Column: In memory of Zane Meltzer

column-in-memory-of-zane-meltzer

Dear readers,

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of our son Zane’s death.

He died from cancer at age 16. Like his older brother Trent, he was always a good sport and a joy to be around. A day seldom passes when he is not in my thoughts. A week seldom passes when he is not in my dreams. However, I don’t dwell in the past. As American poet Langston Hughes famously said, “Life is for the living.”

I thought of Zane this week when I saw where the Cancer Association of Shelby County was voted No. 1 Non-Profit Agency. The organization was also voted favorite Flea Market/Thrift Store. We are very fortunate to have services provided for cancer patients by the Cancer Association of Shelby County. The Executive Director of the Agency is Donna Harrell. 

I stopped by to congratulate Donna on the double win. Although I have always thought of their store located on the Public Square as a “Boutique” instead of a “Flea Market/Thrift Store,” the store has been remodeled and has a selection of not only clothes, but also small appliances and collectables.

If you have any gently used items to donate, you can conveniently drop them off at the back door on Jackson Street.

As I was visiting with Donna Harrell in her office, my mind wandered back in time. I’ve known her as long as I can remember. She is an older sister of my childhood friend Greg Ryhal. Our backyards were adjacent.  I’ve always claimed that her brother, Gary, was the smartest kid in the neighborhood. Her late brother, Jim, wrote a book, “Where the Water is Cold.” I got an autographed copy several years ago when he had a book signing here at “Three Sisters.” 

Her older sister, Mary Lou Ryhal, was a dancer on the Mitch Miller TV show, “Sing Along With Mitch.” The show was on from 1961 to 1964.  The words to songs appeared on the TV screen with a little ball bouncing along the words to help those with bad timing. The Meltzer family, having no musical talent whatsoever, just kept count of how many of the dance numbers featured Mary Lou.

After a successful career in banking, Donna has now been with the Cancer Association for over 30 years. The Cancer Association of Shelby County has been providing services to our community’s cancer patients since 1959.

There is an old saying, “Charity begins at home.” A reader recently complained about the grifters at Walmart. In this modern world of emails and robocalls we are endlessly bombarded with pleas to give to fake charities.

We are lucky to have a number of honest charities here in Shelby County helping our citizens. Congratulations to Donna and everyone at the Cancer Association of Shelby County for being voted the No. 1 Non-Profit.

 See you all next week, same Schwinn time, same Schwinn channel.

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