Book review by Mary Pippert

"I recently bought the book, "The Singin' Salmon Man from Cornet Bay" by Arnie Deckwa and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was easy reading and each chapter was a different adventure of Arnie's -- and he had many.

He lived, and continues to live, life to the fullest.  It was one of those books that was hard to put down and after reading it, I ordered three more books for my sisters."

Mary Pippert
Overland Park, Kansas

Book review by Leroy Cook

Arnie and Joanne:

First of all, thank you for taking the time to write in the copy of your book Eleanor sent me.  Getting a copy so I could read it was on my list but had not made it to the top of the list yet.

I thought I had gone a lot of places and done a lot of things and I am kind of an arms folded "show me" kind of guy on most everything and everybody.  I finished "The Singing Salmon Man" a couple of days ago and I am really impressed.  I am impressed with your stories, the way the book is written and, most of all, what you and Joanne have done and are doing.  Thank you for all the good things you have done and for taking the time to tell others about them so they can be inspired and motivated. Besides telling your stories well, the book is a page turner.

Good luck in your business ventures and, although I don't think I have to tell you this:

Keep enjoying each day.

Leroy Cook

What a ride.....

So much in the mill and so much to do, sometimes I feel like I’m just starting all over again and then it begins to hit me, man! What a ride this has been and the miles that have been traveled to make this story happen seems like several life-times. Sometimes it just slams me to realize that its in a book! A finished BOOK! …

A lady ask me in the store on either Friday or Saturday, can’t remember, it’s all starting to run together, she said, “When’s the movie coming out?”  We had a big laugh on that one and then it went on as to who was going to play me and a guy who was sampling our products and listening to the story jumped in and said, “he can play himself!”  … People really like listening to the story.

A gal on Friday who bought a book and products just wanted me to keep going on and on and was thrilled when I gave her a tour through the book and told a little about the different pictures of my parents, dad building the boats and this is what it looked like when he was launching it and then about it’s looks on the hoist after several trips north, and it went on and on. She was honestly amazed and eager to hear more. It’s really fun and humbling, to be able to be who you are and talk about this ride and have folks really honestly like my story. 

Book Review by Mark Brady

Let me first mention I have the privilege of knowing Arnie first hand… We are neighbors here at Cornet Bay and I’ve spent more than one afternoon/evening in his home hearing the tales of  “Arn, the Commercial Fisherman”, “Arn, the Contractor”, “Arn, the Deputy Sheriff”, “Arn, the Cowboy, Bull Rider, Chariot Racer”, “Arn, the Entertainer”… The list is almost endless… I was actually able to share Arnies’ escapade of putting the book together. He allowed me to read many of the transcripts as the different chapters were written…. It was a fun adventure!

As we travel our journey through life, we come across those unique souls that somehow manage to take life to its fullest…. I consider them a “Rare Breed”. You’re about to read the tales of one of those characters… I have managed to put a little excitement in my own life journey including flying jet aircraft on and off a “Pitching Deck” aircraft carrier in the middle of the night, but all-in-all, my life journey has been pretty tame compared to the first seventy years of one Mr. Arnie Deckwa… 

It’s the type of life journey you usually only read about in books or see in movies.... Most are usually fiction, but every now and then you get the “Real Thing”..…  Most folks are ready to start “Slowing Down” at seventy, but this cowboy is “Just Gettin’ Started”…..

How many of us at age 14 can say “I’m the “Skipper” of a commercial fishing Boat? My biggest achievement at that age, was knowing how to “milk a cow”…

It all started back when he was 14 and he easily assumed the persona of “James Dean” in front of the bathroom mirror…. Black leather jacket un-zipped, collar turned “up”, white T-shirt exposed…. Attitude in place…. Yes sir, he was “Going Places”, he just didn’t know where at the time…. You now have the book that tells the story!

Reminds me of those descriptive words, “Fire in the Wind” by America’s most prolific singer/song writer, John Stewart.

So, get ready for the “Ride”. You’re about to take a journey that has many turns and will show you that “Following Your Dream” can sometimes turn out totally different than you anticipated, but the final road taken, does indeed end with a “Dream Come True”. It’s filled with adventures and “Roads Less Taken”, but most of all; it’s a book that just makes you “Feel Good”. I guarantee it will bring a smile and “Warm Your Heart”….

 This ride includes:

Snakes, Horses, Moose, Mountain Goats, Bears in the Tent, Little Red, a little dirt in the face compliments of a poor choice of words and Grandpa Deckwa, flying through the air and bouncing “Off the Wall” compliments of another poor choice of words and Grandpa Sterkel, 57 Chevy’s,  Bulls & Chariots and Condos & Cowboys. After a 5000 mile round trip journey from Oak Harbor, WA to Nashville, TN; this cowboy’s “Dream” gets a new direction after a chance encounter in the back stage area of the “Grand Old Opry” and he returns home with a beautiful wife who helps him become the “Entrepreneur of Cornet Bay”. He now has products in 1000’s of food stores across the nation and he is  making personal phone calls from his 400 sq foot boyhood home (now serving as his office) to CEOs and managers of billion $ companies ….. It’s a ride you will enjoy taking. Next stop, “The Movie”!!!

To Arn; “Thanks for a GREAT weekend”, I was up till 4:30 AM on Saturday morning and then my final Saturday night read until midnight. Makes a man realize how special life can be….. Thanks for the smiles!!!!!! Yes sir, YOU DID GOOD!!!!!

Mark Brady

Cdr, US Navy (Retired)

President, Island Sound & Video Systems, Inc

Friend and Neighbor

Book review by William A. Kimmins

When I started this book I didn't really know what to expect. I have known Arnie for sometime now and have known bits and pieces of his story. I can say now that I know who Arnie is and why he is driven the way he is driven. This was a book that I wanted to swallow a chapter at a time cause it was such a peek "under the hood" of a close friend. Every person has their story....its just that Arnie's story is a big one. Read the book....you will know why his product is so good.
Lots and Lots of love...that's why.

William A. Kimmins