And a networking opportunity if you read all the way to the bottom of the page...

My friend Jim Ganung sends out a story every week (usually containing a small life lesson) and I'm reposting it here today. He's a very successful and tenured consultant who has created a casual networking breakfast group that meets every Friday. More on that later...for now take a sip of your coffee or customary morning beverage, and make some time for a short read.

"Hello Everyone, 10/18/08

Today’s message is “Wagon on a Mill Rooftop,” and deals with a water powered cider mill, a horse drawn wagon and a group of mischievous young boys early in the 1900s in Moreland, New York.

My Father was one of five boys born in the 1920s. By 1930, the Great Depression was in full swing and people worked as many jobs as they could to survive. This was in the days before the Federal Government had started to step in with many programs to help revitalize the country. My Grandfather, Walter Ganung, had a small general farm, and owned a livery stable in Watkins Glen. He was also the Town of Dix Highway Superintendent. Each weekday, he would leave his farm to his hired man to run while he attended to his other jobs. About a mile north of the farm, up the Johnson Hollow Road was a small water-powered mill, which he passed going to Watkins Glen and returning to the farm.

It was not uncommon to see these small mills in operation in the 1930s. These were two story affairs, with the water running under the large waterwheel, not over the top. The mill was most productive in the spring and fall with the more continuous flow of water. A cantankerous fellow named Mr. Millspaugh ran this particular mill. What an appropriate name for a mill owner! This was a slow methodical operation and the water came from a small raceway at the back of the mill that diverted water from a nearby creek. This fed a small pond that was used as a reservoir to help ensure there was a steady flow of water when the mill had enough work.

The five ‘Ganung Boys,’ which is how they were known their entire lies, were born in two or three year increments. John came first, then Roger (my Father), Frank, Robert and Carl was the youngest. There were other groups of teenagers and adventurous young boys in the neighborhood. Almost all of them had horses or ponies first, later followed by bicycles. I am sure they took advantage of the bins of apples that were stored outside the mill as they roamed back and for the between the farms. If they did misappropriate an apple occasionally, I am sure Mr. Millspaugh would have scolded them.

One particular Halloween night, they found a way to play a prank on the miller.

He had a small horse drawn wooden wagon that he kept next to the mill. It was his main method of transport, except for the horse, which he could also ride. This particular Halloween, it was quite dark. When he awoke the next morning, he could not find his wagon! He looked in back of the mill, and searched in a nearby grove of trees to see if some scalawag had hidden it there. By the time my Grandfather was going by the mill on his way to the livery stable in Watkins Glen, the miller was in high agitation.

“Walter Ganung,” he exclaimed. “I can’t prove it but I know the ‘Ganung Boys’ were involved in the theft of my wagon!”

Now, my Grandfather had the experience of having to deal with many occasionally angry people. He also had an advantage over the miller. As he had been driving up the dirt road towards the mill, he had noticed a peculiar thing. When the miller continued to rant and rave, he remained calm. After the verbal storm had passed, he said to Mr. Millspaugh, “If I can find your wagon and get it returned to you, will you be happy?”

“Yes, of course,” the miller immediately replied.

“Well, look up at your roof. There it is,” pointed out my Grandfather.

And so it was. During the night, the group of healthy, strong boys had taken apart the wooden wagon. They had handed it piece by piece up to their confederates in crime on the rooftop. There the same wooden wagon was reassembled, and now straddled the peak of the roof! Mr. Millspaugh was dumbstruck at the sight!

My Grandfather turned around and went back to the farm, where he gathered all his sons. He said, “I don’t care who did it. I just want you ‘Ganung Boys’ to get your friends together and take that wagon apart and get it back on the ground.”

About 60 years later, when our family gathered at my Mother and Father’s Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, I was standing next to my cousin, Dave Jacobs, who was filming the event. My Father was standing next to my Uncle Frank. “So,” I asked, “Tell me the story about the wooden wagon up on the roof top of the cider mill.”

“We didn’t do it!” exclaimed my Father. Then, he and Frank exchanged secretive smiles. Of course had this happened today, the 'Ganung Boys' would probably have been labeled juvenile delinquents.

So, I leave you with two thoughts today. The first is that in the hurry and rush of events, it is good to take time for some enjoyment. The hard time will pass, and the memories the good times remain.

The second is that a viewpoint from a farther distance can find a solution that is not immediately apparent to the person deeply involved in a situation. Just as my Grandfather could see the wagon up on the roof as he approached the cider mill, he could see things more clearly from a distance. The miller was so focused on looking on the ground, where a wooden wagon should be, that he did not stop to pick his head up and expand his view.

So should you. Take a step back, pick your head up, look at a larger vision and enjoy the view. You can find your own solution with a new perspective."



I’ll be there on Friday for Friday AM Conversation.

Jim Ganung
President,
J.R.G.- Controller, Inc.
Phone 401-741-3291
Website: “www.OnTheGoCFO.com”

The Friday Morning Conversation group is a networking group that meets at the Residence Inn on Kilvert Street in Warwick, just off Jefferson Boulevard. Meeting starts at 7:45 AM, and tries to end by 9 AM. Everyone pays for his or her own meal at ten dollars for the serve yourself breakfast buffet.

Directions are to take Exit 13 off route 95 towards Route 1/ TF Green Airport, also called “the airport connector.” Stay to the right so that you can take the Jefferson Boulevard Exit. You will be turning left underneath the airport connector.

At the second red light, Honey Dew Donuts is on the right, and the Thai Excursion with Jefferson Pub is at the left. Turn Left onto Kilvert Street. Continue west for 6/10 of a mile, past Wolverine Joining Technologies that sits at the bend in Kilvert Street. At the stop sign, the Residence Inn sits on your left, and Beacon Mutual Insurance is directly ahead of you in the cul-de-sac. Please go around to the side to park. This will free up the front parking for guests that are registering or departing.