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.
Kid Dynamite - Gerry James Tour
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
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.
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.
Friday, 14 October 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
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.
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.
Monday, 10 October 2011
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 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.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
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
Happy Thanksgiving
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