“It’s strange how the simple things in life go on while we become difficult.” — Richard Brautigin

We were to gather at Tolly’s at 7:30 p.m. for the coming of Marv Dauer, who was making his annual pilgrimage back to Austin. It isn’t Tolly’s anymore; however, Tolly was sitting where he used to sit talking to Jim and Kathy Schulstad. Surveying the place I noticed the former school superintendent sipping what looked like white wine with a friend. Then I noticed Kim serving drinks behind the bar. I ordered a glass of wine and a glass of water.

About the same time Terry Brown, an AHS graduate a year ahead of our class came in with a book in his hand. After saying hi I think Terry ordered a coke. Terry was a fine athlete back in those days. Many years ago I remember watching Marv and Terry play softball on the same team somewhere in Los Angeles. Marv held his transistor radio in his hand when he was in left field listening to the L.A. Dodgers.

I think Larry Diggens came next. He was a classmate of Terry’s, and Larry was famous for carrying the football downfield to within the 5 or 10-yard line and then Lyle Cline, who wasn’t at Tolly’s, would carry the ball in. That’s how I remember it. I wasn’t always paying close attention.

The Chaffee’s were next — Dick and Colette. Chaffee had another name used in school. I’ve known him as Admiral Chaffee. I spent more Friday nights at his house in high school than I did at my own.

Norb Schmidt might have been next. Schmidt too graduated ahead of us. Baseball was his game and still is. As most of you know, he and Travis have their own dental office.

The Murphy’s, John and Sue, were next. John is always a sign of how men our age should dress. You may have purchased a car from “Hunza.” John and Sue spend part of winter in Florida in “perfect weather.”

Barb Weise was next to join. She graduated with us. Terry, her husband, was judging the fair, Barb said. Terry joined us later.

Larry Maus was next or possibly before Barb. Larry has maintained an on-going relationship with Marv over the years and with most of Austin either in or mostly out of court. Larry graduated a couple years ahead of us.

Dick Seltz, who has been like a surrogate dad to Marv over the years, came in and joined others at the other table.

Denny Bye from the other table walked over to greet and talk some about his life as Marv arrived along with a lovely young miss who we soon learned answered to Michelle Lintel, an up and coming actress and former Miss Kansas. Marv is her agent.

We all made our way back to the restaurant where we occupied a long table and where Jim and Kathy Schulstad joined us at the long table and Larry Kramer joined others at the round table. Larry too, was a graduate of the class ahead of us and a standout football player and coach I believe. Jim didn’t graduate with us, but he has been playing golf with Marv when he is in town.

Marv and his young starlet kept busy moving back and forth, going from the long table to the round table, and Michelle was taking photographs and answering questions. I think Michelle was getting more attention than Marv part of the time answering “Hollywood” questions. Michelle numerous times shared her adoration of Marv, at least as an agent. That didn’t matter as much to us as she did.

Marv passed photos around before the meals arrived, taken the day before on Lake Minnetonka fishing out of a boat captained by Norm Coleman’s wife. She is also one of Marv’s agents, or at least she was. Maybe that’s changed. And not so long ago Marv mentioned, I believe on a call that he had lunch with Norm the day before.

Marv is still adamant about what he suspects “will not” be a settlement with the actors’ guild. Marv has said for some time there may be no new movies for a while. You heard it here.

During dinner Marv fills us in on the rich and famous he has golfed with including many sports heroes. He tells us too that Buddy Hackett, now deceased, was the most unpleasant golfer around.

The service was excellent and the food delicious.