My dear friend, the much loved sculptor, Sonny Dalton, of Mattawan, MI, may have participated in his last art fair. If you remember his smiling face at the art fairs, have admired his quirky sculptures and been impressed with his vision, you undoubtedly also have taken one or more of them home with you. Sonny was seduced by the lure of a life that enabled him to create every day. Leaving a secure job at GM behind a long time ago he has been exhibiting his work around the country since the 1970's.
Now the bad part: last Monday (February 23) Sonny visited a pulmonologist who immediately hooked him up to an oxygen tank. The decades of welding have not been good to his lungs, a fair amount of scar tissue is impairing his breathing. At this
time he is on the oxygen 24 hours a day. The jury is still out on how long this is going to be the case, but I'm sure you can understand that an oxygen tank and a welding torch do not mix well. Do you know Sonny? I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. Cards, love notes, flowers, chocolate chip cookies, good jokes, kisses and other tokens of affection and admiration are welcome at: 26610 Red Arrow Highway, Mattawan, MI, 49071. Or:
rsdalton@aol.com Do you have stories about Sonny to share? Please add them below.
Dear Sweet Connie....aren't you SPECIAL! Thank-you for your concern about Sonny...
just a couple of week's ago we were talking and he said to me.." Isn't it strange, when you're not out on the circuit showing,nobody remember's who you are." Not true, since
your article, he has received many cards, phone call's and e-mails. You'll never know how much that has meant to both of us and perhaps given some hope that maybe he'll
be able to do at least one or two more shows and see all our friend's we've made over
the past 39 1/2 year's. It has been a fun and rewarding lifestyle to say the least. Thank-you to all , we love you..........Sonny & Roxie D.
Hey Jan I think you are on to something. Sonny has figured a good way out. An island, a tank, what more could you want? . I am in for a group buy on those tanks (with the special additives) Sonny , as always, it has been a real pleasure being at shows with you and knowing you. Mike Barnes
Sonny, Sonny, Sonny. You can't fool an old dog like me with your I NEED OXYGEN GET OUT OF WORK QUICK SCHEME--I know you only too well and I'm not buying it. Are you sure that your problems are from welding smoke, or could it be some other sort of more esoterically oriented smoke? Sonny, Sonny, Sonny. That's probably not an oxygen tank, but one of those that makes you sound like Donald Duck when you inhale it--you know, the stuff they blow up balloons with. Now that I think about it, I think you might be on to something. I've been doing shows almost as long as you have--you know that. We go back a long time my friend. I think I'll go blow some Welding Smoke, quit my job (doing shows) and join you on that tropical island beach hide-away that I think you've got lined up. We can both sit on the beach and swap lies and dirty jokes and make fun of all the other artists still working and pounding the pavement. Yes Sonny, I think you've got it figured out my dear friend, and perhaps I'll join you on that beach one day soon. Love ya old pal. Big hug to Roxie for me. Jan Kaulins
We met Sonny & Roxie YEARS ago (early '80s) when we were doing shows in NY & the midwest and always looked forward to seeing them again and hearing their latest news.
Probably about 1987, we were zipping up I-75 in Georgia and saw Sonny's truck. We flagged him down and chatted at the side of the road for 15 minutes or so. He'd been in Florida doing shows and was headed home. The next time we were in Miami during Coconut Grove weekend, it seems to me that Sonny had had a heart attack and someone else was with his booth. That side-of-the-road visit may have been the last time we've seen him; but oh! we have fond, fond memories of him and Roxie!
Sonny, we love you and wish you many more happy days. Bill & Camille Ronay
Comments
just a couple of week's ago we were talking and he said to me.." Isn't it strange, when you're not out on the circuit showing,nobody remember's who you are." Not true, since
your article, he has received many cards, phone call's and e-mails. You'll never know how much that has meant to both of us and perhaps given some hope that maybe he'll
be able to do at least one or two more shows and see all our friend's we've made over
the past 39 1/2 year's. It has been a fun and rewarding lifestyle to say the least. Thank-you to all , we love you..........Sonny & Roxie D.
Probably about 1987, we were zipping up I-75 in Georgia and saw Sonny's truck. We flagged him down and chatted at the side of the road for 15 minutes or so. He'd been in Florida doing shows and was headed home. The next time we were in Miami during Coconut Grove weekend, it seems to me that Sonny had had a heart attack and someone else was with his booth. That side-of-the-road visit may have been the last time we've seen him; but oh! we have fond, fond memories of him and Roxie!
Sonny, we love you and wish you many more happy days. Bill & Camille Ronay