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 OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
Your subscription gives you unlimited access to all of The Daily Memphian’s news, written by nearly 40 local journalists and more than 20 regular freelancers. We work around the clock to cover the issues that impact your life and our community.
You can help us reach more Memphians.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide free news access at K-12 schools, public libraries and many community organizations. We also reach tens of thousands of people through our podcasts, and through our radio and television partnerships – all completely free to everyone who cares about Memphis.
When you subscribe, you get full access to our news. But when you donate, you help us reach all Memphians.
Pay it forward. Make a fully tax-deductible donation to The Daily Memphian today.
Thank you for reading the local news. Thank you for investing in our community.
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.
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.