Perfect. I’m actually getting a little weepy here. Not that that says much. For the past 20 years, I’ve found I get weepy at the drop of a hat. Go ahead. Drop your hat and watch.
This is Jerry’s last rodeo. He’s retiring at age 79, after entertaining us with this great comic since 1991 (and another one called “The Neighborhood” for 10 years before that.) Hopefully GoComics will re-run Ballard Street from the beginning – I need a dose of these wonderful characters to start my mornings on the right note!
Happy Trails Jerry, ( and you too, Scooter ). I hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement.On behalf of all the gang at the Tiki and me and my crew aboard my galleon The Irish Rover® currently moored in Ballard Bay, I want to sincerely Thank You for all the years of madcap humor and fun you brought into our days. You are truly a remarkable talent, a great cartoonist, and a very funny man.
For the past 30-some years, The Neighborhood (then Ballard Street) was the ONE comic I read every day, without fail. Jerry’s humor so often hit the mark with me :)
This comic has been the most fun of any other. I will miss new shenanigans on Ballard Street, but will enjoy reruns. Enjoy your retirement, Jerry! Ballard Street – always in our hearts. Love ya, Scooter. Perfect last comic.
Perfect that the background is yellow – like he is heading into the sunset. Mosey on down the trail and Godspeed! Thanks Mr. Amerongen – you are a true Master at your craft!
A little teary here too! Have really loved this comic for so long. Thank you, Jerry, for your amazing talent and slightly wonky humor. All the best in your retirement! ♥
A recent newcomer.. and it has been fun reading and then trying to out-do other commentators. I hope there will be re-runs but if not.. Cheers to all.. will miss you and Ballard street.
A fitting finale for you and Scooter, Jerry. I hope you enjoy your days without deadlines. Know that your art will live on here with us, as we reacquaint ourselves with your earlier works. Thank you for sharing your awesome gift with us.
You know, I know they won’t, but GoComics ought to open up Ballard Street and give us all those things we could do awhile back, like embed pictures and videos, and much more “formatting” than bold and italics, so we can give this comic and its Creator a really proper send-off (for a little while, at least)… ☺
Hi Ho Buckaroo Jerry (as Scooter)! Gallop on outta here into the free blue air and have a great new life! No question, we’re all gonna miss you! Thanks for everything!
I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Bilan over 5 years ago
Is this our last visit to Ballard Street?
" sigh "
x_Tech over 5 years ago
Scooter rides off into the sunset.
DennisinSeattle Premium Member over 5 years ago
So Scooter is JVA’s alter ego, Happy trails!
GROG Premium Member over 5 years ago
Weeeeeeeee!
TXD2 over 5 years ago
I sincerely hope you enjoy your retirement as much as I’ve enjoyed your talent!! Have the most & the best fun! ♥♥♥♥♥
mr_sherman Premium Member over 5 years ago
Scooter would be able to walk better if his chaps were properly adjusted.
Farside99 over 5 years ago
Scooter says, “So long kids. I’m outa here!”
whahoppened over 5 years ago
You’d be quite welcome to slip us a fresh one once in a while if that drawing hand gets twitchy.
LastRoseofSummer Premium Member over 5 years ago
Adios Amigos…..
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 5 years ago
I thought he’d be high-tailing out of here but I was wrong.
Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well:(Byron)
the lost wizard over 5 years ago
Come back Scooter. Our days will be be a little bit empty without you.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member over 5 years ago
I can think of no finer conclusion to our visit.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 5 years ago
Wow, what a perfect strip to end on!
Adios, Scooter!
And if by any chance you can see this… I know it’s not likely….
Adios, Jerry Van Amerongen….. great job!
And THANK YOU!
It’s been a wonderful journey through the neighborhood!
As for the rest of you….
Don’t Go Away!
WE’RE NOT LEAVING!
The journey will continue.
Tomorrow there will probably be no new strip…. just because there are no new strips on Sundays.
But my guess is the reruns will start on Monday, and the forum will carry on as usual.
If I’m wrong, and they don’t start right away, come back to this page anyway,
while we decide where to post temporarily….
Or maybe we’ll just stay right here till it happens.
But they’re coming…. and if you haven’t read the old strips, it’ll be like having new ones, anyway…..
You’ll hardly notice the change.
So just stick around…. after all…..Ballard Street merchants still need your business!
Scooter may be running off, free at last…
but we’ll get to watch his younger antics for years yet,
even while letting him … and Jerry… enjoy a well-deserved break.
jeff_e over 5 years ago
Happy trails, Scooter.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 5 years ago
Perfect. I’m actually getting a little weepy here. Not that that says much. For the past 20 years, I’ve found I get weepy at the drop of a hat. Go ahead. Drop your hat and watch.
Pocosdad over 5 years ago
This is Jerry’s last rodeo. He’s retiring at age 79, after entertaining us with this great comic since 1991 (and another one called “The Neighborhood” for 10 years before that.) Hopefully GoComics will re-run Ballard Street from the beginning – I need a dose of these wonderful characters to start my mornings on the right note!
J Short over 5 years ago
He could shed riders as easily as he shed fur.
thebashfulone over 5 years ago
Say it ain’t so, Joe!
Vet Premium Member over 5 years ago
Happy trails to you…..until we meet again.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 5 years ago
Scooter.
Has had.
Enough.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 5 years ago
I’m going to miss you, sir.
ljfrat over 5 years ago
Really? NO!!!
P51Strega over 5 years ago
Jerry, I hope you find as much enjoyment in your retirement as you have brought to us.
joefearsnothing over 5 years ago
This ain’t Scooter’s first rodeo! ;o}
Lantern Premium Member over 5 years ago
Thanks for all the laughs! Enjoy retirement!
Linguist over 5 years ago
Happy Trails Jerry, ( and you too, Scooter ). I hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement.On behalf of all the gang at the Tiki and me and my crew aboard my galleon The Irish Rover® currently moored in Ballard Bay, I want to sincerely Thank You for all the years of madcap humor and fun you brought into our days. You are truly a remarkable talent, a great cartoonist, and a very funny man.
Clear skies, calm seas, and fair sailing !
_______ Linguist, Machala, Ecuador
NRHAWK Premium Member over 5 years ago
A Fiery dog with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty “Hi-yo Scooter. Away!” (Apologies to the Lone Ranger) We’re gonna miss ya.
Al Nala over 5 years ago
Why no “YEE HAW”?
drycurt over 5 years ago
Heading off into the sunset at full gallop. Bye.
John Walker Premium Member over 5 years ago
For the past 30-some years, The Neighborhood (then Ballard Street) was the ONE comic I read every day, without fail. Jerry’s humor so often hit the mark with me :)
Hooligan918 over 5 years ago
Yippee Ki-yay. And what Linquist said.
ChessPirate over 5 years ago
Scooter’s off to join Calvin and Hobbes in eternal frolic. Git along, little doggie…
NORTHIDAHO over 5 years ago
Happy Trails….
Perkycat over 5 years ago
This comic has been the most fun of any other. I will miss new shenanigans on Ballard Street, but will enjoy reruns. Enjoy your retirement, Jerry! Ballard Street – always in our hearts. Love ya, Scooter. Perfect last comic.
Chris Sherlock over 5 years ago
Bon voyage, Jerry! Enjoy your retirement!
WCraft Premium Member over 5 years ago
Perfect that the background is yellow – like he is heading into the sunset. Mosey on down the trail and Godspeed! Thanks Mr. Amerongen – you are a true Master at your craft!
piwismom over 5 years ago
A little teary here too! Have really loved this comic for so long. Thank you, Jerry, for your amazing talent and slightly wonky humor. All the best in your retirement! ♥
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 5 years ago
A recent newcomer.. and it has been fun reading and then trying to out-do other commentators. I hope there will be re-runs but if not.. Cheers to all.. will miss you and Ballard street.
Bargrove over 5 years ago
Jerry, to say we will miss you is just to trifle with words. You are my favorite.
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 5 years ago
Enjoy your retirement . . . and thank you.
BarbMeyerHeersink over 5 years ago
Happy Trails Scooter and Jerry!
FrNoah over 5 years ago
Scooter, pass this way again soon, ok? At least, share some old biscuits with us!
Impkins Premium Member over 5 years ago
Thank you Jerry! All the best! :)
chromosome Premium Member over 5 years ago
Thank you, Jerry, for all the wonderful, well-drawn weirdness! Enjoy your retirement!
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 5 years ago
Looks like Scooter has the Irish blessing working for him, and hopefully for his creator…
May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
Shikamoo Premium Member over 5 years ago
A fitting finale for you and Scooter, Jerry. I hope you enjoy your days without deadlines. Know that your art will live on here with us, as we reacquaint ourselves with your earlier works. Thank you for sharing your awesome gift with us.
ChessPirate over 5 years ago
You know, I know they won’t, but GoComics ought to open up Ballard Street and give us all those things we could do awhile back, like embed pictures and videos, and much more “formatting” than bold and italics, so we can give this comic and its Creator a really proper send-off (for a little while, at least)… ☺
well-i-never over 5 years ago
Aaaahhhh.
SouthHammond over 5 years ago
I believe that if I walk the sidewalks of my hometown long enough, Ill likely windup on Ballad Street.
MontanaLady over 5 years ago
Happy Retirement, Jerry! Thanks for the laughter.
rscheid57 over 5 years ago
happy retirement! this cartoon will be missed.
Kind&Kinder over 5 years ago
Hi Ho Buckaroo Jerry (as Scooter)! Gallop on outta here into the free blue air and have a great new life! No question, we’re all gonna miss you! Thanks for everything!
I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don’t fence me in
—Cole Porter and Robert Fletcher
rhpii over 5 years ago
I came for the dogs and stayed for the humor and camaraderie. Thanks for making the world a better place.
parkerinthehouse about 5 years ago
Oh how I love this guy – makes me laugh out loud – have a splendid retirement!
FrostbiteFalls about 1 year ago
Into the sunset we ride…