In the early 80`s I was in the midst of building a new company from scratch. We custom engineered control systems for large pulp and paper mills, steel mills and chemical processing plants. We were involved in factory automation for improved quality, increased output, and reduced costs. I had been forming this company for some years. I was broke, having gone through a difficult divorce, losing most of my possessions, and facing years of child support including college expenses. In order to complete the process of planning for the engineering company I had to be out of touch for an extended time. By now, I had exhausted all of my savings except for life insurance, which I hoped would cover my daughter`s college expenses. While looking for a place to complete my plans, I discovered Cedar Key. In Atlanta, my nickname was "Trouble." I was greeted in the Waffle Houses, headquartered in Atlanta with, "Here comes Trouble." I answered to that before my real name. Most people in Cedar Key weren`t nosey and no one went by last names, so I became "Trouble" in Cedar Key. My daughter graduated from college. The engineering company grew. We had engineering offices in five states. And in Cedar Key, my name remained "Trouble." Talking with Mike "Salty" Raftis over the years, he asked if I`d consider writing a column for the Cedar Key Beacon. My column became "Trouble in Cedar Key." After ten or so years of my weekly columns, "Salty" died. His daughter, Connie, continued to carry the column `till she sold the newspaper. Then I closed down the column. After several false starts at resurrecting the column, I again closed it down. Many of you have told me you missed reading my columns. And there is a lot to be said for others appreciating what you have to say, the way you choose to say it. Now we`re back in print for good. So when you are out there somewhere in the next couple weeks, keep your eyes alert, looking for "Trouble in Cedar Key." And maybe we can talk about what you like to read in the column. Or maybe we can talk about old times. Or maybe we can just talk... tnckgebe@yahoo.com | 
