Mark’s Musings – December 11, 2013

| December 10, 2013
Mark Fortune

Mark Fortune

Well, the Buckeyes just couldn’t quite finish the job. A few things went wrong in that game beginning with the two key penalties on Michigan State’s first drive of the game. Take those away and it is highly likely that the first touchdown would not have happened changing the entire game. And like you, I was puzzled by the fourth down call that had Braxton Miller scrambling to his right. Michigan State is a quick team on defense and the Buckeyes O line was playing well. Why not just punch the ball up the middle? The Buckeyes seemed a bit out of sync most of the game – like Alabama in the Auburn game. Of course it is easy to be a Monday morning quarterback as they say. Regardless, the Buckeyes had a tremendous season to this point and have the opportunity to go out strong with a win against Clemson.

I don’t take the opportunity to watch many NFL games but yesterday found myself not feeling too good so on the couch it was. Naturally I flipped to the Philadelphia versus Detroit game to see the snow flying! That was fun to watch. Reminded me of the days when we neighborhood boys played football in the snow – or on the ice on the pond. The guys know what I’m talking about. Sadly, one of our members is now missing – Todd Bordenkircher – who passed away this fall. We picked on Todd because he was the smallest – but he had a big heart. He never complained when he got stuffed in basketball or tossed to the muddy ground in our “touch” football games. It was touch all right. Touched by all 150 to 175 pounds of our bodies. Todd was a good friend and we knew that we could count on each other when it mattered. Thanks Todd, for being a good sport and friend. I will always remember your easy laugh and sense of humor.

The world lost a great person with the passing of Nelson Mandela. If you ever get discouraged with your circumstances I believe having an understanding and knowledge of Mandela’s life would quickly put things into perspective.

Our community lost several people in the past week that I knew. Mary Johnston, a neighbor of my Grandma on Spring Street and a faithful member of the Roscoe United Methodist Church. I spent many an hour enjoying some fresh baked cookies at Mary’s. And Gary Pace, who brought cookies to one of our folks each Christmas that we all enjoyed. Charlie Callentine, a former member of the Ohio Army National Guard and Rick Starcher, who I played softball with on the Roscoe team. Our sympathy goes out to all of the families and loved ones during this time of loss.

I hope you enjoyed some of the best that our community offers this time of year. Whether it was the first candle lighting at Roscoe Village or the outdoor nativity and more at Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, or perhaps you went to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and talked with some of the merchants of Jesus day. There is always something to do in Coshocton County.

Category: Mark's Musings

About the Author ()

Mark Fortune, along with his wife Nancy, is the former owner and founder of The Coshocton County Beacon, the highest circulated newspaper in Coshocton County. He has over 40 years in the publishing business with sales, marketing, and journalism experience. After selling The Beacon to the AloNovus Corp., in January 2020, Mark has been a Business Development Strategist with the company. They publish a network of weekly news publications with almost a half million distribution weekly, a quarterly tourism magazine and a digital division. Mark enjoys history, and has a passion for genealogy, currently researching and discovering his Fortune ancestry. He and his wife Nancy live on a small farm outside of Coshocton.

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