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Dan Sawatzky admitted that I won the 'Prank Wars' . . . but that's only because he's too darn nice of a guy to play rough . . .
I had him served with a Walldog Artist Restraining Order by the Chief of Police (will YouTube THAT video clip!!) . . . and had another on-duty Pontiac Police Officer steal all their water balloons that were intended for me and/or my mural team . . . (sorry, Noella . . . it wasn't anything against you . . .!!)
I had spies . . . (one of our well-known Letterville citizens lettered 'Jay Wins' in a 'watermark' all around one of the borders in the Butler/Sawatzky wall mural) . . . and even some willing participants from the community helping me stay 'one step ahead' . . .
THAT is what Dan and I schemed about for weeks . . . this was all somewhat 'coordinated' to allow the citizens of Pontiac - and the Walldogs - to 'play along' with us . . . that connected us all as another 'backstory' - even though there is no true rivalry . . . well, sort of. Right, Dan?
I think it helped us forget some about the intense heat . . . all 4 days over 95 degrees . . . and irony of ironies . . . 15 degrees cooler with low humidity on the day we left . . .
What a class act and amazing talent Dan Sawatzky is. Someone will surely post a photo of my '2nd Place' trophy - and Dan's Third Place 'sash' . . . I don't have any photos yet. Now that I've seen what he did, I'll do my best to top it . . . and then he will . . . and then I will . . .
Suffice it to say, Dan's 'message' is to always autograph your work with excellence . . . make NO MISTAKE about that. You'd have to know him to truly understand . . .
When I suggested I would keep his trophy 'alive' at future Walldog meets, he said 'No, that's for your office. 30 minutes after I finished it I had better ideas' . . .
We should all seek to push ourselves like Dan does.
R-e-s-p-e-c-t is spelled 'Grampa Dan' . . . a friend of mine - and Letterheads - for life . . .
You inspire me . . .
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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P.S. - Here's an email from Ruth Schlosser at the Community Pantry . . . Letterheads made them a 3D sign (we still have to finish painting it) and raised food donations and cash at Sawatzky's wall and our wall . . . that's what I was referring to when I repeatedly said 'I'm busy - with many mouth's to feed' . . .
This is what Letterheads are all about . . . sharing:
Hi! I just wanted to report the totals for each site from the pantry donations to the Livingston County Community Pantry. First of all I want to thank you all so much for this great idea to raise food and monetary donations for our pantry. So many needy families will benefit from this weekend!
Ok, now for the numbers. The Allen site collected 274 pounds and the Sawatzky/Butler site raised 135 pounds of food (however I heard there was some stealing going around and also when the Sawatzky/Butler site closed early Thurs. night we took 4 cases of veggies and just put it with the Allen site).
The Allen site raised $42.50 and the Sawatzky/Butler site raised $111.25. So the totals were 409 pounds of food and $153.75. Awesome!!! The Board was thrilled with this donation!!!
On a personal note. I am overwhelmed by what I have seen happen in our town. The Walldogs have made our town a place of beauty...all the murals are so awesome and blow me away every time I drive by one. Thank all of you so much for changing the spirit in our town. We had been pretty low for a while with first the flood, then the almost closing of the prison, then with the closing and lay-offs going on. I see a different town because of all of you. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Love, Ruth Schlosser
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Si . . . my life is a friggin' cartoon . . . maybe I should try something that won't allow so much ridicule . . .!! I may be giving Walldogs and 'Heads a bad name . . .
Early night for me tonight. I learned something last night, though . . . hot tubs and sunburn do NOT play well together.
Like being par boiled in acid . . . ouch. And I needed that hot tub last night . . . sigh . . .
Here's Dan's trophy for me . . . it ROCKS!! Check the shorts out. Vintage Sawatzk'eh . . . he's truly one of the best.
And here's Dan's 'sash' . . . placing me one spot above him . . . HEEHEEHEE . . . how'd I know what he was doing to "respond" properly?
Spies, baby, spies . . . and enough hints . . .
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Jay... That letter from Ruth kinda makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?
When I was growing up the general image of sign painters was that we were always the town drunk. It's really nice to see a new generation that has raised the bar and given so many folks a much different picture of who we are.
And that's because of some special folks like Jay and Dan....and the Diaz family....and the whole cast of characters that invaded Pontiac last week.
Congratulations on a job well done and for improving the image of the rest of us.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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<Hey Jay... That letter from Ruth kinda makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?>
Ray . . . it feels best when I'm all by myself.
We just keep adding new twists at these meets. This particular attempt/idea reinforces the whole 'SHARING' we Letterheads are all about.
Wait until they get the 3D sign finished that we made them, too . . . I'll paint it and take it down to the Pantry in August when I drive my son to school in Bloomington, IL. In their eyes, Walldogs walk on water . . .
As it should be.
Muhammad Ali is credited with the shortest quote ever given. He said this at a graduation ceremony for Harvard University (yes, THAT Harvard):
"Me, we."
Sums it up nicely.
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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P.S. - The lady who bought my artwork at the auction got one pair of the pink shorts thrown in . . . a clean pair autographed . . . I still have two pairs . . .
I think I saw her toss them in the garbage can when she was leaving . . .
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The afternoon I stopped by to visit at your shop, and the conversation we had, was just what I needed to get ready for this great event.
I had no expectations of what the weekend would become. And as I headed to Pontiac, and got there late, I realized Wednesday night this is where I truly needed to be.
The opportunity to work with the talents of yourself, Brad and Deri and especially Ray Guzman.
The other part of our team was two fantastic young men, Evan Allen and Noah Guzman. What a treat to see these two guys working along side their fathers, who they truly admire.
New friends made, old ones revisited. This past weekend I will never forget.
Thanks Jay!
-------------------- Ted Turner
Paint Designer / Stylist - Styling Dept. Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center 11800 W. Capitol Drive Wauwatosa, WI 53222
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Ted . . . some things are meant to happen. It had nothing to do with me . . . it was what was missing inside you that created this all.
"Welcome back".
That said, it was my pleasure to have you work alongside me again.
But the comment that means the most . . . the one about my son . . . I think of all the compliments we get in our lives, the ones about our kids seem to hold a higher place in our hearts.
I agree . . . he is a fine young man. On Friday night I went into his room at the Vogel's just before he went to sleep, kissed him on the head and told him, "I get a lot of compliments on you" . . . then walked out of the room.
About 10 minutes later he walked outside and sat with Jody and I by the fire for an hour and did one of those rare 'opening up' things teenagers so seldom do. He's mature for his age and has a sense of a greater 'understanding'.
I think I must have said the right thing when I told him what folks told me . . . and that's why he joined us.
So proud. So very proud . . . and not just of him, but of all of us. Benevolence is best shared with others like yourself, and our fellow Walldogs. It is an experience that always changes you.
For all the sh!t we all will see in our lives, sometimes we capture the real essence of what is best in humans . . . and I was damned proud to be a part of that once more. My 'team thank you' post will come later . . . when I have an opening in a busy schedule . . .
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Listen! Those PINK shorts can be a most unexpected asset .. If'n any of y'all are ever paddling after blown away trash can lids in cottonmouth infested waters .. it twern't red that led me back, nor was it yeller .. it was Jay Allen's Pink knickers that were the guiding light that got me out of danger safely .. Pray to see the pink .. If the lady did put them in the trash, someone call the Pontiac trash collectors & retrieve Jay's pink shorts .. run 'em up the flag pole.
-------------------- David Estes West Kentucky Outdoor Signs 8975 Hwy. 62 Calvert City, KY 42029 ffw2@hcis.net Posts: 15 | From: Possum Trot, KY | Registered: Jun 2003
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<Spoken in just 24,693 eloquent words,... as true to Jay's style.>
Sassy girl . . . I like sassy girls . . .
Deri - as always, great to see you and hang out in dark alleys together LOL
<If'n any of y'all are ever paddling after blown away trash can lids in cottonmouth infested waters .. it twern't red that led me back, nor was it yeller .. it was Jay Allen's Pink knickers that were the guiding light that got me out of danger safely> Herbie!!! If they only knew the real story behind that . . .!! We missed ya' in Pontiac . . . but the Estes family sent 2 of its 3 finest . . . and they performed in true Letterhead fashion . . . and then some!
Hope to see you soon - and may in September, Jody and I are spending a week at my brother's Smoky Mountain cabin for our 10th anniversary and we might stay over 1 night with Steve and Gloria. We'll firm that up later and let you know.
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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