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Dean Dempsey blew into town in mid 1994 and got a job at
one of the local stores. Most people just called him Digger, because he had been an
undertaker most of his nearly fifty years. Digger claimed to have embalmed several famous
people including Jimmy Durante. Although Digger wore two large diamond rings, he had to
share a small apartment with another local because he couldn't afford to pay the full
rent. Digger was hard of hearing, so Dominic, owner of the Class of 47, gave him one of his
old hearing aids. As people got to know Digger one thing became clear, you couldn't always
believe every thing he said. At first Digger claimed he was dying of cancer, and had a few
months to live. But after a year that story was proven wrong. Digger also claimed he had
once owned a cemetery in Long Beach.
The big awakening came for
everyone when Digger was arrested at his job. It seems he had purchased a
cemetery in Long Beach for one dollar, looted the cemetery's trust fund of
hundreds of thousands dollars, then sold the cemetery for one dollar. Where
did all the money go? According to reports, payments on a new Mercedes, an
x-wife, and
extensive bar bills.
Dear Mr. Fournier,
While attending the art walk at Balboa this past weekend I came
across your card with your website's URL on it. I particularly
enjoyed your site because Balboa has a special meaning for my wife
and I as it was the location of our first date in late October
1980. The rest is history as they say.
However I thought that I'd ask you a question that you might be
able to answer for me. On that date back in 1980 we ate ice cream
(our first Balboa Bar) at a small little hole in the wall that was
across from the ferris wheel in the fun zone. That location burned
down around 1984-85? By any chance would you know where a photo of
that row of buildings might be found prior to them burning? If you
have any ideas and would share them I would be very grateful.
Thanks again for the wonderful site and keeping Balboa alive.
Kindest regards,
David Winterhalter
DWinterhalter@PurelyVisual.com
Hi, Jim--
I really don't know how you do it. Each month's Tales of Balboa is
better than the last, and your photos are truly outstanding.
I wish I could remember the name of the sign painter in the 1960's
who worked for Balboa Fun Zone owner Al Anderson. He created many
of the signs for the old Balboa Fun Zone and other attractions in
Southern California. Not only was he a friend to all, but his hand
lettering was amazing and far better than many of the computer-cut
vinyl signs seen today. He was never without his mall stick that
steadied his hand while he lettered custom signs. He was also very
prophetic. I can remember him saying, "I'll do hand lettering now,
because I know that someday they'll be some type of machine that
does all the signs, and all us sign painters will be out of
business."
So that talented man predicted the era of computer graphic
software more than 45 years ago.
--Jim Isadore, Boynton Beach, FL
Adsbyjim@aol.com
Click
For More London's Times
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Visit
TalesOfBalboa GALLERY
On The Fun Zone Boardwalk
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2nd Wednesday of the Month
Book Club Luncheon 1PM
675-2373
Newport Landing Restaurant
Saturdays 3:30 PM
-7:00 PM
Kyng Arthur: Authentic Reggae
"Cabo Cantina" 100 Main St
949-675-7750
Fridays June 10 - 8
PM
Thru October 7
Summer Jazz Series
Saturdays at
Sundown
June 11 thru August 27
Annual Flag Lowering Ceremony
Patriotic Music, Taps, Canon Salute.
Balboa Boat Rentals
By the Balboa Island Ferry Landing
Balboa Peninsula
Thursdays June 30 -
July 14
6 PM - 8 PM
CONCERTS ON THE
PENINSULA 2005
Monday July 4th
60th Annual
"The Old Glory Boat Parade"
Monday, July 4,
7:45 PM
Fireworks Cruise
Catalina Flyer
July 4 - July
24
Newport Beach Breakers
Saturday, June 25,
2005
City of Newport Beach
GENERAL PLAN
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
Sunday, July 31
70th Annual Flight of the Lasers
Saturday, August 6,
8 PM
Newport Harbor High
Class of 65 Reunion
Balboa Pavilion
September 16 -
September 18
Taste of Newport
Monday, October 31
- PM
Earth - Mars Close Encounter
December 14 - 18
97th Annual
Christmas Boat Parade
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Thanks, Jim! I really miss all my friends on Balboa! I spent the
last two days crying after hearing about Sean. Your article
(Memorial) for Sean was great. Thank you.
Trudy
Thank you for what you do, love reading it all!
Elizabeth Barnes
Hi,
Great site,getting ready to return to Balboa after 11yrs in
London, can't wait.
One question however why is the time on the site never correct?
See you soon,
Roger
roger.fletcher@hrowen.co.uk
The "Police Calls" on you web site has not been responding for the
last month...What's happening?
Tony
tonybink3@aol.com
Great new picture on your homepage! Very tasteful...
Congratulations
steve@planetagenda.com
We will be visiting your beautiful fishing town soon from the
sunny Gold Coast of Australia and after looking at the pictures I
cant wait to stop over on our way south to San Diego from LA.
There must be quite a few accommodation houses. Lets hope so!
Julie
carrolls4@bigpond.com
Your counter ticker may be inacurate. I clicked on "Faces of
Balboa" then clicked "back" and your counter ticker went up. Now
I've got two visitor numbers. Besides that, I'm enjoying your
website very much. I am awed at your creative professionalism and
the host of links that are linked to it!
Best Regards,
John Bullard, Balboa Enthusiast
fightingfromvictory@yahoo.com
Hi Jim,
I received the beautiful picture of the Balboa Seals today. (I
lost my mail keys, otherwise I probably would have gotten the
package earlier). I absolutely love it. Last summer I was looking
in your shop window, saw it, and grabbed a business card of yours.
I lost it somewhere, but I searched and searched on the web until
I found you. I will soon be getting A new white bedroom set, and I
am redoing my room in a nautical theme. The Balboa Seals are going
to be perfect!!! I like you, love everything about the ocean. I
have always wanted a pet seal--I guess the picture will have to
do! Also thank you for your careful packaging and your business
cards!
Di Bush
Is there a link to mass schedules for the church on main street on
Balboa Island?
Valerie
Valerie.Gawron@gd-ais.com
Save the whales, collect the entire set.
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