Category: Ministrivia

OK – so I made up a word. Just a catch all category for off-the-wall and weird stuff

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Franco Harris and Mondo Martinis

I was downtown last night at Tony’s Big Easy Bar & Bistro preparing for the ninth Annual Mondo Martini Contest (yours truly, UncleLar is a four time undefeated champions of the event – FYI, it’s a martini making not martini drinking contest – more on Mondo Martini tomorrow after I win my fifth title tonight) when in walked Franco Harris along with Gary Gray, whom I have mentioned on this blog before. Gary and Franco were teammates on Penn State’s teams from 69-71.

Gary and Franco joined me and helped taste some of my creative work. Franco won four Super Bowls while with the Steelers and ever since then the Steelers have used the rallying cry “One for the Thumb” during their annual chase for another ring. I jokingly told Franco I was planning on getting my own “one for the thumb” tonight.

After perfecting my cocktail, Gary, Franco and I went over to the Gingerbread Man (or G-Man as it’s affectionately called here). It’s amazing to watch how much recognition Franco gets. He hasn’t played ball in twenty years yet he is still adored by many fans. There were bunches of college kids coming up to us using their cell phones to get their picture taken (admittedly they just shoved me out of the way but still I was still part of scene).

I have had some minor celebrity incidents here in State College (I’ll explain some time) but I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through that everyday like Franco. I even asked him if it bothered him and he very graciously said no, that the fans had always been good to him and he was glad that he could make them happy by obliging them with a photo. I thought that was a huge contrast to what we see in many athletes today.

Have to leave now but more tomorrow on my Mondo Martini (hopefully) winning entry.

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Cayuga Pipe Company


Cayuga Concrete Pipe was founded in 1958 in New Britain, Pennsylvania. A second facility located in Croydon, Pa was acquired in 2000 and a third facility located in New Britain, PA was acquired in 2002.

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Praying Mantis


For the past 3 years we’ve been seeing a praying mantis in our backyard. I get quite a kick out of it. I don’t recall seeing any as a kid. The children really dig it, too. We found one yesterday and I took a few pix.

I also read a little about them. They live only a year, so we’ve apparently got a family in our yard. And they’re carnivorous. Here’s an article about a praying mantis that caught a hummingbird. A picture, too. Pretty cool.

BTW, I’m pretty impressed by the macro lens on my little camera. Charlotte said, “I never saw the eyes before.” Not sure I do, but I do see slits that could be eyes.

I really like the small opportunities our yard offers the kids to experience nature a bit. Lightning bugs are plentiful (tho Lis and I fight over calling them lightning bugs or fireflies). We have a pair of cardinals, some blue jays, a catbird or 4. Occasionally a flock of crows create havoc. We have a family of skunks nearby. I crossed paths with a baby skunk (8 ft away) while taking the garbage out recently. I ran like hell. Possum, raccoons, a family of bunny rabbits, dead moles that the kids bury. Bats, neat.

Just a bit of the mundane I thought ya’all might enjoy.

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That didn’t hurt a bit!

Hello All!

I’m amazed at how easy registering was (once I received a bit more direction from Larry).

Larry and Gary, great job! You are absolutely right… this will be a great way to keep up with everyone’s life!

I’m suddenly finding myself without a whole lot to say… let’s see….

Well, I recently finished putting on a 200+ person event for work (last Monday) that went over really well. Or at least that’s what they’re telling me. Things were completely changed at the last minute (there is a major difference between a room being 51 x 59 and actually being 41 x 49 when you are setting up a trade show. BUT, while things were insane behind the scenes, the public thought that it was the best show yet (it was our third show and the first one that I’ve run). The Governor came (if I master the picture posting I’ll put one up of him and I) and I mentioned that Lisman has worked at Knoll forever (Governor Lynch is/was the CEO of Knoll). He began asking me a series of questions that I couldn’t possibly answer (what department, what location , how long has she been there, etc.) and I proceeded to smile and say, “I will find the answers to those questions as soon as my family’s blog is set up.” Okay, I didn’t actually say that, but I’m sure I’ll get my answers nonetheless.

Many of you met Brandon while we were in Chicago. I am currently planning his surprise birthday party (Chris, Nick and Mom you inspired me) which will take place on “Stevie Ditka’s” birthday (next Saturday). So far so good… he doesn’t seem to have a clue. Actually, I need to call his father because he’s planning on heading up to Freeport, ME to visit with his dad that evening. Something tells me that not having the guest of honor present that night would really throw a monkey wrench into the whole surprise party thing.

Well, it is sunny and 65 degrees in northern New England and the leaves are starting to turn. It is too beautiful to be inside any longer, so I will venture into the great outdoors. Much thanks to Larry and Gary for taking time to make this happen!

Blog ya later-
Shannon

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Nice work if you can get it

When I was out last night I ran into a friend, Pete Lisicky, who is a former Penn State basketball player and is now playing professionally in Europe. With Pete was another former PSU player Calvin Booth. Calvin has been playing in the NBA for six years, usually averaging about 10 minutes per game. Calvin and Pete are in town for the football game today.

Calvin is in a unique situation. The NBA and their players association recently renegotiated their collective bargaining agreement. A new provision of the agreement was the amnesty player. This was a one-time deal where an NBA team could cut one player from their team without the player’s salary counting against the team’s salary cap – that was the team’s benefit. The team still had to pay the player the remaining money on his contract and the player became an immediate free agent – that’s the player’s benefit.

Calvin was the Milwaukee Bucks amnesty player. He then went on to sign a contract with the Washington Wizards for this upcoming season. That means that Calvin will be getting two paychecks this year. Now I don’t know what his contract with the Wizards is but I do know that the Milwaukee Bucks owe him $13 million over the next two years – not bad for about 10 minutes work 50-70 times a year.

That’s nice work if you can get it.