A few years ago, right here in the hallowed halls of Don’t Rush Me-dom, I opined about this dude. This guy who is like a Detroit Lions superfan. His name, Denny Arney.
I was just thinking about Denny this past Sunday, as your Detroit Lions finally broke into the winning column by downing the dreaded Chicago Bears, 37-34. The win makes the Lions? record so far in 2015, 1 win, five loses. Which is besides the point of this column because it’s about Denny.
After typing the first paragraph above, I looked back into the archives and found that old column. Ironically, it was first published this week in 2011 — so I guess you can all it kismet that the thought of Denny came to me when it did. As I listened to the radio announcers rejoice in the Lions? first win of the season, I thought of Denny, in his Detroit Lions baseball cap, bare-chested, sitting in a hot tub, situated in the Eastern Market parking lot — downtown Detroit.
Now, before you start questioning why I am thinking about another man, bare-chested, in a hot tub — stop! It’s not like that.
See, each Lions home game, Denny hauls (from his hometown of Ortonville) a filled hot tub to that parking lot for pre-game tailgating. He and his merry cohorts call themselves the TubGaters. (You can find pictures on line.)
* * *
After going down and visiting the tailgate action in person, in that original 2011 column, I wrote:
In my estimation, Ortonville resident and Clarkston businessman Denny Arney is a giant among men. For about 20 years, he has made his way to Detroit Lions home football games for the tailgate party, in itself a tremendous feat of endurance. But where his stature grows is he not only brings himself, he tows along a hot tub, filled with hot water.
‘It was a little easier when the Lions played at the Silverdome,? Arney, 50, says.
Now that the Lions play at Ford Field in downtown, he gets to slosh his way from Hooterville all the way downtown via I-75, driving 40 miles per hour.
‘It’s kinda a white knuckle drive,? he admits.
When I was at the ‘tub-gate,? the water was a perfect 108 degrees. Arney heats up the water before he leaves home, and with propane and a salamander, keeps it hot throughout the day. People from all walks of life (some regulars to his tub, some new) hop in for talk of the Lions, life and liberty. Some with swimming gear, some, errumm, without.
Were I a younger man, I think I would set up my own hot-tubbing, tailgating experience, too.
* * *
Back then, I was amazed at Denny’s stamina. By day, he runs a AAA Insurance Agency in Clarkston. He’s a husband and father — and that is a 168-hour a week job in itself. Add into the mix, the SuperLions fan gig (maintaining and hauling) and, crap, that dude’s got a hell of a lot going on.
Denny must have a ton of energy. How does he do it and where does he find it? I wanted to know then, and even more so now.
Why?
Because I have learned more information about the life and times of one Denny Arney. (Just when you think that’s that, there’s always more!) Get this.
Denny also is part of a classic rock and roll band!
Yep, he and some mates make up the band called The Vinyl Experience. He’s been trying to get me out to see the band, oh . . . since about June. I haven’t made it for a number of reasons. The biggest reason being the band always plays on weekends and on the weekends, I like to spend as much time as possible with my sons, Shamus and Sean. (The older they get, the less time they have for me, so I try to grab as much of their time now, before they fly away.)
I have gone to The Vinyl Experience’s Facebook page and watched a couple of video’s of the guys playing. And, I must say . . . nice job, gents! I would recommend folks I know, check you out. I know you have played the Clarkston Eagles and just this past weekend at the Springfield Inn on Dixie Highway.
So, back to my question: How does Denny do it?
Denny, where is the Fountain of Youth you are drinking from? Please respond with your answer before I get too old!
Well done, young man. Well done.
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