Jack Barnhart (I actually used J. Charles Barnhart in my theatre days, oh paleeze!!) is the product of great parents, optimistic genes, and a talent to swing a hammer. All started in high school plays, when I figured I could build better sets than the nun (which I could), and then take a small acting role (which I couldn’t...blew my single line in front of family and friends – the humiliation will follow me to the grave). Hooked on show biz, I majored in theatre at Catholic U. in Washington DC, with summers digging out cow poop for a “barn theatre” in Ohio where I staged 5 seasons of musicals. Great success, till I figured I was ready to audition actors in New York, offering them modest lodging and cigarette money. Ultimate disaster, incredible memories, mostly wonderful.

The hammer thing again. During my 10 years as producer/director of theatre at a college near Chicago, I figured the convent across the street (where we rented a larger stage) needed a studio theatre. With what little help I could scrounge, I took a 40 X 80 ft basement space, and over 2 years turned it into a “jewel,” according to some TV reporter. 90 seats, opulent 2-level lounge with antiques and curved staircase, faux fireplace, stained glass windows, fabric walls, running fountain surrounding an angel holding a chandelier (that I coaxed out of some priest in town). Both theatres: 8 productions per year, season totally sold out in September. I was clearly the king. Then I took a stab at starting another theatre, this time a dinner theatre, in the 70s just as the fad was beginning to droop. Kiss of death.

Now time to change careers. Not much bucks in college teaching, but real estate seemed to promise many happy returns. Especially in the primo suburbs of Chicago. With my motor mouth sprinkled with that optimism and a wide smile, I was a superstar with ReMax Realtors (humbly speaking, but true). Nice not to worry about ends meeting for a change, just Mr. TaxMan come aknockin each April. Sure helped kids David and Kelly get thru college.

Now time for a third career and a new location. Moved in ’87 to Iowa (corn and pig capital of the universe!!) to join partner “Dr. Bob” Schanke, a college prof/theatre director/prolific writer, including 9 books, www.robertschanke.com . Dropping 80% in income, social work in mental health for the State seemed the perfect ticket for me at this stage in life. About that time, found a vacant lot with trees in a suburb of Des Moines and built a lovely ranch home, with a great basement where my shop was always waiting for the next project. From corner cabinets to entertainment center to toy box, to decks, boardwalk, and bridges, wood has been my passion. Plus, avid gardeners, both of us. Any decent weather will find us covered in grime, primping our many flowerbeds, that include well over 3000 hostas and a ton of annuals that demand obscene dollars per year. Though “master gardeners” we are not. Dump it in the dirt, give it a few weeks to shine, or out it goes!!

Over the years the interior of our home, and certainly the treehouse, has borrowed much from our world travels. We’ve been blessed with a zest for adventure and a spirit to schlepp to distant shores, mostly on the cheap. We’ve spent months in Western Europe, but truly marvel over the textures we find in Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. And we have tons of photos to prove it.

Now in retirement for several years, I join the chorus who wonder how we ever found time for a career. Praise the Lord, and knockkkk on wood (especially red oak and mahogany), health is good, the best years are ahead, and every day is like Saturday morning with a great weekend ahead. Ain’t life grand??