THE TOPPER

We were sitting around our family gathering over this past holiday season, and the discussion turned to revealing some of the famous people my family members have met in person during their lives. This all was prompted by my gazing at photos of my brother-in-law, Nubs DeCleene, who passed on a few years back. Nubs had been president of the Village of Ashwaubenon at the time of his illness, and a few of the photos showed him greeting President George W. Bush at the Green Bay airport, when the president arrived for a visit. So I asked my nephew Chase (26) who the most famous person he met to-date was? He informed us how he’d almost met President Bush that day with his dad, but didn’t make it. We told him “almost” didn’t count, and he had nothing after that.

Next we asked my father, Al Mancheski (currently age 92). My dad is a former Wisconsin HS football Coach of the Year (1965). He showed us the photo of him receiving his award from the former Ohio State head coach and football legend, Woody Hayes.

Next came my turn. Having worked with the Packers for over a decade, I had met a lot of high-profile football players and coaches, (including Reggie White, Mike Holmgren, et al.) Thus my answer was easy: Brett Favre. I imagined Brett trumped my dad’s Woody Hayes encounter, so I felt pretty confident about winning.

Finally came my mother, Dawn (currently age 87). In her meek voice, she recalled a story from her younger years. It was 1943, and she had just graduated high school. The national World War II war effort was in full swing, and Dawn had traveled to Washington D.C. to do her part. There she’d been hired by the FBI, and had the occasion, as a newly hired member, to meet the Bureau’s head: non other than J. Edgar Hoover, himself.

The contest win of course went to my mother. Mr. Hoover, I’m sure you know, is the founder of the FBI and considered one of the most influential United States icons of the 20th century. Pretty hard to top that one, Mom.

OF NOTE: I do plan to have Dawn reveal details of her encounter with Mr. Hoover as an adjunct in my upcoming novel SHOOT FOR THE STARS. I can’t wait to hear her actual version of meeting such an amazing and influential man.

Until next time…