Smile

What makes Rick Bell smile? “My little friend, Braxton (above),” said the 70-year-old Noblesville man. They were found Friday night sitting on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square, watching the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville’s Darlington Bed Race. Bell is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church at Ninth and Cherry streets. The two, who have found a special friendship, went on a train ride to Cicero and also got ice cream at Alexander’s on Friday evening. Bell was born and raised in Greenwood and graduated from Greenwood High School and was a meat cutter for three years. “I received a call to go into the ministry, which meant I had to go to college after three years out of high school, then to seminary.” He attended Indiana University and Christian Theological Seminary. He began his job as a pastor in October 1981 at Calvary Baptist and is celebrating his 42nd year at the church. He moved to Noblesville in 1985 and married his wife, Susan, in November of 1990. Interests and passions? “My Interest is history. I like playing tennis, and I did some archery, and I do some Native-American beadwork.” Both were wearing hats, and the two drew some attention in their hats. “I just like hats. I bought him one. I put my hat on tonight because I’m getting a little bald on top and needed some shade. And he got his. So here we are.”