IT'S A WRAP

In spite of, or because of, Red Hot Rocker Reg's warning about the 2 miles of ditch for every 1 mile of road, our trusty Avalon made it all the way home, intact, bearing The Author, me and ten cartons of books. The Kid flew home from Winnipeg with Marg the morning after the Bombers' game.

For those of you who might still be wondering about The Author's Condition following his collision with a sidewalk in downtown Hamilton, I am pleased to report that the swelling in his right leg is greatly diminished as are his technicolor bruises. Meanwhile, his general mobility is gradually returning to normal.

REGRETS?  I suppose that we have only a few: missing our venue at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto; not getting to see Niagara Falls (because of that other sort of fall referred to above) and not getting to visit with Janice and Joe Horwood in Scarborough. Perhaps we will get to make amends when the Tour hits Toronto?

So, it looks like the Kid Dynamite Tour (Part 1) is now history. While the Tour is over, we trust that the book will live long and prosper. For those of you who would like to stay apprised of continuing news on this front you could send an email to  pjsmith47@gmail.com  and I will keep you posted.

In any event,  you might want to watch for the launch of a couple of new web sites which will be up and running by Christmas (Santa and his elves being willing): www.RonSmith.ca   and
www.PatriciaJeanSmith.com


Heigh Ho Silver Toyota, Away!

MANY THANKS ARE DUE

Our book tour lasted 33 days. We began our trip on September 20, leaving from Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island and driving as far as Hamilton, Ontario and back again for the official culmination of the Tour on Saturday, October 22 when Gerry was the Honourary Captain of the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on his 77th birthday. On the journey we were invariably met by friendly, helpful people. (Please forgive us in advance for any errors or omissions.) We would especially like to thank:

Sheila Kelly and volunteers Lorrie and Barr, at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame
Mark De Nobile, Rob Morralle and Meghan Sturgeon Archer at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Brian Brownlee at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame


the Yorkton Terriers, in particular Trent Cassan and the club executive.
the Melville Millionaires, especially Dawn Melnychuk
the Estevan Bruins, with much thanks to Jeff and Brad Pierson
the Hamilton Bulldogs, especially Brian Lewis
the Hamilton Ti-Cats, with gratitude to Jim Edmands and Scott Mitchell
the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, especially Jeffry Bannon

In addition we would like to thank the following Reviewers, Journalists and Broadcasters for embracing Kid Dynamite:

Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post and Star-Phoenix
Darrell Davis, free lancer
Randy Atkinson, GX 94 radio in Yorkton
Rod Pederson and Schultzie, Regina sports radio
David Wilberg, Estevan Lifestyles
Rob Carnie, CHAB radio in Moose Jaw
Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator
Jim Bender, The Winnipeg Sun and the Toronto Sun
Bob Irving, Winnipeg sports radio
Gordon Sinclair Jr., Winnipeg Free Press
Cleve Dheenshaw, Victoria Times-Colonist
TSN Radio and TV

Alicia Walker and John Toews at McNally Robinson Bookstores in Saskatoon and Winnipeg and Larry & Lynda Robertson in Hamilton for all manner of assistance. Linus Westberg provided us with all sorts of names and promotional ideas.

For much needed food, lodging & general moral support along the trek, we thank:

Tom Arling, Best Western, Swift Current; Gilles Landry, Best Western Pembina and Mainstay Suites, Winnipeg; and Jeff Pierson, Days Inn, Estevan

Bill Usher, K.C. & Marnie James, Debbie Robichaud, Faye Redfearne, Lenny & Lisa Meuller, Joyce & Kal Parenteau, Ambrose & Mavis Reschny, Judy Danbert, Marilyn & Lorne Christianson, Garry Bolton and Tara Barrett.

And, last but not least, we would like to thank oolichan books. All of the people and many others, especially those who have been so generous with their comments about the book, have made the story of Kid Dynamite a best-selling success. Yes, once again this week the Kid registered on the best seller lists. Now we hope to see the Kid triumph in Toronto and in Maple Leaf blue. Thanks everyone for following the blog.

ITS ALL IN THE PINK

It was a happening place this afternoon here in Winnipeg, in Blue Bomber Land. Gerry James, former Blue Bomber great, was the honourary Captain for the Bombers, and along with Jim Rondeau, the Minister Responsible for Healthy Living, oversaw the coin toss at centre field before the game. The Bombers won the toss and elected to have the wind with them in the 2nd and 4th periods, a decision which ultimately proved fortuitous. It was also Breast Cancer Day in the CFL and most of the players were decked out with pink shoe laces or pink foot wrappings. And, to add to the mayhem in the sold-out stadium, Justin Beeber and entourage decided to show up and put in a last minute demand for a box, all of which added a little extra chaos for those folks entrusted with security.

Those of you watching in TV land probably missed the announcement that it was Gerry's birthday today. Yes, that's right. The Kid is 77 today. Happy Birthday, Gerry.

Thanks to the generosity of the Blue Bombers the Tour members (now four of us given the addition of Marg James who flew into town for the celebrations via plane and NOT broomstick) were all handsomely decked out in official Blue Bomber jerseys. Those of you who continued to watch the game after the coin toss would have noticed Gerry in his jersey during his sideline TSN interview early in the third quarter.

The score at the end of the 3rd quarter looked bleak for the Bombers. It was 25 - 10 for the Alouettes, but the home team capitalized on their field position and the favourable wind in the fourth quarter to eek out a 26 -25 Victory in the last minutes of the game.

The rain, forecast to commence at game time, held off till the last few seconds and we are now in the midst of a spectacular prairie storm. Peachy pink sky. Wind, Thunder, Lightning. Looks like The Kid DynamiteTour is going out with a bang.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

ps, you might want to tune in for a few final vignettes and tour summary which I hope to post on our return home.

KID DYNAMITE HITS PRAIRIE BEST SELLER LISTS

According to the Saskatchewan Phoenix-Star published on October 8, Kid Dynamite, The Gerry James Story is #2 on the list of Top Ten selling books. In Winnipeg the book is #3 on the Non-Fiction List.  So, the news is getting out. We've got ourselves a winner! Today The Kid and The Author will be signing books at the Blue Bomber store from 5 - 7 along with Ken Ploen, the quarterback of the Bombers during their glory years. Keep your fingers crossed for a big turn out.

POSITIVE REVIEWS KEEP COMING IN

Here's the link to the latest review in the Winnipeg Sun:
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2011/10/20/gerry-james-did-it-all-in-storied-sports-career

and Republished in the Toronto Sun:
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/20/gerry-james-did-it-all-in-storied-sports-career

and while we are at it, his Canadian Football Hall of Fame Page:
http://www.cfhof.ca/page/jamesgerry

Gerry with the Book 

(Photo: Jim Bender/Winnipeg Sun)

OLD BOMBERS, OLD FRIENDS TURN OUT FOR SUCCESSFUL SIGNING

The Kid was very much at home last night at the book signing at Robinson McNally in Winnipeg. People were lined up to see him: Former Bombers Nick Miller and Rager Hamelin and Trainer, Gordie Mackie amongst a host of other old friends, some from his days at Kelvin High.

Today The Kid and The Author are doing 2 radio interviews, one with Rod Carney, the voice of the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, and one with Cleve Dheenshaw of the Victoria Times Colonist.  At lunch they did a photo shoot with Jim Bender of the Winnipeg Sun.

But, sad to say, it now looks like rain for the game on Saturday.

THE WEATHER IN WINTERPEG PROMISES TO BE FAIR

I am beginning to realize that getting the snow tires put on the car, packing extra water, a sleeping bag AND a candle and matches was not the height of folly. Forearmed is forewarned and we have had our first taste of frost. However, the weather for the game on Saturday afternoon promises to be ideal for football.

Sitting in the lobby of the Mainstay Suites at the computer station I overhear an American lady from the south exclaim that there has been 20 cm of snow in Gillam, Manitoba.

American Lady: I have no idea in hell what a centimeter is.

Young Lady at the desk: It's not a lot. If you dress warmly you should be OK.

As it turns out the American Lady is about to fly to Churchill and then head on to Gillam to see whales, birds, polar bears and Arctic wildflowers. (At this time of year!? I think.) Apparently, it is even possible for the intrepid tourist to go snorkling with the bears! Our Southern friend (who hails for Oklahoma, I did the  research ) checked out this tidbit of information three times for herself. There are, after all, limits to a person's credulity.

Okay, so maybe I will wear my leotards under my slacks, my tee shirt under my turtle neck, and put on my sheepskin jacket, woolen hat, scarf and mittens for the game. You never know when a snow storm might blow in. After all, I did spend the first 10 years of my life in Edmonton, Viking, Tofield and Wetaskiwin and there are some survival skills that stay imprinted.

Tonight, The Author and The Kid are signing books at McNally Robinson.  Today a reporter from The Sun is coming to interview The Kid.

THE KID RETURNS HOME FOR OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH AND WEEK OF CELEBRATION

The Kid's appearance at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame tonight marks the official launch and release of his biography, KID DYNAMITE The Gerry James Story. This culmination of the tour in a week-long celebration ends when Gerry joins the opening-game ceremonies between the Bombers and Alouettes on October 22, the Kid's 77th birthday!

Here, in Winnipeg, the Kid returns to his roots, where he grew up playing in community sponsored baseball, football and hockey programs; where he attended Kelvin High School; and where he signed his first pro contract with the Bombers at the age of 17. Winnipeg is where Gerry's unique talents were nurtured and honed. And, it was as a Blue Bomber that he recorded his greatest achievements.

The Tour would once again like to thank ardent Blue Bomber fan, Gilles Landry, owner of the Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites and the Mainstay Suites near the airport, for his generous support.

WINNIPEG ITINERARY

Friday, October 14

     Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
     145 Pacific Avenue  (near Portage & Main)
     5 - 7 pm
     Come and meet our inductee, Gerry James, Kid Dynamite
     Books will be available for purchase and signing.


Tuesday, October 18

     Book signing at McNally Robinson.
     6pm  
     Legendary athlete Gerry James will be on hand throughout the evening to chat, answer
     questions, and sign copies of KID DYNAMITE The Gerry James Story.


Friday, October 21

     The Blue Bombers will be hosting Gerry James and Ken Ploen. (Details to follow.)
     This event will be Open to the Public.

Saturday, October 22

      2pm  Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs the Montreal Alouettes
      Gerry will be the Blue Bombers Honourary Captain and will join the coin toss at the start of the game.

     TUNE YOUR T.V.'S or COMPUTERS TO THE BROADCAST IN YOUR AREA.

Canadian Crawlers, Rumble Bumps and other Americana

After 22 days on the road you just knew it had to happen. And no, I do not mean that the snippets of friendly banter between The Author and The Kid finally degenerated into honest to God sniping. No, I mean that after 22 days of continual sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high 20's we finally ran into rain. Yes, grey skies and rain caught up with the Tour as we left Munising in Upper Michingan.

The day began early.

The Author: Ah, I see you're finally awake. I've been up since 2am.

Me:   It's four in the morning!

The Author: I've had bad feelings about this Motel ever since we drove in. Why did the clerk put us on  the
         far side of the building? Out of sight of everyone? And who was that weirdo that was running a skidoo
         up and down the lawn when we drove in? Why are there no locks on the main door? Why is there
         no one else staying here? Why doesn't anything work properly?

Me:   Wayne, at the desk, said it was probably the maintenance man on the skidoo.

The Author: Precisely. I'm glad you're awake. I need to check the car and make certain everything is safe.

Me:   You stay here. You can't even walk properly.

The Author: No you stay here.

Minutes later, I find myself half dressed and peering into the dimly lit hall. At last The Author
         hobbles back in view.

The Author: Everything is fine. And there are four other cars in the parking lot. I feel much better now.

By this time I am totally wide awake. As I lay back on my bed in the dark with the vibration from The Author's snores shaking the room, the images I have dredged up from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho refuse to disappear. Could congenial Wayne possibly be related to Norman Bates? Are we really safe?

At dawn, we hit the road again, and, after a long day's haul we are safely ensconced in a Super 8 Motel in Bemidji, Minnesota. It's a bustling community on a lake just outside of Chippewa country. In half an hour we are going out for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant, my favourite American kind of eatery, and I can hardly wait to taste my first Marguerita.


PS Many thanks to Iain (aka Two Eyes) for retrieving the photo of Angelo Mosca and Gerry and embedding it in the October 8 blog. And just to keep the record straight, the Larry in photo is not Larry Robertson.

FULL MOON OVER LAKE HURON

October 10, 2011  Tour Day 21 Thanksgiving, Port Sanilac, Michigan

The Tour has decided to kick back and take things a little easier on the road back to Winnipeg. The Author is even managing to hobble around without the aid of his new crutches. We have found sanctuary in the Last Chance Motel on the outskirts of Port Sanilac on Lake Huron. The water is calm, the only sound the casts of a local fisherman from the public dock.

We went for a late meal in the Still Water Sports Bar and Grill where hunters are welcome. We treated ourselves to a pitcher of beer and the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers. The downtown is adorned for Halloween with bales of straw, corn stalks, pumpkins and signs reading "Go Tigers, Go. And the neon sign in front of the Sanilac Public Library reads:

     Haunt your local library.
     Treat yourself to a good boooook.

The Tour Hits a Snag

Actually, the Author took a tumble, and is currently on crutches, so we are going to leave for Winnipeg tomorrow, and wend our way back to Winnipeg slowly. Hopefully, he will be feeling a lot better soon. I will update the Winnipeg Itinerary in a couple of days.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Kid meets Angelo Mosca

Last night, October 7, at Ivor Wynne Stadium, the Tour was the guest of Larry Robertson and the Canadian Football Research Society at the game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the home team, Hamilton Tiger Cats. We were seated in the central tent in the southern end zone and treated to the game and a delicious buffet. As soon as we arrived at our table another Hall of Famer, Angelo Mosca, dropped by to see the Kid.

Angelo: "Gerry, it's so great to meet someone who's even older than me."

The Kid rolled his eyes and punched Angelo affectionately in the ribs. However, there was little time for the two to properly exchange their books, complete with thoughtful inscriptions, or to reminisce about their playing days. Angelo's fans are legion in Hamilton and he was soon beseiged by requests for photos and autographs. One of these fans, Luigiana Vella, was kind enough to send me a couple of photos of Gerry and Angelo (and Larry, Luigiana's cousin, who is a member of the CFRS). These photos are safe and sound in my gmail account waiting for me to access them at the appropriate time (which would be NOW!. However, try as I might, I currently lack the savy to publish the photos on the blog. Perhaps in a later post?) (Oct 11 EDIT- a photo should now be seen above).

As Rob Morrallee, Office Manager at the Hall says, "these men (Gerry, Angelo, et al) are the cream of the crop. They are the top .01 per cent of all of the hundreds of thousands of men who have ever played in the CFL." Sometimes, late at night, when Rob passes the central room at the Hall where the heads of all the members sit row upon row, he thinks he "can even hear them talking to each other."

In an aside to Luigiana, Angelo said about Gerry, "He's the best football player I ever played against."

Later, when Luigiana recounted the above to Gerry, he refused to believe her.

Luigiana: "It's true. He really said that!"

Later, in the second half, Luigiana asked the Kid: "Are you cold?"

The Kid: "No!"

Luigiana: "I didn't ask if you were OLD. I asked whether or not you were COLD. I would have lent you my  TiCat scarf, although being an old Blue Bomber I don't suppose you would have worn it?"

The Kid: "I'm not COLD."

Actually, it is a little difficult to believe that the Kid could have been cold. The temperatures in Hamilton continue to hover around 23 degrees C. There was no wind blowing off Lake Ontario last night. The percussion band kept rhythmically drumming, the cheer leading kids in front of us kept shaking their golden pompoms and the fans in the stands carried on drinking beer and cheering their TiCats in a losing cause.

On the drive back to the Hotel, Larry Robertson recounted some of his experiences recording the play by play descriptions of CFL games at Ivor Wynne Stadium on a manual typewriter, typing on Gestetner (sp?) forms. During an especially cold and foggy playoff game in late November, the statistical team in the open air press box were dutifully recording their accounts of the tied game when Saskatchewan (?) scored a touchdown in the dying seconds. A great cheer rose from the statisticians whereupon their chief immediately rose and gave them a lecture on the importance of their being impartial. Whereupon the statisticians all rose and threatened to quit. They had been cheering the fact that there was going to be NO OVERTIME.

This morning Gerry and Ron are at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame meeting with the Canadian Football Research Society. I took the opportunity to sleep in and update the blog. Later today we are going to be signing books in the Concourse of the Copps Coliseum at 5pm before the hockey game between the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Rochester Americans.

Before signing off, the Author asked me to send a special "hello" to Tour followers, Edwin and Mary Webb, in Wokingham, Berkshire.

a pui tardi, Pat

Football Hall of Fame Photos

How about that? Here are the photos I promised.
It's simple when you know how.

Photo #1 Tom Casey; Photo #2 Tom Casey; Photo #3 Gerry; Photo #4 Gerry's Dad Eddie "Dynamite" James; Photo #5 Stained Glass Mural; Photo #6 Tom Casey; Photo #7 Statue outside the Football Hall of Fame; Photo #8 Gerry and Ron Miming statue; Photo #9 Self-explanatory.

Next lesson: How to add captions to the photos.

BOOK REVIEWS

If you would like to read reviews of Kid Dynamite just go to http://www.oolichan.com/  click on Kid Dynamite, scroll down to reviews and click on the ones you want.  I particularly like the review in Saskatchewan Lifestyles where James Shares Stories.

If I can figure out how to upload the photos I took at the Football Hall of Fame this morning I will do so.

Stay tuned.

The Tour Hits Hamilton Ontario!

Leaving Winnipeg with 8 cartons of books in tow, The Kid, The Author, and yours truly, headed south of the 49th to the United States. Immediately it became apparent that we were now in a foreign country: the gas was cheaper, the money was all the same colour and there were lots of Stars and Stripes flying from flag poles.

Once again we had to keep the pedal to the metal in order to arrive at our next book signing stop at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame tomorrow, October 7, between 4 & 6 pm. We arrived safely at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, just in front of the bus bearing the Blue Bombers who will be playing the Hamilton Ti-Cats tomorrow night. (We are going to the game.) I resisted the temptation to introduce the team to one of their former greats. I did not even shout out, "Go Bombers, Go." Perhaps that was because I was still somewhat in shock from TERRIFYING TOUR MOMENT #1: The Kid at the wheel of the Avalon negotiating the #2 Highway detour signs over bridges through downtown Duluth, Minnesota, lead footing it during rush hour. Or perhaps it was the after effects of the Calazone and red wine at Grandpa Tony's in Bay City, Michigan last night. For whatever reason, I displayed unusual decorum.

NOTABLE SITES MISSED as the Tour has pressed on:

#1. Margaret Laurence House in Neepawa, Manitoba; although we did meet a Christie Loganish kind of guy in the Dairy Queen there over the Incident with the Wasp.
      When The Kid swatted a wasp with a folded Sports Section of the local paper, an elderly man with alternate teeth missing and his left arm in a sling man shouted to the Kid from a nearby booth: "You got him! I saw him drop."
     The Kid bent down, picked up the wasp with the paper and replaced the paper on the shelf full of other newspapers. Christie got up and grabbed the newspaper. "You can't leave a dead wasp in a newspaper. It don't bother me but it might upset a lady, especially a pregnant lady. Some folks get really bothered by wasps, even dead ones, but not me. I can pick them up by the wing."
     As Christie picked up the paper the wasp, which was only stunned, crawled onto the shelf. Christie swatted the wasp dead, picked it up by its wing and deposited it in the garbage can. "Good thing I checked on it."
     The Kid rolled his eyes and said: "Yeah. Really good thing."

#2. Michael Moore's house in Flint. Michigan.
     This was probably another good thing, since the Kid is not a fan of Michael's and since the site of Michael Moore's birthplace and childhood home is probably derelict or demolished. And, although Michael is rumoured to be once again resident in Flint, if there is a new Michael Moore house, he would be living in it and therefore, it is unlikely that it would be open to the public.

TOUR DAY 14, October 3

Tonight The Kid is staying with friends in Winnipeg while The Author and I are staying in the Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites on the Pembina Highway courtesy of Gilles Landry the owner and manager. Monsieur Landry will be hosting the Tour again when we return on October 14 through October 22 when Gerry will be the honourary captain of the Blue Bombers for their game against Montreal.

Finding ourselves alone for the first time in a while The Author and I decided to go for an early evening walk along some of the quieter streets near the south bank of the Red River. A father and son were playing catch with a football out in their front yard, and we stopped to chat.

THE AUTHOR:  We're here on a book tour with a football player, a former Blue Bomber by the name of Gerry James. He played for the Bombers in the 50's and 60's. Ever heard of him?

THE DAD; No, I haven't heard of him but Bud Grant used to live just across the street. Just three houses down.

ME (to the Author after we have resumed our walk): Wow! Now what are the chances of our ending up on the street where Bud Grant used to live?

Does anyone remember what they used to say about Bud Grant?
God is not dead. He is alive and well and coaching the Minnesota Vikings.

(ps Don't tell Gerry I wrote this.)


As we prepare to leave the prairies and head south through the US en route to Hamilton Ontario I find myself musing about our days in Saskatchewan and how they kept taking me back to the first ten years of my own life,when I was once a Kid, too.

Evocative Prairie Sights and Sounds:

     water towers
     wind mills
     back yard vegetable gardens
     sloughs
     flies
     barn yard smells
     crab apple trees
     the wail of train whistles
     onion domed churches
     talk of snow for Hallowe'en

HOME OPENER Melville Millionaires

The Tour's visit to Melville coincided with the Millionaires' home opener in their brand new arena--the Horizon Credit Union Centre. The day was a nail biter for the team's president, Dawn Melnychuk. Would the new building pass all the inspections necessary so that the game could go ahead?

The team finally received a "thumbs up" for the game at noon but the facility will not be complete for another month or so. The convention centre and parts of the arena are still under construction and aren't open to the public as yet.

One of the most popular features of the building promises to be the rubberized walking track which circles the rink and seating area. The rubberized walking track is part of the Cardiac Care Centre which will have a full-time nurse on duty. The Cardiac Care Centre is going to partner with the University of Regina to moniter the success of the Centre's programs.

The entire facility is very much a community project and the arena was packed for the game. The excitement was palpable. The Millionaires were introduced one by one and each player skated onto the rink between two giant "sparklers". The intros and light show were followed by fireworks at centre ice. As the smoke cleared the official ceremonies featured the president of the SJHL, Bill Chow; sporting legend Kid Dynamite, Gerry James; Mayor Walter Streelowsky and Millionaires President, Dawn Melnychuk.  The speeches were brief and shortly the announcer pronounced:  Welcome to your new home.  GAME ON!


From Saskatchewan the tour shifts to Hamilton, Ontario with a "Signing at the Hall" from 4 - 6pm at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on October 7. The Tour will also be guests at the Hamilton Tiger Cat game in the evening thanks to Scott Mitchell, owner of the team.The next morning, on September 8, the Author and the Kid will attend a statisticians meeting, also at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. This meeting will be open to the public so everyone is welcome. Later in the day there will be a book signing in the concourse before the Hamilton Bulldogs' game against Rochester.  The final event scheduled for Hamilton will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame on October 11 at 6pm where Gerry and Ron will talk to a meeting of the Society for International Hockey Research.  Once again this meeting will be open to the public.  Hope to see you in Ontario.

Kid Dynamite Sweeps Through Saskatchewan

Sunday, October 2  "And on the 13th Tour Day they rested."

Three events in three days--Saskatoon, Estevan & Melville. Thousands of kilometers have passed under the Toyota's snow tires as the mercury in Saskatchewan thermometers holds steady in the mid twenties.

HELPFUL TIP for TRAVELLERS #1:  When selecting your route to Estevan do NOT select Highway 47 south from Highway 1 to Stoughton. The last time The Kid drove the route it might have been newly paved  but today it is primarily thick gravel with deep ruts relieved in sections by broken ashphalt. The sound of the gravel and pavement bits thrown up by our snow tires made continual, disturbing bangs on the undercarriage of the Avalon during the 80 km trek (or there abouts). South of Stoughton the highway is smooth and the landscape becomes increasingly dotted with "grasshoppers" (small oil derricks) pumping industriously. There were few crops planted this year in the area because of the extensive spring flooding. It seems, however, to have been a good year for ducks who happily paddle the abundant sloughs and ponds.

The Tour arrived in Estevan, the Energy City, on time with our exhaust system intact. We were graciously hosted by the Bruins Hockey Club at Days Inn and given a tour of Estevan's impressive new arena, Spectra Place, so-called thanks to the corporate sponsorship of the Spectra Credit Union. (I think perhaps I have coined a contemporary koan. Can one describe a credit union as corporate?) Spectra Place is owned by the City of Estevan whose slogan "Our City, Our Region, Your Legacy" is proudly displayed on the walls of the main foyer leading to the arena which is home to the Bruins whose motto Rich Tradition. Strong Future. seems to sum up the prevalent mood in Estevan. All 24 corporate boxes are fully leased for 10 years and the waiting list for the select boxes keeps growing.

HELPFUL TIP FOR TRAVELLERS #2. If travelling to Estevan be sure to book your accommodation three months in advance, for there is likely to be no room at Days Inn.

Hockey score after 2 periods: Estevan Bruins 7 Notre Dame Hounds 1

The highlight of the night was the visit to the book table by The Ice Team, four sixteen year old beauties, who toss treats etc. to the fans from the ice.

RON:       "I'm the Author."
GERRY:   "I'm the Book."
MEMBER OF THE ICE TEAM:  "I'll bet you two were real lady killers, eh?"

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Kid Dynamite Tour reached as far north as Saskatoon on TOUR DAY 9, September 28 where Gerry and Ron gave brief talks at the Book Signing at McNally Robinson's in the early evening. Ron explained why he had written the book, and Gerry talked about some of the more memorable moments in his career. After the talks Gerry fielded questions from the audience.

Q: What is the difference between hockey as the game is played today and the game as it was played in your era? Do you think that these changes have made the game better or worse?

A: The game today is both better and worse. If you can't skate, you can't play in today's game. The elimination of the centre line offside has really speeded the game up. So you have to be able to skate. But, as a consequence, there is no longer any place for the art of body checking. All you have today are collisions.

Q: Who were the most influential people in your career?

A: My mother, Tom Casey and Squib Walker, a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. One Christmas, just after I turned 15, Squib came up to me after a game, complimented me on my play and shook my hand. When I pulled my hand away, there was a twenty dollar bill in it. After that day I was a Maple Leaf for life.


For those of you who weren't able to make it to the event, McNally Robinson has signed copies of the book for sale. To date McNally Robinson is the ONLY bookstore in Saskatchewan who has the book, thanks to the efforts of Alicia Walker, Events Co-ordinator.

The trip to Saskatoon also gave Gerry the opportunity to renew the acquaintance of special people in his life: his assistant coach, Kal Parenteau, and his wife, Joyce; and one of his former players, Lenny Meuller, and his wife, Lisa.


TOUR DAY 10

Return to Yorkton, past the Melsted Marsh, white with gulls, teeming with ducks and geese, and a lone blue heron. (I knew I should have taken my binoculars.)  Past the Lakes International Bird Sanctuary and the Quill Lakes Interpretive Centre.

Snippets of Friendly Banter.

ME: Look who's going 120 now.

THE AUTHOR: Who? Me? That's because we're going downhill.


No. of Curbs Hit:  Gerry 1, Ron 1, Pat 0

Our TWO SPORT LEGEND makes the Front Page of the Leader-Post

In a full-page Profile in the Sports section of the Regina Leader-Post Rob Vanstone confesses that two sport Gerry was once two people in his own mind. He knew of the CFL great, Gerry James and in the seventies "I became familiar with a Gerry James who was coaching in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. I was aware of the fact that he had previously played in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
     But it was not until I watched a sportscast on Yorkton television station KVOS (in the 80's) that I learned that there was only one Gerry James. It was to marvel. One person did all that?"

     Rob's article is also featured in Saskatoon's Phoenix-Star. Gerry and Ron will be in Saskatoon at the McNally-Robinson bookstore tomorrow night at 7:30 for a book signing. Rob's article also has four photos of Gerry, one of which was taken in 1985 when Gerry was coach of the Estevan Bruins. After Saskatoon, the Tour's next port of call is Estevan, where Gerry and Ron will be signing books at the new arena before  the Bruin's game on Friday night.

MEANWHILE the Indian Summer continues. Blue skies. Hot sun. This is excellent news for the farmers in eastern Saskatchewan whose crops got planted late this year due to the unseasonally wet spring weather. The threshers and combines are working round the clock while people toil to get the crops in.  Temperatures are predicted to continue in the high 20's through the week-end. This is definitely NOT hockey (or even football) weather.

And I continue to wonder why I did NOT think to pack my shorts, T-shirts and sandals?

I DID remember to get the snow tires put on the car and Marg (Gerry's wife) thoughtfully gave us an extra big candle so that we could stay warm inside the car should the Tour go off the road in a blizzard into one of those ditches red hot rocker Reg warns of. (I also remembered to pack matches to light the candle and made sure we had a flashlight so we could find the matches to light the candle.) My sleeping bag and sheepskin coat would also come in handy in this sort of scenario, I thought.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: The Author knows what it's like to skid into a ditch in an Ontario snow storm, although, being a young man at the time he was wearing his shorts and shades.

So, we have one more day to rest up in Yorkton before hitting the road again, en route to Saskatoon, Estevan and Melville (Saturday, October 1), with the Avalon's AIR CONDITIONING on HIGH.

Yorkton Terriers 7 - Estevan Bruins 5

TOUR DAY 6, September 26

In Yorkton Gerry is very much at home amongst scores of family, friends and fans. Before and after dropping the puck at centre ice at the start of the game, and between periods, Gerry and Ron were non-stop busy signing books. As one book buyer remarked: You're down in history now, Gerry. Not too many guys could have did it. It was also announced that Gerry would be inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame in November.

The next tour event is a book signing at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon on Wednesday, September 28 at 7:30 pm. Please join us if you are in the area.

Saskatchewan:Land of Living Skies

AUTUMN EQUINOX

TOUR DAY 4, September 23.  The Tour kicks off with its first official event: a radio interview with Rod Pedersen (& Schultzie) hosting Gerry and Ron on CKRM sports radio from 6 to 6:30 pm on location at the rink just before the Regina Pats home opener.

After the interview:

The Author:  What do you want to do tonight?
Me:              I'd like to go to the game. After all I am a Pat.
The Author:  Hmmm. I guess that must make me a Patsy.


TOUR DAY 5: Bumper Crops and Buffalo Lookouts, September 24

Up early for the Fan Forum and book signing at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum from 10am to noon. Forum superbly hosted by Darrell Davis. Rob Vanstone from the Leader-Post, Lindsay Dunn, sports reporter from CTV, and a photographer from the Leader-Post in attendance. All asked insightful questions and were generous and positive in their comments about the book. Darrell and Rob both remarked that Kid Dynamite takes a unique approach to writing about a sports figure. In particular they liked the interaction between Gerry and Ron.

Event superbly organized by Sheila Kelly, the Executive Director of the SSHF&M, and volunteers Barr and Lorrie. Thank you all for the support of the Tour. Unfortunately the event was undone somewhat by the glorious Saskatchewan weather. Never thought I would be praying for a little west coast weather on the high prairie. In spite of relatively low attendance, books sales were brisk.

Signed copies of the book are for sale at the Hall of Fame. (1/3 of the proceeds from all book sales there will be donated back to the SSHF&M). Plans hatched for a second book signing on our return journey at the end of October.

Today, another sun-filled day, we are in Yorkton and will be attending the Terriers game this evening. We're looking forward to meeting a lot of book-loving fans.

Tour Day Three, September 22

The drive from Swift Current to Regina is quintessential prairie. "Ride off any horizon and let the measure fall where it will may."

Arrive safely at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Meet Sheila Kelly, the executive director, Barr and Laurie. Everyone excited to meet Gerry and to finalize the arrangements for Saturday morning's Fan Forum & Book Signing.

Later, en route to our hotel

Snippets of friendly banter:
The Author:  You're sure you know where you're going?
The Kid:       I'm sure.
The Author:  Why are you sure?
The Kid:       Because I've been this way before.
The Author:  Then why are we in the parking lot of the White City Community Centre with no way out?

Day two, Wednesday, September 21

Breakfast with Bill Usher of AGOG (Art Gallery of Golden) in the Big Bend Cafe.
Bill: Your tour sounds like some young rock band's fantasy. Just remember, as red hot rocker Reg used to
       say, there are two miles of ditch for every one mile of road.
Bill and Gerry swap hockey stories. Fond memories of playiing hockey in Toronto and the Marlies evoked. Bill very pleased to get his copy of Kid Dynamite.

Leaving Golden the Rockies are splendid, glaciers glistening in the Indian Summer sun.

Later,
The Author: Here's today's quiz. What is the name of the Honourable Member from Kicking Horse Pass?
Me:             I can't remember but when he was a Mountie the name of his loyal dog was Cuddles.

Still later, more snippets of friendly banter:
The Author:  Slow down. You're in second gear. What's that noise?
Me:              The emergency brake is on!
The Author:  Slow down. You're doing 140!
The Kid:       But I haven't even got my foot on the gas.

The answer to Today's Quiz is Dave Broadfoot. But does anyone remember the name of his Mountie?

tour day one

The tour begins with a fair sky and a calm sea. The coastal mountain chain ridged against a cerullian sky. Easy aboard the Queen of Oak Bay, sailing as sedately as Queen Victoria in an open Landau.

Questions: Will the Smith's 11 year-old Toyota be up to the trek? Does the blog spot have spell check? Will it know how to spell sir rillian? And what kind of blue is sur rilian anyway? Bomber blue?

Same day later. Snippets of friendly banter between The Kid and the author.

The Author: Gerry you're going too fast. You're doing 120.

The Kid: No I'm not, I'm doing 117 to 118.

The Author: Gerry you're doing 130.

The Kid: But I want to get by that truck.

Much later same day. Sanctuary found in Rondo Motel in Golden courtesy of Bill Usher. A great place to stay, cheap cheap cheap and clean. No post tonight. Pen and paper rule. Instant hardcopy immediate backup, top that Bill Gates.

Tour Itinerary WRIT LARGE

Did I mention that this is the first time I have ever blogged? Well, my coverage of the Kid Dynamite Tour will be a learning experience from start to finish. Can anyone read post #2? Fantastic! However, for those of you, who, like me can't read the fine print I thought it best to repeat the salient information:

EVENTS WITH GERRY JAMES aka KID DYNAMITE:

September 23, 5 - 7pm Radio Interview on CKRM with Rod Pedersen in Regina.
September 24, 10am till noon, Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, Regina
September 25 at 6pm, Yorkton Terriers Game, Yorkton
September 28 at 7:30pm McNally Robinson, Saskatoon
October 1 at 7pm, Melville Millionaires, Melville
October 7 Canadian Football Hall of Fame & Museum, 4 to 6
October 7 Game - Hamilton vs Winnipeg, Hamilton Ontario
October 8 morning, Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum, meeting with statisticians, Hamilton
October 8  7pm  Hamilton Bulldogs game
October 14, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Winnipeg
October 18, 7pm book signing and talk at McNally Robinson, Winnipeg
October 21 evening, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg
October 22, 2pm, Winnipeg game vs Montreal, Winnipeg

This is the broad outline of the tour so far. Stay tuned though. Gerry Kid Dynamite James and author Ron Smith are game and good to go for more events as the tour gains traction.

More Book Info

Hi Tour Folks,

For more info on the book you might want to click on the following link:
http://www.oolichan.com/smith-kid-dynamite

Thanks for the suggestion, Iain.

Tour Itinerary

Books Arrive!

Kid Dynamite, The Gerry James Story, a biography written by Ron Smith (384 pages, in hardcover, retailing for $30) is about to achieve lift-off. There will be a launch at the author's home this Sunday, September 18 between 1-3pm. Gerry, the subject of the book, and Ron, the author, will both be available to sign books. Coffee and cookies will be served.

Stay tuned.