By Bob Stickley

Most folks don’t know about the many job titles I have had over the years gone past.

After my career in the military I moved to Michigan where I went to work in a large paper mill. At the mill I worked on a large printing press that was used to construct cartons of all shapes and sizes.

The mill had several five-color letterpresses and switched to lithographic presses as the demand of the industry changed.

I worked there for about six years, but saw there was no future as many of the older workers were losing their jobs due to a lack of orders.

It was time to move on to, what at the time I felt was a good place to be, the floor covering industry. I went to work for my neighbor as his helper and as soon as I thought I had mastered the trade well enough I started my own installation service with my brothers as helpers.

I worked several years in Michigan installing carpet, vinyl and Astroturf on concrete floors in basements. I ended up with bad knees and moved to Alabama to take care of my in-laws and worked for a while installing floor coverings here until my knees couldn’t take any more.

It was then that I went into sales and management of floor covering, starting with a store in Haleyville. I stayed there until a fire destroyed the building.

I then went to work for a store in Muscle Shoals before moving on to Decatur and then back to Muscle Shoals until that store closed.

I went to work at a store here in Russellville where I worked for 11 years until the economy and lack of work in the area shut the store down.

Twelve years ago I took on a side job as a disk jockey on WKAX and I am still on the air every Saturday from 7-10 a.m. doing a bluegrass show. For five of those years I did a gospel request show for five hours on Saturdays.

I also began singing in a gospel quartet named The Soul Seekers. Although the quartet disbanded from a lack of interest — not on my part as I loved it and still do solo work.

About six years ago I took on the role of Santa Claus at Christmas, which I still do. I also got acquainted with Mayor John Blackwell who brought me in as a member of the Franklin County Arts Council, and I love it.

I am staying busy with my many endeavors and I enjoy writing for The Franklin County Times. I hope you enjoy reading my human-interest stories and, who knows, I may write one about you or your business one day.

God blessed me since I accepted him as my savior in 1970 and I am grateful for him and ask for your prayers. I also thank Jonathan Willis and his staff for taking me on as a writer.

Give me a call some Saturday morning and I’ll play you a song.