As I told my staff upon returning from a recent visit to Pat Coslettโs Simplicity Furniture, โYou wonโt believe it until you experience it yourself.โ When owner Pat Coslett says โitโs not about the furniture,โ he isnโt kidding. In its own way, walking into the store canโt be too far from seeing Dead & Company at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada โ a total mind-bending trip. Need a plate of barbecue? A can of SKI? A MoonPie, or a slice of chess pie? He has โem all. There always is a dog sitting nearby, and customers often are treated to tunes plucked on an acoustic guitar by Patโs employee and musician Chuck Grady.
As for Pat himself? Iโm not even going to try to explain. No one can. Every time I stop by his store, I literally am never surprised at anything. Plus, Pat obviously gives a damn about his customers and employees, and it shows. In fact, he sells so much furniture that he recently added a second shop next door. And donโt forget to ask who the next
stand-up comic will be on the Simplicity stage. How many furniture stores feature comedy
nights? Pat truly is an Evansville treasure.
By the way, if you need a โPat Coslett for Presidentโ yard sign, heโs got that, too. Of course Pat is running for president.
Speaking of community treasures, I was quite pleased to see Bob and Becky Zimmermann honored for the five decades theyโve dedicated to WNINโs annual auction. Mayor Stephanie Terry proclaimed April 11 as Robert and Rebecca Zimmermann WNIN Lifetime Auctioneers Day. Anyone who knows the Zimmermanns would agree that their 51 years of service is truly outstanding. People of such caliber truly are the backbone of a strong community. Well deserved, Bob and Becky.
It is with sadness that I write of the passing of Jerry Butts, a longtime Evansville Living and Evansville Business freelance photographer, in Colorado last month. I will always remember Jerry for his love of golf, a โcat that ate the canaryโ sly grin, and as someone who loved a good party. Oh, and a fine photographer.
I continue to be impressed by all the good things occurring at the University of Southern Indiana. That doesnโt happen by accident, and the university has assembled a terrific leadership team. With Dr. Ron Rochon at the helm, it has been enjoyable to watch the university continue to move forward at breakneck pace. I was sad to learn that Dr. Rochon is leaving in July to serve as president of California State University, Fullerton. Smart, friendly, and approachable are great traits for a university president to have. Cal State Fullerton must think so, too. Congratulations, Dr. Rochon, even though our region hates to lose you.
As always, I look forward to hearing from most of you.
Todd. A Tucker, President
