MANSFIELD, Ohio – Breaking bread is traditionally a notation of friendliness and comfort, and Richland Source observed the tradition by breaking hash browns at McDonald’s on Trimble Road this Friday.
Fueled by coffee and good company, Richland Source reporters were able to catch a brief glimpse into the lives of many Mansfield residents as they entered Memorial Day weekend. Many patrons enjoyed a quick meal before starting their day, like Carl and Judy Adams who came to the Trimble Road restaurant with their daughter, Cindy Vanlandinghan. Every two weeks, said Judy, they come to treat themselves to breakfast.
“I like their breakfast, but I don’t have a favorite,” said Judy. “It’s whatever my mood tells me,” she added with a laugh.
The family plans to gather on Monday for a Memorial Day family cookout.
Across the restaurant enjoying biscuits and gravy was Shawna Rush, who had just dropped her four-year-old daughter Kaelynn off at preschool. Rush was on her way to work at Dairy Land, a job she’s held for the past seven years.
“People are a lot more rude than you’d think,” said Rush. “I remember one lady threw her milkshake at my boss because it was the wrong order.”
Rush started working at Dairy Land at the age of 15, while she was a student at Madison High School.
Others preferred McDonald’s as a destination for conversation and camaraderie. Three ladies at McDonald’s on Friday were meeting on behalf of Celebrate Recovery, a faith-based recovery program for those suffering from “hurts, hang-ups and habits.”
“You take off your masks, there’s no phoniness here,” said Charlotte Page. “There is no judgment and it’s always Christ-centered.”
Celebrate Recovery has been in existence since 2006 at Crossroads Church in Mansfield. The group meets at 7 p.m. every Friday for large group sessions, men and women share groups and fellowship.
Page explained the 12-step program is welcome to all, whether suffering from substance abuse or an addiction to destructive habits. In fact, many people who come initially to support their friends end up staying for themselves.
“People walk alongside you and support you, and help you grow,” said Marcia Wolf. “I started coming when I was 58 years old – in 58 years I had never felt so accepted.”
Wolf and Page praised the third lady joining them on Friday, Stephanie Brubaker, saying she “wins the award” for most growth within Celebrate Recovery. Brubaker, who will celebrate her 44th birthday next week, said being a part of Celebrate Recovery has helped her let go of her “emotional crap” and connect with people.
“You take inventory of yourself and the people you’ve hurt, and you learn to take responsibility for yourself,” she said.
Continuing a morning tradition on Friday were Bob Patton, Lewis “Ground Hog” Dye, and Mike “Preacher” Rogers. The three men, with a few others, have been meeting at McDonald’s for a little over 30 years. So frequent are their visits that their group has been named “The Coffee Clutch Group,” despite their aversion to drinking coffee.
Full of banter and wisdom, the men and one woman, Janice Hinton, spend anywhere from one hour to three hours in the McDonald’s restaurant.
Rogers first moved to Mansfield to pastor Church of God on Trimble Road 34 years ago. He’s been married for 46 years. Newly married himself, staff reporter Dillon Carr asked for some advice.
“I met a married couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary a long time ago. I asked the man for advice just like you’re doing now,” said Rogers. “What he said to me was this: ‘I learned early that you can either be happy or right. So I chose to be happy.’”
“Most of us are,” said Hinton with a laugh.
Dye, or “Ground Hog,” came to Ohio from Virginia “following a woman.” He never married and spends his time taking care of his mother.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from – Ohio, hillbilly or whatever. It’s how you treat people,” said Dye. “If you look at someone like you want to cut their throat, that’s not good.”
“Some people just have a friendly way about them,” added Rogers–friendly, like those folks at McDonald’s.
