INTERVIEW: The Menards Guy

    I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to chat with the almighty “Menards Guy” Ray Szmanda, a living legend for these past 83 years (his birthday is June 22). Long-time Volume One friend Jamey Brownell helped shoot Ray’s commercials for several years, and our publisher/editor Nick Meyer worked with Ray for about a year toward the end of Ray’s time at Menards. Needless to say, I got pretty giddy about the idea of chatting with Ray as Nick and Jamey exchanged fond memories of the blue-sweatered icon. I even came close to convincing myself that it would be a good idea to visit his house last Thanksgiving, as I was visiting my grandparents in Antigo, Wisconsin.

    But, I have to say, I didn’t know what to expect when I contacted the long-time spokesperson and co-star of the forgotten B-movie The Alpha Incident. Would he have an ego and scoff at the idea of being in our magazine? Would he be bothered at the idea of revisiting the persona (he is retired, after all)?

    As it turns out, Ray was more than happy to chat, he even invited me to his home for the interview (though we ended up going the phone route instead). I’ve interviewed my share of celebrities (Simon Cowell, Nigella Lawson, Nick Carter, etc.), but only Paula Dean, who invited me down to her Savannah, Georgia home for a meal, has come anywhere near the feel-good experience of talking with Ray Szmanda, who will gladly send you a signed photo or proudly belt “Save big money at Menards!” on request. The dude is sweet. Plain and simple. Read on ...
 

questions by V1’s managing editor Trevor Kupfer
photos provided bt Menards // layout by Brian Moen