Michael (Mike) Franks

65 or 66.........It's just a number on a piece of paper.

Victor Jackson

 Yes Steve it's just a number welcome to the club! Now go fishing OH yes don't forget take down your pants and slide on the Iceeeeeeeee

Jack Habich

Interesting observations from Dee’s partner, Bill, who is spending a couple of days in the Twin Cities on business.  He has an outsider’s perspective.  He loves Normal (the downtown building) and thinks it’s more progressive than Bloomington….the downtown.  I turned him on to Lucca a couple of years ago, and he enjoys going there on every trip….for one thing, I think,  because it’s a different scene from the Veterans Parkway row of franchises.  

This got me thinking about what I’ve thought for at least 10 years.  I’ve been impressed with some of Bloomington’s downtown renovation (the law offices, condos etc.), but it’s slow, and with the Mall concept now dead, and with towns like Lombard/Oakbrook and Glenview building entire areas that look like downtown Bloomington, I look at downtown Bloomington and see wasted opportunity.

Sandra Hammond (McHugh)

Thinking of your family Rod

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

First of all, everyone's thoughts, prayers, and condolences in regard to my Father-in-Law are very much appreciated.  He was a gentle and hard working man.  He was fading very fast and is in a better place now.   It was a tuff few days.  A very close friend of my wife's down here, passed away on Friday, just before her dad on Saturday.  

On to a lighter side.  Ed, will now have (2) grandaughters.  Be careful what you wish for.  Those girls will have you wrapped up before the reception is over.  I'm sure you'll love'm and spoil them rotten.  Also, great to hear about your weight loss.  Sounds like you are really doing good.

Happy Birthday Steve.  I would have never dreamed I would be wishing you a 66th. B-Day back when you and I were playing WB in your driveway, across from your uncle's grocery store.  My, my, times have changed.  I bet you and I could still go a few innings though.

Now Jack.  About that statue.  I thought you were the one on the lower left, setting down.  You mentioned Glenview in your rant about downtown.  Are you close to there.  My uncle lives in Glenview and we visit them from time to time.  Whenever we went up there, we would visit Hastings, but I never knew you were that close.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts.

Jack Habich

No, Rod, you’ve got it wrong.  The statue is meant to be inspirational.  The guy kneeling is a young Steve Jetton, catching his breath after he just came in second in the 440 yd. dash, and visualizing how he will someday take up tennis and waste us all in our later years.

Glenview is about 24 miles away, which gives me plenty of time on the ride home to rant about how Bloomington should resurrect its downtown.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

You are right Jack about Bloomington needing a resurrection.  The last time I was on the Parkway, it was an abortion.  It's probably worse now.

After looking at that statue again, it does have shades of Jetton.  My question would be, who won that 440 he ran?  By the way, I still have my first and only tennis racket that I got with S & H Green Stamps.  We maybe could beat him if he used it.

Since you would probably know.  I keep seeing the name of Dave Holt as the GM of the minor league hockey team, (The Blaze), there in Bloomington.  Is that Thee Dave Holt we know?

Jack Habich

Rod,

It was Ron Bess who edged out Jetton in the last 15 yards of that race.  It was at that time that Steve got the inspiration to take up tennis and just outlast the rest of us.

As for Dave Holt, when he retired, his wife urged him to do something with his life, so he took a BHS Adult Education course called "Contract Negotiation".  He also buried himself in Hockey magazines, and studied film until all hours of the night. When word of this got to The Blaze owner, he put him on as GM.  I think you'll see the results of Dave's draft picks real soon.

Jack Habich

Linda, I think John Elway did some praying himself.

The Bears looked at Tebow, but figured they'd be better off just reactivating Bobby Douglass, who already lives in the neighborhood.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Bobby Douglas was a good QB... he could throw a 50 yd. frozen rope... but no one could catch it! 

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Rod,

So sorry to hear of your family's loss.

Suzi

Jack Habich

Judy Tynan,

Earlier this morning I looked at your (George's) 1994 Central Station  reunion video again, and realized there was sound. Had the speakers off previously.

Interesting to hear voices, especially of those no longer with us.

What I also found interesting, is that the DJ started the music within about 2 minutes of the check-in process, and continued all through it.  There was Lesley Gore, Marvin Gaye, The  Beach Boys etc. playing while people were walking in.  Those already there were in groups, standing and talking clearly and at length while there was music playing.  I didn't see anybody leave because of the noise.  Seemed like everybody got along, and there were no agendas.

It was like a reunion.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Max, you are right.  Douglas could rip guys head off from 30 yards.  Back in those days, I still had a Bear camp insider.  Bears management wanted Bobby to be a running back, wide receiver, or tight end.  But Bobby said, NO, I'm a QB.  That pretty much ended his NFL career and last I heard, he was a real estate land developer.  I used to wonder what kind of pitcher he would have been if he would have learned to throw off a mound with at least some control.

Now Jack.  Reading between the lines, I'm not sure if Holt really is the GM, or if you are wanting me to jump into something that could bite me.

Jack Habich

Now Rod, if you believe that thee Dave Holt is GM of The Blaze, then you would be jumping into something that could bite you.

As for Bobby Douglass, he’s considered the prototype for Tebow.   Last saw him in a coffee shop in Evanston 6-8 years ago, and he still looked strong as a horse.  He’s still running, but from the law, a few times lately.  Last year, he kicked in his on-and-off again girlfriend’s door to find out why she broke up with him, and got a couple of trespass raps….$10,000 bond….never heard what happened but his lawyer must have settled it.  Here is his booking mug.

Michael (Mike) Franks

Douglass looks like the bum that he always was. Sounds like a real ladies man......"Honey, I love you so much, that  I'm going to break down your door and slap the crap out of you." Now that's romance!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Yep, that's Bobby alright.  By the way, he did try his talent at pitching for the White Sox. Things didn't work out too well for him at that.  He was just a little wild.  I know I would never want to bat against him.

Oh, by the way Jack, I do know that the only connection OUR David Holt has to the Blazer's is as a spectator. 

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday to Jim Kelly, Beth Thomas, and Phyllis Furness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack Habich

From what I've observed, I think ex-athletes (or current ones for that matter) have more predisposition to get into a little  trouble and/or walk a little more on the wild side.  Probably because their college years never reallly end.

Trust me, I've seen a lot on Rush Street.

Ed Stanfield

Rehersal in an hour or so, then tomorrow #2 son gets fitted for a lifetime nose ring.. she will place it on his finger, but we all know where it will ultimately go! :)

And we couldn't be happier for both of them ..

Jack Habich

So Ed, nose ring properly installed?

Otherwise, how are the shakes doing by you?  Let's see a picture of your new svelte self.

Michael (Mike) Franks

You know, lawyers can remove those nose rings. It only costs everything that you have, and everything that you will have, for the next 10 years after removal. In some cases, it's worth it. 

Jack Habich

I know a guy who just spent $65,000.......on the lawyer alone.  Said he hit rock bottom ...... and he's still not living tall.

Johnnie Taylor had a song, "Cheaper to Keep Her"...."you didn't pay but $2 to bring the little girl home, now it's gonna cost you 2,000, just to leave her alone".  Inflation has to be considered in those numbers.

Judy Tynan (Danielson)

Jack Habich,

Was looking thru some photo's today and found several of the 94 reunion, as the video showed so did the pictures.  Everyone seemed to be having a good time just catching up.  Soooo, maybe that's what we should do for the 50th, just have a good time catching up.

Ed Stanfield

Jack, et al..

Nosering fixed firmly in place, ends welded shut!

he is now "Married with Children" but is not a shoe salesman.. we now have 2 granddaughters one 14 and one 4... great kids and we love 'em to pieces..

The shakes and stuff are going pretty good... I am down 30 from mid Jan and 42 since I decided to shed the excess weight... no pics tho..

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday John Hostetler !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!