Wednesday, 6/28

I have Phil's seal of approval. And some days, that's all I need.

I've written in here many times about Phil Niemisto, Marquette's man-about-town, downtown window washer and gardener, all around interesting individual, and one of the “107 Reasons to Love Marquette County”. If you know Phil, you know he's always well dressed, sporting a shirt and tie even on those 90 degree days when he really doesn't need to sport a shirt or tie.

Phil, in fact, is always nattily attired, unlike some of us who some days just grab whatever's handy in our closet and throw it on.

However, like I mentioned a few weeks ago, there are days when I actually feel like dressing up and throwing on real clothes. In fact, there are even days (usually Mondays) when I'll try to live up to Phil's standards and throw on a jacket & tie. And as you well know, the ties I pick aren't sober, boring work ties; nope, when I wear a tie, I like to wear a tie with color, or a tie that makes a statement. You know—the kind of tie that gets its own fan mail when I host a TV show.

And on the days when I'm wearing a tie and run into Phil, I always get his opinion on it. I don't ask him his opinion; because he sees me in a tie, he just offers his thoughts on it. Almost always—not every time, but most times—he'll look it over, maybe feel the fabric, and then offer the two words that means he approves--

“That's sharp”.

I don't know if he does that with other people, or if he just does it with me because he often sees me dressed like a slob, but it's something that he does. He'll then ask about it—where I got it, or why I chose it, and we'll talk about clothes for a bit. Over the years we've had dozens of conversations about ties; almost as many as we've had about local history or the “drunk kids” who on occasion dig up one of his flower beds. All I can say is that he has a sharp eye for color and for contrast, just like, well, I'd like to think I have. And that's why if I get the Phil seal of approval, I know that I've chosen well.

*****

Speaking of Phil, he's the cover story of the “Marquette Neighbors” magazine that shows up in the mailboxes of some city residents. If you're one of the people who gets it, make sure you check out the article about one of the icons of Marquette!

(jim@wmqt.com)

(PS—In case you didn't catch it yesterday, HERE'S THE LINK to the Mining Journal story on Alvar Liimatainen and how the Most Amazing Woman in the World was involved!)