For the benefit of readers who find my text used on other websites, Classie Corner is the editorial column of journalist John Rumney, of Queensland, Australia. This blog celebrates the 25th anniversary of my explorations into "the marvellous community of classified advertising" using the column name Classie Corner. The column now runs in the Rural Press newspaper, Redland Times. I am progressively dusting off hundreds of columns from my archives for the "big two-five". http://classiecorner.blogspot.com/ will feature new and old stories about the hopes and dreams behind the phone numbers and email addresses in paid and free classified advertising. Contact me at fourjays@bigpond.com. [Phew! Now I have that off my chest, let's have some fun. Here's a column the Times published today, March 16, 2006...]

A ROMANTIC novelist could not have come up with a better script than the real-life story of five Wellington Point blokes at a Saturday night dance nearly 55 years ago.
Five young women stood out in the crowd. The two groups chatted and danced.
Within a few years, the five couples who met at Cleveland RSL Hall that night were married.
Half a century on, one of the blokes is waiting on the biggest dance floor while the rest of the gang are still good mates, living out their senior years as Redlanders to the core.
This story comes from Ron McKell, whose Redland Bay home overlooks the farmwhere his wife Lexia (maiden name, Smith) grew up.
Ron has had another love for the past decade but the subject of his affection gives Lexia no concern.
She understands Ron's attraction to Coast Guard Redland Bay.
Ron is one of three volunteers who skipper the flotilla's 10m Cougar Cat. He became flotilla commander last year after Phil Crighton's appointment as south Queensland commodore.
Phil served 12 years as Redland Bay commander and holds a national recordfor longest term of a flotilla chief.
THE other skipper is poultry farm manager Garry Goodwin, who was on duty for the most recent rescue at time of writing.
A 9m ferro-concrete yacht missed channel beacons and grounded on Pelican Banks near North Stradbroke.
"The skipper had just bought the yacht on Russell Island and was heading forRedcliffe," Ron says."
It was his first trip on the boat; he had a brand new chart; they (coastguard crew) showed him how to read it."
Ron says the rescue took about 45 minutes. The grateful novice donated $75.
THESE sorts of stories may be heard at the Coast Guard Redland Bay Flea Market, which helps pay the $100 an hour running costs of the rescue boat.
However, people power not money is the flotilla's greatest need. Ron and Phil hope the number of volunteers will grow from about 35 to 60.
They say volunteers ideally are aged from about 45 and at a time of lifewhen "things have settled down".
Volunteers need not be boaties because book work and day-to-day administration is necessary. Inquiries to 3206 7777.
THANKS for joining me in the marvellous community of classified advertising. Watch our Classifieds for market dates. Feedback to fourjays@bigpond.com.au.