Doug Jones Responds to TTMs and Praises The Lord

UPDATE: Jones died on Nov. 22, 2021 from COVID complications.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Doug Jones responded to my through the mail request in five months.

Ken Gerhart Returning TTMs

Former Baltimore Oriole Ken Gerhart is pleasing baseball fans by returning through the mail autograph requests.

Frank Tanana, Signing Cards and Sharing God's Word

Frank Tanana returned my two through the mail autograph requests and added a card from Pro Athletes Outreach. Each card is signed and refers to a Bible verse.

Some Players Haven't Responded

It is time to sadly report more no responders from my attempts made in 2012.

On July 30, I mailed Pokey Reese and Mark Wohlers.

Shawn Boskie Spreads The Lord's Message With TTMs

Shawn Boskie is responding to through the mail autograph requests and adding a card to their collection.

My encounters with Larry Stewart, John Melanchon and Dakota Boyette

I interviewed a country music star, biblical archaeologist and bowled with a future PBA star in one week.

This week I had the opportunity to interview Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart and Biblical Archaeologist John Melanchon. That was followed by watching, who I believe will be a future star of the Pro Bowler's Association, Dakota Boyette.

Stewart and his band, Restless Heart are coming to town to promote their first Christmas album and are celebrating their 30th anniversary in country music. Their hits include "I'll Still Be Loving You" which Stewart said was a popular song at weddings. "I have fans tell me all the time that song played at our wedding," he said.

Stewart said the band is thrilled to have finally cut their first Christmas album. "We worked it on here and there and finally decided to finish it this year," he said. "We were sweating and singing Christmas songs in August," he said.

Stewart said he is from Paducah, Kentucky and that many tell him they have never heard of it. I was able to tell him I have been there. This will be the band's first visit to this part of Oklahoma. "Three of the guys are from Oklahoma so we are looking forward to getting there," he said. Stewart said he his proud that the original members of the band are still together and that they have new projects in the works for 2014. To see a list of tour dates for Restless Heart, log on to http://www.restlessheartband.com/

The day after interviewing Stewart, I switched gears and met Biblical Archaeologist John Melanchon.

Melanchon has been discovering items from the earth's history since the 1950s. His collection is displayed at The Antiquity Encounter Museum located in Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson.

 A mummified cat estimated to be 4,000 years old is one of his pieces. Melanchon said digging for treasurers is his hobby. "I'm just a preacher with a hobby that has outgrown the house," he said. Melachon said he is providing evidence of what used to be and to strengthen the faith of those who believe. "I'm not promoting me," he said. "If you forget me you don't lose a lot. If you forget Jesus, you lose a lot."

He will be journeying across the globe in December in search of more items. He says he would like to stay home and fish but that is not what God wants for him. "There is a place for everyone in God's world, mine is digging," he said.

The week was capped off at my Tuesday night bowling league, where Tabor College Blue Jay Bowling Team member Dakota Boyette made his Astro League debut.

We knew nothing about Boyette but after watching him, I knew he wasn't just at the bowling alley for a night out. His first game was all strikes except the second frame, where he scored a spare. His second game had some errors but he still managed a 253. His third game was perfect until the second frame of the tenth when he missed the 10 pin. He wound up with a 823 series and broke Ponca Bowl's bowling alley's 816 record which had stood for 21 years.

Turns out Boyette is one of the 2013 PBA Teen Masters. He said he has bowled two 300 games. I say it is a safe bet he will have more of them.

Floyd Bannister Returns TTM in 19 Days

Like Oddibe McDowell, Floyd Bannister took only 19 days to return a through the mail autograph request.