[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 14 (Monday, January 30, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THE DICK FAMILY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to honor a family of 
entrepreneurs who have been loyal and persistent in contributing to the 
economy of the Commonwealth, the Dick family of Science Hill, KY. The 
late brothers Arl and Carl Dick opened two separate general stores over 
60 years ago which are still open for business and family operated 
today. In the midst of an economy where small businesses commonly 
struggle, it is inspiring that Kentucky's very own Pulaski County has 
two successful family-run businesses that have withstood the test of 
time.
  The brothers Carl and Arl were Kentucky natives, but were living in 
Ohio when they decided to return to their Pulaski County roots and open 
a general store that would become a backbone in the local economy. At 
the beginning of 1952, there were a total of three general stores in 
the downtown area of Science Hill; one owned by local businessman Ed 
Gibson and the other two belonging to the Dick brothers. The stores 
were ahead of their time; they not only carried a full line of 
groceries but were supplied with items such as shoes, clothes, and 
hardware as well.
  None of the three stores were necessarily in competition with each 
other because each store specialized in carrying a different supply of 
items. Carl's grandson James Dick, who grew up working in the family 
business, started out as a delivery boy. If a customer requested an 
item that a particular store did not have in stock, James would run 
from store to store to find the item and make sure it was delivered to 
the customer.
  Carl's son Russell Dick remembers the generosity his father showed to 
customers on a daily basis. Carl initiated a local system of credit so 
farmers could obtain the items they needed with an agreement that they 
would pay for the items as soon as their crops were sold. Carl was also 
notorious for investing in the local economy. He would lend money to 
farmers who wished to purchase new farm equipment and entrepreneurs who 
were interested in starting local businesses, all of which was paid 
back to him in full.
  For the past half century, the general stores of downtown Science 
Hill have provided a family atmosphere for customers and have 
established a reputation for caring about their community. Carl Dick's 
General Store--now run by Carl's son and daughter-in-law Russell and 
Hazel Thurman Dick--and Science Hill Market, now run by Arl's widow 
Ruth Elliot Dick, still value friendly, caring customer service above 
all else. This devotion to the local customer has led to the long-
lasting success of this small Kentucky business in today's modern 
economy.
  The Pulaski County-area publication the Commonwealth Journal recently 
published an article that illustrates the impact three generations of 
the Dick family and their businesses have made on the community of 
Science Hill. I ask unanimous consent that the full article be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:

             [From The Commonwealth Journal, June 19, 2011]

          Carl Dick's General Store: A Science Hill Tradition

                             (By Don White)

       Wal-Mart would have had a tough time competing with the 
     Science Hill of yesteryear.
       Three general merchandise stores once operated downtown, 
     all within a few feet of each other, carrying items ranging 
     from shoes and clothing, paints, wallpaper, and flooring, to 
     a full line of groceries.
       Brothers Arl and Carl Dick each opened his own store at 
     about the same time, and both remain in business.
       Arl's widow, Ruth Elliot Dick, is owner/manager of Science 
     Hill Market, and across the way is Carl Dick's General Store, 
     where his son and daughter-in-law Russell and Hazel Thurman 
     Dick hold down the fort, often assisted by their son, James.
       The Pulaski County natives opened their stores in 1948 and 
     1952 after returning home from living in Ohio.
       ``Arl's is the oldest, and the other store in town was 
     operated by Ed Gibson,'' says James. ``They were so close 
     together, it was almost like they were under the same roof,'' 
     notes the former delivery boy/floor sweeper/stocker, and 
     cashier who grew up in the business.
       James supplemented the $5 per week paid for working in the 
     store with such chores as delivering mail, watering flowers 
     for residents at a nickel per job, and mowing lawns.
       ``I was so young when I started mowing my customers had to 
     start the mower for me,'' he says laughingly.
       Often, when things were extra busy in the store, James 
     welcomed the opportunity to make deliveries and figures he 
     went to every house in town, either by walking, riding a 
     bike, motorcycle or driving a golf cart.
       ``When our store didn't have something a customer wanted, 
     chances were pretty good one of the others would, so I did 
     the running from store to store picking up and delivering the 
     items.''
       The 45-year-old bachelor and 1984 Somerset High graduate 
     remains on the run, currently serving as president and CEO of 
     Morris & Hislope and Pulaski Funeral homes, in addition to 
     being a licensed funeral director. Life lessons learned in 
     the store are given credit for the success he enjoys today in 
     the world of business and helping people.
       He learned about credit due to a big portion of the 
     customers purchasing items with an agreement to pay when 
     their crops were sold.
       When adults would gather around the coal stove in the 
     center of the building and swap stories and words of wisdom, 
     James tried to stay within hearing distance.
       ``Adults were always talking, and I was listening, picking 
     up lots of good advice along the way.''
       His papaw stressed the value in remaining humble throughout 
     life, saying . . . ``If you've got a quarter in your pocket, 
     be sure and make people think it's a nickel,'' and to always 
     be thrifty.
       ``I once ended up with $25 at the end of a month of 
     working, and they took me to Roses to pick out toys. I bought 
     all quality toys. Ended up with a basket full and plenty of 
     change left over.''
       Well versed in local history, James says his pawpaw's store 
     was called Four Brothers and operated by the Randall brothers 
     when Carl took over.
       Arl purchased his store from Millard Roy.
       ``All the stores stayed extremely busy, and there was never 
     a feeling of one being in competition with the other because 
     each was known for certain items.
       ``We specialized in shoes, feed and clothing,'' says James.
       ``I can remember selling bibbed overalls for $2.98 per 
     pair,'' says Russell, also widely known as a used car dealer 
     from 45 years with two lots in Science Hill.
       James has always been aware of the respect people in the 
     area have had throughout three generations of service for 
     Dick family members.
       ``I have all good memories of growing up in Science Hill, a 
     really close-knit community that's a great place to live and 
     work.
       ``It's been a pleasure to see all the progress, like 
     watching Charles Hall (former superintendent for the Science 
     Hill Independent School System) build that school into one of 
     the best in the state.''
       At the visitation for his papaw, he heard from dozens of 
     people about the things he had done for them, including 
     lending money for the buying of farm equipment.
       ``Vernon Merrick told me that papaw took a dollar off every 
     pair of shoes he bought his children, and that meant a lot.''
       Coming to town to ``do your tradin' '' at the three stores 
     was a big deal.
       ``I seldom meet an area family who didn't shop downtown,'' 
     he says.
       And the best thing about the good ol' days is that they 
     aren't over yet in Science Hill, Kentucky.
       Carl Dick's General Store is open Monday through Saturday 
     from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M., still selling everything from 
     delicious baloney sandwiches to diamond rings.
       Even old-fashioned candy is still sold by the pound at 
     Christmas time.
       In fact, the shelves are still stacked high with so much 
     merchandise, the walkways are passable, but very narrow.
       ``Chances are, if you want it, we've got it, if we can find 
     it,'' says Hazel.

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