Ed Brown Ted Talk

Dr. Ed Brown is the retired Senior Pastor of Skokie Valley Baptist Church in Wilmette, IL. Back in the Sixties, Ed worked at the Short Stop. Graduated from EIU in Spring 1968. Click below to see and hear his presentation from Converge MidAmerica:

Skills Learned During My Ko-Op Days

Still fifty years later, I experience events that cause me to connect back to things learned working at the Ko-Op. For example, today at a big box store (Costco), a worker pushed me out a shopping cart. I looked down and saw four or five used cupcake wrappers that were scattered inside. I started to gather them and another employee stepped in and took over from me.

One worker overlooked what needed to be done. My thoughts were that decades ago, I learned to look past the initial task (Provide a shopping cart, preferably a clean one) to see that something else was needed first. The second worker could see past their assigned role and took in the bigger ‘picture.’

What did I learn at the Ko-Op?

1) “Work both ways!” If you need to deliver a food order to a table or booth, look around to see what else can be done, before or as you return to your workstation (Condiments at the table low, anything needed at a nearby table).

2) Keep busy! It was OK to visit with customers, but stay alert to the work - - clean areas, prep for the next rush. Clean, clean, clean. And wash your hands, wash tables, clean food prep tools. Don't wait to be told what to do; look, see what needs to be done.

3) Work under pressure - we experienced rush periods that sometimes lasted a few hours. Remember Saturday high school band days? We first learned what was happening, as we saw yellow school buses turn off Lincoln Avenue onto campus. Hundreds of students would be on their own to find lunch and would line up out the door. We learned how to switch back and forth to tasks that needed to be done quickly.

4) Multitasking wasn’t even a word in those days, but we learned to think on our feet. Worked without a notepad or order sheet. We simply remembered food orders, prices of menu items, and totaled the orders in our head without an adding machine (Included the state sales tax).

5) Communicate with fellow workers (Teamwork) - what you are doing, what needs to be done, what’s next? 

Take a glass of ice water to every customer. As soon as customer(s) left a table, clear the dirty glasses, silverware, plates, clean the table and setup for next people.

Over the years, I’ve found many ways that I could use or adapt these same skills and strategies. Yesterday on our way to Mirror Lake and the western slope of the Uinta Mountains, Annette and I stopped in at a small restaurant in Kamas, UT. They were very busy; looked to be short handed a staff member or two. The person who took our orders delivered our meals and prepared our ticket but neglected tables needing cleared and cleaned around us. I’m sure it wasn’t their job, but as they picked up our credit card and headed back to the register, why not begin clearing a nearby table. The seating was needed; people were waiting (Work both ways).

For over a year, I was a student manager of first the Ko-Op and soon switched to the Short Stop. They were two different operations (I always preferred working at the Ko-Op).  At the Short Stop, I did the daily checkout of register(s), prepared bank deposits, and updated record keeping/bookkeeping. I completed weekly work schedules and handled payroll. I also prepared orders for food and drink items plus supplies, recorded income and paid bills. Also worked with Mize to gather and prepare yearly taxes - - sales tax and portions of his personal income.

After graduation, after the Ko-Op - - in my work career, I often supervised a small staff of adults and student workers working together to deliver equipment and services to academic faculty (Teachers, Professors, Administrators). There was no down time and lots of tasks and support were provided. The skills learned during my Ko-Op days were applied daily.

Not Many Photographs from 'Back in the Day'

Most of us did not have a camera, many of us did not make it to sessions scheduled for the Warbler yearbook, so photographs of our undergrad college years are rare. Recently Deb Mizener Beckrich sent me this one below. I believe that her dad, Larry Mizener, took it in 1967 inside the Short Stop. Neither Deb or I can remember the name of the girl standing beside me; she worked at the Short Stop. I may be way off, but I think that she was a relative (Younger sister perhaps) of Charleston lawyer, Woody Kramer, originally from Villa Grove? Deb thinks her first name might be Pamela or Sue?

Anyone else have a photo that they could share?

I have no idea of what I had going on with that apron fold . . .

Domino's Pizza to Return to the Short Stop Location

The original Short Stop Drive-in was named by Marty Pattin a few years before he was pitching for the Kansas City Royals. And a couple of decades later, the Short Stop (Built and opened in Spring 1966) on the northwest corner of 7th and Lincoln closed. The building was remodeled and opened as a Domino's Pizza. In 2012 after year's of lackluster business, it too closed. Now new owner's have purchased the property from William Warmoth (Son of Donna and Walt) and are planning to demolish the old 'Short Stop' building and replace it with a new Domino's operation.

Ironic that the old Short Stop building will be taken down by Drake Excavating and Construction. I believe that this business is owned and operated by family members of Steve Drake of Drake Homes, who worked at the Short Stop for a year or so when he was in high school.

Read more at an article in the Journal Gazette / Times Courier (Charleston & Mattoon) newspaper: Domino's Pizza Business to Return to Charleston after Years of Absence.

Randy Ingram (July 20, 1947 - July 2, 2014)

Randy Ingram was one of the early Short Stop crew members - - along with several other Charleston 'townies' that included George Way (Deceased), Steve Drake (Charleston home builder / contractor), Gary Moore, and EIU quarterback, Joe Davis. The Mizener children, Debbie, Walt, Betty Lou, and Marty, also worked there along with their mother, Jean.

If you knew Randy, then you knew he was a huge sports fan, and especially baseball. During those days, he was already umpiring games and coaching in Charleston's youth baseball program. Before I graduated, Randy left Charleston to attend an umpiring school. He also served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

In the decades that I lived in Charleston, I often saw Randy and his wife, Sandy and their children, here and there about town. He greeted everyone with a smile. He followed in his father's footsteps in working at the post office and sometimes drove pickup routes around town. When Randy saw me working in the yard as he sped by, he would yell a greeting and occasionally stop for a brief visit. He was the genuine gentleman, a family man, a solid community member, a rock that could be counted on to pitch in and help out wherever needed.

Randy died this week. He had been seriously ill for a few years. His obituary:
CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Community and its Youth Baseball Program not only lost a coach and umpire, but a mentor and friend as Randall Thomas Ingram, age 66 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at the funeral chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014 with Mr. Ron Cochran officiating. Burial, with Military Rites conducted by the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow at Mound Cemetery in Charleston. Those attending are encouraged to wear casual attire. In lieu of flowers it is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Charleston Baseball Association. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Randy was born on July 20, 1947 in Charleston to the late Victor and Norma (Craig) Ingram. He married Sandy Earnest on November 29, 1970 and for the past 43 years they have enjoyed and shared a loving friendship and marriage, both on and off the field. In addition to Sandy, he is survived by their two children; a son, Craig Ingram and his longtime girlfriend Lindy Krugle of Charleston, and a daughter, Carrie Abernathy and husband Marvin of Ashmore; three grandchildren, Taylor Ingram, Marvin Abernathy, III and Zach Abernathy; a great-granddaughter, Aubree Brown; his stepmother, Berniece Ingram of Charleston; and a dear aunt, Rosie Austin of Charleston. In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his brother, Dan Ingram.

Randy was a 1966 graduate of Charleston High School. Following high school he honorably served his country during the Vietnam War with the United States Army. He was a life member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, a member of the Charleston Moose Lodge #1388, and was a life member as well as a board member of the Charleston Baseball Association. Randy attended both Central Christian Church in Charleston and the Champaign Church of Christ. He was a 30 plus year employee of the United States Postal Service and following his formal retirement he accepted a part time position with the Save-A-Lot store in Charleston.

Randy loved his family and friends and his love of the game of baseball began at an early age. He played when in high school and coached for several years. He began his umpiring career at age 13 and has been behind the plate for more than 50 years, not only making the calls but offering encouragement, sharing his knowledge, and always exhibiting his qualities of fairness and sportsmanship with the young players. Randy was truly honored when asked to officiate at the Cal-Ripken World Series – it was a highlight of his umpiring career. His commitment extended to other duties such as stocking the concessions before the game and cleaning up after a game – he was the first to arrive and the last to leave. When it was not his night to umpire he could still be found, preparing or maintaining the fields, working the concession stand at Seaton, or doing whatever else needed to be done. He wanted the BEST for boy’s baseball.


Randy’s employment with the post office encouraged his love for stamp collecting and he loved the music of the 60’s – the Beach Boys were one of his favorite bands. Randy dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. There were many memorable Florida vacations and trips to St. Louis to watch his favorite St. Louis Cardinals play. He loved watching his grandsons play ball and even after his health began to fail he would still watch and quietly call the balls and strikes to himself. Randy’s doctors believed that following his diagnosis in 2012 that he might have only a year to live – what they didn’t realize was that he was in the military and was a postal worker ….two areas of government known to have the longest lines. Way to go, Randy! You will always be remembered for your admirable traits of honesty, fairness, kindness, loyalty, devotion, humility, friendship and love.
Adams Funeral Chapel website. 

For Randy.

Ad in the Eastern News (Feb. 1966)

Walt Mizener recently posted this newspaper ad on his Facebook page - - with his permission, I share it here. Today he has it framed in his New Hampshire home.

Right click and open image in another tab for larger view                                      

It is a joint ad for the Ko-Op, Walt's, and the Short Stop - - must be near the time that the Short Stop opened. Walt said that it was found in his father's house.

Notice those 1938 prices at Walt's. A meal with a jumbo milk shake for 20 cents. I can't remember when I've heard the phrase 'Combination Salad?' Tuition and room rent are a bargain. Can you still recite the sandwich list from the Sixties menu?