A Birthday Today for Dwayne Kling

As many of you know, a period of time in my lifeline was spent in Reno, Nevada, working in the casinos, in the 50's. I received a phone call on one occasion, after writing a blog on Reno, from a Jerry Garrity, who was a Realtor, but had a great love for Nevada history. We talked for quite a while, and in a few days I received some books in the mail, that he had sent.

I turned out as a dealer in the mid 50's, a long time ago, not too many left, so I was thrilled to get his call, and even more so to get the books. And then, a real thrill for me, I got a phone call from Dwayne Kling, the author of the books, an ex dealer, published author, historian, and to me, an ICON .... of Nevada and Casino history.

I have had a few conversations with Dwayne since, and treasure his friendship.

Unfortunately, Mr. Garrity has passed on. I remember on one occasions, he was on his way somewhere, called me, and we chatted for quite some time on the phone. I am somewhat "rare" .... a dealer, who "turned out" in the 50's, worked for Lincoln Fitzerald and Ernie Primm, and knew of some of the "old timers" in the "old" casino industry. Basically, Nevada was in its infancy then. In Reno, I understand, there is nothing remaining of the Old Days, so Dwayne is the "voice" of Nevada casino history.

A Happy Birthday to you, Mr. Kling, I am honored to consider you a friend ......................

Dwayne Kling: Luck is the Residue of Design

The Rise of the Biggest Little City

PS ... I have one friend left, from my Navy days, Ernie Moody, who lives in California.
I have one friend from my Nevada days, Dwayne Kling

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.

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.