I've written about Jungle Jim's International Market several times here, but it's not a trip to the Cincinnati area without a stop at Jungle Jim's.
I admit that I love taking my travel companions to Jungle Jim's because I enjoy telling them about the store, listening, and watching them think It's just a grocery store, like Wegman's, right?"
And then to see them be amazed when they first walk through and take in what there is to see, I get quite a chuckle out of it.
Fred was just as amazed as everyone else and, as in the past, walked away wanting to show someone else Jungle Jim's someday.
Down the road a bit from the Jungle is the Ohio Valley Antique Mall, where I had some luck in the past, most notably a Cincinnati Royals program for the collection.
I found a 1979 Street and Smith's baseball preview with a J.R.Richard cover and a 1973 program from the Cincinnati Reds, but the big find was near the end of the facility tour.
Inside a glass case rested the trophy above.
In 1971, an award featuring a bronze cast of Vince Lombardi was presented to a former NBA All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer Jack Twyman.
Twyman is the namesake of the NBA's Twyman-Stokes award for best teammate and is named for the two for the care that Twyman provided Stokes after an accident that ended Stokes's career.
Sidebar- I can't believe with all the remakes and reboots in Hollywood, no one has made a film about the Twyman-Stokes saga since the 1973 film "Maurie" starring former NFL star Bernie Casey and Bo Svenson of Walking Tall fame.
The trophy was presented by Mack Trucks CEO, Zenon Hansen, to Twyman and was available for purchase.
I have been unable to find anything further about the trophy (If anyone knows anything further, please contact me!). Although I suspect it came from the family (Jack Twyman passed away in 2012) or perhaps one other owner.
The case's consignor had a note of twenty percent off, which made it still expensive but feasible, and the light bulb went off on where this trophy belonged.
Only one person I know combines the love of Vince Lombardi and basketball history, and I began to try to figure out how to land this big fish.
After I purchased my items, Fred bought his and said goodbye to an employee he had been talking with while I looked around, we drove down the road to eat lunch at Roosters.
While we waited for our food, I called Omaha, explained what it is to Ryan, and sent a few photos.
After hearing the price, even after the discount, Ryan wanted it, but money is always tight around the Christmas season, and he reluctantly had to pass.
Then I asked him this: If I were to provide some of the money as his Christmas gift, would he be interested in obtaining it?
Ryan liked that idea, and after lunch, Fred and I returned to Ohio Valley to see if perhaps a deal could be made.
I walked in and found the guy Fred had talked with to ask if he could call the seller with an offer, as I wanted to try to save Ryan and myself a few dollars.
He said that he couldn't do that, which I found odd.
Usually, at antique malls, the management will call a seller, but only if the item is over a specified number, which I understand because sellers don't want to be bothered by someone wanting to pay 2.50 for a five-dollar item.
So, I countered by asking to see the manager, whom he said was eating lunch.
I thought she would want to be consulted on this, so I asked him if a call could be made.
He wasn't thrilled but asked her, and he came back saying that the call would be made and apologized to me for being incorrect earlier about not being allowed to call.
He then asked for my offer and if I wanted to add anything else, which I did- I wanted him to tell the seller that I was traveling through from Maryland and that there wouldn't be a second chance tomorrow.
That happened to me once on an item, and the seller (who was in the store) said, "Oh, you'll be back tomorrow, you know you want it." So I wanted to be sure that the seller knew that this was the only opportunity.
The offer was accepted, so we saved some money, but I was happier to land a unique item for Ryan and his collection.
It's a good feeling to do something for someone you love and care for.
Fred and I drove to Columbus to spend the night before going home the next day.
When I brought Vince home, Cherie looked at him and, with the weight of the award, thought that he would be residing in our dining room for a long time.
However, Ryan visited in January and took Vince with him.
Vince is now exactly where he belongs- Omaha with Ryan and Archie.
