Kathy provides updates on a mural, a mutt and a 'Family Feud' in this week's column

Murals and mutts. And a little "Feud" roundup.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was planned for Saturday, Oct. 28 for the Riley High School mural on Miami and Ewing.

The last brushes of paint were applied at about 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Deadline? What’s a deadline? The venerable and much beloved swimming coach Dave Dunlap was the last image to make it on the wall.

Namely News: Wildcats' history depicted in new mural about Riley High School

All this mural painting started in May. Beginning with the image of the old high school and continuing across the wall to a graduate at the other end. Six months later, it is now a tribute to the high school, community and students just before the school’s 100th anniversary in 2024.

About 50 alumni and friends gathered in the parking lot on the chilly morning for a crepe paper “ribbon” cutting ceremony. The hot coffee was a big hit. The alumni were warmer. There were many hugs, handshakes and much admiration of the recently completed mural.

Organizer Judith Overmyer said the artist Dave Blodgett was not happy with Coach Dunlap’s portrayal. “To me, Dunlap looked more like Ara Parseghian,” Judith said.

Artist Dave reworked it and was happy with it for the ceremony.

Judith said there has been great support in the neighborhood with praise, snacks and water. “People yelled from the cars. They came by for photos and to talk to (artist) Dave.”

Judith said fundraising has been a challenge. Getting the word out about the mural was slow until a news story in September and some television news time. Things did pick up.

Marcy Balderas (Class of 1992) watched it evolve all summer. “I’m thrilled with it. What a great addition to the neighborhood.” Many other graduates agreed.

John Miller (Central Class of 1961) is a fan of community art and believes it is time for a mural for Central High School. Perhaps a little late for Central. His wife, Dolores, is the Riley grad and was happy.

Artist Dave talked about how the mural evolved through the months with images changing along the way. Then he put the final touches to the art and the dedication. “Paintings are never finished. They are only abandoned. This one is done.”

He goes on to his next job, which is a mural at the dinosaur museum.

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Remember Ducky? He is the three-legged dog that made the pages of People magazine. Ducky was one of 8,000 dogs that were in the running for the Rescue Dog contest. His owner, Maria Waltersdorf, submitted a photo and his story of heartbreak and eventual love.

As a recap, Ducky was left at a shelter in Kentucky with an injured leg. Someone did all they could to wrap it in duct tape. Maria saw him and knew she had to give him a home. In the long run, Ducky’s leg was amputated.

The Tribune’s dog story ran in mid-October. Obviously, it was time for a follow up.

From shelter to People: Three-legged Ducky's up for magazine's Cutest Rescue Dog honor

Ducky didn’t win, but Maria, of Mishawaka, said her dog now has name recognition and street cred. He drinks in the attention. “I heard from people who I hadn’t seen in years. He got the whole community to vote for him.”

The actual winner was a cairn mix from California. “Yeah, the (one-eyed) terrier is cute, but Ducky is still cuter,” a dog owner whose phone is full of cute dog photos says.

Maria said the big winners are the shelter dogs out there. “If one person sees the story and gets a rescue dog — that’s a victory.”

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The Jastrzembski family was on "Family Feud" on four occasions. Jason; his father, Dennis; his brother Steve and his wife, Ashley; and cousin Mike, won one show and $20,000.

Jason said it was filmed in the spring in Atlanta. Seeing it again after so many months was a bit strange. “We had forgotten so much of what was said and what our answers were.” They all laughed at the goofy questions and the pressure. “You truly never know the amount of pressure and how time flies when you’re trying to come up with an educated response.’’

All in the 'Family': Jastrzembski family competes on 'Family Feud,' says Steve Harvey's 'the real thing'

Jason said the family could never come up with some of those answers no matter what. The sounds, the lights and the pressure were a lot to deal with. “Watching the show brought back memories of trying to avoid hearing that buzzer noise” that is used with a wrong answer.

Jason said he got a lot of material for his comedy act that he has when he isn’t doing Air Force things. His title there is Master Sgt. Jason.  “The experience we had together was worth more than any amount of money we could have won. Those memories are priceless. With the holidays, we will use some of that fast money on our family for gifts so to avoid any chance of a true Family Feud.”

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: High school mural completed and an update on 'Family Feud' and a dog