Happy Thanksgiving!

God bless all of us!

Oh yeah ... forgot

I survived my surgery quite well thank you very much. On my late mum's 99th birthday she served as my Guardian Angel and my angioplasty on a lower leg artery worked just fine. Lived to fight another day. Unfortunately, 14 years after my diagnosis ... it will just be the first of a litany of complications of my diabetes. My over/under remains 75 and if I can make it there with both my legs I will have nothing to complain about. - Tee

35

It was thirty-five years ago today (and it has been referred to twice on this blog already) me, Sil, Slick, Dan and Tim lived at 328 West King Street; the predecessor address to 340. We had been roomies for just over two months. Tom Partridge ("Big") lived up the street on the other side of the square on East King. We drank at Luckees, Lauzus, Barn Door, Wheatland Inn, and the Paragon.

It was a Tuesday. about 11 p.m., on West King. It was, Wednesday, October 30th, about 4:00 a.m., in Kinshasa, Zaire. There was a Rumble in the Jungle.

George Foreman (40-0, with 37 KO's including 24 in a row, most recently Ken Norton and Joe Frazier both of whom had beaten Muhammad Ali, among the other KO victims was George Chuvalo who had fought 27 rounds with Ali while remaining upright)

versus

Muhammad Ali (44-2, with 32 KOs who had fought 51 rounds with Frazier and Norton losing as many rounds as he won and never putting either down ... Foreman had floored the two a combined nine times in less than 11 minutes)

I forget the odds but I do remember they were very similar to the odds when the 19-0 Cassius Clay took on the invincible 35-1 Sonny Liston. In that case, the Champ had destroyed the prior champion Floyd Patterson twice both times inside of one round. Like Foreman, Liston was on a big KO string with 13 in 14 fights. His prior four fights lasted only a total of 13 minutes and one was reffed by Zach Clayton who served as the referee that morning in Zaire. Clayton had previously served as the referee in the Walcott-Charles (4th fight).

As the fight approached the people of Zaire adopted Ali and he was clearly the crowd favorite over Foreman. The fight itself was a strategic masterpiece for Ali. His yet unanmed Rope A Dope tactic proved to be a winner in the 85 degree, 93% humidity of the Congo. Ali captured 5 of the first 7 rounds by making Foreman chase him around the ring, "force" him to the ropes, and then wail away at Ali's arms and body with roundhouse/telegraphed punches, topping off that strategy was Ali punctuating each one of those episodes coming off the ropes with a vengance - particularily - in the last seconds of the round to steal the judges opinion. The strategy worked both on the scorepads and on Foreman's stamina. Remeber Foreman had taken Frazier, Joe Roman, and Norton all out in less than three rounds while Ali was going the distance with Frazier, Rudi Lubbers, and Norton.

Meanwhile back on West King Street; myself, roomate Timmy L, and Big were listening to reports on radio. All three of us white boys rooting for Ali. I assume we were drinking; although it was a Tuesday evening. I was a substitute school teacher at the time and did not have to answer the phone. Tim was an executive at a local manufacturing plant. Big may have been unemployed; I forget. If we weren't drinking, as the clock approached midnight in Lancaster; 5 am in Zaire; we soon would be.

The 8th round appeared no different from the previous seven. Foreman pounding away on Ali. Ali making him pay more often now. Foreman's punches more rounder. More pawing. Ali pushing the back of Foreman's neck down taking his pulse in a manner of speaking. Once the pulse was low enough Ali came firing off the ropes landing long, but effective, punches to Foreman's head. The suddeness of the attack added to the force of the blows and Foreman found his way in a spiral to queer street and to the canvas. Nine seconds later it was all over. It may have been a short count but George didn't complain.

Back in Lancaster, me, Tim and Big exploded out onto King Street. "Ali Boomayay!" In record time we were seated in front of the Lauzus Tavern's proprietor Wilhelm Lauzus. Ordering Carlsberg's in clebration and being rewarded not only with the beguiling brew but with tales of how great Max Schmeling had been. Oh what a night 35 years ago. Mr. Lauzus is gone; Ali has Parkinson's (or perhaps Foreman wasn't the dope after all); Big is dead; Timmy is not 100% and I even felt the scalpel earlier this week. The journey continues. God bless us all.

It Tolls for Thee

Check in hospital, out patient hopefully (overnight at worst unless complications) ... angioplasty/stent in a leg artery. My first - 14 years after diagnosis - visible diabetic symptom. Ultimately the lower leg will have to go. Today is necessary to prolong that time. Peace!

340 forever!

Tee

Catholic High 1969 Reunion

Last night and Friday about 45-55 grads huddled together including me, Tee Knorr, and the Red Fox, Danny Joyce, of 340 Club fame. Also, Clacktu, Chris Joyce, attended the Friday football game with me. So, three 340 residents were in action over the weekend.

Dan produced a stellar PowerPoint on the Class of '69. Here is a link:



http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/djoyce-223018-lchs-class-1969wav-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/

Needless to say Dan will be charged with producing next year's 340 Club powerpoint.

10/30/74 Reprised

THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN DECEMBER 2007. IT IS RERPRISED IN HONOR OF THE THREE OF US. MAY TOM REST IN PEACE.

Glued to the radio, myself, Tim Lutter and Tom Partridge listened intently as Muhammad Ali painted his masterpiece - Rumble in the Jungle - in the wee hours of the morning in Kinshasa, Zaire. Immediately after Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Chairman (ya learn somethin' every day here folks!) Zack Clayton counted big George Foreman out the three of us were out the door and up West King Street to celebrate with some Carlsbergs at the Lauzus Hotel.

Tom Partridge, 59

Sad loss in local football officiating community

Tom Partridge, a longtime area football official, died on Saturday just one day after working as an official in Friday's Parkland-Easton game in Orefield. He also worked Thursday's Lehighton-Panther Valley game. According to one of his officiating colleagues, Partridge's tradition was to work as an umpire at the annual Easton-P'burg Thanksgiving game. His son, Joe, was an outstanding running back at Freedom and more recently at East Stroudsburg University.Partridge died of an apparent heart attack. Look for his age in the official obituary, but Tom was believed to be in his upper 50s.From all accounts, he was a good, hard-working, dedicated guy who loved being a part of the local sports scene. Sadly, we take a lot of these people for granted. Officials are a big part of the game, too, and though they may get a gripe here or there, they do a great job for the most part. District 11 officials generally aren't appreciated until they're compared to other districts and states.
Certainly, his loss came as a shock to the tight-knit family of area officials and the extended football family. One night, a guy is up and down the field doing what he loved to do. The next day, he's gone. Partridge will be missed by his officiating family and the local sports community as a whole.

Our sympathies and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Big ...... dead at 59

Northwestern athletic director Jason Zimmerman has sent out a league-wide e-mail suggesting schools observe a moment of silence at their games on Friday night and Saturday afternoon in honor longtime football official Tom Partridge, who died over the weekend at age 59.

"Many of you remember Tom as one of our outstanding football umpires and Tom also worked our league and District 11 Track & Field Meets," Zimmerman wrote. "I would like to recommend that we hold a moment of silence after the National Anthem at our Varsity Football Games this coming weekend. There is no need to respond, but figure this is the least we could do to honor a man who has dedicated much of his life to high school football. The Lehigh Valley Conference will also be participating in this acknowledgement."

Zim's right on target with this recommendation. People like this who form the fabric of scholastic sports should be recognized when they leave us and to almost the day that he died, Partridge was a very important part of the high school football scene throughout the region.

Sometimes names don't resonate as well as faces. When I saw Partridge's picture in today's paper, his loss hit home even more because while I knew the name, I knew the face much better and this was a guy who enjoyed what he was doing and was always enthusiastic, always happy to be doing his job. I've attended several football officials banquets over the years [always held in November right before Thanksgiving], and remember Partridge at those banquets as being a true character, full of life, full of fun.

It has been said often in the past few days, but we'll say it again: What a sad loss. He will be missed.

1000 words

Some good thoughts, memories, vibes and pix

No One ... gets outta heya alive

If I knew I was going to live this long I'da taken better care of myself --- the Mick

Kenny, Mitch gone all too soon ... all of us slowed; a couple of cases of prostate cancer among the 340 brethern; a bad ticker on a rowdy boy; a six month sentence for the immortal weather reporter; and now -

Billy from Philly, dead, throat cancer in Philadelphia
Sam Lugar, hospitalized, latter stage lung cancer

God save the Queen! God bless us all!

Postponement

OK .. I guess I won't have any real fun in 2009. But I can wait.

Fox

Happy Birthday Philip! T Minus One & Kounting

and happy 58th to Dicky!!!

REPRISED FROM LAST YEAR: July 4th! Don't you wish it was 1974-84, pick a year

I wouldn't be feeling guilty about it being 2:00 and not having accomplished anything ... I'd be on the 3rd floor listening to the City wake up and perhaps obscuring those sounds with rock n roll ... a Saturday fourth would have meant there was a party last night ... as it was 2:00 Kenny had probably already scaled my stairs and went out the window to the roof ... certainly by now Marty and/or Woody and/or Sam and/or Sports Sunday and/or Jose and/or Coach or more would be bringing in cases or quarts in to the 340 and drinking and cajoling on the porch.

NOTE:

The King of Pop

The 340 Club, particularly the mighty juke, mourns the loss of Michael Jackson. May he find peace. God bless.

Richie Scarlet Live in Philadelphia Saturday August 8

Richie Scarlet Live in Philadelphia Saturday August 8, 2009 Mark your calendars now!
Richie returns to Philly on Saturday, August 8!

The Whiskey Tango is a full service venue with plenty of room to move around (so help us fill it!), with a great stage, full lights and top quality sound. Perfect for one of Richie's high energy shows!

Fans and friends are coming long distances for this show. That's why we scheduled it for a Saturday night, to give you time to travel! This isn't just a show, it's a reunion! See members of The Seducers including Larry Fisher who also played bass with Richie in "Sebastian Bach and friends". Russ Wilson from the Dennis Dunaway Project! And more!

Mark your calendar now and help us spread the word! Richie Scarlet is back in PA on Saturday, August 8!! But most of all...BE THERE!

Truckin'

In September 1973 Joe Riley and myself, starting at Timmy (and Theresa) Bucher's wedding in Manchester, NH, hitchiked acroos the USA and back. On the night of September 24, 1973 at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena saw the Grateful Dead. If you follow this link - through the genius of AlGore - you can listen th the entire show.

http://www.archive.org/details/gd1973-09-24.aud.GEMS.95729.flac16

Set 1

The Promised Land
Sugaree
Jack Straw
They Love Each Other
Mexicali Blues
Loose Lucy
Looks Like Rain
Row Jimmy
Big River
China Cat Sunflower ->
I Know You Rider
Around And Around

Set 2

Ramble On Rose
El Paso
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Greatest Story Ever Told
China Doll
Truckin' ->
Nobody's Fault But Mine ->
Jam ->
Eyes Of The World * ->
Weather Report Suite Prelude ->
Weather Report Suite Part ->
Let It Grow *
Sugar Magnolia *

*with Martin Fierro & Joe Ellis on horns

Mitch Herr, 57

Mitchell C. Herr, 57, of Lancaster, formerly of the 340 Club, 340 West King Street, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was born in Lancaster on March 28, 1952 and was the son of the late Benjamin M. and Margaret (Burkhart) Herr. Mitch attended McCaskey High School. Through the years Mitch was employed by the Howmet Corp., Old Mill Auto, and McFly’s. He was also a roadie for "The Sharks" and "The Bonnie Parker Band." He enjoyed NASCAR racing, listening to music, trips to the mountains, spending time on his computer, and the company of his friends at Maple Farms.

Mitch is survived by brothers, Larry D. and David F. Herr, and a sister, Barbra, married to Lloyd Mitchell. He was preceded in death by a sister, Judith A. Soders who died last week. He is also survived by 14 340 Club residents and scores of 340 Club members and the usual gang of idiots.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Maple Farm Nursing Center, 604 Oak St., Akron, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Online condolences may be made through www.youngfuneralhome.com

Mitch has already discovered, despite not being necessary, indeed - contrary to 20th century pop culture - in Heaven there is beer ... he has been partying with Kenny & the Lord since last Saturday.

We miss ya Crazee!

Reunion Postponed

The 3rd periodic 340 Club Reunion, scheduled for November 21, has been postponed until 2010. The decision was reached last night by the trustees of the Club.

"I don't think we should go ahead with a 2009 celebration...There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest. I might not be able to attend anyway with the new job. Perhaps 2010 will be better. It does seem like it was only yesterday when we had the 340 reunion. I think one too soon would be a watered down version cutting into attendance on future gala's. - Phil Zangari, May 6, 2009.

To which young Ted Knorr replied: "Okay"

It was over just that suddenly. 2010 is not that far away and, while a great time was had by all who attended, truth was there were only about 40 guests at the June 2008 bash.

"Good Night Kook"

Sad News RE: Billy from Philly

Repost of an important message from Patty Ferrell at 215-295-2271:

Billy Lomax is sick and needs our help and prayers! Billy was diagnosed with throat cancer a few years back, now he's having even greater problems.


Can you help?

A Benefit in his honor to fray medical expenses will be held at...

Philadelphia Police FOP Union Hall
13th and Spring Garden Sts, Philly, PA
Sunday 4/19/09
3pm - 7pm

$25.

00/ advance
$30.

00/ door

Ticket info: call Patty Ferrell at 215-295-2271 evenings before 9:00pm OR contact her at patty.ferrell@yahoo.com

Donation info : Billy Lomax Benefit

#75-00-49-01

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
7500 Castor Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19152

The Benefit includes BEER and FOOD and a chinese auction. Also, impromptu jams from Dino and the Missles and Johnny Rogers are expected.



AND FRIENDS: Billy is taking this time to heal and while he appreciates your love and concern, PLEASE refrain from disturbing him right now.