2001!!!

The year 2001 has been an emotional and virtual roller coaster for my wife, Nancy, and me.

The year started with our 30th anniversary on January 9th and then the sad news that Nancy had contracted breast cancer and that she would require surgery. This all came as a shock, as it was only four days before my scheduled trip to the Cauliflower Alley Club Convention in Las Vegas in February. Nancy urged me to make the trip, as she knew how much my wrestling family meant to me and how much I wanted to see them again.

Nancy was operated on at St. Luke's Hospital on February 21 and came through surgery with flying colors. As she was in her recovery process, you could feel the concern as over 200 cards, flowers and letters started flooding her room. Released a few days later, she returned home with me and our daughter, Teri, to begin the healing process.

As I opened e-mails, there was an outpouring of LOVE and strong words of encouragement from not only my readers of this column but also from family members and fellow employees at Gordon Food Service, where Nancy has worked for over 12 years.

Wrestling families from around the world sent flowers, cards and e-mails as well. You just never know how much you mean to others until that moment arises. We are deeply grateful, and I hope to be at the CAC to personally thank everyone.

June saw Juan Hernandez, Chief Paul Farber and me go to Newton, Iowa for the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. I had a chance to hobnob with the elite of our business, including Danny Hodge, Lou Thesz, Dick Hutton, Verne Gagne, Baron Von Raschke and Tim Woods, just to name a few.

In October, I was very fortunate to be able travel to Peotone, Illinois and be a part of a huge fundraiser for Championship International Wrestling. I had the privilege to be a part of the color commentary team for their television tapings and also had the pleasure of doing a couple of "Meeting with the Legends" with Moose Cholak and Juan Hernandez. Buddy Roberts of the Fabulous Freebirds was also in attendance, along with a great all-star supporting card.

December has brought both Nancy and me an even greater gift. I just passed the five-year anniversary with the company that I am a design engineer for. I am very fortunate to have understanding supervisors and a good work team to be associated with. We had our annual Christmas party and dinner on December 1 at a local Holiday Inn.

Nancy, on the other hand, walked away with ALL THE GOLD this year for her company, Gordon Food Service. On December 2, at one of 85 holiday parties held in a four-state region, Nancy and her store crew walked away with top honors for the year. The store won runner-up in contest for the 4th quarter out of 25 stores in the Eastern Region. They had placed first in two previous quarters, but this is not all ... They were awarded the Store of the Year for the Eastern Region. What a rush, being there and seeing the look on their faces when they were announced as winners. All the employees received a bonus check for both honors.

Next came the award for the Associate of the Year. Nancy was named for this honor and got a nice crystal trophy with her name engraved for her efforts, along with flowers and another bonus check. The evening was getting better yet, as they announced the winner of the Gold Club. This is an elite group of people that are chosen from over 2000 employees in a 25-store group. That person has exceeded expectations and goals set forth by corporate standards and surpassed the extra mile asked for.

I am happy to announce that Nancy was named to this Gold Club for the second time. She got another bouquet of yellow roses and, you guessed it, another check. Success comes in many shapes and sizes and is only exemplified by the company that you keep. I am so proud of her ... but the story goes on....

On December 8th, we were invited to Grand Rapids, Michigan to the Gordon Foods annual Market Place meeting. Nancy, for her efforts, was given a suite at the Amway Grand Plaza. It is a five-star hotel with all the amenities of world class at it's calling. Gordon Foods certainly knows how to pamper their best. Our suite was on the 21st floor overlooking the Grand River.

During the start of our dinner party, one of many given in the hotel ballrooms, more honors were bestowed on employees. Five- and 10-year anniversary length of service awards were given. Then came Store of the Year Awards, passed out to the four top stores in each region. They then honored the four Gold Club Members from each region and brought us up on stage to be applauded. Nancy and I took our spots among the other winners and spouses.

During that part of the ceremony, they announced a trip winner, as Person of the Year, to go to the Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. The odds of getting the top prize are 1-10,000. Of the four Gold Club Members on stage, Nancy was named for the trip with the Gordon Family to Utah in February.

I can't begin to tell you what an emotional outbreak there was when they announced her name. Tears were flowing and smiles were plentiful from all the corporate executives and guests in the ballroom that applauded her for her efforts and all that she had been through this year.

But the story isn't over yet...

Following a wonderful five-course dinner that would make Emeril Lagasse blush, we were whisked away from the Grand Amway Ballroom by motor coach to the Van Andel Arena about three blocks away. Nancy and I were taken to VIP front row seating on the arena floor and waited with baited breath to see who would be the major star performing for Gordon Foods.

We were called on stage by the Gordon Family to be with the other winners from other segments of the company. As a group, we were given a standing ovation by over 5000 attending members. My knees were shaking and a small tear raced down my cheek, as I could no longer hold back the emotion that had been held within me. We returned to our seats, and the show began.

Rumors had been flying all day of who the entertainer would be, but as he came on the stage, he got exactly what he deserved … a standing ovation from all in the building. Kenny Rogers had come to Grand Rapids to be a part of our Christmas Party.

Kenny did a lot of our favorites, including "The Gambler," "Lucille," "Islands in the Stream," "Coward of the County," "Lady," "Daytime Friends," and many more. He ended the program by coming out and shaking hands with the Gordon Family and then turning to the VIP section and coming to us. You can bet your life I took advantage of shaking the hand of a guy that I have admired for many years … and what a grip he has.

Returning home on Sunday morning, we couldn't help but wonder if this weekend and the past 10 days have only been just a gigantic dream. I guess the reality will set in when we board the plane for Salt Lake City in February for the Olympics.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers