CINDY DAY: Heartwarming responses to write-ups about Rube

Thanks to the generosity of Paul McNeil, I now have these precious books in my collection. I will cherish them for a while then pass them along to ensure that Rube Hornstein is not forgotten. - Contributed

I love my job, but I learned a long time ago, that I can’t please everyone with one forecast. So, the thank-yous are few and far between.

Over the last few days, I’ve received numerous emails from readers, thanking me …for the trip down memory lane. Last Saturday and again on Tuesday, I wrote about the legendary weatherman, Rube Hornstein. The emails continue to come in. I’d like to share one of those letters with you now:

“Not very often do I write to a paper column, but I really enjoyed what you wrote about Rube Hornstein.

I first saw Rube on TV when I was 13, and in those days, CBC was the only channel you could get down on the south shore.

I remember him doing the weather report with chalk during the supper hour show. In a fishing town like Lockeport we always paid close attention to weather so my father and I always watched Rube or listened to Mike Gillis on CBC radio for the marine forecast; we’re talking about the 1950s.

Years later when I was in the Navy I had a friend who happened to meet Rube at a diner in Truro but didn’t recognize him on sight. Rube was talking weather with the waitress and my friend, who had a few too many at the time, turned toward Rube and said, “Who do you think you are, Rube Hornstein?” And Rube turned to him and politely said, “As a matter of fact I am son,” and that was the end of the conversation. I would have paid my last dollar to see the look on my friend’s face.

Back in 2002 I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Hornstein when I worked as a shuttle driver for Steele Chrysler in Halifax after retiring from the Navy and any time she had her car serviced I would drive her home or to Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home on Windsor Street where Rube was a patient before he passed the following year.

I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet him in person.

Sincerely,

Harold Israel, Shelburne, Nova Scotia

I don’t think I have ever received so many lovely letters and Facebook posts in response to a column. Thank you for taking the time to share your memories.

RELATED:

PART 1: Looking back on a legend
PART 2: Weather talk over tea

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Cindy Day is the chief meteorologist for SaltWire Network.