The Paint Brigade is about to paint its thirteenth house. With donations and their labor, the brigade provides all the materials. In between jobs they gathered for a group photo. Fourth row (l to r): Jeff Mullins, Jim Manhardt, Hager Bryant, Jack Wilcox. Third row (l to r): Paul Lynner, Gary Helms, Willard Emch, M.D., Jim Farney. Second row (l to r): Tony Corey, John Grasso, Keith Thompson, Richard Catullo. First row (l to r): Ron Hadley, John Kratky, Phil Allopenna and Ernie Kasper. Not shown: Bob Cronenwett, Ralph Green, Cliff Hagan, Dan Hazelton, Stan Nevin, Tobey Shiverick, Ira Simon, Dave Sloan, Bud Tilney and Mickey Warburton.
We’re driving in a convertible on a beautiful fall day in Florida. As we speed along, the warm breezes caress the skin and tousle the hair but it’s not a joyride in the conventional sense. The drive will bring comfort to people in need and a sense of purpose to those who serve them. Lying on the back seat are two insulated containers, one containing 17 hot meals and the other just as many servings of cold milk.
This is a Meals on Wheels run, and the driver of the car, Jim Farney, knows his route intimately. Swinging off U.S. 1 onto State Road 510, he makes a right onto 58th Avenue and proceeds to 85th Place. The roads in this neighborhood are gravel and the houses are modest. Many still bear temporary plywood shutters, souvenirs of Hurricane Wilma’s recent visit. Pulling up to a gray house across from a small junkyard, Jim greets a fair-sized black dog that stands barking in the yard.
As we step out of the car, Jim assures me that Black Dog—his real name—is as friendly as can be. Jim takes an aluminum food tray and a carton of milk from the containers on the back seat and knocks on the door. “Meals on Wheels, Mrs. Collins!” he calls. For a moment or two there is no answer, and then a voice calls from the side yard, where Minnie Collins is hanging out her wash.
Read the entire article in the February 2006 issue
True Tails is a series written by Amy Robinson for Vero Beach’s dog lovers. Ask Amy about your dog’s behavior by clicking below.
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