For Father’s Day, Ideas in Motion Media Owner Chris Mahlmann asked his friends what they learned from their Dad.
From rotating tires and changing oil, to hammering up a fence and watching the game, here is what the Northwest Indiana locals learned from their Dads:
Phil Dietrich: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
Jessica Campbell: There is nothing better than a beach day and a good beer.
Michelle Andres: My dad taught me that there is nothing more important than giving to other people. Success is defined by how many people you have helped along the way.
Jenny Craig-Brown: My dad taught me so much but mainly that you need to work for everything you want in life. You can outwork anyone you can't outsmart and to never wonder why you don't have something...GO GET IT!
Ryan Elinkowski: My dad taught me how to fish and to forget about everything except catching perch. During these times of catching perch he taught me what forgiveness really means. He passed in 2016 but the impact of his teachings will always be with me.
Cheryl Sessa Highlan: Here's a poem: He's the one who taught me to fish And even bait my own hook He's the one who made me study And instilled my love for books, He was at every single game I played When I was just a kid He gave me harsh rules & punishments and most "fun" things he stamped with "FORBID," He moved me around this country A dozen times or more He wiped away my tears and listened When my life was "shattered" to the core, He dragged my butt to Sunday school Every year, month and week My faith is strong and heart is good He taught me "it's Jesus first I should seek," He always came to my rescue When I needed a handy man He was my best friend and he's rock solid! My Daddyo, Rest In Peace, was always my biggest fan!
Mike Sopko Jr.: My Dad taught me how to be a drag racing photographer. He taught me many, many things that I carry with me each day, but it is our passion for drag racing and capturing our passion in still images that we continue to share. Making this even more special is that this passion has been passed to my son and is something that all three of us Mike Sopko’s share and do together. This passion has even extended into our own race car.
Al Spajer: My Dad taught me a lot of good things about decency and a work ethic and being a decent human being. But the absolutely most fun thing he taught me was how to be a fan of the Chicago Cubs. Growing up on the south side of Chicago did not lend itself to being a Cubs fan. At age 5 and for several years after, he would tell me you’re a Cub fan and that’s it. And when they win the World Series, we’ll show ‘em. Every year, he predicted they would win the World Series. And so did I. Mainly for fun and out of love and respect for him. My Dad died a little early. In 1986. He never got to see what I did in 2016. But he was the first guy I thought of. Because like he taught me “you’re a Cub fan and that’s it”.
Cindy Whiteside: My dad taught me that you have to work hard if you want things in life.
Melissa Topor Huffman: My grandfather, my only father figure.. taught me unconditional love.
Grace Bentowski: My dad taught me that anything is attainable as long as you put your mind to it!
Stephanie Swearington: My dad taught me that hard work, integrity and learned skills are things no one can take away from you. They are assets and things that show your character the fiber of who you are. He also taught me how to change my own oil, change a flat tire, and research to figure out how to do things I might not know how to do.
Vicki Gertken Tunstall: My Dad taught me more than I could probably ever teach anyone. A few things that stood out are... 1. Don't cry on the soccer field. 2. Always smile at babies. 3. Work hard, but remember your family is always first.
Kevin Kosek: My Dad taught me to be known through your actions and not words. He also taught me to respect, honor and love all people. Finally, he always wanted me to be better than he was.
Peyton Mahlmann: My great dad has shown me that having your morals straight and learning something new every day will get you far. Be accountable for every decision you make (good or bad), spend your time around people who make your life better and happier, be confident in the things you’re good at, work hard and give your very best in everything you do, and your family is most stable when you prioritize and strengthen your relationship with your partner.
Stacey Kellogg: My dad has taught me that integrity of character is more important than money or possessions, and that learning, growing, and changing never stops, no matter how old you get.
Jane Maxwell: Cry all you want if you win, but NEVER cry when you lose (wait until you're home alone if you must cry).
Sharon Swihart: To laugh loudly and always have a song ready.
Jeanne Berkshire: "Make the best decision you can at the moment. If you make the wrong one, you'll be no worse tomorrow than you are today." Love him... and miss him every day.
Laura Shurr Blaney: Expect more out of yourself than you expect of others. Smile. Let a lot of things roll off your back (but not everything). Treat everyone with respect. Have confidence. Drive fast.
Michael Moren: How to value the fellowship at the lake.
Melissa Topor Huffman: To appreciate inappropriate humor!
Rose Cyphert: You keep the promise of "in sickness or health" you made to your spouse.
Amelia Kowalisyn: To live life to the fullest and the importance of family.
Karen Nelson: Don't fix what ain't broke.
DeAnn Stephans: To treat others as I want to be treated. To always be on time. To work hard and have fun. To always look to God and believe.
Cathy Brown Brown: To only buy what I need. To do it right the first time. To look people in the eye when I talk to them. To drive all kinds of stick shifts. (Three on the tree, especially.)
Regi Hofferth: To think before I speak; how to play poker; how to change a tire; how to nap in a recliner in front of the TV and when someone changes the channel, say "hey! I was watching that!"
Donald Thompson: Men sometimes fail but never does.
Don Svec: Enjoy life, persevere through the rough times. Stay true to your morals, trust God.
Mark Hartig: Good work ethic.
Michael Newhard: Self respect.
ATess Mangold: How to drive a stick shift car.
Debbie Gumulauski Rzepczynski: How to change a flat tire, but after practicing, would always change it for me!
Paul Forsythe: Everything I needed to know back then, and now I help him with computer and smart phone things...and on it goes between generations.
Natalie Krivas: To always improve.
Rick Gosser: To never talk about money, politics or religion to anyone you talk with. Live life being positive and healthy.
Kevin Kosek: To become the solution, not the problem.
Cassandra Rozycki Petersen: How to change a flat tire, change the oil, and drive standard before I could get my driver’s license. These are a few of my favorite things.
Becky Fox Jascoviak: That time is more important than money. You can always work another hour to make a few dollars but someone that gives time gives something they can never get back.
Laura Levi Francesconi: How to throw a baseball and football. Stats and history of the Boston Red Sox. Work hard!
Kelly Schroeder: That not all blood relatives are "family,” and that "family " doesn't necessarily mean you are blood relatives.
Jill Schlueter-Kim: To share my time, talent and treasure with my community.
Jon Groth: To treat others with respect in order to get respect. And, that being nice and polite gets the best results.
Sarah Evans Opperman: To have an opinion about everything, but share it wisely.
Rosanne Antanaitis-Alamillo: How to work hard and the JOY of DONUTS.
Em Lynn: Be kind to animals, how to make steak tacos and treat the custodian with the same amount of respect as you would the CEO.
Deanna Grimes: Work hard, because no one’s going to do it for you. Also, all about the Reds!
Jodi Jackson: Inner strength and how to keep it.
Tiffany Hollandsworth: Work hard, play hard, love unconditionally, be true to yourself, and be a lady, but take no shit.
Mike Bonaventura: To be an artist in all you do.
Ruth Lavery: A well-read educated woman is a force to be reckoned with. I spent many hours reading and discussing the classics with him. He also taught me a really mean right hook.
John Luke: That there's something good that comes from everything, even tragedy.
Susie Brown Gebhardt: How not to be part of the problem and to be part of the solution.
Bryan Truitt: Work hard, be true to your faith and word and most of all fiercely and without limit protect your family from those who have or will do them harm. Also, find something you would do for free and find a way to make money doing it. If you are not passionate, get out of the game and find something you have passion for.
Kathy DeWitt: To be adventurous with regard to food and to be friendly to everyone you meet.
Tamara Smith-Boltze: Just the claw of the hammer, also how to tuck point, and finally the joy of sitting with him on Saturday afternoons when I was little and watching This Old House (when Bob Villa was the host) and the Frugal Gourmet. Oh and Dr.Pepper and cheese popcorn.
Sheri Zimmer: Be responsible, manage your money, stand up and be counted and, don't take s*%t from anyone. These lessons brought me confidence and independence.
Jane Lump: To never waste any thing or any time. He scraped the trace of butter from the wrapper when we made popcorn and bought old bikes and rehabbed them for neighborhood kids. He was a full time small business owner who also volunteered and spent countless hours making our church, our school and our community better.
Sacha Gee Burns: Treat everyone like they're a somebody, because they are.
Jodi Frailey: How to work hard, earn my keep, and think about my actions. I can only control my own actions/reactions. "Remember who you are." and PMA: always keep a Positive Mental Attitude.
Nicole Bissonnette: Don't spend what you can't afford it. Don't pack what you can't carry. And make deliberate decisions.
Lisa Gorgei Warne: The 5 P’s.......prior, planning, prevents, piss-poor, performance.
Laura Krentz: To come to work on time, ask intelligent questions, enjoy traveling, not to fear trying new things, that it's okay for guys to love cooking and baking, and to love God and your fellow humans.
Michelle Bush: To be a hard worker and kindness. He would give anyone the shirt off his back. Certainly a role model! Love my daddy!
Annette King Loeffler: How to change my oil, tire and read a map…oh, and keep an excellent score book in baseball!
Judy Cramer-Kukelka: How to work hard and give even when you have nothing.
David Kerr: "Whatever it takes."
Jackie Gray: To treat everyone with kindness, respect and consideration.
Devin Martin: That working and providing for a family is only 50 percent of being a good father. Spending quality time with your kids is the other 50 percent.
Ryan Wright: How to work hard, treat people like you would want to be treated, love your family and friends, and how to run a business.
The advice we receive from our Dad’s is a special type of wisdom that we will never forget and will cherish always.
We encourage everyone to share what they have learned. Let's all take time today to thank them for helping to make us who we are!