Roller Derby Reunion Report by Gary Powers

Posted by bunkertor on May 7, 2008 in History

What a day at the ‘Has Beens’ reunion. Our dear fearless leader, Nellie Montague Wilson,
was taken back to the hospital. She’s been fighting an infection and hasn’t been feeling
well and yes, the hospital is the best place for Nell, but we’ll miss her smiling face.

Saw lots of friends this morning at breakfast. Met KEN HANSEN, which was great. Saw
HAL JANOWITZ, NORMA ROSSNER, BARBARA O’LEARY, SUE FREGULIA, ‘Cookie’ KADYRA, 50s
skater (and sweetheart) BOBBIE BURNS, JEAN PORTER, BERT WALL, BOBBIE MATEER, DEE
MORRISSEY, DELORES DOSS plus so many others. Sat between JUDY ARNOLD & JULIE
PATRICK and had a little food following by raffle drawings.

Spent part of the afternoon by the pool with JUDY ARNOLD, GAIL FUND, JOE CANEVARI,
NORMA ROSSNER, ARNOLD ‘Skip’ SCHOEN and ROSE COLUMBO, then headed to the outlet
stores for a little shopping. On the way out of the hotel, ran into SHERRI ERICH, RUBERTA
MITCHELL, DARLENE ANDERSON & JAN VALLOW who were just arriving. Saw JOHN HALL in
the casino. JUDY SOWINSKI & SHEILA McKENNA & DEE WILSON who spent part of the day
on the river in a boat.

After Marc Stern and I had dinner with Judy Arnold, tonight was ‘Karioke Night’ in the
‘Hospitality Room’ where lots of people got up and sang. MAUREEN O’BRIEN arrived.
FRANK MACEDO was there. LANA KASANOVICH and GENIE PACE. ‘Big Sister’ BARBARA
BAKER finally got to Laughlin and we spent a long time catching up. Later saw ANNIS ‘Big
Red’ JENSEN with MARY YOUPELLE. DOLLY HANSEN was there, too. Plus Derby’s rarest
‘Has Been,’ BILLY BOGASH, who in his 90s, was still cutting up a rug on the dance floor
with wife, GEORGIA. LARRY LEE was spotted and I had the distinct privilege of meeting
Miss GEORGIA HASE, who’s an absolute delight!

I also got to meet our own BONNIE NELSON & CANDY JONES & NONNIE, the Australian
sweetie, plus NANCY SHEEHAN! And yes, BARBARA BAKER, ‘Cookie’ KADYRA, SUE
FREGULIA, SKIP SCHOEN, MARC STERN and me closed the joint where we heard one
phenomenal memory after another. It’s been like a master class in Derby history all night.

And yes, it’s late and I’ve probably forgotten a few things and names and people…. but
just want to share a taste of this wonderful reunion with everyone.
Gary P.

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