Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas. everyone!

My Christmas cards are a bit tardy this year, due in large measure to the campaign detailed in "It's Been A While..." below.

I hope Santa was kind to you, and I hope you all had a pleasant Christmas, and have a Happy New Year!

It's Been A While...

OK, it's been over a month since I last posted here. I'm due to fill you all in on what's been going on.

I've been busy. Not tax-season busy, but busy nonetheless. I've been working on the Congressional campaign of Robin Weirauch, the Democratic candidate in the special election for Ohio's 5th Congressional District. (http://www.robinweirauch.com/) The special election was necessary due to the death of Congressman Paul Gillmor in September.

Robin ended up running against Bob (son of Delbert) Latta, the Republican nominee after a brutal primary election. For once, Robin's campaign had the resources (financial and human)necessary to put up a strong fight.

In other words, we didn't have to roll pennies to buy a few radio spots.

Robin had the support and attention of Democratic luminaries like Wes Clark, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Bill Clinton, Gov. Ted Strickland, Sen. Sherrod Brown, and others too numerous to mention. Throughout the campaign, the staff was ever-changing and expanding (mostly expanding), adding staff from the Ohio Democratic Party and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It seemed as if there were two new people every time I went into the office (which was frequently).

The best part was getting to hang out in Bowling Green and partake of the many fine eateries there, including Pollyeye's, Pisanello's, Jed's, and Mr. Spot's. And the doughnuts from Stimmel's (coming soon to Napoleon) are every bit as good as advertised.

Unfortunately, Robin did not win the election, so I won't be relocating to DC anytime soon. (If she had won, all Hell would have broken loose in my life - trust me)

It could be worse - at least Steve Buehrer isn't our Congressman.

It's Over

Napoleon lost to CVCA in the state semifinals last night 3-0. Napoleon ends the season with a record of 18-4-1, setting records for most wins and deepest tournament progress in a season.

Let's hope the CVCA folks conduct themselves with more dignity in victory than Bay did in defeat.

Nice articles from today's Crescent-News:

http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/2821762

http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/2821752

Napoleon v. CVCA

It's official....the State semi-final will be at Lexington High School with kickoff at 7pm. The winner will play the winner of the Columbus DeSales-Kettering Alter match on Saturday, November 10, at 11am at Crew Stadium in Columbus.

Here's a link to the preview article in today's Plain Dealer.

http://www.cleveland.com/hssoccer/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1194341831241540.xml&coll=2

And another nice article from Monday's Crescent-News:

http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/2809372

The management of the Northwest Signal has chosen to deprive the wider internet audience of Jeff Ratliff's Pulitzer-worthy descriptions of the Wildcats' exploits.

Ready....Aim.....FIRE!!!!!!

Matt DeMichiei takes the biggest free kick in Napoleon history. (photo courtesy Tim Barry)

Columbus or Bust...In Carney We Trust!

Posing with the regional championship trophy


Napoleon (as you could probably figure out) were the "Guests" in Ashland
(Photos courtesy Tim Barry)

Do You Believe in Miracles? YES!

Napoleon took down perennial state power Bay Village Bay, 2-1 in the regional finals today in Ashland. Matt DeMichiei (12, bottom) & Ben Wachtmann (31, top)scored the goals for the Wildcats. Next up is Cuyahoga Valley Chirstian Academy at a site to be announced on November 6.

There is no truth to the rumors that happy Napoleon fans depleted the supplies of Margaritas and Coronas at every Mexican restaurant between Ashland and Napoleon.

Sour grapes from Bay Village fans (and chiding from their rivals) found here:

http://www.cleveland.com/forums/hssoccer/

And an excellent account of the game from the Defiance Crescent-News here:

http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/2805392

Here we go, Here we go!

Napoleon ledert Genoa ab! That's how the Germans might describe the 7-0 defeat Napoleon inflicted on Genoa Tuesday night in Findlay. Napoleon scored all seven of its goals in the first half, allowing Coach Tim Carney to give the starters plenty of rest. The bench squad played Genoa's starting 11 evenly throughout the second half, preserving another shutout for the stout Napoleon defense.

Next up is the winner of the Bay Village-Medina Highland match on Saturday at 3pm in Ashland.

The scoreboard says it all.....

(Photo courtesy Tim Barry)

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Mother Nature provided the ideal setting for Napoleon to avenge an early-season loss to Lima Shawnee on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats shook off the elements and an early-morning rendezvous with the ACT's to hand the Lima Shawnee Indians a 2-0 defeat in the district championship in Wapakoneta. Napoleon led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a Lima Shawnee own goal when Lee Hunter's pass was deflected into the net by a Lima Shawnee defender. Napoleon closed the scoring nine minutes into the second half when Seth Barry's free kick landed at the feet of Cole Gerken, who pounded the ball past the Shawnee goalkeeper. Napoleon goalie Brody Tejkl recorded his third shutout of the playoffs.

Saturday's win was historic on many levels for the Wildcats, who won their first-ever district championship and set a single-season record for victories with 16.

Napoleon 2 Lima Shawnee 0

On to the Sweet 16 of the state tournament for the Napoleon Wildcats after defeating Lima Shawnee, 2-0 at Wapakoneta this afternoon. Napoleon's next opponent will be Genoa, 1-0 winners over Sandusky Perkins in double overtime.

Napoleon Marches On!

Napoleon's boys defeated Defiance, 3-o to advacne to the next round of the state soccer tournament. Lee Hunter, Ross Evers and Pat Small scored the goals for Napoleon. Next up is a rematch with Ottawa-Glandorf on Wednesday at 5pm at Defiance.

Good thing we don't get BCSN in Napoleon....

Napoleon's LadyCats suffered an inglorious 7-1 defeat last night at the hands of St. Ursula. Haley Rathge scored the only goal for Napoleon.

This game will appear on BCSN. Listings here: http://www.bcsn.tv/schedules/BCSN%20week%20of%2010-15-07%20-%20REV%2010-17-07.pdf

In happier news, Napoleon's boys took Lima Bath behind the woodshed, 8-0.

Napoleon beats #9 Ottawa-Glandorf

Napoleon defeated the #9-ranked Ottawa-Glandorf Titans, 2-0 at Loose Field tonight. Ross Evers (above) scored the decisive second goal for the Wildcats.

Napoleon's boys draw Lima Bath

Napoleon's boys, taking a 12-3-1 record into tournament play will face 0-15 Lima Bath in the opening round of the state tournament on October 17 at 7pm at Defiance.

Complete first-round pairings here:

http://thecourier.typepad.com/blanchard_river_buzz/files/boys_soccer_pairings.doc

The LadyCats' first tournament victim will be.....

ST URSULA of the Toledo City League! Complete first-round pairings here:

http://thecourier.typepad.com/blanchard_river_buzz/files/girls_soccer_pairings.doc


The game will be held at Anthony Wayne High School on October 17 at 7pm. The winner will play the winner of the match between Anthony Wayne and Toledo Notre Dame Academy.

An unfortunate defeat for NHS girls

Napoleon's girls lost a tightly-contested game to Whitmer 2-0. Next up is Bryan on Tuesday evening - this is the final home game for the LadyCats this year.

The sectional tournament draw will be held today. The LadyCats will be playing their first-round game at either Anthony Wayne or Sylvania Southview during the week of October 16.

As Promised - Sister Kathy's Delaware video

Hello All!

Here's the video from Sister Kathy's race at Delaware, as promised previously:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYwrQl_VLZo

A good week for NHS Soccer (so far)

Napoleon's girls have had a good week, with the JV's defeating Eastwood 4-2 and the Varsity prevailing over Toledo Start 4-1. Both games were chippy, physical contests, marred by dirty play from Napoleon's opponents, and poor officiating. Rumor has it that the goal calls could be heard at West Elementary School. (In fairness, the extra volume was necessary to drown out the idiot loudmouth opposing parents) Kudos to the Napoleon Area Schools for installing the "Spinal Tap" model amps & speakers (you know, the kind that can be dialed up to "11" instead of "10") at Loose Field.

Napoleon's boys achieved a glorious victory over the hated Defiance Bulldogs 2-1, in a makeup of a makeup of a makeup of a previously scheduled game.

No lamb fries on a Joe Bologna's pizza

I had dinner at Joe Bologna's in Lexington tonight. Dad has been hankering after lamb fries (hog testicles) since coming down here. I asked the waitress if Joe Bologna's has ever offered a pizza with that particular delicacy on top. She said no (and that's probably a good thing).

Another "Vivid" performance

2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo (above, Roger Hammer) turned in an impressive 1:51.2 (1:09.2 KR) clocking in today's Open Trot. Chart here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1954110&target=840714

"Donato" delivers in Lexington

Hambletonian winner Donato Hanover (above, Ron Pierce) was among the most impressive winners today at the Red Mile in Lexington. He tuned up for next week's Kentucky Futurity by winning a division of the Bluegrass Stakes in 1:52.0 (1:09.6 KR).

Video here:

http://207.232.119.242/usta/ustavideo.cfm?raceid=htrm092907e05

Off to Lexington....

I'm off to Lexington, KY (home of Keeneland, The Red Mile, the U of Ky., and most importantly, The Liquor Barn) this weekend. This is the best time of the year to go for harness racing fans. Dean Hoffman explains, more eloquently than I can, here:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=23899&z=1

Excellent daily coverage of the events can be found here:

http://www.harnessracing.com/

The greatest liquor store known to man (aside from Joseph's Beverage Center and Citti-Markt in Flensburg), the Liquor Barn:

http://www.liquorbarn.com/

The Best pizza in Lexington:

http://www.joebolognas.com/

The Red Mile - home to the weekend's racing festivities:

http://www.theredmile.com/

Bundesliga Spieltag 6: Hertha & Hamburg both winners

Lucio (above) scored his first goal for Hertha Berlin in their 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Story here:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2072&tx_ttnews[backPid]=252&cHash=0ed1a78c1c

Hamburg won 1-0 against Nurenberg. Deatils here:

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=21098

Jug Day

Always A Virgin (Brian Sears), one of the pre-race favorites, won the second Jug elimination heat in 1:51.1.
Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick), winner of the $1M Meadowlands Pace, was second to Tell All in the first heat.
Tell All (Jody Jamieson) overtakes Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick) to win the first Jug elimination. Tell All would go on to win the Jug Final.
Jug Day is a sufficiently momentous occasion to bring out Ohio Wesleyan's Battling Bishop.

A "Tell All" Story in the Jug

Tell All won the exciting 62nd running of the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Video Here:

http://207.232.119.242/usta/ustavideo.cfm?raceid=hdel092007e14

Tell All & Always A Virgin won the semi-final heats. Video here:

http://207.232.119.242/usta/ustavideo.cfm?raceid=hdel092007e10

http://207.232.119.242/usta/ustavideo.cfm?raceid=hdel092007e09

Horsing Around - 9/18

Sister Kathy was 3rd today at Delaware. Video coming soon. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1950835&target=893187

Bundesliga Spieltag 5: Hertha win, Hamburg lose

Hertha Berlin did their part to make this a good sports weekend, winning 2-1 at MSV Duisburg. Marko Pantelic (bottom of dogpile) scored twice to dispatch the Zebras, ending Hertha's lengthy road winless streak. More details:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=16873

Hamburg were not so lucky, losing 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt.

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=21039

Soccer road trip to Sandusky

On Saturday, I took a road trip with a couple of our soccer coaches to Sandusky to watch Napoleon's girls play the Lady Blue Streaks. Napoleon prevailed 5-0. Andrea Borkowski (above) recorded two goals to lead the LadyCats.
DANGIT! Haley Rathge kept a clean sheet in goal.

After the game, we met up with the Sandusky coaches for lunch. What happened in Sandusky, stays in Sandusky.

Horsing Around - Delaware County Fair

Sister Kathy will be racing on Tuesday afternoon at the Delaware County Fair. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=758409&target=893187

Horsing Around - Williams County Fair

Sister Kathy scored an easy wire-to-wire victory in Montpelier last night, clinching the Northwest Ohio Colt Racing Association championship for 2-year-old filly trotters. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1948647&target=893187

She will be racing next at the Delaware County Fair on September 18.

NHS Soccer

On Saturday, Napoleon's boys easily defeated the Marion Harding Presidents 3-0 at Loose Field in Napoleon. Lee Hunter (#47 above) scored for the Wildcats. Napoleon's girls team was victorious at Marion 4-1.

Horsing Around - 9/11

Sister Kathy was third at Van Wert last Wednesday. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1946930&target=893187

She races Tuesday at the Williams County Fair in Montpelier:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=755961&target=893187

Horsing Around - 9/5

Sister Kathy races today at Van Wert. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=754113&target=893187

Cheer, Cheer for old Notre Dame...

The Grotto
Touchdown Jesus!

Paul, Katrin, Mark & Jim with Notre Dame stadium in the background.
The Golden Dome

I spent Sunday in South Bend with Paul, Katrin, Mark & Jim touring the Notre Dame campus. They had attended the game on Saturday - their mood was understandably grim, given the Irish's abject performance against Georgia Tech. This was tempered somewhat by the defeat of Michigan at the hands of F---ing Appalachian State.

As you can tell, the weather was absolutely perfect. It could not have been a better day.

Bundesliga Spieltag 4 (II): Hamburg kisses its ugly Bavarian sister

Hamburg SV tied Bayern Munich 1-1 in the HSH Nordbank arena today in a battle of adidas's flagship teams in the Bundesliga. New signing Mohamed Zidan scored for Hamburg in the 87th minute to secure the tie. Details here:

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20959

Bundesliga Spieltag 4: Hertha 2, Wolfsburg 1

Solomon Okoronkwo (left) scored the gamewinning goal for Hertha Berlin today against Wolfsburg. Hertha defeated Wolfsburg 2-1. Details here:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=16873

A glorious day in Napoleon

After three rough losses, Napoleon's LadyCats got a much-needed victory this morning against Toledo Waite, 8-1. Ashley Weaver (above) led the Napoleon attack with four goals.

Horsing Around - 9/1 - Fulton County Fair

Sister Kathy (4) won today at Wauseon. Tom Moore, Jr was our driver today - Mike Wolfe couldn't make it - he was at the Appalachian State - Michigan game (he's a UM season ticket holder). Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1945302&target=893187

Fulton County Fair

Sister Kathy will race on Saturday afternoon at the Fulton County Fair. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=751925&target=893187

Soccer season FINALLY begins at NHS....

Well, monsoon season here in NW Ohio ended long enough for Napoleon's boys to get their season underway Thursday night. Their first game SHOULD have been Tuesday night against Defiance, but since Defiance apparently believed a wet field would make them melt, that game was postponed to Oct. 2.

Napoleon won their home opener 5-1 against Elida. Matt DeMichei (above) scored 2 goals to lead the Wildcats.

Horsing Around - Hicksville (2)

Sister Kathy was second at Hicksville on Wednesday night. Next on the agenda is the Fulton County Fair in Wauseon. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1942255&target=893187

Bundesliga Spieltag 2: Hertha, Hamburg winners!

Hertha Berlin defeated defending Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart 3-1 in their home opener at the Olympiastadion:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1799&tx_ttnews[backPid]=252&cHash=c3d6409a95

Hamburg were also victorious, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in Hamburg:

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20842

Horsing around - Hicksville

Sister Kathy will race on Wednesday at Hicksville:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=748011&target=893187

Another item from my Germany trip...

ESPN's "Outside The Lines" today featured a story about Todd Crandell, a triathlete from Sylvania who competes in Triathlons all over the world to spread the message about the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction. It just so happens that Paul's dad & I were behind him in the security line at the Frankfurt airport on our way to Hamburg. Todd was on his way to Austria to compete in a Triathlon there and record an interview with the ESPN people.

More about him here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/the_bonus/07/13/tri.athlete/index.html

I realize the link is from Sports Illustrated, but I haven't found anything on the ESPN website yet.

Horsing Around - 8/15

Sister Kathy won last night at the Henry County Fair. All of Dad's sisters (including Kathy) were on hand. Results here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1939369&target=893187

Bundesliga Spieltag 1: Hamburg win, Hertha lose

Hamburg opened the Bundesliga season with a 1-0 victory over Hannover 96:

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20781

Hertha Berlin were not so lucky, losing 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1758&tx_ttnews[backPid]=15546&cHash=ce5837a8d7

Here's the new Tomato Queen!

I had to do some digging in the photo archives to find this gem - a picture of the 2007 Henry County Tomato Queen, Jessica Moser. She is a student at Ohio State, and a former Napoleon cheerleader (among other things). She is also a neighbor of my Aunt Renee.

To the best of my knowledge, she did NOT wear the cheerleader outfit during the pageant.

The Henry County Fair is underway....

The Henry County Fair started Friday night in Napoleon. Tonight is the Tomato Festival parade and Tomato Queen pageant. Horse racing will take place on Monday & Tuesday nights at 7pm.

Sister Kathy is entered in the first race on Tuesday night:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=745338&target=893187

I've been busy on YouTube

Some video of Sister Kathy's races at Paulding and Bowling Green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moKzVEVuumo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG2T9kx_BF4

And Maumee Lane at Indianapolis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmKrou0sG34

No "Rags To Riches" story in the Hambo:

Donato Hanover (Ron Pierce) wins the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands (USTA photo)

Last year's champion 2-year-old trotter, Donato Hanover, easily defeated the highly-touted filly Pampered Princess in the $1.5 million Hambletonian final at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

USTA story here:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=22930&z=1

German Trotting Derby to Lotis Photo

Lightly-raced Lotis Photo (above, photo from traberliga.de) won the German Trotting Derby Sunday at the Mariendorf track in Berlin. USTA story here:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=22949&z=1

Hertha Move On

Hertha Berlin defeated SPvgg Unterhaching 3-0 to move on to the nexrt round of the German Cup. Story here:

http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1718&tx_ttnews[backPid]=252&cHash=ce54079864

HSV avoid the Kiel Trap 5-0

Hamburg SV moves on to the next round of the German Cup with a 5-0 defeat of noted giant-killers Holstein Kiel. Story here:

http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20724

Where I was

http://maps.live.com/?v=2&cid=8571E428290517E8!101&encType=1

I've set up a map that shows where I went on my trip. I've included many of the various sites in Germany & Denmark.

Speaking of the Ottawa County Fair...

Paul & Katrin will enjoy this video from the 1999 Ottawa County Fair:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R20MQPx90lE

Freppel Stable's Greatest Hits

Here's a video of Credit Card Katie racing at Lancaster as a 3-year-old in 1992:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjtsXbR-zMA

Credit Card Katie, taking her record at Northfield Park:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75FB8j3LwAw

Here's Katie's Gold Card, making her debut on 7/12/98:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORmoGcpEjo

I'm Maxxed Out at Bowling Green as a 3-year-old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7GkckpF_QA

And at Raceway Park:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_q3Su_3Z0

He's A Big Spender at Delware:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReVoqiTqGqE

Kick-off!

The boys and girls soccer teams kicked off their season tonight with a Kick-a-thon fundraiser at Loose Field this evening. The boys and girls scrimmaged together to raise money for the Napoleon Goal Club.

Golf News

Dennis shook off the aftereffects of the Police concert well enough to win the handicap division of the Toledo Metro Golf Association Championship (from Tuesday's edition of The Blade):

Toledo Metro Golf Association Club Championship at Easgle's Landing and Detwiler

Scratch Divisiion- 1. Adam DeArmond 140; 2 (tie). Frank Dudek 143; 2 (tie). John Zitkovic 143; 4 (tie). Bill Ernst 145; 4 (tie). Kyle Tracy; 6. Tom Yeager 146; 7. Jeff Godzak 148.

Handicap Division- 1. Dennis Germann 134; 2. Bill Ernst 136; 3. Frank Dudek 137; 4 (tie). Dave Harloff 139; 4 (tie). Kyle Tracy 139; 6 (tie). Gary Joiner 140; 6 (tie). Duane Zitkovic 140.

Welcome, Guests!

If you're looking for the chronicles of my Germany trip, click on "July" under the heading "Blog Archive". All of the pictures and stories can be found there.

More from the Wood County Fair

Shopping cart (top) and stick-pony (above) races have been entertaining the crowds between the races at several of the local fairs this summer. Winners receive a free milkshake, pending the outcome of drug tests administered by the Ohio State Racing Commission.

The following substances have been deemed "performance enhancing" by the World Anti-Doping Agency: French Fries, Elephant Ears, Funnel Cakes, Ribeye Sandwiches (only of the kind obtained at local beef-producers' stands), Sausage Sandwiches (only of the kind obtained at the pork stand), and Lemon Shake-ups (only when "enhanced" by vodka, gin, or rum). Fried cheese curds and deep-fried Twinkies are still permitted, but competitors may only consume eight (8) ounces of fried cheese and two (2) deep-fried Twinkies in the 24 hours prior to competition.

Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....(3)

Sister Kathy was third today at the Wood County Fair in Bowling Green. Chart here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1933887&target=893187

Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....(2)

Discover Gold will not be racing at Bowling Green. The vet appointment did not go very well today - she has not fully recovered from a throat infection.

Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....

Sister Kathy will race Tuesday afternoon at the Wood County Fair:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=738674&target=893187

Discover Gold is also entered, although whether or not she will race will be determined by how her appointment with the vet goes:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=738678&target=893138

4:0 for HSV!

Hamburg SV advanced to the next round of the UEFA Cup qualifier by beating Dacia Chisinau of Romania 4-0.

Sunday Afternoon......

Nothing better to relax on a Sunday afternoon - Buckeye beer from a Flens mug.

Horsing Around - 7/27

Sister Kathy was 6th last night at Raceway Park. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1932267&target=893187

Smile for the camera!

Sister Kathy's winners' circle photo from Paulding (from Conrad Photography)

Horsing Around - 7/22

Another rough outing for Discover Gold at Raceway Park. She'll get a trip to the vet and a little bit of time off now. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1930736&target=893138

Sister Kathy races Thursday night at Raceway Park for the Lucas County Fair. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=736143&target=893187

The NHS Soccer Schedules are out!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!


Here is the schedule for the Napoleon High School Girls Varsity Soccer team for 2007:

http://www.napoleon.k12.oh.us/HighSchool/Sports/2007FALLSCHEDULES/2007%20Varsity%20Girls%20Soccer.pdf

And for the boys:

http://www.napoleon.k12.oh.us/HighSchool/Sports/2007FALLSCHEDULES/2007%20Varsity%20Boys%20Soccer.pdf

The boys are expected to have a really good team this year. I'll be doing PA announcer duties for at least the girls' games this year.

New duds for the HSV

(photo from hsv.de)

Hamburg SV unveiled their new jerseys from adidas on 7/5. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to the stores in Schleswig before I left.



http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20551

Horsing Around....

Discover Gold races Sunday evening at Raceway Park in Toledo. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=734581&target=893138

The Last Word

I think that's about it. I've finally managed to post everything I wanted to post about the trip to Germany (only a week after I returned - I'll do better next time). If anything needs to be added, corrected or clarified, please let me know. I hope you've enjoyed reading this blog as much as I've enjoyed creating it. This won't be the last I post here - so check back periodically.

And now for a bit of editorial comment.

When I found out that Paul and Katrin would be getting married, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to make it to the wedding in Germany (as long as it wasn't scheduled for, say, April 12). I had no idea how the wedding itself would come together - whether there would be ceremonies in Germany, the USA, or both. I wanted to do this not only because it was the wedding of close friends, but also because it promised to be a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that the average traveler just cannot get.

This trip delivered in a big way on its considerable promise.

The wedding and reception, of course, were outstanding. The extras, like the bachelor party on Wednesday night and Polterabend, were pleasant additional surprises. I am thankful for the great hospitality, and patience with my limited German, provided by Paul, Katrin, their families, and all of the locals.

I have been to many weddings - for family, friends, and business acquaintances. Some large, some small - some have been more enjoyable than others.

I can safely say that this was one of the best weddings I've ever attended.

Take care.

Coming home

Other than the all-too-personal patdowns Jim & I received at the Frankfurt Airport, and the Taco Bell-and-Mountain Dew-jonesing rube sitting across the aisle from me on the flight to Detroit, the return trip went smoothly. I even managed to sleep a few hours on the flight to Detroit. All of our luggage arrived safely, even the Flensburger mugs I bought at the second-hand store for 3 Euros apiece.

Laurie Dunn, we found your sweatshirt!

Paul & Katrin, posing with Schleswiger Dom in the background. Katrin is wearing a "Maumee Cheerleader" sweatshirt she found at Goodwill, which formerly belonged to someone named Laurie Dunn.

Tuesday 7/10 - Saying Goodbye.

Tuesday would be our final day in Germany. Our flight was scheduled to leave Hamburg at 6:50 on Wednesday morning. Jim & I had deemed it prudent to spend the night before in Hamburg, so Tuesday would be our last in Schleswig. We checked out of Hotel Hahn, and went over to Callsen's for a visit. We had lunch in the Wikinger Turm (literally, Viking Tower - at the left of the picture), said our goodbyes, and traded pictures before Johann & Paul took Jim & I to our hotel in Hamburg.

We got to the Mein Hotel in Hamburg in the early evening. Mein Hotel (website here: http://www.meinhotelinhamburg.de/ ) is clean and comfortable, albeit with no frills - not even a damned alarm clock. The price was a very reasonable 65 Euros, including breakfast. There is a reason for such a low rate: the hotel is situated directly in the #$%!! flight path for the Hamburg airport. The planes flew very low and very loud over our hotel every 3-5 minutes. Needless to say, we didn't get a lot of sleep. Not that we needed or wanted much: we had to be at the airport at 4:50 am to check in for our 6:50 flight.

Denmark - Rømø & Tønder - 7/9

On Monday, Jim, Paul, Katrin, & I went to Denmark - Rømø, on the North Sea, and Tønder, a small town nearby. Paul & Katrin came by the hotel to pick us up between 10:30 and 11:00.

Our first stop was in Tønder, a small town just across the border. It is a popular town for Germans to visit. It is also one of Paul's favorite places. We stopped for lunch at the Victoria, a popular local cafe.
After a brief visit to Mogeltonder, home of one of the Danish royal residences, we went to Rømø, on the North Sea. The beaches are easily 200 yards wide, and the sand is hard-packed so it is easy to drive cars onto the beach. Park with care, though - the tide rolls in quickly.

Katrin walking on the beach. The shells you see scattered about are mussels.
Where's your Batman costume, Paul?

After walking the beach for a while, we stopped for ice cream, served in cones with lots of goof, a strawberry-flavored meringue-like substance - very tasty. We drove around, checking out the vacation cottages. Katrin's family comes to Romo every year, sometimes renting one of the cottages for a week or so.

On the way home, we stopped to eat in Leck. We ate at "zum Schaschlik" (website here: http://www.calli-schaschlik.de/ ), a combination butcher shop and restaurant. We had burgers smothered in a Heinz 57-like sauce, and French fries with mayonnaise. This was a favorite hangout of Katrin's parents in their younger days. We then returned to Klensby, having a nightcap with Paul, Katrin & her parents. The detials for Tuesday, and our departure for Hamburg were sorted out before Jim & I were returned to Hotel Hahn.