New Hampshire Reunion Part Two

After a 19-hour day, one would think that I would be all in for my trip. Not so for the former globetrotting Epitome of wrestling managers. I awoke from the phone ringing at 7 a.m. Somehow, word had gotten out that I would be in New Hampshire, and Kevin Hughes, a promoter from the Boston area, was informed where I was at.

After a 30 minute conversation with Mr. Hughes, I decided that I needed to start my day with a big breakfast. About 9 a.m., I returned to my suite and began to make a schedule for the day. I changed into one of my Cherokee print shirts with blue jeans so as not to stand out in the crowd that would be gathering later that day. I also added a newly purchased Squash Blossom necklace to my wardrobe.

Around noon, I left and headed towards Bishop Jason Sanderson's new home in Madison, New Hampshire, just west of the Maine border. I wish now that I had taken a picture of the home, as it stands out as a centerpiece of the neighborhood. It is nestled in a wooded area that is home to many wild creatures of the Eastern Atlantic coast.

You will find living, not far from this house, bear, moose, elk, deer, raccoon, mountain lion and many other species of wild animals. One would ask, why would anyone want to raise a family there. In three short words, I can sum that up ... FOR ITS BEAUTY.

The surrounding mountains that are snow capped with their massive granite sides that have many different types of trees and shrubs growing on them to the rustic trails that have led the colonists to the great American West. New Hampshire boasts some of the oldest manufacturing facilities in it. They have had a lot of influence on the way the United States are run and governed.

Some of the oldest railroads in our nation were started there. The finest furniture makers came from the 13 Original Colonies. A lot more can be said about New Hampshire, but it would take away from the excitement I would encounter during the next eight hours.

Passing through Silver Lake, I stopped at one of the old railroad lines that have carried passengers and freight for over 100 years in the area. I marveled at the depot and engines with cars and equipment that have been painstakingly reconstructed to their original state of beauty. Some of the finest COG engines are there to look at and admire.

As I turned out of the drive and headed towards Madison, I looked to the right near the lake, and three big black bears were tearing apart a carcass of a deer or elk. I didn't get too close, as I did not want the bears to attack me, and I kept at the same pace as I did when I started.

Turning into Bp. Jason's home, I could see that there were already about a dozen or so guests parking their cars and carrying in housewarming gifts. I grabbed my cooler bag that I carry my meds in and extracted two large rings of Koegel Ring Baloney from Flint, Michigan that I had hand carried for the event.

I was met at the door by Morgan Dollar and proceeded thru the kitchen area that was almost impassible due to the food and beverages piled up. Case upon case of snacks, chips and assorted soft and hard drinks were abound. Bp. Jason was putting the finishing touches on the bountiful banquet with homemade relishes and preserves from his garden.

The door opened, and, suddenly, I was face to face with a man nearly as big as Haystacks Calhoun. Rip Morrison, who had been a mainstay in the New England area, stuck out his huge meaty hand and gave a big smile to me as he introduced himself to all in the room.

With him was Steve Banford, who wrestles as "The Wolfman." It is a namesake from Bp. Sanderson, who handed the name down when he retired from the business about 10 years ago. Next to come through the door was Bruiser Jeff Costa, another large athlete that made a big name for himself not only in New England but also in the Carolinas and in Kansas City during the late 60's.

As I made it towards the large double leafed dining table specially made for his home, Bishop Jason began to receive nearly 100 of the community neighbors for the housewarming event. The younger ones went to the large yard and started football games while the small ones went in search of the many treasures that had been "hidden" about the complex.

The ones left inside were enthralled with stories about the world of wrestling by the giants that converged that day. One by one, each told road stories and tales of matches from many years ago. Tales of travel and important people in the golden ages of our business were abound. I even brought in my laptop and brought many pictures up to help tell stories with.

One of the ladies was having a tough time with her lower back, and I asked if I could give her an adjustment to help with the discomfort she was experiencing. A quick movement and her back sounded like popcorn going off in the kettle. She turned to me and thanked me for the relief. One of the guests asked Bp. Jason if I was a Chiropractor, and he said NO, but that I had stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. He got a tremendous laugh from the audience from it.

Around 4 in the afternoon, some of the wrestlers had to leave due to a commitment to be at another event near Boston. It was a little over a 100-mile trip for them, but, since it was a personal appearance that they would make a payday for, they bid everyone a fond farewell.

During the next few hours, as a lot of the company dwindled down, we continued to tell a lot of stories and listen to the stories about local and historical life in New Hampshire. Around 8 p.m., I returned to the Wind Song with a large bag of goodies to eat later that evening.

The following morning, I returned to Bishop Sanderson's home and followed him and Morgan Dollar’s cars to his church in Conway, about a half hour’s drive from his home. A special wrestlers’ mass was held for the departed members of our other family that had gone on to that big ring in the sky since November the year before.

One by one, names were called off, including Penny Banner, Johnny Weaver, Killer Kowalski and Margaret Garcia, just to name a few. I tried to hold back, but tears came to my eyes as I thought about all the friends I had lost in that group of names being read. Morgan Dollar rang the final “10 Bells” in salute of a good job on Earth well done.

After a wonderful luncheon at The Up Country cafe in Conway, we returned to the Sanderson home to help with the massive clean up from the day before. Around 6 p.m., Steve had to return to his home near Boston, and, a short time later, I was ready to return to the Wind Song for my last night in New Hampshire.

Monday morning, I said my farewells to the staff at the Wind Song and was on the road headed back to Manchester Airport to connect with my flight to Detroit. Whenever I have a good time somewhere, it is always hardest to leave. The friendships that were made and the people that made them stand out in my memory banks for a long time.

My tam is off to Bishop Jason Sanderson for opening his home to so many during this fantabulous weekend that included Halloween. I can never begin to repay the kindness that was shown to me, and I pray that feeling will never end as long as I have breath in my lungs. May God continue to watch over you and your “Flock,” and I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas at the next CAC in April ‘09.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree