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Robert J. Tamasy

I have never seen firsthand the huge sequoia trees, also known as California redwoods, which grow in the western United States. However, I recently learned about a characteristic of these trees that contributes not only to their incredible height but also to their extraordinary longevity.

These trees have been known to grow well over 300 feet tall (not including their root system), up to 26 feet in diameter, and many have lived well beyond 1,000 years. To what do scientists attribute their amazing size, durability and lifespan? One of the most important factors, I discovered, is their root system. Sequoia trees intertwine their roots with other sequoias, enabling them to share strength and resources necessary for their growth and health. They are better equipped for enduring adversity as well.

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Imagine being convicted of a crime you deeply regretted – intentional or unintentional – and being offered a pardon to absolve you of any penalty. Would you accept it? Let me tell you about a man who did not.

In 1829 two men, George Wilson and James Porter, robbed a United States mail carrier. Both were subsequently captured and tried in a court of law. In May 1830 both men were found guilty of six charges, including robbery of the mail “and putting the life of the driver in jeopardy.” Both Wilson and Porter received their sentences: Execution by hanging, to be carried out on July 2.

Porter was executed on schedule, but Wilson was not. Influential friends pleaded for mercy to the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on his behalf. President Jackson issued a formal pardon, dropping all charges. Wilson would have to serve only a prison term of 20 years for his other crimes. Incredibly, George Wilson refused the pardon!

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Rick Boxx

Dr. Paul White, co-author of Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, discovered in his research that 51 percent of managers believed they were doing a good job in striving to recognize employees for work done well. However, only 17 percent of actual employees said they felt their managers were doing a good job of recognizing their efforts.

This gap, both in perception and practice, can understandably cause discontent in the workplace and result in lower productivity and poor morale. The blame does not fall entirely on the shoulders of top executives and managers, however. Dr. White stated his studies have revealed many reasons for this difference, including:

• People tend to remember negative comments more than positive comments they hear.
• Many people do not or cannot receive praise well.

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Fritz Klumpp

The film “Forrest Gump” is now considered a classic. For me, viewing it was very nostalgic because it seemed to cover such a broad spectrum of my life’s formative years. The role that running played in the life of the fictional character, Forrest Gump, reminded me of my own boyhood and the many times I was either running to something or from something. At other times I just ran for the sheer exhilaration, joy and freedom I experienced during that simple act of exertion.

As a boy, I remember reading about a Czechoslovakian long-distance runner, Emil Zatopek, best-known for winning three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He won gold medals in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life. My fascination wasn’t limited to this amazing man; it extended to anyone who could run a race 26 miles and 385 yards in length.

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Robert J. Tamasy

Years ago I was a member of a local chapter of the Rotary Club, an international service organization for business and professional people. Over the years this organization has helped many people through its charitable projects. However, I had forgotten the cornerstone philosophy that guides every good Rotarian.

On a recent business trip I received a good reminder of that philosophy when a friend invited me to attend a meeting of his Rotary Club. At the opening of the meeting, members recited what’s known as “The Four-Way Test” of Rotary International. This is also displayed prominently on a banner at each gathering. If you are not familiar with “The Four-Way Test,” it goes like this:

• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build good will and better friendship?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

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Jim Mathis

When I was a young person, I bought 100 baby chicks for a 4-H agricultural youth club project. Before long I found myself in the egg business. After getting my first car when I was 16 years old, I started an egg route, delivering eggs to customers directly to their homes.

It was a great surprise for me to discover people were willing to pay a premium price because my eggs were bigger and tasted better than the “store-bought” variety they were accustomed to eating. I called my eggs, “Farm Fresh.” The modern term for this would be “Free-range organic.”

Since I could not afford to buy cages for my chickens, I let my hens fend for themselves and eat bugs or anything else they liked to eat. As a result, the hens and I were all content. This meant less actual labor for me, and the chickens could eat whatever they chose – whenever they chose to eat it. They were “free range” fowl, and happily produced excellent, high-quality eggs.

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