Puckster wrote on Feb 7^th, 2013 at 11:59pm:


Never know prouboy.......I applied to Uptown in Minneapolis 1st weekend in August, we'll see if they want me. As a matter of fact I will be staying with you if I get in......I should probably let you know 

What's that, you'll be away on a canoe trip? Just leave the key under the mat. 

MT -- I hope your bonding over canoe stories resulted in an art sale!

prouboy

For a time, Tom was also a car salesman in Virginia MN. I bought my first new pickup truck from him. He lived in my area (Cook, MN.) for quite a few years while operating the Beatty rail portage. His brother-in-law Jim Haryn, also operated the portage. Jim was a gruff, twenty year marine man that some may recall, if they've been across the portage.
Tom is still in the area. At least he is still listed in the phone book.
There are plenty of these people in the area that were outfitters, guides, bush pilots etc. that can tell the stories that we would love to be telling.

I was recently doing a show in Ft Myers Florida when a couple walked in and expressed interest in my work. My usual spiel is to offer to come to their house and play artist/interior decorator (amazing what you can pull off when you slick your hair back and wear pricey shades) but they responded that they were from Minnesota. I enquired where and they responded some hours north of the Twin cities.

I said that sounded like canoe country and He went on to reminisce about how his Grandfather, Father and then himself being in the guiding business. If I remember correctly he mentioned the R&R portage out of Crane lake and Beatty portage. He also had some good tales of guiding people out of Chicago and having motors on Argo (and cases of beer! ).

Anyway.......I might be the only guy who doesn't know him as he seemed to be a fellow of some note and reputation in the locale we all have come to love. Gregarious fine fellow........just thought I would throw him out there, small world eh?