The Next Door Neighbor

There are so many things I could say about Mr. Tangi.  It would take hours, but no matter what there was always one constant.  That smile.  His smile was infectious.  And, so was his personality.  I was fortunate enough to grow up living next door to one (well I never saw them together) of the Kwik Brothers.  I can never remember Mr. Tangi without that smile.

One of my distinct memories happened on my birthday.  Although I can’t remember the exact year, it was during the Carter Administration.  I was having a party with some friends over.  We were maybe 10-11 years old.  Being a kid I used to tell my friends that I did live next to the Kwik Brothers.  We had a privacy fence between the patios.  He came by and poked his head around to say hello then realized we were having a kid’s party.  With that smile, he apologized for stopping by and of course we asked him if he wanted some cake.  He smiled and said he would be right back.  Some of my friends that weren’t from the neighborhood couldn’t believe that it was “One” of the Kwik Brothers.

Mr. Tangi came back a few minutes later with a gift.  He gave me a puppet.  But not just any puppet.  This was shaped like a Georgia peanut,dressed and a wide presidential smile.  It was a marionette.  He stayed for a bit and talked to some of the kids and showed us how to work the puppet.  Back at school, some of my classmates were talking about meeting the Kwik Brothers all week.  How cool was that for a kid in elementary school.  For someone like him, a celebrity, to take the time to stop and say hello and talk with some kids. 

Darren Cordrey

The Other Next Door Neighbor

Mr. Tangi was my next door neighbor and my best memories were at the 3rd of July block parties.  When the fireworks were over and most people thought about leaving, we would wheel out the old tuneless piano and the music would start.  Everyone would gather around as Mr. Tangi played and all would sing at the top of their voices.  All the kids sat on and around the piano and we laughed and sang late into the night.  I’m so grateful to Mr. Tangi for those memories. 

Also, even though I knew Mr. Tangi, I never met his twin brother.  I also can’t figure out if his name was Tangi how could his brother be King Kwik?  I figured it out later.

Sue Rapien Watson