Soupy Sales ~ Farewell

Soupy Sales has died – and I hope he is eternally surrounded by the joy and laughter that he gave people.

Yes, I remember Soupy Sales… and, it is a memory that includes, with great fondness, family that is now distant and cold.

Soupy was 83 years old.  He was known for his large bow tie (and none of us knew the color in the days of black and white tv) and the pies in the face.   His sidekicks were White Fang (the meanest dog in the United States) and Black Tooth (the nicest dog in the United States). Famous entertainers were willing to go on his show and get their pies in the face alongside Soupy – people like Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Shirley McClaine.

He did his “kids show” live – over 5,300 shows.  I remember it coming on at 3pm – as we got home from school.  My cousin practically lived for it.

One time Soupy got himself suspended for telling the kids to empty their mothers’ purse and mail him all the pieces of green paper bearing pictures of the presidents.

Thank you for the laughter you brought into our world!

JFK, Jr ~ 10 Years Gone

It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since JFK, Jr died in a plane crash, caused by his own pilot error.  Also killed were his wife and sister-in-law.

It’s odd, as his life had no real historical significance, that I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when it came on the news that the plane was missing.  I was in a motel room, finishing tallies from a fleece competition before I headed back to the fairgrounds.  I never get near that motel that I don’t think of that morning.

Those of us old enough to remember the real thing and those who remember the iconic photo of John-John saluting during his father’s funeral procession had hopes that his would be a life lived as a replacement to his fathers.  But, it was not to be.

Gail Storm ~ Thanks for the Laughs!

"My Little Margie"

Charles Farrell and Gail Storm

The Gail Storm Show

“Susannah and Captain Huxley”

Gail Storm, actress and singer, passed away on June 27, 2009.

I accidentally stumbled across a brief note about her passing.  She lived to be 87.  Had she died sooner or in a more dramatic way than living a full life, her passing might have been noticed by more people.

I remember Gail Storm from “The Gail Storm Show” in the fifties.  She was Susannah, the meddling social director on a cruise ship.  I also remember her from “My Little Margie” which I got to see in reruns if I was home sick.

Prior to television, she was in movies, including westerns with Audie Murphy, Roy Rogers and George Montgomery.  She had best selling records with  I Hear You Knocking, Teenage Prayer and Dark Moon.   Later in life, she did cameos in Burke’s Law, Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote.  She was active in stage – credits included South Pacific, Finian’s Rainbow and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

I remember laughter and smiles.  I remember joy.  I remember Gail Storm.

In a week where celebrities were falling down around us – Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Fred Travalena, Michael Jackson – the passing of Gail Storm will probably not be noticed by many.  But, I noticed.  And, I am thankful that I grew up in a time when her lively humor gave us something to laugh at and smile about.

In her time, she was well-known and well-loved, earning three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Thank you, Miss Storm!

www.gailstorm.tv

Jack Kemp ~ Walk with God

Jack Kemp

A man of Football and Politics

A man of Faith and Freedom

After a fight with cancer, Jack Kemp has gone to his Father’s House.

America was richer for having him with us.  His honest analysis about our country and her politics was always refreshing.  He used his gifts to make our country a better place.

You will be missed, sir.  Thank you for all you did.