Superstar framed by trees on Killink

Superstar framed by trees on Killink

It is a very bitter sweet day at Killington. Skiing and Riding on the mountain are as good as it has been all season, if you ignore the fact that the number of operating lifts has been greatly reduced. It has been snowing constantly for the last week. Light and fluffy, keeping everything white. It looks like a major late season nor'easter will move into the area late Wednesday bringing a heavy snowfall over the area on Thursday. And the current Killington management team has announced that because ski conditions are so good, that they will re-open the Skye Ship Stage 2 and the Outer Limits lift at bear Mountain for skiing and riding on Friday. If you forget that this is mid April, you would think that the ski season was on an upswing. It has been a very wacky season. But then bitterness creeps in.

Upon returning to the inn this afternoon, Mary and I learned that Don Gray, a local Killington favorite musician who played with Frank Chase and the Bobby Darling Show past away after a fight with cancer.

Don Gray April 7, 1951 - April 9, 2007 from the Bobby Darling Show website.

Before moving to Killington full time, Mary and I spent many an evening in the Pickle Barrel Nightclub being entertained by the Bobby Darling Show. It was during an era when Killington had what seemed like hundreds of "Ski Houses", and everyone went to the Pickle Barrel for happy hour to see friends and begin the Saturday night party. Don was the drummer for the show. I don't think anyone who saw him can every forget "Little Ricky" and his impression of Mick Jagger singing "Satisfaction". I can still see the tee shirt and feathered boa to this day.

Don had genuine talent. He will be missed......so it goes!