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New
Co-op Painter Profile: Antone G. Holmquist
By Susan Simonds, from the July 2005 Newsletter
 You may know Antone Gaylord Holmquist by his other name. For about
30 years he has called himself Rufus T. Firefly, a role played
by Groucho Marx as the president of the country, Freedonia, in
the movie, Duck Soup.
“I
call myself that because I am a Marxist of the Groucho, Harpo,
and Chico kind.” Antone likes his given name, but he is
also fond of nicknames, having had many through the years. When
he called
me to arrange our interview, he referred to himself as Antone,
although the message on his answering machine gives both names.
Growing
up in rural northwest Illinois, Antone was one of six children
living in idyllic, hilly farm country near the east
slope of the
Mississippi bluffs. After graduating from the University of
Illinois, he developed wanderlust. Having never seen a mountain
or ocean,
he headed west, drawn to the idea of Idaho and a friend who
was attending the U of I. Although Moscow was his home base for
years,
Antone says, “I was a traveling man.” He picked apples
all over the United States and visited Canada, Europe, Southeast
Asia, Antarctica, New Zealand, Central America, and Mexico. “I
never paid rent until I was forty.” Then in 1991 he settled
down and now owns his own home in town where he lives with Otis
B. Oatmeal, a “big, fat pussycat.”
Antone
first shopped at the Co-op 30 years ago and has been a volunteer
off and on since then. For the past four years
he has
been the “employee
pickster” meaning that he interviews the staff to find out
their favorite store items, writes up display cards explaining
the recommendations, and positions the cards. He is currently on
a brief hiatus while Vicki makes up new cards.
As
a volunteer, he painted the last two Co-op buildings—interior
and exterior—and plans to paint the new Co-op. He first became
a painter in 1983 when friends asked him to paint their homes.
Having never held one job for more than nine months at a time,
he found that the flexibility of being a painter allowed him the
freedom to travel. Although he enjoys painting and said he is proud
of his work, he is currently “trying to figure out what I
am going to do for the rest of my life.” The aches and pains
of doing handy work have taken their toll. “I plan to live
to be one hundred years old and you don’t see many old painters.” A
sore neck has led him to yoga and a commitment to taking care of
his body. He is working with a career counselor and considering
going back to school. “There are lots of possibilities.” Among
his passions are gardening, backpacking, and white water rafting.
“On
the river I am Captain Firefly.” He is also a photographer
specializing in wildlife, landscape, and travel photos.
Last year his work was featured at the Co-op for the Artwalk.
If
you spend any time at the Co-op, Antone’s face will probably
be familiar. “I’m here at least ten times a week. I
love the Co-op. I love to buy food without all the chemicals. I
come for the lunches. I love the location. I’m a downtown
type. It’s one of the community centers. I feel a part of
it.”
Although
Susan Simonds has many nicknames, they are best left out of print. |
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