The Garlic Guy is Gone, Farmers' Market Loses Another Old-Timer

He made much more of a splash, both figuratively and literally, in death than he did in life. Until I saw his obituary in the Sunday paper, I did not make the connection between the person who died on his ice boat on Lake Monona and the long-time vendor of braided strings of garlic at the Madison Farmers' Market.

William "Tad" Gedko was both the guy at the Farmers' Market, whose name I never knew, but from whom I yearly bought a long string of garlic heads to hang in the kitchen; and the avid sailor and ice boater who apparently died of a heart attack before his ice boat went through thin ice leaving his body far from shore on the only partially frozen Lake Monona. A much-publicized rescue attempt ensued, causing Tad to finally get his fifteen minutes of fame, a bit too late for him to enjoy it.

Thanks for all the great garlic Tad, sorry I won't be seeing you on the west side of the square, selling it, any more.

No more Big Cheesies?

Another main-stay of downtown Madison has passed from the scene. Miles Allen, owner/operator of Myles' Teddie Wedgers at the corner of State Street and the Square died of cancer on Friday. He was 64 years old and preparing to retire, according to reports.

My addiction to teddie wedgers is well know within my family. It is an addiction I have passed down to the next generation. Please, please let there be a Myles Junior to carry on!

I apologize to my one follower and any other random readers for turning this blog into an obituary column, but I guess I've reached that age at which my friends and acquaintances are dropping like flies!

Poor Miles! Another case of a man who works hard his whole life and dies in his early to mid 60's before collecting a penny of Social Security. How can the Social Security Trust Fund be going broke when so many men die of heart attacks, cancer and the like in their early to mid 60's without collecting a dime?