If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain? Bought a Shadowhawk condo in 1985, planned to use it as a vacation place, but we loved the area too much and moved up here in 1986.
Profession? Warehouse work for 37 years, then found my calling working for McMenamins Edgefield Winery for the last 11 years. Semi-retired, but keeping my hand in at Edgefield.
Other professions? Berry picking, Oxbow park maintenance, landscaping, hauling, truss builder, dairy farm, nursery and farm labor, milk plant, bakery, tofu plant, youth coach, foreign exchange student coordinator, golf marshal and wine and cider maker.
Favorite movie? One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Favorite Actress/Actor? Stormy Daniels (just kidding) and Jeff Bridges.
Favorite TV shows? Ted Lasso, The Office, Parks and Rec.
Favorite books? I love to read fiction and non-fiction, but my favorite book is a cookbook, “Seductions of Rice” by Jeffery Alford and Naomi Duguid.
Favorite type of music? Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Johnny Clegg, Jimmy Buffet, Tom Petty and Elvis Costello.
Favorite Food? All of it, especially anything Asian or seafood-based.
Favorite hobbies? Skiing, golfing, cooking (and eating), traveling, mushroom hunting, live sporting events, reading and my favorite, being a Grandpa.
If offered a dream vacation, where would you go, and why? All of Asia, especially Thailand, to eat and enjoy their land and culture.
Best lesson learned as a child? My parents really stressed “The Golden Rule” and I think that is probably the best advice I could give anyone.
Defining moment in your life or your greatest accomplishment? Marrying Becky, which made all my other accomplishments possible.
A memorable dinner? Too many to single out just one. I do love our annual Christmas dinner. Becky calls it “The Feast of the Roast Beast.” Prime rib, laser potatoes, green salad, homemade bread and lots of wine with family and friends.
A funny moment from your life that you can share? When I was about 13, I tied a rope to our bull’s neck, then tied the other end around my wrist. The idea was that I could take him to the unfenced pasture and the rest of our animals would stay close. He got spooked and took off running. I kept up for about 100 yards, then tripped. He pulled me through the neighbors strawberry field with 2 cows, 2 calves, 4 sheep and a pony, along with my dad in hot pursuit. About 1/2 mile later he finally stopped. It seems funny now.
If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why? The two best men I ever knew, my father Ron and my brother Larry, along with my entire extended family. I would love to get to visit with them and introduce them to all the wonderful new additions to our family.
Describe yourself in one word? Lucky.
When you’re not reading The Mountain Times, what book/author/magazine/other do you read? I love to read, especially anything by John Steinbeck, Ken Kesey, Jack Kerouac, John Irving, Ivan Doig and most recently Amor Towles, all amazing story tellers.
If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be? “What Did I Do To Deserve All Of This?”
Pet peeve? People not cleaning up after their pets, people who don’t control their pets, pets in restaurants and stores and people who think there is something wrong with me because I like animals, but not pets. Also tailgaters.
Bad habit you’d like to break? Being judgmental and gossiping.
Famous person(s) you have met, and the circumstances? I once flew to Phoenix sitting next to a woman who complained the entire flight about her boyfriend. Just before we landed, she turned to me and said, “You have no idea who I am, do you?” Then she introduced herself as Tanya Tucker, she was going home to break up with Glen Campbell.
Favorite quote? “Here’s to it and here’s from it and here’s to it again. If you ever get to it, and don’t do it, you may never get to it to do it again.” — Joe Cotter
Favorite part of The Mountain Times? Features about the Hoodland Fire Department, Skyway ads, Letters to the Editor and of course the “Mountain Profile.”
