Conversations with Paul reflect unique Hoppyness

If you’ve lived in Odessa for any length of time, then you know who Paul Hopp is. I’ve never heard anyone utter as much as one cross word about Paul. To know him is to love him, and if you don’t love him, you don’t know him.

With a passion for woodwork, Paul is normally covered in wood chips or blanketed in sawdust. He is also the kind of guy with a hand to lend, a grin on his face and a genuine smile for everybody. He will also readily hand out a good teasing and fully expects one in return. Instead of happiness, Paul has what I call hoppyness.

I was fortunate (or unfortunate in his terms) en...