I could never explain it to you, or anyone ......

What makes good history? I doubt that there is any mention of Harolds Club in any of the history books in school. At one time, there was advertising for this club, literally, all over the world, "Harold's Club of Bust."

I remember Dave, our bartender at the Primm, told of working there the day they opened on South Virginia Street in Reno. A small club, Dave was on the Wheel, he said the first spin, he was nervous, the ball jumped the track, rolled out the door, into the gutter, and down a drain. They had to hold up the game to find another ball.

I first entered into Harolds World, and that is what it was, in 1956. New to casinos and casino life, I was in awe, it was a world all its own. Western bedecked dealers, gun collection, a bar of silver dollars, awesome. I never worked there, I wish perhaps that I had, but, I worked for Fitz, and that is another whole story.

I have seen an exuberant father and son, one being wheeled around on a "slot cart" ... celebrating, doubling bets on a 21 table, handing out silver dollars. I saw them close a wheel, shut it down, telling a group of young "winners" to keep their hundred thousand and finish their education. I saw signs when I was in Japan for Harolds Club, saw one on Okinawa. I saw L. Ron Hubbard speaking once on the 7th floor, saw Del Ray, a magician, giving some pointers to Harolds 21 dealers, have heard old matinee idol Carl Ravazza, come from the back of the room, singing lilting French songs. I walked through there many times, took it for granted, not fully appreciating the surroundings I was in, and all of its uniqueness.

I could never "explain" Harolds Club to anyone, it and the Nevada Club were truly unique, and are responsible for Nevada being what it is today, and perhaps the industry, which is assisting in the rescue of many states, today. There are no "memorials" to either club, or to Fitz or the Smiths, just memories, some of which is being preserved in the above movie and, in the works of Dwayne Kling.

Reno Sweeney

Reno Sweeney was one of the dealers in Reno who "turned me out," trained me, and showed me the ins and outs of being a clerk. We were called "clerks" in those days, the IRS had no classification for us, so we were listed as Clerks on our Income Tax, thus, the term Clerks. If you ever hear that someone working in a casino was a good clerk, you know they are talking about an "old timer."

My first night, I was nervous and apprehensive, told to report to the "post" .... finally someone pointed me in the right direction, said something stupid to the gentleman in the white on white shirt, a gorgeous pair of cuff links, a spotless white necktie, and a watch showing under those starched french cuffs that exposed a circular face ringed with diamonds, very classy. Mark, as it turned out, told me to go shill on number 3. My dumb stare was greeted with a gesture that pointed me in the right direction.

I sheepishly approached the ten foot table, a man on one end, a woman on the other, the woman knew of my innocence reached down into a tube of silver dollars and handed them to me. She knew without looking that she had handed me 20 of them. The table was void of customers at that time, so she told me, "put one there and throw the dice." I did, and that was my introduction in to a world I knew nothing about, but was intrigued by the prospect of learning about.

After an hour or so at the table, "shilling," I was told to take a 30 minute break and report back to Mark. I will never forget my entrance in to the coffee shop that morning, I was "one of them" an employee of a casino, soon, to be a ..... dealer ..... the pride I must have shown walking in, I owned the place, I belonged here. I remember well what I had, a Nevada Club Special .... an 8-inch French Roll, sliced lengthwise in half, piled high with prime rib, the top half placed back on, on to a plate, and covered with a rich broth. How much better could it get.

Mark directed me back to a table, I was escorted "behind" the table, where the dealers stand, I had stepped into ... a mystic realm .... a "stick" was handed to me, "Hi, I'm Reno Sweeney," call the dice .... the rest of the night went by fast, but a blurry fast. I remember entering in to the sunlight next morning, at 11, a beautiful day, someone had given me a "green apron," during my shift, a dealers apron. I carried it proudly so all could see as I made my way up Virginia Street to my car.

SMI -10/5/13

Still, for some reason, when it dawns on me that it is, in fact, Saturday morning, my thoughts go back to Alice Tuttle and her "Saturday House Cleaning." For those who don't know it, Alice is a name from my past, knew her in Reno, she was a friend, a friend of a friend, and she was a 21 dealer at Harolds Club.

Saturday was a day off and a day to visit, so we often ended up at her apartment for coffee in the morning. Saturday was her cleaning day. So, I have come to associate Saturday, with Alice, and a cleaning day. Funny the things we remember.

Speaking of Harolds Club, where is it. Torn down, nothing there,  how about the Nevada Club, torn down, now a plaza of some kind. I would cry, if I visited Reno. The Harolds, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Bill Harrah, built the state of Nevada, and Reno, later on Vegas, and they little to know credit for their contribution. Harolds "Reno or Bust" was seen on billboards around the world.

What recognizes their contribution in Nevada. Nothing.

Little to nothing of their history exists. Dwayne Kling has written books on the subject, but little else remains.

What people, have done so much, and gotten so little recognition? There are even more individuals who are "notorious" in Nevada history, whose names are not even known, but contributed much to the history of the industry and the state.

Water, water, everywhere.......................

I think it was '56, working at the Nevada Club in Reno, the Truckee River was over flood stage, water rising, in the club, policy was, keep dealing until the water gets to the "money drawer" on the table. People kept playing the slots though, something to see. As I recall,, the Truckee did that almost very year when the snow melted up on Mt. Rose.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern California is bracing for more stormy weather this weekend after heavy rain and strong winds knocked out power to thousands, delayed flights, tied up traffic and flooded some roadways.

After the second in a series of storms slammed the region Friday, scattered showers are expected Saturday before a third storm strikes Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch will remain in effect for most of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Cruz Mountains throughout the weekend. The storms could cause rock and mud slides in areas already saturated and affected by wildfires this summer, said NWS forecaster Diana Henderson in Monterey.

"It's not a super storm by any measure, but this is pretty significant," Henderson said. "We should see periods of moderate to heavy rains."

Mitt and his jeans ....

An open letter to Mrs. Romney. She sent me an email, but that address will not receive replies, so I am posting it on my blog. Odd that she can comment but will take no responses, I'll bet she takes donations.

Why don't you buy him a nice suit, white shirt and appropriate necktie, and talk to him about "perception." Ask him how people "perceive" him in his torn jeans and open neck dress shirt. Does his Doctor dress that way? Does his Minister dress that way? Who told him the American people want a candidate in blue jeans and a shirt. Two things that are very important to me in a candidate, PERCEPTION and CHARISMA. If you remember, Obama got elected on his charisma, and he is not in a suit at appropriate times. I, for one, will not vote for a candidate who has so little respect for me that he cannot appear in appropriate attire. Would he sit in the Oval Office in jeans, would he take the oath of office in jeans. I'll bet he doesn't go to The Temple in jeans. NO, so why campaign in them. I personally think that it is almost an insult to his audience. If anyone, you should have some influence over him. 

Miracle on 21st Street ...

For a few days now I have a left ear ache, which goes down into the left of my throat, hurts when I swallow, on the left side.

I took a couple of sinus pills the other night and they seemed to help. So, yesterday, we were in Meijers, and I went back to the pharmacy to get some sinus pills. The ones I wanted  were not there, had to get them from the pharmacist.

We chatted a bit, told him of my problem, and asked for AccuFed. He told me they don't carry that anymore, but suggested that I go to Walgreen's, they had one called WalFed that was similar. I thought that was nice of him, so we headed to Walgreen's.

Found the WalFed on the shelf, but there was just a card which had to be taken to the pharmacist. I took the card to the window, chatted with the young lady a bit, told her my problem, she asked, "Do you have any blood pressure issues?"

Then, she got the head pharmacist, who quizzed me about my health issues. He told me that the pill I wanted could elevate my blood pressure. He suggested that I just take Tylenol.

First time I was ever referred to another drug store. And then, at Walgreen's, the pharmacist was actually interested in my health issues and suggested a course of action for me, one which was contrary to what I would have done, which could have resulted in some problems for me.

Made my day for me, people being concerned, doesn't happen often .................

Wendy's Survey on Facebook

Wendy's
What song do you wish could start playing as soon as you take that first bite of a Dave's Hot 'N Juicy cheeseburger?

David Mackay Super Mario Bros.

Stacy Barthlemess Foist James Brown..." I feel good!!"

David Styres Slayer - Angel of Death

Karen Lawrence Where's the Beef??? The meat is almost so thin now how much thinner can it go. Waste of money and I love Wendy's just sick of throwing money away. One piece of lettuce if your lucky its ridiculous how they cut corners and charge us more.

John Samson Don't stop believing!

Sharon Judy Shields Another 1 bites the bun sung 2 another 1 bites the dust !

Greg Barton Baby by Justin Bieber DUH

Jeff Williams Something very happy! They are terrific!

Joe Dooley "Nearer My God To Thee"

My Table under the window, next to my chair

It's morning, nice and quiet, "Easy Listening" music coming out of the TV, my U.S. Navy coffee cup nearby, working on my second cup, glancing occasionally at the table next to my chair. I have a lifetime of memories on the table, that my Dad make. He made it with a glass top, and a drawer under that, so you see everything in the drawer, that he made near the top.

All the "treasurers" should be in the drawer  they don't collect dust, but I have they on top where they are readily visible for me to glance at.

A small photograph of my Mom and Dad, it was one of Mom's favorites, next to that, a photo of my Brother, Dean Shannon Dooley. We were about twelve years apart, so we were never really close fiends, he was always many steps ahead of me. He has always been my "hero" though.

A number of birthday cards, an old tintype of Caleb Dooley, my Grandfather, some things from Brad and Bernie, some things from Melissa, my daughter, a small wood carving from the 40's, purchased in Canada on a trip there, some souvenirs of my Dad and Caleb medals and things.

Also a pair of dice from the Nevada Club, along with a $5 chip from there, could be one that I handled back in the 50's.

My bottle of Dr. Franks, I use it a few times a day, seems to work on my arthritis, and under that bottle my magnets. When I get an ache or a sore spot, I use a magnet, and it goes away in a short time. Hey, it works for me, and there are many people who I suggested those remedy's to, and they have often thanked me.

My Mom always referred to things like those as her "treasures" and  these certainly are to me.

In a brief glance I can go from the Civil war, to today, and all that happened in between.

Quiet time, so much "noise" in the world, nice to spend some "quiet" time, with t table full of memories.

Could this be part of Obama's Back To Work Program?

Shocker: Some “Occupy” Protesters Being Paid


Rob Port • October 7, 2011

Unions regularly pay non-union people to picket for them, which is something I’ve always found kind of odd. If the unions are passionate about their issues, why don’t the workers protest themselves? And it’s a bit misleading. When most of us see protesters we assume that they’re people who believe in the slogans they’re chanting and writing on signs, not people who are only carrying the signs and chanting the slogans because they’re getting paid.

It’s a sort of astroturfing. Political operatives paying to create the appearance of grassroots activism in the absence of actual grassroots activism.

Now it appears as though some of the same thing has been going on at the “Occupy” protests. At least in one instance, anyway, but it’s an egregious one. Apparently the Hispanic protesters carrying the signs couldn’t even read the signs they were carrying.

A liberal organizer told the Daily Caller on Thursday afternoon that he paid some Hispanics to attend “Occupy DC” protests happening in the nation’s capital. …

One group of about ten Hispanic protesters marched behind a Caucasian individual from the DC Tenants Advocacy Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting rent control in Washington, D.C.

Asked why they were there, some Hispanic protesters holding up English protest signs could not articulate what their signs said.

Interviewed in Spanish, the protesters told conflicting stories about how their group was organized. Some said it was organized at their church, and that they were there as volunteers. Others, however, referred to the man from the DC Tenants Advocacy Coalition — the only Caucasian in the group — as their “boss.”

TheDC asked that organizer whether he was paying the group to attend the protest, and he conceded that some protesters “aren’t” volunteers.

I might feel differently about these protesters getting paid if they at least knew why it was they were protesting.

Of course, I’m not even very sure that the protesters at these events who aren’t getting paid know why they’re protesting beyond some vague sense of anger at “corporations” and “the rich,” etc., etc.

Nevada Club - 1956

For those who asked, and got a little more information. The blue shirt on the left is Jimmy Johnson, who was a floor boss or maybe sitting box on that crap table .
  In the middle is me, dealing craps. The gal in the  pink sweater is Bettye Johnson, dealing 21.
  I vaguely remember when this was taken, it was quite an ordeal, they got releases from many of the people and as you see, many had their backs to the camera and most are not recognizable.
  Probably taken October of 1956.

Thanksgiving 2010

Another one has rolled around. I am at the age where, when a holiday rolls around, I always have to wonder if I will be around for the next one. I don't make a big deal out of it, I just have to wonder if this is my last one. But then, now  another one is here.

It was always a big day in the Dooley household, but generally just our family, Mom, Dad, my brother and myself. Always a big turkey and all that goes with the meal, but not a lot of family. So, a lot of good memories, but nothing stands out from my "home" years, other than Mom's cooking and all her "seasonal" decorations. She loved nothing more than "family."

I don't think we had a "Black Friday" then, I think it was just the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I don't recall if it was a shopping day or not.

One that I really remember was in the late fifties, not sure which year.

I was working at the Primm in Reno, graveyard shift, 3AM till 11AM. There was a good crowd in town and we had a good night on the crap table. I remember Ernie Primm coming in, pulled up in front with his driver in his nice green Caddy, came in the club and had his morning drink, a Manhattan, which Dave always had waiting for him on the end of the bar.

He stopped by our table, said good morning, and asked how we had done. I told him we had a good night and he signaled to Dave, the bartender, to set us up after the shift. So, that's how I ended up at the bar after work. Old friend, Jimmy Jones was at the bar and we started talking, and some other "dealers" and others soon joined in on our conversation.

As I was leaving, I wished all a Happy Thanksgiving, inquired where they were having their "dinner."  Well, a lot of them were single and living in rooming houses or apartments, so they were eating in a restaurant somewhere. All dealers, all alone on Thanksgiving, all eating their traditional dinner in some casino dining room or at a counter. I had a few drinks by this time, well, a few more for dinner won't hurt. I invited them all, and their friends, apparently, to come to our place for  dinner. At least I had the presence  of mind to tell all to bring something, Dinner at 3, gave them the address, and left.

Before the day was over we had a crowd of people stop by, some for dinner, some for leftovers, and a few just to have a place to go. I think our first "seating" was about twelve, all away from home, all casino workers  which get a little hardened. I will never forget, we all sat down, a table full of food, (we had three turkeys, two were purchased from restaurants and brought) everyone brought something, Before we started eating, something was brought up about "Grace" and Jimmy Jones volunteered. I did not know it then, but he had started out as a Methodist minister, never knew the story, but, now a crap dealer in Reno.

Here sat a group of dealers. cocktail waitresses, 21 Dealers, a Wheel Dealer, one Floor Boss and one Boxman, one Crossroader, all people basically alone, sitting down to dinner, as a family, and Jimmy saying grace. It was a great moment for me.

I imagine that tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, that a few people will remember that day and think about it. I know I will.

Happy Thanksgiving to Jimmy, Donna, Thelma, Bettye, Danny, Doc, Buster, Wesley, Hoot, Joe, Jack, Mark, Fitz, Meta, Ernie and Don and all the others, mostly all gone now ........  hopefully they are all together, again ...............

Fotos..

The Masthead fotos ............................

On the left, my Grandaughter, Amanda, with my new Great Grandchild Brooklyn Jean Dilts.

On the other side, the corporate headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company here in Newark, Ohio. I met Dave Longaberger and spoke with him on a number of occasions, a very nice man. I watched this being constructed, very unique.

Tahoe, beautiful, and I worked up there in the 50's and early 60's, before it got so commercialized. It was rustic beauty, and in those days we had it to ourselves. A narrow two-lane ran around the lake.

I trained and worked for Lincoln Fitzgerald at the Nevada Club. He was an icon in the industry, ran a warm friendly casino, was innovative, and took good care of his employees. He and the Nevada Club are all gone now, a BIG part of Nevada history that has been forgotten.

The Reno Arch as it was in the 50's, walked under this many, many times.

THREE other blogs ...........

Thanks for asking .... I do have some other blogs but do not work on them as frequently .... here are three of them ...............

http://nevadaclubinreno.blogspot.com/

http://theprosonians.blogspot.com/

http://1st-response.blogspot.com/

Reno, Nevada

This is an old BLOG I put up quite a while ago, on another site. I have been getting response to it, but can't find the BLOG anymore, so, reprinting it here ......................

I first saw her in 1956, small town atmosphere, with some big town attractions. Harold's Club, a one of a kind, Pappy Smith, Harold, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Bill Harrah, Ernie Primm, Danny Fagan all are great memories, of a past that has been demolished, in most cases.

I don’t think I would want to visit Reno now, the small town is gone, freeways, mega casinos, it just would not be the same.

I used to walk to work on occasions, a few block walk down South Virginia, past the Riverside and the Mapes, next block, The Nevada Club, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Thelma Ganz. Bettye Johnson, Danny Fagan, Jimmy Jones, all friends or trainers, as I was learning to become a “dealer” or in those days we were called “clerks,” the only classification the IRS could find for us.

The days of keep your own tokes, put them in a drawer on the table, take a break, and take your tokes with you …………… no more ……………… the IRS wanted their share. Those were the days of $25 or $27.50 per shift, plus tokes, and they were great jobs. In the right spots, tokes could add up nicely.

Tokes were good at Harold's, female dealers, tight fitting western trousers, western shirts, cowboy boots …………… and ……………….. unheard of …………….. club policy, talk with the customers, explain the game to them, be friendly …………. unheard of in a casino. But it sure worked for the Smith family, largest in the state at that time, 7 floors, a gun collection, silver dollar bar, all sorts of attractions, a carnival atmosphere, but it worked.

Look at Vegas now, much grander scale, but what the Smith’s did way back then.


The Smith’s came from a carnival life, and added them to the casino, and won. And, they had fun doing it, and they believed in advertising, at that time, one of the most ambitious campaigns going. All over the world, “Harold’s Club or Bust.”

I saw Harold put the cover on a wheel, big game going on, students from the University of Nevada. They had a system ………… they were up to well over $120,000.00 (which was a ton of money in those days) …………… they started losing …………… when they got back to $100,000.00 Harold covered the table, closed the game, told them to quit …………. with their $100,000.00 not bad.

They finally lost it back in Vegas, but Harold got millions in advertising out of it. I was there the morning he put the cover on the table ………….. it was in every paper in the world …………. Nevada students win $100,000 at Harold's Club………… was Harold cagey or not?

All of the other clubs in Reno thrived off of Harold's advertising, they didn’t have to do much, Harold's was doing it all for them ……………… Harold’s Club made Reno, and the state of Nevada, what it is today ………… and the building was torn down, as was the Nevada Club ………….. now a plaza with benches and fountains ……….. all now, just a memory.

My first Celeb as a Dealer

I turned out as a crap dealer at the Nevada Club in 1956. The training period was intensive, much to learn, trained by other dealers, and after my 8 hour shift I was exhausted.
There are so many bets to learn, shortcuts to paying off, in those days, learning how to work with the silver dollars, that's right we used silver dollars in those day. Handling the silver was an art in itself. A hand full of about 25 dollars, using the index finger to "cut" off the right amount, silver in both hands, it took a lot of practice.
I trained for a few weeks with other dealers, learning, then eventually working with customers, and real money.
You not only learn to deal, but you learn to protect your table, everyone at the table is trying to take advantage of you, increase a bet, decrease it on a loser, distract you so they can do "something."
One of the first things I learned, and the most important, pay attention, learn each bet, where each stack is, on your end of the table, the size of the stack, and watch each bet.
As well as pay the right amount, don't drop the silver, there was a lot to learn.
I went in to work one weekday evening, 3 in the morning. We did all our training on the graveyard shift, 3am to 11pm. There weren't too many customers in the club, so Mark, my floor boss, had me relieve a dealer who was alone on a table.
I was standing behind the table, white on white french cuff shirt, gold cuff links, expensive tie, part of the dealers uniform, when I heard a very familiar voice, "Give me those dice, fella."
My first celebrity, Jimmy Durante.
He was playing the Riverside Hotel and had finished his last show and was doing some clubbing.
I gave the dice to him, he made his bet, threw them, not sure of how the game went, but for about fifteen minutes, it was just he and I at the table, bantering back and forth a little.
My first celeb, first of many during my years in Nevada .......... the good old days.
You didn't do too much kidding, or talking, money is money, the customer, regardless of who it is, wants to win money, so each customer, whether a celeb or not ... you just did your job.
But, I will never forget my first celebrity.
As I type this, close at hand, a pair of Nevada Club Dice, and two $20 Chesterfield Club checks. The checks date back to the 30's, used in Detroit in the "roaring" days, and then taken by Lincoln Fitzgerald to Reno, when he moved there and opened the Nevada Club.