The Day Frank Kelley Came to Town
James Donahue’s Diary
There had been a big political rally at Fidelman’s Resort at South Haven and Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley was the guest speaker. I covered the event, rushed home to write my story, and then Doris and I responded to an invitation to join guests gathering at Mayor Glenn Sperry’s house to receive Mr. Kelley.
It was a gala affair with members of the City Council, industrial and business leaders, and anybody who was anybody in South Haven in attendance. Doris and I felt honored to be among the guests at such an affair. The only problem was that Mr. Kelley had not yet made his appearance.
The liquor was flowing freely, and snacks were available at a table along one side of the room. As the time passed everybody at the party had one, then two, and then three drinks. It was not long before voices were getting louder as guests began feeling the effects of the liquor. Soon my wife and I were having a grand old time with the most influential citizens in the community.
Suddenly the room went still when the state’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Frank Kelley, entered the party. He made it a point to shake everybody’s hand. Kelly had a way of making people feel at ease around him. That was probably why he was consistently re-elected to office for many years in a row.
That night Mr. Kelley found himself in a room filled with inebriated people. And the embarrassing moment came when someone offered him a glass of campaign. He said: “No thanks, I don’t drink.”
I still find humor in that moment. In just five words Frank Kelley put the brakes on what was starting out to be one heck of an interesting drinking party.
James Donahue’s Diary
There had been a big political rally at Fidelman’s Resort at South Haven and Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley was the guest speaker. I covered the event, rushed home to write my story, and then Doris and I responded to an invitation to join guests gathering at Mayor Glenn Sperry’s house to receive Mr. Kelley.
It was a gala affair with members of the City Council, industrial and business leaders, and anybody who was anybody in South Haven in attendance. Doris and I felt honored to be among the guests at such an affair. The only problem was that Mr. Kelley had not yet made his appearance.
The liquor was flowing freely, and snacks were available at a table along one side of the room. As the time passed everybody at the party had one, then two, and then three drinks. It was not long before voices were getting louder as guests began feeling the effects of the liquor. Soon my wife and I were having a grand old time with the most influential citizens in the community.
Suddenly the room went still when the state’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Frank Kelley, entered the party. He made it a point to shake everybody’s hand. Kelly had a way of making people feel at ease around him. That was probably why he was consistently re-elected to office for many years in a row.
That night Mr. Kelley found himself in a room filled with inebriated people. And the embarrassing moment came when someone offered him a glass of campaign. He said: “No thanks, I don’t drink.”
I still find humor in that moment. In just five words Frank Kelley put the brakes on what was starting out to be one heck of an interesting drinking party.