A not-so-random act of kindness

Anyone who has lived in Franklin in the last fifty years, or has visited for more than an hour or two, has (whether they know it, or not) probably seen Curless Estelle riding his bicycle around the streets of downtown.
Curless might even be referred to as a “mainstay” of Franklin, were one so inclined. And if not, at least it cannot be denied that the sight of Curless pedaling down this street, or that, is as reliable to the initiated as the business hours of the parish courthouse.
He is a local handyman in Franklin, 63 years old, and says he has been doing odd jobs for people around the city for most of his life.
“Ever since I was a little boy, I always just wanted to help people. That’s just how we were brought up,” he said.
Born in Centerville, Curless has lived in and meandered around Franklin for so long that he has become a bit of an icon here.
A fan of country music and westerns, he tends to routinely dress in blue jeans and checkered shirts, and until Friday, could be found behind the upturned handlebars of his old bike, riding casually with his fists upside down and his elbows out.
He has been delivering newspapers for the St. Mary & Franklin Banner-Tribune for 14 years, and has done so from the basket on the front of his bike.
Friday morning, the door to the office of the Banner-Tribune swung open, and in wheeled a new, red bicycle alongside Joan Adams, a Franklin local.
Adams explained that the new bike was meant for Curless and that she was dropping it off at the Banner in anticipation of Curless’ regular Friday visit to the office.
She said that a week prior, she and her husband Jody had been driving around Franklin when they caught sight of Curless wrestling with the handlebars of his bike.
Jody stopped and helped Curless with adjustments to his handlebars; and then, the Adams went on their way.
“He (Jody) got back in the truck and said he thought we should get Curless some new handlebars,” Adams said, “And I said, ‘Why don’t we just get him a new bike?’ So, that’s what we did.
“He’s needed a new bike for a while now, and he does a lot for this community.”
She also noted that Kim and Rodney Adams also chipped-in for the bike.
In order to complete the surprise successfully, Debbie Billiot, circulation manager at the Banner, called Curless at home and asked if he could come to work early, to help her with an unnamed task. She offered to pick him up in the van, and as usual, Curless accepted.
Curless and Billiot arrived 20 minutes later, and as he walked in, Curless’ eyes widened. He put his hand to his chest and literally took a step backwards exclaiming, “For me? Wow!”
He inspected the new bike, complete with air pump, bike lock and reflectors, all the while struggling to find the words to express his feelings.
He finally said, “I’m speechless!”
He used his new air pump to fill the tires and took his bike for a spin. He has since then said that his favorite part about it is its red color, and that the ride it provides is “smooth.”
Lastly, Curless had a message for the Adams family, “I love it. Thanks very much. I sure appreciate it, and I’m going to continue like I always did.”
Now those who come to Franklin will see Curless on his new bike, delivering papers and working the odd jobs he always has, except that these days, he is rolling in style.