Danny Sotomayor

On February 5, 1992, Danny Sotomayor died from complications due to AIDS at Illinois Masonic Hospital, in Chicago.  He was 33 years old.  Danny was a gifted political cartoonist and an outspoken AIDS activist often making the news with his confrontations with then Mayor Richard M. Daley.

On a personal note, during the pre-AIDS days, Danny lived down the block from me and my family.  On occasion he would watch my sons Jason and Dan Klingler for short periods of time.  Dan Klingler was too young to remember, and Jason Klingler doesn't remember Danny Sotomayor either, but he sure does remember Danny's parrot, George, a vividly colored green winged macaw.

Danny, you were fearless!  You will always be remembered!

George Hester, Dean Ogren and his new BFF, Steve Kent IML2014

Just received this photo from Dean Ogren.

George Hester (r), Steve Kent, and Dean Ogren (l)

Very nice, Dean.  I certainly approve!

Steve Johnson

Steve was a wonderful man who volunteered his time as an IML Contestant Handler on my staff for many years.  He would give me one of his huge t-shirts at the end of IML which I could wear as a nightshirt.
Steve recently died.

Orphan boys resting place Alford, Hester, Ogren

Danny Alford, George Hester, and Dean Ogren, picture taken by Frank Nowicki, during a trip to New Orleans.

Danny Alford (l), George Hester, and Dean Ogren (r).

How perfect!!

Lenny Broburg & Frank Nowicki

Lenny Broburg and Frank Nowicki

Guy Baldwin and Walter Klingler May 2002

Walter Klingler and Guy Baldwin at IML 2002.

Dean Ogren, Jim Dohr, and Jeff Wallace movie night 1995

Every so often, I would host a movie night - usually some classic or cult movie which was very familiar to everyone.  Sometimes as many as ten people would show up for drinks and a chance to either recite lines from, or make fun of whichever movie was being shown.

These pics look like an early start to a movie night, in 1995.

It's possible that the movie was Sunset Boulevard since Dean Ogren looks like Norma Desmond about to say "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up", Jim Dohr is looking as serious as  Max Von Myerling, and Jeff Wallace appears to be an upside-down version of Joe Gillis floating in the swimming pool.