MEET THE WANKS-- VOO'S BOOKCLUB-- RANGER BOB--THEN AND NOW

RED SOX FANS OF THE WEEK

THE WANKS

Pictured above is my number one niece, Jackie, and her eternal companion Curt. I don't really think they are Red Sox fans but who cares? Jackie is the daughter of my sister Joanne and is a house wife and mother living in Highland, Utah. She is the proud mother of three darling daughters. Each of her daughters is married, which gives Jackie three marginally likeable sons in law. She has a bunch of grandkids, with one more on the way. Jackie's hobbies include small animal taxidermy, reloading rifle shells, and collecting paper dolls of Jackie Kennedy. She is also in charge of mosquito abatement in Utah County. I have many fond memories of her visits to Manti when we were both growing up.

Curt Wankier is a businessman, artist, art collect, outdoorsman, and outlaw biker. He has spent a considerable amount of time in the various county jails throughout Utah and Colorado with his dentist brother in law, The Tooth Fairy.

This is Jackie with her cousin, Polly, at the annual Halloween Evil Ball, hoping someone will ask them to dance.


MOVIE FLASHBACK

The First Man Into Space was the free Christmas movie at the old Manti Theatre in December of 1959. Every kid in town was in attendance.



WILLIAM HOLDEN MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Picnic 1955

The dance scene with William Holden and Kim Novak is rated the sexiest dance scene in motion picture history. The "picnic" scene reminds me of the Manti 4th of July celebration. The music in this movie is also fantastic.


PET OF THE WEEK

Quincy

Quincy is an obnoxious little bastard belonging to my good friends, Jack and Dawn from SLC.


WORLD WAR II POSTERS OF THE WEEK

Rosie the Riveter
In WWII women manned the factories while the men were off to war. It was the beginning of a whole new culture in USA.

There was a fear of spies being everywhere.

I was looking through the telescope that I built in high school, counting the rings around Saturn. Spike was reading the New Yorker. The phone rang and a friend of mine that I knew when I was a deep sea diver, said, " Hey, Voo, how come there are never any bayonets on your blog?"
So ---
Here are some bayonets.

VOO'S BOOK CLUB

Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
Epic true story of 101st Airborne in WWII
It was also a great mini series on HBO. We visited several locations
in Europe where these soldiers served.

I first read this book in 1970 and have read it about five times since then. Even if you are not a baseball fan, this book is a rare treat.

Pity of War
This book was an eye opener about the tragedy of WWI.

American Massacre
Well documented account of Mountain Meadow Massacre.

Shadow Divers
I couldn't put this book down.

SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Fly --- 1958
Voo and Zoo's first date --- we were in the 6th grade!

"Heeeeeeelp Meeeeeeeeee!"

RARE PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This is an actual photo of the deceased Bella Lugosi (Dracula) in his coffin.



RANGER BOB'S OUTDOOR TIP OF THE DAY

Pitching a Tent

"I have found tents to be very useful --- especially when sleeping outdoors. "
.... Ranger Bob


RED SOX LEGEND OF THE WEEK

Luis Tiant


Crafty Red Sox pitcher in the mid 70s. Because of his "herky, jerky windup," Joe Garagiola said at some point in the ball game --- no matter where you are sitting --- Luis will look you in right in the eye during his windup.


KNOT TYING TECHNIQUE OF THE WEEK

Tying the Bowlin knot with one hand
This technique is especially useful for Joanne right now just in case she falls off a cliff.



THEN AND NOW IN MANTI

This is a photo of the temple taken from the fairgrounds in the 1920s.
(Photo is courtesy, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee, Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UtH 84602)

This is a photo of the temple taken from the same place in the fairgrounds in 2009.

This is a photo of the temple taken from the Manti Cemetery. Notice the rock wall around the temple that is now covered with grass.
(Photo is courtesy, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young Unversity, Provo, UT 84602)

This is a photo of the temple from the same place in the Manti Cemetery taken in 2009.

This is a photo of Manti's Main Street taken from the south end of town at the Red Point. It was taken around 1887.
(Photo: L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young Unversity, Provo, UT 84602)

Same view as photo above, 2009
(All colored photos are courtesy of the Voo Special Collections)


BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Voo's skull candle, hanging over dining room table.

Voo's candle and leg light. In my sister's comments she indicated that I had a skull hanging over my dining room table. It is not a skull --- it is, in fact, a skull candle.
I have a special touch for home decor and exterior illumination. See more next week.



WHY MEN DRINK!

KNOT OF THE WEEK

Double Fisherman's Knot
This knot is used to tie two ropes or fishing lines together.


SISTER PHOTOS

This is Joanne when she was a government ripcord inspector at the Manti Parachute Plant.

This is Joyce when she auditioned for a part in a Cecil B. DeMill movie.


SPIKE'S MAIL BAG

Dear Spike,

I love to hunt birds. I usually hunt with my friend, Dick Cheney. Should I continue this?

Sincerely,
Mr. Wittington


Dear Mr. Wittington,

NO!
(See photos below)

As Always,
Spike

Dick Cheney

Mr. Harry Wittington after a fun day of hunting with Mr. Cheney.

Dear Spike

Would you be up to giving advice to humans?

Love,

Reluctant Hockey Mom


Dear Reluctant Hockey Mom,

Yes, I sometimes give advice to humans. (See Mr. Wittington's letter above). What the hell is your question?

Concerned,
Spike

Poem by Spike

Ghosts and goblins,
Witches and bats,
Don't neglect to
Nueter your cats!

NOTE TO READERS

Mr. Keith Franchetti is in the process of organizing a "Voo Sisters Fan Club"
Please contact him for further information
skidfranc@gmail.com


EXTRA SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

Most of you blog readers that know me, also know I'm in possession of an incredible amount of "really, really good" stuff. You, also, know that my time on this earth is short. I'd like to give you the opportunity of sharing in my legacy. Whatever treasure that I have that you would you be interested in owning, please let me know so I can consider putting your name on that item.
..... Voo



QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"What hump?"
............ Marty Feldman

Thanks for all your comments. They are the best part of the blog!
Keep them coming.





Farewell for now......
"We'll always have Paris........."

Voo