Melvin (Mel) Theobald

I don't know Jack. Those were both awesome, as were Boo's pandas, not to mention your turkey. But I'm tempted to go for Dave's orchid mantis. How many Best of Show ribbons do we have? I was thinking that someone should see if the McLean County Arts Center would do an exhibit of all these great photographs.

David Long

Max,

Belligio or Venetian?

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Dave...  

Neither.  Chihuly Museum/studio in Seattle.  My brother also was half owner in a glass studio there for many years, the Glasshouse, until a few years ago when he decided to change occupations.  I also have friends from college that were art teachers there so we tend to drift in that direction when I visit.

As a friend of mine says, "I don't know much about art by I like what I know!"

David Long

Max,

Here's a piece from our personal collection.

Absolutely a terribe photo and definitely doesn't do it justice.  Many of our local friends have asked why it's not in a vault - simple answer, just like Mel, if you can't enjoy it, why have it.  This piece was designed by Picasso and built by The Muarno Master.  It's signed (etched) by Picasso and sits in our family room.  While it has a formal name, we call it the Blue Lady.  The grandsons seem to like it....

David Long

Mel,

Is your reliability with the web birthdays dependent upon the availability of Green Mark?

Dave

David Long

Hey Everyone,  this was Never intended to a competition of any kind.  We have all traveled different paths since graduation  I cherish the fact that we are all still friends and still in touch with each other  Do y'all realize how rare that is in today's environment?  Amazing that we're still tight 55+ years later  I do really hope others that may have looked in over the last month or so will jump in with both feet and contribute to everyone's enjoyment It's not that difficult, especially since I was able to do it  I'm calling out some of our friends by name to get involved because I know you have pictures to share - here goes: Julie Hart, Pat Griffith, Jim Altemus, Ann Bailen, Rich Crusius, come on people, we need to hear from you  Y'all post a picture and invite a friend to post something - thi is going to GROW like a fungus among us  Enough for today - Phoebe wants to be fed  Have a great night of seclusion  Another Topic - What is everyone bing watching? 

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

We had the May basket tradition at our house, and we also used wallpaper to make the baskets!

I haven't watched any TV since the Super Bowl.  Not a habit I guess.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Dave, how did you know? I volunteered to do this for 3 days because that's when my supply of Green Mark runs out. After that, I'm no longer responsible....ooops, I meant reliable. There are many thoughts wafting through my brain right now, but none greater than what you said in post 8001. Jack and I were kidding about Best of Show, but we wish everyone would jump in and share their many experiences whether from their backyard or their global exploits.

My remote broke 5 weeks ago and my TV has been running 24/7 even though I rarely turn the sound on. It's like being deaf. I envy that the last thing Wendy saw on television was the Super Bowl. I've been trying to catch up on ESPNs "The Last Dance". In the 1990s I had season tickets to the Bulls games and was fortunate to see two game clinching championships. This series is captivating.

Who among us would have guessed that you had an original Picasso? You do us proud. And you aren't the only one. Let's not forget Max and all the others who have been sharing their stories with us. The pride of being a member of the Class of 1964 has been with me my whole adult life.

PLEASE someone, won't you take over what Suzi has done so admirably for years and do the birthday greetings? As Dave so accurately noted, I'm only good for two more days.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

What is Green Mark?

David Long

Green Mark is a Magic Potion. Wait that can't be it, we have been watching too much of The Good Witch. 

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

A thought for a theme for the day.  Artwork you have in your house.  That Picasso inspired glass that both Picasso and the glass artist signed was amazing.  
 

we did not have a TV until I was 13 and finally there were enough football games on to persuade my Dad it was time.  Used to watch football with him.  No brothers in our family.  I still can recognize most of the penalties by the hand gestures, although they don't show those gestures as often.  

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Wendy, ЭЕЛЕНАЯ МАРКА is pronounced Zelenaya Marka. Translated to English, it is Green Mark, one of the best Russian vodkas exported today. How Dave remembers this, I don't know, but he does. If you go back to our previous comments, you'll understand. Thank you for asking.

FYI, I called Diane Gardner to wish her a Happy Birthday tonight. She is momentarily without a computer but hopes to have that corrected next week. Hope we will hear from her soon.

Dave, just saw your explanation. Very funny, but not quite right. LOL

Jack Keefe

For Celebrity Saturday, here are three candid shots.

Joe Dowell, who earned a gold record with "Wooden Heart," squires my cousin Kureen in our rec room on December 28, 1962. What's a good lesson here? Scan your Polaroids before it's too late!

Jimmy carter visits with News Director Hugh DeMoss at our TV studio during the 1976 campaign. 

I greeted George Bush and led him to the studio during a 1980 campaign visit in Rockford, We compared receding hairlines and he may have told me to get rid of that stupid vest. (NOT!!)

As with Dave, I've had the privilege of meeting many people who ended up in the history books, including five Presidents of the United States. My two favorite meetings were (1) chatting with Ronald Reagan after a press conference; we talked of Eureka College and Bloomington. And (2), watching and recording as Richard Nixon got a shoeshine. I stood right next to him and got on Huntley-Brinkley and Walter Cronkite that night. 

My other lucky encounters included sports figures like Woody Hayes and John Havlicek; pop culture stars like soony and Cher, Vincent Price, Van Johnson, Rudy Vallee and Paul Newman; and authors such as Elie Wiesel, John Updike and Mickey Spillane. And General Lewis Walt. The list goes on, but so many years later, the main thing in my mind is, I was so fortunate to have seen a lot. 

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Mel, last night I looked up on the internet to find out what Green Mark is. Of course it has to do with Russia.    

Marvin, what did you see in the smoke?   I saw several things, and each time I looked I saw something different.

Wendy, I remember making May baskets, in grade school, but don't remember what we did with them.  I mostly remember dancing around a May Pole with different colored streamers.

If we were competing for any kind of recognition, my pictures would all be out of the running.   A lot of my pictures are so old they have changed color and the composition isn't great. I'm not a world traveler, but have seen quite a bit of the US, thanks to Ron's fishing.   But as far as fun goes, I've had fun posting and seeing all the great photos.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Tom Mann is the celebrity I knew.  For people who aren't fisherman, you may not know him.  He was the owner of Mann's Baits.  Lures and Jelly Worms.  He also had a patent on the Huumingbird Dept Finder which if you have ever had a fishing boat, you had a Dept Finder on it.  He was such a nice guy and always talked to us.   I posted Junior Samples picture a while back.  He used to be on Hew Haw.  Ron had breakfast with him and he was really nice, also.  Most guys didn't like to fish with Junior.  He was pretty clumsy in the boat.  

David Brock

Dave L.  What did you think of 'metropolitan downtown' New Glarus.  I think that was the new Lace factory.  They don't let a lot of people in there.  The old facility loked like it came over on the Mayflower.  The machinery/looms were old but functional.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

We were in Wimbledon two years ago and I took this photo.  A photo of some celebs.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I have a Joe Dowell memory.  He was a lifeguard at Anglers one summer.  I took diving lessons from him.  But the memory is this...several summers later he came to Anglers and we asked him to dive for us.  He said he didn't want to get his hair wet.  

David Long

 David B - loved New Galrus!  We were there off season and got to see a lot that High Season visitors probably don't see.  Made friends with the owner of the hotel which helped.  Would definitely go back the "Irish Pub".  Fantastic service and great food.  Live music was a plus.  The lobby of the hotel with all the wood, the fireplace, et al.  Just a great atmosphere.  It did feel like being back in Ireland.

Disclaimer:

OK, here goes on today's topic, Celebrities.  Perhaps not everyone knows that from the time I left State Farm in 1966 until I retired in 2009, I was a road warrior.  My usual week was leave Monday morning and back home Thursday night or Friday afternoon.  That explains why we have been able to travel to various wonderful places, essentially free.  I was a 'Million Miler' on both Delta and Northwest and Platinum on American.  If you stay a the same hotel chain, you quickly get "status" with them which gets you upgrades on business and free rooms on vacation.  This all comes with the price of not seeing al lot of softball games and being a part-time husband as Dorothy's grandma used to call me.

So, all these wonderful trips, playing golf all over the world was Paid For by being a Road Warrior.  Thought I'd miss it when I retired but I don't.  Still have 60k miles with Delta, and almost 900K Hilton points. We've got other trips planned after we get though CV19 but all in the US and driveable.   

Juan Rodriguez (aka - Chi Chi)  OK, this is a stock picture of Chi Chi, but this is memorable because I met him at breakfast in the clubhouse of Dorado Beach CC in Puerto Rico.  It was a buffet and after I got my food, there were no empty seats except at one table with only one guy reading a newspaper.  I walked over and asked if I could join him and he said please do.  One look at the waiters and you would have thought I dropped a load on the floor.  They were appalled that someone would intrude on Chi Chi.  As his face was behind the paper, I had no idea who he was until I sat down.  He lowered the paper and we shook hands and he introduced himself as Juan Rodriguez.  Of course I immediately recognized him and said very nice to meet you Juan, may I call you Chi Chi?  He got his famous big smile and we had a great conversation about golf, golf course architecture , travel, hotels, caddies.  It was just like sitting down with a friend you hadn't seen in a while.  So what makes this special, at least for me, was a couple years later, I'm checking into a hotel in Malvern, PA.  I'm at the front desk and Chi Chi walks in to check in.  He looks at me for several seconds (other than to shake his hand and wish him luck in the Senior PGA Tournament I wasn't going say anything about meeting him before) and he says, 'I apologize but I can't remember your name but we had breakfast at Dorado Beach several years ago.'  I reintroduced myself and we both finished checking in and he said let's go get a beer.  Which we did.

Anne Heche - I was in the Red Carpet Club (United) when Anne and her friend walked in.  This was just after she Came Out.  I introduced myself and said that what she did took a lot of courage and could I buy her a drink - we laughed because drinks were free.  Anyway, we chatted for a couple of minutes  - End of Story

Lily Tomlin - Flying Chicago to LA - Bumped up to 1st Class - she was in the 2 seats across the aisle from me.  She booked both seats so no one could sit next to her.  She was pleasant but definitely wanted to be alone. So after the usual hi how are you stuff she buried her face in paper work for the rest of the flight

Steve Martin - He is FFFFFing hilarious in person.  Another flight - this one from Aspen to Denver - a small commuter plane.  This was back when he was on SNL and was doing the arrow through his head gag and Wild and Crazy Guy sthick.  Got a short stand up routine while sitting next to him for an hour.  Real down to earth - couldn't believe how much money they were paying him for acting stupid - he said he  definitely wasn't going to turn the money down - he wasn't that stupid, Chuckle chuckle.

Jack Nicklaus - Chance meeting in the men's room at the Vail Co ski resort.  Everyone has to go sometime.  Didn't shake his hand as we were both at the urinal and had our hands full - chuckle chuckle

Arnold Palmer - OK, this is one of my all time highlights.  We were playing golf at Bay Hill in Orlando.  I was stroking practice putts and at the other side of the practice green was Arnie.  He was chatting with 2 or 3 guys.  When they left, I walked over to shake his hand - If you're a golfer, that was one of the top 10 things to do in your golf life.  Again, really polite and a true gentleman.  No Airs - just a person.  He said he'd seen me hit some putts and "are you really trying to make them?".  I said yes and he kind of shook his head a little and adjusted my grip to roll my right hand over a bit.  He watched me make a few more strokes and said "better".  To which I said, "well, if I had that flat stick you're using, I'm sure I'd make everything I looked at."  He laughed a little and then said "here".  He handed me his putter and wished me luck.  I used that stick for years until it went south on me.  It now sits in 'time out' in my basement.  Original grip although I did have the face sandblasted to get rid of the glare.  A Treasured Memory!

Dixie Carter - Another plane flight - upgraded to 1st - my seat mate was Dixie Carter.  She was on her way to Atlantic City where she was appearing at one of the casinos.  She did ask if I'd like to come with her - she had a limo waiting.  I had to say No because in the, at that time, 20 years I'd been married to Dorothy I never been tempted to cheat - still holds true today after 40 years of marriage.

Robert Redford - Bloomington - Normal Ski Club - a week's trip to Salt Lake City and all the ski areas around there.  One of the places we skied was Sundance.  I was a little ways ahead of  the group and got into the line for singles for the chair lift.  The called for a single and I caught the next chair with another guy.  Again, you introduce yourself and we shook hands.  He said, Hi, I'm Bob Redford.  It didn't dawn on me for a few seconds who he was.  People look a lot different in ski clothes.  Anyway, nice guy.  We talked about the ski resort, what I liked and what I'd change.  I told him I'd like to see the prices lowered.  We both chuckled.

Hubie Brown - Hubie and Pat were next to me in business class on the way to LA from Philadephia.  The Lakers and 76ers were playing in the NBA finals and they were color commentators.  Neither had much to say as they were playing $100 a point cards for the entire flight.

Pat O'Brien - see above

Chris Riley (Pat Riley's wife)  - Really nice lady.  Another bumped to 1st class flight.  She has an MSW and worked even though her husband was head coach of the Lakers.  She got a chuckle when I asked if there was a grease spot on his pillowcase every morning.  She actually thought it was hilarious as no one had ever asked that before.

Barbara Eden - Business dinner at the Plaza III Steakhouse in Kansas City.  She was at the next table.  I was actually with some of our Japanese clients. and they were in awe that she was there.  They knew Jeanie.  Nothing formal but she saw all the Japanese constantly looking at her so she came over and said hi.  Made their day.

The Class of '64!  You are all celebrities in my book!  The stories we could share - or maybe not.

David Long

Max,

Thanks for posting the picture of all the glass work.  That is fabulous.  It's the only reason I even thought of the Blue Lady.  She just sits on a shelf and has been there so long she seems almost invisible.  

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I wasn't thinking of people I met but didn't have pictures of.  But I have met and talked to, a lot of opera singers.
 

if you aren't into opera, you might not recognize the names but the most well known are Lawrence Brownlee, Ben Heppner, Renee Fleming, Greer Grimsley, Stephanie Blythe.

im actually listening to La Boheme n the radio right now. 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

CELEBRITIES come in many shapes and sizes. Like Jack and Dave, I've been lucky to have been in the company of a lot of incredible people. One of them was Elizabeth Murray who came from Bloomington and became one of the most significant woman artists in America. Ron Bess and John Waddell are also on my list of celebrities and both are on the BHS Wall of Fame with Charlie Crabtree.

When I arrived in Chicago in 1964, I shook hands with Dwight Eisenhower, spent 15 minutes talking to Arthur Rubenstein, and over the years met Georgia O'Keeffe, Ivan Albright, Red Skelton, had dinner with Studs Terkel, and worked with Vincent Price, to name a few. But none stand out more than those pictured below.

Bernadette Peters in New York, 2000.  I first saw her in "Dames at Sea" in the 70s when no one had ever heard of her. Almost 30 years later we had a chance encounter, I got a kiss on the cheek, and fell in love with her all over again.

While chairing BareWalls for the Art Institute, I had the honor of inviting many famous artists as Honorary Guests. In 2001, we hosted Ed Paschke, Robert Natkin and Leroy Neiman.

In 2002, my daughter and I shared the evening with fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.

For over 20 years I worked with many not-for-profit organization fundraisers, this one for March of Dimes. Jack Brickhouse and I were partnered together that night. I painted a backdrop taken from Grant Wood's "Ameican Gothic" and Jack posed in front of it with the patrons who attended the event.

Georgie Anne Geyer and I had several mutual friends who brought us together late in her life. This was taken at Domenican University. She sent me one of her many books, so I reciprocated by presenting my book to her in 2018.

Marvin Theobald

Jack and Dave  - Wow!!! You guys have been in some heavy weight company as I know Mel has. My celebrity encounters include:

Tiny Tim – Did not meet him but encountered him at Washington International Airport.

Barry Sanders – Talked with him while waiting for a plane at the Central Arkansas Regional Airport.

Martin Luther King, Jr – He led a rally in Chicago in 1965 and being clueless and curious as to what was happening I maneuvered my way near the platform he was on just as he finished his speech. His body guards cleared a path through the crowd for him and he passed right next to me. I was so consumed with full time school and work at the time I did not even know who he was until later.

Roy Clark – Hee Haw banjo player and singer. Met him in San Antonio and got to talk with him for a few minutes.  

Joe Dowel – Joe was our paperboy and he often had a girl or two with him taking the papers to the door.

Justin Wilson – I was invited to attend a Crocket TX Chamber of Commerce event and got to visit with Justin during the evening.

Anna Maria Alberghetti - Sitting in an aisle seat at a theater in the round near Chicago in 1965 watching West Side Story the players had to come down the asile to get to the stage. She was early for her stage entry once and stooped down at my elbow for a minute until going on stage. It was my first closeup encounter with a famous person and I will never forget how excited I was.

Gene Krantz – Flight Director of Apollo 13 was a guest speaker at an Abbott Laboratories Engineering milestone event where I was a Sr Mechanical Engineer. Got to spend time visiting with him. He is famous for his quote “failure is not an option”.

General William Westmoreland - Photo posted before following the BobHope USO Show in Long Binh Vietnam.

Connie Francis at Thanksgiving in Long Binh Vietnam in 1967.

BobHope doing a little softshoe at 1967 Christmas USO Show in Long Binh Vietnam.

Raquel Welch at 1967 USO Christmas Show in Long Binh Vietnam. Less Brown in the background.

Left to right are Generals Bruce Palmer - Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Vietnam, Karl Gustafson - Provost Marshall commanding MP's in S.E. Asia and Creighton Abrams - U.S. Military Commander Vietnam after awarding 17 Silver Stars and Bronze Star medals to Military Policemen at a special awards ceremony following the 1968 TET Offensive. Maybe I will post some other photos with more info regarding the ceremony later.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Fearless Leader, what is tomorrow's topic?

Wendy, so glad to hear that you are an opera fan. It has long been my favorite form of music. When I taught painting, I played operas while my students worked. They hated it at first, but by the end of the semester, they had a newfound respect for Verdi, Offenbach, Puccini, Gounod and Mozart. I hope they are still listening. Do you have an opera house in Seattle? It is terribly expensive going the the Lyric Opera, but every-once-in-awhile someone gives me a ticket.

Sandy, thank you for today's topic. Funny story about Junior Samples. You sure he wasn't eating the bait? Jelly worms are really tempting and may explain why he was clumsy.