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The Sign Man has extended his mission world wide in his own internet site, TREUTLEN E-NEWS. But it all started with a simple sign and love.
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Hundreds of motorists every day traveling in Soperton on GA 29, pass by the neighborly signs between McLeod's and Sammons Funeral Home. They enjoy seeing the birthdays, local businesses, anniversaries, and humor, especially about Crow-Mart. A few people know how THE SIGN started, but most have no idea. It came from the heart of a loving husband.
Since this is being written by a close friend, who can get away with it, I can say things that the Sign Man couldn't or wouldn't. If it gets by Marlee's careful inspection, it will be posted.
Many of you already know that the Sign Man is also known as Ricky Reese, experienced furniture salesman, chain store manager, produce manager, cemetery and large tract grass cutter, philosopher, humorist, sports enthusiast, and member of the THS class of 1979. Above all, he is the husband of Cynthia and father of Kate.
Like any other good husband, Ricky puts his wife on a pedestal, even when he is surfing every sports channel, fussing, or preaching. Wives put up with a lot, even argue as who has the most peculiar hubby, but they keep hanging in for 10, 20, 30 years and on and on...
Ricky, even when she is not around, believes that his wife is the smartest woman alive, the 10-foot "Bunny Rabbit" who can jump tall buildings in a single bound. He gives her jewelry when she says she doesn't want jewelry. He surprises her with flowers, but readers of her newspaper columns know all this. This background is for internet readers who don't see her writing.
Cynthia is an experienced writer, who learned the craft by reading all her life. She has been writing a weekly newspaper column since 1993. (Also news editor for several years.) She turned to writing fiction to produce extra income, and soon Harlequin Romance publishers determined that her manuscript was a salable product.
Cynthia received the message in August 2006. Ricky was so proud of her! He did a crazy thing. He splurged and rented a lighted portable sign to recognize his wife's accomplishment. He put it right on Main Street so everybody could see it.
Ricky had to contract the rented sign for three months. The frugal country boy was raised to not waste anything, so he put the sign to use, announcing birthdays and more. Then people came to him and insisted on paying a few dollars for messages. Even local businesses found the Sign to be a convenient reminder of their special sales. It was worth paying for another's month sign rent to accommodate Christmas messages.
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If anybody had known the Sign would become historic, more pictures would have been made. By the time Buck was recognized, the second sign had been added.
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By early 2007, it was obvious that a permanent sign was needed, so a used one was bought. By Spring that year, the demand was so great, another used sign was added, to provide four sign faces.
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First Sign photo on the internet.
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When yours truly started the BillRicksofSoperton blog later in 2006, the sign messages became a part of the regular posts. The first one read: "11-18-2006 Lauren and Jonathan May U Live Happily Ever After."
The first photo of the Sign went on the blog in April 2007, honoring Gene Bowers as the Citizen of the Day. Photos soon became a regular part of the blog.
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Kids especially enjoy seeing their names in big letters on the Sign for their birthdays. In Memory messages, such as Steve Warnock's, recognize that memories live on. There is no price for honoring military service personnel, especially when welcoming them home. Anyone with a wedding anniversary of 50 or more years deserves a sign for free.
The Sign Man's big heart is evident in his work on the Sign. It takes endurance to hang letters in 100 plus heat index. It's even worse in the rain and cold. Many a time I've held an umbrella for the Sign Man in a settled-in rain, and on cold nights it has taken 3 or 4 hand-warming sessions to finish a job.
The Sign is used to promote churches, schools, activities, and more, but the modest fees also are put in good use. The Sign Man provides meals, cakes, fruit baskets, flowers, drinking water, and cash to a variety of people and causes. He was so touched by the heat injury of Barry Stokes, he campaigned and personally raised money. He raises people up in prayer. He frequently posts Scripture verses. He helps with benefits for people in need of prayer, support, and financing.
From U. S. Congressmen to the Soperton Possum, the high and lowly are equally recognized by the Sign Man. From Barbaro to Tony Stewart, sports figures are noted. The sign, with its history of less than three years, records the brevity of life. On the original sign Buddy Rogers birthday was noted. Later other signs raised Buddy in prayer and mourned his death. The same for Myra Henry.
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The Sign Man Philosophy posted on an early sign continues today in all of Ricky's ventures, including the TREUTLEN E-NEWS. It's all about love of family, life and community.
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The Sign Man Philosophy: "Learn from the past. Enjoy today. Tomorrow is not a promise."
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Grade us, comment, and forward this to your e-mail friends.
This post approved by Marlee.
http://treutlenenews.blogspot.com
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