He grew up along “The Lane” in Wheeling back when the dry cleaner was once Gilmar’s Carryout and Frederick’s Hair Salon was Zein’s Restaurant, and before that it was the Checkerboard Bar.
Jule Carenbauer fondly recalls those businesses and several others, and the American veteran also remembers when Edgington Lane School was demolished during a time when consolidation was the name of the game for Ohio County Schools during the 1970s. But then came a city playground that included swings, the ever-popular carousel, a tennis court, and an asphalt basketball court where most hoopsters from around the Upper Ohio Valley played back in the day.
But then he left for the U.S. Air Force when he was 19, served until he was denied a new tech position, and came home and went back to work in a few different capacities. And he was living the exact same three-job reality until the pandemic erased non-essential services, and the employees and he lost the casino, the Uber/Lyft gig, and performing live music at local venues and private parties. This evening between 7-9 p.m., Carenbauer will perform on Facebook Live via his personal Timeline.
Jule has chased a career on the stage, traveling to Nashville years ago to perform on the “Charlie Daniels Country Round-Up,” recording a pair of albums, and playing with the Italian-themed “AMICI” out of Clarksburg for 28 years. He learned himself, for the most part anyway, how to pLay the acoustic guitar, and then Carenbauer figured out he could sing similarly to legend James Taylor.
That’s the key to everything, is it not? Finding your very own voice?
What were the best parts about growing up along Edgington Lane in Wheeling?
Growing up on Edgington Lane was great. I grew up right across from the playground and where I went to school in grades 1-5. Lane market was right across the street, and Paul & Joe’s was next store. The Rose Bowl was just down the street, and Miss Jake’s toy store, was, too. That’s why I have so many great memories from those years.
At one point, you decided to join the military, but then you opted out and decided to return home. What were the reasons behind your making that decision?
I went in at 19. I was stationed in Spain for two years, then Oakland airport, and finally Travis Air Force Base. I put in for a computer job to be trained but ended up not getting it. I was young and wanted to try something different.
In hindsight, I wish I would have stayed in, but I have some great memories from those years, too.
When table games were approved by Ohio County voters, you chose to become a dealer. How has that industry changed since?
I think the biggest change is that all three states in the area have casinos now, and that spread out the business. But right now, wearing shields and mask to deal to customers wearing masks has been a challenge.
I currently am at the Meadow’s part-time.
How did you react when you learned all three of your jobs were deemed non-essential?
At first, I didn’t know what to think. Casino closed, Uber/Lyft done, and I could not play music out. I started playing on Facebook every Wednesday 7-9 p.m. Playing to a phone was not my idea of entertaining, and I thought it would last a couple weeks at most, but tonight will be the 15th week.
But I have reconnected with old friends, sold some CD’s , and actually made some tips on PayPal. Plus, those evenings were keeping me sane through all of this.
You composed a song during the pandemic about this coronavirus. Tell us about the song and explain how people can listen to it.
Sitting at home every day, I was like everyone else; I just wanted things to get back to normal. I wrote “On The Other Side of Corona” that says that when this is over, we will have our lives back.
My good friend Sheri Welsh Kernik put a slideshow to my song with many of my High School friends in it. I uploaded it to iTunes where you can also buy my music.
Right now, I am not sure when the new song will upload. You can listen to all of my music on YouTube, Spotify, and other services.
If you would like a CD, just get a hold of me on Facebook where you can watch the song also. Please share the song if you can. We will get through this together!
