Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Out to the Burbs

Was it just me or did any of you hear the parking meters yelling ‘feed me’? I felt like I was playing a slot machine, feeding one quarter after another! Did anyone else get a parking ticket other than Nate Goebel?
It was a glorious evening for running through Royal Oak, Huntington Woods and even Oak Park if you made a wrong turn. I apologize to anyone that wasn’t able to start with the group but I was in a hurry to get back to my beer! Thanks to Julie Hamilton for the route and supplying the maps. Those multi-colored maps really help confuse me!
Once again we were inundated with new runners that seem to bring the average age of the group substantially lower. Where are all of the ‘old farts’?
The votes are still coming in for a substitute for Vivio’s on July 3rd and the front-runner as of today is Atwater Brewery. I think the attraction of the newly opened Riverwalk is steering individuals that way. Remember voting is a privilege and not a right, also only you can prevent forest fires. So if you haven’t voted, please send in your recommendation.

Here’s a note that I received from Richard Brown:

Dear Runners/Walkers,

First of all, a million thanks for the beautiful live & beautiful flowers that you sent while I was in the hospital for jaw surgery. Those flowers are still alive more than two weeks later. Special thanks to Julie Hamilton who took special effort to note what hospital I was going to.

Second, I expect to be at Z's Villa on Jun 26th to walk with the walkers.

Also, thanks for the several cards that were sent. They help me to heal faster!!

Richard

Okay if you weren’t in attendance last night, here are all of the folks that made fun of you. (some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent):

Nate Goebel
Libbie Rutherford
Amelia Letvin
Kathy Brennan
Susanna Brennan
Chris Tupper
Sam Alexis Woods
Ken Davenport
Mark Shehan
Dave Dysert
Marlene Dysert
Mark Kenney
Eric Lacy
Bob Loew
Beth Adams
Tim Emmett
Matt Sikora
Lance Lange
Stephanie Steib
Katie Singer
Karin Abel
Ralph Judd
Jean Andruski
Mary Berry
Dale Monteith
Shirley Monteith
Jim Erlandson
Tina Erlandson
Martha Hach
Julie Hamilton
Colette Mezza
Doug Howell
Colette’s Niece & Baby
Brian Jackson
Tom Gromak
Jonathon (Tom’s friend)
Sean Paraventi
Nicole Adamson
Erin Graham

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Post Picnic Participants

What a great spring picnic! The weather cooperated and there was a slight breeze coming off the lake keeping the bug away. It appears that everyone enjoyed the run and the conversations were flowing back and forth. The volleyball games weren’t Olympic caliber but they were competitive. The food was excellent, thanks to Chef Doug! Thanks goes out to the Boccis for doing all of the preliminary legwork and subsequent clean-up and everything else that they did. I think that the picnic was such a great success that everyone that worked on it should remain on the committee indefinitely! I’m also going to suggest that the day of the picnic become a local holiday so everyone can have the day off and spend more time at the park. Does anyone have Kwami’s home address?
I was having so much fun that I neglected to take one single picture from the picnic. So if anyone has any photos feel free to send me a few for posting on the website.
Martha Hach informed me that Richard Brown’s jaw surgery was successful and that he really appreciated the flowers from the group. I can honestly say that I am truly grateful for knowing such a good group of people.
If any of the following individuals did not have a good time at the picnic, please forward me a note and we’ll make whatever corrections are necessary:

1. Doug Howell
2. Colette Mezza
3. Martha Hach
4. Jeannie Bocci
5. Jerry Bocci
6. Becka Clifton
7. Dave Clifton
8. Libbie Rutherford
9. Justin Verlander
10. Sandy Freund
11. Ken Davenport
12. Ralph Judd
13. Jill Van Buskirk
14. Dale Monteith
15. Shirley Monteith
16. Mark Shehan
17. Katie Singer
18. Lance Lange
19. Dave Dysert
20. Marlene Dysert
21. Doug Kurtis
22. Sarah Madej
23. Matt Sikora
24. Erin Graham
25. John Scott
26. Karin Abel
27. Jean Andruski
28. Renee Greisbeck
29. Mary Berry
30. Brad Behrman
31. Jim Fitch Jr.
32. Mary Ericson
33. Jim Erlandson
34. Tina Erlandson
35. Lynn Diemer
36. Sue Smith
37. John Gialanella
38. Julie Hamilton
39. Rick Robinson
40. Cathy Dean
41. Brian Jackson
42. Gary Godula
43. Sean Paraventi
44. Jane Westley
45. Debbie Snyder
46. Betty Neil
47. Richard Shackleford
48. Larry Wojcik
49. Kathy Pare
50. Liz Rohan
51. Kathy Moss
52. Sara Figueroa
53. Tom Flanagan
54. Jeff Clarke
55. Mary Schwarz
56. Nate Van Noord
57. Nicole Adamson
58. Lodewijk van Holsbeeck
59. Beth Adams
60. Bob Loew

Monday, June 11, 2007

More Media Coverage

Okay the wait is over. No, I’m not talking about the Sopranos, although it was anti-climatic to me. I wanted everyone to get whacked.
The newspaper article about our illustrious group has hit the newsstands. To correspond with the intent of the article they have a picture of the faster runners. I still think a photo of an old Black runner with a knee brace would have been better. So, if there are still copies of the newspaper available purchase yours. If you would prefer the electronic version here’s the link:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706110366

Now we’ll have most of Metropolitan Detroit coming out to run/walk with the group. Let me know what you think of the article and Colette’s picture.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Picnic Fever

Can you feel the excitement of the upcoming picnic? Are you having problems getting to sleep thinking about all of the fun you’re going to have? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you really have problems! Did you get your name on the VIP list?
Here’s the latest Richard Brown update:
His surgery was this past Monday and they were going to treat it as an outpatient surgery. I’m sure that Richard would appreciate all of our thoughts and prayers. If you want to drop him a note, his home address is:

Richard B. Brown 20055 Forestwood Southfield, MI 48076
They're putting a piece of bone from his pelvis into his jaw and unfortunately the pelvis part of the surgery is going to keep him away from tennis and running all summer.
Word has finally gotten out about how competitive the Tuesday evening runs are becoming. We had the pleasure of a reporter and photographer from the Detroit News this past Tuesday. The article was initially intended to showcase my running prowess but I wanted to deflect the attention to the club! So be on the look out for that.
Here’s the list of individuals trying to make the 2008 Olympics:
Eric Lacy
John Scott
Nick Sousanis
Matt Siroka
Erin Graham
Libbie Rutherford
Nate (Libbie’s friend)
Chris Rutherford
Nate Van Noord
Nicole
Nicole’s Boyfriend
Jim Erlandson
Dale Monteith
Shirley Monteith
Betty Neil
Debbie Snyder
Julie Hamilton
Martha Hach
Flip Saunders
Ken Davenport
Mark Shehan
Lance Lange
Ralph Judd
Dave Dysert
Marlene Dysert
Karin Abel
Jane Westley
Mary Berry
Jim Fitch Sr.
Jim Fitch Jr.
Colette Mezza
Jeannie Bocci
Jerry Bocci
Stephanie Steib
Brian Jackson
Gary Godula
Lynn Diemer
Gary Faria
Patty Mallon
Rudy Lauerman
Tom Gromak
Larry Wojcik