A Little Background...

Here are some photos and links from my past.  Many of the Places photos are from the Willard Library "Historical Images" archive in Battle Creek.  If that ain't enough to make you feel old, nothing is!

First Christmas - with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas. (1960)

Phil, at ten months just after a bath! (1961)

Phil, at one year - ready for a nap (1961)

The first Easter suit - at age two (1962)

Watching over my new baby sister (1963)

Three year old - and wearing white socks...ugghh! (1964)

Preschool class photo - who is the "shy guy" in the middle? (Battle Creek, 1965)

A family portrait, circa 1965.  Who is that kid in the red vest??

Christmas in Battle Creek (1966)

My first real bike - and look at the snow! (Battle Creek, 1967)

First grade school photo (Battle Creek, 1967)

Another Easter suit - and a hearty laugh (David, does this look like you?) - (1968)

Crawford family - my Grandma and Grandpa along with my cousins Jeff and Jill.

Baseball photo - batting in this one.

Another baseball photo - catching.

Christmas photo with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas.

Our new puppy - Shaggy (1974)

Looking snazzy in my band uniform for Kecoughtan High (1976)

Senior Photo (1978)

Visiting my Grandma Thomas. (1986)

PLACES

Riverside Elementary - Where I went to Kindergarten

Minges Brook Elementary - first through fifth grades.  This is where I spent many an afternoon at baseball practice, or just horsing around.  I was also a member of the Safety Patrol - what a snazzy international orange belt we got to wear!

Willard Library Children's Room - One of the first memories I have of a lifelong love of libraries!

The Willard Library Bookmobile - When I was in elementary school, the bookmobile visited an adjacent church parking lot every week, and I was a regular visitor.  Note the snow - one of the reasons I moved south!

Highland Junior High School - I attended sixth through eighth grades here.  I remember the smokestack in the background vividly.
 
Renovated Willard Library - The library I loved was renovated, and made even more beautiful.

Willard Beach - Goguac Lake.  My first exposure to a beach - something I would later see a lot of in Tidewater, Virginia.

WK Kellogg Auditorium - the cultural center of Battle Creek.  My parents took me to all sorts of events here...piano recitals, orchestras, magic shows, and the annual Kellogg employee children's Christmas show.  To this day, I still love cultural events.

Kellogg's - Dad worked for Kellogg's for many years.  After the touring the cereal manufacturing facility, everyone was treated to a dish of ice cream and a free "Snack Pack" of cereal.  Of course, we all had to wear the sanitary - and quite stylish - paper hats during the tour.

Battle Creek Y-Center - my dad helped raise the funds to build the state-of-the-art Y-Center, which replaced the old YMCA and YWCA buildings.  It was here that I developed my need for a daily, early-morning workout.

Lakeview High School - Here is where I attended ninth grade.

Kecoughtan High School - After moving to Hampton, VA, this is where I attended tenth through twelfth grades.

The house we lived in during my high school and early college years in Hampton at 6 Kempers Charge.  This photo was taken in 2002.

Millikin University - I received my Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering at MU in Decatur, IL.  It was my first "time away from home" and it was certainly away from home!!

Tau Kappa Epsilon - While at Millikin, I was a TKE.  I also worked as a "houseboy" (a fancy name for a waiter/slave) for one of the sororities to earn my meals.  But what a job!

Newport News Shipbuilding (now Northrup Grumman Newport News) - my first job.  I was a Welding Engineer from 1978 to 1991.

First house I owned - the address was 1313 Andrews Blvd.  A bit of a scary number, but it was a decent house.  This photo is in 2002 - the tree in the front was a mere stick when it was planted in honor of Kevin's birth in 1990.

I earned my Master of Engineering Management degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1989.  All but two of my courses were, thankfully, taken at the Peninsula Graduate Center (now the ODU Peninsula Higher Education Center).  No tunnel traffic!!

Stoody Company - I moved to Bowling Green in 1991 to go to work here as the QA Manager.  I fell in love with the area and have been here ever since.