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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021
Restaurateur pens inspirational book BY GERI KOEPPEL Arizonan Contributor
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andy Walters has been many things in his 68 years: hospital corpsman, painter, restaurateur and minister among them. Now, he’s added another line to his resume: Author. He drew upon a decade of running restaurants in Chandler to write a book titled “Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & Hugs: Real stories of faith, kindness, caring, hope, and humor served up at a small diner with a plate of comfort food and a side of unconditional love,” published by Me Youniversity Publishing. During his years helming Pittsburgh Willy’s in the Merchant Square antiques mall from 2008-13 and then Wimpy’s Paradise in downtown Chandler from 2013-18, Walters said many people told
Randy Walters said his new book aims to inspire readers on making a difference. (Courtesy Randy Walters)
him he should write a book. “I hope people will read these stories and understand any of us can make a dif-
ference in somebody’s life,” he said. He calls love and kindness a “superpower” that everyone has and can use. The chapters detail interactions Walters had with customers and lessons he’s learned in life. The stories burst with optimism and hope, something that any of his 1,600 or so Facebook friends or his former customers won’t be surprised to hear. Kim Schulz of Chandler recalls going frequently to Wimpy’s Paradise both for the award-winning burgers and dogs and his famous free hugs. “It’s one of those really good hugs,” she said, “the kind that when you’re having a bad day and you want a hug, you know exactly where to get it.” Schulz continued, “He had this chalkboard outside the restaurant and would write kind and inspiring things. Even if you didn’t stop in the restaurant, you’d
still be inspired to do better in the world.” She added, “We need more people like that in the world to spread the love and make everybody feel wanted and valued.” Walters shares tales of welcoming customers experiencing homelessness and how he learned to provide not just food, but dignity. He writes about making Muslim friends through his restaurant and then hosting a “Muffins with Muslims” chat for people who wanted to learn more about a religion often vilified in the media. Speaking of media, Walters relates in his book how he learned early on how to promote his business with no advertising or marketing budget. He capitalized on Super Bowl XLIII, when his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers played the Arizona Cardinals. He sold hot dogs for $1.22 when the
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Chandler native now explores the world’s oceans BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer
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handler native Mattie Rodrigue says she’s seen more than a few raised eyebrows when she tells them a kid from the desert is now a marine biologist. “They say, ‘What?!’” Rodrigue said. “More often than not I get questions from people … ‘Ah, I wanted to do that when I was a kid, and then I decided to go somewhere else. So my goal is to make sure any kid that wants to be a marine biologist, knows that it’s a possibility.” Now, Rodrigue spends most of the year on the OceanX ship as its science program lead. OceanX is a global nonprofit ocean exploration organization. Rodrigue returned to Chandler earlier this month to visit with family. While here, she made an appearance at the OceanX Adventure exhibit currently being displayed at the Crayola Experience in Chandler Fashion Center. She credited her teachers while she was growing up in Chandler for helping her
Chandler native Mattie Rodrigue leads a discussion about OceanX at the Crayola Experience at Chandler Fashion Center. She’s the science program lead on board the exploration ship. (Ken Sain/Staff) reach the bottom of the ocean where she has discovered new species. Rodrigue went
to Dobson High School and graduated from Arizona State University. When she’s not on
the ship, which she is about 8-to-10 months a year, she calls New York home. “Mattie actually had a couple of weeks break, and because she is local here in Chandler, OceanX had reached out to us,” said Casey Santoro, the general manager at Crayola Experience. “We thought, what a great partnership, we already had the OceanX display going on here, so it just fit perfectly for everybody.” Rodrigue said she loved to explore the desert when she was growing up. “I want to know what is out there, I want to find new things, I want to discover and explore,” Rodrigue said. “But ultimately I’m passionate about the future of the oceans.” Rodrigue said it was on a trip to California when she was in the fourth grade that her mother suggested she talk to a marine biologist. That’s how a kid from the desert who grew up hundreds of miles away from any ocean became interested in marine biology.
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