Calkins: Why does he give expensive gifts to strangers? A Memphis mystery to melt your heart.
A golfer takes a swing on June 25, 2024. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian file)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Today, a mystery. Why would a Memphis man give total strangers gifts? And what would you think if he walked up and gave a gift to you?
I’m not talking about a small gift, either. I’m talking about gifts worth hundreds of dollars.
Given routinely!
Expecting nothing in return!
What inspires such an expensive habit?
What do the recipients think?
“I’ll be honest,” said Tom Bailey, one of the recipients. “At first, I thought it was strange.”
Bailey is the person who told me about the story. He’s a former newspaper colleague and one of the best storytellers I know.
Bailey sent me an email with the following subject: “Who does this?”
And then he told me the tale.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Mike Perkowski Edwin Watts golf clubs mystery Geoff Calkins Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Disc-over the fun: Olive Branch’s disc golf course opens
Olive Branch took advantage of the Tennessee Valley Authority clearing trees at City Park by converting the hilly, zigzagging space to a disc golf course.
Overton Park Junior Open is a testament to Memphis’ golf history
Generations of Memphis golfers have participated in a tournament that is one of the country’s best for junior players.
Contentious neighborhood meeting raises questions about former Quail Ridge Golf Course
A packed house at the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center got to hear the current plans for the former golf course Tuesday night, and some audience members didn’t like what they were hearing.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.