Thursday, February 18 2010
Guess Who's Coming to Bottle
My friends at Coastal Winemakers had a surprise yesterday: Walter Gretzky dropped in to help bottle wine.
Left to right, Brad, Walter, Bert and Val
If you're not Canadian, and don't know who Walter Gretzky is, you're forgiven, but anyone who's ever been exposed to hockey will recognise that last name. Walter was in town to run with the torch for the Olympics. It turns out he has family in the area and dropped by to help bottle a batch of wine at Coastal. According to an email I got from Bert,
A true gentleman, he talked with our customers, posed for pictures with our staff and customers. What a highlight for us at Coastal Winemakers! Brought a little of the Olympic spirit to our staff and customers.
Bert notes that the local press showed up and was in time to get shots of Walter and the gang for the Friday edition.
Walter Gretzky's personal story is very interesting, and filled with challenges that might be boggling to some, but through it he seems to be down to earth. One of the stories surrounding the family is of the famous hockey rink he built in his back yard every winter, so that his future-famous son could practice, giving Wayne a leg up to becoming the best player in the history of the game. Walter says,
"It was for self-preservation. I got sick of taking him to the park and sitting there for hours freezing to death."
In a time when celebrities and sports figures are often seen as arrogant or self-involved it gives back a little faith in all of humankind when you meet someone who is genuine and humble. Nicely done Mr. Gretzky.
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