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After hearing of the passing of our friend Joe Pribish, I got to wondering how all the rest of the "old gang" are doing?
I'll start by saying that I'm doing pretty well at age 73. Shirley and I have been happily retired for a little over 10 years. We spend 5 months in Canada and 7 months in Mexico, so we have worn nothing but shorts, sandals and light tops for 10 years.
Our health is very good. I have had type 2 diabetes for 30 years, controlled by medication. But this past summer my doctor told me he was cutting my medication in half because my blood sugar was getting too low!
I know that a lot of folks in the business are very happy to continue working as they age and I would have too, but I just got tired of Canadian winters!
As it has worked out, I find that life in Mexico keeps me much busier than it does when we are back in Canada in the summer. In fact, I think it keeps me feeling and acting younger. Maybe it's the tequila? Maybe it's the salsa? Who knows, whatever it is works for me.
Anyway, enough from me.
How are you other "older" folks doing these days?
-------------------- 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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Hi Dave, About 4 years ago Britten Studios purchased my little shop to run their "local" sign business. So I've been Mod-Zel@ Britten. Well, I'm 66 now and heading out the door for the last time at the end of the month. My wife and I moved back out of town after 36 years and are now back in Leelanau County, one of the most beautiful counties in Michigan. I'm within a mile or so of a couple of boat launches in the huge and beautiful Lake Leelanau. A bountiful perch, walleye, smallmouth bass and pike lake, even with a smattering of lake trout in the 100+ for depths of the north lake. I still will have my 12 color Canon printer for giclee and photo reproduction and hope to get a small rustic frame shop going. I also picked up my own Edge;for my other passion. Re-creating old decals for restorers of about anything. My winters are going to be a lot colder than yours Dave. That's why the invented ice fishing
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good to hear from you Dave, and Bill. It has been an eventful couple of years. I put my studio on the back burner and took a couple of jobs- one designing multimedia content for military aircraft training, and then worked for 2 years at a large screenprinting company where I worked as an art director. The owners didn't really value my role, so in June I came back to my studio, and I have spent the past several months rebuilding my clients. I have a photography side business that has been doing pretty well, and I have been working part time at a drum shop- where I have been learning drum restoration, as well as doing the marketing stuff for them. I am looking at doing some consulting work for a couple of screenprinting shops in the near future. I miss the people from Letterville- it seems like we keep losing more and more great artists- I love hanging out and soaking up the knowledge of everyone here in Letterville, even though it also seems to have less and less posts and interactions these days.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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I am still in the sign/graphics biz, and I do just about everything but electrical back lit signs. Last month we finished painting a 40' mobile trailer as a children's art exhibit for the Museum of Fine Arts in our county. Dark background, with Corregated metal surface, in 90 degree temps no less. There were three of us "whippersnappers" on planks working ... me being the youngest at almost, gulp, 59 years old (in November).
Did I mention that I'm tired? haha Well, I wish I could someday soon retire, but I don't anticipate that for probably another 10 years. sigh Although I am slowing down some, and not working as long hours, they are still some crazy hours none the less.
I am now spending more time with, and caring for my 91+ year old mom, who lives about 5 minutes from me. She's a real pistol, but in recent months I see she is weakening, and things are getting abit harder for her. We are keeping her independence intact, and want her to keep living at home for, we hope, whatever time she's got left. I spend every morning with her, and some evenings too. I get in work time whenever I can. Last couple nights I worked until dark, but that is not usually the norm. It can get overwhelming trying to juggle all the balls, but it has it's rewards. I adore my mom, and it's a real privilege to be able to spoil her as much as possible during her golden years. She has been the wind beneath my wings, and my best friend my whole life.
I still have my Roland Versacamm, and it has been giving me some maintenance type issues lately, but I keep plugging along and I'm planning on riding off into the sunset with it if I can. haha
I get a lot of different jobs. This week there has been a truck lettering job, pair mags, a couple small design jobs, and three site signs I am finishing those today. I had three sandblasted signs come back from the blasters this week. UNblasted because he said the rubber was not holding. So, I am having to re-rubber those. ugh Used a different brand rubber, (Hartco instead of Anchor) but I think I may not have cleaned the HDU sufficiently. (my bad) I hate doing stuff twice! (btw, anyone else have issues with Hartco?)
I still try to stay as active as I can, but do not have the time I used to have to devote to the biking and gym. Wanting to sign back up to my Zumba and Yoga at the gym again soon. I give a pool exercise class three times a week at my mom's condo. We have a great group of people who do it. I am going to get back to my race-walking more regularily, as it's what I enjoy the most, and it's good therapy too.
My health seems to be holding up well so far. Don't have much in the way of aches and pains, and I am not on any medications. Good blood pressure readings etc. I don't take anything for granted there though, and I realize that I've got to get back to better eating habits again (which have wavered due to recent stress eating) and I really do need to get back to some regular exercise again. Muscle tone won't hold itself up forever! haha
I hope to hear back from more on this post. I think of you all often, and it's always so nice to see what everyone is up to, and what paths your lives have taken.
Love to all! ~ nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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ERnie and I are semi-retired. We will both be 66 in the next few months. I quit screen printing- and will sell all the equipment once I get it all cleaned up. (I don't want to be tempted to do it again- 17 years was enough). We bought a Rabbit. Brand Chinese laser. 3' x 4' bed. It has been wonderful. You program it in Corel. Easy to use. Not the greatest for doing photographs. We bought a Shopbot router 7 years ago. Runs great. Ernie built his first router 24 years ago, and built 2 other. He plans to convert the last one he made into a plasma cutter. I am kept busy with providing lettering and Edge print decals for a local distributor of school buses. We haven't CNC carved sign in a couple of years. We are CNC cutting kayak parts from 3/4" MDO.. Ernie's Dad passed away 2 years ago. He lived out in the country about 140 miles west of us. Traffic jams consist of Amish buggies and tractors. IT was a Christmas tree farm. We fixed it up and built a 32' x 56' heated pole barn. We have set up a second wood working area, blacksmithing area, sandcasting area, knifemaking area, metal working and CNC area. We joined a wood carving group and 2 blacksmithing and knife making groups. Lots of hobbies/interests keep us busy.
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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I'm still enjoying making signs. Why quit when having so much fun. Megan and I work together and enjoy a nap after lunch and don't often go back to the shop in the afternoons. I bought a lathe and am really enjoying learning wood turning. Joined a local turners guild too. Right now my grandsons are visiting and that is a blast! What is slowing down for us is installations. I found that my ladders have gained weight as they age and don't move as well as they used to. Seems like I'm not as agile either. Megan is asking me to not do some of that work anymore. We like lifts now when we can get them. Working high we both still enjoy, it's the lifting signs that presents the problems. Ihad one recently that had me reaching out far holding the grips of three foot bolt cutter to break an S hook twenty five feet up and it was difficult. Oh well, this heptogenarian life is still rather sweet.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Things are great here in Yarrow, British Columbia. Janis & I are enjoying great health which is very good. We are keeping as busy as always. Janis & I are heading towards the mid-60's already. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!
Phoebe turns 13 in a few weeks and our second grand daughter Juniper just turned two. A grandson is due to arrive around the end of January.
Peter (our son) came back into the business about four years ago after doing other things for 14 years. We made him an offer he couldn't refuse and he and Hailey now officially own 98% of the business. It is still located in the 4,000 square foot shop out back.
Peter and Hailey just bought the small acreage next door and we are in the final planning stages for a luxury boutique inn and a house for them. The inn will be fully themed and will take about two years to build. It is our most ambitious project to date.
Rebecca now lives on property in her own new house. She still works for our company as does her man Grant. Becke and Grant are to be married next June. It sure is great to have family close!
We have downsized a little with four full time employees and two part timers plus Peter and I in the shop. All of the crew are awesome people. Our mainstay is theme park work but we still do some dimensional signs for more typical businesses. We keep very busy but are really fussy what we tackle. We turn down about 90% of those who come knocking. That leaves only the very best customers which is the way it should be.
Our projects still tend to be quite large and we typically do business with three or four customers a year. That sure cuts down on the time spent dealing with customers!
I do the bulk of the design and put a fair amount of time in the shop getting my hands dirty which I love. Peter does the bulk of the managing of the crew. We keep it down to eight hours a day - five days a week and almost never need to do overtime.
We still keep the MultiCam CNC router busy and have added a MultiCam CNC plasma cutter to the mix. By combining the output of both machines we manage some pretty cool and imaginative projects.
I am doing quite a bit of travelling related to work, averaging one trip per month with up to a week away at a time. Peter prefers to stay close to home with his young family - as it should be... and that's fine with me as I love the travel! In the last year we've been to California, Florida, Dubai, and Ontario, Canada as well as multiple trips to Trinidad where we have an ongoing project (for the last four years). There will be three or four more trips there before we are done in the next couple of months. We are also exhibiting at a large theme park trade show in mid-November in Orlando which will be exciting.
I'll also be in Atlantic City at the end of November to do three presentations at the USSC show. I hope to see some of my long time friends there!
Janis indulged me with a new yellow Jeep two summers ago and I have the top off at every opportunity to enjoy the sunshine. Janis says it is far too late to enjoy the wind through my hair. It's my way of reliving my youth. We are only old if we choose to be.
We are in the process of finally laying the last of the railroad track around the yard. I finished the train vehicle a few months ago. I look forward to many hours of giving the grand kids rides around the pike.
All in all life is very good!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Just turned 67 this past week. I have a few more aches & pains than I used to especially after an install. I've started taken Joint Relief by It Works and the knees feel like new again. My house is still up for sale. Very slow housing market in my corner of the woods so the move to Texas is still just a dream.
I still enjoy making signs, the installs not so much. I'm currently learning Adobe Muse so I can write my own web sites. With web hosting so cheap, I plan on several web sites for semi retirement businesses, mainly items that I make on my CNC router and of course golf course tee signs. They are basically custom items and signs where I can control how much I want to work.
The last thing I want to bring up which I learned from Curtis Hammond with OP dying is that Si Allen seems to be MIA. Curtis said he's not answering his phone or emails. Anyone heard from Si lately?
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Dave S. Hoping that Si is still up and running! Thinking about the "old Phart".
Thanks for the replies so far folks. Sounds like everyone is in generally good health and just suffering from some of the inevitable aches & pains that Shirley and I are, due to getting a little bit older.
Please, for those who haven't updated lately, add your own situations and experiences.
-------------------- 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
Enjoying so many thing that life has to offer...traveling, family, cooking, astronomy, photography, woodworking, gardening, etc.
I try to eat well and I still ride my bike regularly. No medications, and very few aches, thank God. I am luckily the same weight I was when I was a teenager
I'm up 5:30-6:00 7 days a week and I stay nice and active and busy.
Grandson #1 is growing quickly and is a good 7 months old already!
Teresa and I just celebrated our 30th anniversary.
The sign business is doing well, I have some nice jobs going on, customers have been open to creativity, and there are promising jobs on the horizon.
The leaves have mostly changed and the days are getting shorter.
Time for another cup of tea.
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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Somehow I felt compelled to visit Letterville today. I miss the old days. I hate Facebook. it has divided so many of us. I am celebrating our 25th year here, Business is the best it's been in many years. Aquired a couple great employees, doing all aspects including electrical signs. I don't do ladders anymore, bought a bucket truck about 5 years back. Still hand carving, hand painting, still using our Edge, On my second versacamm. Got Married again this Summer so life is Goooood! I still love my job. Health wise is great at 51. We've got 6 sign shops in out little town now I just get up everyday and try to do the best I can before the sun goes down. I miss the letterhead meets from days gone by.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Still kickin' here in Atlanta. My business seems to have evolved into more design and less installation, which is fine with me. Also, the hand-painted work and distressed signs are coming back, along with some nice mural projects. Since I started collecting social security this year, I've found it easier to turn down work I don't enjoy. All in all, I like my new direction and have no inclination to retire just yet - the biz is still fun for me and I really enjoy connecting with old friends at Walldog meets every year. I hope all of you are doing well and I truly miss the regular engagement in Letterville.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Going stark raving mad. I had rotator cuff surgery on the 9th, and I'm currently in PT.
I busted butt to finish up a bunch of projects to build up the bank account, and now it's dwindling down, and frankly, there's only so much tv someone can watch....
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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Signdog is doing fine... crowding 65, and looking forward to slower paced life. Demand for Signwriting and wall work is growing and I look forward to picking and choosing work. Laurie and I have been married 40 years now. We have one Granddaughter who is 8. Winter is upon us once again. I'm already looking toward Spring. I'm thinking the meet in London might be in the cards next Summer. I really enjoy getting together with my Sign Pals. Cheers!!!!
If it's Ontario, I'm in for sure...30 minute drive.
-------------------- 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
I am running a design studio catering to doing design work for several larger companies.
I go golfing every Tuesday morning. I go to the driving range every Monday and Friday morning.
I still have Lukas (wit a k). I still drive the "Hapless Hauler" HHR Panel. I still have my 1973 Astre Panel Express. I am active in a local Masonic Lodge with my stepfather.
I have no complaints.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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I've been on here since 2003, so does that qualify me as "old gang?"
We're pretty busy here, my grandson went to the tech center to learn the technical end of my trade, and seems to enjoy it, and he officially joined me in May when he graduated. The other day I watched quietly as he installed graphics on a box truck with rivets. It's tough to be an observer, but he did great!
Our dry erase job board is full, so we are blessed with enough to take us past January. These days, were installing a lot of wide format graphics, vinyl lettering, printables, as well as doing lots of apparel. We lost my mom in August, and dad requires more attention these days.
We'll see what winter has in store for us. Either way, we'll make it through by doing the very best we can with what we have to work with.
Great topic, Dave
[ November 03, 2017, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Of course you are part of the old gang Rick!!! Hell, you have a grownup grandchild!! That makes you old in anyone's book!
-------------------- 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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Yep, still here in Tacoma Wa. Still doing what I have been doing for over 30 years. And I do miss the "Old Days" of Letterville. I will be very sad the day I type in the Letterville web site and read,, Page Not Found" It might happen one day, but I sure hope not for a very long time.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Still painting in Ball Ground, raising grandkids and staying out of trouble best I can, although a second career in outdoor design-build specializing in pools is taking most of my time I do get to a walldog event when I can to catch up with folks and now trying to start my daughter off here to take over the sign business.
-------------------- John Byrd Ball Ground, Georgia 770-735-6874 http://johnbyrddesign.com so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody! Posts: 741 | From: Ball Ground, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 1999
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I'm wondering how Felix Marcano is doing. Has anyone heard? Being that Puerto Rico was hit so hard by hurricane Maria it may be a while yet before enough electricity is restored for Felix to respond. Hope him and his family survived.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Ya know, Felix and his family came out my way a few years back. I think he was thinking of moving here. I also wonder and hope he and his family are doing okay,,,,at least getting though all of this.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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It has been a long time since I posted here. Sad to hear about Old Joe. We are still doing signs here in Port Angeles, Washington. I am 73 now and still go to work everyday and still enjoying doing signs. Doing some nice dimensional work with eurathane foam...seems to be the bulk of work these days. Doing a new mural for downtown. Pacific Fleet ships in the harbor from 1895 to 1935. 60' x 10' on 4' x 10' Alupanel and Golden acrylics. Had some cancer to deal with a couple of years ago but cancer free now since having radiation treatment.
We bought a 1986 SunCrest class c motorhome and really enjoying using it here on the Olympic Peninsula.
Life is good here with Dianne and myself....not going to retire anytime soon....wouldn't know what to do if I retire.
Good to see some familiar names and faces here..be well all.
Jackson
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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I’m 65 and Sophie and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary last month. She retired from the school district and is spending 70 hours or more per month in a volunteer ministry. I still work full time-ish, although most of what I do isn’t very physically difficult, which is probably a good thing because I’ve had nine procedures on my back and neck in two years–three major surgeries and six rounds if injections into my spine.
The main part of my business the last few years has been painting graphics on awinings. The awning companies bring them to me, I paint the graphics on them and they pick them up and leave a check. I also have a customer who has several business parks full of sculptures and I’ve come up with sign systems for identifying all the sculptures and will soon mark several miles of jogging trails in their park. We came up with a cool approach of embedding color coded circular tiles in the walkways that identify the trails, distances, directions, etc.
They will do another injection into my back in a couple weeks and if that gives me relief from the nerve problems and pain in my right leg and foot, the current issue will be isolated and then I think I’ll elect for another back surgery which would fuse the affected vertebrae. The disc between L3, L4 has completely degenerated in two and a half years.
In spite of constant back pain, I still play basketball and flag football each week and just got home from playing basketball at the rec. I still like to camp and am itching to try out a new backpack I bought at REI. That camping trip will also include a couple hundred miles of desert motorcycle riding and possibly a canoe trip through some canyon country. If I’m going to be in pain, I’m going to have fun while I’m hurting!
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been suffering from lower back pain and sciatica for a few years now. But as both my doctor and chiropractor have said, I am in pretty good shape for a 1944 model. Neither recommends any kind of surgery, but I am going to investigate spinal decompression this summer. My younger brother swears by it.
-------------------- 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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Dave, what's spinal decompression? Is that where they hang you upside down?
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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Similar idea Dennis. They strap you to a table that moves apart, controlled by a computer that is programmed to your specific needs.
-------------------- 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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You know, I tried one of those Inversion Tables a few weeks ago, they are really amazing I think. They are very inexpensive for what you get and I felt an immediate, though temporary, improvement from my 5 minute trial. The one I tried was an Innova ITX9600 and it costs less than $100! They require a little bit of space but for that price they are worth checking out.
-------------------- Gary Boros SIGNWORKS STUDIOS LLC Monroe, Connecticut, USA Posts: 264 | From: Monroe, Connecticut, USA | Registered: Dec 2007
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I had a neck injury in college, they put me on one of those "racks" it felt great... at first- was supposed to stretch then release- fortunately they caught that it was not releasing after it stretched- so it really was a torture rack. I walked out a little taller than when I went in.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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The doc said I gained about a half inch height after my last back surgery because they put spacers in where a couple discs used to be. It still didn't help me get a jump shot over my grandson! Now, he also puts my hook shot into the next time zone. I'm 65 and have had to work on a crossover and left handed hook. I shouldn't have to be learning things like that at my age!
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey guys! Yup! Still in PR, and swamped with work after the hurricane. We had no power for over 40 days, and there are still quite a few areas of the island that will be dark for who knows how long.
We've been mainly doing boat graphics for the last few years, and I'm loving it.
I'm 41 until July of next year!
Has anyone heard from Jill Welsh & Carol Bersin? How about Bob Parsons?
[ December 08, 2017, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Felix Marcano ]
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Hey Felix. Good to see you survived the hurricane. Jill doesn't come here much anymore. She posts on Facebook occasionally. Actually very few people come here any more.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Lets go back to 2009. Monumental Designs was up and running, we had a big shop cranking out architectural monument signs and landed our biggest account. An assisted living management company in Florida wanted to replace signs on 70 properties ( out of 150 ) and they liked what we did. After all the leg work, design, costs, and delivery was set, the conversation went dead for a week. I called to see what the next step was. "Oh, Cathy was fired last week, who are you? Oh, that job was contracted out yesterday!" (the next girl in the seat gave the job to her friends)
Well, December 2009, was our best month ever despite the little set back above. Then it all crashed. January, 2010....no jobs! February... nothing! March....nothing. I met with my lawyer....he gave me one choice, which saved me from losing my house.
I have four boys and one daughter. The daughter married and has 3 kids and her husband has a great job at a 911 call center as a supervisor.
Steve and Jason were hired in at the Fast Signs in Normal, IL and because of Steve's knowledge in CNC routing, convinced them to get one. They are doing great!
Chris, is working at GDS in Normal where they have several large format printers and get work from sign brokers all over the country ( doing work for the big box stores like Lowe's Home Improvement Centers )
Tim just got married to a girl from New Jersey and as soon as he moved there got hired immediately by a Sign shop in Wayne, NJ American Signs and Woodcarving ( I think that's the name of the shop) Funny story: When he went in to apply they asked him: "How deep would he dig holes to put up a small post and panel sign?" Tim replies: "Deep enough to get below the frost line, at least 30 inches to 36 inches, at least in Illinois, not sure about here." "You're hired!" Seems one of their guys was installing them only 18 inches in the ground! He's gone, Tim is their new installer!
I'm retired, stopped writing magazine articles for Sign Builder Illustrated. I had 7 articles ready to go, but when the business failed, I just didn't send them in. "and that's all I have to say about that" (Forrest Gump quote)
I still play the piano, write music and even play the Grand Piano at Advocate Hospital in the surgical waiting area as a volunteer. Even played "I'm going to a Letterhead Meet" ( Remember that one?) and when they asked me what that song was about, I smiled and said "Its a sad story about the death of dinosaurs." They would never understand if I told them what it really was about. Anyway, I called the "Songwriter" team, the "boys in the band".. and they wondered if we were getting the band back together. I said "Who is left to listen to us?
Ya know, we did something really amazing back then. We made the first ever Letterhead CD Album, which probably sold less than 100 copies. But we did it! We used this web site to find each other, contribute songs, artwork, and a recording studio/sign shop to make a master copy. Maybe, sometime in the future, a few will look back and discover what we did. Dig out the CD and play it again!
I still have the CNC router and make some fun stuff now and then. Making a field service territory map right now for a congregation up in Pontiac IL (Bill Diaz's old stopping ground) a few of you will know what I'm talking about.
Cindy and I will celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary March 2, 2018.
I'm happy the way everything turned out, despite the way everything turned out.
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Hello to all! It has been a long time in posting for me also. A lot of major changes have accounted to that but I am looking forward to hanging back around again.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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Great Post...I really enjoyed seeing what everyone is up to. I turn 65 this year, still in the old house. So if any of you are around the area I'd love to see you.
-------------------- Barb Shortreed 144 Hill St. E. Fergus, Ontario Posts: 2374 | From: Fergus, Ont. | Registered: Sep 2000
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Hi Barb...I like your new picture!!! Are you getting younger these days???
Shirl and I are thinking of renting a houseboat for a week on the Trent-Severn system this summer. That would mean we'd be driving past your place on the way.
I'll give you a call and hopefully we can stop by for a visit.
[ January 03, 2018, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- 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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Hi Dave, I am still making signs and lettering trucks and enjoying it. I turned 67 last month but I see no reason to stop doing something that I enjoy, just don't do the hard jobs anymore. Roger is 68 and retired. He has a lot of medical problem - diabetes, neuropathy, COPD, heart disease, needs a knee replacement etc. At least he stopped smoking over 10 years ago. Then he had a stroke in 2016 which left his left side weak and with balance issues. I have got cataract surgery scheduled for next month, guess this just comes with age.Other than this I am pretty health. Thank the Lord. Good to hear from all of you! Judy & Roger
-------------------- 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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Actually, there's no biblical premise for retiring. God expects ya to work til ya die - so I'm pretty much on that track.
Besides, even if I were to retire, bills will keep comin'. The power company, the phone company, etc, etc -and they send their bills like clockwork . . . ever notice how they NEVER send a bill late . . . ? It would really help out sometimes if they could just hold a bill now & then . . .
Anyway ... I'm doin' vinyl & hand-lettering. Building signs & letterin' trucks and all,the varied things we get to do that keep this job interesting & mostly fun. Doin' more carpentry.
During slow times I do small-office parking lot striping, & some interior house painting.
Getting more mural jobs, and getting to do a lot more custom art, also stretching my own canvases.
Wanted to post a pic of some stuff I've done recently - but my status didn't get updated after I sent the 50 bux. Oh well.
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Sheila...E-mail me a few pics of what you are working on and I'll upload them for you, if you wish.
(Sorry, I never got that memo from God that I was supposed to work till I died! LOL Been retired for 10+ years and I'm lovin it)
[ January 10, 2018, 01:39 AM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- 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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It's my way of reliving my youth. We are only old if we choose to be.
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I just get up everyday and try to do the best I can before the sun goes down. I miss the letterhead meets from days gone by.
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