SONS OF THE DESERT 24th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

 

The 24th Sons of the Desert International Convention was held from June 2oth to June 25th, 2026 at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California.

It was a memorable experience for me since it had been 44 years since I attended my last SOD Convention which was in 1982 at Detroit MI!

 

With Cassidy Cook, granddaughter of Lois Laurel and Great Granddaughter of Stan Laurel.

Marcia Opal from the Chicago Bacon Grabbers, a dear friend from way back!

Kevin Mulligan, another dear friend from many Conventions ago!

Mr. Jamie McKenna and Mr. Bill Leavy, excellent Laurel and Hardy impersonators

 added a fun touch to the proceedings

With Bob Satterfield and Marcia Opal having lunch at San Diego's Rudford's restaurant. 

We hadn't seen each other since 1982!

Gary Cohen caught me doing my editorial cartoon for the day at the Convention Dinner Cruise

 with City Experiences (formerly The Hornblower).

   

 

With Tracy Tolzmann from the Block-Heads Oasis #3 of St. Paul, Minnesota, recreating our pose from the 1980 Hollywood Convention!

The next convention will be held in Minnesota hosted by the Minnesota Block-Heads headed by

 Tracy Tolzmann in 2028.

And hopefully, I'll be able to make it there too!

ON MY WAY TO THE 2026 SAN DIEGO CONVENTION!

 

The 24th International Sons of the Desert Convention runs from June 21–25, 2026. It is hosted by the Saps at Sea San Diego Tent at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California. The theme for the convention will be the Centennial of Stan and Babe working as a team at Hal Roach Studios (1926–2026).

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR 2025!

Celebrating with some of my favorite cartoon buddies: 

Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, Laurel & Hardy, the Pink Panther, Inspector Clouseau and Mobster Nick. I began my comic book career with Mobster Nick, The Pink Panther and the Road Runner, spending my days writing and drawing their stories for more than a decade. And my Laurel & Hardy caricatures were featured in six cards I created to celebrate Christmas with the Sons of The Desert film buffs society and which I sent to members from 1977 to 1982. 

IN MEMORIAM : My Friend Marshall.

 Very sad to hear the news about Marshall Korby, former Grand Sheik of the Detroit Dancing Cuckoos Tent of the Laurel & Hardy International Organization, The Sons of the Desert; who passed away at 79 on November 1st.

                 

                   I subscribed to his Laurel & Hardy Catalogue and bought many items from him.

 

We met at the Sons of the Desert 1978 Convention in Chicago and became good friends. We kept in touch for many years after that and I last saw him in Florida where we had dinner and exchanged our life stories up to that point. He presented me with a booklet he compiled himself of all my Laurel & Hardy artwork as a gift.

 

Here are some of the vignettes featured in the booklet:

Rest in Peace, my Friend!

THE SONS OF THE DESERT 22nd INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION!

The 22nd International Convention of the Sons of the Desert is being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from August 17th to the 22nd, hosted by the Albuquerque Busy Bodies Tent, Oasis 29.

All participating delegates are already having the time of their lives at the Hotel Albuquerque and most of their wives think they are in Honolulu. That's a darb!

Hosted by the Albuquerque Busy Bodies - Oasis 29

Some personal affairs precluded me from attending the festivities this year but I am crossing my fingers hoping I will be able to partake of the forthcoming event a couple of years from now, wherever and whenever it may be held. (As long as I don't have to take the Oath from our Exhausted Ruler).

This was the logo of the now defunct BULLFIGHTERS TENT of MEXICO CITY.

HAVE A MERRY LAUREL & HARDY CHRISTMAS!

 Many years ago I had these Xmas cards printed and sent out to members of the Sons of the Desert, the International Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society to which I belong. As the 21st century rolled along, I digitally colorized them and now every L & h fan around the world can get my best holiday wishes online!