Babyboomers.com

We lost Art Linkletter this week … that lovable icon of the Baby Boom generation. My mom would have his show on every afternoon when we got home from school and it was a ritual to watch and laugh along with the guests. And although Art knew a lot of famous people, he ‘House Partied’ it up with the non-famous members of his audience.

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of working on a fundraiser/birthday celebration (his 95th) for Mr. Art Linkletter to benefit a nonprofit client of my company’s. Art was a long-time supporter of the cause and graciously agreed to the event in his honor.

A number of his friends, including Larry King, were honorary hosts. I heard a story that Art was such a great guest that if Larry King had someone cancel at the last minute, he’d pick up the phone and call Art. Larry King was kind enough to share video from these interviews, and, working with a great editor, we created a tribute to introduce Art at the event.

As part of my pre-production research, I watched several of his Kids Say the Darndest Things videos with my grandsons then aged 8 and 10. These oh-so-sophisticated 21st century boys related to the program pretty much the same way we did at their ages … it was a wonderful shared moment and several of the scenes we watched went into our tribute video.

I’m including this photo (it sits on a bookcase in my office) taken at the event, which was a most memorable occasion for me. I sat at the same table with the Linkletters … the bonus for me was Art’s wife Lois who is absolutely charming and graciously talked with me throughout the dinner. My colleague Rosy de Sanctus (our gorgeous West Coast event liaison who knows how to make almost anything happen) and I are standing behind Lois and Art.

And finally, if you would like to take a look at the video dedicated to a lovely gentleman who celebrated “everyday people,” you may access it via YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJGVn_bcQc) or the Boomerlicious Lifestyles Facebook fan page.