4 • June 19-20, 2020 OPINION By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull In 2015, when I thought of interviewing a Branson entertainer about their Father in honor of Father’s Day, the first thing that came to mind was talking to Jimmy Osmond about his dad, George. I saw my first Osmond Brother’s show about 25 years ago. As they introduced their Mother and Father to the audience, I was impressed with the obvious affection and respect they had for their parents. At intermission, I met George for Kim Rohde Publisher (417) 872-2951 lkimrohde@yahoo.com Brenda Meadows Editor & Staff Writer (417) 231-7601 info@BransonGlobe.com David Stoltz News Correspondent (228) 355-2900 itcdls@gmail.com Gary Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull Columnist Emeritus Rob Doherty Account Representative & Distribution Manager (504) 583-8907 robd@bransonglobe.com Karen Halfpop Digital/Production Director production@ BransonGlobe.com Submit a letter to the editor: Letters to the editor that are sent via e-mail and are fewer than 400 words are given preference. Published or unpublished letters become the property of the newspaper and will not be returned. All letters must include name, address, and verifiable phone number. the first time. I asked him, “Amid all of their fame, how have you have managed to engender this type of respect and honor?” That question led to a relationship that I will cherish into eternity. The answer to that question will be evident in the responses that follow. Jimmy Osmond took time from his busy schedule for an interview about his Father. He shared some thoughts and remembrances about what an amazing Father he had, Gary Groman. (File) and the influence his Father had, not only on his career but also on his life and that of the Osmond family. The interview was conducted by the Ole Seagull (TOSG) with Jimmy (JO), using a “Q & A” format. Its purpose was to honor fathers on Father’s Day by sharing an example of a father who truly exemplified the highest standards of what “Fatherhood” means. TOSG: What one word describes what your Father meant to you? JO: Integrity. TOSG: Why that word? JO: That’s what he stood for in everything he did. I never saw my dad swear in all my years, and I never saw him take a drink. He would say, “Choose the right, and let the consequence follow.” And he did. He was always honest in his business dealings even when there was an easier way. TOSG: What is the one thing your Father said to you that has had the most influence on your life? JO: “Pour it on, son.” Whenever I think about my daddy, I think about “pour it on,” which meant “give it your all and keep going.” I remember so many times when I did not want to keep going, and I’d have that in the back of my brain, “Pour it on.” Even when we buried my dad, all I could feel was him saying, “Pour it on.” TOSG: What’s your fondest memory of something you and your dad shared privately? bransonglobe.com A Father’s Day tribute to ‘Father Osmond,’ a father’s father JO: I can “yodel whistle” as could my dad. We had a ranch, and since I was the youngest, I always had to go with him to the ranch. As we traveled to and from the ranch, we would whistle all the way up there and all the way back. Every night before we went to bed, he would say his prayers with me and count his blessings, which was each one of his kids. He would say, “I am only as strong as my weakest child,” which was pretty cool. TOSG: What was one of his characteristics that you admired the most? JO: How he loved us all the same. TOSG: What’s your fondest memory of something your whole family shared with your Father? JO: I think the best times ended up being the hardest times. We had a saying, “Tragedy plus time equals humor, and we’d laugh SEE FATHER’S DAY, PAGE 7 OPINION: Maybe it’s time to become ‘uncomfortable’ My name is Pryce Maxim Rohde. I’m 25 years old, and grew up in southwest Missouri. I graduated from Ozark High School, and graduated Cum Laude from Missouri State University, with bachelor of science degrees in finance and economics. I now work in the field of finance. I am an avid fan of classic rock and metal music, and I play the guitar. I have a question for you: What race do you think I am? Do you assume I’m white because of surface level details? Spoiler alert: I’m a Black American. Does that change your opinion of me? I truly believe for actual change, one has to be uncomfortable. You become comfortable because of things that have been said and done countless times. Maybe it’s time to for everyone to become uncomfortable. I’m not a proponent of victim mentality, but I do believe it’s time to recognize the injustices and crimes committed against full-blooded Americans. Americans who work their hands to the bone, provide for a family, and work just as hard as anyone else. To grant freedom and liberty to one group BransonGlobe Your source for local news and entertainment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. info@BransonGlobe.com • Phone: (417) 334-9100 • Fax: (417) 334-3767 • 1447 US Hwy. 248, Suite EE, Branson, MO 65616 BransonGlobe.com doesn’t mean taking it away from another. It’s giving every American the opportunity for success and to have control of their own lives. So I just ask you to really think about this. How angry would you be if, no matter what, you weren’t given a chance? That the only opportunities were imprisonment or death? Is that fair when you’re just living your best life and minding your own business? @BransonGlobe BransonGlobe @BransonGlobe #Branson Globe
5 Publizr Home