PARROT HEAD CLUB NATIONAL CONVENTION (MOTM) This year's Meeting of the Minds was especially memorable because of the passing of Captain Tony on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. It was one of those "do you remember where you were when you heard the news" kind of events. I was at the Casa Marina with some of the St MinneSomePlace krewe and the Isle of Iowa folks, proudly watching and listening to the Cedar Island Band up on the "big" stage on the lawn of the Casa. In the middle of the set, not knowing about Capt. Tony, lead singer Doug Rassler was about to play "Last Mango in Paris," but was told by one of his band members (who had been told the news) that they should save that for the last song. So at the end of their 2-hour set, someone from PHIP took the stage, thanked the CIB and announced that Capt. Tony had passed away around 2:30 that afternoon. He said the family doesn't want us to grieve, but would like us to celebrate his life. We all raised our glasses to the sky and the Cedar Island Band serenaded us with Last Mango... Wow! Then a bunch of us piled into a taxi and headed to Capt. Tony's Saloon. I asked the cab driver if he had heard the news, and yes, the coconut telegraph had been buzzing and he was informed! I invited him into the bar with us, so he double-parked and joined us in toasting the legend that will never die.
(The photos below provided by Tracy Campbell and Mary Chamberlain and Bob Kocon)
Thanks!
Mary
ALPINE VALLEY, JULY 19, 2008
Photos below provided by Jon Iannazzo
In mid July, a group of inhabitants of St-MinneSomePlace hoisted their sails for a lovely cruise to Alpine Valley - a Parrot Head oasis in the middle of Wisconsin. As far as the eye could see, Parrot Heads donned the typical leis, hats, fins, feathers and coconut shells. With margaritas flowing and PHestivities aplenty it was a great day to people-watch and hear a Buffett tune or two along the way as you did the margarita limbo or received a Landshark tattoo. As the sun set, the massive crowd watched the master of topical fun in his "Year of Still Here" tell his masterful stories of sun, pirates, beaches and rum. A highlight of this year's concert was that Kathy Iannazzo and a few St. MinneSomePlace members made the big screen showcasing pre-party fun from the parking lots. We all hope Jimmy "stays here" in AV for years to come.
