Skip Davis Midway Roller Rink

As you grow older (and hopefully much wiser) you realize how personal health plays a part in the way you approach each day.

Mostly, I have enjoyed good health for many reasons. Skating at Midway kept me healthy during my youthful years. Two years in the U.S. Army got me really fit. And not doing those things that don't help you keep healthy have played a big role in my health.

But life has not been without its bumps.

In 1981 I underwent a double by-pass procedure. I will always sport scars down my chestbone and down my left leg. It's the left leg where doctors pulled out a vein to make me healthy again. Fortunately, I've had no lingering aftereffects.

More recently I had cataract surgery. There was a day when having cataracts meant going blind. But today surgery takes just a few minutes and the world becomes much clearer, almost immediately.

June, 2011, Susan and I traveled to the Grand Canyon. Neither of us had seen it before. WOW! is the most underused descriptive word when it comes to describing what we saw.

October,2010 we celebrated our 40th anniversary in Las Vegas. Saw Blue Man Group. It took them 10 minutes to open a package of twinkies. Had dinner at Mesa Grill on our anniversary. Mesa is owned by Bobby Flay. Then we saw Terry Fator from the front row. The entire trip was a blast, right up to the time I dumped a glass of tomato juice on Susan's lap, flying back.

We are looking to visiting Orlando this October and by that time I am sure Susan will be asking, Where do we go next?

As for my mother, she had a tough spell this past winter. But she is doing fine these days. We are looking forward to celebrating her 90th birthday this August.

Best wishes,
Skip Davis

Updated: 10-7-13

Much has happened since last we talked (I wrote). My mother "keeps on ticking". She turned 92 August 31. Driving is my biggest concern for her. She wants to go, but I don't want her getting into a situation she can not react quickly to. At least she is not taking a lot of friends with her when she goes. Now, I only have to pray for the other drivers on the road.

Susan is now retired so we can now see the countryside when we want to. As stated earlier, we've been to Vegas. Since then we've visited Arizona and the Grand Canyon. My, God is Great! We've also made some short trips, most recently to the Four Winds Casino where I did something unusual. I turned a $100.00 profit from the penny slots. Normally, it is Susan who does the winning and I've come to accept that. So, this win was particularly satisfying.

We came back down SR 9 to Marion to take my mother out for lunch before returning to Frankfort. I was amazed to see the changes made in Huntington over the years. What I remember was SR 9 passing Vicki Hoovers childhood home. I believe there may be a shopping center there
now.

Last Christmas Susan let me buy my own Christmas gift. She says it is the most expensive gift we have ever bought ourselves. A Nikon D5100 camera. I love it. I received two third place ribbons at the county fair this year and I'm looking forward someday to revisiting the Grand Canyon to take some really good pictures. Our minister calls me the church's picture taking guru. It's fun.

Here's hoping this finds you well. Skip

August 5, 2014

Mother is doing quite well for 92 years of age. She's had a couple bouts with health the last two years but continues to purr along. She still lives in Marion and continues to credit roller skating for her prolonged health.
She has a brother, Frank, and my cousin, Alexis, who both pay close attention to her when I can't be around.

A couple of weeks ago Susan and I vacationed in Alaska and Seattle. What a blast. We found ourselves might in the midst of the "Land of the Midnight Sun". Several teens were out "tubing" on the canal at midnight.

During our vacation we had a new floor and several new appliances installed in our kitchen.

Today, I finished up a project which I began earlier this year. I installed a new door on my shed, with the help of a few neighbors.

That's it for now.

Remember: It's easier to enjoy what you have than what you don't have.

Skip

Mother (Marge Davis) enjoyed a great 90th birthday celebration. Thanks to those of you who sent cards.

We had a rather private gathering on Saturday, August 27th with about 90 family members and friends present. Her birthday was August 31, 2011.

She remains in very good health. Her doctor puts her body's age at 75. She would probably credit a lot of roller skating.

For the celebration I produced a rather lengthy slide show. I took one of the pictures two years ago at the Jefferson Township School reunion and featured two students and my mother in the classic skater's pose.

I kept looking at the lady to my mother's right. She looked familar but I could not place her. Please keep in mind, I was away during the years my folks owned the rink and really didn't get to know many of you.

After mother's birthday party I was putting away the pictures when I realized it was Roger Hoover's sister, Jane in that picture. And I recalled it was Jane who, as an elementary student, came to me at the rink one evening and told me her brother, Roger, was dating Miss Brown and was planning to ask her to mary him. She, Jane was very excited. It was some time later when Vickie revealed a diamond ring.

Time marches on....

June 4, 2015 Mother turns 94 on August 31. She is doing quite well. Susan and I go to Marion quite often to see her. I must keep tabs on her, you know.
She recently took some friends past the old Midway site. Sad to see that 105 is quiet now.
As for myself, a couple of years ago I purchased a Nikon 5100 camera for myself. I'm taking a lot of pictures, mostly of church activities. Between Susan and myself, we took almost 900 pictures, during our trip to Alaska last July. Two weeks of meeting new people and making friends was good for the both of us. We spent three days in Seattle. We had brunch at the Space Needle and Susan visited Pikes Fish Market. FHS, where she was secretary, had once taught using the Fish Philosophy, that was based on Pike's Market. She spent about 15 minutes talking to one of the fish monger.
For the past two years Susan and I have been exercising at the local "Y". It's been good for both of us. We both have lost a significant amount of "you know what". This Saturday we are participating in a 5K walk, a fundraiser for cancer at FHS. Then on the Last Saturday in July we hope to participate in a 5K walk during the Hog Dog Festival.

Find something to do.

Roller Skated one year with Miss Huntington County, Vicky Brown Hoover. Once worked at WPTA television in Ft. Wayne. Served as National Regional VP for the National Farm Broadcasting Association. Wrote national farm news for NAFB.
I am in my 9th year of retirement. Or, so it seems. I have retired again. This time as a member of the Clinton County Fair Council. The Council has begun rebuilding the facilities on the grounds. Anybody with a few million dollars laying around? Let's talk.