Brushwood Gulch Gazette

March-April 2006

Volume 39, Number 2


NOTE: This is an old issue of the Brushwood Gulch Gazette, which has been archived for reference purposes. Although some links have been updated, the text of this archived newsletter remains unchanged. Please keep in mind that these articles have NOT been updated to reflect changes that may have occurred since they were originally printed. Return to the index of archived issues.

Contents:

Nautical Theme for April Meeting
From Our New Grand Sheik
New DVD and L&H Marathon in April
New Edgar Kennedy Book Now Available
January Meeting Notes

Help in the Mayflower Kitchen
Last Remaining Seats
July 2006 International Convention
2006 Membership Information


By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea at the April 11th Meeting

Our Tuesday April 11th meeting will have a nautical theme. We'll join Laurel & Hardy on shore leave from the Navy, watch them repair a sailboat, and see what happens when they find themselves adrift at sea with a killer. Our films for the night will be Two Tars (1928), Towed in a Hole (1933), and Saps at Sea (1940).

Joining us at the meeting will be Bill Cassara, Grand Sheik of the Midnight Patrol Tent of Monterey. Bill has written the book, Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn on one of Laurel & Hardy's most popular co-stars. The book tells the story of Kennedy's life and his vast film career, with many rare photos never seen in print. There will be a short presentation from Bill and you will have the opportunity to talk with him and purchase an autographed book.

As always, the doors to the Mayflower Club will open at 6:30 p.m. Our meeting will start at 7:15 p.m. "Fisher Franks" hot dogs will once again be for sale to satisfy your hunger, and the Mayflower Club bar will be open to satisfy your thirst. So join us in your most comfortable Navy garb or sailing outfit on Tuesday April 11th at 11110 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood. See you April 11th.

Click here for a map to the Mayflower Club...

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From Our New Grand Sheik

By being Vice-Sheik of Way Out West for over 19 years, I have served through the entire term of John Duff and the last term of Bob Satterfield. I've helped plan and present many of their meetings and banquets, and I hope that experience will help me be a successful Grand Sheik. I know I have big shoes to fill.

I plan to continue leading the club in the same direction as John and Bob, with only a few changes. One of those changes starts with our April meeting. As stated in the Sons of the Desert Constitution (Article VIII, provisions h and i) each meeting should close with an "after film critique." So April 11th, after the final film ends for the evening, Bob Duncan and myself will take the critiques, the comments, and the questions from those of you that want to stay after the main meeting ends. I hope that the information that is exchanged will be of interest to you and will further our mutual appreciation of the comedy team of Laurel & Hardy.

-Jimmy Wiley Jr.

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New L&H DVD and TCM Marathon in April

On April 18th, Warner Brothers Home Video will release TCM Archives: The Laurel and Hardy Collection. It will include restored prints of the feature films The Devil's Brother and Bonnie Scotland. Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann will provide commentaries on both films. As bonus material, the disc will include scenes with Laurel & Hardy from The Rogue Song, The Hollywood Revue of 1929, Hollywood Party, and Pick a Star. Also included will be a documentary narrated by Chevy Chase, which covers films by Laurel & Hardy, Our Gang, and The Three Stooges.

Click here to order this DVD from Amazon.com...

On April 10th, Turner Classic Movies will show much of the contents of this new DVD during a Laurel and Hardy marathon. Included in the marathon will be The Devil's Brother, Bonnie Scotland, and the documentary hosted by Chevy Chase. The marathon will also include such classics as Sons of the Desert, Way Out West, and The Music Box. Please see the TCM website for a complete schedule.

Click here to visit the Turner Clasic Movies web site...

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New Edgar Kennedy Book Now Available

A new book on popular Laurel & Hardy co-star Edgar Kennedy is now available. The book is titled Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn and was written by Bill Cassara, a long time member of the Sons of the Desert. It is available online from Amazon.com.

Members of our tent know Edgar Kennedy well. His grandsons Glenn and Mark frequently attend our meetings, and in 1997 many of our members traveled to Monterey, California, for the first Edgar Kennedy Celebration. This book tells the full story of Kennedy's life and his vast film career. The new research includes many rare photos which have never been printed before.

Click here to order this book from Amazon.com...

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January Meeting Notes

Way Out West started the New Year off on January 24th with a Mexican Fiesta, a surprise, and a birthday party! First, everyone that paid their dues early received a free Mexican meal consisting of two cheese enchiladas, refried beans, a hot tortilla, and nachos. All of the delicious meals were prepared by none other than our Grand Sheik Bob Satterfield. The meal was also a tie-in to our feature film for the night, The Bullfighters (1945). The other films shown were Should Married Men Go Home? (1929), Twice Two (1932), and Our Wife (1931).

Then, just before the second break in the evening and the cutting of the cake to celebrate Babe's 114th birthday, came the surprise. Bob announced that he had decided to retire as our Grand Sheik, effective immediately. His reasons were the consistently horrible traffic to and sometimes even from our meetings (keeping Bob in his car for over three hours), and the popular rebirth of his 45 Minutes from Hollywood Tent that he founded years ago. Since Bob was nineteen years old, he had successfully served three separate terms as Grand Sheik of Way Out West. Jimmy Wiley, our then Vice Sheik, was made our new Grand Sheik. Bob Duncan, our then Sub-Vice Vizier, was made our new Vice Sheik. Congratulations Jimmy and Bob and thanks again Bob Satterfield for all the great years!

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Help in the Mayflower Kitchen

Elaine Schulman has most graciously stepped forward to help in the kitchen so that members of Way Out West may enjoy the "Fisher" franks at our meetings. As this job will be made much easier for Elaine if she could have a helper or two, please offer your help to her at the kitchen at the next meeting. You will not miss any movies or activities, you will only assist when hot dogs are being sold before the meeting begins and at break times.

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Last Remaining Seats

At the next meeting, longtime member Alan Barasorda will have information on the upcoming Last Remaining Seats program presented by the L.A. Conservancy. This is a chance to see vintage movies in historic movie houses in downtown Los Angeles. Also, congratulations to Alan and Rebecca on the arrival of their second child in December.

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July 2006 International Convention

The 2006 International Convention of the Sons of the Desert to be held in Augusta, Georgia is quickly approaching. The Way Out West currently has fourteen members attending. If you're still interested in going, it is not too late. Information will be available at the next meeting or you may find more information at www.berthmarks.com

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2006 Membership Information

The Way Out West Tent will meet five times in 2006, not including the annual banquet in October. Members receive free admission to all regular meetings and discounted admission to our annual banquet.

Remaining Meeting Schedule

April 11, 2006...........................................Meeting
June 13, 2006............................................Meeting
August 22, 2006..........................................Meeting
October 21, 2006..................................Annual Banquet
December 12, 2006........................................Meeting

Annual Dues

Single..................................................$28/year
Couple..................................................$44/year
Family..................................................$48/year
Non-members..........................................$10/meeting

Membership is open to everyone; there are no special requirements (other than all members must live at the same address for the family rate). Dues are prorated quarterly when you join during the year and are primarily used to cover postage and to rent our meeting hall. All Way Out West Tent officers work strictly on a volunteer basis.

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Birthdays

We will no longer be including celebrity birthdays in the online version of our newsletter. If you wish to see the full listing of celebrity birthdays, please visit our separate birthdays web page.

Click here to see our birthday listings

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Updated April 4, 2006

Copyright ©2006 Way Out West. All rights reserved.

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