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Tom R. Mueller
25 Things You May Not Know About Tom Mueller
1. I am an Eagle Scout. (Ony 2% of scouts earn this Highest Rank). I attended 2 National Jamborees.
2. I sold ads for The Legenda for 2 years and was a Copy/Layout Editor.
3. I was a Fuller Brush Door-To-Door Salesman. Started June 1964 until I left for CMU Sep.1965.
Although just part time, I often was "Salesman of The Week" and outsold fulltimers of 25 years. Just loved
the challenge and meeting my customers. I literally - ran - to the next house because I could not wait to
serve the next customer.
4. Attended CMU and earned a Teaching Certificate. Major: Recreation. Minors: Spanish, Physical
Education, and History.
5. Worked part time in Alma, MI. the last 3 years of college with the Community Education Department as
an After School Recreation Director in charge of 2 buildings and activities. My first year with Alma
Community Ed., I hitchhiked from Mt. Pleasant to Alma and back 5 days a week. Getting dropped off at
each town's highway exit. I had to walk 3 miles to my worksite and back to the highway; or to/from the
Mt. Pleasant exit from/to my dorm. (12 miles each day).This was from Sep. to Dec. the first year. I got a
car on Christmas Break and moved to Alma the second year. Then commuted to my classes.
6. Graduated CMU June 1970. Alma hired me as their Middle School Physical Education Teacher, a
position I held for 26 years. Then I chose to retire at the age of 48.
7. After a year of basically doing nothing but my volunteer work, I got a chauffer's license and drove
an over-the-road Motor Coach (Tour Bus) for 10 years. Loved it! Got to travel from The Upper
Peninsula to The Gulf of Mexico, from Montreal to South Carolina and many places East of The
Mississippi. It is fun to drive a big rig in New York City and Chicago. (Not really)!!! Drivers do not give
you any room of courtesy. It is a lot of reponsibility.
8. I LOVE TRAVEL: Been to Mexico 14 times. Europe 4 times. The Montreal Olympics. Rented a car for
6 weeks and drove 5,000 kilometers from Amsterdam to the boot of Italy and back to Frankfort, Germany.
And many, many stops inbetween. Met locals by staying in Bread and Breakfast accomodations, often.
9. I have hosted Exchange Students. Mostly for the summer time. From Mexico, Columbia, China, and
Spain. My Spanish "Son" came 4 times. The last time for the whole school year Sep. '88 to June '89.
I have been to Spain to visit him twice.
10. Started the FIRST SOCCER PROGRAM/TEAMS in Gratiot County in 1971. Coached 4 age levels
simultaneously including playing on and coaching the men's team. Then was a referee for 13 years
throughout Mid-Michigan. Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Saginaw, Bay, Midland, and Tuscola counties.
Also, held several positions on the governing boards of soccer at the regional and state levels.
11. In June 1978 I traveled to Argentina to attend the Soccer World Cup. I continued after, by visiting
most of the rest of the countries in South America, except Brazil and Pauaguay. Total 9 week trip.
12. 6 cruises were great trips. I especially liked the stops and sightseeing. I like indigenous culture and
local customs/history. Have visited 48 States, (except Vermont and New Hampshire).
13. I have earned my Beginner and Advanced Certifications in Scuba Diving. And have done over 60
dives, all in the warm waters of The Caribbean. (And it is Car-Rib-E-An, not Care-A-B-An)!
14. Seeking adventure, I took a hot air balloon ride in Mexico. Took an airplane pilot training lesson.
Went paragliding. And am one of the few and rare people to have ridden in a blimp/dirigible, and I
sat in the co-pilot seat and wore the headset to hear all "air traffic conversations".
15. For 30 years, my hobby has been to shoot videotapes of local events and edit and produce them for
our local Public Access TV station which airs in 3 counties. Ranging from City Council Meetings, to
music performances, to speakers on local history, to our 3 day Alma Highland Festival (Scottish).
The only year I entered a video competition to be judged on program editing, I received 2 second
place awards in the 5 state region.
16. At age 13, I was on a Saginaw bowling team and we took the State Championship.
17. I am active in my church and have served as a Council member, Financial Secretary and Assisting Minister. And often am an usher.
18. I started a program to mentor youth in my church and trained them to be acolytes.
19. I was a chaperone/group leader for my church youth to travel to Tennessee and worked on 2 Habitat For Humanity homes for 2 weeks.
20. I was a founding Board Member of a Christian Radio Station in Coleman, MI. I served as Secretary for 15 years until we sold the station. This started as WPRJ (We Praise Jesus)). Then became The Fuse on 101.7 FM. And now is Radio U. We played Contemporary Christian Music.
21. I was in the right place at the right time. Attended Daniel's Den and forged a friendship with Mr. Patrick. Went from being a customer to an employee. Started with ticket sales, to "bartender", to assistant Stage Manager. Became The Den's DJ and Emcee until the closing in 1970. Was so lucky to meet and work with the amazing groups that performed there.
22. I was able to travel from Saginaw to other venues with many National and International groups, where we also put on concerts. I was able to maintain contact with many of them for a period of time as they gave me their home phone numbers and addresses. And worked with several groups repeatedly.
23. Having learned many aspects of the rock scene and ALL that goes with it, I scouted locals groups and became the Manager of The Paupers, students at AHHS (3 years behind us). Due to a group of the same name, we changed our name to The Feris Wheel. I can add the title of "Record Producer" to my credits - for their record "The Best Part of Breaking Up (is when you're making up)"; with "Woman" on the flip side produced by Dick Wagner.
24. Led a church service/worship for 25 years at a nursing home, the first Sunday of each month.
25. Visited the "Patients" at The Saginaw Veterans Hospital a few times a year (for over 30 years to the present) to visit with, and provide and lead recreation activities
Have tried to help others all of my life. My motto is "Service To Others"
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