I know posts to EPB tend to be quite short and oftentimes are simply a link to something someone has deemed worthy in his/her view. That is not a criticism; I too embrace brevity. This weekend people traveled from afar, eg. Japan, CA, WA, CO, and NH, to pay Ken Olson last respects at a beach in Shorewood Hills (Sawyer, MI). Carolyn and Jim McKellin, parents of Darren (#92 on the 1983 North Park College football team), have a cottage in Shorewood Hills, which grants access to a beach just south of Warren Dunes, the rumored Walter Payton off-season conditioning site. Organizer Tim Widerquist (North Park College ’87) did a masterful job by securing lodging at a local retreat center for the dozens. I had burned Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album just a few short days prior to my departure to the beach. (I had never purchased the album, cassette or cd.) I listened to the release at least five times before I left and during the car rides. I told Ron Swanson (NPC ’86), who accompanied me on the journey back home, that I firmly believed Pronounced was a top four debut release. Ron did not share his opinion. I interpreted Free Bird as a mournful song about departure during this time. Sigh.
In terms of the civilised sport of croquet that we all enjoy, Rob Haley (NPC’87), Jim Michaud (NPC’87), and Trent Blomquist (Minnehaha Academy ’83) each won twice during competitive play. I had several highlight shots, but produced only one victory. Paul Johnson, (NPC’87), built a trophy of wood and copper in Ken’s honor to grant the croquet champion.
God Bless, Ken.
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