Harrison Absher began writing a column for the Community Word newspaper when Jack Fought was the Editor/Owner. It wasn’t “Abby’s” first time writing a column. He had done that for another paper in another town. Sadly, Jack Fought is no longer with us to share his thoughts and memories about Abby. However, the last two Editor/Owners had a few words about “Abby.”
Bob Renner: (CW Editor/Owner 1994 – 2000)
What can I write about Abby? He’s one of those unique characters who defy simple description. When I bought the paper from Jack and Joanne Fought in 1994, I thought Abby’s column would be one of the first to be eliminated to make room for more contemporary articles or ads. I thought “who wants to read about life in the 1920s and 1930s?” But I kept his column in the paper and with each passing month I realized I enjoyed it more and more. Abby’s articles were giving us a groundhog’s view of what life was really like back then, with no glamorization or spin to puff it up. Plus they included his dry, clever sense of humor that often created a good chuckle.
A great by-product of Abby’s articles is the friendship we have had since 1994. He calls me usually two or three times a week with some humorous or cantankerous point about politics or a local to international current event. The conversations usually last only as long as it takes for Abby to make his point and briefly find out my opinion on the matter. Then he usually ends the call with, “Well, I’ll talk to you when I’m a little older and a little uglier” or something similar to that. I usually get in a quick “me too” before I hear the click on the line. That’s Abby, short and to the point. But there’s always a lot of content in those few words, even at age 90.
Congratulations, Abby, on your retirement from the Community Word after at least 20 years and 240 or so articles. And thank you very much for all the insight and chuckles.
Debbie Adlof: (CW Editor/Owner 2000 – Present)
In May, Abby will celebrate his 90th birthday and decided that the May issue would be an appropriate time for him to “retire.” So, everyone here at the Community Word certainly wishes him a great birthday AND a great retirement! As Bob Renner pointed out, Abby is a person with lots of pithy thoughts on a wide variety of topics. A few years back, he started sending me little tidbits to squeeze into the paper wherever I could. Eventually these pithy thoughts found their way onto the Editorial page as a Tidbit Corner.
Like Bob, I get the occasional phone call from him to share his thoughts. And, I’d get the same ending each time: “I’ll talk to you when I’m a little older and a little uglier.” Indeed, I’d find myself chuckling, just as I do when I read his monthly column about his life “back in the day!”
Congratulations Abby on your retirement, your birthday, and your awesome sense of humor! I hope you enjoy!