These Thursday posts are meant to be somewhat quickly-blickety blogs so I can go work on my forthcoming book, which has a new title! I’ll tell you more about that in the weeks to come, but first, let’s go back to the very beginning of my writing career.
It was a day in September of 1985 and I was at work at Fleming Potter. That afternoon my writing career was born when my friend and co-worker, Greg Owens said these eight words to me: “Can you write any more questions like these?”
I answered, “Yes,” and even though I didn’t even know it, that was the birth of my writing career. This will be explained in more detail in the book, but at that moment I became a writer and I didn’t even know it yet!
It was Greg’s idea to take something I had made a cartoon out of and turn it into a game that satirized Trivial Pursuit. The game was Trivial Trivia- The Idiot Edition and even though I didn’t know it at the time, that launched my writing career that would take me to New York City for 19 years and then back full circle to Peoria where I created this blog.
If I never had met Greg Owens, you wouldn’t be reading this blog because I never would’ve started writing had he not asked me that question on that fateful September afternoon in 1985.
You all know what I do every day because it’s reported on this blog. But what does Greg Owens, the man responsible for me becoming a writer do every day?
Well let’s go take a look!
Here we are at the graphic arts and media branding and consulting business that Greg started over 20 years ago, Owens Design Group.
Greg also is the owner of the Wescott Room Gathering and Event Center that’s located on the top floor.
Let’s go in and take a look around in here and see if we can find the guy responsible for me writing these words you’re currently reading!
The front room of the business has a nice gift shop area specializing in Chillicothe related gifts.
Lot’s of fun and local gifts and goodies to be found in here!
Here’s a couple of views of the sleek office space in here. I love the wooden floors in here and the friendly, welcoming vibe.
There he is, the founder of Owens Design Group and the man who unknowingly set me on a path that would lead right back to the two of us hanging out again, Greg Owens!
Great to see Greg and it’s very impressive to see this wonderful business that he has built over two decades in Chillicothe.
As I walk around I see a couple of people on the Owens Graphic Design team over there, let’s go bother them for a photo.
This is what I do folks, I walk around with a camera and bother people hard at work. It’s not an easy job, but someone has to do it!
There’s Greg with Andy Ruhland who’s the Creative Director and Olivia White, the Art Director of Owens Design Group.
Great to see both of them, but now get back to work…Greg’s not paying you to stand around and pose for photos. Sheesh!
Here’s the production area in the back of the building with state of the art equipment and printers.
There’s Greg with Spencer Bloome who was hard at work till I stepped in and stopped that nonsense!
Now let’s travel upstairs and check out The Wescott Room!
Wow, this is an impressive room! The brick walls and wooden floor give it such a nice ambiance and warm feeling.
You can rent it out for parties, dinners, business meetings and any type of gathering you can imagine. It’s furnished with tables, a full bar, bathrooms and a wonderful view of Chillicothe.
The holiday season is coming up and this is a fabulous room for a festive party!
I took the top photos and got some action shots from the Wescott Room’s facecrack page.
Meanwhile, back downstairs at Owens Design Group, there’s Greg with Sarah Sights who’s the Director of Marketing and Sales here at ODG.
(Not pictured today were Lindy Vonk, Production Assistant and Vicki Owens, Director of Corporate Accounting. They heard I was coming to visit and wisely chose to call in sick.)
And here’s Greg and I partying like it’s 1986 with our Idiot Trivia game and our second creation, “Gone With The Burp.”
I really want to thank Greg for steering me on the path to discovering my writing career! I will always appreciate that and you for being a great friend through the years!
Please check out Owens Design Group for all of your graphic design and marketing needs, you won’t be sorry!
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921 N. 2nd Street
Chillicothe, Illinois
309-274-5800
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Related Post: Last Week’s Thursday Thing-a-me-bob.