Ed Wilder: A determined road back to da Brewshop

Even now, as he rebounds from a severe stroke, the best way to reckon with Ed is one-on-one. Just as he does across the tap handles, Ed makes eye contact and focuses on what you’re saying.

He has to, of course.

“I had a stroke,” Ed says, splaying the fingers on his left hand across his face, a look of frustration flashing across his face.

Asked how his therapy had gone and his general feeling that day, he says “A-OK,” and gives the corresponding gesture. His left is the only one he can raise or grip or gesture with. The subtle side-of-the-mouth way Ed always had of talking is a little accentuated by the effects of the stroke. He can talk, and tries hard to express himself.

“A-OK, but, this, this is

f—,” he says, and the final word he either squelches or can’t quite pronounce.

You get the idea.

“You’re frustrated?” I ask.

“Yes. This is not … the thing.”

Earlier I had watched Ed walk down the halls with the help of two therapists. He’s been cared for at mPower rehabilitation unit at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles.

“Kick. Kick out,” they urge him, as he takes firm but slow steps. They pause.

“Kick out.” He steps again, with a kick from the knee.

“Want to take a rest?”

No, shakes the familiar mop of red wavy hair. “Let’s go.”

I was impressed with his determination and energy, and talking with Ed later I tell him he should be proud of the progress he’s made and that I can see he is working hard.

“Thank you. I am,” he said.

Ed’s goal is to return to his own home, and to reopen the shop, but the short-term and long-term fate of his domestic situation, and da Brewshop, are still being worked out, according to his brother Mike Wilder. (At press time, Mike said it had not been decided where Ed would go next.)

“There are plenty of options, we just have to find the best one,” Mike said. “There are a lot of pieces that need to come together. For him to stay at his existing home, it will take some time, possibly it would be some intermediate facility until this is complete or another residence is secured that will possible.

“Wherever it is it will be the best possible one for making him comfortable and to meet his rehabilitative needs,” he said.

As to da Brewshop, Mike said, “My goal has been to get that place open and serving beer as quickly as possible.” He is in contact with OLCC licensing specialist, but said, “It’s a lot harder than we originally hoped,” with the main factor being the range of Ed’s ability, as owner, to maintain the OLCC license for which he is legally accountable.

An MCMC administrator, Lisa, comes into the room. She’d seen him when he arrived at mPower, but reintroduces herself. They had met before.

“I came to your shop. You taught me to make currant wine, and beer, and I’m working on my meadery,” she tells him.

I tell Ed I well know his skills and knowledge, but I had not realized about currant wine. He smiles, and points to his shirt with a confident look on his face. It’s the logo of Arrogant Bastard Ale — not Ed, no way, but for him an example of the high quality craft he has made, sold others on tap and in bottles, or taught people to make. Ed’s very clear on his role and what he has done to help people.

I read him some of his press about the Jan. 27 EdStravaganza and other Cheers to Ed efforts that are ongoing, and I learned from him that reading is very difficult. “I can read, but —” and he flicks his fingers back and forth in front of his eyes. “Can’t —.”

I see it’s hard to find the words. “Is it your peripheral vision?” He nods, and nods again when I ask if he has trouble scanning left to right and back. For these reasons, it is also taxing to watch television.

Ed gets frequent visitors, and I tell Ed that plenty of people are pulling for him, and he says, “I know.

“I am. I am,” he said.

I also say that we’re pulling for him and we know he is working hard so that he can get back in action.

“Yes. YES,” he tells me, his eyes widening. I ask, is there anything he wants people to know?”

“A-OK,” he says, gesturing again, “but … it’s hard.”

Ed also told me he had enjoyed a couple of recent outings to favorite Hood River pubs.

“Were you able to try some beer?”

He gives a thumb’s up and puts two fingers close together.

“Yes, but,” waving his hand over his head, “I had a stroke.” But he says it with that famous sideways grin.

‘EdStravanza’ comes to Butler Bank Jan. 27

The Jan. 27 “EdStravaganza” art auction and birthday party for Ed Wilder starts at 6 p.m. at Butler Bank Social Club, 301 Oak St. Artists are invited to donate works to the next big fundraising event for Wilder, owner of da Brewshop tap room and Hood River Brewing Supply.

EdStravaganza will run from 6-9 p.m. A live auction led by artist Archer Mayo starts at about 8:15 after a talk by Ed’s brother, Mike. Boda’s Kitchen will bake a giant birthday cake for all to enjoy. Event admission (revised) will be $20, including one drink ticket and finger foods. After 9 p.m., on Jan. 27, admission will be $5. Of course, plenty of beer will be available, with the emphasis on local breweries; donations of wine are also on the way from a variety of local wineries. At about 9 p.m., DJ Marco Jimenez will start spinning tunes, and Cheers to Ed shirts will be available for sale.