Noted Ocala actor James Kisicki passes away in Ohio

Ocala has seen its share of celebrities over the years, and had its share of losses, too.

Ocala’s Mary Sawaya wrote in a note to me last Monday: “Ocala raised, and Ocala High Graduate (he would have turned 80 years old in April 2018), actor James Kisicki passed away in Cleveland, Ohio this morning.

“He played in Broadway stage productions, and appeared in Hollywood and TV movies, including a noted role as the banker in the movie, ‘Shawshank Redemption.’

“His parents, now deceased, raised him in Ocala. His sister, Mary Kisicki, still lives in Ocala, and is a well-known judicial assistant at the Marion County Courthouse under Judge Willard Pope.”

Kisicki is listed in Wikipedia and his website, kisicki.com, lists movie roles working with Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris, Melanie Griffith, Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas, Richard Thomas, Morgan Freeman, James Whitmore, Tim Robbins, Richard Dreyfuss, Mercedes Ruehl and Peter Falk.

HAMFEST: The annual Ocala Hamfest is on today’s schedule of activities. If you have ever been interested in radio, television, digital communications, remote control devices, Morse code or any of literally dozens of other technological pursuits, then you might want to go. It’s at the Ocala Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. An FCC test session is slated for 10 a.m. Admission at the door is $7, or free for active military or first responders in uniform.

Talk-in on the club’s K4GSO repeater 146.610, PL 123.

Club official Carl Berry says the club is expecting at least 500 attendees, and a shuttle will be provided from parking to event and tailgate areas.

WREATHS: If you’ve got some spare time, I’ve got a way for you to utilize it. Ed Jaworski, Ocala, wrote: “With December upon us and everyone thinking holidays, it's time to remind the good folks of Beautiful Marion County about our effort to remember and honor our veterans who have sacrificed so much to make our country as great as it is.

“On Dec. 16, at Highland Memorial Park at noon, we will be putting wreaths on over 1,500 veterans’ graves and are inviting anyone who would like to help. Volunteers, young and old, can help honor our veterans and teach our younger generation the value of patriotism.”

Anyone wishing to participate can contact Jaworski at 625-1030.

SHOESTRINGS: Jacksonville’s Tommy F. Thompson wrote: “Slyguy, I remember shoestrings in the past were absolutely horrible. The best of shoelaces back then would break within a week. Today they last for the duration of the shoe. That's 50 years ago and earlier, but today's laces are so much better than in the past. After over 10 years, I’m still loving your column. Happy Holidays!”

Tommy, I got so tired of tying shoestrings, I switched over to loafers decades ago and have no plans to ever switch back.

SENIOR SCAM: On Top of the World’s Hannah Cole wrote: “No one else has mentioned getting calls from people who want to talk about ‘senior benefits.’ We have received several of these. Instead of hanging up, I decided I would tell them that senior benefits were handled by the United States Government. The last time they tried, I told them they should be ashamed of trying to scam old people. Not only did they hang up on me, but they haven't called me back since then. If you tell your readers to try this, then maybe they, too, can get rid of some of those calls.”

That would be great, Hannah, but there are so many people who apparently prefer scamming to working, that I doubt we’ll ever see an end to those calls. You just have to be careful when on the phone or the Internet.

HOLIDAY DONATIONS: Ocala’s Lynne Stephens wrote: “Every year starting Oct, 1 we wrap a huge box in Christmas paper and put it in the dining room. To this we add a food product every single day. Box number one is overflowing and we’re starting number two, which we will fill until Dec. 23.

“I want to donate it to families in need of food in a real way. Many are forgotten or unable to get to a place to get food. I am looking for a food pantry which really serves the needy and does not get large donations. I know there is one in the Forest but do not know the name. Are there any others you are familiar with? Do you have a suggestion of a person or place we could contact to deliver this food?”

I’m kind of removed from the mainstream these days, so I passed that question on to the newsroom. Susan Smiley-Height, our Local News Editor suggested: “The Help Agency of the Forest/Sozo Kids is one of the smaller outreaches, but, in fact, reaches huge numbers of people, especially those in the Ocala National Forest area. http://www.sozokids.org/help-agency.html. The contact is David Houck, 299-5830; or david.saltlife@gmail.com .”

Please send your comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your FULL name and town. This column appears each Thursday and Saturday on page B1 and online at ocala.com.