Great Offer from CTCC

The Coshocton Town & Country Club is aggressively seeking new members...and they have a great deal to incentivise the deal! Please check out the link to the site and read about how you can "try out the club" for the winter with no dues!

It's a really cool way to get a feel for the facilities, atmosphere, and people! Check it out if you are so inclined!

Scooter's Costume

Unfortunately this Halloween the girls and Amy have gotten Scooter a costume as well. Apparently the plan is for him to walk with Skylar. As if life isn't hard enough for him at the Hasseman house...we are dressing him up!

So instead of calling him Scooter "The Deerslayer" we can call him "King Scooter."



Doesn't he just have a look that says, "Seriously?"

Halloween Party at the Club

Today was the Halloween party at the Country Club in Coshocton. Amy was the party planner for the event. And as always, she did a great job.

Here is a shot of Skylar and her friend Jensen who came!



Here is a shot of Jade and her buddy Gracie!



There was quite a pack of kids here...and they were well dressed!



And here's a shot of me handing out the awards for the "best costume." As you guessed, they were all winners in my book!



It was a fun time at the club. If you are interested in joining, let us know! We need new members!

Closing a Chapter

Last night was the final performance of Tuesdays with Morrie at the Triple Locks Theater here in Coshocton. Though any ending like this is bittersweet, this one is especially so. It's great to get my evenings back...but this was a special experience. My only hope is I can take some of the lessons of Morrie on.

I want to "Go after life and embrace it! And when you do sometimes life will embrace you back in ways you never imagined."

"Forgive everyone everything....Let it go!"

"Taking makes me feel like I'm dying...Giving makes me feel like I'm living."

I want to "live my life like Morrie did...with people as the priority...making memories...giving of yourself..."

Thanks to all who was involved in making this production special for me. And thanks to the girls at the Hasseman House that let me do it. I hope to bring these lessons back to our house each day.

Teach on!

Some great pictures!

Marla Prior stopped me the other day to give me these pictures. She and her husband took them of Sklyar at the dance recital this summer.



I appreciate them taking the time to give these to me. And I think they are great pics!



Thanks to the Prior's for taking these pictures.

Making an Impact

The United Way of Coshocton is in the midst of the annual fundraising campaign, and they are unveiling a new way to impact the community! With Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the United Way is giving any child from birth to 5 years old the opportunity to recieve a new book every month!

Take a look at this article in today's Coshocton Tribune.

This program is destined to have a lasting impact on our community. I will have more information on this blog as time moves on. But I am proud of the Amy and the United Way for bringing this program to Coshocton County!

An Actual Review of the Show!

Okay...I know I was joking about my review of the show Tuesdays with Morrie...but apparently there is an actual one! Who knew?

If you have just a minute, take a look at this!

This is the last weekend for the play...so get your tickets if you want to see it!

More pics from the race!

Thanks to Lucy we have some new pics from the race. Here is a shot to prove that Amy got up that early and made the trip with me! Thanks Amy!



Here is another shot of the mass of people...it really was amazing!



And here is a shot of me running by them...fun stuff!



Thanks for the pics Lucy!

Where there's a will...there's a way!

I had decided the world's forces were conspiring against me doing this Columbus Half Marathon! As I mentioned earlier, I was late for registering for the race...so it was sold out. I was so frustrated that I had trained all this time only to be locked out. And the worsed part..it was my own fault!

Then early this week I had "foot issue." On a long run, the pain began to build until it was bad enough that I went to get an x-ray. The results were negative, so I decided that I would just rest it and hope for the best.

Early this week as I was stewing in my own frustration about my lack of registration, I saw Sherry Kirkpatrick. She pointed out that a friend of mine, Jason Given, had registered for the race...but was unable to do it! Jason agreed to let me use his name! And I was back in business.

So I decided I was going to do my best to ignore the foot pain...and give it a go!

Now the problem with race packet pickup...you couldn't do it the day of the race. And since the night before I was on stage at Triple Locks Theater...problem. But Sherry and Lucy Milliken said they would pick it up for me. Another disaster averted!

Then came last night at the play.

Without going into gory details that you do NOT want to know, I had "intestinal issues." I barely made it through the play (and I mean BARELY!) but was hurting bad last night. I decided to try and sleep it off and hope for the best this morning.

So at 4am I awoke (with the best wife ever Amy) and we made the trip to Columbus! And yes I wanted to give it a try! Here is a shot of my before the race. It was 30 degrees as the race began at 7:30am...wow!



Here is a shot from the beginning. It was just a sea of people. Over 11,000 people ran this race...unbelieveable!



Here is a shot where Amy saw me on the course. I am about to give a high five to an enthusiastic "cheerer" in the crowd!



And right behind me was Lucy and Sherry!



And in the end I did it! Of all the races I have done, I think I am more proud of this finish than any other. My foot hurts. My stomach is still a bit iffy. And of course I am very stiff. But I finished!



And here is a shot of Sherry's son Brent, Sherry, Me, and Lucy! Congrats to all of them too!



This race turned out to be a bit of a relay. Thanks to Jason for letting me use his number! Thanks to Sherry and Lucy for picking up my packet and delivering it this morning! And thanks to the best wife in the world for going over with me and taking pictures!

Fall Foilage Tour

This weekend is the Fall Foilage Tour in Coshocton County. This truly is a beautiful time to be in this part of Ohio. We took the girls to just a few stops on the tour...and had some great shots!



Our first stop on the tour was at Clary Gardens. What a beautiful spot that has become. I highly recommend folks stop by to walk on the trails, check out the flowers, and even see their new amphitheather! They have spent a lot of time and energy to make that a destination! Here is a shot of the girls and I on the trail!



Next we went to Shawnee Springs. Coshocton County has become a really nice area for wineries. Amy and I had both been to both Rainbow Hills and Ravens Glenn several times...but neither of us had been to Shawnee Springs. Very pretty out there as well.

Then we went to the Wills Creek Dam. The girls had not been here...and we took the opportunity to explain what dams do and why they are important. And it was a beautiful spot to take some more pictures too!





It was a great day to enjoy the many blessings we have in our own county!

Yes...she's my daughter!

It's funny. When we are out and about as a family, we hear the same statement a lot. "Skylar looks like Kirby. Jade looks like Amy." It's not that I disagree...it's just weird how consistent it is.

But as I looked through the paper this morning I saw what I consider to be proof that Jade has some of "me" in her. Here is a shot from a performance the other night at the Trirosis Club event. This small group from the Elite Dance Force performed their routine from last year.

As you can plainly see, as every other girl looks to their left, Jade has found the camera to her right. You can almost hear her saying, "How YOU doin'?!"



So yes...maybe Jade is more like me than we think!

Inside Coshocton October Part 1

Here's the first part of Inside Coshocton!

Inside Coshocton October Part 2

The maximum length of program on YouTube is 10 minutes. In order to get the whole Inside Coshocton Show on here (with advertisers)...we have broken it up! Here's part 2!

United Way Campaign

As many of you know, the United Way of Coshocton County has their campaign in full swing! This organization, and their 20 partner agencies, touch many lives in Coshocton County. And as you know, when times are tough, the need for help is greater...not less!

Please take a look at this year's United Way video...and give to the United Way!

Support Our Schools

During this tough economic time (not news to Coshocton County) it's often difficult to imagine increasing our tax burden. But support of our future--our children--is worth it. Take a look at this editorial in the Coshocton Tribune today.

I encourage you to support the levy if you can!

Video to our site!

If you have not had a chance, please check out the new link on our website that has video. We have a welcome video, a quick demo, and videos highlighting the Coshocton County Fair and the Customer Appreciation Event.

Please take a look and let me know what you think!

Some things are just not meant to be...

As you know I have been training for a 1/2 marathon recently. I had not registered for a variety of reasons. On Sunday, when my foot started bothering me, I thought maybe that was a good thing. But yesterday I had decided my foot was okay and was intent on doing the race.

One problem...registration is closed. They already have 6500 participants.

I was extremely frustrated and disappointed at first. Now I have decided to find another race and shift my training. So wish me luck with that...and you can decide for yourself if this is just an excuse! (It's not!)

Unbiased Review of Tuesdays With Morrie...

So now that the first weekend of Tuesdays with Morrie is complete, I thought it would be valuable to report how it went...and give a review of the show. I am sure there are others out there that will want to publish opinions, but I decided to ask an expert on the show...me!

Tuesdays With Morrie is nothing short of a life-changing theater experience that will leave you wishing for more. Taking you on a roller coaster ride of emotion ranging from laughter to tears, the actors in this 2-person show truly capture the essence of humanity.

The writing of the play is sharp...and captures the spirit of the book. And the direction of this show is right on point. It was once said that the director's two most important jobs are to pick the show and then the actors. In this respect, Susan Metz was perfect!

As for the actors, Rod Hasseman (playing Morrie) captures the humor and spirit of the character...and makes the life lessons he teaches even more real. Mitch (played by Kirby Hasseman) is a driven, self-absorbed, shallow workaholic. He was type-cast so it was hard for him to screw it up. But in any case, both actors deserve a Tony, or Oscar, or a Shelley or whatever the hell awards they give out in community theater! You will laugh. You will cry. It is better than CATS! You will want to see it again and again!

All joking aside, audiences seem to really enjoy the show. Come and see for yourself! Tickets are still available by calling (740) 622-2959.

Also, if you want an actual review of the show. Here is one from Shane Pyle posted on the Tribune's site!

Customer Appreciation Day!

Thursday was the 3rd Annual Customer Appreciation Day for Hasseman Marketing & Communications. The event was held at the Civic Hall in Coshocton...and was a great day! This year we had more food, more giveaways, more suppliers, and of course...more staff!



Shanda did a fantastic job organizing the event this year. Several suppliers commented on it...and told her they wished that she ran other events in the industry!

Dustin was there to capture the day on video and we even got some customer testimonials. Be on the lookout for a video from the event coming soon!



All in all, customers and friends got a chance to eat, drink and get great promotional ideas for their business! And as we hear about all of the economic unrest, we know that we have to work harder and smarter to promote our businesses to succeed!

Thanks to all who came and made this year a great event!

Article on Tuesdays

Sorry I am posting about this so much...but it's been on my mind! The Coshocton Tribune has a story and a photo gallery about Tuesdays with Morrie today. Check out the link online or in the paper!



And if you have been thinking about making reservations and have not...please do! The seats are beginning to fill up...but we are not sold out! So please call and reserve your tickets! (740) 622-2959!

What a Week!

This week is going to be something! First of all, many of you know that this Thursday is the Hasseman Marketing & Communications Customer Appreciation Show. We have been working on this event for months and months. We have food catered, suppliers flying in from all over, giveaways, drinks, etc. It's a cool event...and it's Thursday from Noon to 6pm!

Friday is opening night for Tuesdays with Morrie. And as you know if you have been in plays before, this week we are running the whole show (sort of like dress rehearsal) every night (including Thursday!).

Throw in there work, running, and all of the other things that life entails...and you have an interesting week!

I say all of this--not to complain--but to credit the ladies of my family. They are the reason I am able to do this. Skylar and Jade are still busy...and are trying to be more responsible while I have been gone each night for the past 6 weeks. I appreciate them being "big" for this time.

And most of all I wanted to have a public place to thank Amy. In addition to being my best friend, she takes on a bunch of extra stuff for me to do these plays. I genuinely appreciate it. So...thanks Amy. I love you!

Fun at the Farm!

Last night we went to Amy's parents house for a wiener roast! It was a beautiful night for it.



Skylar took her friend Georgia and Jade had Gracie!



The girls had a chance to see all of the animals.



And of course they had a chance to cook their own hot dogs!





Not much to say other than it was a nice evening...and Amy took some great pictures!



And here's a look at her finally getting to roast a dog!

Amy Brown is 40!

If you follow this blog, you know we have had some "creative" 40th birthday celebrations. We greeted Betsy with a hearse and a coffin, and Billy still hangs out with his blow up doll. So it was tough to out do ourselves...but that's no reason not to try!



Amy Brown turned 40 this week...so we threw her a surprise party last night. Amy was surprised. We know this because she did not want to come in the first place. Here is her initial reaction as she walked in the door!



She was a bit reluctant in the role of the birthday girl, but I think she finally relished it!



It was a fun time and of course Valerie Miller had fun!



We always have a good time with this group...so Happy Birthday Amy Brown!

To Run...Or Not To Run

That is the question. As some of you know, I have been training for a 1/2 marathon coming up on October 19th. The trouble is, though I was training hard, I have struggled to keep it up since play rehearsals began. I have been working out...but not as hard.

In addition, the group of us that were going to run together has disintegrated. (Relax, I am not going to name names!). So even though I ran 5 miles last night, I was trying to decide if I should bag it. As I mentioned, the race is October 19th (the morning at the October 18th performance of the play).

So...what say you? Should I run the race...or not?

Tickets are On Sale Now!

The tickets for the upcoming production of Tuesdays With Morrie are officially on sale now. Obviously, I am excited about the production. Dad and I are hard at work each night trying to finalize lines, work with props, and generally get ready for opening night!

And the phone has started to ring. As you will see by the flyer below, the box office is open in the evenings and you can make reservations by calling (740) 622-2959. We are hoping to sell out (who knows?)...so call and get your seats reserved soon.



So please join us for what we hope will be an emotional, funny, life-affirming show!