cmcdonald1
Retired Mod,
A show & tell dedicated to my wife of 30 years and my soul mate. In April we were shocked to be told that I had cancer and would require emergency surgery to be followed by six month round of chemotherapy. One can say that you begin to view life a little differently when that "C" word is first used attached to your name.
After healing from the surgery, I was committed that I would not allow the disease to take over my life and I forced myself to live as normal of a life as was possible under the circumstances; I continued to work every day and I continued with my volunteer work (albeit somewhat reduced because of fatigue), and I continued with the hobby that I enjoy so much.
I was forced to cancel my trip to the Toronto Expo in May but I swore that I would make the November show, regardless of what stage of the therapy I was undergoing. In early November, my neighbor and very good friend (Bluewhitey) made the trek to Toronto, just three days after a treatment where I refused to allow the sickness to keep me away. Gary was a huge help and ensured that I got back to the hotel periodically for necessary rest.
Now to the genesis of the S&T. While at the Expo in November Jeremy (Gomaz) told me to go introduce myself to Chris Carlin of Upper Deck. Not knowing why, I found my way to the UD Booth and politely introduced myself. Much to my amazement, Mr. Carlin handed me a blown up version of the Hockey Heroes card of Johnny Bower. Needless to say, I was without words and full of appreciation. It began a focal discussion piece for several weeks following. Thanks to the kindness of Winston (Winniescards) who graciously brought the piece of art back to Halifax for me, I got to show it to many of the Halifax collectors at a local show.
Then came the desire to have the piece autographed when one of HI's great traders, Leafs1967 (Troy), sent me a PM stating that Mr. Bower was signing for Frozen Pond in late December. In a general discussion with my wife, I brought up the information Troy had provided, indicating that it would be very nice to someday have this signed. Immediately she said you are going to Toronto!
Next step was to coordinate with the Frozen Pond owner and make some arrangements. Troy again was outstanding in making the introduction with the owner "Hersh". It was agreed that I could arrive at the store early and meet with MR. Bower upstairs while he conducted mail-in signatures.
While reviewing flights from Halifax to Toronto, my wife suggested that we drive and go through the USA so that she could shop for a day (how could I say no!!) So the plan was put into place, hotels were booked, vacation was submitted. Just prior to leaving I noted on the website that Mike Palmateer was also signing that day and given that I have a replica mask with both Bower and Palmateer painted on it, I decided to take it along.
On Wednesday 18 December we departed Halifax in the middle of a major snow storm. We drove 30 Kms an hour on a 110 KM highway for 4 hours before getting a little reprieve. Spent a couple of days in the Boston area and headed north towards Syracuse and crossing the border near Kingston ON. That is when the freezing rain started. 4 hours later we arrived at my sister's house (which was only 2 hours away). The next morning we made the trek to the Frozen Pond.
At the Frozen Pond I met with Hersh who quickly proved to be a pure gentleman and a definite asset to the hobby. He took the time to make me fell comfortable, showed me his store, and when the guests arrived, he quickly introduced me prior to going to the upstairs office to begin the signings. I could not have met a nicer person and will forever be indebted to Hersh for his kindness that day.
The pictures below will tell the story of the next 30 minutes at the store.
When Mr. Bower and Mr. Palmateer were ready to go below to sign for the large crowd lined up for signatures, I thanked all involved in my day and began the journey from hell as the Ice Storm of the year began in Toronto shortly after I left and followed me all the way to Halifax, with the need to go 30 Kms an hour on a 100 KM highway all the way through Ontario! We stayed in Cornwall that night as I could not keep the ice of the windshield and left early the next morning only to encounter high winds and blowing snow followed by freezing rain through Quebec. We managed to get to Fredericton NB when the ice build up was too much to keep us on the road so we bunkered down once again. On Monday morning we safely arrived in Halifax where my beautiful wife dropped me off at the office and introduced me to reality once again.
Here are some of the pictures of my day at the POND..
This is the card given to me by UD.
And with my two child hood idols signing the mask for me, starting with Mr. Johnny Bower
With Mike Palmateer
And with Hersh
After healing from the surgery, I was committed that I would not allow the disease to take over my life and I forced myself to live as normal of a life as was possible under the circumstances; I continued to work every day and I continued with my volunteer work (albeit somewhat reduced because of fatigue), and I continued with the hobby that I enjoy so much.
I was forced to cancel my trip to the Toronto Expo in May but I swore that I would make the November show, regardless of what stage of the therapy I was undergoing. In early November, my neighbor and very good friend (Bluewhitey) made the trek to Toronto, just three days after a treatment where I refused to allow the sickness to keep me away. Gary was a huge help and ensured that I got back to the hotel periodically for necessary rest.
Now to the genesis of the S&T. While at the Expo in November Jeremy (Gomaz) told me to go introduce myself to Chris Carlin of Upper Deck. Not knowing why, I found my way to the UD Booth and politely introduced myself. Much to my amazement, Mr. Carlin handed me a blown up version of the Hockey Heroes card of Johnny Bower. Needless to say, I was without words and full of appreciation. It began a focal discussion piece for several weeks following. Thanks to the kindness of Winston (Winniescards) who graciously brought the piece of art back to Halifax for me, I got to show it to many of the Halifax collectors at a local show.
Then came the desire to have the piece autographed when one of HI's great traders, Leafs1967 (Troy), sent me a PM stating that Mr. Bower was signing for Frozen Pond in late December. In a general discussion with my wife, I brought up the information Troy had provided, indicating that it would be very nice to someday have this signed. Immediately she said you are going to Toronto!
Next step was to coordinate with the Frozen Pond owner and make some arrangements. Troy again was outstanding in making the introduction with the owner "Hersh". It was agreed that I could arrive at the store early and meet with MR. Bower upstairs while he conducted mail-in signatures.
While reviewing flights from Halifax to Toronto, my wife suggested that we drive and go through the USA so that she could shop for a day (how could I say no!!) So the plan was put into place, hotels were booked, vacation was submitted. Just prior to leaving I noted on the website that Mike Palmateer was also signing that day and given that I have a replica mask with both Bower and Palmateer painted on it, I decided to take it along.
On Wednesday 18 December we departed Halifax in the middle of a major snow storm. We drove 30 Kms an hour on a 110 KM highway for 4 hours before getting a little reprieve. Spent a couple of days in the Boston area and headed north towards Syracuse and crossing the border near Kingston ON. That is when the freezing rain started. 4 hours later we arrived at my sister's house (which was only 2 hours away). The next morning we made the trek to the Frozen Pond.
At the Frozen Pond I met with Hersh who quickly proved to be a pure gentleman and a definite asset to the hobby. He took the time to make me fell comfortable, showed me his store, and when the guests arrived, he quickly introduced me prior to going to the upstairs office to begin the signings. I could not have met a nicer person and will forever be indebted to Hersh for his kindness that day.
The pictures below will tell the story of the next 30 minutes at the store.
When Mr. Bower and Mr. Palmateer were ready to go below to sign for the large crowd lined up for signatures, I thanked all involved in my day and began the journey from hell as the Ice Storm of the year began in Toronto shortly after I left and followed me all the way to Halifax, with the need to go 30 Kms an hour on a 100 KM highway all the way through Ontario! We stayed in Cornwall that night as I could not keep the ice of the windshield and left early the next morning only to encounter high winds and blowing snow followed by freezing rain through Quebec. We managed to get to Fredericton NB when the ice build up was too much to keep us on the road so we bunkered down once again. On Monday morning we safely arrived in Halifax where my beautiful wife dropped me off at the office and introduced me to reality once again.
Here are some of the pictures of my day at the POND..
This is the card given to me by UD.
And with my two child hood idols signing the mask for me, starting with Mr. Johnny Bower
With Mike Palmateer
And with Hersh
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You are one of the best members we have on Hobby Insider. I've been good friends with him for 10 years now, and going to the store, and meeting all these great athletes is something I will always cherish. He always has treated me as a VIP, and I'm always glad to help out others whenever I can. 
