Johnny Hoosier
Lessons Learned in the Heartland
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The Segue
"That's an ominous looking cloud moving in from the West", I said to my new friend and fishing buddy, Gib Taylor. Gib didn't respond other than shrug his shoulders and grunt as if to say, "so".
We had been out on Dale Hollow Lake in my I/O open bow runabout for nearly four hours and I was looking for any reason to head back to shore and some lunch. "Johnny", Gib finally said, "if you want to wrap up we can head in, we really haven't been hitting today." I had only a nibble or two and Gib, the fisherman that he was, wasn't about to do anything other than return his three small catches to the water.
As we headed back to the marina and our boat slip, the wind suddenly whipped up and we faced what seemed like endless white caps in open water. The water was getting pretty rough. Getting back to Star Point Marina was taking our undivided attention and we missed our normal enjoyment of soaking in the beauty of the shoreline with it's shale cliffs, endless mountains, tree covered with a variety of species including our favorite, the multitude of southern pine and glorious deciduous trees that would soon would give us the aura of rainbow colors. We were prejudiced of course, as were most of the local residents. We even delighted in the suffrutescent samplings struggling for their place in the vegetation. We were happy, of course, when we reached the shallows near the marina with it's buoys and crystal clear water.
"Well Johnny, where do you want to eat?", Gib asked. "We can go to the buffet at the Farm House Restuarant, The Bob Cat Den on Route 111, or the Dixie Cafe. You realize, of course, that the Dixie will not have Bluegrass music since it is not Friday or Saturday evening." "No", I said, "let's go up the hill by Sunset Marina to Moogy's". That settled it, we were going to Moogy's where Gib could have his fill of catfish and I would dine on my staple, ground sirloin and a baked potato.
Gib was an interesting guy with a very successful career behind him. He had his bachelor's degree from Tennessee Tech University and his graduate degree, with distinction, from Ball State University. His children include a medical doctor and an international petroleum executive. So he was also successful at parenting. Although widowed now for some time, he was active in local affairs including a community theater group and the local Chamber of Commerce. An extroverted and outgoing guy, he had befriended me and my wife Paula, at the Dixie Cafe the night after we closed on our retirement home out by Star Point Marina. Gib has frequently reminded me of a favorite of his that he has followed to this day. Gib says, "if you talk nice to people, you get the nicest people to talk to you". Pretty good coaching, eh?
Other than our realtors, Jim and Patti Pyzik, he was our first local contact. We had located Jim and Patti on the Internet from our home on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Both Paula and I were immediately struck by the lack of pretensions and the open friendly atmosphere by folks around Dale Hollow Lake. Even though we had lived in Indianapolis, the Twin Cities of Minnesota, New York and the Gulf Coast of Florida previouly, the quiet friendly nature of things seeemed just right for our stage in life. There simply was no such thing as being ostentatious. Newcomers from as far away as California and Florida were quickly assimulating into the way of life in Northern Tennessee. Gib had been in the insurance business and was a corporate trainer in Indianapolis. He was now into local politics and was an aspiring author. I liked him a lot. He was one given to sage counsel no doubt.
After we ordered, Gib remarked that he had not seen the water level in the lake as low as it now was. I asked if it might be connected to the repair work that was now being done on the dam up stream from Star Point Marina. Gib agreed that could have an impact but even so the water level was extremely low.
Gib then turned to his writing efforts and said that he was in the middle of research for what he hoped would be a novel that would hit the New York Times best sellers list. Suddenly, Gib said, "Johnny, you know, you lived in a number of places in your career in business, why don't you tell me about some of your experiences." Dumfounded, I retorted, "Gib my business life, although quite successful, was not particularly remarkable but I could perhaps give you some of my experiences when I grew up in and around Muncie, Indiana. You know they wrote a couple of books about the town, 'Middletown" and 'Middletown Revisited', sociological studies." Gib was interested and I thought to myself "what have I gotten myself into now"? Gib said, "Johnny, start as early as you can and then see how far you can get. Be chronological as much as you can."
So, that is how this story had it's genesis.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Johnny Hoosier began as a novel but soon became a true life adventure as it very quickly was apparent that the true story was what needed to be said. There have been numerous Johnny Hoosiers in addition to those in this story but all their stories are worthwhile.
It is a compelling tale of the varied and numerous lessons learned growing up in the heartland of America during the 1940's and 1950's. It very well could have taken place in numerous Midwestern cities or even Southern states. It did occur, however, in Delaware County, Indiana, and in and around Muncie, the county seat.
Parents and their offspring will find the Lessons Learned to be invaluable in the development of today's youngsters. It is a good checklist in assuring that our youngsters develop into mature, compassionate and fully contributing adults.Please use it that way. From athletic lessons to lessons learned in everyday living, we are entertained as we revisit our past.
If you enjoy revisiting athletics from your youth or need guidance as a parent, this is a formidable road map for every growing youngster. All the Lessons Learned are derived from real life experiences. Some are humerous, others are not.
After your first read, keep us around and refer to our Lessons Learned frequently. And, be sure to pass these messages along.
About the Author
Harrison Hunt grew up in Delaware County, Indiana, during the 1950's. He was a high school athlete when athletics were the focus of every small school society.
Mr. Hunt is a graduate of Ball State University and holds a MBA degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. His professional life has included being a newspaper executive for both the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and The Buffalo News, a college professor, a consultant and an entrepreneur. He has resided in Indianapolis, the TwinCities in Minnesota, New York and the Gulf Coast of Florida. He now resides near Dale Hollow Lake very close to Byrdstown, Tennessee.
He is now semi-retired and is a writer focused on novels.