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.