Best Train Set in the World

I think every kid would love to get this train set on Christmas morning : )

Hello from Panama

hey.... 31 here and wishing you were here....(ya, right) ...lol

Q's Hero

I received an anonymous email the other day informing me that the Lakeshore Fire Department had hired a new deputy chief! When I discovered who it was I was amazed. It was none other than JOHN QUENNELL!!! When I dialed his number to congratulate John I was surprised that the message on the voice mail was the voice of none other than Bob Tapak. I was startled when I heard this message: “Hello, you have reached the office of John Quennell’s spokesperson and mentor, Captain, District Chief, Assistant Chief, Real Chief and over all Grand Poobah Robert Tapak. All phone messages for Deputy Chief Quennell are now being filtered through this office for advisement. Have a great day!”

I visited Bob at his residence to investigate this strange occurrence and was surprised when Mongo answered the door. I politely asked the furry one what he was doing at Bob’s residence. He smiled at me with that strange Chewbacca smile of his and stated, “Well, Bob is now my life coach and mentor. When I heard what he did for Deputy Chief Quennell I was next in line for his services. What is so special about Bob’s services?”, I asked. A glassy-eyed look appeared over Mongo’s deep brown eyes as he spoke in an almost hero worshipping lilting voice, “Bob is simply amazing; he has had so much experience with other retired firefighters obtaining various positions after their retirement that he has become the Guru of positioning himself at the right place at exactly the right time. He is another Bill Gates as far as I’m concerned. He has just recently taught me to position myself to get ready for the day that I retire that I can become a deputy chief or even a real chief if I wanted it bad enough!”, he swooned. I could tell that Bob had read and seen the now famous book and DVD,” The Secret”. When I left Bob’s residence I saw Mongo at the computer Googling photos of Bob throughout his career. Bob had finally reached the status of hero worship with the famous chimpanzee.

On a closing note, The Windsor Star has made a valiant effort to archive all the sepia toned photographs of Chief Tapak during his 92 year career with numerous fire departments across the province. I recently saw one of him taken with none other than Thomas Edison at Menlo Park.

More on Engine 3

I received the following from Bob Cooper after I posted the photo of old engine 3 on the blog. What follows is a new photo from Bob and his experience as a young child. This is not meant to be humorous; but, rather a warm hearted story about a young kid that had a dream. Enjoy.

OK LODGE, LET ME SEND YOU A REAL PICTURE OF ENG-3 ALONG WITH A LITTLE PERSONAL HISTORY. WHEN I WAS A LITTLE TYKE,WE LIVED ON THE 8OO BLOCK OF MOY AVE. ONE COLD NIGHT I HEARD THE SCREAMING SOUNDS OF A SIREN APPROACHING OUR STREET AND UP PULLED THIS BEAUTIFUL BIG RED MONSTER OF A FIRE ENGINE THAT STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND STRETCHED LINES TO A WORKING FIRE IN THE HOUSE DIRECTLY IN ACROSS THE STREET FROM US. I REMEMBER RUNNING OUT IN THE STREET IN MY PJ'S AND BARE FEET TO GET CLOSE TO THE ACTION. I WAS HOOKED. I KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO DO FOR A LIVING. SHIVERING IN THE COLD, I WATCHED THE WHOLE PROCESS UNTIL IT WAS KNOCKED DOWN. ONE YOUNG FIREFIGHTER SEEING ME SHAKING BAREFOOT IN THE ROAD, SAT ME ON THE TAILGATE OF THE OLD, THEN NEW ENG 3 WHERE I WAS WARMED BY THE EXHAUST BLASTING FROM UNDERNEATH. THAT YOUNG FIREFIGHTER TURNED OUT TO BE, AS I LATER FOUND OUT, TO BE HERM. LEMIRE. AFTER THAT EYE OPENING NIGHT EVERY TIME I HEARD # 2 LEAVING ON A RUN I WOULD JUMP ON MY BIKE AND RACE OVER TO WALKER AND RICHMOND JUST TO WATCH THAT BIG RED BEAST BACK INTO THE STATION .AS I STOOD NEXT TO THE FENDER,THE TOP MY HEAD CAME TO THE TOP OF THE HUGE FRONT TIRE. .YEARS PASSED AND AFTER MUCH PRAYING AND SUCKING UP,I WAS HIRED ON AND I GOT TO HANG ON TO THE BACK OF THAT BIG FAST RED BEAST. AS TIME WENT ON, I WENT FROM HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE TO GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL. HOWEVER,I WAS NEVER SURE WHETHER I WAS DRIVING THE ENG.OR WAS IT DRIVING ME. IT WAS AS FAST AS HELL AND AFTER MANY YEARS OF GRINDING A POUND OF METAL OFF THE GEARS,I WAS PROMOTED TO THE RIGHT SEAT AS SIREN PUSHER AND WAS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER CLOWNS LIKE YOU. SO HERE'S A REAL GOOD PHOTO OF THIS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL MACHINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE....LOVE YA.. COOP..

Old Engine 3

Bill McLeese sent me this photo of old engine 3. I can't believe we used to ride the back of this antique!! BTW....today is November 15! On this very day back in 1971 Bernie Glabb, Bob Waranchak, John Verbeem, Doug Hussey, Randy Meyer and myself started on the department. I think most of us were older than Engine 3 at the time :)

I received this the other day from Cindy Hillis. Most of you remember Jack. Her comments are below and a couple of photos of Jack in WW 11.

Hi Jack. Here is a little more information on my dad, Jack Hillis Dad turned 90 years old on Oct. 20. He is now the oldest living retired fire fighter in Windsor. He gets a kick out of telling people that. He was retired 30 years on Oct. 20 He had 4 children, 4 grandchildren and just became a great grandfather for the second time 5 days ago. Cindy Hillis

Painting the Flag

Enough folks sent me this to post on the Blog...I took a look and know why they sent it...sit back and enjoy. Quite a tribute.

Ok... let's see the Team do this one...from France. Only takes 15 seconds but is well worth the view.... : )

Cleaning Out The Cobra Pit

Alrighty then.... if you still want to work on your day off...this ones for you! I wonder what the benefits are?

SFFD Funeral Procession

Got this from Gary and Judy's Facebook page.. very moving... Sit back and watch..
.
Note: If you get an advertisement at the bottom of the screen..just click on the "X" on the top right to remove.

Three Tin Cans To Steal A Car

I received this one from Bob Cooper...you remember him, right? Old guy? Anyway, great video of a car theft. Remember, always take the car keys with you when you get out of the car!!!

Mary Menna-Simonitto Fund Raiser

Mary Menna-Simonitto

“Hopes To Walk Again” Fund Raiser Benefit

Sunday, June 12, 2011

11:30 AM – 4:00 PM

The Verdi Club

689 Texas Road, Amherstburg

Menu

Salad, Pasta, Chicken, Italian Pastries, Coffee

Cash Bar

Adults $50.00

Children: $20.00

Under 5: Free

Entertainment

Information:

Danny Simonitto

519-944-3505

For tickets contact:

Joe Menna

579-969-7825

San Francisco Fire Dept and Ladders

Just got this from Bill McLeese.

The Royal Wedding

Here is a preview of the upcoming Royal Wedding... Even the Queen showed up.

The Skin Gun

Thanks to Wayne Pestru who sent me this video.... amazing new technology! Spray paint new skin on burn victims.


Disclose.tv - The Skin Gun Video

The King's Speech: American Version

This is America's version of "The King's Speech". Should be a blockbuster when it arrives on the big screen....

Flash Mob Dance in Eaton Centre

This has an interesting story behind the event.

Kim MacGregor launched this grassroots movement to unite and inspire 1,000,000 women around the world to recognize the amazing women in their lives-in memory of her inspirational friend Erika Heller, who lost her four-year battle with colon cancer on May 28, 2009, at 31 years old, just two weeks shy of her one-year wedding anniversary to her Prince Charming, Ryan Cornell.
The group of 200 dancers only had a one six hour rehearsal one day before the shoot. The song is "I believe" by Yolanda Adams. Enjoy!

Student's First Grade Drawing

This is a student's First Grade Drawing

A first grade girl handed in the drawing for her homework assignment.

The teacher graded it and the child brought it home.

She returned to school the next day with the following note:






Dear Ms. Davis,

I want to be perfectly clear on my child's homework illustration.
It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint surrounded by male customers with money.
I work at LOWES and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm.
This drawing is of me selling a shovel.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Harrington

Red Light Runners

As firefighters we usually arrive "after the fact' so to speak. Take a look at the seven minute video below to see a compilation of "red light runners" Please note: Graphic material.

Ventriliquist Without a Dummy

Don't you just love ventriloquists? The dummy in the video kind of reminds me of Bob Cooper : )

Have fun!

Accident on 401

This occurred January, 2011 on the 401 near Milton . Very scary!

More Young Guys

Okay then.... How about a dose of reality??? When you read the list of names below you may be surprised that they are now all qualified Captains! Hurry.... find your Geritol before your arteries start to shut down, Old Timers : )

Kevin Broadbent

Darren Dixon

Gary Dunne

Don Johnson

Mike Kennette

Scott Killen

Mark Mailloux

Jim Marusic

Pete Rivers

Brian White

Tom Zoumboulis

Old Guys Revealed

Well, here they are! Thanks to Ted Seagull for the photo. Apparently the boys were involved in Radiation Training somewhere between 1963-1965.
Once again, click on photo to enlarge.

Name the Old Guys

Another Contest!!!!

You could win an all expense paid holiday to downtown Detroit!

ENTER NOW......

Name The OLD Guys .... Who's Who?


(click on photo to enlarge)

Wow..snow in Toronto

I think this is more than appropriate. After last night and today's snow storm the city of Toronto is somewhat perplexed. Most Torontonians are never quite prepared for emergencies. Have fun :)

My friend allan Goldenberg from Fergus sent me these gems.... funny

Ø I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Ø I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Ø Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Ø The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
Ø Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Ø If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
Ø We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.
Ø War does not determine who is right -- only who is left.
Ø Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Ø The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Ø Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
Ø To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
Ø A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. My desk is a work station.
Ø How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Ø Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Ø Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
Ø I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted paychecks.
Ø A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.
Ø Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "If an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR."
Ø I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
Ø I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it... So I said "Implants?"
Ø Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Ø Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut and still think they are sexy.
Ø Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?
Ø Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
Ø A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Ø You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
Ø The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!
Ø Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
Ø A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.
Ø Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.
Ø Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
Ø I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Ø Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.
Ø There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
Ø I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure..
Ø I always take life with a grain of salt... plus a slice of lemon... and a shot of tequila.
Ø When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
Ø You're never too old to learn something stupid.
Ø To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
Ø Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Ø A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.
Ø If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?
Ø Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.