Welcome to
Saps At Sea San Diego Oasis #30
Since 1978
Our 48th Year!
Saps Logo by Jorge Pacheco
Saps Logo by Ken Mitcheroney
Our next meeting will be on:
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Ahoy All Saps!
A message from Convention Chairman Dave Greim:
Well, finally, the big party in San Diego came after almost three years in the making.
Almost 150 Sons gathered at the Legacy Hotel for 5 days of mirth and merriment at the 24th International Sons of the Desert Convention. We celebrated the centenary of Stan and Ollie working together at the Hal Roach Studios, 1926/2026.
After a Pre convention outing to the Hotel Del Coronado and Cabrillo monument at Point Loma, we began excellent presentations by Randy Skretvedt, Chris Bungo (prepared video) and Bill Oates. A wonderful day long outing to historic Old Town, the majestic Navy carrier, USS Midway, followed and culminated with a superb dinner cruise in the Harbor. Two days followed at the hotel with dealers Emporium, cinema, and presentations by Marc Wanamaker, Kenny Mitchroney, and Mike Jones. Tuesday night saw a very special theatrical show hosted by our own Russ Peck on organ of Battle of the Century, We Faw Down, and Liberty, plus the Music Box and Sons of the Desert. KUDOS to Russ for a magical evening! The perfect ending was Wednesday evening with a special Banquet and much deserved salute to the Veterans for their service. Dean Mora and his Orchestra provided the authentic vintage tunes of the 1920s, 30s, and WWII, vocals by Damon Kirsche and guest vocalist, Nigel Dreiner.
We were honored to have Stan's great granddaughter, Cassidy Cook, and her children, Lucy and Thomas Ferrigno, join us. Also, we were blessed to have Laurel and Hardy join us (Bill Leavy and Jamie McKenna).
More than 30 delegates were first timers and reps from 7 countries were present- USA, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand!
A group went to visit the Zoo, a Padres ball game, and later, in LA, still a smaller group visited several Laurel and Hardy locations. Laurel wreathes and a hearty Hardy congrats to Tracy Tolzmann and the Block-Heads for taking on the 2028 convention in Minnesota!
Horn Testers Journal #305,
August 2026
Another announcement:
Russ Peck, our favorite musician and AV expert, will play the theatre organ for the La Mesa History Center fundraiser July 18 at 6:30 pm.
Tickets are only available in advance through the La Mesa History Center and must be purchased online. Physical tickets will not be mailed; they will be available for pickup on the day of the event.
This event is at our old Spring Valley location. It is NOT a Saps event. But you'll want to see Russ play music for movies filmed in La Mesa!
And coming soon... Saps at Sea, the San Diego Laurel and Hardy group, presents: A Tribute to Oliver Hardy
Saturday August 1 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm (Doors open 4:30) at:
First Lutheran Church, 867 S Lincoln Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Donation is $10 per person and includes refreshments. FREE for Kids 12 and under.
Our cartoon is "Coo-Coo Nut Grove" (1936). Next is another fun "Fitzpatrick's Travel Talks: Old New Orleans" (1940).
In "That's My Wife"(1929), Ollie hopes to get an inheritance from his rich uncle. But, he must prove he is happily married... and his wife just left him. Stan is pressed into pretending to be the wife. Russ Peck, resident Saps AV expert, will provide live piano music!
"County Hospital" (1932) is a fan favorite. Stan visits Ollie in the hospital. He brings hard boiled eggs and nuts. And lots of laughter for us.
After intermission, we'll show the rarely-seen "Four Clowns" (1970). Three of them are shown below. This documentary features film clips of Buster Keaton, Charley Chase, and of course our two favorite comedians!
Also mark your calendar for our future meetings!
August 1
October 3
December 5
December 7: Laurel and Hardy at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego, featuring Russ Peck! Details to come later...
Yours in Laughter,
Rebecca Gray
Grand Sheik
Saps At Sea
San Diego Tent
Oasis #30
A Pictorial History
