Following a nice family trip to be with son Kurt, daughter-in-law Jennifer and little granddaughter Addison for Thanksgiving in Olathe, KS, Rick McClellan very kindly invited Caroline and me to visit his home to see his layout last Saturday. Very neat! We received the royal tour and put in a little operating time to boot. Thanks Rick! Ken ps: Oh yeah, Rockchalk Jayhawk! The Saturday disaster at Arrowhead was just a temporary setback. The important sports season is just beginning. Go Jayhawks!
You really have to be careful what you say on this website . . . . . Last Saturday I had the great pleasure of having Ken and Caroline Wulfert visit the Frisco Northern Division|-|. Prior to their arrival, Ken called and said that he had something for me but left me guessing until I saw the brown paper bag in his hands at the front door. A jar of peanut butter . I have stated at least once (probably more) that I put myself on a peanut butter diet so I can save up for some of the cool model railroad equipment that is coming out. Ken bought the family size so I should be good for about 2 weeks. I might be able to get one of those new Athearn SD45s in January if I start now. See the real secret is I like peanut butter (don't tell Ken though). I still have PBJs as a meal at lunch or dinner if my wife is out with the girls. Anyway Caroline and I agreed that Ken needs to start a layout but I think we are going to have to stay on him. The good news is that I think (1) Ken likes operating, (2) he likes the sound units, switchers and road and (3) he has agreed to come back and operate! I will do my utmost to be a bad influence on him. PS I like the smilies/emoticons.
Ken, thanks for the picture. Rick is a fabulous host and has a pretty spectacular layout. Always good to see Frisco Folk getting together. And, in re: the football game Saturday, I am working hard not to gloat (M-I-Z...) I suspect payback will be forthcoming on January 25th in Lawrence (I can hear the chant starting now), AND on March 6th in Columbia. Rick: does this mean we'll be enjoying peanut butter sandwiches for the Spring 2010 Frisco Meet? If Michelle and I can make it, we'll bring jam/jelly and maybe a Shakespeare's Pizza for good measure. Best Regards,
Football. I had a feeling this would be a bad year but it was one game worse than I thought. Here are the facts. 1. Kansas has a matador defense that actually only plays one half per game 2. It is now basketball season. 3. Missouri is spelled M-I-S-S-O-U-R-I. Hey I was thinking about a peanut butter based concession at the 2010 Frisco meet. My favorite invention is peanut butterade. It's a drink that leaves you thirsty and sticks to the roof of your mouth. The Northern Division's |-| door is always open to Chris and all the Frisco Folks/peeps so let me know when you can make it and we will arrange an operating session. I am working on Karl Brand for an op session. So Chris, when are you coming back? It has been a long time since last March . . . . .
Sure glad that jar did not get placed on that depot! Nice touch - Ken. Actually - the peanut butter concession is a good idea. There is nothing better than a good PB and Jelly sandwich. I always add at least half of a banana to mine. Not too sure about the peanut butterade - gotta have my Diet Doctor Pepper.
What a great group - we obviously have similar interests! - The Frisco - Peter Pan Creamy PB - Diet Dr Pepper (10-2-4 baby!) One of my favorites is PB on rye with a DDP. Now that's good eating! Ken ps - Around Columbia, most of the locals spell it Missoura
Hey I pronounce it Missoura. From Springfield, you know. Ethan, if you can hold on until Dec 19, I will set up my soldering iron and some track & wire you can practice on when you are not running a train. Soldering feeders just takes a little know-how and practice and you will be as good as anyone.
Many people from states other than Missouri (an ah sez Missoureeee!) don't understand that we have a big debate in this state on how to pronounce the name. It's an old Indian name. Here in the St Louis area, it is almost universal - Missoureee. I think it's the same in much of the KC area and up north, but in the center and southern part of the state it's Missoura. I always laugh at our state politicians when they are on the campaign trail. Out state, they say Missoura in their speeches, but when they come to StL to give the same speech, it's Missoureee. Anything to get a vote! Ken
We'll have to get the opinions of the other Scissorbill Country denizens...but near Cape Gir-rah-duh, I always grew up hearing our fair state pronounced like Syngman's last name. Aye, Rick...unless one goes to a Big XII north school where the "N" on the helmet stands for "knowledge," this year's football season didn't quite have the luster of the last couple of seasons. A weird year: consider that if K-State wins against the Huskers, they play this weekend in Dallas...but with the loss, they aren't even bowl eligible. I'm still waiting to hear from our KC Star friend...at last check she'd still like to write a feature on model railroading, so when she's ready I'll definitely make sure that I'm there when they want to do their stuff. We're not sure if we'll visit them over the Christmas break...we might try to go see the Kansas City Curling Club after the first of the year (it's a sport that both Michelle and I would like to try out). Bottom line: if an FMIG ops session starts to gel, we'll put the dates on our calendar and see what we can do to make it work! Best Regards,
I can attest to the fact that down in Southeast Missouri (that's Missouree) we pronounce it correctly. The other folks don't arbitrarily change the name of the river that hugs the east coast of our state to Mississippuh (just ask them), so why should they get a pass on Missouruh? Anyway, I highly recommend that anyone, that will grace the Kansas City area for a day or two, contact Rick in advance (not Advance, Mo) to arrange at least a tour, but more importantly an operating session. You will have a great time, enjoy great fellowship, and possibly be converted if you are not already an "operator".
It is my personal mission to increase the number of model railroad operators world wide. While it may not be for everyone, I can certainly show those interested what operations are all about and then they can decide if that is something they want to do. Operations is just too much fun to keep it to ourselves. It's actually more fun with more people involved.
I can attest to the fact that Rick is the most gracious host and if you get a chance you really need to operate the layout. It was the most fun I have had with model railroading in a long time when three of us from the Cherryvale club got to operate with Rick and friends on Nov. 21st. The only bad thing was that it was over too soon. I sometimes thought that the fast clock was working in real time. John Chambers
I always liked Milk with my PB&J sandwiches. I always thought they were pronounced Misery and Our Kansas but but I am just a hick from Southeast Cansaw. Rick are you going to name a place on your layout Peanut Butter Junction? Rock Chalk! El Bob Oh
I will whole-heartedly agree that Rick's layout is quite awesome - very fun to operate. He utilizes several operational tools that make you feel like you're workin' on the railroad (i.e. scale clock, cards for all freight cars, dispatcher communication, etc.) To someone, like myself, who has been rarely exposed to such a large and wonderful layout, it's truly a blast! The true icing on this lucious cake is the gracious way in which Rick hosts his guests. Ah - creamy peanut butter (not a fan of crunchy - though I love peanuts), this is a staple good at my house. Hope nobody takes offense to dipping cracker, spoon, or even clean finger directly into the peanut butter jar. Finally, the toma-toe or tom-atto, Mezzoura or Mizzewree thing: consider two different cities in Illinois and Iowa. Just outside of Chicago, there is Des Plaines - everyone there is consistent, though, and calls it "Dez - Planes". Now, refer to the city in Iowa: Des Moines. Most everyone calls it "Dee - Moyn". However, some in that state say "I-o-wayee", and some say "I-o-wah". Thank God there is only one way to say Frisco - right?
I knew a guy down at MSM in Rolla who would call it the "slusf". You know - SLSF. He was kidding, of course - at least I hope so. How did he ever get into that school? Ken
Hey Rick, The wife said she would bring along a peanut butter cheesecake! It really is to die for!! Dan
