IRB Cultural Preservation Society™

 

The Indian Rocks Beach Cultural Preservation Society™ originated in the late 20th Century as the Indian Rocks Beach Drinking Team (IRBDT). A group of locals banded together in IRB's "Little Joe's of San Francisco," under the slogan "drinking is a team sport." Three of the founding partners, Chief Tom Hatton (KXFD, 2nd Lt. Robert Lagarski (USA), and Chiefcrazyhorse were Knighted by famed treasure hunter Mel Fisher "to go forth from Key West to the mainland and proclaim the Conch Republic a "Free State of Mind." Other legendary Key West characters Captain Tony and Love 22 have journeyed to IRB in support of building this Democracy of the Mind on the mainland. Like Tony said to Buffett, "And there's still so much to be done Jimmy!"

The IRB Cultural Preservation Society is not about architecture but about preserving the character, and the characters of the beach! So many of our Tribal Elders listed at our Virtual GraveSide below have achieved their Mahasamahdi over the past several years.  Some would say they are not gone, nor are they unremembered. Here is George remembering Chico, and now we remember George, who passed on 11-13-08. A month later Pete too. That's him showing off one of his legendary fish "tales." I should mention that ocassionally these links malfunction but an annoying thing is that somehow somebody, website or hacker, has figured away to slip a page in between the link and the picture, so you have go back and re-select the link. . If you spot any broken links, you can do a favor by reporting it to Email@IRBCPS.org.

 

The Blue Marlin Fades to Black

On Jan 10, 2014 , Tom Zack and Jimmy Moscado passed away. On Dec. 2, 2014, New York Debbie Driver had her Mahasamdhi. She choose "One Toke Over The Line Sweet Jesus" as her Requiem Hymn. Then on May 2nd 2015 Bob Lagarski (a founding member of IRBDT) "took the Journey" as did NYDeb. He was 62.

A teacher of mine, Dr.Helen Schucman, Psychology Professor at Columbia University, wrote an inspired little pamphlet "Song of Prayer" in which she described prayer as a "ladder" we learn to climb. A ladder of communication with our Larger Self. As I added Tom's, Jimmy's & Deb's names to the growing list of souls planted in the virtual gravesite below, it occurred to me that each was a personal (really transpersonal) rung for me on that ladder! At times it seemed it might have been a 12 Step-ladder. Other times, a two step ladder, against the wrong wall. But with Tom's & Jim's mahasamdhi, it brought a moment of clarity, that this ladder stretches endlessly to Everything. Gud is the word we use for Everything here on IRB.

Each of these dear souls, these Onederful neighbors, has served love well; to recall for us that the attraction of love for love remains irresistible. Or as Chico would often say more simply, "One Beach, One Family."

Each soul is a rung on the ladder that from this height looks like my "storied" life, but it is a shared ladder and a shared beach life of precious value. Whoever said "love thy neighbor as thyself" meant because he is yourself; you well understand looking down from a three story ladder; as Tom & Jimmy acutely demonstrated for us on a Friday too.

 

GOOD NIGHT IRENE, THE KIDS GREW SO FAST

It also occurs to me, that if I want my name to add another rung, (or anybody else's like stroke survivor, Gary Mortin) I better do it myself, now. On June 12th '09, in my 65th Spring, Chuck (chiefcrazyhorse) Boyle, died for two hours of tick-tock time, So, I do qualify as did Lazarus (allowing however that I did not "stinkith") but neither was the sand in his sandals, Beach Sand. Yet the brief bliss of that encounter of the Peace of Gud remains with me indeliblely, as does each soul noted here, for the function of love, is to unite all things unto Itself, and hence we are One in the Infinite Now, stretching that ladder endlessly! "Gud is but love, and therefore so are you," along with our brothers and sisters of the IRB Sands.

I'm also adding John Mahon "prehumously" (Actor/Author-Search AMAZON- of "A Life of Make Believe") as another rung on the ladder as his life story inspires me strongly writing this. John was my Roommate while at Columbia in NYC for two years.

Again Thank you Tom and Jimmy and NY Debbie for your extra leg up the ladder! What looks like darkness in your absence now, is only the ancient memory you bring to Mind of the dream that love could ever possibly separate from Itself. In your peace sur-passing understanding, do I feel you now. Thoughts of you guys on IRB will always bring me back to the Infinite Now, where you RIP. "BUDDHACIM"

 

 

 

As you will notice, lots of folks don't have last names on the beach. We hope to be able link a picture to all these names on this site. Further more, we plan to eventually develop this site as a "Virtual Graveside" for our departed friends and neighbors, since only one person named below is actually in the ground locally. Most are in our hearts and the breezes, water and sand of IRB. To this we hope to add videos. Mustang Jerry has agreed to do a pilot for this project. And yes, Virginia, we will have a pet section; starting with my "Ole Buddy," OB, O'Brien! and I must mention my granddaughter dog, gone now too (2011) MISSY!

 (CHECK BACK OFTEN--WORK IN PROGRESS)

 

Beach Betty Tom Mahon Mary Jo Canadian Brian Jim Kessler Irene Boyle Le Fleur Denny Windrush Marilyn Chico Perry Captain Tony Pete Grady Doc Randy Snodgrass Tom Zack Danny Kern

Bug Man Steve Beer Can Dave Old Richard Grumpy Tom Lil Joes's Wayne John Woolery Jeannie Smith Tom Morgan Ron Willet Roger Gore Pete Conner Huggie Frenchie Bon Durant Dick Schaal Dave Greenway

Captain Bud Shep Big Dick Jim and Pat Red Lion Val Mayor Howard Doug's Denise Patrick Marriott Colon Racey Attorney Jim Canadian George Big George Bogart Jimmy Moscato New York Debbie Bob Lagarski

 

Link to CCH Pages

Link to Photosite

 

"Age Quod Agis" in the IRBCPS™ logo means keep doing what you are doing.  Hence the preservation in Cultural Preservation Society. Change is a constant here on the beach, as everywhere; perhaps more accelerated and synergistic. No one likes change except a baby. But everything and everyone on IRB is connected by the sand that got into our sandals when we came here to stay.  The live and let live attitude of the beach community has allowed for a diversity that enriches the quality of our coastal lifestyle.  In almost two decades of locally driven evolution the IRBDT has  assimilated various influences from Canadians, Michiganders, Vols, Red Sox'ers, and Yankee fans.  I'm not sure about the Patriot folks however. They want to win all the time.

IRBDT is a drinking team, not a club!  There's a big difference.  G. David Howard (Brewmasters) has described IRB as "a quiet drinking village with a fishing problem."   The club belongs to the Fishermen, and they sit at one table.  Yet, the nautical influences are strong in both the Team, and the Club.  Here's a picture of me with two boat buddies.  Another slogan we sing is better to have a buddy with a boat than a boat.  Canadian Brian is on the right.  Minnetonka Pat is on the left.

 

 

 

The building boom impacted the fabric of our small community; restaurants, motels and Mom and Pop operations have been bull-dozed for more and more Condo's. And just when the building boom ceased, we have lost another "institution" of the beach. Crabby Bill's Blue Marlin Sports Bar; Home Office of the IRBCPS. Meeting place of "Adventurers" as the former "Clubhouse" and "Red Brick" to Captains, crews, and clients of our Island's charter fishermen. Our "Town Hall"; site of weddings and funerals and birthday parties. Catch the You Tube Video The Blue Marlin Fades to Black"<-click-<<<) Also check out "A Sunday at JDs";. Note here, the notes are sung by Michael McCloud of Key West, but Mark Mann is pictured in the video.

 

 

Boxing Day 12-26-95

 

My son's project car 1974 Datsun Z 260

 

HAS SPOKEN

Beach Betty Tom Mahon Mary Jo Canadian Brian Jim Kessler Irene Boyle Le Fleur Denny Windrush Marilyn Chico Perry Captain Tony Tom Zack Jimmy Moscato

Bug Man Steve Beer Can Dave Old Richard Grumpy Tom Lil Joes's Wayne John Woolery Jeannie Smith Tom Morgan Ron Willet Huggie Frenchy Bon Durant Roger Gore Pete Conner Pete Grady

Captain Bud Shep Big Dick Jim and Pat Red Lion Val Mayor Howard Doug's Denise Patrick Marriott Attorney Jim NY Debbie Driver Doc Randy