Inquisitive Quest

Tornado forming as seen from 1 mile west of Anthony

.  The sparsely clouded weather providing a warm southern breeze  massaging the landscape of the rural countryside,  not abnormal for a seasonal June day.   The television meteorologist submitting a traversing barometric high pressure,  its clockwise rotation centered in Texas pumping the warm gulf air to the reaches of the Oklahoma and Kansas.   Gary was made aware of a Severe Thunderstorm Watch being issued by the weather bureau,  a deepening low pressure system in the northwest,  the cool air converging with the warm southern flow,  a dry line stretching west of Wichita,  diagonally across the state.   A routine notification from county dispatch to the hospital and all emergency response agencies being issued, Hospital Plant Service Manager Gary giving it little thought,  having experienced thirty years of Oklahoma and Kansas weather.   The late afternoon finding a noticeable change in the atmosphere,  a line of thunderstorms beginning to form to the southwest,  the severe thunderstorm forecast being updated to Tornado Watch status.

.  Gary’s day completed at the hospital,  exiting for home amidst some scattered rain,  Jan, Sandra and his mother who had journeyed from California with the family after the passing of Gary’s father, giving some notice to the increasing thunder in the distance.   Gary making an inquiry to the whereabouts of Robert,  about his being out in the rain, when he abruptly entered thru the back door.   The approaching storm starting to make its appearance to the proletariat of Anthony,  the lightning strikes getting ever closer to the city.  Gary reassuring his mother,  the storm was a normal seasonal occurrence and would soon pass.   Then precipitously a new intonation arose from without,  a salient promontory,  the shrill sound of the cities tornado warning sirens,  their wailing resonance broadcasting a dispatch for everyone to seek shelter.

.  Jan immediately donning her coat and embarking for the hospital as required by a long-standing protocol,  Gary realizing,  he too would be following her.  When reviewing the Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Plan as Hospital Safety Director,  he amended a Return Personnel Protocol to include the on call maintenance person.  Gary could see the questioning expression on his mother’s face as he gathered everyone to accompany him to the basement.   Descending to the lower level,  Gary disclosing to Robert, Sandi and his Mother,  he too would have to leave to fulfill his obligation at the hospital,  assuring the three,  they would be safe in the below ground disposition.  Gary’s could tell by his mother questionable expression, about being left  alone with the children,  the siren still sounding its call to take cover.   Gary wasn’t surprised at her concern,  as someone from California,  her apprehension and perception of tornado’s are perceived from movies and television,  not adherent to the occurrence, and accepted life of those who thrive in what is labeled,  Tornado Alley.

.  Arriving at the hospital,  Gary finding Jan,  as DON,  still indecisive in initiating the protocol to start transferring patients that were ambulatory to the basement,  a decision that he was content with not having to make.   The nursing staff began the aversion process,  Gary relegated to his protocol position of monitoring the south hallway, its posture enabling a view of the front and rear hospital doors and an access to the boiler room operations center which housed the emergency generator.   The Emergency Preparedness Plan requiring him to be the only employee representative to be active aloft unless an immediate danger was perceived,  then entrusted to take shelter below ground level in the boiler room operations center.

.  A thankful sound,  the wailing sirens had ceased,  followed by a brief continuous burst,  the all clear having been sounded,  Jan and the nursing staff thankful for a halt to their transfer of patients that were ambulatory.   Gary, inquisitive to the reality of the storms trepidation,  its resolution and a procrastination would have to remain on hold,  the return home a preference ,   a curiosity about his mother’s experience  being stationed in the basement of an unfamiliar house, with the sound of thunder penetrating thru the wind-driven wash of rain,  and the every presence echo of the tornado warning sirens sounding.  Betty Willson relating her experience to her son,  asserting it was without incident,  except for Robert making a reference to another lower level in the basement they could crawl into if necessary,  which she really didn’t want to hear.   Robert was referring to a covered recess in the cement flooring, across from the external entrance of a deposed coal-chute.   This quarried area another level beneath the basement cement floor, once housed the original,  but long displaced nineteen oh five  coal fired furnace.

.  Gary concluded,  the experience of the day would always be remembered,  for indeed,  the sound of sirens was a Kansas greeting for his Mother.

The storm clouds are gathering

.  The search for a Anthony hospital administrator having come to fruition.  Leander Douglas Adams Junior and his wife Nina,  were present for a special department heads meeting.  The Interim Administrator fulfilling Jay Jolly’s position,  once again introducing Adams to the assembled group,  but this time confirming him as the Hospital Board’s selection as the new Hospital administrator.   This was Lee Adams second appearance before the department managers, the administration having previously introduced the final two aspiring candidates for the position.  Gary questioning the purpose of the previous convergence, recognizing the Department Head’s input or opinion would never influence the Hospital Board’s decision.

.  Lee Adams demeanor was distinctive,  a very erect gray bearded person with a Bostonian accent,  seemingly very candid in conversation, mentioning he attended Saint Lawrence School of Nursing in 1955,  a nurse before discovering his administrative talent.  When speaking of the hospital,  projecting it in allegory euphemisms,  referring to it in nautical terms as,  ‘The Good Ship Anthony’.     Introducing Nina,  expressing his wife’s past propinquity with  hospital staff,   her volunteering to babysit for a nurse if unexpectedly called for duty.   Gary accepting his pronouncements at face value, that Lee would be someone able to coalesce with the staff,  a very community minded presence,  a person of character,  Gary conjecturing a good working relationship with this newly acquired administrator.

.  It didn’t surface at first, but benefits of doubts were beginning to build,  the newly acquired Administrator interjecting his authority in the managerial responsibilities once stipulated to Department Managers.   Facile decisions allocated to department managers were being scrutinized and sometimes reversed,  the once cohesive group having found an inhibitor,  engendering a divided assessment within the managerial council, and even within the hospital medical staff.   Gary still adhering to a neutral position, but cognizant of the implications,  especially in the ancillary departments of Lab, X-ray and Outpatient Services,  Lee Adams discharging an animosity towards their representatives.

.  Apprehension was evolving during the sequential summer months,  like a bolt of lightning,  a momentous disclosures, Lee Adams, resume” documentation  was awry,    a failure to disclose a widespread publication of his detrimental administrative policies,  the rationale for his departure from the AR.H,  Regional Medical Center in Hazard Kentucky.  First rumors, then facts evolved, Gary and the hospital staff becoming aware of Lee Adams dubious past,  his apocryphal personality,  an autocrat of his environment,  and a domination of those who question him, or his motives.   Gary concluding,  the peaceful exemplar work environment of the Jay Jolly era was no longer applicable,  the storm clouds were building,  the tempest was about to be released.

.  An escalation of uncertainty commencing,  its inauguration surrogate in the confines of the  Hospital.  Questions of the veracity of the recently hired Hospital Administrator’s resume’s  ramifications, of improprieties related to his previous employment were undulating.

.  The unsubstantiated suppositions,  subsequently attaining some public acknowledgement,  eventually achieving the attention of  Hospital District 6 Board of Directors.   Terry musick  Chairman, and Larry Olds owner of Anthony’s Larry’s Home Town Market,  both prominent members and  both promptly proclaiming,  “the board having done due diligence on Lee Adams,  finding no inconsistencies in his resume.”    The reassurance from the civic leaders seemed to quell the public outcry, but within the confines of the healthcare center a cauldron of dispel was brewing..

.  An escalation of uncertainty continued in the confines of the Anthony Hospital.  Questions of the veracity of the recently hired Hospital Administrator’s ramifications of improprieties related to his previous employment were undulating.   Gary at first wary of the allocations concerning the administrators past,  but realized an abrupt awakening as events unfolded.   The coerced resignation of a long established director of Lab and Radiology Departments,  followed by a termination of the Out Patient Services Supervisor,  a new aura prevailed  in the work environment,  a scrutiny of all hospital employees, a gleaning of standpoint,  the Administrator keeping score of those who question his veracity.

.  The evidence of character was placed on Gary’s desk,  concrete affirmation of all that was rumored,  pictures and articles from the Hazard Herald Newspaper of Lee Adams annihilation of the Nursing and Medical staff at A RH Regional Medical Center in Hazard Kentucky.   Gary bristled with the disclosure,  Gay Farney,  a Anthony Hospital Radiology and Lab Technician having placed a call to the medical facility,  her inquiry achieving a  Regional Medical Center employee willing to provide,  and send the  concrete documentation of the detrimental actions of Lee Adams,  and his disservice to the healthcare facility and community.

.  Gary discerning a polarization among the department managers,  visiting with Karen Porter,  the hospital purchasing director,  Doctor Bond, the medical chief of staff and other department managers,  disclosing the recently acquired information concerning Hospital Administrator Lee Adams past, and the hospital board’s failure to undertake responsibility for its negligence in thoroughly researching the empowered administrator’s record.   The hospital administration continued its vexation,  censoring  Gary’s wife Jan,  the Director of Nursing,  from effectually discharging her duties, and issuing new directives to the clinical medical staff,  Doctor Robert Ludwick protesting the changes in policy, the expostulations still ascending.

.  An impasse was acknowledge,  Jan according a possible ally in the hospitals plight,  divulging an adherent member of the hospital board,  Jerry Turner,  willing to address the hospital’s administrative quagmire with Terry Mus1ck,  hospitals board chairman,  and the other members of the commissioned group.   Jan relating the chronicled evidence of the Administrators abominable past.  A second visit with the board member,  discovering Turner having receded his concurrence,  standing fast with the boards adjudication, an advocate of the Administrator.  Jan and Gary finding their posturing now openly imparted.

.  It was the talk of the town, the Anthony Republican newspaper account of the Halloween night escapade was brief,  the police responding to a reported vandal destruction of property at the  Hospital Administrator Lee Adams residence.  Gary being inquisitive, visiting with Kenny Hodson,  the officer addressing the call,  discovering Halloween pranksters having inscribed the word “Liar“ on the Adam’s property.   Gary was somewhat taken aback at the open contempt displayed by the pranksters, but even more dumbfounded that Adams would induce attention to the event, by notifying the police considering his adverse publicity.

.  At home, Jan’s revelation was disquieting, a consternation,  Gary total unaware that his daughter Sandra and Karen Porters Granddaughter September were involved,  an incipient act very unlike Sandra.   The aftermath finding Karen Porter apologizing to Lee Adams,  disclosing her granddaughters actions and revealing the names of the other participant.  Gary conjecturing,  Sandra, as the instigator, hearing her parents open adverse criticism of Adams,  and with Jan’s condoning the prank, were probable factors in the event.   Gary’s first reaction was to assert Karen Porters divergence,  and follow suit.  Engendering an immediate apology for his daughter’s antics,   but upon reflection,  finding a hesitancy, aware that the extent of his animosity of Adams would come to light,  and an apologetic endeavor might turn and bring on one of retaliation.

.  Gary pondered the manner for approaching the Administrator, and the likelihood of Adams accepting an apology without retribution,   at first dismissing the idea,  conjecturing an apology would spring a more realistic outcome,  one of vengeance.   Gary beginning to realize, the Adam’s incident only hastened the inevitable ,  a grasp of reality, the handwriting was on the wall,  suspecting any confrontation with the Administrator would be futile, the Halloween epilogue could possibly conclude any prospects of Gary retaining his employment.

.  The ringing of the doorbell at the Adams residence was acknowledged by Nina Adams,  Gary asking to speak with Lee.  Entering,  the Administrator hovering in the darken shadows of the dining room,  Nina announcing the visitor.    Lee Adams shouting   “I don’t have anything to say to him,   I’ll deal with the S OB later, tell him to get the hell out of my house“.   Gary handing Nina an envelope,  turning,  not saying another word,  retreating from the premise,  his endeavor,  a satisfying resolution for both.

The Anthony Republican Newspaper

.  The Anthony Hospitals Plant Service Manager Gary  responsibilities having been abated, having handing his written resignation to the Hospital Administrator’s wife Nina, Lee Adams observing his action from the shadows of an adjoining room.    The realm of unemployment a new experience,  the silence of the vacuous N. Springfield residence,  Jan still fulfilling her hospital commitment ,  the children in school,  the lack of presence or purpose displaying a void within, Gary realizing the stillness echoing the reality of circumstance, questioning his judgment to resign his Anthony Hospital position.  A firm justification prevailing,  the resignation,  an acceptance of responsibility for his daughter involvement in the Halloween Adams residency labeling  event and any disparage it may have  caused,  leaving the Administrator with no pretext for making public any deprecatory statements about the Willson’s’.

.  Gary having made the decision, “to take up the gauntlet” and submit for publication  the evidence of Lee Adams transgressions.  With an abundant accumulation of evidence of Adams past transgressions ,  Gary culminating an editorial for submission to the Anthony Republican Newspaper,  disclosure of the despot lurking at the Anthony Hospital.   Accessing the Main Street local paper,  acquainted with Jim  Dunn,  the owner-publisher and his wife Vera,  having worked with the couple in the past, illuminating  the Editor with articles about up-coming hospital activities and events.  Gary brandishing his typed exposé of Lee Adams sequestered past, including  documentation of the numerical count of nurses,   doctors,   even catholic nuns whom were compelled to resign or were terminated by his actions during his tenure at the A RG (Appalachian Regional Healthcare) Hazard Kentucky Medical Center.   Jim’s first reaction was one of forbearance, not aspiring to evoke the newspaper in what appeared to be an evolving public dispute,  declining to publish the type written article.   Gary opening a folder,  spreading the abundant incriminating clipping from The Hazard Herald Newspaper on the counter,  Jim’s interest peaked.  Gary turning towards the door to leave, briefly stating to the Editor,  he could print it or file it away,  it was his decision.

.  Gary’s article exploded on the front page of the Anthony Republican,  the only deprecatory,  Jim’s decision to withhold the name of the author,  explaining it was a discretionary measure reserved for publishers,  his concern,  Gary’s family and possible retribution.   The community became openly polarized with citizens submitting additional editorials for the removal and support of the administrator, the hospital board of directors submitting a letter of their continued  steadfast support of Lee Adams, the outpouring of concern over whelming.   Jim Dunn receiving veiled threats, including Larry Olds, owner of Larry’s Home Town market,  threatening the editor with pulling his advertisement if the editor continued to publish  articles detrimental to Adams and  the Hospital Board.

.  Jim a true journalist  calling his bluff continuing to publish the facts  even though Larry’s store was his largest advertising account. The conflict now a blatant affliction,  a discourse that Jan Willson would soon be discharged as Director of Nursing was rumored.   With growing apprehension Gary and Jan journeying to Wichita  seeking advice from a labor relations attorney,  exploring legal alternatives for possible upcoming developments.   The attorney suggesting that the couple and other concerning parties document Adam’s past by engaging a private investigator,  thus providing a future foundation for litigation.  The attorney supplying the name of an investigator who had  worked with him in the past. The drive back from Wichita was one of accomplishment, but also one of question wonder where or when destines road will end.

.  Amidst the Anthony Hospital turmoil,  involving the administrator,  a short two weeks into the realm of the unemployed,  Gary  discovering vocational employment from an unexpected authorship,  the Kiowa District Hospital.  Both Jan and Gary having served the Hospital,  Jan functioning as a Nurse’s Aide and EMT during her college internship, and Gary as a driver with the hospital directed Barber County Ambulance Service during his employment at the school.   The ex-Anthony Hospital employee according a message of appreciation to his brother inlaw Shawn Johnson,  for conveying the possibility of an opening at the hospital,  conveying,  an ongoing dissolution between the current maintenance man, Mike Pavlu,  and the Hospital Administrator.  Gary discovering that Mike,  the son inlaw of hospitals director of nursing,  Sharon Reagan,   having unexpectedly  resigned in pursuit of another avocation.

. Gary placing a call to Buck McKinney the Administrator expressing an interest in applying for the maintenance position, arranging for an interview having some apprehension about  residing in Anthony.  The interview with  McKinney was brief, the administrator having  no consequence about his Anthony residency and to Gary’s surprise afforded little interest in the prevailing occurrences at the Anthony Hospital.   The financial compensation for a maintenance man was as anticipated,  substantially less than his previous multi-department Plant Service Manager position at the Anthony Hospital.  Gary bringing to light his participation in the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association,  currently serving the organization as secretary, treasurer and editor of the KHEA monthly newsletter,  his concern was whether the Kiowa  hospital would continue to endorse his participation, the administrator assuring  the hospital’s commitment would be extended.

.   During his initial interview with Buck,  Gary summarized his past hospital related responsibilities and experience,  in addition to his normal maintenance duties,  he initiated a written  maintenance and safety policy and procedure programs with  documentation,  to comply with the ever increasing number of  state and federal  regulations.   With the start of his employment,  the new employee given license to search for a  small suitable office space,  discovering a vacant room across the hall from Gail Lindley,  the long established purchasing director from the past John McGee Administrative era.  The small office accommodation fulfilling a homestead for his computer, plus its edict, and once situated he began to research for past written documentation.   An investigation soon realized that there was no recorded written records for past inspections,  and discovering the hospital staff never having participating in regularly scheduled monthly fire drills as required.   The contrivance days of the past were of a by-gone epoch,  the day of  written documentation and compliance with State and Federal regulations having arrived.

Gary experiencing the maintenance requirements contrary to those of the Anthony Hospital,  the smaller Kiowa facility with its diminished numbered of acute,  and swing-bed patients,  having fewer maintenance request.  His morning walk-thru of the building, a visit to the clinic, all the ancillary departments,  documented inspection of clinical systems,  the daily incineration of medical waste and regiment of grounds keeping.  The facilities housekeeping duties being provided by Judy Reed and a staff of two, Ona Hunter and Vicki Rugg..   Gary having been acquainted with Dick Reed when he was a sales representative with the Bogner Chevrolet, but not Judy.  The Dietary Department consisted of one person,  Arveetah Starzac, her culinary domain absolute,  dominantly ruled,  more than adequate for the sparse patience influxe.  Arveetah  a working mother, her son William an enrollee of the California Highway Patrol Academy,  and younger daughter Anna, still in Grade School.

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The hospital nursing contingency directed by registered nurse  Sharon Raegan,  her patient concern and advocacy,  reflected by the diligent attention and a caring atmosphere the healthcare facility espoused..   Her community presence,  displayed by her voluntary commitment to supervising the Ambulance Service monthly employee schedule ,  fulfilling almost all registered nurse  transporting runs.   Gary very much acquainted with the Raegan’s,  having worked with Sharon’s school custodian employed husband Craig,  and  commemorating how Sharon covered his ambulance on-call duty during his Grade School vocation, when embarking his morning and afternoon bus route.

.  Gary,  in all honesty, missed the challenge and learning experience of the larger Anthony Hospital,  but accepted his return to Kiowa and the hospital  employment as a literal evolution of,  Back to the Future.

.  Amidst the Anthony Hospital turmoil,  involving the administrator,  a short two weeks into the realm of the unemployed,  Gary  discovering vocational employment from an unexpected authorship,  the Kiowa District Hospital.  Both Jan and Gary having served the Hospital,  Jan functioning as a Nurse’s Aide and EMT during her college internship, and Gary as a driver with the hospital directed Barber County Ambulance Service during his employment at the school.   The ex-Anthony Hospital employee according a message of appreciation to his brother inlaw Shawn Johnson,  for conveying the possibility of an opening at the hospital,  conveying,  an ongoing dissolution between the current maintenance man, Mike Pavlu,  and the Hospital Administrator.  Gary discovering that Mike,  the son inlaw of hospitals director of nursing,  Sharon Reagan,   having unexpectedly  resigned in pursuit of another avocation.

. Gary placing a call to Buck McKinney the Administrator expressing an interest in applying for the maintenance position, arranging for an interview having some apprehension about  residing in Anthony.  The interview with  McKinney was brief, the administrator having  no consequence about his Anthony residency and to Gary’s surprise afforded little interest in the prevailing occurrences at the Anthony Hospital.   The financial compensation for a maintenance man was as anticipated,  substantially less than his previous multi-department Plant Service Manager position at the Anthony Hospital.  Gary bringing to light his participation in the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association,  currently serving the organization as secretary, treasurer and editor of the KHEA monthly newsletter,  his concern was whether the Kiowa  hospital would continue to endorse his participation, the administrator assuring  the hospital’s commitment would be extended.

.   During his initial interview with Buck,  Gary summarized his past hospital related responsibilities and experience,  in addition to his normal maintenance duties,  he initiated a written  maintenance and safety policy and procedure programs with  documentation,  to comply with the ever increasing number of  state and federal  regulations.   With the start of his employment,  the new employee given license to search for a  small suitable office space,  discovering a vacant room across the hall from Gail Lindley,  the long established purchasing director from the past John McGee Administrative era.  The small office accommodation fulfilling a homestead for his computer, plus its edict, and once situated he began to research for past written documentation.   An investigation soon realized that there was no recorded written records for past inspections,  and discovering the hospital staff never having participating in regularly scheduled monthly fire drills as required.   The contrivance days of the past were of a by-gone epoch,  the day of  written documentation and compliance with State and Federal regulations having arrived.

Gary experiencing the maintenance requirements contrary to those of the Anthony Hospital,  the smaller Kiowa facility with its diminished numbered of acute,  and swing-bed patients,  having fewer maintenance request.  His morning walk-thru of the building, a visit to the clinic, all the ancillary departments,  documented inspection of clinical systems,  the daily incineration of medical waste and regiment of grounds keeping.  The facilities housekeeping duties being provided by Judy Reed and a staff of two, Ona Hunter and Vicki Rugg..   Gary having been acquainted with Dick Reed when he was a sales representative with the Bogner Chevrolet, but not Judy.  The Dietary Department consisted of one person,  Arveetah Starzac, her culinary domain absolute,  dominantly ruled,  more than adequate for the sparse patience influxe.  Arveetah  a working mother, her son William an enrollee of the California Highway Patrol Academy,  and younger daughter Anna, still in Grade School.

The hospital nursing contingency directed by registered nurse  Sharon Raegan,  her patient concern and advocacy,  reflected by the diligent attention and a caring atmosphere the healthcare facility espoused..   Her community presence,  displayed by her voluntary commitment to supervising the Ambulance Service monthly employee schedule ,  fulfilling almost all registered nurse  transporting runs.   Gary very much acquainted with the Raegan’s,  having worked with Sharon’s school custodian employed husband Craig,  and  commemorating how Sharon covered his ambulance on-call duty during his Grade School vocation, when embarking his morning and afternoon bus route.

.  Gary,  in all honesty, missed the challenge and learning experience of the larger Anthony Hospital,  but accepted his return to Kiowa and the hospital  employment as a literal evolution of,  Back to the Future.

A group of concerned Anthony citizens having assembled at the Willson’s residence,  to discuss a means to convince the Hospital Board,  in a revocation of Administrator Lee Adam’s contract.   Financial donations were acquired to compensate a Private Investigator,  and secure a leasing of the Municipal Hall for a publicized town meeting to address the impasse.   The evening of the community town hall meeting,  a show of solidarity present at the Municipal Hall ,  over 100 concerned people in attendance,  Gary and Jan both seated on the stage as current and past hospital representatives,  but neither addressing the congregation.   The oratory conducted by long standing civic prominent citizens,  and as expected,  not a single hospital board member  in attendance.   A straw poll being  conducted by a show of hands,  the tallied count overwhelming for a dismissal of the Hospital Administrator..

. The supposition was broadcast, Lee Adams was going to terminate Jan Willson as Director of Nurses,  but before he could issue the summons,   a message from the hospital nursing staff was delivered to Terry Musick, hospital board chairman,  the bulletin,  the entire nursing staff would  “walk“,   if Jan was removed as Director of Nursing.  Musick placing  an immediate call to the Administrator, Jan’s termination order was halted.   The news of the impending “walk out “ having reached the news desk of KWCH 12 and KSNW channel 3 television in Wichita.   the stations dispatching their mobile broadcasting trucks to Anthony,  the possible nursing walkout an item on the nightly news.   The stalemate continued,  the Hospital Board unwilling to admit an error in judgment,  then an announcement by Doctor Robert Ludwick,   he was vacating his Anthony practice,  and moving to Louisiana,  publicly stating.   “the agitation at the hospital,  was a contributing factor for his decision”.   The news of the respected physicians departure resonating throughout the community,  Leander Adams remaining the topic of conversation at the donut shop.

. A full-page announcement in the Anthony Republican,  the Anthony Hospital Board would accommodate an open public meeting the following week at the old vacated Lincoln Junior High School Gymnasium,  to address the communities concerns about the hospital.  The evening of the meeting,  the gym bleachers  filled to capacity,  the entire hospital board, and Lee Adams, seated on stage.   Terry Musick,  speaking on the board’s behalf, once again endorsing their support for the Administrator.  One by one members of the audience came forward to be recognized,  microphone in hand, displaying their disagreement with the board,  their appeal  having little,  or no effect on those seated on stage.   Gary noticing a huddled crowd around a member sitting in the bleachers,  it was Doctor Jeffrey Bond, the hospital chief of staff,  the surrounding  group encouraging him to speak.

  . The influential doctor having maintained  an outward appearance of neutrality throughout the ongoing ordeal, having spoken with him Jan and Gary,  the couple knowing otherwise.  Standing and addressing the assemblage, the doctor hesitant to speak, a hushed silence radiating in the auditorium,  a pronouncement that his statement would be brief.  He began “It would be in the best interest of the Hospital and Community, if the Board asked for Mister Adams resignation.“    With the applause ringing, Terry Musick acknowledging the public’s concern,  thanking all for their attendance,  stating the Board would take what was conferred under advisement,  and render a decision in an executive session.  The public beginning a slow exit from the building when word filtered down from the stage,  the Hospital Board informally having reached a decision,  they would request Leander D Adams to submit a letter of resignation.  Gary pondering how a simple Halloween prank,  could trigger a life changing event, and their destination on the road of life.

Scaffolding for a time consuming project

The decision having been constituted, blanket the exterior with a new coat,  the specifics presented a cauldron of details,  the longevity of the project requiring a constancy of enduring fortitude and a gathering of perseverance.    The first determination was advocated by Jan,  Gary’s true sentiment being sequestered,  giving his wife’s predilection precedence of the chromaticity of design.  Not surprisingly it was her adjudicate  that the residence at 602 N. Springfield Ave  be painted blue and a realization by Gary, that for the most part,  the ensuing labor endeavor would be a solitary commitment.

A remembrance from the past

Gary’s work ethic having been established at an early age, unlike Roberts and Sandi who were not saddled with a lack of monetary foundations to pursue their pleasurable pastimes, the youth establishing a vigil for enterprising  opportunities.   Gary was given a token allowance by his parents,  but it was minimal,  requiring a regimen of weekly chores.  Gary expanding his responsibility,  creating a yard mowing enterprise in the sixth grade,  establishing neighborhood customers.  The seventh grade finding a full-time commissioned charge delivering the Oakland Tribune, an obligation that would continue for three years, until his entrance to High School.   Gary attempted on several occasions to instill a work ethic on the children,  assigning them duties,  even to encompass Robert engagement in the perpetual upkeep of the yard, but to no avail,  the youth’s were more absorbed in their diversion with their friends.   A conclusion prevailed,  not a lack of discipline,  but of endurance,  it was less demanding to do it yourself.

Gary initiated his house painting project,  visiting his father-in-law Bud Murrow a Porter Paint distributor about securing paint,  Bud offering the emulsion at his cost.   An estimate in the number of gallons was difficult to envision, Gary disclosing a decision to inhibit a five step program, scraping to remove the old loose paint,  a sealer,  a primer, followed by two coats of a semi-gloss enamel on all wooden concordances.   The structures ship-lap walls having been  overlaid in the 1950’s with the installation of asbestos shingles which would require two coats of the semi-gloss product,  all to be enhanced by brush.   A visit to Home Lumber and Supply in Anthony to inquire about scaffolding, discovering the nearest procurer was in Wichita.   A telephone conversation with a Wichita construction equipment dealer concerning scaffolding rental came as a shock,  the cost was based on a per-day use.   Gary contemplating it would take months to complete his project, especially considering the added effort of repairing and replacing dry-rot wood and the scouring of the upper floor outside window panes,  their transparency hampered from generations of weathering.  Once again,  approaching his father-in-law,  questioning him about scaffolding,  noting some scaffolding remnants beside Buds shop,  but finding their number unusable for an application on a three-storied structure.   Bud mentioning he had access to a construction equipment provider he and his crew had used in the past, the provisional Wichita company leasing scaffolding by the job, with no time restraints.   Gary’s scaffolding dilemma was solved.

Robert & friend talked into helping.

The inauguration began in May,  the assemblage of four tiers of scaffolding arising on the north side of the residence,  a point in the structure width where the roof peaked at its apical height.   Working alone presented a difficulty joining the scaffolding sections,  Gary’s inherent discomfort with heights giving him pause, especially when standing atop the final level of the 2×12’s that provided the narrow horizontal platform,  conjecturing a way to achieve a more agreeable method of assemblage.   Once the four tiers were in place,  the application strategy was elementary,  starting at the top, administer all of his five painting steps then move the placement of the four tiers horizontally completing another section,  all maximal surface’s attainable before descending its apex.   The west side with its three gables protruding from the steep incline of the roof,  presenting a new challenge.   This time the assemblage and rising of the scaffold was without difficulty,  Gary importing a second pair of hands,  a willing accomplice scurrying upwards without hesitation,  showing no concern for the height,  seemingly  enjoying  the upward journey.   With an able assistant to put in place the ascending sections,  assisting in its mounting and the anchoring of the crossbars, the intrepid confederate was his son,  Robert.

The view from the scaffolding was the view.

The top windows on the gables above the third floor were accessible by placing a twelve-foot ladder  on the 2×12’s of the fourth tier, Gary finding himself on a ladder approaching 50 feet above the ground.   The most vexatious moiety was mounting the inclined roof to scrape,  seal,  prime and paint the sides of the gables,  the inclines uncertainty causing Gary some concern about sliding off, not wanting to involve the roof in anyway deciding he could be reconciled by fastening a securing rope .   The labor was time consuming,  the carpentry,  the continuous removal of paint from a by-gone era and having to wait 24 hours between the various applications seemed to procrastinate a conclusion.   The summer months progressed,  Gary addressing his unobligated time,  accessing the long-lasting project almost every day after work and on weekends.   A relief from the scaffolding,  a welcome change,  the painting application of the two porches,  their pillars and structure a lower region,  accessible by stepladder,  finding some appreciative help from Jan,  Sandi and Robert,  whom invariably invited a friend to witness and experience the activity.

The final reaches of the project coming to a conclusion in October,  a final culmination to what at times seemed to Gary as never-ending.   The achievement leaving vestiges,  Gary recalling a memorable aspect,  his appearance on a 12 ft. ladder atop four tiers of scaffolding,  addressing the gables on the N. Springfield Ave.  side of the structure.   It was a weekend endeavor and he took notice of the continuous traffic flow on the street,  slowing and sometimes stopping to observe his precarious elevated perch on the frail looking ladder,  presenting a visual allocution for the Anthony community and the probable blather at the donut shop Monday morning.   A final assessment of the 4 ½ month long enterprise,  the sealer,  primer and paint totaling 37 gallons,  an integer far less than a spraying application.  Gary concluding,  his time and effort was a testament to the intrepidity of his character.