Stories and stuff that ran in other places on this site. I hate to just throw them away when they are no longer HOT NEWS, so I just put them all here.
Ray Lindström
From summer, 2003:
Dad and Ruth in Minnesota, July, 2003.
Could this be Lax Lake? One of 10,000.
Renee and I just got back from my favorite place, Paris, France. Here I am in front of the Opera House, and there is Renee in Monet's gardens at Giverny.
From spring, 2003:
Sanford Clark, circa 1957.
Sanford Clark, today.
THE GEEZER GATHERING...
A Rare Look At Phoenix Music History.
At the end of July, Renee and I were honored to be in attendance at a a rare musical jam session...a piece of Phoenix musical history. Probably the last of its kind.
In a benefit performance for ailing musician Tommy Parsons, dozens of Arizona music greats performed, or were in attendance at the event at The Rhythm Room.
Among the performers were Sanford Clark singing his top ten hit, The Fool, Al Casey, all time rock guitarist, featured on hundreds of hits records with Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, and others. Henry Thome sang his hit "Scotch and Soda." Jimmy Spellman and Floyd and Jerry did sets.
Jack Curtis and Johnny "D" Dixon emceed the deal and because of long intervals for equipment repair, The Watch Man from Laughlin got plenty of plugs. Jack Curtis and I were old friends from the 60's. He discovered Alice Cooper and recorded all of his records while he was in a group called the Spiders.
At our table was Jack Miller, legendary recording engineer who recorded just about every performer at the gathering. In attendance also was Lee Hazlewood, and Waylon Jenning's wife, Jessie Coulter. A lot of good friends got together who hadn't see each other for ages.
Sanford Clark was a really great guy. For the past few years he had driven a truck between Phoenix and Las Vegas, and actually dealt cards for a while at The Edgewater Casino in Laughlin.
From summer, 2003:
Here's a typical Chicago Cubs fan in his baseball cap. Scary, huh. Wait a minute....
it looks like....yes, it's my Dad!
The CURSE OF THE GOAT CONTINUES...and those "loveable losers" take it in the shorts again. Now I know why I grew up a White Sox fan! Wait until next year. I think we have a CUBS/WHITE SOX WORLD SERIES in sight.
A TRIBUTE TO THE MAN IN BLACK
America will miss a true original, Johnny Cash who just left us. He was my favorite singer of all time. He and I shared a bottle of tequila backstage at The Tucson Gardens when I was a deejay in 1963. That was long before we both got sober.
All the great 50's legends are leaving us; Sam Phillips, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis, and now Johnny. They were part of an era in music that had an impact on America and all of our lives.
Johnny was the greatest of all.
CLICK ON A BUTTON AND LISTEN TO JOHNNY
From Fall, 2003:
ONE MORE GRAND CANYON VISIT UNDER MY BELT...
and I love it there! I've been there probably two dozen times and I never get tired of it. The happiest time of my life was climbing it one end to the other every year for 10 years in the 70's and 80's.
Nov. 2 was my birthday, and Renee took me to the Grand Canyon since she knows how much I love it. Great birthday spot, since, geologically speaking, compared to those rock formations I am actually very young! After the last week in Laughlin at 102F, the Canyon at below zero was a real shock. But, it was great.
From Fall, 2003:
From New Year's, 2004
DAD SAYS, "SO LONG GOLF BALLS."
For many years Dad has collected logo golf balls...his garage is full. They decorate all 3 walls. He has a collection of over 5000 different logo balls.
Last week he gave me the news: He is selling his collection and going out of the golf ball business. In his words, "Since I've stopped looking for them, I realize it's the collecting, not the collection that counts."
I'll be selling them off piecemeal in the store unless some reader would like to buy them all in one shot. If so, just contact my dad at algolf@aol.com.
OVER 5000 GOLF BALLS!
From Feb, 2004
LAUGHLIN AUCTION RAISES BIG $$$
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS
Another successful auction for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Colorado River was emceed by Ray and Renee at the Ramada Express Hotel. The annual event, always held the night before the Super Bowl, netted over $35,000 this year. All the proceeds are used to support programs for kids in the area.
From Feb. 2004
LEGENDARY BROADCASTERS
VISIT US IN LAUGHLIN!
Roger Galloway and Don Hinson visited us in Laughlin. Roger is featured in our Great People section of this site. Don was was a long time fixture in Los :Angeles radio and now lives in Branson, MO. He even did a stint at our old alma-mater, KTKT in Tucson. It was great to meet Don for the first time and talk about the "good old days" in radio.
From May, 2004
On Saturday, Mar. 27, 2004, Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Tucson dedicated the Civilian Conservaion Corps. museum. Since my dad, Al Lindstrom, served in the CCC, he was asked to be a part of the ceremonies and read a poem to the hundreds who attended. It was a beautiful day and a thrilling event for all who attended.
Yes, after a whirlwind visit to his boyhood town, Dad has returned with his wife Ruth to Tucson. He was sorry to report that this year the Norwegians won the Annual Lutefisk Toss during Hertitage Days. Apparently an errant Swedish toss caused a hunk of fish to ricochet out of the bucket at the last minute, giving the "Herring-Chokers" the victory. Wait until next year.
Here are some photos Dad got of his trip.
DAD AND HIS CAT IN TWO HARBORS AT 3 YEARS OLD, CIRCA 1919.
Norwegians Win Annual Lutefisk Toss
Right, here is a photo of my Dad, Alvin, with his Dad, John, when he was one year old in 1917. Not only do we celebrate Father's Day, but on June 19 it was my Dad's 88th birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!
Below, All of us celebrating Dad's 88th in Tucson.
The Watch Man's Gold And Silver Banquet! This year the theme was San Francisco...we gave an all expense paid trip there to a lucky employee.
L-R: "China Girl" Renee (Chinatown), "Tony Bennett" Ray (I Left My Heart in San Francisco), "Convict" Mac (Alcatraz), and "Flower child 60's hippie" Linda. It was a blast!
FAMILY SUMMER TRAVELS!
Karen and Ben visited Grampa in Tucson (Right), the Grand Canyon, and Ray in Laughlin (Below). Click on any photo to enlarge.
Dad's 70th Two Harbors, MN High School Reunion! He and his 1934 classmates rode in the Heritage Days Parade in this old classic car.
The "young Okerlunds" visit The Watch Man store in Laughlin. L_R:Adam and and his wife Sara Okerlund, Renee and Ray. Adam is Renee's nephew..
CLICK ON THE ARROW ABOVE LEFT AND HEAR A SPECIAL GREETING FROM BUCKY THE WATCH DOG!
HERE'S OUR DOG BUCKY!
No doggie bowl for him, he drinks right out of the glass like humans do!
He doesn't know any special tricks, doesn't know how to shake hands or roll over, but he is just cute as all get out. He loves Renee and stays by her side constantly. He tolerates me. About the only time I can win the popularity contest between us is when I am eating an ice cream cone, Bucky's favorite food. He stands by me for his free licks. But, the minute he hears the crunch of the final bite, he is off like a shot back to her side. He doesn't know he is a dog, he thinks he is human...like the way he drinks water.
At Don Laughlin's Christmas party, 2004. Renee, Ray, and Linda. (Click to enlarge)
Christmas at Renee's 2004. Click on photo above to see the fun.
Click on arrow above and watch Bucky in action!
Summer in Chicago
Click on photo below for all the action
RAY AND RENEE'S TRIP TO ENGLAND AND FRANCE, SEPT., 2004.
CLICK EIFFEL TOWER TO SEE PHOTOS.
MORE FROM
2004
CHRISTMAS IN
COMEDY CLASSIC:
BUDDY'S HAMMOCK
Watch this comedy classic with summer hi-jinks as Buddy Edward Domek and Ray Lindstrom deal with a balky hammock. Narrated silent home movie from 1957, Palatine, Illinois. Hilarious sketch with fun for the whole family.
