Ken Applegate was 80 years old yesterday…. Wow!

Ken, of course, waas once a famous guy in his own right.  Now he is known as Libby Applegate ‘s husband.   Libby is one of the origninators of Seal Beach Founder’s Day  celebration last year.  Go to  http://sbfoundersday.wordpress.com/author/sbfoundersday/ or http://sbfoundersday.wordpress.com/

I remember when I first met Kenny.  In the late 50’s. I bought my first MG TC from his pal Don McNab.  I dropped Don off at a local Naples watering hole called “The Sail Inn.” (Now known as the Naples Rib Company- where Libby and Ken went for his Birthday Dinner last night.)

They returned home to find 20 friends waiting for them.  A little surprise for Mr. Applegate.

Ken had a summer job behind the bar. I was so happy with that TC …. And knew next to nothing about MG’s.  Ken looked at McNab and said,  “So you finally found someone to take it off your hands..”   He looked at me and said “Here you go pal,  I’ll give you a beer so it won’t be a total loss!”

Ken was my introduction to what turned out to be a wonderful group of guys in Belmont Shore and Seal Beach.  Mike Murray, Bob ‘Ole’ Olson, Ken Able, Russ Jordan, Chi Kredell, Joe Riddick,  Del Smith, Steeve Tucker , Mickey Munoz and , of course, his brother Robin.

Ken was a great beach volleyball player.  Russ Jordan would set and Applegate would disprove the old adage that ‘white men can’t jump.’  He was a gazelle.  Also a pretty good ping-pong player.  He and Able both beat me playing with a pie tin….and I had a paddle.

Now he’s entered the beginning of the Golden Years…the 80’s along with his buddies, Able and Ole. Ole still surfs the reef in Maui EVERY DAY and Able can still beat me in ping pong with a pie tin!

Is this a great life  we live in Seal Beach or what?

Happy Birthday Kenny!