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Bob Osmon's Encore Performance
Sandy Dickson
After his October signing of Zee Bees, Bob Osmon was only too happy to return to Zion to do another book signing on Sunday, November 4 at the same Zion bookstore, Paige Turner. By now, those who had purchased his book had taken it home, read it and were now returning to buy a copy for their loved ones. They wanted their kids, grandkids and dear friends to have the experience of being led through the high school and Zion days spoken so succinctly by the author, who not only tells of disappointments and triumphs, but dauntless determination and spirit.
This booksigning day was slower paced this time, because the majority of book buyers came for his first couple days of signing, but the slower pace gave Osmon the time to visit with those who attended, rather than the fast pace that demanded his attention and constant signings of his record-breaking sales on his first visit.
The next day, Osmon made his scheduled appearance at the Zion Benton Township High School library, where he had been invited to talk to the current football team as well as some journalism students, school administrators and some of his longtime friends and teammates who gathered once more in support and enthusiasm for him as both a friend and author as well as for his book: ‘Zee Bees.’
He was honored to introduce his former coaches, Joe Rushforth and John Timmerman, his former English teacher, Ralph Cianchetti, and former ZB Head Coach, LeRoy Cliff. In addition, he proudly introduced his ’54 teammates Captain Paul Jackola, Phil Anen, Loren Streid and Bill Perry. Class of ’55 classmates in attendance were Emily Dupree, Don Noren, Nancy Thomas, Donna Biscardi, Betty Jackola and Barbara Miller. Particularly poignant was that two of Osmon’s football team Captain Paul Jackola’s grandsons, Cody Wynn and John Bean were also there, both of whom will be Varsity football players next year.
Osmon also made a presentation of his book, ‘Zee Bees’ to Coach Kelly Rice, who, in turn, stated that he would like to have Osmon return next fall to talk to the entire football team.
Osmon told the gathering that he knew that the team just came off a losing season and that’s discouraging. He said some may feel they may want to quit, but somewhere throughout each person’s life, all in attendance would be a part of a team, even if not a sports team. He emphasized team playing, sportsmanship and mostly, believing in one’s self.
“Football is like an analogy of life: Sometime in your life, you will have some adversity. This is what happens in life. The question is how you handle it. In football, you get knocked down, you have a bad season, you get up and play again. ”
He said his team only won one game each in his freshman and sophomore years, but they kept going and believed they could do it. They went on to win the championship of the conference in his junior year. He said being on a team is important because of the building of camaraderie. “Those who quit our football team because they didn’t want to be on a losing team, regretted it later because they realized missed out on that.”
He sold still more books at the high school event. Teachers and administrators who read it, reiterated how much they enjoyed it, saying it encompassed everything from the school to the history of the town to inspirational reading.
In true reception fashion, at a beautiful event which had been arranged by Deb Will, librarian at ZBTHS, a wonderful array of food graced some long tables for the enjoyment of the guests, and the gathering adjourned for a social time for everyone to enjoy among themselves.
The present hardback version of Zee Bees will be reprinted in 2008 as paperbacks and eligible for the Abe Lincoln program and award by the fall of 2009..
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