Hudsonhubtimes.com - Smoke Signals: Space sometimes negates the 'whole story'

by Tim Troglen, reporter

Many times when a reporter is writing his or her story, there are elements which must be left out due to space limitations or because while a certain situation touched them, it does not fit with the story.

And sometimes, those instances are the gems that the reporter will remember for years.

That has happened to me at least twice in the last month.

In July I wrote a story featuring 86-year-old Floyd Hrivnak, a member of a weekly art class taught at the Maple Heights Senior Center.

In 2004 I had covered the art class and was impressed by a piece of Hrivnak's work. The painting depicted heavyweight boxer Luis Firpo taking a punch from Jack Dempsey, who won the 1923 championship match.

I fell in love with the painting because growing up, my dad, Bill, who boxed while serving in the U.S. Army and loved the "sweet science" of boxing, used to tell me of great fighters like Jake LaMotta, Joe Louis and Dempsey.

Dad and I would spend hours watching old fights on TV, and I dropped a ton of money on pay-per-view fights watching Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Mike Tyson.

So, the painting was pretty special to me.

Hrivnak wanted to give it to me, for my dad, but I would not take it. I told Dad about the picture and while he was flattered, he reminded me that accepting the picture for free would be wrong.

And as I moved onto other stories, I often thought about the painting, wondering who had purchased it from Hrivnak.

Last month I found out.

I had asked Linda Vopat, the Maple Heights director of human services, if she knew anything about the painting. She found out that Hrivnak still had it and was still willing to give it to me. And since I would not accept it for free, we negotiated a price.

As I interviewed Hrivnak for the story, he reached into a bag beside his chair and pulled out the portrait -- and it looked as good as it did four years ago.

Hrivnak said he brought the picture because he knew I wanted to give it to my dad.

However, Hrivnak didn't know my dad died April 4, 2004.

When I told him, he almost cried. After the interview, as I was ready to leave with my new purchase, he said with a smile, "And the next time you see your dad, tell him I'm sorry we could not enjoy the picture together."

I didn't know what to say, but I promised him I would. When I left I was close to tears.

Another incident happened two weeks ago while covering the possible closing of AMVETS Post 80 in Maple Heights. While interviewing Jim Soltis, the post commander, he told me about his grandson, Sgt. Mark T. Smykowski, who was killed in 2006 while serving as a U.S. Marine in Iraq.

He explained how his grandson's dog was at the funeral and walked up to the casket and placed its paws on it. Soltis said it appeared the dog knew Mark was there.

Then he pulled out an item which I cherish.

He gave me a card from his grandson's funeral. Inside the card is the Marine's Prayer. On the outside is a picture of Mark, forever young and smiling in his combat gear.

I looked at the card and carefully handed it back.

"It's yours," Soltis said. "I brought it for you, so you'll never forget."

What a special moment for me. The card is on the wall by my desk in a place of prominence.

While these "sidebar" anecdotes may not have fit into the main story, I'll carry them with me forever, thankful for meeting these wonderful people.

To Hrivnak, who I admire as an artist and who has given me a painting more special than Rembrandt could have created, I will pass your message onto Dad when I see him next.

And to Soltis, who allowed me into his life for a brief period and who let me hear and feel his pride not only for Mark, but also Mark's two brothers, one who served in Iraq and one who is heading there this month -- I can promise you, sir, -- I will never forget.

And to them both --and the others who have given me these special moments that make up the portrait of my memories -- thank you.

E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3165