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King Stretch & Queen Tootsie
photo courtesy of Britt News Tribune
This year's National Hobo Convention started for Hobo Santa, Brender
[the wife
of Liberty Justice and me Thursday a week before the actual
convention. We
were driving down highway 18 headed for Britt. We noticed the
"skyline" of
Britt the water tower and the grain elevator. We knew seeing
Britt "skyline"
we were almost there and getting excited for the 108th National Hobo
Convention.
This years Hobo Days started Thursday afternoon with a
special memorial tribute
"Celebrating the Life of Jerry "Liberty" Justice. The service
started with the
presentation of Colors, Opening prayer by Bud Bockelman, Veteran
Memorial gift
of an American Flag presented by Jerry Christensen, Life is Like A
Mountain
Railway sung by Diana and Bob Suckiel, [known as Mama Pipes and CN&E],
Memorial
Service by Bud Bockelman, Obituary by Connecticut Shorty, Reminiscing
tribute
from Linda Hughes, President of Hobo Foundation and Curator of Hobo
Museum,
Mayor Jim Nelson, and Liberty's brother Jerry Justice. Luther
completed the
service by singing his version mixed with Liberty' song, Let Me Ride
to Heaven
on a Train.
The Hobo Days was official opened by 2002 National Hobo
King Redbird Express
with the traditional lighting of the campfire, salute to the winds,
and ashes
from hobo gatherings and ashes from The Whittler, Liberty Justice and
Slo
Freight Ben. The Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers sang The
Star Spangle
Banner. Reigning King Tuck and Queen Sonshine greeted the
audience. Several
hobos and hobos at heart entertained at the Jungle.
A special memorial service was held Friday Morning at
Evergreen Cemetery at the
National Hobo Cemetery for the seven hobos who caught the westbound:
Queen Slo
Freight Ben [September 28, 2007]; Gas Can Paddy [October 28, 2007];
Hobo
Whittler [December 19]; Jungle Jack [December 29]; King Side Door
Pullman Kid
[February 8, 2008]; King Liberty Justice [April 23, 2007] and Bruce
"Utah
Phillips" Phillips [May 23, 2008]. This years Master of Ceremony
was Mama Jo
who introduced several participants the American Legion VFW Color
Guard, King
Tuck, Lady Sonshine, Fast Track, Serenity National Hobo Gospel
Singers,
Connecticut Shorty, Connecticut Tootsie, Minneapolis Jewel, Milwaukee
Mike,
Luther the Jet, Bob and Diana Suckiel, Adman and Preacher Steve.
Britt was buzzing with CBS cameras filming the 108th
National Hobo Convention.
Hobo Paul (Cady) invited Bill Geist, Correspondent, CBS News Sunday
Morning
Show. The program is to air on CBS in September. The exact
date is not set.
Downtown Britt's Hobo Museum was busy as numerous
people toured the old hobo
museum with a "new face lift of new displays" thanks to Bridget and
the Iowa
students.
The 2008 Jungle "Crumb Boss" [hobo lingo for head
chef] was Cookin' Mama with
numerous hobo volunteers. Meals were planned and served daily
for breakfast
and supper. Hobos and guests also check out Mary Jo Hughes Hobo
House
Restaurant for memorabilia of hobo pictures and a meal.
This years Hobos Ladies Tea theme was "Christmas in
August". The tables were
all decorated with Christmas decorations. Local Britt resident,
Jan Hughes and
daughters were the entertainment singing Christmas Songs. They
did a wonderful
job changing fun Christmas Songs with hobo lyrics. The guests
were each given
a special token gift from the Hobo Lady Host.
Leanne Costelle, portrait painter of Hobo Royalty was
excited to unveil the
painting of King Tuck and Lady Sonshine in front of CBS cameras.
King Tuck and Lady Sonshine at the hobo jungle honored
Bill Geist with a
special hobo walking stick signed by the hobo family. Other
dubbings consisted
of Terry Anderson being dubbed the moniker of "Tinker Man". Once
again MC
Halftrack introduced several of the hobo family and guests who
entertained.
The crowds lined the parade route especially the
children waiting for the tons
of candy thrown by participants of the parade. Hobos were in
golf carts and on
floats this year. 2002 National Hobo King Redbird Express got a
huge surprise
during the parade route when 27 Pennsylvania fan club fans rooted him
on. The
group came to Hobo Days by a bus. The town has a special
aroma that excited
the taste buds of several guests as they got in line for the tradition
Hobo
Mulligan Stew. The recipe is fixed out doors in several barrels
to feed 5,000
people.
Each year at Hobo Days the big attraction is the King
and Queen Coronation.
Candidates each gave a two minute or less speech why they would make a
good
Hobo King or Queen. The Queen candidates were Zipper, Double B,
Cookin' Mama
and Connecticut Tootsie. The King candidates were Grain Car
George, Dante and
Stretch. Meet the 2008 National Hobo King Stretch and Queen
Connecticut
Tootsie.
The past several years has had mixed and hurt feeling
with no rules listed who
is eligible to run for Hobo King or Queen. This year was
no different except
rules were adopted and posted prior to the Coronation. Hobo
Kings Tuck, Iwegin
Ric, Iron Horse Brad, Adman, Hobo Spike, Redbird Express, Grandpa
Dudley, Bo
Grump, Preacher Steve, Frog, Luther the Jet held a special meeting.
Minneapolis Skinny took notes. The new rules are to be
posted each year prior
to candidates posting their name as a contestant.
The new hobo royalty King Stretch and Queen Tootsie
gave short speeches at the
hobo jungle Saturday evening. They dubbed Jerry Christenson with
the moniker
SGT of Arms. Connecticut Tootsie honored him by giving him a pin
off her vest
that represented her having a daughter soldier, Lauren in Iraq.
Jerry
Christenson, the person in charge of the Britt Color Guard too has a
daughter
in Iraq. Once again great entertainment was enjoyed by everyone
at the jungle.
Sunday morning M.A.D. Mary conducted a campfire service
giving Praise to the
Lord. The Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers sang. At
the end of the
service Hobo Kings Adman and Tuck put the last of the ashes of King
Liberty
Justice on the tracks as a special tribute to him.
The 2008 National Hobo Convention was closed by
King Stretch. Several hobos
pitched in to clean up the jungle and put the entire kitchen items
away. You
could see several hobos giving a goodbye hug and even shedding a few
tears as
they said goodbye to one another. Then one by one the
hobos were leaving in
their vehicles (rubber tramps); some were hitch hiking, and some were
planning
to leave the hobo way catching a freight train.
Hoboically, Mama Jo [2003 National Hobo Queen
I received two emails from dear hobo family that each had a family member pass away or as we say caught the westbound. I am saddened to report Marianne, wife of Rik Palieri "Totem Pole" mother at the age of 95 years old passed away last Wednesday. I received an email today from a new hobo family member, "Bizzy" an employee of Warthers Museum her mother-in-law passed away today. The hobo family wishes to give the condolences to each of our hobo family who lost a loved one. Totem Pole I love your song, "Plant A Tree" In moments of grief such as this it is the perfect saying. Plant a tree, Plant a tree Plant a tree and think of me I'll be standing by your side Plant a tree. I'll never die. God be with each family during their time of grief. Blessings and hugs, Mama Jo
Hobo Wedding
This year at the 2008 National Hobo Convention was a busy week for everyone who
attended. So much to do in so little time should be the slogan for the
Convention. You could enjoy all the entertainment at the hobo jungle; visit the
venders selling their wares on the streets as well as the food venders; the
Coronation; the huge parade; eating mulligan stew, touring the hobo museum,
shopping at Britt's downtown stores; shedding a tear or two at the two hobo
tribute memorial celebration of the fallen hobo family members who caught the
westbound, and on an on.
I have to admit one of the highlights at the Hobo Convention for me this year
was the Hobo Wedding of West Hill Jack and Cherokee. This had special meaning
to me since the couple had adopted Hobo Santa and me as their hobo parents a
couple years ago.
On another note we were excited to see hobo friends of Deep Lock Quarry Hobo
Gathering that we have attended for the past two years visit the National Hobo
Convention for the first time including the bride Cherokee, the groom West Hill
Jack, Streamline, Parma Cookie, Ridge Way John, and host of the gathering
Hummingbird.
The service was conducted by 2003 National Hobo King Hobo Spike and assisted by
his 2003 National Hobo Queen Mama Jo. The bride Cherokee and groom West Hill
Jack are from the Akron, Ohio area. Several Hobo Royalty, Kings Tuck, Iwegian
Ric, Iron Horse Brad, Adman, Redbird Express, Bo Gump, Preacher Steve, Frog,
and Luther the Jet plus the Queens Lady Sonshine, Half Track, Sunrise, Lady
Nightingale, M.A.D. Mary, Minneapolis Jewel, Come On Pat, New York Maggie, Blue
Moon Bo, Connecticut Shorty, and Hobo Lump saluted with the traditional walking
stick as the wedding participants walked to the hobo chapel in front of the
campfire.
The Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers and a guest sang songs for the
wedding couple. One of the songs played by the guest was Mocking Bird Hill.
As the song was played and sang Hobo Birdman added a special touch with his
mocking bird calls.
The hobo wedding is a fun time but it is also a serious moment for the bride
and groom to take their hobo wedding vows. The following is the complete
ceremony by Hobo Spike. New York Maggie and Connecticut Shorty helped the
bride in the latest hobo wedding apparel. The wild flowers were from M.A.D.
Mary, Hummingbird, and Luther the Jet. The wedding party consisted as Hobo
Santa walking the bride to the campfire altar; best man West Hill Jack, matron
of honor Hummingbird; brides maid M.A.D. Mary and ushers Streamline and Parma
Cookie; and flower girl Dirty Feet.
"We are doing this marriage ceremony because West Hill Jack and Cherokee have
indicated they want a hobo marriage. This is something to cherish for life and
the vows are not to be taken lightly."
"Is there anyone giving the bride away?" Hobo Santa responded the hobo
parents: Mama Jo and Hobo Santa
"You have a stalk of rhubarb, the leaf of which is poison." As Hobo Spike
recited the following the couple severs the leaf from the stalk of rhubarb and
throws it on the campfire.
"By severing the leaf and throwing it on the fire, you are casting off the
impurities of the marriage and retaining the good portion, which is the stalk."
"You must consider carefully the means you choose to settle disputes, by
selecting a method that neither offends nor hurts the other person."
"Are you ready to take the hobo marriage vows?" West Hill Jack and Cherokee
faced each other and were asked to repeat the vows after Hobo Spike stated each
vow.
1. "You are the way you are, and its ok with me for you to be that way."
2. "May my love for you always be greater than my need for you."
3. "May I always do what is right, even if it is not what I want."
4. "Help you to be a success in your own way."
"Do you have any hesitation or mental reservations whatsoever in taking these vows?'
West Hill Jack and Cherokee replied no.
Hobo Spike asked, "Are there any rings?" Both replied yes.
"May you be well, peaceful, happy and content."
"I now bestow upon you a hobo marriage"
Mama Jo has a special blessing in words for each of you.
"You may now kiss the bride."
After the couple kissed Hobo Spike introduced to the audience the wedding couple.
Congratulations to West Hill Jack and Cherokee.
The Hobo Museum wants your hobo memorablia from the years of 1870 to present
day. Please contact
the Hobo Foundation if you would like to donate items. Phone 641-843-9104.
Hobo Gathering and Grand Hobo Concert
SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2008
HISTORIC PULLMAN DISTRICT
CHICAGO - SOUTH SIDE
(directions, see
http://members.aol.com/PullmanIL/)
Friendly community hosts free welcoming dinner on Saturday evening
prior to Hobo
Concert at famous historical Greenstone Church. Luther the Jet
performs on the
church's renowned Stearns & Turner pipe organ, as other Hobo
minstrels, along with
local Chicago talents, gear up to do stories and song for the eager
audience.
Throughout Saturday & Sunday, Hobos display exhibits, their special
crafts,
folklore, food, and music. Camping in adjacent park space and in
neighborly back
yards is available (some showers available - washrooms are handy). The
event is
crowned by a big barndance/squaredance, and finally, a musical
extravaganza jam that
includes a mix of Hobo, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and country.
For a little preview, see the following U-Tube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UbY9DT4mCDw
For further information, contact Tom at
tomshepherd2001@yahoo.com or call,
773-370-3305 or Luther the Jet at 608-244-5493.
Loco Larry has been taking treatment for cancer. He discontinued
chemo
while the spring hobo gatherings were happening because chemo wears
him
out and makes him ill. He has started chemo again. He
still gets very
nauseated.
Remember to keep Loco Larry in your prayers for his battle with cancer
and to have relief from getting ill from the chemo.
The new hobo tee shirts with the ISU Hobo Studio design are
now on sale. Colors are
black or blue. Sizes small to 3x. $15.00 each.
Add an extra $5.00 for shipping and handling. Credit Cards Accepted.
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