On Sunday, August 11th, La Pétanque Marinière will be hosting a Select Mixed Doubles tournament named the Happy Hurlers.
Put it in your calendar.
The Happy Hurlers if you care to remember, was “le nom de guerre” of a mighty “doublette” consisting of Henry Wesseland Calvert Barron; Henry is sorely missed and we would love to see Calvert again. Incidentally, the Urban Dictionary states that “a Wessel is an awesome person, that’s just all-around great and loved by many! “
Time flies. It has been almost a year since Henry passed away and the pain is still raw. As a low-key individual, Henry elicited affection and admiration for his skills and modest demeanor. He never bragged about his accomplishments and was generous with his smiles and compliments. With Calvert they formed a mighty formation capable of challenging and besting the toughest opponents.
Henry and Calvert were the staples of our club. They both worked hard and played equally hard, but they were not pompous individuals and enjoyed a good hearty laugh.
If I remembered properly, they owned two dogs, and I always believed that anybody who cares for any critter is a better human being that anybody who does not.
So, this tournament, even though it does not bear the name of its alumnus, is a tribute to Henry and Calvert.
I hope that many of you who knew them, will come and share with us a belated tribute to his life, his art, and his infinite good guy aura. They don’t make them like him anymore.
If you own a T-shirt bearing his trademark (Happy Hurlers), flaunt it like a War Pennant.
I will!
Don’t you know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken? Terry Pratchett
My friends and I have spoken his name numerous times. In our hearts, Henry is alive and well. And since Hank was fond of French, I will add “Honi soit qui mal y pense!”
And remember, “Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and receipts for all major purchases.”
Alain