Since becoming "Catalina's Official Greeter", March 10, 2014, when the Chamber Of Commerce assigned me to greet the cruise ships and cross channel carriers, I have answered 59,600 questions.

GROSS OVERSIGHT!  Please add Eddie Vega and "Mr. Ning's" to the list of those who participated in the election.  As always, Eddie was invaluable with his hard work and fluency in English and Spanish and as we had NO BREAKS the entire day, 6AM-9:30PM, "Mr. Ning's" delivery to the polling location (Catholic Church) made it possible for us to steal a bite every now and then!  EVEN COLD TASTED GREAT!

YOU INSPIRE ME!  Karen Cross, AFS (American Field Service) Activity Director, Los Angeles, again brought over a group of exceptional high school Senior exchange students from around the world and again I had the honor, through the Conservancy, of taking them around the Island and helping them to clean up "Shark" and "Little" Harbors.  At the Airport I gave them each a copy of the "Islander" and they noticed the "Letter To The Editor" from Jane Budd understandably upset about the trash the keep accumulating at "Three Palms" and the "Mt. Ada" overlook.  It was decided then that the students wanted to do something special for Avalon, after they were done cleaning up in the Interior.  With little daylight left, they ascended on "Mt. Ada" and picked up broken glass, cigarette butt, UNDERWEAR, etc.  Muhammad Rizky Firdaus, Indonesia, Hashir Magsood, Pakistan, Catrina Rocco/Niccolo Roselli, Italy, Maria Sacristan, Spain, Elias Sager, Switzerland, and Paula Valencia, Colombia, did the job, WITHOUT COMPLAINING  that Islanders should have done!  THANK YOU guys, Conservancy, AFS, and Karen!

If you want to check out any of my past column submissions, as well as some of the more unusual/interesting questions/comments I have received, Rocky Wall has graciously taken it on as a project, www.catalinaislandman.com

The 3-hour PBS documentary, "WEST OF THE WEST", covering the history of the eight channel islands, with a very good segment on Catalina (including yours truly), is only available in Avalon at the "Steamer Trunk" and the "DC-3" (Airport).  If you don't live on Catalina, send me a check for $23, P. O. Box 1533, Avalon, CA 90704, and I will send you a DVD.

 

"FEELING THE SOUND"

 

Most people only know me as the guy who greets the cruise ships and cross channel boats, who writes this weekly column, and "tries" to be our local historian/"Catalina's Personal Google".  What many don't know that, among my many other professions, i. e., taught "Communication" at Illinois State and Indiana Universities, I also managed entertainers.  Definitely, one of my most unique clients was a Black/blind comedian, Kenny Johnson!  What made it so enjoyable for me was that I often wrote material for him.  IMAGINE GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE FOR HIM!  I went CRAZY!  One of my favorite lines was how delighted Kenny was that the state of California was so helpful in putting those raised areas on the freeway lanes so that he could stick his cane out the window of his car, while he was driving, to make sure that he stayed in his designated lanes, going 65mph!  Always got laughs (who would "boo" a Black/blind comedian!?!)

One time things just didn't work out as planned.  We were at hotel in Palm Springs and Kenny was the entertainment for a convention of special needs professionals.  As we were driving (I did most of it! lol!), I asked Kenny how he was going to start his dialogue.  He said that he was simply going to say, "I know what you are thinking, and yes, I am blind."  "NO KENNY. NOT FUNNY!"  I came up with "I know what you are thinking, and yes, I am Black."  "THAT'S STUPID, CHUCK, THEY KNOW I AM BLACK!"  "I know, Kenny, THAT'S what makes it funny.  THEY AREN'T THINKING THAT!  THEY KNOW IT!"  "Are you SURE, Chuck!"  "TRUST ME, Kenny!"  It was time for lunch, which was when Kenny was supposed to do his "thing".  It was a 3 tiered stage, where the VIPS sat, and then the hundreds of professionals were sitting at large round tables.  When given the signal, Kenny took my arm and I lead him up to the top tier, got him situated behind the podium, and then went back to my seat, which was the LOWEST level, facing the social workers.  As Kenny began, I couldn't wait to hear my "line" as I saw three tables of Black participants smiling positively at me.  I couldn't wait to get their reaction!  Kenny proceeded, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you noticed that my manager lead me up to the podium.  He felt he needed to do this, NOT because I am blind, BUT because I am BLACK!"  I GOT A REACTION, O. K.!!!  Little laughter, BUT A LOT OF DAGGER STARES from the tables directly in front!  When he had finished his successful performance, I went up to get him and bring him down so he and I could have our lunch!  As I lead him down I whispered, "WHAT WAS THAT INTRODUCTION!"  "The one that you dictated for me!"  "NO IT WASN'T!  You didn't memorize it correctly or decided to go off script!"  I NEVER LOOKED UP FROM MY MEAL AND COULDN'T WAIT TO HITCH KENNY'S SEEING EYE DOG TO THE FRONT OF MY VAN AND LET KENNY DRIVE HOME!  I WAS TOO UPSET TO DRIVE!!!

About 12 years ago, Kenny married a very sweet blind lady, who had a daughter who usually accompanied her everywhere, but for part of their honeymoon, they decided to make the treck themselves, unescorted, from Las Vegas, where they lived, to Catalina and give me a "surprise" visit.  I received a phone call from Kenny at Two Harbors!  He was wondering where I was and I explained to him he was in the wrong location, but I would come ASAP and pick them up,  bring them to Avalon, and then they could stay with me. 

I got down there as quickly as possible and found them waiting patiently for me at the end of the pier.  HOW THEY MADE IT ALL THE WAY FROM VEGAS ON THEIR OWN, I COULDN'T IMAGINE, but here they were safely on the Island.  The WRONG end of the Island, but on the Island, none the less!  As I was driving them back on the hour+ drive, I realized that they had never been to Catalina, so I broke into my "tour guide mode".  You know, "on your left, you can see...", "on your right, you will notice...", etc.  For some reason, because I knew Kenny and they both seemed so confident, I FORGOT THEY WERE BLIND!   When we got to Avalon, near the corner of Crescent Ave./Pebbly Beach Road, I turned around to apologize to them (they were both sitting in the second row of my van).  "PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"  "For WHAT, Chuck?"  "FOR BEING SO STUPID AND INSENSITIVE TO GIVE YOU A VISUAL TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!!" "Chuck, calm down.  We were talking about this while you were giving us your WONDERFUL tour.  Do you have any idea of how DESCRIPTIVELY you talk!?!"  "No, I NEVER thought about it!" "Well, you DO!  In our "minds' eyes", were able to SEE EVERYTHING you were describing and we SAW a FANTASTIC Island, THANKS!" (I am hopefully providing this "descriptive" element when I write this column!). I was beginning to cry!  "REALLY!?!"  "Yes, REALLY!  By the way, WHAT is that sound we are hearing?"  "What sound?"  "The sound of water flowing, but then making a rattling noise!"  I had to SHUT UP and LISTEN for a few seconds!  "That's the sound of the waves coming up to the shore and then going back over the gravel!"  "Chuck, we have NEVER been to the ocean!  Could you please take us down there so that we can 'feel the sound'?"  I had them take off their shoes and socks and roll up their pant legs and I led them down to the "sound".  The three of us standing there; two of them with beautiful angelic smiles, and me trying to understand their fascination.  After a few minutes, I closed my eyes and ENJOYED their experience with them.

I don't know what happened to Kenny and his bride as we lost contact.  They taught me that day to "FEEL" and I will hopefully NEVER forget!  If any of you EVER hear me complaining about life being a bit "tough", then remind me of Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Johnson and you have my permission to give me a mild slap to the side of my head to remind me how fortunate I am to live on Catalina Island and can see/hear how special it is!

Contact Chuck directly, chuckliddell.catalina@gmail.com

Since becoming "Catalina's Official Greeter", March 10, 2014, when the Chamber Of Commerce assigned me to greet cruise ships and cross channel carriers, I have answered 59,025 questions.

Mr. Ning's will be closing before June, 2017, but no date has been set yet.  Show your support and say your final "good-byes" to my favorite restaurant!  Among the nicest group of people on the Island or ANYWHERE else!

If you would like to check out any of my past column submissions and also enjoy some of the more interesting/unusual questions I have heard over the years, www.catalinaislandman.com

IT RAINED AGAIN!  Keep it coming!  In the meantime, here are some more observations I have received regarding our water situation.  Raise revenue by sell the salt that we produce in our desalinization process.  If we continue to go paper and waste, instead of washing our meal articles, how much longer can our dump handle this?  Maybe we should look to Israel for a possible solution. Keep you suggestions coming and contact me directly, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The 3-hour PBS documentary, "WEST OF THE WEST", focusing on the history of the eight channel islands, with a very good segment on Catalina (including yours truly), is only available in Avalon at the "Steamer Trunk" and the "DC-3" (Airport).  If you don't live on Catalina, send me a check for $23, P. O. Box 1533, Avalon, CA 90704 and I will send you a DVD.

CORRECTION:  In my October 14, 2016 article, "WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE...", I stated that our last major drought was 1975-76.  Great friends Edie Hugo and Dr. Bill Bushing corrected me; 1978-80.  SORRY!

Our high school football "League Champions", Avalon "LANCERS", continue to win, win, win!  Speaking of not giving up, how about the Chicago "CUBS" who had their Spring Training on Catalina, 1921-51, while owned by the Wrigley family? GO "LANCERS", GO "CUBBIES"!!!

Regardless of the fact that our two Presidential contenders are arguably the two worst candidates our country has ever supplied us, GET OUT AND VOTE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7am-8pm!  I and others in Avalon and around the nation will be working the polls to guarantee that our wonderful democracy can continue.  PLEASE vote absentee, by mail, if possible, to cut down the paper work at the local precincts and make our job easier! 

 

"ALEX, I'LL TAKE 'CATALINA ISLAND' FOR $1000!"

 

One of my greatest joys is sharing this wonderful Island with as many people as possible and for as many different reasons. For years I drove charters through "Catalina Transportation Services" and I was always anxious to see what new adventures these excursions into the "Interior" of the Island would open up to the visitors as well as myself.  Around  2008, I had the particular honor of taking the cast of the ever popular TV show"Jeopardy" around for the Island for three days to help them with the category of "Catalina Island" (you know, the statements of video taped models) which they wanted tuse for their first HD program.

I drove the Director and two of the female models, while the other vehicle had the tech crew.  Being ME, I made suggestions on information they might want to utilize, as I had been asked to do so from other productions.  The Director made it VERY CLEAR from the start, "This is 'Jeopardy', we KNOW what we are looking for!"  So much for my humble input!

We went all over the place, often meeting up with Conservancy personnel who granted us permisiont go to "off limit" locations.  When we were in Middle Ranch, one of our EXTREMELY rare antelope ran in front of my van, which both delighted and frustrated me!  This was the first time, and so far the ONLY time, that I have ever seen his elusive animal and, with all of the high tech film equipment  in our little cravan, they weren't able to bring ANYTHING out in time to shoot it!  NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A ONCE IN A LIFE-TIME SHOT FOR THE PROGRAM!!!

Anyone who knows anything about TV/movie productions, especially on "location", painfully understands the concept of "down time", and a LOT of it!  Just driving from place to place and shotting shot after shot can be extremely boring!  While we were experiencing one of these "unproductive" (?) periods, the younger model turned to me and asked me how old I though she was. (GENTLEMEN, I KNOW THAT WE ARE LITERALLY WEENED BY OUR DISTRAUGHT FATHERS TO BE PAINFULLY AWARE THAT THERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS THAT WOMEN ASK US THAT ARE TRAPS AND THIS IS ON THE TOP OF THE LIST!  WE HAVE ALL BEEN TAUGHT TO THINK HOW OLD A WOMAN IS AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DEDUCT 10 YEARS. THAT IS THE NUMBER WE GIVE TO HER. THIS IS FOUND IN CHAPTER ONE OF THE "A BOY BECOMING OF AGE SURVIVAL HANDBOOK"!).  I was unfortunately a bit tired and "forgot" this formula, so I guessed her age, without taking off the 10 years!  SHE WAS FURIOUS!  "NO ONE has ever thought that I was over 25!!!"  I asked her by how much did I miss the mark and she answered, "You were right, but NO ONE has ever given me the correct age!"   Now that my brain was obviously in "neutral gear", I looked at the other model, who was quite a bit older and blurted, "At least you aren't 50 like she is!"  TURNED OUT I CORRECT FOR EACH OF THEM, BUT NOW THEY BOTH HATED MY GUTS!!!

Driving along with them in the back of my van, obviously trying to ignore me, made things very uncomfortable, but at LEAST I was still friends with the Director.  He was sitting "shot gun" and I turned to him and said, nervously trying to turn on my "charming" wit and humor, "When will this particular show be taped?"  "I think you mean when will it be 'aired'."  "No, when will it be 'taped'.  I want to find out who the three contestants are so that I can share with them the answers on the  "Catalina Island" category.  I want to share their winnings with them!"  Within seconds a piece of paper and pen were forced on me.  "SIGN THIS"!, the Director insisted.  "What is it?"  "It is a contract that states that you WILL NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, divulge where we went on this charter, what we shot, and what the questions were!!!"  "I WAS ONLY KIDDING!"  "SIGN IT!  BASED ON PAST QUIZ PROGRAMS, WE CAN'T TAKE THE CHANCE!" (Just for the record, to this day, even though the show was aired years ago, I stlll haven't shared with anyone this information!). Now, not only had I gotten the two models angry at me, but now I have lost it with the Director!

Needless to say, the last day of the charter was VERY QUIET and I kept my mouth SHUT, unless directly asked a question.  That night I went to my favorite restaurant, "The Channel House" (location of the present excellent restaurant, "M", 205 Crescent, "Metropole Market Place"), to have a quiet dinner.  Once I entered, I noticed that the "Jeopardy" cast and crew, unbeknownst to me, had also chosen this location for their final night celebration!  I asked the hostess to PLEASE find me a table AS FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS POSSIBLE.  I was escorted a distance around them in hopes that they wouldn't notice me and disrupt their meal.  I ate my dinner quickly and then waited, for over five minutes, for my bill.  When the waiter, who I knew quite well, hadn't served me the paper, I got a bit anxious and upset.   I wanted to pay up and get out BEFORE my newly made "enemies" saw me!  When the server FINALLY walked by, I abruptly asked him, "WHERE IS MY BILL!?!"  "I thought you knew, Chuck, it has ALREADY been paid!"  "Who paid it?" as I didn't recognize anyone else in the restaurant.  "The table over there", pointing to the "Jeopardy" group.  I glanced over there and with big smils, they gave me an enthusiastic wave, which I returned, but a bit "shell shocked".  I guess I had over reacted (OH YA, LIKE THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!), and we were back to being friends.  By the way, they tipped me VERY NICELY.  It had been quite a three day adventure!  The director had even asked to become a FB "friend" and had placed on my site, without me asking or knowing about it, that I had been an employee of "Jeopardy"!!  IMAGINE THAT!!!

Every time I watch this icon of American quiz shows, I have to laugh a bit.  One more "Never To Be Forgotten" experience that my magical Island home has afforded me.  I AM SO BLESSED and happy to share all that I can with those who truly LOVE Catalina as I do!

"THE INFAMOUS BUMP GATES"

 

Since becoming "Catalina's Official Greeter", March 10, 2014, when the Chamber Of Commerce assigned me to greet the cruise ships and cross channel carriers, I have answered 59.304 questions.

THANK GOODNESS THE ELECTION IS OVER!!!  The following volunteered along with me on Catalina  to guarantee that our American Democracy stays strong; Pam Albers, Father Bill, Jim/Sue Cheek, Sean/Jill Connor, Jani Hall, Karl Huggins, Alene Mack, Theresa McDowell, Bruce Moore, Becky Morrow, Zella LeSeur, Joan Moses, Paula Patterson, Denise Radde, Leslie Shannon, and CeCi Spale! NOW LET'S GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AND BECOMING FRIENDS AGAIN!

How about those "Cubbies", who, when owned by the Wrigley Family, had their Spring Training on Catalina, 1921-51!  Hopefully we will be able to get these "World Series" Champions, first time in 108 years, to Catalina to show them how much we LOVE them!  "4th of July Grand Marshalls"!?!  Just thinking out loud!

Speaking of winners, how about our Avalon High School "Lancer" football team!?!  21 straight wins since 2014 and now undefeated and "League Champions" focusing on  the second consecutive year of CIF CHAMPIONS!  Support this remarkable team!

CORRECTION:  In my October 28 column, I stated that Johnny Windle died on May 15, 1999, instead of May 5 that was pointed out to me by Johnny's daughter, Sue Bray!  SORRY!  Check out any of my past columns, www.catalinaislandman.com

RUMOR IS WRONG:  Volleyball courts on Pebbly Beach WILL NOT be removed, but will remain with the Basketball Courts!  GOOD!

Wendy (Baker) Hein, along with others want to know when I will go back to writing my other column, "CATALINA TIME CAPSULE"!  As soon as the new Museum Director, Julie Perlin Lee, feels the time is ready for me to once again have access to the newspapers.  Visits our new Museum, Metropole Street! 

The 3-hour PBS documentary, "WEST OF THE WEST", covering the history of our eight channel islands, with a very good segment on Catalina (including yours truly), is only available in Avalon at the "Steamer Trunk" and the "DC-3" (Airport).  If you don't live on the Catalina, send me a check for $23, P. O. Box 1533, Avalon, CA 90704 and I will mail you a DVD.

 

For as long as I can remember, "bump gates" were strategically situated around the Island to keep the bison from going into human inhabited areas, but allowing cars to traverse. That was the concept, but I have seen frustrated bison cows see their calf on the other side and so have charged/rammed the gate and are able to get through.  The gate had an old automobile tire situation so as to be in the middle of the road and a little above the headlights of a normal vehicle.  The object was to aim so that the tire would be more or less centered in the middle of the vehicle.  You would then need to stop about 10-15' from the gate and then MOVE to hit the gate in such a manner that it opens COMPLETELY, allowing you time to go through.  If you hit it too hard, it would bounce back too fast and hit your side.  If you didn't hit it hard enough, it would simply scrape your side as you tried to pass. YOU HAD TO KNOW THE KNACK!  You can see one "disarmed" on the Middle Ranch Road leaving the Ranch heading for "Eagles' Nest". 

 

Whenever I had an unsuspecting audience (passengers), I mischieviously turned the experience into a "Disneyland E-Ticket" (if you are not familiar with this reference, ask someone older, much older)!  When the posted sign along the road warning of a "bump gate" coming up quickly, I would always divert the attention of my unsuspecting "subjects" by saying that I saw a fox, bald eagle, bison, elephant, whatever, on the other side of the road to keep them from preparing themselves for what was coming up ahead.  Once past the sign, and my friends "never the wiser", I would apologize that I had made a mistake about the critters.  Stopping the recommended distance from the gate, I would then complain, "Looks like they forgot to open the gate again!"  I then asked the passenger who was riding "shot gun" to please get out and open for us.  When he/she opened the passenger door and was starting to get out, I would yell, "Oh, what the heck!  I'll  just break the gate open!"  THEN I WOULD REALLY GIVE IT A "BUMP"!  Everyone would usually scream, especially the one hanging half way out of the van, which was the reaction I was going for!  (O. K., SOMETIMES I CAN BE ROTTEN!!!).  When they saw the gate bounce back behind us they realized they had been "HAD"!  Generally they would laugh out of relief, but on occasion, especially if one of the passengers has a bad back or other medical issue that I am was aware of, they can get down right ANGRY!  Mrs. Walk, I am STILL sorry about your back!"

 

Approximately 1989, I was asked by a good friend, Carolyn Bostrom (she would later marry Malcolm Renton), to take her Grandson, who was also my Godson, Arthur Edmonds, age 10, to Two Harbors to go fishing.  I was to pick up a friend of Arthur's, who wanted to go with him.  When given the address, I realized that this was the home of my good friend, Packy Offield, and the young passenger was going to be his son, Chase.  At this time, Packy was the President of the "Santa Catalina Island Co." and the great-grandson of William Wrigley, Jr.  Packy and I go back a LONG way, to the time when he was a high school student at the "Toyon School".  Chase jumped into the back seat and we made our journey to hopefully good fishing grounds!

 

When we got to "Middle Ranch", we came across the first "infamous" gate.  For Arthur's amusement, AS WELL AS MINE, I hit it especially HARD!!!  The second I hit it and barely got through before the gate CRASHED back, just missing the side of my van, I remembered WHO was in the back seat!  I immediately stopped and looked over my shoulder at Chase.  In fear that when he got home he might "spill the beans" to Packy that I was abusing the gates.  "I'm sorry that I hit the gate so hard; I promise NOT to do it again!"  "Heck, my Dad hits those gates A LOT HARDER than that!"  MY "GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD"!  (If this doesn't ring a bell, ask the OLDSTER who helped you with the "E-Ticket" explanation). 

 

The gates are now kept open permanently so NO MORE BUMPING.  I'm sort of relieved as the last time they were functional, around  2003, I was testing out my new '71 VW Van, which I had just purchased, on one of them and pushed my front end in a bit (I'm the aqua one with the coral stripe, if you want to check out my story!).  THAT'S WHAT I CALL "KARMA"!

Since becoming "Catalina's Official Greeter", March 10, 2014, when the Chamber Of Commerce assigned me to greet cruise ships an cross channel carriers, I have answered 58,638 questions.

IT RAINED!  Not enough to make any appreciable impact to our situation, but enough to clean things off, make everything smell so nice, and give us CONFIDENCE that we might have the wet season we have waited 4 years for!  In the meantime, two suggestions that have reached me concerning what we should be doing to help our problem.  Keep the water pressure at a very minimum when washing hands, doing dishes, etc.  Start barging water over as they do in some of the Greek islands.

With the most anticipated election in our history coming up on November 8, I have volunteered to be an inspector at one of our local polling locations.  I am PROUD to be working with two locals, Juan Luna and Paula Patterson!  One major surprise is that Willie Anthony is so anxious to work the election that when he found out that he wasn't needed on the mainland where he lives, with only positions open on Catalina, he will be traveling here just to fill one of our vacancies!!!  GOOD for him, BAD for us!  Are we really THAT passive when it comes to civic service that they have to import people to work in our stead!?!  THIS IS A PAYING JOB!  If any of you would like to join us, 800-815-2666.  This number will probably also work for any of you who don't live on Catalina!  If you can't/won't work the election, PLEASE "Absentee Vote By Mail" so there will be less paper work for those of us who will be on the front lines!

HOW ABOUT OUR LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM!!!  "LEAGUE CHAMPIONS"!!!  Get out and SUPPORT OUR "LANCERS"!

The "Chicago Cubs", who had their Spring Training on Catalina, 1921-51, while owned by the Wrigleys, also deserves our support!  "GO CUBBIES"!

"YOU INSPIRE ME!"  I would like to inaugurate a new segment that will recognize those who truly "inspire" the rest of us.  I would like to kick it off with two that have really touched me.  One, my neighbor on Whittley, Mary Schickling, 58 (she is PROUD and doesn't mind sharing this), can be seen POWER WALKING up steep Whittley, with weights in her hands, and giving her all to lose, as she said, "baby fat".  I am in awe, especially when she shared her mantra with me, "I REFUSE TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!"  GO MARY!!!

The other one, you may remember in my September 16, 2016 issue (if you want to check out that article or any other past issues, www.catalinaislandman.com).  He was the older gentleman who refused to move his illegally parked golf cart, to make space for our "Garibaldi Shuttle" at the Mole, because he was an "Islander", thus "above the law".  He came up to me a few weeks ago, while I was at my post answering questions, and with his eyes welling with water, told me that he was fan of my column.  When he read about himself, he HAD to apologize to me in person!  He had experienced a "bad day"!  He extended his hand and asked for my forgiveness.  Three hugs later, we were both on top of the world!  HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE RISK OF REJECTION BY HUMBLING HIMSELF/HERSELF LIKE THIS!?!  He also "INSPIRES ME"!

If you would like to recognize any other remarkable locals who you can say, "You Inspire Me!", please provide me with the particulars, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and your stories will be shared in my column.

 

"THERE'S CHUCK, HE'LL KNOW THE ANSWER!"

 

I never in my wildest dreams nor desires thought that I would ever be considered the "Catalina Island Historian"!  When my younger brother died unexpectedly  January, 1974, 24 years old,  and my father had a major stroke and heart attack in May of that year, I decided to discontinue my teaching at Indiana University, move back to Catalina, and take care of him.  I promised Dad that I would NEVER make him leave his home on Catalina, but I never realized that my commitment to him would last 7 years!  I was 26 years old.

 

Anyone who has ever been a "caregiver" knows that for the sake of your sanity you have to "make time" to occupy yourself when you are not facing these sometimes overwhelming responsibilities!  Patricia Moore had just moved to Catalina from the East Coast and had taken over the position of Director of our local museum, at that time situated in the Casino building.  Although she had visited the Island before, she had a LOT of information to quickly learn.  Her new husband, Bruce, was a native born, as myself, but had other commitments and so wasn't able to give her all of the assistance that she needed  I had known many of the "old timers" and had picked up a lot of information over the years.  I had always been interested in world history, but felt that getting to know more about my home had suddenly taken on a new interest.  Besides, it got me out of the house, when I had Dad bedded down, or when he was in the hospital.  I had A LOT of free time and I felt that I could be of some help to Patricia. Along with Thelma "Pat" Nowlin, I started making 3"x5" index cars of information gleaned from old newspapers and other documents. When not doing that, I was assisting Patricia and Lloyd Rathbun in conducting "oral histories" of some of the real "OLD TIMERS"!

 

One of my greatest sources, or anyone else's for that matter, was Johnny Windle (b. September 27, 1903).  His father, Judge Ernest Windle, had started the "Catalina Islander" newspaper in 1914 and Johnny had spent most of his life on the Island, going back to around 1910.  He had "SEEN IT ALL"  and although he was in his 90's, a more lucid man you could never hope to find!  He remembered EVERYTHING!  He would "hold court" daily at "Pete's Snack Bar", Sumner Ave., and if you were lucky enough to find a seat around the large outdoor table there, you were in for a REAL TREAT!  You could either come prepared to have a specific question answered or simply enjoy sitting back and letting him regale you his many historically accurate stories, making you feel you were THERE at the time!  If you asked him who lived in a particular home during the turn of the century, he would not only tell you their names, but who they married, what they did for a living, etc.  The old adage of asking someone "What time is it?" and then taught you how a clock was made certainly fit him!  IT WAS PURE DELIGHT!  He was truly "The Catalina Island Historian".  Just knowing that he was around to share his knowledge made me feel that CATALINA WAS IN GOOD HANDS, but unfortunately, this was not to last much longer!

 

May 15, 1999, I will NEVER forget! A fellow tour bus driver broke the terrible news to me that Johnny had just died!!!  I WAS STUNNED!  NOT JOHNNY; NOT OUR LINK TO THE PAST!  I was literally nauseous.  I couldn't imagine how the Island could survive without Johnny Windle!

 

The Museum had planned an "Islanders' Night" program entitled "Ask Johnny Windle", with the date set at least a month before he passed.  The family agreed to let this program continue, as it came a few days after Johnny had died and they feared that not everyone had been made aware.  Besides, it would now be a "tribute" to Johnny and we could all sit around and share stories about him, for once.

 

I was still in a major daze, as I slowly walked out to the Museum, NOT wanting to go inside to see the family and his friends with NO Johnny!  I was late and they had already started to share stories and historical facts.  They must have been stumped by some  trivia, because as I walked through the doors, immediately one of the guests looked over at me and said the words that would change my life FOREVER!  "There's Chuck, he'll know the answer!"  I did and at that fateful moment the baton of historian was passed from Johnny to me!  A race that I never expected to even enter, let alone win the laurel reef!

 

Since then I have dug through old newspapers, conducted interviews, and have done my best to "try" to remember even one bit of all of Johnny's knowledge.  I have conferred with others who used to sit at the now famous "round table" by sharing the many questions that never got asked, let alone answered!  I have tried to carry on the legacy of my "mentor" and "friend".

 

Years later I saw the movie, "The Lion King".  Boy, did it ever have an impact on me; especially one particular character.  The baboon had stored all of the history in his cave and was able to share the past with each new generation; "The Circle Of Life".  I suddenly viewed myself as this "monkey"; the keeper of Catalina history to be shared and  enjoyed by present and future lovers of this remarkable Island. 

 

As a tribute, in 2000m I humbly nominated Johnny for the "Catalina Islander's Person Of The Century".  Not surprisingly, he won!

 

I have had many labels extended to me, but my favorite was created for me by a young marketing student, Chris Puma:  "CATALINA'S PERSONAL GOOGLE"! I am waiting for SOMEONE to pass the baton to, but in the meantime, I will continue to do my best!