Bob Wells, "Hoolihan the Weatherman" 1933 – 2026

It was sad to see that Bob Wells, best known in Cleveland for The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show and as WJW Channel 8's "Hoolihan the Weatherman," passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93. Wells and his on-screen partner, Charles "Big Chuck" Schodowski, made The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show a weekly must-see TV fixture every Friday night for years. 

This Wiki post provides a nice biography of Wells, and tells how he teamed up with Big Chuck to create the beloved show that was a successor to Shock Theater with Ghouldardi (necessitated when Ernie "Ghoulardi" Anderson left Cleveland to pursue a career in Los Angeles).

Although my siblings and I were too young to stay up late and watch the show when it premiered in 1966, it was regular viewing for us on Friday nights beginning in the early 1970s.

It's pretty incredible how great a comedy team Wells and Schodowski made. They had the perfect balance – with Hoolihan providing the energetic, upbeat delivery contrasting with Big Chuck's likable, low-key personality. And each shined in their comedy skits.

What some people may not know is that Hoolihan and Big Chuck made countless appearances in high schools and community sports events, pitting their All-Stars team against a variety of competitors, including school faculties, police departments, amateur teams, Amvets and others. Sports included touch football, basketball, softball, and bowling.

And let's not forget the pizza eating competitions.

Anway, here's an ample sample of clippings showing just how dedicated Wells and Schodowski were when it came to making personal appearances in Northern Ohio on behalf of various charities and causes.

Dec. 2, 1968

June 14, 1969

October 8, 1969

Dec. 3, 1969

Dec. 8, 1969

Jan. 26, 1970

July 9, 1970

Nov. 20, 1970

Sept. 11, 1972

Dec. 17, 1972

April 18, 1973

June 3, 1974

March 22, 1975

Oct. 27, 1975

Nov. 21, 1975

Nov. 25, 1975

Nov. 29, 1975

March 11, 1976

March 1, 1977

March 3, 1977

March 11, 1978

Sept. 16, 1979

It was disappointing when Wells left Channel 8 for good, moving to Florida for a new opportunity in Christian broadcasting. But he never forgot Cleveland, and made many pilgrimages back for various personal appearances at conventions and shows.

Hoolihan and Big Chuck (and Ghoulardi too) have been featured on this blog several times.

Moes Cider Mill Article – October 21, 1966

A view from the other night of the former cider mill

Fall is the season for apples, apple cider and donuts, and for many Vermilion residents, the place to go for these autumn treats was Moes Cider Mill on West River Road. Sadly, the business closed for good in early September and the property is for sale.

Sixty years ago, the Moes Cider Mill was the subject of a great article by Staff Writer Dona Norlock in the October 21, 1966 edition of the Lorain Journal. The article does a nice job describing the process and features some quotes by Nelson Moes. 

Although I've tried many of the ciders produced by local orchards (I have a bottle of cider from Miller Orchards in Amherst in my fridge right now), I regret that I never had any from Moes. From the sound of the comments left on the Moes Cider Mill Facebook page, the cider mill and its various tasty offerings will be greatly missed.

Little Tom Bottling Co. Ad – October 20, 1966

Remember Little Toms – the small (6 oz.) pops that came 30 bottles in a wooden case? They were bottled in Cleveland from the late 1950s until 1980. Little Toms were pretty popular, especially for family gatherings and special occasions. Flavors (according to AI Overview) included grape, root beer, lime and cream soda.

I don't remember the Bradys ever having Little Toms on hand, although I think I might have seen a photo of one of us kids holding a bottle of one in the family album. Our tastes in soft drinks were more along the lines of Pepsi, Vernor's, Frostie Root Beer, etc. Plus we didn't have pop all that often anyway. But I do remember seeing wooden crates of Little Toms in the garages of some boyhood friends.

(I always thought that the "Tom" in the name referred to Tom Thumb, because of the puny size of the bottles. But the top-hatted chap on the bottle doesn't look like he came from a storybook.)

Anyway, sixty years ago this week, the ad below for Little Toms ran in the Journal on October 20, 1966. 

It's more of a corporate ad, since it doesn't say where you could buy them. But a quick look in the Journal online archives reveals they were primarily available at beverage stores located in shopping centers. 

March 18, 1964

Gallo's Beer Dock on W. 21st Street became the distributor of Little Toms on Lorain's west side in July 1965.

Here's a link to the Little Toms Facebook page, where the last owner of the company has posted some comments. He also has some rare bottles to sell to serious collectors.

Convenient Food Mart Halloween Ad – Oct. 21, 1966

Halloween is coming up soon, so it's a good time for this seasonal ad for the late, great Convenient Food Mart chain that was based in Elyria. It ran in the Journal back on October 21, 1966.

Looking at the ad, I immediately recognized that the cartoon at the top of the ad had to be the artistic work of the Chronicle-Telegram's great, longtime editorial cartoonist, Bob Lynch. 

Bob also designed the Elyria sports mascot Petey the Pioneer, and some of his illustrations have been featured on this blog a few times over the years. Lynch probably created the Convenient Food Mart king mascot as well, now that I think of it.

The ad has lots of popular favorite food items, including Sugardale Bacon, Hills Bros. Coffee (my parents' favorite), and Sunshine Farms Ice Cream.

I'm not sure about the Nestlé's King Bar. I think it was Nestlé's answer to the classic Hershey bar. 

It's funny how the popularity of various candy bars have changed over the years. The Hershey bar used to be regarded as the gold standard in candy bars, the best there was. Nowadays, I think the Kit Kat Bar has usurped its throne. As for me, I love Mallow Cups and their sister product, the Smoothie Peanut Butter Cup.

And it's odd seeing Royal Crown Cola in the ad – only because it's been known as RC Cola for so long. I buy it once in a while. Same thing with Faygo Cola. But I never buy Coke. If I'm going with a name brand, it's got to be Pepsi with Real Sugar (the one thing I'm addicted to).

Anyway, sometimes I miss the Convenient Food Marts. They had that unique local flavor – the great Sunshine Farms milk and other dairy products, good prices on their groceries and the best rotisserie chickens ever. And nice people running them.

Fall Cavalcade of Color - 2026 Part 1

Fall is my favorite time of year. During this particular one, I've gone out of my way to savor each day. I've enjoyed the sights, sounds and smell of autumn by going for a walk each night – usually in Mill Hollow. And for something different during this past weekend, I made the trek out to another favorite spot: Findley State Park in Wellington. The fall colors are incredible, and hopefully my photos below will do them justice.

So for those of you who perhaps no longer live in this area, let this post be your balm to ease your longing for Autumn in Lorain County.

I'm always pleased that there's some nice color around the old quarry that's located right behind my condo in the Woodlands. (Speaking of the Woodlands, I'm lucky that my condo building is up the hill from where it looks like Paul Bunyan swung his mighty axe and turned the Woodlands into the Wastelands.)

And it was late afternoon on Saturday that I paid my visit to Findley State Park. I had Picnic Point all to myself. (By the way, my picnic was a McDonalds double cheeseburger.)

 

Sunday I was right back at Mill Hollow.

On the trail, I saw this little fella. I told him, "Hey! The Woollybear Festival was weeks ago, pal!"