[VFB] Another Celeb story

[Mark Wendt]

Back in 1978, I was a freshman at a little college tucked away in the Catskills, right across the road from the West Branch of the Delaware River. I ingratiated myself with a fella in town who was opening a brand new sporting goods store. He had a couple of really beautiful bird dogs, and it was at that time that I fell in love with Viszlas... But that's another story. Don and I got to be very good friends. I worked in the store the whole time I was in school on the nights and weekends. Many times after closing up the store on Friday night, we'd go out for a beer or two, then head over to Don's home and spend the weekend between shifts at the store. Don's home was actually upstairs in the huge home his father owned. The home was a converted country hospital that Don's dad had owned and un back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. You see, Don's Dad was "the" retired country doctor. He'd probably delivered 95% of the babies in Delaware county... Anyway, one Sunday Don and I decided we were going to fish the Beaverkill, and headed off at Oh-dark early to get on the river before the hordes. We fished the river pretty hard for most of the day, and finally decided to head back to Don's home. As we pulled into the driveway, Don smiled, and said I was going to be in for a treat. There was a strange vehicle in the driveway, so Doc and Mrs. Brown must have had visitors. We headed into the house, and heard talking in Doc's living room. I'd never heard the voices before, but Don pushed me into the room. Doctor and Mrs. Brown were talking with an older man and woman. I couldn't see the faces of the guests, we'd come in behind them. Doc said, "Mark, there's a couple of folks I want you to meet." The guests both turned around in their seats, and I was shocked. I met Art and Lita Flick. The perfect match for each other. Art could be a bit crusty at times, and Lita was the perfect foil for him. She was one of the sweetest ladies you'd ever want to meet. Doc Brown was Art's physician. Doc, even though semi-retired, continued to see some of his patients, and Art was up for his yearly physical. After meeting Art and Lita that day, I had a standing invitation to stop in and visit anytime. I still drool thinking about Lita's strawberry rhubarb pies, gobbled up after a day of fishing. Oh yeah, I sure did teach Art a thing or two about fly tying... Okay, if you don't believe that, maybe it was the other way around.

Mark