The Thunderbolt -- Webmaster Biography

The Thunderbolt -- Webmaster Biography

Contents
Overview
My Hobbies
Website and Personal
Picture Of The Webmaster and his late wife


Overview


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The above was a wedding day picture of The Thunderbolt webmaster, and his wife, Janice...who was a Co-Sysop in his BBS, detailed below. Sadly, she died on April 27, 2007 ...both this website and the BBS are being continued in her memory.

I had worked at Oxford Graphics in Little Rock, Arkansas for over 18 years, but had to resign in 2004, due to health reasons. They specialize in QUALITY silkscreen printing and monogramming of textiles, caps, jackets, banners, signs, and decals. Please tell them that I sent you.

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My Hobbies


Here's a brief overview of my hobbies, that I do for relaxation:

* Ham Radio - I started as a No Code Technician licensee (amateur radio callsign N5VLZ) on August 7, 1991. I ran various Central Arkansas Amateur Radio Traffic and Information Nets from 1993 to 2003, was the Talk-In And VHF Packet Station Chairman for the Little Rock Hamfest, and, I ran Echolink Nets from February, 2006 to October, 2007. However, the only Echolink Net that I actively run on a regular basis anymore is for the Cabot, Arkansas Simplex Group. I am now the webmaster for the Arkansas Radio Emergency Services ham radio club in Little Rock. I am a Life Member of the American Radio Relay League, and primarily now do most of my ''on the air work'' via VHF Packet, CQ100, and Echolink. Using HamTestOnline, I upgraded from Technician to General to Amateur Extra in under 4 weeks, but chose to keep my original callsign...one of the last 1x3 sequential callsigns issued in Arkansas by the FCC. I am also an accredited ARRL Volunteer Examiner (VE), able to administer U.S. Amateur Radio license exams, as long as there are at least two (2) other Amateur Extra Class VE's with me at a test session.

* Square Dancing - I graduated from class in December, 1985...and have danced through Advanced (A2) and attended various festivals when my schedule permitted. After a 5 year hiatus from square dancing after the 2002 National Square Dance Convention in Minneapolis...due to job and health concerns...I restarted square dancing in 2007, a few months after the untimely death of my wife. I am the Webmaster of the Jamboree USA Square And Round Dance Weekend, held each Spring in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, plus the Webmaster and Circulation Manager for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation. I'm also part of Single Square Dancers USA (SSDUSA), and the Webmaster for Single Square Dancers Of Arkansas Association (SSDArkA), who put on the SSDUSA Dance-A-Rama when it was in North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2007.

* Gospel Songwriter - I was saved March 28, 1978...and had all four wisdom teeth removed the next day...talk about a baptism by fire! I've been writing Gospel Poetry...some put to music...for over 31 years...doing free mini concerts at area churches from time to time, when health and schedule permitted. My Gospel Poetry collection is online; be sure to click on the Get A Free Gift link...you'll be Eternally Grateful for what it has. I am currently a member of South Highland Baptist Church, in west Little Rock.

* BBS Sysop - I started running a BBS on a Radio Shack 32K Model 100 laptop computer in December, 1990. The BBS is continued in loving memory of my late wife and Co-Sysop, Janice E.H. Stout, who died on April 27, 2007. To my knowledge, The Thunderbolt BBS is the ONLY BBS left in Arkansas. It makes me feel like the ''Tom Bodett'' of BBSing...I'll leave the modem and telnet lights on for you (grin!). However, note that the BBS is OFFLINE DURING THUNDERSTORMS to protect from lightning damage. For central Arkansas weather information, click here.

* Weather - I'm a certified National Weather Service Skywarn Severe Weather Storm Spotter, and work with the Arkansas Weather Net, with the National Weather Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. I also am co-moderator of the FIDONet Weather Message Area.

* Trains - I'm a member of the Arkansas Railroad Club in Little Rock, Arkansas (which is also a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, plus a member of the National Association Of Railroad Passengers. I've been a railfan all my life, and prefer Amtrak as my mode of travel. When traveling by train, I board The Texas Eagle at Little Rock, Arkansas.

* Puns - An example of a pun is ''when the guy changed the bulbs on the tower of the Empire State Building, it was known as the high light of his career''. I've taken part in the World Championship Pun-Off at The O. Henry Museum in Austin, Texas.

* Quartet Singing - I've always been a fan of unaccompanied quartet harmony. More details are located at The Society For The Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America website.

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Website and Personal


My website was originally started with some shareware HTML programs...but when I couldn't register them, I went to the DIDA HTML Editor. I use a ''basic template'', as it's easier to update. I also preferred the KISS (Keep It Short and Simple) philosophy...as I got tired of pages that say ''your browser can't view this site''. With the simplicity, virtually ANY Web Browser can view my site.

I am webmaster for the following sites, besides this one:

1) Arkansas Radio Emergency Services Club

2) Jamboree USA Square And Round Dance Weekend

3) Arkansas State Square Dance Federation

4) Single Square Dancers Of Arkansas Association

5) The Thunderbolt BBS


On a personal note, aside from the hobbies noted above, I've worn glasses since 1969, had arches built into my feet in 1971 (I was born without them), worn dentures since 2000, and have since become disabled, due to declining health. I was married to the former Janice Elaine Harvey on May 18, 2003...sadly, an apparent heart attack claimed her life on April 27, 2007. For details on Janice's life, click here.

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