HOPE MEN BRING WIVES TO FISH FRY - Retirees Getting Some Age (09/08/2001) Being a "Hope Man" now means some folks who are aging. The gas company was once the largest employer in the county, and men fought to become a full-time worker. A "good job" through most of the 1900's. About 60 folks, Hope, CNG employees and their wives, attended a fish fry and dinner Thursday evening, hatched by famous fryer Jim Bell and his friends. John Kuhl, 83, of Letter Gap was the oldest retiree at the dinner, having retired in 1983. He worked for both Hope and its later owner, Consolidated Natural Gas. He was an engineer at Jones Station at Lockney, Gilmer County. Paul Evans, 81, of Arnoldsburg retired in 1983. He was an inspector and well tender. Fish fryer Jim Bell and well-known friends Cleston Nicholas, wife and friends Great fish and horseradish pickles, plus goodies Former employees came from several counties