The newest addition to Ken's model train collection is a Coors Light Silver Bullet O scale train. He can’t wait to take it to the train shows and store openings where his club displays their various layouts. The Silver Bullet has a flashy chrome engine pulling 4 shiny chrome-plated reefer cars and a reefer tail car.
As the train pulls into the station, the Proto-Sound 2.0 system plays arrival and departure sounds, conversations between the engineer and the stationmaster, and instructions to the men who are to unload the beer from the train itself. It also plays music but we can’t determine if it is well-known song or maybe a commercial for Coors Beer. 
When the train stops, reefer car doors open, and frosty looking smoke billows out revealing the cans of chilled Coors beer.
Coors Silver Bullet model train
And Another One Bites The Dust! Oh Yeh !
“They walked as a group through the stone arches of the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, MO. The Magnificent Seven, dressed in black, carrying tennis rackets, wearing cowboy hats and a look of determination on their faces.They walked through this arch as players and would leave as Champions.
The other Super Senior players who were gathered near the tournament desk stopped their aimless talking and watched as the Seven approached the desk......”who are they…where are they from?”
“We are the Nebraska O’Courts”
Rose, Kathy, Mari, Joleen, Yasuko, Marty and Captain JeaneBee smiled to themselves, “yes, we're here and we’re gonna do some major damage to your egos and your team's win/loss stats”
The day was made for tennis….mid 70’s, slight wind, beautiful blue sky…the Magnificant Seven were READY!”
Friday 9/11/2009 10:30 AM
The first and only match of the day was against Oklahoma
Court#1 – Joleen and Kathy Winner: Oklahoma 7-6, 6-7, 1-0 Tiebreak
Court#2 – Rose and Yasuko Winner: O’Courts 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 Tiebreak
Court#3 – Mari and Marty Winner: O’Courts 6-3, 6-1
Saturday 9/12/09 10:30 AM
The First match was against HOA (Heart of America)
Court#1 – Mari and Kathy Winner: O’Courts 6-7, 6-2, 1-0 Tiebreak
Court#2 – Rose and Yasuko Winner: O’Courts 6-2, 6-2
Court#3 – Joleen and Marty Winner: HOA 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 Tiebreak
Saturday 9/12/09 4:30 PM
Second match was against St. Louis
Court#1 – Mari and Kathy Winner: St. Louis 6-1, 6-7, 1-0 Tiebreak
Court#2 – Rose and Yasuko Winner: O’Courts 7-5, 6-2
Court#3 – Joleen and Marty Winner: O’Courts 7-5, 6-1
Sunday 9/12/09 9:00 AM
Final Match – opponents were IOWA
Court#1 – Mari and Kathy Winner: O’Courts 6-2, 6-1
Court#2 – Rose and Yasuko Winner: O’Courts 6-2, 6-2
Court#3 – Joleen and Marty Winner: O’Courts 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 Tiebreak
The Nebraska O'Courts won the right to represent Missouri Valley in the USTA National Super Senior Tournament held in Surprise, AZ in April of 2010. It was a hard fight, the other teams were strong and as determined as we were. This time, it was our destiny to win.
Success isn't something that just happens - success is earned
To my team…..You were wonderful, magnificent, steadfast, gutsy, not to mention darn good-looking. I am proud of you all and as your captain I take full credit for your success. (who said that threats wouldn’t work… dry bread, water and no wine until we win is a great motivator)
Our next challenge will be in Surprise, Arizona….The UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION National Tennis Championships !!! We will be facing teams from 50 states plus Puerto Rico.....how great is that!
Capt’n JeaneBee PROUD OF HER TEAM!
Post Script: This week we were notified by the USTA League Tennis Program that we were awarded the X-Treme Team Sportsmanship Award in the 7.0 Super Senior Division.
This award emphasizes fair play and a positive attitude. The winners were nominated by their peers during the tournament.
Salmon and Musky fishing
Ah, to be young and have a father who both loves fishing and has a nice, big boat to fish from. Our grandson Austin and his Dad, John Paul love to fish.
These photos were taken while on a vacation last year with friends who live in Port Washington, Wisconsin, about 25 miles north of Milwaukee and fish Lake Michigan nearly every week.....I should mention that when fishing on Lake Michigan, it really gives you peace of mind to be in a BIG boat.
Port Washington pierhead light as seen from Lake MichiganIt may not be possible to get seasick in a land-locked lake, but from experience, it can! ....bouncing around plus swinging sideways as the big waves hit will scramble all but the hardiest of stomachs! Of course, John, Austin's father smugly says "I've never been seasick in my life".......we cross our fingers that his time doesn't come when he's captaining a boatload of fishermen. (on the other hand, we secretly hope that he will get really seasick and find himself barfing over the side for 10 minutes or so....would serve him right for bragging!)
Austin is 12 years old (2007) and has been a fisherman since he was old enough to hold a rod. I can remember fishing in Minnesota years ago with 3 year old Austin bundled up in a life jacket bigger than he was. He wasn't able to handle a rod and reel too well, but he was a pro when he fished with a bamboo pole. He put quite a dent in the perch and rock bass population of Ten Mile Lake!
This 12 pound salmon was caught by Austin on Lake Michigan. He hooked it himself and fought it to the boat, but needed help with landing it. John and Austin usually fish for fun, they believe in "catch and release" and photos are all that they keep. However, this salmon made it to the dinner table....yummmmm, grilled salmon!!
On another fishing trip earlier this year, this small musky (muskellunge) weighing about 15 lbs was also caught by Austin....no help from Dad this time. After a long and really fun battle, they boated it, took photos and then released it back into the lake. Musky's have a mouth full of lethal teeth and getting the lure out before releasing it can be a real challenge. Sometimes, the fisherman/fisherwoman has a shredded finger to remember the experience. John has the scars to prove it.
American Flyer Trains, parts, supplies
