One thing in particular, that Pete and I agreed on, is the use of certain "quantifying" phrases that are all-too-frequently used - so I'll be careful here. I won't say that "Everybody knew Pete." And I won't say, "Most people knew Pete". And although both Pete and I would have objected to anyone else saying it at any given time, I think I can easily get way with it here: A LOT of people knew Pete.

Our webstats show that Pete's page is the #1 draw now, of the 300+ daily visitors and 6,000+ daily hits.

The Club Office has received numerous calls and emails offering support, condolence, sympathy and suggestion for honoring Pete's memory.

It's a big project, by anyone's standard. Pete wore the biggest shoes around here. He had his hands in everything. He breathed Cleveland Darter Club. If you played darts in "his" Club, he loved you. He might have sworn at you now and then, but then he'd turn and defend you from anyone else who swore at you. It was one of those "brotherly" kind of relationships, I think. Perhaps fatherly. I don't know - I haven't really thought about it until just now and I'm going to spare you from delving deeper.

In the meantime, so that EVERYONE can share their ideas, and expound on ideas of others, this topic is here. Emails and voice suggestions that I receive will be posted here. I think anyone and everyone who knew and loved Pete should be able to have a say on how The Cleveland Darter Club chooses to memorialize his legacy. There have been some excellent suggestions, already. I will do my best to get them recorded here as soon as I possibly can. I encourage you to do the same.

If you have stories or memories that you wish to share, please feel free to post them here. Eventually we'll get them moved and archived to a more permanent place - probably the OT Forum.

thank you.

The first suggestion to come in, from several Members almost simultaneously, was the honor Pete with his name on the Golf Outing. When someone here gets a chance we'll move that thread into this topic area.

Because I'm pressed for time right now, and want to get this up and available for everyone, I've posted a verbatim email that I sent last night to our board of directors. They are, ultimately, the people who will decide what shall be done. I'd paste it in here but I know some people have trouble sending a link to the forum and they may want to send that email around. There's an extensive list of people that I don't know about who are in on this, I'm finding out.

The email is
HERE.

You can post any feedback in this forum topic. Just hit REPLY at the bottom of this window.
thanks.

I have known Pete Smolleck for almost 20 years. Pete's heart was always in the right place when it came to the Cleveland Darter Club. Pete's accomplishments will stand for many years to come and we can all learn from them. Pete caring and innovation is the reason that the CDC is the fine club that it is today. Whenever you are out there in the darting world, take a silent moment or a beverage moment with a friend and toast a great man. He will be missed!!!!

Gerald Hessler, Past President
85-0876

Hi my name is Ricky Betler i have know Pete for 20 years, i was 12 years old when i met Pete i was with my dad on a tuesday night in the summer we met at a dart match i can remeber Pete asking my dad(Kevin Betler) if he wanted to go and check the tire pressure on his car!(LOL) ever since than Pete has been in my life i will miss you Pete you were ALLWAYS THERE FOR MY FAMILY!!!!!! you will be in are hearts for ever. Just show the people up there how to stroke a prefect dart and a borad meeting and you will be fine. Your Friend Ricky Betler


92-0262
Ricky Betler-past president
monday leauge dir.

hi my name is jon london and i have known pete for about 12 years. we often didnt see eye to ey on things but he always put the club first. i played on his monday team a couple of seasons ago and we had some pretty interesting conversations. he was not the best darter in the world but he loved to play and played every game right to the end. i was not the sort to get involved in the political side of the club like pete but i know he loved being president of this very special club to him. i will miss pete smolleck as will everyone else. this club has lost one of its all-time great leaders.
please post the funeral information as soon as it becomes available.
my thoughts and prayers go out to all petes family and friends.
may god bless pete smolleck!!!!!
james "thebigdog" london
90-0278
:huh: :huh: :huh:

The Big Kahuna Day

Hi, my name is Tania Gheen (French), and I just wanted to say that I am sorry to hear about Pete. I used to be in charge of the Fundraisers for the C.D.C. many many moons ago, and Pete and I have butted heads several times. But he was a good man, just a little demanding at times..... I just want to send all the Love and Peace to his family and freinds.

Tania Gheen ( French)

Hello, To most darters you would know me as the D J for a lot of events in the past. (ie. summer picnics, rock-n-roll tournamennts,) however, my family has known Pete since the 60's. My brother went to school with him. Pete has done alot of things in the past. always helping someone or teaching kids in the neiborhood sports. as far as I can remember he has done great things for the good. As i got older, Pete got us to start a dart team in 1980. it was a lot of fun then ,untill the new drunk driving law came about. (LOL) Pete had his moody times when he would be mad at you, for a year. but he always forgot about it and friends you were again. When ever Pete ask us for help, we did our best to help him. There are too many fun stories that we had with Pete from beach parties to dart parties and more. Since he moved to his trailer out east we kind of drifted apart but we still said hello when we met. Pete will be missed by our family and friends. And I will absolutly toast to him. GOODBYE TO MY BIG KAHUNA FRIEND !!!

PS We always played a game called ( I got you last) with your middle finger, I wonder who was the winner????

Jim Myers CDC #1793

Hi, this is Karen Kus writing to say thank you, one and all for everything you did to help on saturday. I thought it was a very special day and everyone had fun. I know I saw people with cameras so I hope I get to see the pictures. I know I can't list everyone here by name but to the set-up/tear down crew, my tournament crew, the food set-up/teardown crew, the zone car lounge and dave pidcock for dinner, those who brought dessert and kat burtick/linda lillie for markers, thank you all. I never could have done it without all your help and support.