Author Archives: CharlieClaywell

About CharlieClaywell

I have been a writer for years, mainly as a reporter, but I have always enjoyed history, especially non-mainstream stories buried inside old documents. My blog mostly centers around those stories. On occasion, though, I deviate and talk about my dog, vintage toys and what it's like to be middle-aged.

Phrases I Heard At Work — That Still Make Me Smile

Posted on August 13, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

Work environments are as varied as the people in them, and over the years I have heard some great lines — most are R rated, but here are some PG ones that still make me smile.

So How Do You Think You’re Gonna Like It Here?

I was working hard manual labor (is there any other kind?) at a factory when an older man (50s, but it seemed so old when I was 25), asked me after a particularly hard shift, “so, how do you think you’re gonna like it here?”

“Not real sure,” I replied hesitantly, uncertain what his point was.

“How about you,” I countered.

Oh, I’m really gonna like it here, he said smiling.

The phrase became a catchphrase there — whenever someone was reprimanded by a boss or simply had a bad day — someone would always ask the rhetorical question — and the reply was always the same: Oh, I’m really gonna like it here.

A Little Apathy Goes A Long Ways

This pithy saying appeared on a whiteboard one day at work. The board was strategically placed by management days earlier and was supposed to be filled with inspirational quotes or examples of good work (you know people being ‘caught’ doing something good). The phrase had its desired impact — the whiteboard went away.

That’s Not What I had In Mind

A co-worker was charged with the task of creating a metal workstation which consisted of framing out some metal, welding and then painting the creation. When my co-worker presented the finished project to the boss, who was an engineer, the boss said, “well, that’s not what I had in mind.” Despite being an engineer, the boss had never even taken a moment to sketch out a basic idea of what he was looking for. Needless to say, the co-worker never volunteered for a project like that again.

The Job has Evolved Since It Was Posted

I actually heard this one during an internal job interview. Although I can be quick witted, I had no comeback, just a realization that some rules (including Federal laws) can be overwritten during crunch time when someone else has already been promised the position.

Speaking of job interviews, one of the most uncomfortable and oddest interviews I ever experienced occurred when the topic at hand drifted to church (which seems like an area best to avoid in an interview). The interview went into full blown TMI when the man interviewing me, said, “Yeah, my first wife left me for the choir director at church.”

I mean, really, what can you do with a line like that — you just have to nod and smile.

Categories: American Workplace

Scenes From The 2014 Ohio State Fair

Posted on August 5, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

I worked with a guy who said he loved grilling out — another co-worker quipped, which part do you like best: the gnats or the smoke? In some ways the same line of logic applies to a fair. You have the aroma of livestock barns melded with the smell of deep-fried food.

But somehow — just like grilling — it works.

Here are a few scenes from the last day of the 2014 Ohio State Fair or you can view Flickr Ohio State Fair Gallery here.

Categories: Ohio Events

Covered Bridges Showcase Heritage In Ohio’s 8th District

Posted on July 30, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

Brubaker Bridge, located just outside of Gratis, Ohio in Preble County.

Some say the Brubaker Bridge, located just outside of Gratis, Ohio is haunted.

The first time I rode across a covered bridge in Preble County as a kid, I was mesmerized by the idea. Of course, little did I realize then just what a trademark they were for the county.

Warnke Bridge, Lewisburg, Ohio.

Six of the county’s eight covered bridges still in existence were built by E.S. Sherman in the late 1800s — who used the somewhat antiquated Childs truss patent for the structures. In fact, only one bridge was ever built out of Preble County with a Childs truss — and that one was also built by E.S. Sherman. Of these Sherman-built bridges five are still in operation. The sixth one has been restored and placed inside the community park in Lewisburg.

Roberts Bridge, Eaton, Ohio.

Roberts Bridge was restored after vandals set it on fire in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The incident led to the restoration of all the county’s covered the bridges with efforts to make them flame resistant.

Built in 1829, Roberts Bridge is Ohio’s oldest covered bridge — and the second oldest double-barrel (two lane) covered bridge in the United States. The bridge is no longer in use and spans Seven Mile Creek in Eaton, just a few blocks off of U.S. 127 on the south end of town.

One of the bridges, the Brubaker Bridge, lands on various haunted lists. The claim is a group of teens in the 1930s crash their vehicle through the side of the bridge (it is built on a curve) and their bodies were not discovered for several days. Now they haunt the structure.

Several events are held throughout the year to celebrate the county’s unique heritage. One of the most popular events is the Bridges, Bikes and Blues event hosted by the Preble County Historical Society. The all-day event attracts bikers from throughout the Tri-State area. The PCHS also published a map brochure of all the county’s bridges which individuals can use for self tours.

In 2012, the county unveiled its eighth covered bridge. The Burr Arch design bridge — a truss style patented in 1804 — is located at Hueston Woods state park. It is the first covered bridge to be built in the county for more than 100 years and is designed with walkways so pedestrians can also enjoy the view.