Dick Davis:  

June 7, 2024 Chuck Vessey.......August 1940 – June 3, 2024 Chuck was my longest high school friend from sophomore, the year I came to Fort Collins, to senior class....and summer 1958, when I left for California. We met in band and wrestling, different weights, both determined, We signed up for classes together, were partners for Radio Electronics and Meteorology, double dated, drank beer at the Eagle and other bars in Old Town....when it really was OLD...pizza at Pizza Roma, clerks at Safeway and lunched together Saturdays....taking our break to Walgreen’s lunch counter for Turkey Dinners....I think 59 cents and one summer, really a non-comprehensible lunch in the City Park....each buying a stale Angel Food half-priced cake and a quart of Poudre Valley Chocolate milk from Safeway....why we thought that was a great meal, I have no idea! We rode up to Estes Park, mixed with the tourists....it was a pleasure, especially being underage. But best of all, I am proud to claim, I was Chuck’s first aircraft passenger......flying carpet, literally, seated cross legs on the Vessey living room carpet with this giant Stapleton Airfield map spread out, with Chuck, the world’s most enthusiastic pilot-to-be, taking both parts, pilot and Stapleton air-control, calling in for a landing, “over’, calling back instructions, “over.” Chuck had both roles down pat....and I the passenger wasn’t bothered not wearing a seatbelt. Years later, Chuck gave me a view of growing Fort Collins from the air. I’ve enjoyed dropping in CD Fasteners, Chuck’s business, over the years as my family died off and left Fort Collins and Chuck’s like the last of my Fort Collins family.... sad to see him go.... but so happy he was active, working Monday June 3, one jolt, heart, if we could all be so fortunate, and Chuck had Jeri, his wife and business partner, trips together, companionship and families. I’ve told friends, “If it’s true, he who dies with the most toys (boat, motorhome, plane, motorcycles) wins, Chuck Vessey’s the Winner,” and more so in business with Jeri, a fulfilled, happy life. My condolences June 5,2024 As my list of close friends grows shorter, books replace the void. Book “reviews” now take the place of conversations. It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me A Lifetime of No Respect but plenty of Sex and Drugs Rodney Dangerfield John Roberts gave me the book for Christmas. I don’t recall ever seeing Rodney Dangerfield live, in person…but likely on TV guest spots. He claims his career, a late bloomer in his forties, got a lift when he was featured on the Ed Sullivan Show, which opened to door to Late Night Talk Shows. Johnny Carson invited him back, over the years, 70 times, more exposure, more Vegas stints, more money and even starred in the movies. Interesting how he created a persona with a one liner, “I don’t get any respect,” he took the cue from the Godfather, and ran with it in all directions, as a comic-jokester. Wonder how close to the truth is this autobiography? “Cold and dysfunctional” describes his childhood family. Rodney lived a transient life of bars, clubs, shows and aluminum siding salesman (See movie: Tin Men, 1963 with Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito) in Englewood, New Jersey. The book was good choice, a light read, a balance to what’s currently on my dining room table. Biggest surprise, Rodney’s favorite TV program was the Jerry Springer Show ("the worst show in the history of television." Loaded with bleeped profanity and guests who aren't afraid to embarrass themselves on national TV.”). A second was his support for marijuana. He claims marijuana has a calming effect and less likely to cause harm than alcohol, which is more likely to bring out belligerence and cause fights. But the irony of this autobiography, broken up with many jokes, highlighted in between paragraphs, is that if Dangerfield really had all the sex and drugs he claims, he doesn’t deserve any respect. Speech at Ribbon Cutting, April 28, 2024, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. Hello Beavers, we have 17 artists to thank! I’m Dick Davis, sponsor of Public Art and Cultural Exchanges and the Zacatlan artists, who have subsidized these beautiful BVU mosaic murals. Seventeen Zacatlan artists created these murals over a period of 4 months. Fours artists, Mary Carmen, Oswaldo, Erick and Gael flew to Storm Lake on April 12th to install a very large jigsaw puzzle. Public Art brings beauty to towns, cities and neighborhoods, and now to BVU, often an increase in foot traffic and has the effect of inspiriting others and local business. Public Art has many forms: Nature and Man Made: gardens and parks, whoever planted the Storm Lake trees connected species with historic people and accomplishments. Our specialty is mosaic murals. There are also painted murals, sculptures, crafts, theater, music, dance, parades and pageantry. Art attracts visitors and what I believe is #1 Art for many.... it’s food, cuisine. What is needed is critical mass, enough to make a difference to attract many. Like putting all the auto dealers on the same block. Put the art within walking distance. Storm Lake has so many ethnicities.... there is a wide range of cuisine possibilities. The Zacatlan artists have transformed the town of Zacatlan de las Manzanas. Tourism thrives and they receive free publicity.... via Smartphone cameras in the hands of visitors and BVU via students will also. Zacatlan has benefited attracting new restaurants, cafes, gift shops, craft sellers. Over 100 are now in one zone. There are new BnBs, new hotels, tours and tour guides. Property values have risen. The artists didn’t know they were mosaic artists until Isaiah Zagar came to Zacatlan and offered to train volunteers. Now there are commissions coming from other municipalities and the church. I’m hoping you will support and participate in your community and its Public Art, of all types, which effects the community, makes for a better social environment and business opportunities, plus, low stress, longer life. We are working with Witter Art Gallery, a Charitable Trust, that needs your support. Most of all, twice a week, indulge in Art, that’s Art Cullen Editorials, Pulitzer Prize Winner for Investigating Reporting for the Storm Lake Times Pilot, the voice for the people. Please applaud all 17 artists! May 16, 2017 Running out of space...my last note's gone...so...have you been to Cuba? Our world! Back to the 50s! Google: Dick Davis Cuba Photo Journal. It will take you to Amazon. Then click: Look Inside. Dick Driving Like a Teenager: From the Journal June 28, 2016 I'm in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, familiar with the roads and escorting two women, artists, north to Real de Catorce via Matehuala, the cut off. Day 7.... began on the wrong foot, took the Santiago River Route.... expected a left, but the road, a new extension, continued and as I passed a small traffic circle (a glorieta).... going too fast.... my brain said, "That's the turn,"..... Bye-bye. Crap.... The Santiago extension is a beauty...walled in, a corridor...how to get off, turn around...I take an exit and we're headed into some nowhere neighborhood.... I stop, ask, get partial directions, I'm to turn around, but how to cross the 4-lane divided Rio Santiago highway? Action.... I see a bridge, one-way, not my way, but like Frank Sinatra I make it my way... I hit the gas, the Grand Marquis lurches, women screaming, hahahahhaaaa cross my fingers.... nearly get across when I startle a VW entering. I ignore him.... hey he stopped I can get around.... and we're now on the right side. I follow the frontage road to a washboard on-ramp. The highway is perfect but some work needs to be done.... like on-ramps...bouncing up we go west, find the turn off I missed, turn right north and we've on our way to Matehuala. Women are quiet and wondering about near death experiences. April 18, 2016 London Reflections: My grandson Richard, 14, suggested Spring Break in London and his dad kicked in Frequent Flyer miles to get rid of us. My daughter Nena outlined a schedule and I followed Richard, he had the map. I kept a journal, and here are highlights....at least in my view. Stratford-upon-Avon Richard and I lunched at Mida's restaurant, the real highlight of our trip to Stratford. I could get Shakespeare on Wikipedia, but not Mida, a gracious host and proprietor of Mida's Mediterranean Cafe. "Where you from?" I asked Mida. "Oh, it's a long story," he said. "I'd like to hear it," was my reply...and so.... Mida, a Moroccan Berber, told me his story, at least in part. He said that he spoke French, Spanish, Arabic, but not English and was working on a fishing trawler, but times were not so good. A friend said, "You need to learn English," so Mida headed for England, got some help via Spain and applied for a waiter's position (having never been one) through a recruitment center (a friend filled out the application). Mida said, "Waiter seemed easy to me." His languages helped, no one asked if he spoke English! He received a ticket and contract to work at Gleneagles, a very posh 5 star hotel and golf resort in Scotland. He said, "Sean Connery was a steady customer." Mida took my hand acting like Sean, "Sean would put a 5 pound note in my palm, squeeze my fingers around it and say, 'Don't share this with the h...Expand for more