Photo From Hana
Victoria Station News
September 5, 2007
Last Friday night, my partner Greta and I were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Greta held up a large envelope. "You received a package today from Hana, Hawaii. Looks like a photograph," she said.
My first thought was that my sisters, who had just been on vacation in Maui, had sent a photo of the two of them.
"Who's it from?" I asked.
"Someone with the initials KK."
"KK" didn't strike a bell. I thought, yikes, I hope one of the
Finding Love After 50 newsletter subscribers didn't send a picture of herself in a bikini or hula skirt. After all, as a newspaper columnist writing about love after 50, I'm amazed at the photos and emails women readers send me.I could tell Greta was as curious as I was. She asked if she could open it.
"It's from Kris!" she said excitedly.
Again, my reaction was that it was from my sister Chris, although she spells her name with a C.
At this point, I need to provide a little background.
In April, I read that Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny Cash, presented the Johnny Cash Visionary award during the CMT Awards show in Nashville to one of Johnny's closest friends.
Johnny and his family were friends of Victoria Station. Many of you had the pleasure of meeting Johnny and his family when he did our radio commercials for two years. He'd often visit our restaurants after concerts. I got to know Rosanne during that time.
Rosanne is quoted on the back cover of the Prime Rib book, and the man she presented the award to is included in the book. In fact, one of the songs he wrote, "Sunday Morning Coming Down," is the title of one of the chapters.
I contacted Rosanne and asked for his address, which she provided: Hana, Hawaii.
Four months ago I sent him a book and the following letter:
"Dear Kris:
"Rosanne Cash gave me your address.
"I wanted you to have a copy of this book. It's a memoir I wrote about Victoria Station, the restaurant chain that thrived in the 1970s. Your friend Johnny Cash did our radio commercials; he and June were friends of mine and are featured in the book.
"You are also in the book. John and June always spoke highly of you and I thought you'd enjoy hearing that from a person you've never met.
"Congratulations on all of your achievements, including being a Rhodes scholar. I admire your work. Your song,
Loving her was easier than anything I'll ever do, is one of my all-time favorites.
"I've owned a deli in Dana Point, California, called Tutor and Spunky's for 18 years. I would love an autographed picture of you for our deli wall. You'd be up there next to Johnny and June. It would mean a lot to me.
"Enjoy the book. It's in memory of Johnny."
Back to last Friday night. The autographed picture that was in the envelope came from the same Kris to whom I had sent the book. On Saturday, I mounted it on the deli wall-of-fame, alongside Johnny Cash's photo.
Handwritten on the picture: "Thanks Tom. Peace. Kris Kristofferson."
It's fun to realize that an incredible talent and busy person such as Kriss Kristofferson would take the time to read about our Victoria Station saga.
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