10 Years Out

Well.... it's been10 years since I retired and have loved every minute of it!!!! Retirement is the World's best kept secret.. lol.

What I enjoyed most that evening on Halloween October 31, 2003 was the party at Rob Higgin's place "Kokopelli's"! For anyone who attended here are a few photos of the evening. I would suppose that most of you have aged somewhat over the years as I have. It was a great night. Thanks to all who attended. In the event that you're photo isn't displayed... Cry me a river...join a self help group ... it wasn't because you weren't loved... lol.

The Chief and Assistant. Great memories.

 This is one reason we should consider outlawing Hawaiian shirts!

 These guys could be mistaken for brothers ... mainly because they were old back then!

 The lovely Linda and the old guy

 Kris..(left) .who did a great job chauffeuring me from station to station during my last week of employment. 

 Kevin wouldn't pay my price to keep the picture a secret so the picture went up...: )

 Tough guys!! This group should have been cast in the movie "Wiseguys"

Rob Donaldson (left)... Rob Higgins on the right who was a great host for the evening. Served chicken wings with perfect timing...(inside joke) ...lol

 Ask the guy on the right where his brother and him left the guy who was asleep in the back seat of the car they borrowed.

The Training officers who filled the empty space when I retired...good job, Guys....

Blatant Advertising!

If I thought this wouldn’t interest you I wouldn’t have posted it. This is for those Snowbirds that travel to the USA during the late fall to spring. We have access to a new product that currently is only available in the United States at the present time. (DON'T STOP READING...LOL) Here is the link for the product and there are some substantial earnings if you’re interested. Remember, this product is only available in the United State.

http://funwatercap.com/

We all know individuals who would like this product but you can also target various groups and distribute in larger quantities. In 2012, total U.S. bottled water consumption increased to 9.67 billion gallons. The majority of this water has absolutely no specific nutritional value. This product provides  25 vitamins & minerals in each F.U.N Water Cap system.

Some of the groups that we are referring to are:

• Hockey, Baseball, etc groups and venues (Arenas, Stadiums) where they practice and play. Senior hockey leagues could use this product. (Spratt... this is ideal for you. You can stop taking Fish Oil and take something that tastes good : )
• Golfing establishments where you play.
• Health Clubs that you and your friends attend on a regular basis.
• Retirement communities. Those over 55 communities are filled with the Baby Boomers. Wayne P ... you can finally sell a product along with your voice and make extra money in the clubhouse.
• Anyone who is still connected with fire halls in their travel locations. (We believe Topper is still involved in this field...if not he can contact his bicycle friends! How many bottles of water do these bikers buy, Doug? We’ll let you use your imagination to estimate the number : ) 
• RV communities.... Bob M...We know you have friends in campgrounds : )
• Non profit organizations...Think ‘Fundraising’

Remember; this product is only available in the United States. 

Also, corporations have the option of creating their own ‘private label’

The video below is also located at the website http://funwatercap.com/

If you would like to learn more about this product please feel free to contact us. 

For those of you that don't get the opportunity to travel south for the winter please take a look at our website: http://www.logic-quest.com/

Mongo's Baby Pic

I was searching my archives and came across this old photo of Mongo as a baby! My My My, how the little fella has grown. Just think; he's about to retire.

 

Ken Davis - The Ungrateful Husband

As promised; this is Ken Davis. This was recorded at First Presbyterian Church, Downey, CA

Shadow Puppets featuring Ken Davis

This is one of the funniest videos I've seen for some time. And while I'm at it I'd like to introduce you to Ken Davis, a truly funny guy. I'll have more of his videos published shortly on this Blog. A great comedian who does NOT use vulgar language in this day and age. Just imagine, you can actually let your kids watch this guy.

This video in no way reflects on Mongo. Well....maybe a little.... ENJOY and feel free to comment.

Never Forget

On this morning 12 years ago I sat in my office and watched with horror as this tragedy unfolded. It was a very long day that none of us should ever forget.

Old Guys Promoted

Wow..how time flies, huh? Believe it or not that's D.C Phil Boots on the far left. Phil now has shares in Rogain.  I thought it was a long lost 20 year old older brother at first. Followed by the Chief, then D.C Don Bennett's father and Assistant Chief Brian McLaughlin

Ok... the Chief, next is D.C Bruno Bertucci with hardly any hair! Next is Assistant Chiefs  Brian McLaughlin and Steve Laforet . Steve is now entering a Bhudda look alike contest.

 Ok...now we have Kam Lauzon (not sure if Kam is a chief or not), a middle aged Captain Winton Marchant, Captain Mike McLeod and Assistant Chief Dave Hart. I think Dave just recently swallowed a pillow.

Gabby Hayes look alike D.C Terry Gifford and Captain Dave Steen. By the looks of him I don't believe Dave will be doing any marathons too soon.

Congrats, guys!

Jack Hillis' Final Shift

I received these photos from Ted Seagul last night. I never realized most of these guys were that young. Anyway, here they are with a few comments under the photos.

Vince Mahoney on the far right. I believe that is Al Hillis sitting across from Vince

Name the young guys... Fred Caverzan sitting in the white shirt.

Ted S standing. Dave Morris and John Winkup and Al Hillis on the end.
Notice how young BR is.. lol.

Mike Maoullix (spelling?) was pretty young too.

And last but certainly not least Fred Caverzan before he started shaving. : )

Nearly Gone

Some of these guys are retiring this year! This is their recruit class photo....time flies and we're they ever really that young? lol.

BTW... I see Maure hasn't changed all that much over the years...: )

Support Doug Topliffe and his ride for MS

Support Doug's ride for MS.. you can donate on his Facebook Page located here:

https://www.facebook.com/doug.topliffe

MS Bike - Grand Bend to London

07/27/2013

 

July 27-28, 2013
Grand Bend Motorplex *NEW*
Check-in Time: 6:00am
Start Time: 7:30am 
Route Length(s): 150km 

Early Check-in Date: July 26, 2013
Early Check-in Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Early Check-in Location: Grand Bend Motorplex

Contact:
Amanda Travnicek
1.888.510.7777
msbikegrandbend@mssociety.ca

 

Join us at Canada's largest MS Bike Tour!  We did it in 2012 - help keep us there in 2013!

We are excited to be at a brand new start location this year - the Grand Bend Motorplex will be our new home as we outgrew our old one!  This facility has many great ammenities like tons of parking, inexpensive camping for Friday night, showers & much more!  To book Friday night camping at the Motorplex, please call 519.238.RACE.

Starting from the Grand Bend Motorplex, we will travel along scenic quiet country roads to Western University in London, where a beer lounge, massage, dinner & inspiring evening ceremonies & awards will greet you.  After a good nights sleep & hot breakfast, cycle back to the Motorplex for a finish line BBQ and more festivities.

Bring your family, friends and co-workers with you and be a part of TeamMS!  Teams have more fun, motivate & encourage each other, and make a bigger impact in ending MS! All you need is yourself, three other participants and a team name! 

John McLeod and the Checkered Overalls

I always enjoyed working with Captain John McLeod! What I didn't like was the punishment for well timed zingers that were directed at him. I remember working with him at the new #2 station at Richmond and Walker Rd. For some reason I always got more pleasure receiving punishment when all the crew were present.

One morning during coffee after roll call I looked at John and thought, “who does he remind me of????” The thought stayed with me and during soup the answer came to me. Good grief, he resembles the Big Boy guy in front of their restaurant on Tecumseh Road. So, being fearless as I was I asked him if he needed a part time job. He replied, “Not sure; what is it?”  I answered, “Well, Cap, if you have a pair of red and white checker overalls you can stand in front of the Big Boy restaurant with a tray and work for minimum wage!”

The rest of the crew laughed but a large can of whoop ass was opened especially for me. 

Life as a Marine

Got this from Norm; a friend in Texas...read a few like this but this one is the funniest in my opinion. Have fun!

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are too. Tell brother Walt and brother Elmer (pictured left) the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the spots are filled.

I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed 'til nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay -- practically nothing.

Men have to shave, but it's not so bad; there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food; but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys who live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon, when you get fed again.

We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next bit will just kill Walt and Elmer with laughter. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even have to load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, cuz they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that old bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry. Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry up and join the Marines before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.


Your loving daughter, Alice

Well...I for one think Mongo should retire by this recent picture I just received from an ex Deputy Chief...just sayin'

Zingologists by Ron Perreault

I recently received this one from Ron Perreault (my old boss...emphasis on "old"...lol... sorry for the delay Ron...pretty busy lately. Anyway...here we go

Jack;

        Your recent expose on zingers has stirred some long dormant figments of my melancholy memories of growing up in the wfd. Therefore, I feel driven to make a list of my all time favourite zingologists. I feel privileged to say that each of them took at least one shot at me (sometimes even to my face) and I know that many of your readers can say the same. So now, and in no particular order, it is my privilege to submit to you my nominations for a Doctorate in Zingology

1. The old Ottawa House Gang led by Des Mackenzie and Jack Gregg. (Boy these           guys could cut and they were the kings of the one liners)

2. Ken Rusling. (Ken was either taught by the Ottawa House Gang or by Pitou at #2

    I was never sure which but he was good with the comeback)

3. Terry Murphy. (Fast with nicknames and comic one liners but sometimes he  would wind himself up)

4. Joe Kato. (It wasn't so much that Joe was good but he would always end up shooting himself)

5. Bob Cooper. (Fast, caustic and pure pleasure but his victims always seem to end  up standing next to a dead spot)

6. Gerry Fader. (Part of his secret was that you were never sure if he was kidding or not and you were afraid to ask)

7. Bob Sorrell (Fast, deep and deadly. I don't know what they meant but guys use to say "Don't leave the room") (edited by Jack: Dave Stroud said you had to back out of the room)

8. Mike Anderson (A combination of the warmth of Don Rickles and the sense of         humour of Rodney Dangerfield)

9. Pat Burke (Long before the Deputy and Chief and Fire Marshal days was a brash         young silver-tongued young man with patches on his butt against the system.

10. Bob Tapak. (This ones for you Jack----------------------------------------- I'll let you fill in the blanks) (Jack: Too many to mention in this space.)

        Of course their are many more experts in the kingdom of zingdom, but I will leave it to your devoted readers for submission. Meanwhile it's almost time for my medicine. (No wonder I don't like to leave the house anymore, l think I'm shell shocked)

Take care guys and yes I miss all of you. Looking back, it was fun.

Ron Perreault

Incoming Zinger

Just got this from Dan Dwyer.

At #2 station Dennis Leslie had apparently eaten too much for dinner. According to Dan to the tune of 2 or 3 plates full. While  they were doing dishes Dan says John Swan made the comment, "Woogie takes a beatin' and keeps on eatin'.

Swannee always was a quick wit.

I remember one time he told me that most marriages were made in a garden. Not his, he claimed. It was made in a junk yard..lol.

Zinger #3

Some of you reading this will most likely remember the “Afro” haircuts back in the 70’s.  At the time it seemed everyone with hair in the department had to go out and get this new “do”. The only intelligent ones who decided against it were the ladies who were employed there at the time. So much for the male gene for intelligence being  dominant.

 Let me describe the look: the hair was curled tightly and then a hair solution known as a permanent was applied. The successful results appeared like those in the picture (inset). Well kind of. They even had these special combs called ‘picks’ that were used to fluff out the “Do” to enormous proportions. The hair defied gravity.

Guys were flocking to the hairdressers like lemmings flying over the nearest cliff! Most results were fantastic! Some should have had serious reconsideration. Most of the guys looked like they should be dancing on the old TV program Soul Train and acted like they must be interviewed by the host of the show Don Cornelius. I swear one time out in the parking lot at headquarters I heard a group of the guys in a van lip syncing to Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: Please Don’t Leave Me This Way! 

Not to be outdone I had the audacity to think that I might look not half bad myself if I gathered enough courage to go and have the latest “Do” myself. At the conclusion of the procedure I took a look in the mirror “...WOW...not bad”, I thought. Not perfect; but, still not too bad.

The day came when I was on duty in line up...wearing my cap so nobody could see my new “Do”.  So exciting!!!!!

I walked into the dining room at Headquarters with my new “Do” revealed for all to see.

I never realized until that very moment that a very receding hairline was not a good look for the new”Do”.  My hair was NOT defying gravity!!!! Actually it appeared like a forest that had been strip mined!

Here is where the Zinger took birth.

Ron Jones took one look at me and programmed the Zinger. He hit the fire button and said.

 “Hey Lodge... that isn't an Afro.....it’s a “Halfro”...

If I still lived in Windsor and was in his riding I would never vote for him... just sayin’ >8- )

(Just Kidding)

Zinger #2

This event occurred at the new #2 during the middle of the afternoon.  Dennis Axford was explaining to the guys how he had visited a friend of his one afternoon at said friend’s apartment building. Apparently his friend was the manager of the building and was concerned because one of the tenants had a bad habit of not paying the rent on time. Dennis explained that during the visit his friend had asked him to accompany him to the tenant’s apartment to collect the rent. When Dennis asked him why he needed him to assist him his friend replied, “Well...if things get out of control or heat up I might need you for “backup”.

Dennis had obviously refused because he said to us around the table, “Hey, look at this face; I can’t afford to get it messed up”. Dennis had apparently thought of himself somewhat as a heartthrob at the time and compared himself with other handsome leading men such as Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. J I always thought he looked more like Woody Allen myself.

My mind cleared at that moment and I could actually picture myself throwing the Zinger when the timing was perfect.

Like a perfectly timed moment in history the opportunity opened up when Dennis began to speak. Not realizing what was about to happen he made the following remark, “I have no idea why the guy would ask me up there if he knew I wasn't a street fighter! What was he thinking?”

The Zinger left its comfortable place and sped towards the target with precise accuracy.

I replied, “The guy probably wanted to use the jawbone of an ass for protection.”

Dennis’ jawbone dropped and one of the senior guys even got up and shook my hand, “Good one, Lodge”, he laughed.

Come to think about it I haven’t seen Dennis for some time now. Hummmm.

Zinger #1

After dinner at the old #2 station guys were  pouring coffee when all of us got involved in a discussion whether or not rock and roll bands used drugs during their concerts. The conversation was basically between Pat Cushing and Ron Perreault with others adding to the conversation with all their collective intelligence. I heard a quote one time that    clearly illustrates this particular point in time during this discussion. The poet Keats once said, "I have seen a group amass a thimble full of knowledge". A fitting statement at this particular time. 

Now before we go any further it was a well known fact that Ron was an accomplished musician and possessed a great set of vocal chords. Also it was a known fact that Ron DID NOT  use drugs at any time. 

It seems the best form of Zinger is one that slants the truth somewhat : ) Ron made the point that successful rock  bands couldn't function properly on drugs during a concert because of the extreme concentration required at the time. Pat saw the perfect timing for his zinger and fired away! It flew between 5 guys on either side of the table and landed with  perfect accuracy! He actually accused Ron of using  drugs simply  because Ron was a musician! Ron was incensed at the accusation (well, not really incensed; but, rather a little “annoyed’ at the remark). Ron stated, “You’re wrong, Pat... I've never used drugs at any time!”. Pat waited until Ron defended himself and retorted, “Oh really? Well it’s 5:30 now and you haven’t blinked since Noon!” 

 Even Ron ended up laughing at this one. Pat-1 Ron-0

More to come when I set the scopes on other Zingers. Have a good day, everyone.

Zingers

You know what “zingers” are, right? Those sarcastic short one liners that are directed at someone to embarrass  them.  Zingers were and probably still are pretty active around the dinner table in most fire halls. Evan Fournier probably said it best a few years ago.

"Sarcasm is a refuge for the weak and feeble minded." 

A few Zingers coming soon.

Hopefully Back

Well, things have finally slowed down and it looks a little more like "retirement" for us. I have a few ideas about resurrecting the Blog. So watch for a few new stories coming your way. It's really hard to tell if they are true or if I actually made them up. Stay tuned, folks.