MEMBERconnection
Funnyman
Of grave
concern
YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD of Don Cherry, the
Canadian hockey commentator known for his
outspoken manner and flamboyant style.
JOHN RAYNER
WHEN CALLED TO a cemetery,
most people shudder. But Costco
members Jules Palmer and Mandy
Trustram get excited. Their business, Jules & Mandy Gardening,
in Hemel Hempstead, England,
offers a grave-tending service—a
part of the business they would
like to see blossom.
He’s so popular that Clark Robertson, 49,
has made a business out of impersonating him.
Through his company, Side-Splitting Productions
( www.clarkrobertson.com), Robertson performs 100 shows per year across Canada,
and 70 per cent of them involve Don
Cherry imitations.
Clark Roberst on
customizes his on
e-hour act for each of
his clients.
“People just love him,” says the 20-
year veteran, who brings along his wife
and business manager, Darlene, and his
dog, Harley, a frequent onstage performer.
Robertson’s blend of comedy and
After turning 50, in 2003, the
two friends decided that their lives
needed a new direction. “We have
both always had a passion for gardening. Mandy planted the seed
and it just grew from there,” says
Palmer.
Don Cherry impersonations plays
particularly well to his corporate client base.
Says the long-time
Costco member, who
lives in Calgary, “It’s
nice to make people
laugh, to let them forget
about their troubles for a
little while and just giggle.
RICARDO MAGGIORE
After visiting with a business
adviser, the two decided to dig in.
It’s very rewarding.”
“We started with three clients
in May 2003,” recalls Palmer. “And
now [we] have a database of well
over a hundred.”
—Shana McNally
A regular client inspired the
grave-tending service when she
asked if they could tend her late
husband’s grave. “We cleared away
debris, washed the stone and took
a photograph before and after.
She was so pleased,” says Palmer
She continues, “The peace
and quiet [of a cemetery] is so
tranquil; the only sounds are the
birds singing and occasional wind
chimes.”—Steve Fisher
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