Roger Awsumb, as our old buddy Casey Jones, was one of the most beloved figures in local television. Dressed in his railroad engineer’s jacket, cap, overalls and with a red kerchief around his neck, “Casey” entertained children from 1954 until the end of 1972 with cartoons, silly comedy bits, birthday greetings and banter with sidekicks Joe the Cook and Roundhouse Rodney. Awsumb started his career in 1953 at St Paul-based WMIN, working as an announcer, camera operator and floor director. “Casey Jones” was created in 1954 for a show called “Noon-Time Express”. When WMIN was sold to WTCN (now KARE), Awsumb’s show was re-named Casey’s Lunch Club – it’s title until the end of 1972. Even after leaving the air, Awsumb was a popular figure in the area, doing special appearances and, for a time, another children’s show on WFBT (now WFTC). Unfortunately, Roger Awsumb died earlier this year, just as voting was taking place for The Silver Circle. He may be gone, but he’s left behind thousands of baby boomer fans who know by heart his non-traditional birthday song: “Happy happy birthday...”