Book Title: Audacious
Subtitle: "From Brooklyn to Beyond: One Man’s Bold, Barely Edited Journey Through Life"
Disclaimer (a.k.a. "A Not-So-Legal Legal Statement")
Before you turn the page and dive headfirst into the sometimes factual, often embellished, and always entertaining pages of Audacious, I feel it’s only fair to warn you: I take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of anything you’re about to read.
Sure, I was there. I lived through it all. But after 77 years, my memory is more like a Picasso painting than a photograph—colorful, bold, and occasionally missing a nose.
This is my story, told from my perspective, with all the faulty recollection, emotional exaggeration, and selective memory that comes with a long, eventful life. I’ve done my best to be almost accurate. If you remember things differently, great—write your own book.
Each "A" word represents a chapter of my journey. Let me break it down for you (because of course I would):
Almost Accurate – These are my stories, as I remember them. They may not align perfectly with historical fact or what my second cousin once removed might recall—but hey, memory is a creative process.
Autobiographical – This is not a chronological play-by-play. Think of it more like a scrapbook of people, moments, and memories that made me who I am—plus a few lessons learned (the hard way).
Account of Ancestry – Don’t expect a neatly organized family tree. What you’ll find instead are scattered snapshots of my roots—some tender, some hilarious, some just plain weird. Like all families, really.
Attitudes and Advice – Some of it I learned on purpose. Some of it I picked up the way you pick up glitter—accidentally and permanently. It’s not a self-help book, but if you pick up a tip or two, good for you.
Art and Architecture – These weren’t always front and center in my life, but looking back, they’ve shaped a lot of who I became. The day I embraced my own creative quirks was the day things got really fun.
Adventure – Real or imagined, internal or international, adventure has always driven me. I’ve traveled to over 30 countries, visited about 40 states, and led more than 200 leadership and adventure teams. Turns out, sharing adventure is one of life’s greatest joys.
Accomplishments – As a devout, registered introvert (yes, we exist), I don’t always talk about what I’ve done—but this journal gives me a chance to highlight the rewarding stuff: the victories, the flops, the friendships, and all the oddball moments that made life worth living.
So now that you kind of understand what you’re getting into, I hope you’ll flip through these pages with curiosity, laughter, and maybe even a little inspiration. Take in the pictures. Read the stories. And who knows—maybe you’ll be inspired to live your own audacious life, too.
Because if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s this:
Life is short. Be bold. Be a little weird. And for goodness’ sake, have more fun.
STORIES TO DATE…. each will be have one or two photos or artwork
# 18. McDonalds: Life is like a box of chocolates.
After ten years of leading students in the classroom and on the athletic field—and another twenty in a faith-based setting—I was ready for a new challenge: launching my own nonprofit focused on leadership development for junior high and high school students.
I had the passion. I had the experience. What I didn’t have… was funding.
A mentor of mine encouraged me to share my vision with a local consortium of 50 McDonald’s restaurants. The idea? Partner with them to equip students in leadership and community service. With a written proposal and a very loosely defined strategic plan, I set out to make my pitch.
A few months later, I was invited back for a formal presentation to the entire group. I still remember driving home that summer evening, laughing with my wife. I had just asked for $50,000—despite having no official track record, no proven model, and only a strong belief in the power of the idea. But honestly, I figured I had nothing to lose. The experience alone was already teaching me so much.
Then the phone call came. “$25,000 this year, with no promise for renewal. It’s a large gift, and we want to spread our support to a wide range of community programs.” I was elated. What they didn’t know was that I’d spent countless mornings holding breakfast mentoring sessions in their restaurants—coaching students over Egg McMuffins and orange juice.
Their gift helped launch what became a two-decade journey in local schools. I developed programs, led workshops, and was privileged to impact over 40 schools in the area.
Our very first workshop was titled: "Leadership is Like a Box of Chocolates—You Never Know What to Expect," inspired by the then wildly popular Forrest Gump film. That one-liner became a foundational theme in many of the lessons we shared. Year after year, I returned to many of those original schools, and from that small but mighty beginning, the School of Urban Studies was born.
17. Young Women of Distinction
The Idea Factory was created to educate, equip and engage junior high and high school students in leadership and social entrepreneurship endeavors. This first initiative of the Idea Factory came into existence because of my daughter, Andrea. Upon graduation she secured a position through Ohio State University as a 4-H Development County Development officer for a nearby county
The Mission of Young Women of Distinction is to help unlock the talents and natural strengths of fifth grade young women through providing a fun, safe and creative leadership and community service learning experience.
(Kids Read Now logo and picture from summer camp)
16. Kids Read Now – Planting the Seeds of a National Movement
Decades ago, I was recruited to help launch a free summer reading initiative for children. The mission was simple yet ambitious: create and implement a program that would provide 10,000 free children’s books in Troy, Ohio, with the goal of combating the “Summer Slide”—a regression in academic proficiency that often occurs during summer break. Experts warn this setback can significantly hinder a child’s progress when they return to school.
It was exhilarating to be part of the ground floor of such a visionary effort, aimed at the eight schools within the local community. I was fortunate to have a hand in shaping its identity—from naming the program and designing its logo to pioneering a summer reading camp. I also had the joy of coaching a team of student interns who worked directly with children and parents to bring the strategy to life.
Looking back, it’s deeply rewarding to know that my early involvement in Kids Read Now helped lay the foundation for what has become a nationwide movement—now responsible for providing over 3 million books each year to children across the country.
15. The Robinsons (Photo of me standing with their life size statue)
Over the last 40-plus years, Thom and Pat Robinson—community philanthropists—have been a part of so many impactful projects, particularly in Troy and Miami County, but also throughout the West Central and Central Ohio regions. Nothing has ever been too big or too small for them to consider.
Our Idea Factory was, in fact, one of the non-profits blessed by their generosity from our earliest days. Years later, during a time when fundraising was especially difficult, I reached out to Pat and asked if they might be able to help.
“How about you find $15,000, and we’ll match it,” she replied. As I left the meeting, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself: If we had $15,000, I probably wouldn’t be talking with you today!
Weeks passed. Then came the moment I’d been hoping for—I made the call. “Guess what? We exceeded the goal with $20,000!” Unexpectedly, she responded, “Well, we’ll match your efforts.”
Thankfully, my life has been filled with amazing people.
13. Nana (Sketch of Radio City and photo of me sitting with Nana.)
This watercolor sketch holds mountains of memories—each brushstroke a reminder of the role New York City played in shaping my life. And it all began during my elementary school years, when we lived in an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn. Just a few blocks away, in a fourth-floor walk-up with no elevator, lived Nana, my maternal grandmother.
Life with Nana was always exciting. There were adventures to be had, errands to be run, and stories to be told. But my most memorable adventure was our annual Christmas pilgrimage to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. Bundled up to the point of waddling, I’d brave the cold and subway ride beside her, standing in line for hours to get into the grand 3,000-seat theater. We went to see the Rockettes and a holiday movie—a tradition I’ve tried to honor every year since.
Nana was the first person to truly believe in my potential and encourage me to go to college. Her belief in me didn’t always align with my teachers’ opinions—or my report cards. More than once, they told my parents I was “not living up to my potential.” Nana, of course, disagreed. I, on the other hand, felt I was working plenty hard. I just didn’t think I was smart enough to excel.
From my earliest days in elementary school through high school graduation, it was Nana who instilled in me the belief that I could do anything. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
12. Plein Air Show (sketch of house)
I stumbled into a whole new dimension of my art thanks to this intriguing invitation:
“Come down to downtown Troy and join Troy Main Street Artists as we celebrate the arrival of Plein Air (Out of Doors) Artists! Throughout the day, these talented artists will be spread across the downtown area, capturing the essence of our stunning historic buildings, vibrant flowers, and other captivating scenes that spark their creativity.”
Not only had I never participated in a Plein Air event before—I had never even heard of one! I also didn’t know that “timed events” were a thing in the art world. But it sounded like fun, and I was curious enough to give it a try.
Our lifelong friends, Ricky and Gary, live in Troy’s historic district. Their home, a beautifully preserved Romantic Queen Anne gem built in 1885, is without question one of the area’s architectural standouts. It became the subject of my piece that day.
Armed with pen and colored pencils, I set up my easel across a busy street from their house on a sweltering, 90-something-degree summer day. The challenge wasn’t just the heat or the deadline to complete the piece within six hours—it was also trying to stay focused as friendly passersby kept stopping to chat. But honestly, that was part of the fun. The conversations and curiosity made the day feel like a celebration rather than a competition.
There was a special, almost poetic full-circle moment for me, too. Decades ago, when I ran a residential house painting business, I actually painted the exterior of this very same home. Ricky reminded me of that as we admired the finished artwork, pointing out that I’m probably the only person who can say they’ve painted that house—twice. Once with a brush. Once with a pen.
11. The Idea Factory (my sketch of three story building)
My multimedia sketch stirred a flood of cherished memories from a lifelong journey of teaching and coaching. After ten years teaching industrial arts and coaching track at both the high school and junior high levels—and over twenty years leading, mentoring, and discipling teens and adults in faith-based settings—I felt it was time to explore new horizons.
The Idea Factory was born from a passion to empower teens to impact their world—locally, nationally, and globally—through their unique gifts, talents, passions, and most importantly, their ideas and energy. With no money, no team of adults, no group of teens, and no solid program in place, I stepped out in faith, seeking a space to coach and inspire young people to serve their local communities.
One day, standing on the third floor of a vacant factory in an industrial part of Troy, Ohio, I gazed out a dusty window and envisioned the perfect home for this dream. As the potential landlord guided me through the 1,000-square-foot space—worn down and in need of transformation—he pointed toward one of the eight local schools we could eventually serve. He shared my excitement and belief in the vision.
That factory had something special: a massive shipping elevator, three flights of rustic stairs, and a raw, creative spirit that matched the very concept of an Idea Factory.
We began by recruiting youth groups from across Ohio, the Midwest, and even as far as Missouri. These teen volunteers brought ideas, resources, and—most importantly—sweat equity. Together, we transformed that empty space into a venue for leadership training, team-building events, banquets, and both day-long and overnight programs rooted in service and personal growth.
Next came a full makeover of the building’s exterior—powered by local students and their parents, brushes in hand. The transformation was more than physical—it marked the beginning of a movement.
For the next ten years, 20 to 30 junior high and high school students from three local districts formed a core team of youth leaders who served Troy’s eight elementary schools. Throughout each school year, these students developed and led programs to meet the physical, emotional, and leadership needs of hundreds of children annually. Among them were Young Women of Distinction, Reading Buddies, Serve it Up! (Tennis), Mathletes, and Dreamer Gymnastics.
This mission would not have been possible without the countless adults who joined along the way—principals, teachers, community members, and friends from past chapters of my life. Financial support came from volunteers, local businesses, generous individuals, and organizations that believed in our mission—ranging from $50 donations to grants as large as $25,000.
And about that elevator—our “elevator pitch” also evolved over time. It came to define what the Idea Factory truly stood for:
"The Idea Factory exists so that teens, adults, and children can be challenged to become the best versions of themselves, as they create and implement ideas that make a difference."
10. American Gothic – My Interpretation. (Photo of American Gothic and my sketch)
I was thrilled when the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center invited area artists to participate in its Arts Alive exhibition. The challenge was to reinterpret one of four iconic masterpieces in a way that reflected contemporary culture. The options were works by Diego Velázquez, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Grant Wood's American Gothic, and Jacques-Louis David's Portrait of Madame Récamier.
Choosing American Gothic was an easy decision for me—it had been one of my favorite paintings since my high school days. Created in the 1930s, Grant Wood's American Gothic depicts a stern-faced farmer and his daughter standing in front of a neo-Gothic house, distinguished by an unusual window. The painting is often seen as a commentary on the resilience of the American people during the Great Depression, symbolized by the farmer's stoic expression and his pitchfork.
For my own interpretation, I envisioned a split composition. One half of the artwork would be in pen and ink, capturing Wood's Art Deco style, while the other half would depict a more modern-day scene using colored pencils and special effects to create a 3D effect. I intentionally selected familiar elements—like interstate signs, roadways, homes, energy sources, agriculture, and evolving fashion—to highlight the dramatic changes over the decades.
Although I didn't win any of the cash prizes, I felt incredibly blessed by the opportunity to study and create art in a new way. The experience of reinterpreting a classic piece in a contemporary context was a challenge that pushed me to grow as an artist.
9. West Virginia Construction Company (photo of many people working on scaffolding)
Around the age of 70, I made the decision to commit to youth ministry for a year, taking on the role of youth leader for a group of junior high and high school students from our Tipp City community.
In the fall of 2016, a group of teens and adults traveled to Rainelle, West Virginia, to assist with flood relief. The devastation left by the 2016 floods in the Appalachian region was overwhelming, and the team witnessed firsthand the immense need for home repairs. After returning home, they carried with them a heavy heart and a shared sense of purpose. Together, they began to form a multi-generational vision to build a new home for a family affected by the flood.
In the summer of 2017, 25 teens and 25 adults answered the call to action. With determination and a sense of adventure, they embarked on a week-long mission to make that vision a reality. And so, this ragtag group of amateur builders proudly became known as the West Virginia Construction Company.
Thankful, decades ago, we established our core values of Work Hard, Study Hard, Sleep Hard, and Play Hard for all of our service and leadership student adventures. With the local community experiencing such devastation, we wondered how we would fulfill the “Play Hard” portion of our mission. We were grateful when some local residents invited us to join them at the local restaurant/bar on the main street for an evening of “down-home country music.”
At first, we were hesitant, wondering if it was the best idea for a group of teenagers and their leader to join in. But we said yes, and we’re so glad we did. Our evening was filled with soft drinks, chips, and a local band as we watched the young and old from the community dance the night away. To top it off, they waved the $7.00 entry fee for all of our team. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the best parts of life happen when you step out of your comfort zone.
8. Troy Restoration Project (Sketch of architectural components)
When I first heard about the opportunity to create a piece of artwork for the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, I was thrilled. Their recent commitment to stabilizing the IOOF/Old Miami County Courthouse in the historic district immediately captured my attention, especially as it was part of their fundraising campaign.
Area artists were invited to contribute to this meaningful cause by creating artwork to be auctioned in the community. The goal of the fundraiser was to restore, rather than demolish, the historic Tavern/IOOF building, which served as a courthouse in the 19th century.
As someone passionate about historic buildings and the artistry of architectural design, this project was a perfect fit. My deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of woodwork, windows, doors, and flooring made this an exciting challenge. My watercolor painting captures the unique interior details of the building, focusing on the preserved elements rather than just the exterior façade.
I was particularly fascinated by the courthouse’s historical role in the 1840s, especially with the arrival of the Randolph Free People to Miami County. Nearly 400 formerly enslaved individuals, freed from a Virginia plantation, made their way north to New Bremen, only to be turned away. They later arrived in Miami County, where they were required to register at the local courthouse, with someone posting a $500 bond to vouch for their character. This piece of history made the project even more meaningful for me.
I was beyond excited when my painting was auctioned for $300, with the funds going directly toward the restoration efforts. It’s incredible to see how art can contribute to preserving our history and the stories that shape our community.
7. Mischievous (photo of 3-d fence)
Mischievous is my first venture into the Street Art genre, inspired by the works of Banksy, the British street artist and political activist. This piece combines spray painting, stenciling, and traditional oil painting in a three-dimensional style. Mischievous invites curiosity and reflection as a young boy and girl, accompanied by their Shih Tzu puppy, embark on a journey of adventure and exploration. Designed as a traditional public art piece, its whimsical nature engages viewers of all ages.
6. Form Follows Function
While creating my Ginghamsburg watercolor series, I was drawn to the 1896 design principle Form Follows Function, which emphasizes that a building’s shape and appearance should primarily reflect its purpose. This series of four sketches illustrates the evolution of a 150-year mission, capturing the architectural transformation of a small country church through its building designs.
5. Tippecanoe Treasures (Five sketches of local products)
Tipp City’s rich business history dates back to 1840 and continues to evolve with light manufacturing, small businesses, and family-owned restaurants that serve the local community. Tippecanoe Treasures reflects my motivation for this sketched series, highlighting how each business has played an essential role in shaping the local fabric over the decades. Through this work, I developed a deeper appreciation for the distinct branding and character that make each business or product unique.
4. Woody The Carousel Horse (picture of woody and picture of boy looking at Woodys head)
My childhood inspiration for carousel horses was gained at the Coney Island the legendary amusement district in New York City developed at the turn of the 20the century. My visits sowed the seeds of inspiration and motivation for the eventually creation of Woody the Carousel Horse.
A visit to the Carousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio inspired me to dream of combining my passion for drawing, painting, woodcarving and design as I tailored my ideas in a most unique way. As a hand carver working with gouges and chisels as did the earliest Carousel artists over the centuries. My vision for a Ohio State theme carving subsequently led to the naming of Woody because of his basswood structure combined with the famed Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. It was a year-long journey of mastering the art of woodcarving for the creation of this three-quarter scale, wood sculpture. Woody made his debut appearance at a local preschool celebrating his first birthday.
3. Brooklyn Cityscape
This painting grew from childhood memories of life on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, New York—a place where family, community, and daily rhythms shaped my early years. I set out to capture the essence of an urban neighborhood: its energy, movement, and the stories tucked within each storefront and window.
My parents ran a hobby and photography shop nearby, while my mother also worked at the Fanny Farmer candy store—a dream job in my young eyes. Fanny Farmer was known for its wartime rationing efforts, ensuring that soldiers overseas received their share of sweet comforts.
The painting highlights the heartbeat of the neighborhood: the local grocery, the ever-busy subway stop, and, ironically, the second-floor apartment above a toy store—our home. Through color and composition, I wanted to preserve the feeling of a place where every shop, every window, and every passerby had a story to tell. (Painting features our second-floor apartment windows, the candy store, grocery, hobby shop, and subway station.)
2. The Historic Preservationist (four sketches of old houses)
It took me until retirement to fully realize that I have been a lifelong historic preservationist. My passion for studying, appreciating, and restoring objects—whether buildings, vehicles, boats, toys, or visual images—has shaped much of my identity and work.
A turning point came when an interior decorator friend asked why I hadn’t framed and displayed my artwork at home. That simple question inspired me to frame these four sketches of historic buildings in our community. My motivation in sketching them was to reimagine how these structures might have looked with simple wreaths during the holiday season—contrasting with our modern, often elaborate Christmas decorations.
These sketches deepened my appreciation for preserving culturally significant structures, both within our community and beyond. Over time, this practice became an essential part of my artistic mission. In my own way, I became a non-traditional practitioner of historic preservation and architectural revitalization—using my art to honor the past while inspiring the future.(The sketches: Our Civil War era Elm Street home, Tipp Roller Mill, Buggy Whip home features our Elm Street home.
1. Ocean City New Jersey Boardwalk (Sketch of the boardwalk)
The beach, the boardwalk and the escape from reality defined much of my childhood memories. Seaside Heights, New Jersey and the Garden State Parkway weekend traffic helped set the trajectory for adventure within my life for beach vacations. It wasn’t until my thirties when we transitioned our family and career travel destination a hundred miles south to Ocean City.
Ocean City provided the needed environment for our summer family vacations and the 20 years of leadership and faith development adventures for hundreds of teens and their leaders from across the country.
My pen and ink sketch reflect the best of the our boardwalk adventures. Morning, afternoon and evening walks became traditions for all who traveled with us.