By now everybody knows that this publication loves cartoons.
  Thinking back, that all started for me during the time I worked as a copy boy at The New York Herald Tribune.
  That job didn’t pay much. I supplemented my income and ability to eat regularly, by serving as a runner, placing the bets for some of the writers, with the press room guys who ran the sports book.
  That work led me to the major hangout for the writers, a bar on West 40th Street in Manhattan called Bleeck’s (pronounced Blake’s), later renamed Artist & Writers.
  The bar was actually close to the presses, so I didn’t have to travel too far back and forth, which was good because business was brisk, and keeping track was easier with the quick handoffs, coming and going.
  The HT cartoonist, Walt Kelly, used to hang out in Bleeck’s.
  Walt’s Pogo series was/is one of the most sophisticated, funniest cartoon strips ever.
  Walt was a big, friendly wonderful human being who didn’t live long enough. But while he was alive, he sure lit up the place.
  I recall when I was drafted into the U.S. Army, Walt grabbed a cocktail napkin, drew Pogo on the paper and added this message:

    Dear Geoff—
      Hope that Saigon will soon be bygone!
      Best wishes,
    Walt Kelly & Pogo.

  Here is some Kelly that just came to mind.
  Thankfully it is up on YouTube.
  Happy Christmastide & the best of the best to everyone in 2019.
Geoffrey