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Dear Sir, my name is Jan Blechta, i just wanted to say that you are a big jerk. I am a writer and musician change your bio or exspect to hear from my lawyer
2010-07-14 20:56:36, Jan Blechta, |
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Hello & how are the books doing? How 'bout ya?
2009-11-10 14:50:33, Cod Holler & Lobster Lad, ghaynes3@sympaticio.ca, Toronto, |
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Hello rick just checking your website to see what's new & to look at your photo gallery.Take care & have a great weekend.
2009-10-23 11:03:03, Gary Haynes, ghaynes3@sympatico.ca, Toronto, |
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2009-09-22 16:20:01, Gary Haynes, ghaynes3@sympatico.ca, Toronto, |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2009-07-30 11:09:24, Patricia Minniti Grubbs, pgrubbs@markelcorp.com, Richmond, VA 23294, |
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Rich, The Linc Chamberlain tribute page is wonderful, a fitting remembrance of a great musician, teacher and person. I knew him very well, though my older brother Joe and our friend Rich Dixon knew him much better (as students and friends). I attended sessions at Rapson's many times, as a minor (my father came alone so I could enter). Linc will always be remembered. (Future: I have comments, photos, music in Linc's handwriting and a caricature I drew in 1973 to submit to your site at some point.) Thanks, Tony Procaccini www.freewebs.com/tonyproca 2009-06-24 10:27:15, Tony Procaccini, aprocaccini@juno.com, Astoria, Queens (NYC), |
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Great site, Mr. Blechta. I was meaning to ask 10 years ago, did you publish that book with my name in it? ... Thank you for shaping my life with music and humour. I'll never forget. Danny 2009-06-22 15:30:06, Herr Vogler, dvogler@gmail.com, Toronto, Da WebMaster: Herr Vogler, Yes, the book was published and was a finalist for best Canadian Crime Novel of the Year in 2006. It's called _Cemetery of the Nameless_ and you can still find it in some bookstores and you can certainly order it at any bookstore or online with Chapters, Amazon, etc. So what have you been up to in the intervening years? Still play clarinet? Thanks for getting in touch! Rick |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2009-06-20 02:26:01, Gary Haynes, ghaynes3@sympatico.ca, Toronto, |
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Hi Rick, when is your next book coming out? I read "A Case of You," and I'm eagerly waiting for the next one. My Blechta bookshelf has room for more, many more. Love, Aunt Sue 2009-06-11 19:07:17, Suzanne Minniti, sminniti@verizon.net, |
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Just finished A Case of You. Loved it. Then I heard Brenda Boykin- "Hard Swing Travellin Man". Sounds like a Case of Your next gig @ the Chicken Deli. There's a clip on youtube, can't link. 2009-06-08 17:17:53, eded, ecallway@ati.com, Toronto, Da WebMaster: Thanks for getting in touch. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it. It's always nice to hear that. Nina Richmond, the Advocats' fabulous vocalist performed the song at the book's launch, and we keep threatening to do it at one of the Deli gigs. I'll keep you informed -- but don't let the lack of it prevent you from coming out to see the band! --Rick |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2009-04-07 12:40:29, Barbara Storey, bairbreke@hotmail.com, Toronto, |
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Remember when we sold cameras at E.J. Korvettes?
2009-03-29 19:12:43, Phil Brown, philbrown at lightbound dot com, Zionsville, Indiana, Da WebMaster: Do I ever! That was a very interesting summer. What was Bruno's last name. I also remember taking rolls of photos using the big telephoto lenses and shooting the length of the store, then sending them out for development under false names. How the heck are you? Rick |
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Just discovered your amazing books - have devoured three in the last week and thoroughly enjoyed every word. As an avid mystery reader, I find it astounding that Canadian writers take a back seat to some American "big names" that only have to turn out stories and they go to the best-seller lists be they great novels or pure garbage. Four cheers for you, Lynwood Barclay, Jim Nichol, and Peter Robinson! It's time you all receive the recognition you deserve. 2009-03-25 17:15:44, Leora Clifford, l.clifford@rogers.com, Canada, |
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Will read your first book as soon as I can locate it.
2009-02-12 12:40:42, Pierre St-A., pstarnault@hotmail.com, Montreal, |
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Rick: I stumbled across your Linc Chamberland tribute page today. Just wanted to express my gratitude for it. I was a bass player who studied with Linc for several years starting in 1973; my friend Bill Bickford hooked me up with him. I knew of Linc as a virtuoso jazz guitarist, but did not know his blues playing, other than the Gotham album. He was extraordinary -- those Orchids cuts blew my mind! By the way, the purple Jazzmaster was not lost. It was sold to another guitarist in Norwalk who was one of my first teachers. I saw it several times in the early Seventies. 2009-01-09 17:59:02, Bob Fusillo, rhfusillo@gmail.com, Houston, TX, |
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I was very surprised and happy to find your wonderful tribute page for Linc Chamberland. Thank you for making this effort to remember an incredibly talented but under-recognized guitarist. When I was a kid growing up in Port Chester, New York, we had local band called the Universals that worshipped the Orchids. We had two saxophones, Fender guitars, dressed the same, and even copied their songs and their “steps” – the way they moved their feet in unison to the rhythm of their songs. I remember being completely captivated by Chamberland’s chops and, whenever I could, I would show up at their gigs and stare at his hands until I could figure out what he was doing. One night, although we were under age, we snuck into the Canada Lounge to study the Orchids close up. (I got horribly drunk on sloe gin fizzes and had my first ride on the porcelain bus that night). Although we were younger and less talented than the Orchids, we eventually became good enough to open for the Isley Brothers in the early 1960’s at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, and have many other gigs in the local area. Although I never studied with him, he was probably the single biggest influence in my own development as a guitar player. I really appreciate learning about what Chamberland did later in life, and was saddened to hear that he died relatively young. I’m sure he had much left to contribute and it’s good to know that others remember him with the same respect and appreciation as I do. Thanks again.
2009-01-03 13:12:48, Jon Spear, spearjon@yahoo.com, Washington DC, |
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I grew up with Rick --- literally & musically --- in Mamaroneck, NY. Always knew he wouldn't amount to much. Was just listening to a Scott Cushnie album Rick & I played on in Toronto. He is a wonderful musician as well as a great writer. I'm proud to call him my friend.
2009-01-01 22:08:55, J. Reed, jamreed1@hotmail.com, Decatur, AL, Da WebMaster: And you also hide your light under a bushel, James! Thanks for stopping by. Do you remember that 1/2 hour TV show we also did? Imagine you, your brother and I, all from Mamaroneck winding up in Toronto playing together! You brought back some nice memories. I'm looking forward to hearing some of your recent stuff. Ladies and Gentlemen, Jimmy Reed is a great musician – as well as a great human being. All the best in 2009! Rick |
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I went to your site to see what rickblechta.com was. How great to see that you are a successful writer. My daughter is a very prolific writer, still in college, but sure to be published one day. A Case of You is my favorite Joanie Mitchell song. I will get your book right away. 2008-12-08 18:33:31, stuart franklin, info@natureslawn.com, buffalo NY, |
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Your interview on Poe's Deadly Daughters was very helpful to us for both whatever new book covers we create and currently in classes we are taking to learn the Adobe Suite of design program. Thank you.
2008-10-26 16:50:45, Irene Black, penstub@duo-county.com, Kentucky, USA, Da WebMaster: Hello Irene, I'm glad you found the interview had some useful information in it. I am a member of another blog (http://typem4murder.blogspot.com/) and last week we were also discussing cover design. You might find some of it also useful. Good luck with your projects! Regards, Rick |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2008-09-23 19:11:05, Robert Kuenzli, mrk1960@online.de, Germany, |
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Hello Rick sorry lost your e/mail adresse on my way back to helsinki. Finished your Wiener Story in my dark and typical unwelcoming finnish hotel. great work i know wien well and felt at home. your insight in the austrian mentality is uncanny and has not made you new friends austria, too close to comfort here. just wanted quickly get in contact with you there are some great tips i can give you for your time in paris. looking forward hearing from you. today i have my concert of house of the dead, it will be performed exactly on the day russia invaded chechoslovakia 30 years ago and this is just a coincident, cool love robert 2008-08-20 20:46:10, Robert Kuenzli, mrk1960@online.de, helsinki, |
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HI TO EVERYONE-SINCE I POSTED 2 MYSPACE SITES I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO TOUCH DOWN W/MY OLD FRIEND ANDY NEWMARK ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIMES AND NOW I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM RAY PENN-THESE CATS WWERE OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS-BEST JIMMY
2008-06-17 23:02:30, JIMMY, JAIN4343@YAHOO.COM, boca raton fl 33431, |
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Hi Rick, it's your favourite red-headed librarian here. I will have you know that I have taken great exception to your sarcastic inscriptions on the books we got at BookExpo and that just to spite you I WILL READ YOUR BOOKS IMMEDIATELY! Ha! Take that! Mary M. PS It was lovely to see you again! :-)
2008-06-17 17:37:19, Mary M., dogmum@gmail.com, Kitchener, |
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Hi-everyone if u want to hear "Gotham" Linc's band it's now on my space.---www.myspace.com/gothamhornrock ---this band broke our hearts if u know what I mean. very best jimmy strassburg
2008-06-13 00:30:18, jimmy strassburg, jain4343@yahoo.com, boca raton,fl, |
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Just thought I'd read the entire guest book as I was thinking about the ORCHIDS. I hv a myspace site-myspace.com/jimmy strassburg -u can hear Linc burn it up on a cut. The instrumantal. very best JIMMY STRASSBURG jain4343@yahoo.com or jain7979@msn.com
2008-06-08 01:58:03, jimmy strassburg, jain4343@yahoo.com, boca raton, |
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Hello Rick; I enjoyed chatting to you at Indigo Yorkdale on Sunday and am very much looking forward "When Hell Freezes Over" which you signed for me. By the way, having spent some time in Vienna (albeit many years ago), "Cemetery of the Nameless" was especially enjoyable to me. Please keep up the good work! 2008-05-06 09:45:02, John Knowles, john@rp-funstuff.com, Toronto, |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2008-03-26 19:13:03, Carolyn Christie, christiecarolyn@videotron.ca, Montreal, Quebec, |
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Hi Rick: just finished "A Case of You" - loved it. Thank you for button-holing my wife in Billings Bridge, Ottawa, and selling her the book, and for signing it for me. 2008-03-19 08:17:54, John Boyd, john@pfip.ca, Ottawa, |
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Hi Rick - I can't even express how elated I am at finding these web pages on linc/k and the orchids. I did a google search - ' link chamberland norwalk connecticut ' which included your web-site. I am John Mislan Guitarist-Hammond Organ & Singer was aka - Johnny Angel - 1958-62 Norwalk group - ( The Starfires ) with guitarist, Jimmy Lacari, drums, Ray Talmadge, and bass, Jack gesuello. Since I have been living away from Norwalk, and Connecticut for going on 30 years, I have often wondered how, and what all the old music scene Actors were doing. I have,since 2000, done web searches but didn't get lucky until now. I also took jazz lessons from link for about a year when I was about 18. I am so upset with whom the powers to be have taken away from us at such an early time of his interpretation of music that was of great interest , and inspiration to us who knew and heard him. I came to know Link around the time of the Rhythm Chords band - 1958 - they had Dave Armstrong (blues singer), and Bob Lospagatto (Drums), at that time. I was a guitar student of John Verbanic, who had, earlier, been Lionel's guitar teacher. John Verbanic spoke often of how accomplished Lionel was - I could see how proud he was of Lionel. I remember Link set in with my group on a gig once, he played the most unbelievable part for mojo -workin' I can still hear that lick - OK I'm reminising a bit too much - just let me say a - hello to Jimmy Licari, Bob Lospagatto, Frank Salvo, Don Jordan, Ray Penn, and Jim Hungaski - so sorry to hear that Jack Hungaski has passed - You guys are both great, and great together ! John W Mislan 2008-02-29 16:15:56, John Whitney Mislan, jwmislan@gmail.com, Crystal River Florida, |
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Hey Rick: Any more prog bashes for opening day? Take care, Dan (as in tron Dan) 2008-01-18 08:31:02, Dan Miso, dan_miso@yahoo.com, Trawna, Da WebMaster: Hi Dan, Well, it's like this: _A Case of You_ is all about jazz, so that means prog is out for this launch (sadly). We are going to have some great music at the launch nonetheless. It looks like the date will be March 30th which is a Sunday here in Tronto. Details will be forthcoming as soon as we have everything nailed down and you will be informed (and invited). Anyone else who would like to come to the launch, please contact us at: info@rickblechta.com Thanks for getting in touch. |
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Hey Rick, Well done on all fronts. Looking foreward to the new read. Write on..(barf) Rick
2008-01-12 17:38:18, Rick Edgett, rickedgett@hotmail.com, Halifax N.S., Da WebMaster: If anyone here is ever in the Halifax area and you see this man's name advertised and he's going to be having a guitar in his hands, drop whatever you're doing to get down there and hear him. I'm not kidding. Edgett is that good! Rick |
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Dear Mr. Blechta - It was a great pleasure to meet you last night at The 3 Jalepenos. It meant a great deal to my father, Ray Pennucci, to hear all the wonderful things you all said about him. It is all he holds on to now. I am hoping that Mr. Reed follows through and tries to get some of you "Great Ones" together to jam. Please make sure someone keeps in touch with him or me regarding any get togethers in the future. I will make sure he is there. Again Thank you for such a wonderful evening.
2007-12-29 13:16:03, Laura Pennucci Gilbert, kla2@aol.com, West Cornwall, CT, Da WebMaster: What's with this "Mr Blechta" stuff? Please call me Rick! Your dad is a very special person -- and musician -- and is a hero to everyone at that table. We all looked up to every one of the Orchids. Everything we said about him is also true. His band touched a lot of people and many of us became musicians because of them. That's what this is all about. We will be in touch and I'm sure there will be a chance to play in the near future. That would be a great thing, wouldn't it? |
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Rick, great page. I was a student of Link's from about 1973 to 1981. The photo of his Telecaster brought back a lot of good memories. He loaned it to me for about a year and I played it almost exclusively. I was glad to see a post from Paul Sullivan - haven't seem him in more years than I can count. Aside from being a great teacher and musician, he was a mentor to a lot of aspiring guitarists. I still have the fishing gear I bought at his suggestion. In 1976, I moved to the S.F. Bay area and hung out with Strassburg, Payne, Cliff Pia and other great funk players. I got to play a few times with Dave Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis and Richie Beirach. I'm living in Hartford, Connecticut now. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers Link. 2007-12-13 19:20:21, Scott Rosen, sdrosen@comcast.net, Hartford, Connecticut, |
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Lovely site!
2007-08-14 01:10:52, Jeff, jeff.collins@msn.com, LA, |
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Hi Rick, Just to let you know that I'm reviewing Hell for the weekend edition of the Sherbrooke Record (full-page, w/cover art). I'll forward you a copy when it appears. --Jim Napier 2007-07-10 10:34:59, Jim Napier, jnapier@videotron.ca, Sherbrooke, Quebec, |
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Rick - Thanks for the tribute to a good friend and great musician. Link was always way ahead. Before the band became the Orchids, we were called the Rhytm Cords; I was the drummer. I went to college, became a jazz drummer/disc jockey but stayed in touch with Link and Ray Penn, who was my sisters neighbor. I still think about Link and where he could have gone musically, if not for his untimely passing.
2007-05-15 12:49:24, Bob Lasprogato, drmmr@optonline.net, Westport, CT, |
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Hi rick gotta love this site it has so much info on what you have done & are doing but nothing about our friend clinton & outhouse & how 'bout ya.Thanks & have a great day
2007-05-03 23:43:53, Gary Haynes, gears@colosseum.com, Toronto, |
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Hi, Rick. It's your old trombone student, Ed Kelly, from Elmbank. I am still good friends with Dave Barry, whom you saw a few years back at your book signing. I am a professional pianist playing on cruise ships now, for the last 5 years! I enjoy playing every style of music. Thanks for your help in my musical development! Ed
2007-04-26 15:41:24, Ed Kelly, ekelly71@hotmail.com, Toronto, |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2007-04-17 17:39:41, Gary Haynes , gears@colosseum.com, Toronto, |
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Hi, Rick I tried to contact you a couple of years ago, but never heard anything, so I'll try again. Anyhow, wow, thanks for the memories. I was a student of Linc's from 1975 to 1981. Three of those years I studied with him for 3 or 4 hours per week, after leaving school to do so. I'm still playing professionally (and I blame it all on his massive influence!) and I still miss him dearly and think of him often. I'm in the process of putting together my own web site, and was writing some of my own memories of him when I found your site. Great to hear those old clips, also. He was also on an album called Hard Mother Blues by Ernie Wilkins, that I picked up a few years ago. I'd still like to hear The Cat's Meow (Big Dee Irwin, right?) and some of the other stuff--I noticed you mentioned it but there were no mp3's of it--are they anywhere accessible? I'd love to get copies of any of this stuff. I also own and treasure Linc's L-5, and play it all the time when I teach my own students. I'd also like to get Scott, Bob and Art's email addresses if you have them--haven't talked to any of them in many years... Anyhow, thanks again, Paul Sullivan 2007-02-08 14:42:33, Paul Sullivan, paulsull@earthlink.net, Brooklyn, NY, |
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i love your site!! can we exchange links? thanks 2007-02-07 10:02:53, bob, crazy@crazybone.tk, usa, |
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Hi, Rick, What a wonderful site! It's great when artistic worlds (in this case literature and music) can collide and merge. I'm always fascinated by the overlap in different forums. Have you ever read Jonathan Santlofer's work? I believe you met him at the last Bloody Words conference. He does a similar thing in merging his knowledge of painting into his work. Anyway, I think you are an inspiration to your fellow Canadian writers, so mych so that when I realised that my next protagonist was a clarinet player, I immediately thought of you. I knew I could not shame you by faking it, so I bought a clarinet and started taking lessons last year. I have to tell you, I am loving it! Keep up the great work, Rick. Donna Carrick www.donnacarrick.com 2007-02-04 09:30:24, Donna Carrick, dcarrick@bizinfogroup.ca, Toronto, |
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I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the website. I'm Tommy Davis's son and haven't been able to obtain any recordings of my father, but only have one recording-a 45'- performing with "Joey Dee and the Starliters".
2006-12-11 17:45:45, Tom Davis, sinbadmm3@yahoo.com, Plano, Texas, |
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This is great! I've tried many times to locate info on the Orchids...never thought of using the twin's names. I was a huge fan of the Orchids....Tommy Davis was a personal friend of mine. Through him I met the rest of the Orchids....studied guitar with Linc for a few months. And, had the privilege of serving in the National Guard with the "twins." I loved every moment I spent listening to the Orchids...I had a copy of the album "Twistin Round The Table"..would love to get another or tape, etc. Is it possible? I can tell you that I'm tickled beyond belief about finding this website.
2006-11-29 15:15:53, Bob DeVivo, perfinit@hotmail.com, Da WebMaster: Thanks for stopping by, Bob! I'll contact you back channel about a couple of things. --Rick |
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Private message. Click here to view.
2006-11-08 18:44:49, Hal Hansen, hhalhansen@aol.com, Kanata,Ont. Canada, Da WebMaster: Thanks for checking in, Hal. I've forwarded your comments to Rick. I know he'll be very pleased that you enjoyed reading his latest. Be sure to let us know if you have any difficulty finding his other books. We can help! |
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Hi, nice site!
2006-10-12 09:03:12, <>, <>, <>, |
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interesting and fast site!
2006-10-06 00:54:52, Edward , Benv@gmail.com , England, New York, |
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2006-10-01 04:22:55, yrxljuhq pxiczmuls, pznxacgdt@mail.com, USA, |
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Hi Rick...I'm really enjoying "The Orchids" section of your website. It is so nice that you've included pictures and comments about BOBBY LINDSAY. My name is Dawn (Lindsay) Gardner and I'm his daughter! Your memories of him made me both cry and smile. Thank you so much! 2006-09-27 19:16:47, DAWN LINDSAY, RedDawn62@verizon.net, Massachusetts, USA, |
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Good site!
2006-09-27 16:35:22, Jean,Jean, jeanbno@spojoar.com, New York, |
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