Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Rod, and to think how lucky you all were that the ice didn't crack.  I remember hearing about all of you playing crack the whip!  Sounded like fun at the time, but at our age, would be a scary thought now!  Oh how times change.  The more they change the more they stay the same!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Helen --  Yes, we did some pretty wild things on the ice.  I have ice skating stories I can't tell for fear of someone telling me how stupid that was.  But, we were young and everybody was Superman.  I did get on the ice not too long ago, and I was pretty good, but not crazy.  I took a tumble every time I thought I was 16 again.  I haven't forgot Billy.  My Grand Son is on a T-Ball  Tournament Team and last week end they played Sat and Sun, but, they did win the whole thing.  So, now we have to go again this week end for another tournament.  But, I will get up there to talk with them.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Jack, Judy, Steve, Holly, and all others

About 30 hrs. till the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes.  Here is how it will be, I HOPE.  A few of these horses should not be in this race, and hopefully won't mess it up.  Most of them will fall back and stay there.  Santiva is a speed horse that will most likely come to the front, but then fade.  Prime Cut is a horse that some like.  He has shown good, but never run this length.  He'll fade in the stretch.  Master of Hounds is another good horse.   This length is very good for him, but he just hasn't had the experience yet.  Again, Mucho Macho Man will run good, but he just doesn't seem to want to win.  New Jockey could be good, or could be really bad.  Brilliant Speed is a horse that can for sure run the distance, but won't be there at the end.  Might still be a good bet for a long shot.  Nehro made a fast charge at the Derby, and he is rested.  I guess he could be in the hunt at the end, but I think he will run short.  Shackleford of course will be in the hunt.  He is probably the best 3 yr. old sprinter around.  He'll make a charge, but his early speed will have worn on him.  Animal Kingdom.  My pick to win.  He is the best all round horse.  He has seen the other horses, and knows how thley will run.  He won't try to run with the sprinters at first, but he will have the most left in his tank at the finish.  I can't say for sure, but if some of the better horses set too fast a pace at first or get caught in traffic, Animal Kingdon will just make the race a laugh.  He  is just the best horse and he loves to win.  Place your bets.  Just don't blame me if you lose, after all, I'm not listed on the Vegas Board.

Judith (Judy) McLean (Wilder)

Rod,

I am thinking that I might box Nehro, Animal Kingdom and Shackleford because I think they are the ones that will be there in the end.  If those are the three top finishers it won't pay very much.  Those are always the kind I win though!!  My husband thinks Animal Kingdom will win too but he will probably wheel him with 4 or 5 others horses and he's having a hard time figuring out who to put in as long shots! 

I saw Brad last Saturday and told him you said "hello".  He said where did you see him?  I told him that I had been on the class message forum and you had mentioned having relatives in Washington and had told me who it was and wondered if I knew them.  I guess Patty and Ken did know that you were cousins already.  Brad was fixing pancakes at the Rotary Breakfast at our local festival and it was about 90 degrees at 8:30 a.m. when we got there.  He was soak and wet behind that grill!!!  He was really surprised when I told him what you told me to say.  I should see him again Sunday as he is the usher at church this week so we'll probably discuss it more. 

Hope you have good luck with your picks for the Belmont!!

Marilyn Evans (Tate)

I also have fond memories of the Circus Roller Rink.  Bert and Agnes were really great people and  friends with all the kids that hung out there.  Bert had a little  problem with the bottle.  When Agnes died he kind of went down hill pretty bad. Clarence (I think he was Berts brother)helped with the rink for a while but it wasn't opened too much longer.  I remember all the pictures on the walls.  Agnes used to tell me who a lot of them were and I remember the picture of Tom Mix very well because I was a huge fan of westerns. I still am.

Well, we are off on another "road trip" in our 55 chevy on Sunday.  This time we are going back to the Black Hills of South Dakota . We are going to be caravaning along with Cecil & Faye Jones and maybe my brother Mike Evans.  We are meeting up with a some other "car nuts". One couple is from Butler Missouri (between Joplin and Kansas City. The other couple is from Coweta, OK (near Tulsa.) You meet the nicest people through a shared passion for old cars. Hopefully everything will go well and nobody will have any car problems.

The gas prices will suck but you can't take it with you and at our age who knows what next year or even next week will bring. Will check in when we return. Have a great week everyone!

Jack Habich

I'm thinking Animal Kingdom.

Jack Habich

Marilyn, here is a 90's picture of my late buddy Rocco with his beloved yellow Cadillac.  He had this thing for either 13 or 17 years, and put more than $40,000 in maintenance into it. Finally got a new ride in 2009.  What year is this car, do you know?  I forgot.

Marilyn Evans (Tate)

Jack, that looks like a 1979 Eldorado. My dad had a 1976 yellow sedan de ville. The last year of the really big cars.  My brother still has it.  It is a beautiful car.  I love the yellow leather.

By the way if anyone has spare time tomorrow there is a Route 66 Cruise in at Atlanta, IL . Some members of the McLean County Antique Auto Club will have their cars on display plus they have a couple of really neat buildings open.  And "The Palms" has wonderful pie!

Marilyn Evans (Tate)

The "Cruise in" is from 12:00 til 6pm.

Judith (Judy) McLean (Wilder)

Just read that the Belmon Stakes track is supposed to be sloppy!  I guess we'll have to study the program a little more and see which of the horses are good mud horses.  Ruler on Ice is supposed to like an off track...may have to change my bet!

Steve Jetton

Marilyn, thanks for the heads up on the Route 66 Cruise. I'm not a real car guy but the old ones are fun to look at. If nothing else, you got me with "good pie" at the Palms. I don't know where to get good pie in town anymore, since Bakers Square closed. A new place called Red Oak did open up downtown a few weeks ago & that might be an answer. Enjoy the Black Hills.

I'll likely miss the Belmont. My senior USTA team has a match in Springfield this afternoon and I probably won't get back in time. Remember Kent Jett, class of '65? Played shortstop on the baseball team. He and I will be partnering up as a doubles team. Two short, bald guys - makes for a good combination. (Don't ask me why.)

The local history that shows up here is fascinating. I want to recall that some of the Valentines shopped at my uncle's grocery store on Evans St back in the old days. From about age 12 through college I was usually working there. The name Roy Valentine seems to ring a bell. Also a female - wife, daughter? - who, I must admit made an impression on a teen age boy.

Jack Habich

Thanks Marilyn.  I looked it up and it does look like a '79 Eldorado,  He had the car for 17 years, I found out, so he obviously bought it used.  By the time he put it to bed, he had a 30 year old car that cost him some bucks.

Milan Jackson

 Is anyone picking Shakleford? :)

Judy Tynan (Danielson)

Marilyn,

sometimes I miss the old days when George and I were street rodding but he had bigger ideas and went to converting an old bus.  That was fun.  Anyway, we have been motorhoming for about 20 yrs  but do miss the old cars but still meet some of the best people when you are on the road.  Some of our best friends we had met while traveling.

Be safe in your travels.

By the way, I lived in Atlanta, Ill for 15 yrs.  Neat little town, sometimes I miss it but great to be back in Bloomington and not having to drive so far. 

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 We're headed to Bloomington and hope to see those who will be at breakfast at Shannon's on Wednesday.  Can't wait!

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Marilyn, have a great time but be careful because of the flooding up north.  The weather has been crazy west of the Mississippi.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I picked Ruler on Ice but I also picked Animal Kingdom and Shackleford.  Oh well maybe next year.

Jack Habich

 Actually, in a little known fact, these two ancients, Steve Jetton and Kent Jett ('65) won the nationals in their division for the Twin Cities.  Here they are on their way to victory, representing B/N old timers in Las Vegas in 2008."

Jack Habich

And now, before I get off this computer and go about my business, how about a little Hennie Youngman?

A wife says to her husband you're always pushing me around and
talking behind my back. He says what do you expect? You're in a wheel 
chair.

Man calls 911 and says "I think my wife is dead" The operator says how

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Wendy Stephens Cullen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Bill Wingett !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Steve Wilson !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Well, Horse Lovers, another bad Belmont.  Three years running now.  I still think if there had been only 7 horses on a fast track, it would have been a great race to watch.  Unfortunately, due to something out of my control, I didn't know about the sloppy track until about an hour before race time.  That was not good, because it makes for a more even field.  All the bad horses can stay around longer and cause traffic problems, even though they have no chance to finish in the money.  Everybody did pretty much what I expected.  Santiva got out quick and died.  Mucho Macho Man just doesn't want to win.  Shackleford ran as hard as he could, but then faded as expected.  Race was just too long, even if it had been dry.  Nehro proved to be a short to mid length runner.  Although he also ran himself to death in the mud.  Animal Kingdom just plain got a tough break.  One of those things.  When he clicked hoofs with the other horse and the jockey lost his stirrup, that was bad enough.  But when AK lost his stride, and the jock went forward, it was over.  Too much to make up and heavy mud hitting you with every stride.  Oh well.  I gotta give it to the winner.  He got out front and in against the rail.  Left the mud behind him and the Jock made a good smart run.  I did enjoy seeing the Owner.  He was a happy man, as he should be.

Steve Jetton

Jack I feel obliged to post a correction regarding my illustrious tennis accomplishments - we only "made" the national tournament, didn't "win" it.   If I let that go, Linda Roberts might wonder why there is not a big picture on the wall at the tennis club and I'd be busted.

We did beat the Chicago guys that year, a rarity, and then won the midwest regional in Indianapolis.  After that I left that team and started up my own in order to provide more local competition.  Since then I have gotten very familiar with losing.  As they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

Linda, as a matter of fact I did play on a super senior team last fall.  Finding other teams to play at that level seems hard.  Champaign was the only other downstate team.  We beat them and then were taken to school by the Chicago guys.  

I've know Henry for years through tennis, racquetball, State Farm.  He is a great guy.  He hits like a sissy.  (Actually, not true, it's rather scary to be on the other side of the net when he cranks up.) 

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Steve Chestney !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!