WRONGDOING PAYS WELL

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Wells Fargo. Can’t seem to get out of the news. First, the $185 million fine for illegal marketing practices. In addition to the fine, Wells Fargo discharged 5,300 employees claimed to have been involved..

Yesterday, it was reported that the head of the marketing unit retired in July. Her name, Carrie Tolstedt. A 27 year employee.

Her retirement payout, $124.6 million.

Wrongdoing pays.

An extremely busy day for me yesterday. I sometimes let things go. Then have to play catch up. Yesterday was catch up day.

Went well. In fact, I felt energized when I was done.

So energized, I put together tonight’s podcast. All done. Can relax today.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou is at 9. Topics include what I consider a Facebook error, the Wells Fargo fiasco, the FDA banning a specific chemical from soap and not toothpaste, debtor jails for children, government workers outnumber manufacturing jobs, only one in six primary age persons working, some Syracuse football, France and Israel with driverless vehicles, Joe Biden stepping in if Hillary cannot go ahead, police committing sex crimes, and more.

Dueling Bartenders at Aqua last night. Tom and Rick bartending. The three ladies I met at Tavern ‘n Town saturday night sitting at the bar. Mary, Lizabeth and Josefina. Plus a friend I have not seen in ages. Jim Wallace, together with his wife and mother in law. Jim was my art dealer at one time. He now is a manager at the Butterfly Conservatory.

I had a most enjoyable evening chatting with Lizabeth. Lizabeth Goody. Has had a Key West home for years. Lizabeth is a former Dean at two law schools. Stetson and Cleveland State. In spite of the overwhelming music noise, we talked law, mutual acquaintances, etc.

Farmer’s Market thursdays at Belleview Park. I am ashamed that I rarely go. The breads, cakes and honey outstanding. The City commission renewed the Market’s one year lease last night

Something strange in the news this morning. Not the local news.

The article stated the EPA had approved/permitted cutting edge technology re Zika carrying mosquitoes. University of Kentucky given the go ahead. Their solution somewhat similar to Oxitec’s, but different. Don’t ask how. It was not clearly spelled out.

Kentucky’s process has been tested in Fresno, California since May.

Is Kentucky’s process the end all solution/salvation to the Zika cause? Is Oxitec’s way alive?

The Star Spangled Banner does not leave us. All over the news the past few weeks. Today an anniversary. On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem which when put to music became the Star Spangled Banner.

Join me for my show this evening. A quick-moving half hour. Never boring. Sometimes controversial. Many topics eye openers. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

A PEEK AT THE TRUTH

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Sometimes my weekly KONK Life column takes longer than anticipated. Yesterday, I thought it would  be a breeze to get out. I was wrong. It took a couple of hours in the morning and four more in the afternoon.

The research had been done the day before.

It is not the basic writing that takes tine. It is the rewriting and editing. Especially, the rewriting. A word here, a line there, reorganization of paragraphs, etc.

Screwed up my day. I missed Don’s Place and watching pro football with Don and friends.

This blog reaches persons world wide. My podcast has a smaller audience. I suspect it is made up of  some blog readers but most are those that only listen to the show.

The KONK Life column is a different story. It reaches several thousand persons who I suspect neither read the blog or listen to the podcast.

There is sometimes an overlapping of material. I want to share what I consider the good stuff with everyone.

This week’s KONK Life column is A Peek At the Truth. Seven topics of misdeeds, wrongdoing, disagreeable activity, whatever. Some already commented on in this blog or my podcast. Some new. Each eye opening to some degree.

The William Hackley saga continues. Baby apparently well. No comment re Baby in two days. However, William’s leg a problem. Continues to be swollen from ankle to knee. He’s walking. It hurts. Used a liniment on it during the evening.

I had the problem once. Horrendous! Same area of the leg. Thought my leg was going to explode. A blood pressure problem for me. No mention of blood pressure in Hackley’s writing .

Medical care obviously and understandably not great in 1855.

Hillary is sick. She was diagnosed friday with pneumonia. Told few. Continued with her campaigning.

I watched her in an interview friday. Mentioned in saturday’s blog she did not come over well. Seemed to have slowed down. Thought it might be to contrast Trump. I mentioned at the end she could be sick.

She is sick. May she recover quickly.

Hopalong Cassidy died this day in 1972 at age 77. Hopalong’s true name was William Boyd. Boyd was a leading cowboy actor in movies of the 1930s.

TV superceded the movies in the years following World War II. Boyd played Hopalong Cassidy in a half hour TV show. His following primarily children. In 1950, Hopalong Cassidy was the seventh most popular TV show in America.

I did not contribute to Boyd’s success. I was a Gene Autry/Roy Rogers fan.

Tonight, Dueling Bartenders.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PARTY TIME!

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The Chart Room and Berlin’s walked hand in hand last night.

The Chart Room was packed. Standing was tight. The group in their 60-70s. From the Fort Lauderdale area. Obviously affluent. Celebrating the birthday of one of the group.

The guest of honor was outfitted in a white tuxedo jacket, white shirt, black tie, black shorts and sandals.

I left before the partiers did. Headed for Berlin’s. Dinner at the bar. Emilie bartending. Introduced me to her fellow bartender Sean.

Before you knew it, the Chart Room party group showed up. They had to wait for their table. Ordered drinks. The same for all of them. Key Lime Martinis. Twenty six of them.

Ellie and Shawn lined the 26 martini glasses on the bar. Then proceeded to make the drink and fill the glasses. Done very efficiently. In record time. Not a drop missed.

When things quieted down, Emilie and I chatted a bit. She vacationed in Iceland for two weeks. Loved it! I would like to try it some day.

Sean is an Alabama graduate. A new friend for Jean Thornton.

Everywhere I go lately, I hear people ordering Tito’s vodka. New to me. A relatively new drink. John poured me a very short shot. Tasted good. Did not taste like vodka. Worry not, I shall not be deserting Beefeaters.

I bought the new tire yesterday and had it put on the car. A simple task. Should not take long. Familiar however with how Sears can take forever, people waiting in line, etc, I called and asked if I could make an appointment. Yes. At 8 or 1. I picked 1. Promptly at 1? No, means you are the next car in line. Ok. Better than the other way.

I got there a half hour early. 12:30. Was told it would take 1-1 1/2 hours, in spite of the appointment. Told the counter man I would be in the sitting room reading the newspapers. Ok, I’ll call you.

He forgot me. Two hours later, I went to the counter and asked about my car. Oh, he said. It’s finished. It has been sitting outside quite a while.

You can’t win!

I listened to a Hillary talk mid afternoon. I am getting depressed. She failed to impress me again.

She was speaking quietly and slowly. I have to assume to contrast Trump. Does not come over well.

Her hair was a mess. A real mess. I would assume she has a hair person traveling with her.

I hate to say this, she looked like she was sick.

I saw her in the give and take with reporters an hour later. Hair still a mess. However, it was Hilary talking. Perky! Brightly!

I was home early. Wanted to watch the Syracuse/Louisville game. Caught the second half. A knife in my chest! Syracuse lost 62-28. Defense and offense sucked! Obviously!

This Zika thing is out of control. From Key Haven to Washington to the rest of the world. Out of control as to what to do, allocate money, etc. Not out of control as to number infected in the U.S.. Not yet. Maybe never.

The Oxitec war with Key Haven is turning into Goliath/David situation.

Oxitec is owned by the British company Intrexon. It was recently announced Intrexon had hired a Tallahassee public relations firm to assist Oxitec with the Key Haven and full key votes. The PR firm appears to have raised its ugly head. Jumped into the fray.

There is a lengthy Letter to the Editor in this morning’s KONK E-Blast. Tears apart every argument made by Key Haven residents. Skillfully slices away. Representations not all correct. Some  twisting of the facts. False reasons claimed as to why Key Haven residents are opposed to the testing.

The letter is purportedly by Big Pine’s Walter Lagraves. I question whether he actually wrote the letter. Could it have been the PR people? I do not know Lagraves. If he wrote the letter, I apologize for suspecting he did not. The letter is too long, too knowledgeable and too scientific. A professional opposition paper.

If Lagraves is serious, I suggest he go a step further. He should recommend the testing be done in Big Pine rather than Key Haven.

It’s called put your money where your mouth is!

Enjoy your day!

 

THE LADIES CELEBRATE

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Womenfest has arrived. An international meeting of lesbians and their friends. An annual Key West event.

The weekend will be busy. The ladies take over. Their numbers huge. All kind of fun activities.

Kelly McGillis will be here. She was one of the orangizers of the event back when. You may recall her as the lovely lady in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise. For several years during her acting career, Kelly lived in Key West. She was an owner of two restaurants with her then husband.

Dancing, singing, pool parties, naked cruises, setting sun cruises, tag football, etc. Go for it ladies! Key West is yours!

Went to bocce last night. To watch. No bocce. The courts were still wet from the morning’s rain. Stopped at Don’s Place. Only Keith from the team there. Talked to him a bit.

Then to the Chart Room. Business good. Chatted with John a while. He is off to Puerto Rico and other points next week. A ten day vacation.

Some Key West from the past.

The Beatles were in Key West for two days years ago. They were flying to Jacksonville to do a show. Hurricane Dora prevented the trip from being completed. They landed in Key West.

The Beatles stayed at the Key Wester Motel. Frolicked in the pool.

After they left, an enterprising young man filled small bottles with water from the pool. Sold them as water the Beatles had swum in.

Bum Farto was a famous Key West Fire Chief. Also a cocaine dealer. He had strong connections with Columbia. He was indicted and headed for jail.

On this day in 1975, he disappeared. Never to be seen again. Many believe he went the way of Jimmy Hoffa.

1855 and William Hackley. Baby better. Expects her to grow soon. Present problem is Baby has thrush. William has a leg problem. Ankle to knee swollen on one leg. No pain. He walks on it.

On this date in 1975, Elvis Presley made his big time TV debut. On the Ed Sullivan Show. The whole world watched. Even me.

Elvis’ moving hips were considered immoral. The TV camera only framed him in from his chest up.

That’s the way it was back then!

I periodically speak of Courmayeur and Chamonix. Places I have visited many times. Places I mention in this blog. Where Anna has been the past week.

Both communities sit on the side of Mont Blanc. The tallest mountain in Europe. Part of the Alps. Awesome appearing!

Anna e-mailed me twice yesterday and the news is talking about the almost disaster on Mont Blanc between the two towns.

Cable cars run up and down the mountain. Go 11,000 feet high.

I did it once about five years ago. From the time the cable car started moving, I was convinced I had made a mistake. As it moved up and I looked down, I knew I had made a mistake. A never ending fall. I was uncomfortable.

Tragedy almost occurred yesterday. Several of the cars stopped half way up. The cables got screwed up. More than 100 people involved. One a 10 year old.

The cable cars are covered gondolas. Helicopters were able to get some out. About 100 were stuck overnight. Blankets, food and water were gotten to them together with a rescue person to keep them calm. All from helicopters.

In  the morning, the remaining 100 were able to get down via the cable cars. Things got fixed.

I was right five years ago. You had to be crazy to get on one!

Look at the photos on the internet. The view below the cable cars is like looking into a never ending deep hole in the earth.

This week’s KONK Life column the Star Spangled Banner…..Birth To Today appears in this morning’s E-Blast and has also been linked to my Key West Lou web page.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

A FIRST FOR ME

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A first for me. A Key West first.

I was getting a manicure with Tammy yesterday. A woman nearby was getting a pedicure. Her dog, a pedicure also.

The dog a tiny one. Not tiny tiny. About 2/3 the size of a Jack Russell. Lying on her (I assume) back on her mother’s lap. Feet straight up in the air.

There was a separate woman doing the dog’s nails.

I said to Tammy…..Look! She said it was nothing. Many women bring their dogs in for a pedicure. Color, too. The dog I saw was having her nails colored.

Only in Key West? I don’t know. I was not aware dogs received pedicures and their nails colored in a human’s nail establishment.

Lunch at the Cuban Coffee Queen. Cuban cheese toast and cold Cuban coffee. Ruby is back.

AAA is losing money on me. Last week a call for a dead battery. Last night, a flat.

I was on my way to Back Door. To meet Donna and Terri. I got about a half mile towards town on US 1 and I had a flat. Not just a flat. A hole the size of a golf ball in the side of the tire. I have no idea what I drove over. Back to Sears today for a new tire.

Had to wait an hour for AAA to show up. They use Arnold’s. I had to wait two hours when the battery was dead.

It got dark as I waited. Had the blinker/warning lights on. First time I have ever used them. Better safe than sorry. Keith saw the car on the side of the road. He came over. Spent most of the waiting time keeping me company.

We discussed bocce. Big game tonight against Hell’s Rangers. The match will be interesting. I plan on being there. Only as a spectator.

Never made it to Back Door. Went home instead to listen to the Trump/Clinton forum. Too late for Hillary. Picked some of her comments up later in the evenings in reruns.

Did get to see Trump. I was impressed and unimpressed. He looks good and spoke well  when questioned by Matt Lauer. Trump’s problem….He does not answer questions.

The reruns of Hillary reminded me of her negatives I have seen for a long time. She is too serious. Answers too long. She tends to ramble.

Between the two, no question Hillary the more knowledgeable. Trump lacks the  knowledge and experience required for the job.

Sometimes, public officials fail to wear their thinking hats. The third Zika case has been reported in Monroe County. Not contracted here. From out of the country.

The public official was asked where in Monroe County does the third person reside. The response…..I can’t tell you.

Note, not who, not what address, only the community/area.

The Mosquito Control Board continues to exhibit a large degree of insanity. The Board last night approved the $4.9 million construction of a new building. Such requires an immediate 41 percent raise in taxes.

Something does not make sense. The Board pushes Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquito and the new building. With vigor. Why?

The Key West City Commission voted on the side of the angels last night. Voted against a resolution to support the introduction of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Keys. Finally did something right!

Sick people out there. An Oklahoma woman was arrested for marrying her daughter. Daughter of age. Charge: Incest. Several years ago, the mother was charged with incest for having married her son. The problem went away when the son divorced his mother on the grounds of incest.

Comcast is pissing me off! No TV reception since 2 this morning. I sleep with the TV on. No TV, I have been awake since 2.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

STRANGE WEATHER

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It rained yesterday. First time since a week ago sunday. We had rain the days before 99L. Not sure even as a result of 99L. Then the day 99L or a tropical storm was to hit, no rain.

Spent yesterday fine tuning last nights blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

One of the opening topics was Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte calling Obama the “son of a whore.”

I spoke at length about Duterte two weeks ago on the show. Referred to him as the Philippine Trump. Primarily because he was evidencing a foul mouth.

Why Duterte opted to defecate on Obama is difficult to understand. China is pushing the Philippines around. Specifically, the South China Sea. The Philippines have a next to nothing Navy and Air Force. We are their number one protector and arms supplier. Duterte is biting the hand that feeds him.

Poker Run around the corner. September 15-18. Ten thousand bikers will be in town. The roar of the bikes and the roar of the crowds!

Trump never ceases to amaze me. His comment yesterday was that his temperament was his “single greatest asset.”

Syracuse/Louisville friday night. Louisville ranked #13. I look forward to the game. Syracuse has a new coach and new offense.

Louisville a 14 point favorite.

Today is wednesday. Screw off day for me. The first day of my three day weekend. Other than my daily blog, no writing.

I have a manicure scheduled this morning and Back Door at cocktail time. There will be more as the day progresses.

Enjoy your day!

CONNIE GILBERT

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Key West makes claim to many interesting diverse persons. Recently unfortunately, several have passed on. One sunday.

Connie Gilbert.

Connie was a Key West resident some twenty years. Made her contribution primarily as an activist. She was not afraid to speak up.

A thoughtful supporter of women’s rights and civil rights. An advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Carol Tedesco was a close friend. She best describes Connie as “…..a person who stirred things up in a good way.”

Spent the day yesterday preparing for tonight’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics include Obama being insulted at the Asian meeting, Hermine still making trouble, private mercenaries mauling even children at pipeline protest, Melania’s lawsuit, France’s driverless buses in use, Israel’s driverless gun vehicles protecting the Gaza border, and the surprising number of police arrested for sexual abuse crimes.

Plus, 9 million more people employed in government than the private sector, private jail a debtor’s prison for children whose parents cannot pay juvenile court fees, finally people talking about TTP’s corporate courts, and Colin Kaepernick.

Got a telephone call yesterday from Guy de Boer. Driving in Georgia. On his way back to Key West. After three wonderful weeks on Martha’s Vineyard.

The Chart Room first last night. Glad I decided to stop. George and Dillon at the bar. George a lady, Dillon the man.

Years since I have seen them. I recalled the only time George and I really talked. An interesting conversation. Thirteen years ago at Lisa’s wedding reception. At the martini bar. George made an impression. Over the years, the meeting and conversation have crossed my mind.

George an extremely lovely woman!

She has been a bartender at Hogs Breath 19 years.

Dillon is from Indiana. That automatically makes him a great guy. Dillon is in charge of the collection at the Mel Fisher Museum. Some thirty odd years now.

Then to Berlin’s for dinner. Sat at the bar.

Berlin’s is a cigar bar. Rarely have I seen someone smoking a cigar there. Last night was different. Twelve people sitting in the alcove. Most puffing away. Even some of the women.

Emilie bartending. First time we have met. Charming. Has worked the Berlin bar several years. She is enamored. With a bright smile on her face, she told me about her boy friend. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. He presently is at sea. Second mate on a Merchant Marine vessel.

Met Thomas also. Executive sous chef. A nice guy. We had a brief but good conversation. He is in Key West while his son finishes school.

Food! An appetizer. Large. No room for anything else. A Maine lobster/escargot dish baked in a partial pastry shell covered with a cream sauce. To die for! Finished the evening with a cappuccino.

My friend Howard Livingston’s Southernmost Coconut Castaways’ Friend Club has a Jump Up scheduled for saturday. 11:30-6:00. Sandbar Sports Grill on Greene Street. A fundraiser for the Xena Club.

Anna telephoned yesterday. She was in Chamonix, France. Has been there a week staying in a hotel. Unusual since her Swiss chalet is only 20 miles away in Courmayeur, Italy. I suspect I know why. Coumayeur is quiet. Chamonix a party town.

Both communities sit half way up Mont Blanc. Highest mountain in Europe. Snow and ice on the mountain tops all year long. Anna said the weather has been unusually warm. The ice is cracking, snow sliding down the mountain. Mini avalanches. There have been a couple of deaths and several injuries.

I read an article over the weekend about northern Italy during World War II. Especially the northern portion including Milan and its surrounding area. Anna lives in Novara. A twenty minute ride from Milan.

The article had to do with the Nazi killing of Italian resistance fighters. Fifty thousand. Many from the north area.

I recall when visiting Anna, she walked me to a place where many executions took place. Less than five minutes from her apartment.

A large brick wall stands. Long. The Nazis lined people up against the wall for execution. The bullet pock marks evident everywhere.

The thought alone leaves me with a chilling feeling.

Enjoy your day!

HERMINE FICKLE

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I learned from sailing that wind is fickle. It blows every which way. Even at different levels at the same time.

Hermine is fickle. It has been blowing every which way for the past two weeks. Started out in the Atlantic as a 99L tropical wave. Then turned into a tropical storm. Followed by a class 1 hurricane. Back to a tropical storm. Today, perhaps back to a hurricane.

Initially, Hermine was to hit Key West as a tropical storm. Maybe even a hurricane. That was 9-10 days ago. I stocked up on hurricane food and water.

Missed Key West completely. Went out into the Gulf.

Turned around in the Gulf and headed back to Florida. Hit north Florida as a tropical storm. Did a number on the area. Turned into a hurricane as it moved up the Atlantic coast.

Veered out into the ocean around New Jersey. Supposedly to continue going east into the Atlantic. Diminishing in speed.

All of a sudden yesterday, it reversed course and headed back to shore. It is now a tropical storm. May become a hurricane again.

It is anticipated Hermine will sit in the Atlantic off the U.S. northeastern coast. New Jersey, New York and points north will suffer. Wind and rain. Rip tides. While Hermine rests for a few days.

If that ain’t fickle, I do not know what is!

Spent more time than I normally do yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. A lot of facts.

The title is Star Spangled Banner…..Birth To Today. I was motivated to write the article as a result of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s actions.

An interesting tale.

The column hits the stands wednesday.

I was tired afterwards. Unusual. Decided not to go out for a few drinks and dinner. However, I did have to leave the house for a short while. A prescription pickup at Walgreens and a few items of groceries at Publix.

The Key West City Commission continues to screw up. The group a disgrace.

The carport solar panels at the new City Hall. Bite the bullet and correct the situation. The City is in violation of its own carport law. If the City in this instance were a private property owner, the owner would be required to tear down and relocate the solar panels. Regardless of cost!

The sadness here will be the taxpayers dollars required to pay for the corrective work. Justice would be to have the Commissioners and City officials involved pay out of their own pockets.

Another City Commission screw up on the horizon. The GM mosquito problem. The Commission will discuss the issue at its wednesday meeting.

My suggestion is they keep their noses out or back the Key West residents who are opposed. Better, they stay out of it completely!

Citizens’ Voice in this morning’s Key West Citizen had an interesting comment/observation. The City had closed off a block of Duval for drinking and partying as part of Brewfest saturday night. At the same time, a drunk driving check point was located on Northern Boulevard at the intersection with Bertha and Palm.

Does not make sense to have had both events the same evening.

The great English actress and Academy award winner Helen Mirren will be in Key West, Big Pine and Marathon September 13-16. She is filming a new movie The Leisure Seeker. Production people are already in the area seeking locals to perform as extras.

Pasternak’s Dr. Zhivago was published this date in 1958 in the United States. An immediate best seller. Soon made into a movie.

Pasternak was awarded that same year the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Soviet government would not permit him to leave Russia to accept.

The movie continues to be well received to this date. I cannot recall how many times I have watched the film. It is frequently shown on television.

Tolstoy’s War and Peace is another great historical Russian novel. Written in 1869. Movie starring Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer released in 1956. One of my all time favorite movies!

The problem is I have only seen the movie two times. When originally released in 1956 and several years ago on television. For some reason, War and Peace is not rerun as frequently as Dr. Zhivago. Why, I cannot understand. Both outstanding films based on outstanding novels by outstanding writers.

War and Peace, where are you?

Enjoy your Labor Day!

 

STAR TREK MISSION 50 YEARS OLD

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Who would have believed it? The new TV show that first appeared on September 8, 1966. A futuristic show. Called Star Trek, it is still remembered. Fifty years later.

I suspect it is so because the show itself and its characters were believable. There was a quality of honesty. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock examples. Some civil rights thrown in. Recall the different types and colors of those appearing in the shows.

Spent several hours yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. I will write it this afternoon. The article involves, surrounds, and emanates from the Star Spangled Banner. It has everything. Francis Scott Key, the burning of Washington, anti-Union blacks, a reluctant British Admiral, a cautious President Woodrow Wilson, and professional football player Colin Kaepernick.

I look forward to writing the column.

Intended to have dinner last night at the Marriott Beachside. Good luck! The bar and restaurant were packed.

Where to go? I did not want to drive into the downtown area. There was a DUI roadblock from 8-3 on Northern Boulevard at the intersection with Bertha and Palm.

Decided to try La Trattoria Oceanside. Glad I did.

Ate at the bar. Most of the time alone. There was time to chat with the bartender. Stephanie. A nice person. Enjoyed her company.

Stephanie is from Long Beach, New York. Long Island. She has been in Key West three years. The snow drove her down here. Understandable. If I never see snow again, it will not bother me.

She has traveled. Spain and London.

We talked politics a bit. Key West real estate. Local restaurant operators. La Trattoria on Duval. And other things.

Stephanie is a personality. I look forward to her company the next time I dine at La Trattoria Oceanside.

Bocce is into two weeks of the new season. Don’s Place is tied with three other teams for first place. Records 5-1.

Hell’s Rangers is one of those teams. Always dangerous. Always good. Don’s Place plays Hell’s Rangers next thursday. A blood bath, guaranteed!

The college football season is upon us. Syracuse beat Colgate friday night 33-7. Winning a big deal. However, not so big when the opponent beaten is considered. Colgate is a Division II school, whereas Syracuse a Division I.

There was a time…..

Colgate was a national champion. Always in the running. A major college team. National Champion in 1916 and 1932.

Syracuse became more powerful and Colgate less. By the end of World War II, Colgate was a second rate team. Syracuse was beating Colgate consistently.

The last time Colgate beat Syracuse was 1950.

Syracuse was National Champion in 1959. Ernie Davis time. Syracuse beat Colgate that year 71-0.

Following the 1961 season, Colgate announced it would not be scheduling Syracuse again.

Friday night therefore was special. Two old foes meeting again after a long lapse.

The two teams have played 66 times. In spite of Syracuse’s dominance in more modern times, Colgate still leads the series 31-30-5.

For some reason, most of the games were played at Syracuse. Many in the old Archibald Stadium.

I remember Archibald clearly. My Father used to take me to Syracuse games back then. From the time I was 8-9 through my high school years. Archibald was not a covered facility. No dome. My recollection is it was cold and rainy for each game. And muddy. Anywhere one walked, it was at least six inches of slop.

All fun, however. I thank my Dad for having exposed me to the experience.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID WOLKOWSKY

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David Wolkowsky…..Happy Birthday!

David turned 97 last week. God bless him!

Key West would not be what it is today without him. David, a genius. A man of vision.

Terri White sang last night! At Blue Heaven. I stopped in for a while. A God-given voice!

The humidity was too much. At least, for me. I think for everyone. Terri hung in there. Had to break at one time because of the heat.

Terri sings again. Tonight. At The Little Room Jazz Club. 9-12. Inside and air conditioned!

Friend Anne in Ithaca, NY e-mailed me last night. She caught Terri’s performance last night on Facebook. Live.

Modern science is amazing. I was sitting next to Donna. Donna had her cell phone on  and was videoing Terri’s performance. She told me it was going directly to Facebook. Obviously, it was.

Stopped at Outback afterwards for dinner. No room at the inn. Packed. Mostly families. The start of a holiday weekend obvious.

Walked down to the Chinese Restaurant. The same thing. First time I have ever seen the Chinese Restaurant full. As I walked in, I saw a booth open up. Smiled at the hostess who I knew while nodding at the booth. She nodded her assent.

A bad night diet wise and health wise. I ordered a combination. Egg drop soup, egg roll, pork egg foo yong, brown rice and orange sherbet.

Don’t forget, Brewfest today at the Southernmost. Street party 3-10 in the 1400 block of Duval.

The godfather of Brewfest is Matt Babich. I have known Matt and his former wife Carrie more than 20 years. Matt has been the manager of Southernmost all that time. He knows his job well!

Lisa worked for Matt and Carrie at Southernmost for several years as Sales Manager. Her last job before going into business for herself.

Hermine. Wow! Look at the number it did on north Florida. Glad it missed us. Sorry it hit anywhere.

Here it is saturday. Time to research this week’s KONK Life column. Once again, I am not sure what. I have two topics in mind. One will win out and I will begin the research later this morning.

Sloan coming at 2. Will interfere with my research. Need her for some technical matters, however. It is going to be a long day.

Enjoy your day!