Star goes dark
In the Spring of 1985 I decided I had enough radio experience (about 2-and-a-half yearS) to move back home and advance my career into my hometown, the Twin Cities. I sent my wife from Cheyenne Wyoming where I was working to set up an advance camp, and after she secured a home in Minneapolis, my uncle Ed and I loaded all the rest of our possessions in an open pickup and drove overnight, through a blizzard, back to Minnesota. As a 23-year-old with limited experience, average talent and no college degree, I soon learned many doors in the major market were not going to easily open to me. I worked with the placement department at my alma mater, Brown Institute, who told me of an opening at the state's new racetrack, Canterbury Downs. They were looking for a track announcer and PR director, and I applied. After a few weeks and getting no interview, I later learned they hired a previously-unknown 39-year-old guy with the pretentious name of "Dark Star." I think they made the right choice. Dark Star was passionate about horse racing and Canterbury, and was still working for them as of Friday, 27 years later. Of course, he also went on to become a Twin Cities radio personality and even appeared on local cable t.v. sports shows. He was a big character, loyal and loved by his friends, and lived life to the fullest. Dark Star was slated for a guest shot on a KFAN sports show on Friday but was a no-show. Host Paul Allen, The Voice of the Vikings, and others investigated, and to their dismay, George Dark Star Chapple's body was found in his Minnetonka home. He was 66. The cause of death is still under investigation. I personally didn't care for his style on the radio, but he was good at what he did, loyal to his employer, and a fun guy according to those who knew him. His colorful personality made the Twin Cities radio scene a better place.
The Stingers season has gotten off to a rocky start, both for me and for the team. My wife and I are a host family for players. We thought we were going to get pitcher Ben Burns back this year, but before the season started his new coach at Georgia State told him he preferred Ben stay closer to home this summer. We then thought we were getting pitcher Kelsey Outram from Southern Utah, but he switched to Marysville College in California, and his new coach didn't want him pitching any more innings this summer. Then we were going to get pitcher Michael Wills from the University of Memphis, but his coach also put the kibosh on his Stingers plans, expressing concerns over his innings pitched. So Sharon and I have an empty bedroom, just waiting for a Stinger's player. Hopefully we'll still get one before we get too far into the season. The Stingers got pounded in the season opener on a cold, rainy night at The Bee Hive. We left early, forsaking the fireworks. The highlight so far season...Barry the Bear! Whoever they hired to portray Barry is doing a great job so far!
I'm now officiallly starting to raise money for my Habitat for Humanity ride next month. Don't be shy about contacting me, 214-6627, about any size donation. Or email me at jpcola@kwlm.com. I need to raise $900, and right now I'm at ZERO.
