A letter of apology
To the editor:
Ok! Ok! I really need to clear something up.
Last weekend I once again donated my time and service to a fund-raiser well needed here on the Beach. It was a benefit for the spectacular fireworks display that Bill Semmer has put on for many, many years with the help of countless other locals pitching in.
I love doing benefits – but let me give credit where credit is due.
Cheryl and Carl put their heart and soul towards the food served at the fund-raiser. I helped setting them up, running errands and icing down the food as they needed.
I also worked with Scott Van Selow setting up the Mermaid Lounge’s backyard while his gorgeous wife, Kathy, was like a fuse-ball bouncing around everywhere. Doesn’t she ever stop?
As Carl, Cheryl and I chat, we noticed food orders were coming in strong. I was asked to ‘politely’ get the heck out of the way. Well, as most people know me, I walked away with my rum drink checking out all the the ladies gathering around.
The day was hot, long, but enjoyable. As I snuck around the bar to see if I could be of assistance, ole ‘sweet checks’ Valerie Van Selow asked if I could relieve Cheryl. That poor, little pumpkin was exhausted, wet from sweat from head to toe, putting ice in a towel and wrapping it around her head to stay cool.
Cooking ain’t easy, especially when it’s 95 degrees and your behind a hot grill. Now it was my turn to tell her to get the heck out of the way. Maybe ‘politely’ works, but sometimes you have to be stern to let someone know time’s up and, even if you have a heart of gold, take a break.
Well lo and behold! After an hour or so of flipping burgers and singing and dancing to the music, Melissa from the Beach Bulletin and the new owners of the ‘other weekly newspaper’ show up taking pictures and asking questions. You know, what most reporters do. I happen to be in the right place at the right time.
Trust me, I loved the attention and my mom thinks I’m a star. But, if she was there, I would’ve been out of the picture and Carl and Cheryl would be in her heart forever.
So, do me a favor, when you see Carl and Cheryl, tip your hats, say thank you ever so much and tell them the heck with denny. Thank you!
Denny the Martian Man
Fort Myers Beach
P.S. Dear Mom; see you next fundraiser.