The Old Men of the Mountain were considering starting a petition to change the name of the third day of the week from Tuesday to OMOTMday. The petition would change the name so OFs all over the world would have their own day and on that day, the world-wide OFs would gather with friends someplace for either breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or evening snack time.
The gathering could be just two old friends who could spend a couple of hours a week solving the problems of the world, or 40 or 50 old friends of the male gender sitting down together with no agenda, no rules, and no plans, or plans to make plans, only to do the same thing next week on OMOTMday.
This would accomplish two things, get the OFs out of the house, and give the lady of the house a couple of hours to herself.
So on Tuesday, July 11, the Old Men of the Mountain met at the Duanesburg Diner, in Duanesburg on a typical day (so far in 2017) with a good dash of fog and rain. The OFs all showed up trying to brush the green mold, which is beginning to sprout on most of us, from their shoulders.
Maybe some of you have seen this adage on T-shirts but with the OFs (in many cases) the statement is so true. The shirt reads “I am NOT sorry I arrived late. I didn’t want to come anyway!” One OF said many places he goes is because he is dragged there by some other party.
He declared, “I would rather be anywhere than at some high-brow art show trying to eat some tiny crackers with a green slimy dip that looked like it was used as a prop in Ghostbusters.”
One OF bristled a tad and said, “That art show is my kind of place, but I bring my own snacks.” This OF did add he has just as much fun in a junkyard, or at the Gas-up as well as the art show.
Some stand out
Baseball season is about half over and the All-Star game with the Home Run Derby a part of the build-up was being played. It seems that one player has considerably piqued the interest in the sport this year. That player is Aaron Judge of the Yankees.
This scribe cannot remember when the All-Star game (and in particular the Home Run Derby) was ever mentioned at an OMOTM breakfast, but this year it was.
This scribe is amazed how at times one person can interest many outside of their field so we all know who they are and what field of endeavor they were involved in: We all recognize Carl Sagan, Dr. Jonas Salk, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Marilyn Monroe, Mother Teresa, Bonnie and Clyde, Hitler, Dan Patch, and quite a few others, but those names would still be on a short list compared to all the billions of people or animals that have taken a breath of air on this terrestrial ball.
Making history real
A couple of OFs talked about participating in re-enactor groups. One OF stayed with one period in time — the Revolutionary War — and the other was a time-jumper. This second OF participated as a re-enactor in both the Revolutionary and the Civil wars.
These two OFs mentioned how American history was made real by being members of these groups and how much of the history of our country is not taught in schools. A major reason, unless someone becomes a history major, there is not time to cover it all, so just the highlights are taught. However, this way of teaching means many interesting and important parts of our nation’s history are missed.
Green thumbs
The gardening OFs discussed their gardens; this is an ongoing topic at the OMOTM Tuesday-morning conventions during the growing season. It is not so much “I can top your garden” as it is “since my garden is doing bad, what are you doing to make yours grow right?”
So far, in most of the discussions, if one OF’s garden is having a prolific year the others are, too, and vice versa. This year, the OFs say they have beautiful tomato plants but very few blossoms. No blossoms means no tomatoes.
The other is that the zucchini are about ready to pick. The garden growers are beginning to say: Enough with the rain; we need a little sunshine.
Picky about Pickers
Some of the OFs watch the TV show “American Pickers,” and some of the OFs have places that the Pickers might like to get into. However, other OFs maintain that their places, which the OFs think the Pickers would frequent, are nowhere near as bad as the places these two Pickers really do get into.
The places the OFs have are generally orderly with pieces they keep there to restore; other pieces the OFs are working on. In the TV show, many of the places they get into are no more than junkyards back in the woods.
The OFs say the places these guys pick are downright dangerous and hangouts for vermin. The OFs say that, if they spot critters around their collections, out come the traps — none of those pesky rodents, or creepy crawling stuff for them.
Those Old Men of the Mountain (and some are old enough to be collectibles for the Pickers to consider) who met at the Duanesburg Diner in Duanesburg were: Roger Chapman, Miner Stevens, Bill Lichliter, John Rossmann, Robie Osterman, George Washburn, Chuck Aelesio, Richard Frank, Peter Whitbeck, Dave Williams, Bill Bartholomew, Mark Traver, Otis Lawyer, Glenn Patterson, Roger Shafer, Lou Schenck, Jack Norray, Mace Porter, Gerry Irwin, Herb Bahrmann, Russ Pokorny, Rev. Jay Francis, Ted Willsey, Bob Lassome, Bob Fink, Bob Benninger, Mike Willsey, Warren Willsey, Art Frament, Herb Sawotka, Joe Ketzer, Ray Kennedy, Gerry Chartier, Harold Grippen, and me.
Thank goodness for the Declaration of Independence; because of this document, a group of Old Men of the Mountain (at an area smaller than a pin prick on this whirling blue sphere) was able to gather at the Your Way Café in Schoharie on July 4, 2017 and have a peaceful breakfast.
The OMOTM started this holiday by having breakfast together, then each, as they left the Your Way Café, headed out to celebrate in his own fashion.
One OF was going to install a new LED light fixture in the kitchen. Big whoop. Another was going to mow the lawn if he could figure out what was the matter with the mower. Another big whoop.
Still another had a boat that runs only when it was at the dock. The OF said that, once it gets out on the lake, it quits. The OF would get it back to shore, restart it, and the dumb thing would start right up and run fine; however, get it out on the water and it would die.
The problem is that the OF isn’t using the right cuss words when he gets the engine started at the shore. The OF doesn’t know that engines have minds of their own and it is necessary to speak to them correctly and sometimes forcibly. Engines (like wives and teenagers) need a good scolding every now and then to keep them in line.
The Enterprise is on vacation as always for Fourth of July Week, printing its Keepsake Graduation Edition on July 6. Because of this the paper is put to bed early so this article needs to be kept short (and short it will be) because not much different was discussed by the OFs anyway.
Those OFs who met at the Your Way Café in Schoharie and continued their conversations of nothingness were: Roger Chapman, John Rossmann, Harold Guest, George Washburn,. Robie Osterman, Bill Lichliter, Chuck Aelesio, Miner Stevens, Otis Lawyer, Pete Whitbeck, Richard Frank, his son Richard Frank, Jr. visiting from North Carolina, Glenn Patterson, Mark Traver, Dave Williams, Wayne Gaul, Lou Schenck, Mace Porter, Jack Norray, Gerry Chartier, Herb Sawotka, Ted Willsey, Bob Lassome, Ray Kennedy, Duane Wagonbaugh, Mike Willsey, Warren Willsey, Joe Ketzer, Harold Grippen, and me.
JUNE 27
On June 27, the Old Men of the Mountain met at the Country Café on Main Street in Schoharie.
Some of the OFs wonder how one cook, one dishwasher, and one waitress can take care of over 30 guys in no time at all and the wife goes nuts when there will be 10 for dinner at Thanksgiving. It has to be a girl thing.
The restaurant doesn’t care if all the silverware matches, or if the flowers are just right. The house is clean and smells like perfume. The restaurants must have a motto: Take it or leave it — we are doing the best we can.
The best of times
This is often said in many senior circles and on June 27 it was a topic of the OMOTM, and of course we are seniors, but not elderly. The OFs resent the term “elderly,” but don’t mind being called OFs.
The topic of discussion has the heading the OMOTM believe they have lived in the best of times, even though, when most of the OFs were young, they were poor, but so was most everyone else. Being poor was normal and no one noticed they were poor.
We did not have the medicine of today, or the ability to view everything going on all over the world in real time. The times of the OFs’ youth just seemed more relaxed.
It was not all peaches and roses — we had the Depression, World War II, segregation, and cigarettes. Yet it just seems like people were more congenial.
Familiar brands disappear
Sears has already left the Rotterdam mall and is now pulling out of Colonie Center. The OFs discussed how many of us own Kenmore products and they are good products. Sears’ tools are in most all the OFs’ garages.
The OFs wonder, without Sears in Colonie Center, where are they going to kill time while the wife shops. One OF mentioned first Montgomery Wards went and now Sears; all that is left of our time is Macy’s.
It seems many of the names the OFs are and were familiar with are going by the wayside. Hudson, Packard, Whippet, Nash, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, Mercury, Farmall, Sanka, Lincoln Logs, Lionel Trains, Woolworth, and TWA are gone, although a few have been replaced with names the OFs can’t even pronounce.
One OF maintains much of the new stuff by the strange-name companies is only crap, made to last just so long and then fall apart.
Online is intangible
The new phenomenon of ordering items and paying bills “online” puzzles the OFs.
The OMOTM were brought up by getting out and doing things, building things, and talking face to face when purchasing an item. Looking at the item from all sides, checking if it appears to be constructed well, and asking a salesperson questions if unsure about the purchase.
Paying for something in cash, getting a receipt, is all tangible — this “online” business is scary at best. (This scribe thinks 100 years from now that the new now will be the antiques then, and this time will be remembered as the best of times.)
Firehouse palaces
When entering the village of Schoharie from the Fox Creek side, you see the new firehouse from Route 30. The OFs are wondering why so many firehouses are so elaborate.
It seems to many OFs that a well-built Butler or Morgan building would be more than adequate. The OFs also think that these buildings are easily expandable if the need arises
No matter how you cut the mustard, one OF said, “It is our tax dollars being spent. They could cut the cost of the building and put the money into updated equipment that would do some good when the fire company arrived at the fire.”
To which another OF added, “The fire truck doesn’t care how fancy the building is.”
It seems to the OFs it is a case of one-upmanship: My fire house is better than yours, na-na-na.
Ship collision spurs cynicism
The OFs spent time rehashing the collision of the destroyer and tanker on June 19 off the coast of Japan. The OFs feel someone on the destroyer was asleep at the wheel and someone on the tanker should have moved instead of flashing lights and blowing whistles and apparently playing bully with its size, and “I have the right of way.”
The inquiry on this accident should be interesting. One OF mentioned, with all the fancy navigation equipment that is supposed to be on both ships, there should be some concrete evidence of what happened.
“Unless,” one OF said, “some of it has not been altered by now.”
This shows how skeptical the OFs are on both sides of the argument.
When viewing the size of some of today’s ships and how fast they can travel through the water, it boggles the OFs’ pea-pickin’-brains. Like planes, many ships now are driven by computers from port to port.
The OFs are wondering how someone on each ship could not see the other and notice their course was to come darn close to one another or even collide. (Which we now know they did.) Like at our breakfast on June 20, the Navy guys in the OMOTM are still scratching their heads.
The OFs who think their being on the short end of the ruler, and living through the best of times is not that bad, were: Miner Stevens, John Rossmann, Bill Lichliter, Roger Chapman, Glenn Patterson, Roger Shafer, Chuck Aelesio, Robie Osterman, George Washburn, Harold Guest, Richard Frank, Dave Williams, Bill Bartholomew, Pete Whitbeck, Marty Herzog, Jim Heiser, Kenny Parks, Otis Lawyer, Art Frament, Lou Schenck, Mace Porter, Wayne Gaul, Ted Feurer, Jack Norray, Ray Kennedy, Bob Benninger, Bob Fink, Jake Lederman, Warren Willsey, Mike Willsey, and me.
Location:
Tuesday, June 20, The Old Men of the Mountain were at Mrs. K’s Restaurant in Middleburgh.
Now that school is only giving exams (a prelude to graduation), there was no entertainment on Main Street in Middleburgh. Traffic flowed normally back and forth and the day was uneventful, at least in the beginning; who knows what happens after the OFs leave the restaurant and go home.
The OFs were chatting about how they felt when they woke up and got up. Apparently this is not a pretty sight. The OFs complained about the typical morning aches and pains, but this time added concerns about all the different noises they make now.
The OFs said they never made these sounds before. As one OF put it, these noises are completely unintended and some are so loud it makes the dog jump.
Then there is that one OF (there is always that one) who said he can’t wait to get up in the morning and get to the mirror on the bathroom door. The OF says he just stands there and looks because he gets better looking every day.
The OFs just looked at him because he is as grizzled as the rest of us. He has shaggy eyebrows, deep furrows in the face that could be planted with quite of bit of seed corn, and lumps and bumps are there along with a good crop of age spots. He is no different than the rest of us.
It has to be his eyesight fails a little each day and gives the OF the reflection of someone younger in the morning; however, his good eye is bright, and deep blue and has a crisp sparkle to it. Do you think this OF might just be putting us on?
Ships collide
The Navy veterans discussed the two large ships that recently collided on the high seas. These ex-Navy OFs all agreed right off the bat that the destroyer should have avoided the collision because the bigger ship has the right of way.
One OF thought both ships were culpable. The OF Navy men did not know if this assumption was correct but, right of way or not, both ships should have tried to avoid the accident.
One OF noted how the Times Union used the inflammatory word “slain” as the lead for the story. Seven sailors slain, say what! The sailors died because of an accident — they were asleep; they were not slain. The OFs couldn’t get over this.
The sailor group talked about how long it takes to stop a ship the size of that tanker under full steam. One OF said he thought it was miles. Even under docking speed, something weighing that much bumping into something else is going to do damage.
Work as art
The OFs talk about the quality of work quite often. The OFs admit that they, themselves, are not always the best ones to have do some work. Maybe when the OFs were younger but today they tire easily, and to get the job done, “closies” count as well as the statement “good enough for government work.”
“Let’s button this thing up and go get a drink” is also a phrase to end a day.
The reverse of this is also true. When the OMOTM are not pushed, the work from this group could be exceptional.
Many OFs’ barns and garages have as many tools as a hardware store, and the OFs have the knowledge to use them. The type and quality of work of the OFs can be viewed by hikers that hike in the Hilltowns or on the Long Path. Many of the bridges that are used by the hikers were constructed by the OFs, and these bridges are also works of art.
Some OFs restore old equipment and one OG made clocks — these, too, are works of art, and a plug for the OF who paints portraits and they are art.
One OF said, “There are four ways to work: the right way, the sloppy way, your way, and my way. Then there is the ‘oh so important way,’ and at times this is the only way and that is the boss’s way.” (The term wife can be substituted for boss at anytime.)
The Gas-up
Speaking of work as art, many of the OFs attended the Gas-up held around Father’s Day in Shutter’s Corners just outside of Gallupville. Some go there just to get a hot dog, and a piece of pie, but others do go to reminisce and still others go to either check on their own antique equipment to see if they can improve it, or get a few new ideas.
Some of the OFs have participated in the Gas-up but now it is a ton of work just to get ready so the OFs have backed off. The quality of the show is continually improving and this year it was well attended, and had many participants.
It was encouraging to see younger people involved with keeping these antique engines and old equipment running. The disparity between the youngsters building robots and drones and remote-controlled boats and cars, and those who are dealing with engines from 100 years ago is interesting.
One OF commented that the old-engine kid would probably be able to figure out how to handle the drone easier than the kid with the drone could figure out the hit-and-miss engine and get it running. Then again, maybe not.
Those OFs who made it to Mrs. K’s Restaurant in Middleburgh and all in modern vehicles (not one came on two piston hit-and-miss engines steered by a tiller) were: Harold Guest, Bill Lichliter, Roger Chapman, Dave Williams, Bill Bartholomew, Jim Heiser, John Rossmann, George Washburn, Robie Osterman, Pete Whitbeck, Chuck Aelesio, Richard Frank, Glenn Patterson, Mark Traver, Otis Lawyer, Duncan Bellinger, Art Frament. Herb Sawotka, Lou Schenck, Gerry Irwin, Jack Norray, Mace Porter, Ted Willsey, Mike Willsey, Warren Willsey, Roger Shafer, Bob Fink, Bob Benninger, Ted Feurer, Bob Lassome, Wayne Gaul, Bob Giebitz, Elwood Vanderbilt, Harold Grippen, and me.
Location:
For once, the Old Men of the Mountain found that Tuesday, June 13, was a sunny, rain-free, and warm morning to travel to the Middleburgh Diner in Middleburgh. Even coming over the mountain was pleasant.
In the Times Union, and the Times Journal, a paper from Cobleskill for the valley, the papers reported on the movies held many years ago in the street in the town of Schoharie. Schoharie has the honor of having the first “drive-in movie” in the country 100 years ago in the month of June. The OMOTM in their 80s and 90s remember these movies.
On June 8, there was a free showing of the movie “The Awakening of Helena Richie” in front of the courthouse in Schoharie and it was shown again on June 10 to celebrate the event of 100 years ago. Some of the OFs attended and for them it was fun
One OF mentioned that going to the picture show (yes, picture show) is no fun for him and his wife anymore. It could be an age thing because of his hearing, or just that he is old, but the movies today are so loud and are just noise, he has trouble picking up on the dialogue with all the banging and clanging going on in the background, or else it is some dumb music
“That’s OK,” one OF said. “There are no stories anymore so if you miss the dialogue you haven’t missed much.”
Dressing etiquette
The OFs had an unusual conversation Tuesday morning on what they considered “dressing up” to go out. Some of the OFs considered getting dressed meant putting on clean jeans, shirt and tie, with leather shoes to be high fashion. This is as dressed up as they get.
One OF wondered what people get dressed up for now anyway. The only men “dressing up” are politicians.
Another OF added that “to never trust a guy in a suit” was good advice.
Still another OF noticed that many big shots now show up in jeans and a T-shirt, or just a shirt and casual pants, and some do not even wear socks.
Another OF added that he thinks people are getting too sloppy and should show respect and dress up more.
Yet another OF joined in with: “Have you noticed how much it costs now to get dressed up?” The average Joe is being priced out unless he shops at the Salvation Army thrift store.
“It used to be,” one OG said, “that when we attended a funeral everyone showed up in black.”
The OF said he even had a suit just for that. Now anything goes, from shorts to tank tops.
“Who cares?” an OF added. “The center of attraction is dead; the dressing up is just a show for the family. The one in the casket could care less.”
Travel routes and timetables
To arrive at the restaurants the OMOTM frequent (at one time or another), all the OFs travel some distance to gather together, eat, and do nothing. Over the years, the OFs have determined the shortest, or the best way to reach their destination at each eating establishment.
The OFs have also determined there is a spring, summer, fall, and winter way to get there. The winter way may not be the same as the other three. Every now and then, the Department of Transportation tosses a little monkey wrench into the OFs travel plans.
For the OFs on the southeast side of the mountain to travel to the restaurants on the west side, the typical ride for these OFs is over Bradt Hollow Road. Starting this month until fall, these OFs will have to find an alternate route because a bridge on the road will be closed for repair.
As one OF stated, “I guess we have to put up with these kinds of delays because nothing really lasts forever. No matter where we travel, there is something under repair, or just having routine maintenance done.”
One OF said his wife always comments, “Why are you leaving so early — it only takes 30 minutes to get there!” The OF said she never counts on accidents, road work, red lights, school buses, garbage trucks, OFs going 25 miles per hour, finding a place to park, or anything like that. The OF said she does not realize hauling all the junk she brings that sometimes it takes 10 minutes just to get in and out of the car.
“Mine is just the opposite,” one OF added. “She pushes to go, go, and go. We are always the first ones there, or 30 minutes early for an appointment; she does not want to be late and have everyone look at her when we do get there.”
Another OF jumped into the conversation with his Army training, which taught him not to be late. This OF said that most of the time the one at the end of the line was handed all the crappy details.
Old-school doctoring
Medicine (what else) was part of the conversation, too.
The OFs thought that doctors now not only have to receive a degree in the doctor business, but also need a degree in medical engineering, or at least computer science to go along with it. The OFs remembered our doctors that had all they needed in a black bag; along with a stethoscope, the doctor was all set.
Some doctors even had a mortar and pestle and strange powders in the back room of their offices where they made their own concoctions. The doctor wrote down a few instructions and the OFs dutifully took the mixture, which was included in the price of the office call, and what do you know — the OFs got better.
Tain’t like that anymore, Magee!
Those OFs who made it to the Middleburgh Diner in Middleburgh and were able to get there (maybe just because of the doctors with the mortar and pestle) were: Miner Stevens, Roger Chapman, Roger Shafer, George Washburn, Bill Lichliter, Robie Osterman, John Rossmann, Harold Guest, Chuck Aelesio, Richard Frank, Bill Bartholomew, Dave Williams, Pete Whitbeck, Otis Lawyer, Jim Heiser, Marty Herzog, Mark Traver, Glenn Patterson, Wayne Gaul, Ted Feurer, Ted Leherman, Don Wood, Art Frament, Lou Schenck, Herb Bahrmann, Mace Porter, Jack Norray, Ted Willsey, Bob Lassome, Duncan Bellinger, Bob Benninger, Bob Fink, Mike Willsey, Gerry Chartier, Elwood Vanderbilt, Harold Grippen, and me.
Location:
It is June and on the 6th of the month in 2017, one wouldn’t know it, because it has been cold. So cold that the Old Men of the Mountain appreciated the comfort of Kim’s West Wind Diner in Preston Hollow.
With all the rain and miserable weather so far, the OMOTM expected to see the creek directly in back of the diner really high, but it wasn’t. It was not as high as the last time the OFs (Old Friends) were at Kim’s when a couple of ducks were riding the current down the creek at a pretty good clip.
The OFs (Old Fuddy-duddies) had a conversation that was part history lesson and part directions on local geography. Some of the OFs (Old Fogies) have lived in the Hilltowns for many, many years and, as farmers, seemed to not stray very far from their Hilltowns.
As the conversation proceeded with the history of Preston Hollow, especially the stone store which is no longer there, the OFs (Old Farmers) began to mention landmarks which are still here. Some of the OFs (Old Folks) had no idea where these landmarks were, however, as mentioned above, these OFs have been in the area most of their lives and lived no more than 20 to 25 miles away. This is a recurring theme of the OMOTM and at the ages of most of the OFs is understandable. The OFs did not stray far from the farm.
New fun and old fun
The OFs talked about visiting shut-ins and other OFs who are in nursing homes. This is one advantage of participating in a social group of some sort. The OFs thought it does not have to be a big group — a small group from a church would suffice.
First though, the OFs said, you have to be associated with a group, like the OFs, a church, or the American Legion, Kiwanis, Elks, or their auxiliaries. The OFs mentioned weekly visits and playing cards or some type of board game with these shut-ins. This seems to be a recurring theme with the OMOTM; with the ages of most, it is understandable. Redundant, as the OFs are.
The OFs talked about the old time swimming holes in Fox, Schoharie, and Catskill creeks. The OFs could not remember if all of them were still there. Some of the OFs knew for sure some of these old swimming holes were gone. Three of the swimming holes on Fox creek have all been graded; now they are so shallow they are nothing but wading pools.
The OFs remembered jumping off the bridge that crosses Fox Creek at Drebitko Road, which goes to the Gas-Up. The OFs who took advantage of these swimming holes were mostly farmers and would find their way to the hole on a hot summer’s day covered with hay chaff and sweat. Those were good times, when farm kids worked hard and had simple fun. Most were poor and didn’t know it because everyone was in the same boat.
Wheeling and dealing
At the table this morning was the age-old system of bartering in full swing. Some was not bartering, but out-and-out selling this and that, to other OFs (and, of course, Old Farts) who wanted this and that.
This is downright dickering and it appears that friendships have nothing to do with these deals. This was strictly: “you have what I want and I will pay so much.”
On the other end was: “I have what you want and I will get all I can.”
Then there was the bartering going on and that was fun to watch also. This is the typical: “I have something you want and you have something I want.”
Then the, “let’s see if we can work the swap out fairly” begins. Sometimes the swap may be two for one, or at times this swapping will get down to haircuts. When this takes place these haircuts do not look bad.
B29 surprise
In the report of last week, this scribe reported on OFs in the military and some of their remembrances. This conversation, though not on-going, does come up quite frequently. We have also covered the OFs who have gone to Washington on the honor flights with a sponsor, and how impressed the OFs are with this trip.
This week we again report on one OF (Old Fellow) who was in the military and in the Air Force, and this is so current it happened a few days before this morning’s breakfast. This OF’s daughter and granddaughter spirited the OF away to Reading, Pennsylvania without telling anyone else in the family. This scribe conjectures it was because, if others knew, it would somehow be leaked and the surprise would not be a surprise.
The daughter and granddaughter had procured tickets for the OF to ride on FiFi, a famous restored B29 bomber. In the Air Force, this OF maintained the B29 bombers. The surprise worked and the OF had the opportunity to occupy the navigator’s seat and fly in this famous airplane. The OF who was the beneficiary of all this attention happens to be 90 and he is the oldest member of the Old Men of the Mountain. It is hard to surprise someone who has been around 90 years, but this OF was really surprised and excited.
The Old Men of the Mountain who arrived at Kim’s West Wind Diner in Preston Hollow and were happy to find it still there after driving through the fog and the rain, were; Bob Snyder, Karl Remmers, Roger Chapman, John Rossmann, George Washburn, Bill Lichliter, Robie Osterman, Harold Guest, Pete Whitbeck, Wayne Gaul, Ron Brown, Don Wood, Sonny Mercer, Ray Kennedy, Lou Schenck, Art Frament, Mace Porter, Gerry Irwin, Herb Bahrmann, Warren Willsey, Russ Pokorny, Ted Willsey and Bob Lassome with their good and dutiful chauffeur Denise Eardley, Gerry Chartier, Mike Willsey, Jess Vadney, Elwood Vanderbilt, Harold Grippen, and me.