Thanks, Annie, for posting that Pahrump Valley Times story on Sportsman, and many thanks to a dear friend who called my attention to this as I rarely check in here anymore.
Sportsman's first handle was Doc on the old board, which was confusing as there was already an established poster by that handle (And where has he gone off to?). It was awhile before I learned that Sportsman was a sports writer for a Pahrump newspaper.
Sportsman was outgoing and outspoken. Agreed? And though he did attend Reno-area events while in Reno, more often than not I'd hear someone tell of having seen him somewhere else, doing his own thing. And he could be a bit of a wheeler-dealer, trying to get special welcome events set up at the brothels for our crazy group, especially around Pahrump. Did I mention he had an outgoing personality?
I remember walking into Sheri's ranch once and there he was, dancing at the dance-pole like one of the girls. Close your eyes and try to imagine that.
I liked Don, but of course noticed he had a brusque style. That PVT article calls him out on it more than once.
PVT wrote: "He often would cover sports out of pocket (Something reporters have to do more of nowadays) traveling as far North as Reno to cover state tournaments."
Don had additional reasons for visiting Reno.
PVT wrote: '“When Don would come to the paper without his camera,” Langford said. “That meant he had pawned it at the local pawn store to pay a gambling debt.”'
Or maybe to pay a partying debt?
PVT wrote: "Writing was his first love and poker was his second."
So which was Don more passionate about? Poker? Or poke her?
Don, I'm making fun of you. Please forgive me. I like you and respect you, even when I thought you were a little bit tasteless like while emceeing the banquet you criticized the Chicken Ranch. I've committed less tasteful and tactful faux pas's, so that just makes me another hypocrite. And I'll miss you.
Be seeing you (in July).
John Curry (alias "Bashful")
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