One of the benefits of living in Seymour, a small suburban community, is that you run into your friends and people know where ever you go.
I pulled into the parking lot at Connie’s Kitchen next to a red pickup when I noticed that a familiar person was about to get into it. It was Sam King, my old neighbor and the regional record holder.
As soon as he realized it was me, he yelled to De Lores, his wife who was getting in the opposite side and couldn’t see me, to look who just drove up.
They had just finished breakfast and were on their way home. Of course I convinced them, which wasn’t to difficult, to come in and at least have a cup of coffee.
We were discussing local and national politics, the problems with youth, the weather, traffic and every other thing under the stars, just like the locals do at Hardee’s, White Star Market and a variety of other gathering places.
At some point, Connie walked up to our table and mentioned to Sam that the second year anniversary is coming up.
Sam knew perfectly well what Connie was talking about. De Lores and I were racking our brains when all of a sudden De Lores remembered. Sam had eaten one of Connie’s famous pancakes.
Connie told us that so far, Sam was the only one that could eat the whole thing.
She said that people have come from as far as Kentucky to give it a shot. She said even the huge Seymour High School football players couldn’t do it.
In case you didn’t know the Connie’s Special Pancake is HUGE. And if you can eat it all in one sitting, you get it for free.
To date, my friend Sam’s record of eating it all has not be broken. Out of all the people that have attempted since Connie’s open in Seymour, only Sam has succeeded. It wasn’t determined if Sam was going to attempt it again on his anniversary.
The conversation turned to the current economy and the needy. The terrible tragedies the earth quakes have caused and how much need there is.
We started talking about the locally needy right here in our own backyard and recognized how much help C.R.O.S.S., local churches, individuals and businesses were providing. The generosity of our community is legendary. Anytime a need arises, there are people organizing help.
After leaving Connie’s I went across the street to Salon 101 and chatted with Al and Veronica, where many have received hair care for years.
Then I went back across the street to the downstairs part of the building Connie’s is in to visit with Ron French who was recovering from the local Fish Fry he had for the locals. Ron, as many remember, use to own the Seymour Hardware.
On my way back to the office, I couldn’t pass up visiting with Rick, the new owner of Seymour Oil and Lube. A great guy who runs a great shop.
But then I got a call and had to head to my office.
You never know who you’re going to run into and always great conversation at every location I mentioned above.
My point is, I love this place called Seymour.  I love everything about it, Ok, so I’m not crazy about all the traffic lights that have cropped up, but it’s head and shoulders about anyplace else in the world and I’m very happy to have raised my little family here.

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