DA BOYS

 Well, once again the "old boys" got together for lunch and a special "so long".

But there was a difference this time.

A couple of days before, I came down with an intestinal "bug" and didn't feel I could leave the house.

Our previous gatherings had been held at the Rock Springs Cafe (aka The Pie Place) that I had selected because it was (theoretically) halfway between me in Prescott Valley and the rest of the gang all in Greater Phoenix.

Since I was out for today's gathering they were free to hold it in the Valley of the Sun this time.

So at a restaurant in North Phoenix this crowd gathered today to eat, drink, lie, laugh and bid a fond farewell to The Legend: Lew Ruggiero.

Left to right, they are Rick DeBruhl, Wally Athey, Lew Ruggiero, Steve Torbeck, Al Macias, Roger Ball and Chuck Emmert.

What's with all that grey hair, you're asking?

It comes from the intensity with which they all did their jobs at the same television station.

Well, okay, it comes with age, too.

The alums all departed KPNX for greener pastures at differing times in the past.

Some in the distant past.

Now about Lovely Lew.

After 45 years enjoying Arizona's healthy sunshine, he and his wife are moving back to California to be closer to his kids and grandkids.

He will be missed by this gang, by many other co-workers, by nefarious outlaws and scofflaws, and by all who have stood in his shadow and marveled at his deeds, this writer for example.

'Course, he will also be thought kindly of by the owners and workers at numerous 7-Eleven stores who, in his honor, could have coined the slogan: A Slurpee (or two) a day keeps the bad guys away!

Happy landings, Lew.