A top photographer was in the audience March 3 when when we did a book chat and signing at the cozy Beaverdale Books store in a northwest Des Moines neighborhood.

Our ol' pal Bob Modersohn, who took early retirement after a long career as one of the top photographers at the Des Moines Register, was on hand on Tuesday, March 3, when Gary Thompson and I did a brief talk about my new book "GARY THOMPSON: All-American" at Beaverdale Books in northwest Des Moines.

It's a fine, small store that owner Alice Meyer opened in 2006, one that really fits the tidy Beaverdale neighborhood made famous by its "Beaverdale Brick" bungalows. An informal writers group meets there the first Tuesday evening of each month, and so they joined in on our discussion and fun.

We had a nice crowd of about 25 as I talked about the book and then Gary reflected on how fortunate he has been as an athlete, basketball commentator on TV, business entrepreneur and family man. Then we signed books for all who wanted them.

Modersohn, who works Monday evenings at the bookstore, offered us use of the following from the event at the store.

– Chuck Offenburger

Gary Thompson and Chuck Offenburger beginning a book chat at the Beaverdale Books store in Des Moines.

Chuck Offenburger tells about how he interviewed 300 people and took four years' time putting together the Thompson biography.

Thompson tells the crowd he has always been amazed at how fortunate he's been in his long career in sports and business. "But my luckiest moment was finding this gal," he said, pointing to his wife of 53 years, Janet Thompson, who was in the crowd.

Thompson is shown here signing books after our chat.