick Sacks alludes to - they turned green:rolleyes: when they saw people loading all that "bait" on their plates, ha ha.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am thankful and appreciate what Steve and Barb have done in keeping this site up and running. It's a big job running this site on top of keeping some of us in line. I have gained much knowledge,fellowship, and friends thru the Letterville website and the meets I have attended. I would never have attended any meets if it wasn't for this website. I was even able to attend a meet in England in 2000. One thing I remember most about Steve and Barb is how they welcomed me at my first meet in Belvidere,IL. It was like meeting old friends and this was the first time met them. Also Steve and Barb stayed overnight with us on their way to Florida several years ago...hopefully they will be able to stay with us again after the upcoming Dixie Meet in a few weeks. I happy to call Steve and Barb my friends! Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Now this is a great topic! Until Letterville came along, about the only good thing I ever heard about myself came from my GrandMother. She was Irish and had a wonderful way of building self-esteem in people. I remember her giving me this compliment once; "Steve...for a fat guy you don't sweat much." Made my day then, but this is much sweeter.
Seriously. I've said it many times. Letterville is the greatest gift we have ever been given. Our lives are much richer due to the Letterhead Movement, live meets and all the new friends we've made, and been able to spend time with, because of Letterville. Thanks to all!
Have we really done all that stuff? Everytime I read this topic, I leave with a grin on my face. Keep the stories coming. We're enjoying the memories.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I met Steve for the first time at Mike Levalle's Pinhead meet in upstate NY. He asked if I had the Letterhead website. It was the first I heard of it. He said you have to get it because you are on it. He also said I would be able to help a lot of people. We have met many times and became the best of friends, Steve and Barb are very special people. It truly is an honor to be considered one of their friends.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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![[Thanks]](graemlins/thanks.gif)
Steve and Barb for all your thankless hours and the patience and wisdom you've shown to all of us. ![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)
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the knowledge and support line here is invaluable.
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But they had plastered my porch with Letterville business cards. There was even one inside the grill & another in my mailbox.![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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