by Marty Forbes
September 14, 2024
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Over the next few weeks I am going to post some ‘from behind the walls at 630 CHED’ memories before the station flips to 880 on the dial. Bob Layton will be joining in with contributions from his two books on the station!
Several other station employees, and my brothers Gord and Gerry, will also participate.
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#2 (Gord Forbes) In the early 60’s, partly in response to the success of Calgary’s “Stampede”, the Edmonton Exhibition Association converted the annual local fair into “Klondike Days”.
The unofficial mascot for the event was a guy by the name of Bob Breen who called himself “Klondike Mike”.
I don’t know how Bob paid the bills but for most of the year you could see him wandering around Edmonton with his donkey.
As Klondike Mike he was fully outfitted as a prospector from the gold rush days.
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Bob’s burro wore a straw hat and carried as much equipment as a well stocked miner could need and Bob himself wore an authentic outfit consisting of filthy bib overalls, plaid shirt, beaten-up leather boots, felt hat and sported one of the best beards you’ve ever seen.
One year Dad decided it would be a good idea to invite him to dress as Santa Claus for the kids Christmas party.
After all, he had the wonderful whiskers and looked the part to a tee.
Bob did a great job of ho ho ho-ing for the kids and at the end of the party Dad asked him how much he was going to charge for his services.
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Benevolent Bob said, “oh…nuthin’ Jer. I had a great time and it was as much fun for me as it was for the kids.”
Dad wouldn’t have it and insisted that Bob get paid for his time.
Bob refused to name his price so Dad said “Look. Here’s a blank company cheque. Just fill it out for whatever you think your time was worth and we’ll honour it”.
The next day, Bob showed up at the radio station which was located in the basement on 107th street.
Down the stairs came Bob dressed as Klondike Mike along with his fully loaded ass behind a wave of curse words that was turning the paint blue.
“Where’s the god damn manager of this place?” he yelled from the reception area. “I do you guys a big favour and you stiffed me on the bill. I thought this was a reputable company and you do this to me!”
The noise and commotion drew Dad out of his corner office and he went immediately over to Bob to ask him what was wrong.
Bob repeated his protest loudly and continued to curse Dad, the station and everyone else within ear shot while he waived his rubber cheque in Dads face.
Dad replied “There must be some mistake…let me see that cheque.”
Bob had made the note out for one million dollars.
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