Guilty as an accomplice only
Ted May is the biggest pyromaniac of all time. He always had some kind of fireworks with him. Sure do remember him "fishing" with them. I also remember the cherry bombs from DePue and everywhere else. I can recall him quietly knocking on Al Passantino's motel room in Stockton. When the door cracked, Ted had a bottle rocket ready to go. We could not stand up we were laughing so hard. Then here comes Al bolting out of the room...naked, chasing Ted in the parking lot. Needless to say, we did not ever return to that motel. I was so lucky to have had the giudance of people like Ted, Doc, Pop, my Dad, Ron, Russ Sr, and Jr and their lovely mom Laura. I was turning the pages of my feeble mind and recall seeing many of the posted photos at Ron's house. When I was a little guy, we would go over to their home to visit. I guess Ron was about college age. The best ones were with Ron and the famous wrestling commentator, Dick Lane. The pictures were great. As a 7 or 8 year old, I thought Russ Sr. had discovered the fountain of youth. I can recall the photos of him bald, then look at him and see he had a full head of hair? Can you imagine what a dilemma this was to a young boy? I think I better start saving my lunch money for one of those, it looked pretty good! I do not think I was even of racing age when I got one of the famous Laura Hill ribbed life jackets. I am sorry to say that my Dad gave it to Roger Williams for his son. Wish I had it. In looking through junk, I did find a Quincy jacket that my Dad had worn. Great piece of memorabilia. Ted and Ron really helped me a ton. Ted would tell me how to set up for the start. How to pick a landmark and time your approach. I can recall something Ron taught me. To look behind you both approaching and exiting a turn. This was after I had turned at the 500 foot buoy at the "M" Nationals in Long Beach. Ron, thanks to you, I never did THAT again.
Hey, Bill Van, I still have that motor for you in my garage. Have been waiting 30 years for you to pick it up.
2 Attachment(s)
1961, Guntersville, Alabama
We were on our way home, when we got word my dad's cousin had died from lung cancer... So we headed to Nebraska to the funeral. We spent the night before the funeral in Arapahoe, Nebraska, my dad's home town... The local newspaper saw the boats and saw a story. This picture, was in the local paper....
This was before my dad got his "RUG"....
ADD: Guntersville....I remember Ted May buying like $200 worth of fireworks.....In Missouri....That was when $200 was a LOT OF MONEY!!!!
NOTE TO ALAN: My mom always wrote stuff on the back of pictures....and dated them...