Kinkikali

Obit: Ralph Snodsmith

Ralph Snodsmith passed away last week,  He was the voice and inspiration behind “The Garden Hotline”, a syndicated call in show–garden variety.  Like many in the agricultural trades, Ralph was home grown, down to earth, American to the root, and in many way unsung.  His show was on a local radio station when I was living in Concord NH (1999-2005) where each Sunday he aided gardeners far and wide.

Ralph passed away, working to the end, fighting illness.  Of course with the magic of syndication, Ralph passed away and the station (WTPL-FM) played his “Garden Hotline Minute” without regard or notice of the “dead guy talking” situation.

I emailed the current host (Mr. Heath) who made no mention of having played “the dead guy” just moments before.  Oh they made comment on him having passed on.

Too bad on two accounts: you died without enjoying a well earned retirement and even the media that plays you won’t let a little death mess up pre-recorded programming.

Rest in Peace Ralph

Ted Neeley

Jesus Christ Superstar was a big thing back in the 1970’s.  Ted Neeley played the roll convincingly.  Despite a low key career, he came back to a JCS revival in the 1990’s with Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame.  Now in 2010  Ted is having his second coming with a re-revival that includes a Boston stop.

Good for you Ted.  Best of luck and good wishes.  Your work is as important as it is entertaining.  And that sentiment goes for the rest of the cast and crew, past, present, and future.  God Bless.

April 10

Every April 10th that comes around reminds me of an incident from years ago.  I was at UNH, my freshman year.  Amongst my friends was one Glenn David Hayes, a youthful, upbeat, and happy with the world soul from Bartlett NH.  He mixed easy and sat behind me in an Intro to Geography class. In the spring of 1983 he came to visit Richardson House, my dorm,  He was interested in transferring.  Glenn was also deep into Crew.  Early in April he hit me up for a fundraiser for Crew team.  I gladly sponsored him on that Thursday as he had great dedication to Crew.

A few days later (Saturday) the day was raw and ugly–rain and wind, gusty and gloomy.  I gave little thought to Glenn or to the fundraiser.  Japanese class had a field trip to Japanese restaurant in Amherst NH.  This was at a time when Japanese food was unheard of in NH.  The trip, despite the length, was a rousing success.

But when I got back to Richardson early that evening the usual casual and light hearted Saturday was cold and still.  My gut told me something was terribly wrong.  The day at the Midori Restaurant was pushed aside as a tearful Teresa Leavitt (who went to high school in the Conway area) came up to me and said “Glenn is dead!”.

There had been a freak wind on Great Bay.  The shells were swamped.  Glenn tried to make it ashore.  Other stayed with their boats.  They were rescued.  It was on the news.

Of course back in THOSE days we had no cell phones and no Internet.  But the shock lasted for years.  Three years before a buddy from Spring Street, Dennis Quinn, died in a motorbike accident back down by “The Tracks” (where B & M railroad ran).

April 1st

On or about November 1st of each year I plug in the heat tape to keep the water inflow pipe from freezing during the winter.  Each April 1st I unplug the thing–having spent electricity and money for my Cardboard Castle (being polite).  Not only does my electricity bill drop, but I go on to the most welcome Lava Lamp Mode. 

I have a cheap lava lamp that is better quality then the house it resides in.  It stays off all during the long, cold winter.  Last night I turned the sucker on.  The furnace off, the heat tape unplugged, but the lava lamp bright and all right, I enjoyed, no savored, the start of warm days ahead.

The lava lamp relighting tied with the last of the ice off Emerald Lake.  Four tiny pathetic “piles” of snow remain at Wooglin.  None is left on Melody Lane.  And to add the glee, PSNH is scheduled to take down a tree that has been a bother since the day I purchased my little piece of…

Spring is here and most welcome.  Please stay warm weather.  Global warming is most welcome too.