Fitzgerald Invades Houston

[Christopher K. Hartley]

This is a two part story and so as to not steal all the glory of telling it I will leave the first part to Ken's son Mike. I just want to say it was a pure pleasure to visit with all the fine people that were able to attend. :cool: I had the chance to meet in person some new friends and see others again. It was wonderful. Ken, his Wife, Son and Daughter-in-law are wonderful people and it was a real privilege for me to be able to be with them.;)

Later, Ken and Mike came to the house. Ken took a ride on Beauty, and well what words can't say, pictures may. My only regret is that it wasn't cooler for him so he could have enjoyed it more. I felt a bit sorry for him as the sweat began to pour from his head. He taught me a few things about the Grumbine Method of using a bowl gouge. I will be grateful for that lesson as it was my first on the Lathe since High School. I sent him home with a hunk of "REAL" Texas Live Oak :eek: and I hope, some wonderful memories as well as a bigger hankering to get that Mustard he's been dreaming about.:D

[Keith Burns]

Thanks for the report Chris !! I am envious that you got to meet Ken, would love to do the same. He looks right at home on Beauty !!

[Barry Stratton]

CONGRATS Christopher, looks like Ken had fun on the newest toy!!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

As you folks can see from the photos......quiting smoking and learning to turn.....I've really developed a "turning muscle" this past year and a half!:o

[Christopher K. Hartley]

As you folks can see from the photos......quiting smoking and learning to turn.....I've really developed a "turnig muscle" this past year and a half!:o Oh, so that's what that is! I've been blaming mine on something else. Now I feel better about it.:o

[Ken Fitzgerald]

According to Bill Grumbine in his first video.....that's turning muscle.......
As good a turner as Bill is.....who'd argue with him?
:eek: :rolleyes: :D

[Mark Cothren]

Looks like a great time, guys!

[Bernie Weishapl]

I can see it now Old Fitz will be ordering him a Beauty this fall.:eek: :rolleyes: ;) :cool:

Looks like a good time was had by all. Glad you clairified the turning muscle thing Ken. I sure feel better now.:D :p

[Pete Jordan]

You should have never touched it, Ken! Now what are you going to do with your champagne tastes?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

My wife will insure I stick to my one beer budget!:cool: :cool:

[Ed Scolforo]

For some reason, I thought Fitzgerald was better looking than that :D. Seriously, it looked like a great time!

[Karl Laustrup]

As you folks can see from the photos......quiting smoking and learning to turn.....I've really developed a "turnig muscle" this past year and a half!:o

Yeah Ken, but the "quitting smoking" is one of the best things you ever did for yourself.

Now lets see something here. A pack a day at $3.00 per times 365 days is a little over $1000. Just a few years of not smoking will buy you a Robust. And as I stated in another thread if you were to drive back here to "Cheeseland", we could make a trip to Barneveld, WI and you could pick one up at the factory and save the shipping. And best of all you could meet me in person.;) :D I'll buy the first OS.

Karl

[Dennis Peacock]

Congrats to all of you who got to personally meet Mr. Ken Fitzgerald. I would have loved to have been there to meet him. One day.....one day.

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Yeah Ken, but the "quitting smoking" is one of the best things you ever did for yourself.

Now lets see something here. A pack a day at $3.00 per times 365 days is a little over $1000. Just a few years of not smoking will buy you a Robust. And as I stated in another thread if you were to drive back here to "Cheeseland", we could make a trip to Barneveld, WI and you could pick one up at the factory and save the shipping. And best of all you could meet me in person.;) :D I'll buy the first OS.

KarlKarl, I like the way you think.:D You sound like one of my sales guys.:eek: Actually he would only have two years of no smoking to get the Sweet 16 and that baby is one fine hunk of iron!.:cool:

[Jim Becker]

Like I said in the other thread, Ken...ching...ching!!

[Joe Tonich]

As you folks can see from the photos......quiting smoking and learning to turn.....I've really developed a "turnig muscle" this past year and a half!:o


Dunno nuthin about THAT........http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/jt6089/slider_whistling.gif

Looks like ya had a great time.

[Bill Boehme]

I am glad to see that everyone had a great time. I had intended to also go to meet Ken and others. Since I have many relatives in and around Houston, it would also have been a good reason to visit them too. I hated to miss the event, but I was in the hospital for several days and "they" didn't see fit to let me out for a couple days -- they are sort of narrow minded about such things at hospitals.

But, the good news is that they served wonderful meals at the hospital. Can I have a show of hands for those who believe this? I am certain that the food at the Fitzgerald's was every bit as good as the hospital food ... and, dare I say, maybe even better.

Bill

[Ernie Nyvall]

I am certain that the food at the Fitzgerald's was every bit as good as the hospital food ... and, dare I say, maybe even better.Bill


Well I don't know Bill. All we had was charcoal burgers and sausage...uhhh smoked brisket, beans, potato salad, pasta salad, whatever choice chips and sodie water, fresh chocolate chip(white and dark) cookies with nuts, and two coconut cream pies. Hardly a spread to match a hospital.;) :D In spite of that it was a great time. Gracious hosts and oh yea... Ken was there!!!:D It was a pleasure meeting you Ken and your family along with the other Creekers I haven't met before. Robert M was a hoot, but I'm afraid he may not be able to type for a while as his wife may have broken his fingers before they got home.:eek: :D

I really appreciate being invited. I had a great time.

[Cecil Arnold]

Bill,

I just spent 8 days in the hospital, and I was at Mike's to meet Ken, so to paraphrase another Texan "I knew the food at Mikes, and that hospital food will never be the equal of Mike's food" (actually Lloyd Bentson said it better to Dan Quaile). The food was great, the company excellent, really glad I could come.

[Bill Boehme]

After some careful reevaluation, it sounds like the food at the Fitzgerald's might have edged out the hospital food -- by about a country mile.

Bill

[Brad Schmid]

It was definitely a great time and I'm glad I could make it too! It was great to finally meet Ken, his wife, and his sons family; and a few other SMCer's I had not already met. The hospitality, conversation and the spread of food was excellent!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Folks....it was indeed a good time. Thanks for attending.

Just for the record, the delicious pies were compliments of Chris Hartley's wife. They were great. Thanks Mrs. Chris.:)

[Mark Pruitt]

Well.....even though there's nothing desirable about the weather in Houston, I'm still envious of all of you who got together. It's great to be able to make those kinds of visits.:)

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Well.....even though there's nothing desirable about the weather in Houston, I'm still envious of all of you who got together. It's great to be able to make those kinds of visits.:)You say that about the weather now. Just wait until January and your tongue freezes to your Mustard.:D :D Wish you could have been here!:)

[John Chandler]

I also was hoping to make it down there but my son's open practices for soccer kept me tied up here. I have been busy and haven't had much time on my home pc - this is the first time to really read the forum in over a month. I am glad the invasion turned out well. Hopefully there will be a next time.