Ole Fren

Often, Paul Gringle used that phrase. Ole Fren.              

He scribbled it on notes, letters, his wonderful
personalized birthday cards; he used it sometimes 
to sign off the column he wrote for A Slice of Wry, 
the newsletter for ourSouthern California Cartoonists Society.

Those of us in this business, especially the old timers, remember Paul's work on Out Our Way, one of the most popular newspaper features in the late 40's and 50's.

Families in small towns and rural America, their various activities and regular routines; that was the stuff of Out Our Way, and it introduced a cast of characters, including The Willetts, The Worry Wart and myriad popular themes so well portrayed that clippings of the cartoon were posted on more refrigerators than Carter had Little Liver Pills. (Again, you have to be an old timer to get the analogy.) Why Mothers Get Gray, Born Thirty Years Too Soon and Heroes Are Made, Not Born were classics that mirrored many of our insecurities, aspirations and frustrations. 

When J.R. Williams, who created the panel died in1957 Paul was one of the artists to pick up the pen and carry on. Out Our Way continued another twenty years. They done good.

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For the better part of 26 years I've been happy to have been one of “derGringle's” Ole Frens. On the SCCS web page enumerable emails have used the word “upbeat” to describe Paul's perennial attitude. I can't remember a time when he didn't have a project in mind: a new comic strip, a class he'd be teaching (teaching, he loved), a book about some aspect of cartooning. Always optimist--always enthusiastic.

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One event Paul enthused about was the Annual SCCS day at the SDBB (San Diego Blood Bank.) Blood donors were caricatured by a host of cartoonists, resulting in much fun, many laughs and nary a libel suit. Frequent rewards for their efforts involved food - - - yet another favorite of our pal Paul.

  Here, fellow artist John Wismont and he partake.

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A little background on our man:

A School of Visual Arts reunion 

  Jim,  Bernie Lansky, Harry Lampert, (Cartooning Instructor) Paul

!      !      !      ! 

Paul looks over another             classic comic.    

"To m'FREN, Jim, with Best Fishes." This fun-gem might have been doodled on a napkin by Paul.  

 

                                               Farewell, ole fren.

A LIFE LIVED

This blog hints at the story of one soldier, a pilot: Lt. Colonel Robert E. Barney. This edition salutes him; it also commemorates all people who have worn uniforms in our country's service.

When I was a kid, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. It started as an event in the South to honor Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. After World War II the name was changed; Memorial Day now pays tribute to all American men women who have died in any war or military action. It seems to me however that we should also recognize thousands . . . nay, millions of those who served and were fortunate enough to return from the scourge of wars. That would certainly include those currently being deployed.

That concept is what I had planned to feature in a May blog, closer to May 28—the date for this year's Memorial Day. But last week an unexpected email changed my mind: Patty gave me the sad news that her dad, my friend Bob Barney had died. He is one of the millions we will be thanking for their service.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bob and I met nearly six years ago at a book fair in Escondido, California. We each had a book to sell. His, titled Bulletproof--- I bought immediately--- and soon found myself engrossed in a saga which had all the makings of a cliff hanging motion picture.

In fewer than 240 pages--- almost read in one sitting--- we relive Bob's life from his teenage years in Parma, Missouri to his brief career as a semi-pro baseball player--- a shoulder injury cut that short-- to his 20 month stint in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), time spent as a guide at the New York World's Fair in 1939, and eventually his enlistment in the army. As he tells it, “ . . . with nary a buck in my pocket, I passed the post office. A U. S. Armed Forces recruiting sign in the window caught my eye. . . . The first door read U. S. Army; if the Navy or Marine Corp. had occupied the first office, one of them would have been my selection.” The recruiter told him that signing up at that moment would assure an assignment in Hawaii. Bob asked as to the requirements necessary. The officer placed a paper before him and muttered, “Sign here.”

Bob Barney got the assignment to Hawaii. He was there December 7, 1941. His story from that date to his retirement from professional life in 1984 chronicles the military life—from basic training, flight school, combat missions as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress, being shot down over enemy territory; his time as a POW, escape, and being harbored by a compassionate German farm family until he was repatriated by making contact with the Third Army. (General Patton) 

 Following the tremendous highs and lows of his Army time, we further vicariously experience Bob's life post war. Much flying for many supervisors. Flights to, as they say “the four corners” transporting people and products, typhoon chasing, flying a B-29 through the fallout of an H-bomb dropped on Eniwetok. Civilian jobs included: Account Executive for a firm of the New York Stock Exchange and Marketing rep for Brunswick Corporation. Pocket billiards. He called it “A perfect fit.”

Bob loved magic . . . as I do. Unfortunately we had but few lunch sessions in noisy restaurants (hearing aids are something else we had in common) where we shared tricks and stories about people we knew in the pursuit. They were delicious times.

Finally, if you read Bulletproof--I hope you will-- something else will impress you. The book is dedicated to Donna, his wife of almost 65 years. Their love for each other shows, in Bob's writing and it was evident the only time Bernita and I got to meet her.

I so fortunate to have had Bob Barney for a friend.

Money Matters

Potpourri perhaps would be the more appropriate title for this blog post; but I'll save it for next time.

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Let's first, tidy up the loose ends of Tiny Tim's visit. Some people may have doubted that I did indeed, hand over more than $16,000,000 to the unique entertainer. To back up my claim, here's one of the bills . . . 

 aa

 . . . and a sketch I made the night of the Fantasy Day Party and Show at Clute Community Center in Watkins Glen, NY 

         $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 

Still on the money trail, we have a good statement for the year so far: We're talking about coins picked up while strolling around town, mostly in company of Bella, our canine buddy. $1.61 as of February 29. (four quarters, two dimes, some nickles and several pennies) Make that, $1.63; I found two pennies today! (March1)

SO, with cash, coin and currency at the core of this chapter, the following items should fall--loosely into that category. Even VINCENT is aware of how important the dollar is in our everyday life.

In 1988, for the Price Club (now CostCo) Journal I was commissioned to depict the scary financial situation of that time. The same drawing was subsequently used to hi-light a similar period in the nation's history; and I guess it would be just as appropriate were it to be published today. Just change the years.

Continuing to follow the money trail, here are some cartoons from different venues, different years, which seem to fit.

I shouldn't even mention Income Tax, 
should  I?

But this drawing, done about 20 years ago reminded me of how much more difficult filing would be if it had to be done "the old fashioned way."
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Time out. If you knew how difficult it is for me to do this, you'd appreciate it a lot more, for sure. But I like digging through the dusty files and finding things I'd forgotten I'd done.  It is fun.
Happy March 1!
Jim

Tiny Tim Comes to Visit

1981. I was Jim Whiting, broadcasting on WFLR, a 5000 watt station in upstate New York. A contest had been held to give my 6 to 9 a.m. program a title. The Early Worm--not an entirely complimentary, but certainly appropriate title--won out. My duties included reading the news torn from our AP teletype machine, reporting school closings (snow, or an occasional stray cow which might be causing traffic problems on Route 14) and once in a while, spinning a 45 rpm record or two.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was fortuitous one morning that I noticed a new release from Solid Brass Records; Tiny Tim, the ukulele plunking falsetto voiced singer whose Tiptoe Through The Tulips best selling record of several years ago is the artist featured. Is he attempting a comeback? In any case, Tell Me That You Love Me is a bouncy little tune and hey, I always got a kick out of Tiny's (or should I say, Tim's?) slightly weird approach to music.

           & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & 

What intrigued me more was the flip side of this 45 rpm record: Comic Strip Man. The lyric had Tiny Tim fantasizing about leaping over tall buildings and rescuing fair damsels. I immediately began to fantasize! “It's a perfect theme song for the Third Annual Fantasy Day in Watkins Glen!" Fantasy Day allows anyone to be, for one day: a fireman, policeman, restaurant owner, radio announcer, doctor, lawyer, cab driver. It would take another blog to tell how Fantasy Day came about. But for now, let's look at how Tiny Tim accepted my invitation to join us on a magical day for all!

It was surprisingly simple getting to talk with someone at Solid Brass Records. Words to Comic Strip Man were written by Henry Scarpelli, an old friend of mine; Henry ran interference for me and surprisingly simple again---“Tiny Tim will arrive by car the morning of May 19 . . . to participate in Watkins Glen's Fantasy Day.” That was the wonderful message I received within hours. My home town was in for a charming disarming fabulous Fantasy Day!

                        <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>

Once he's arrived in our town, Tiny's transportation includes an ambulance, a firetruck and a limousine.

Fantasies flourish, as Nixon gets arrested, Bobo gets interviewed and Tiny gets his tulips.

 ============================================== A Watkins Glen fire truck arrives.

Wonder Woman alights --

Tiny belts one out for the crowd--and WW.

A surprise birthday cake is wheeled out for me; out pops my best friend, Bernita. 

Tiny joins the Senior Citizens' Parade down Franklin Street.

Tiny meets the school bus, signs autographs and entertains at the high school gym where more than a hundred students donate blood.

Yet another autograph
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The limo takes Tiny Tim to Clute Park Community Center where the Evening Show takes place with added local talent. 

It was worth the sixteen and a half million dollars I paid Tiny Tim for him to share his time and talent to make this edition of Fantasy Day one of the best.

You can see that I'm happy.

$ $ $ $ $ 

Thanks to Lauren Lodge for most of the photos you see here.

We'll get back to VINCENT, Li'l Ones, Wee Women and maybe Bella next time. 

Thanks for hanging in with us. Spread the word.

Jim

Another Eclectic Collection

Question is . . . or rather, questions are: “Why the skateboarding turtles?” And, “How come you take such a long hiatus between posting to this here blog?”

No simple answers. On the other hand, it's not too complicated either.

Question #2: Been too busy, or at least trying to look too busy.

Question #1: Well, the rapid reptiles are sort of a metaphor; indicating the Encinitas Whiting lifestyle.

You do believe that, don't you?

?????????????????????????????

Bella has another three weeks to complete her Dog Obedience Course. She'll be so smart we'll soon be doing the obeying. Probably have to get a larger mortarboard for her swelled canine cranium too.

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Speaking of time left, this VINCENT strip is the next to last one which views the waning days of the magic convention. After such a great adventure what can possibly compare for our short sorcerer?

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Next up, the syndicated LI'L ONES and WEE WOMEN. Which is your favorite?

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The fact that you've come back to see what's happening in Jim's Muses makes me glad

and

I hope this final muse will amuse.

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Looking forward to a connection with you in February . . . if not sooner.

Jim

Oh, by the way, I know that older eyes need all the help they can get ... so I hope you appreciate the larger type here. No extra charge.