The Coshocton County Beacon April 17, 2019 - Page 4

Elks Teen of the
Month announced
| OPINION
I
knew this day would
I didn’t always follow his
come. For my own self-
advice. And to his credit,
ish reasons I wanted
he let me - Shawn, Dana
to delay the inevitable
and Brent - go our own
as long as possible. But we
way and make our own
are all destined for life on
decisions. Some we made
this earth to end. Robert
right, some we didn’t but
M. “Pinky” Fortune, Dad to
has worked out. Dad
MARK’S MUSINGS life
me, was the greatest man
always believed that it
that I have ever known or
would if you were to “Dig,
ever will know. And I was able to tell
Fight & Scratch Every Day”. Th at was his
him that many times during the past
motto and he would tell us that often
few months. His eyes would brighten
in conversations, notes and letters of
and the smile that so many people have encouragement.
come to know over the years would light
Th e one thing I will miss the most
up his face. I just wanted him to know.
is that Dad was always there for us.
What made him special? Th ere are so
Encouraging, giving advice, and yes,
many stories that could be shared by so
sometimes even a kick in the butt if we
many people and while many of them
needed it. We didn’t need many of those
would have a common theme, each
because I think deep down none of the
would be weaved within the tapestry
four of us wanted to let him or mom
that was just Pinky. Th ey would all be
down. Dad never really set expectations
just a little bit diff erent.
in the literal sense - we just knew that
Th e boot shop is where I cut my teeth
they existed and we tried hard to meet
and learned how to talk to people, sell
them.
and take care of customers. As one
To say that my Dad is my hero would
of my brothers said, “Working at the
be putting it mildly. Th ere are many
boot shop was our rite of passage as a
reasons. Here’s one you may not know
Fortune”. Yes it was. And it’s still in the
about - I saw him visit my Grandma
family now 70 years strong.
Fortune (his mom Th elma) in the nurs-
A special time for me came each
ing home every single day - and some-
Sunday morning when Dad and I would times twice a day - putting her to bed in
get up early and deliver Th e Tribune to
the evening for several years. Th at is an
my customers in Roscoe and on West
example that is hard to follow.
Chestnut St. A few of them were the
You know, when I think about it, Dad
same customers that Dad delivered to
always seemed to be in the right place
when he was a boy. As we headed down at the right time throughout his life and
Whitewoman Street past the nursing
the years at 514 Main Street will always
home we always found ourselves at the
be some of my favorite memories. To
L & K Restaurant where we stopped
all of you that knew him, thank you for
for milk with coff ee and warm Danish
being his friend. I feel blessed, honored,
with butter. Lots of butter. To say that
privileged and humbled to call Pinky
I learned a lot about life on those early
Fortune my Dad.
Sunday mornings would be a vast un-
derstatement.
|
Heading
COSHOCTON – Sarah Heading has been named Coshoc-
ton Elks Teen of the Month. She is a senior at Coshocton
High School and plans to attend Muskingum University
to study music education. She was the fi eld commander
for the marching band. Sarah participated in the CHS
theatre club, concert band, chamber choir, Coshocton
Youth Chorale, community choir, Cardinal Chorale,
and the Presbyterian Church Choir where she attends
church. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Chris-
tian Athletes (FCA), along with being in the National
Honor Society.
Contributed | Beacon
Treats at AWANA
Jayleighn Cunningham, Katelyn Kitzmill-
er, Noel Fox and Haiden Slaughter show
off the sandcastle they made out of rice
crispy treats at AWANA at the Chili
Crossroads Bible Church. Their sand-
Contributed | Beacon
castle was judged the best of the night.
There are great activities for kids and
adults every Wednesday night at 6:30
p.m. at the church. All are welcome.
www.chilicrossroads.org
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APRIL 17, 2019