The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-23
CONCH
CHOWDER

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aSideS. Ernest Ramsey said his
shirt was intact save for buttons,
but that a lot of other guys were
less fortunate. Allan B. Cleare, Jr.,
tried to save his by claiming it
belonged to his son. A. Maitland
Adams lost his shirt too. Sweet
revenge was had by Lettie Adams
who handles neat butcher knife.
Even Howard Wilson had a shirt
less Saturday.
1t all happened because the club
decided to give a ship wreck par
ty and some members came all
dressed up. The crew decided they
didn't look wrecky enough and
proceeded to play Jack the Ripper
with all respectable shirts. Ramb-
Ter Amber was safe because he
had on a torn pajama top. Com
modore Charles (Pete) Taylor
tried to get an orchestra for the
Shindig but none were available.
Somebody suggested that Adams
loan his piano, then another bright
idea popped up. Why not bring the
party to the piano? The crowd
voted in favor of the move with
loud chorus of ayes" but Adams
claimed the 'Noes" had it.
Mrs. Edgar Sanchez admitted
they had a piano at their house.
A volunteer piano moving asso-
citation was quickly formed and
the piano trekked over in a truck.
An amateur Jose Iturbi played
merrily on the keys while it was
in transit through the streets. 1t
is suspected that the Sanchez are
now looking for a piano-tuner. At
termath of the party was even
more hilarious. A gang of the ship
wreck celebrantS visited the Fan
tasea Room, and at first Fred
Hansen looked at the c0Stumed
customers askance until it was ex-
planned that they were not refugees
from the Swamp Gang.
Skipper Tommy (The Beard)
Lones was determined to begin an
other shirt-off-the- back session,
but was talked out of it by his
lovely blonde frau.
CHAMPAGNE prize for the
best story telling at the Skaal hour
Sunday was taken by Vaughn E.
Holt who told a yarn with gestures
which put listeners in stitches. His
main character was a druggist
named (Sic semper) Clemmy
Woodspotts who wanted to know
all the details of his clients resi-
dence: distance from the city,
number of traffic lights en- route,
ETC., while mixing a prescription.
Other contributors to the tail tale
department made the session live
ly. One story was Red Kerrick' S
pet and concerns jet plane and
a marijuana smoker. In brief, the
cigarette smoker engages the pilot
in conversation as follows: ''How
high can that plane fly" "0h,
about so. 900 feet" "How fast can
it go?" "Just depends. Let's say
600, easy" The guy with the Gig
arctic inhaled, then asked, Wan
ia racer"
JUDsoN SMITH writes from
Ridgefield, Conn, that the coun-
try is beautiful and the "Stone-
henge" where he plays piano and
sings is wonderful. He sent along
a clipping from the Bridgeport,
Conn. paper, Bridgeport Post"
in which Fred H. Russell, colum-
mist. writes a clever bit called
Gossip of the Rialto." Smith was
also a hit here in Key West this
spring. There's only one phrase in
the writeup which puzzles me. Vic
tor Gilbert, evidently the owner Of
the inn Is termed. "skinker p" 1t
must be a local slang term. Other
gossip notes in the column caught
the eye. Last Saturday. June 20,
Ann Blyth who has relatives in
Bridgeport and Stamford. Conn,
was wed to DR.. James McNulty.
Wonder If my ex-collegiate room
mate. the former Julia Rich. still
lives In Ridgefield? Must see that
Jud does detective work via Rus
sells column, perhaps, Her name
is now Mrs. Cullen ard her hubby
is an engineer. Off for Miami
are Emily Goddard and Mrs. Fred
Miller. The Goddards were over in
Havana Saturday At the wedding
Of the Miller's son. Full story
coming up. President Batista vas
one Of the guests.