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The image above was that of the Southbridge Savers Cooperative Bank (Elm St Location) Thermometer. It was turned off in October 2002, and taken down in the Spring of 2003. Temperature guesses now occur using a portable thermometer, continuing the "contest" described below. On May 30, 2003 we marked the 1000th Guess. Whoever guesses the closest to the tesmperature "wins".  I won 423 times compared to Bernies 577 wins!

Dick and Bernie's Southbridge Noontime Temperature Contest

or

why my daughter says "Dad, get a life!"

For several years, I have been taking a noontime walk with a friend (?) and colleague at AO during our noon-time lunch break. For a long time, we would informally guess the temperature. A few years ago, this developed into a contest. We decided to flip a coin to see who would decide who guesses first. The person who then comes closest to the actual temperature when in the crosswalk at Main and Central wins.

In 1999:
It is now official for 1999! I lost again for the third year in a row. We guessed 126 time and Bernie 82 times vs. my 44 wins. The only year I have won so far is for 1996 (81 wins vs. his 78). Somehow I think he has been cheating.

In Jan 2000
Today (Jan 17, 2000) I have won 4 times, while Bernie has won 5 times.  This may be as close as I get all year to overtaking him. Today was notable, as the temperature when we were walking was 4 degrees F, which is the coldest noontime temperature that we have recorded on our walk!!!
 

Record of walk temperature on Bernies wall by years. Routine walks stopped at the end of Dec 2006, with the closure of Southbridge R&D.

My offices thru the years at AO

Click hear to view 1999 Guess's

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Learn about American Optical's (AO) History in Southbridge

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