Three Dots and a Gary Larsen

[oldecapecod11]

“Thanks and a tip of the Hatlo hat to” Matt Reaser.

Jimmy Hatlo was a sportswriter who became a legendary cartoonist.
We won't spoil the kiddos' fun browsing or giggling with YouTube because this is not about Jimmy Hatlo.

This is unabashed praise of the Matt Reaser article about Gary Larsen.

It is a long time since such a well-written story has appeared on the CC pages. For lurkers, especially in the wilds of places
like Minnesota, it is even worth the price of PFRA membership just to read this piece.

Reaser adeptly follows the sociologist's "cradle to the grave" format and takes the reader from Larsen's cradle to his "today"
anxiously awaiting the chance to swing another golf club.

Along the way, Matt touches on every aspect of Larsen's football career with a smooth-flowing blend of school, military,
and professional participation.

The focus is on the subject, his teammates and coaches, and his family - as it should be - without the usual self-applauding
demonstration of egomania.

The story shows a painstaking success of a perfect mix of quotes that had to come from the subject and were not copied
from the pages of others or manufactured for the sake of a need to create words.
It is easy to tell that he even stirred Larsen's memories with the "three dots and a dash" reminder.
And, he did it in such a gentle and nice manner.

It is a prime example of what a way-above-average fan can do when he practices those Spartan qualities of dedication
and persistence to succeed in a new endeavor.

If Jimmy Hatlo was alive, he would certainly tip his hat to Matt Reaser.

Hopefully, this is just a sample of what will come when Ken Crippen's leadership rights
this heretofore foundering vessel come January 1st.