Larry, Henry and I made an impromptu visit to the food court at the mall this week, meeting up with Dan and Emma for lunch. In Henry’s meal from Chik-fila included a place mat with a variety of animals. What does the dog say? Ruff-ruff. What does the pig say? Oink oink. What does the kitten say? Meow. And finally, what does the cow say? “Eat mor chikin!”
That may be the brilliant tag line for the chicken restaurant, but I’m grateful that people around the world have taken to heart the slogan, “there’s a little McDonald’s in everyone” and headed to the Golden Arches for burgers, fries and milkshakes. Those Happy Meals lined the pockets of Ray and Joan Kroc (capitalism at its best – and worst), and upon Joan’s death, her fortune was distributed to The Salvation Army with specific instructions on what to do with those dollars.
As a result of her legacy gift, twelve years ago, on a pleasant April weekend, we celebrated a milestone in Salvation Army history in Ashland, Ohio as the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center was dedicated to the glory of God and to the people of the community. What a weekend it was. We had one working phone for the whole building. The heat worked too well; the air-conditioning, not so much. We sang out hearts out in Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and Booth’s “O Boundless Salvation” with over a hundred of our closest friends (thanks, Libby Slade). Mountain Man entertained the New York Staff Band with great fervor. We bought a run-down motel in three days, placing us on the Ripley’s Believe It or Not list for the speediest Salvation Army property transfer ever. And then, on Sunday afternoon, with flags waving and horns blaring quite melodiously, we marched from 40 East Third Street to 527 East Liberty Street. What a weekend!
This chilly November weekend marks another ribbon-cutting at the East Liberty address, as an addition to the Kroc Center building is dedicated to the glory of God and to the people of the community. In our COVID-19 world, this dedication will be by invitation only, and held “under the big top,” brrrr. No Mountain Man for entertainment, as its likely he is serenading St. Peter in the heavenly realms. The phones work, the motel is long gone, and I’m told the temporary tent has heat. After the singing and the speeches are over, the highlight of the day will be the inaugural trip down the new waterslide. Will Joe, Doug or Billy have that privilege? The suspense is killing me – and the three contestants as well, who may be secretly hoping that they won’t be the winner by having the top donor amount to support scholarships to the center.
Joan Kroc’s vision for the nearly thirty facilities now spread across the U.S. was a gift for sure, and money reallocated from her initial bequest made this Ashland addition possible – the gift that keeps on giving. Like the original project, the Ashland community stepped up and is pitching in a chunk of change to complete the construction as well. Kroc’s generosity, the community’s support, and their faith in the Army’s ability to serve, continue to astound me, and I remain thankful for the opportunity to reimagine Salvation Army ministry in the twenty-first century. We had claimed the words of Isaiah 54 back in 2009, and they are just as fitting today: “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
The water park won’t be open for a few more weeks, but when it’s ready, the Shade family is coming to test it out. The lovely Madelyn Simone and the delightful and determined Elizabeth Holiday have loved their visits to RJ’s Spraypark, and we look forward to introducing the charming Henry Kyle and the sweet Emma Belle to the wonders of the new water park. We may not be in Speedos, but we’re sure to be wearing smiles.
Happy Expansion Ribbon-Cutting Day to all the Ashland Krockettes. Kudos to the staff, board, and community for all you’ve done to turn a dream into reality once again. with a special word of appreciation to our friends, Majors Annalise and Billy Francis, who have shepherded this expansion. No broken bones on that waterslide, Billy. And get some rest, because, thanks to Mrs. Kroc, “you deserve a break today!”
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