Jean Darling 2006
Friday, January 26th, 2007
My first association with Our Gang member Jean Darling came in late 1985 when I sent for a package of photos that she was selling at the time. I’ll talk more about that in a future posting, but lets just say that the package of photos was a steal for the fans (one of the photos is pictured at left). Since that time, I had corresponded with her on several occasions. Living in Dublin, Ireland, she rarely made trips into the states – but often appeared at Laurel and Hardy gatherings in Europe. Read the rest of this entry »
There’s an interesting story of how I first met Chris Demeter. We had just moved to our house on Winterset in April 1978 and I was finishing up my first year of school as a kindergartener. This was the first time I had ever ridden the bus; before I had been close enough to walk to school. Chris rode my bus and it didn’t take long before we began talking. He was older than me, being in first grade. After chatting it up one day, he invited me over to his house and I accepted. He was dropped off before me, so I knew right where his house was. It was just up the street on Birchall, a short bike ride from home. 
Recently, Tiny the one-year old kitten has developed a keen awareness and passion for fine foods. Just look at the picture at right to see her ogling Ashleigh’s frozen waffle. In the past, we have always kept the cat treats on the counter next to the jug of regular cat food. One day about two weeks ago, I went to feed the cats and noticed that the treat bag was missing. I thought this odd, but did not really dwell on it, and ended up just opening another bag. A couple of days later, I noticed that this treat bag was missing as well. 
At left, you see Cathy and her younger sister Lori in a great photo taken in 1972 (excellent duds, by the way). Now, 35 years have passed and Cathy today celebrates her 40th birthday. Last weekend, I attended her surprise birthday party on Saturday, January 13, and a family gathering at Marions Piazza on Sunday in honor of the special event. I would like to personally express my disdain to Cathy, for being the first one to drag our generation into a new age: that of the quadragenarian. 
The last (meaning both most recent and also final) meeting of The A-Haunting We Will Go Tent of Dayton, Ohio was held on December 2, 2006. At least it was the last with me as Grand Sheik. I had considered giving up my post many months ago after Carolyn and I separated, but then decided to go ahead and finish out the ‘tent year’ with our Summer picnic – and then finally, to finish the actual 2006 calendar year. I have been Grand Sheik for nearly 15 years – and presided over 136 meetings.