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THE FLAT WHEEL CAFE, APRIL ISSUE

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Posted by Willy2 on Sunday, April 12, 2009 1:21 PM

Happy Easter to everyone! At the risk of sounding like a priest, please remember that the Easter Bunny, eggs, ham, and jellybeans are all nice, but the true point of Easter is to celebrate the fact that Jesus died on the cross, descended into hell, and rose on the third day to save us from our sins and open Heaven to all of us. We are truly blessed.

Cloudy and cool here today. There could be some rain tonight and tomorrow, but not much to write home about. It's been a bit dry, so we could certainly use the rain.

Easter vacation lasts through Wednesday and then it's into the home stretch with school.

Did anyone watch "The West Wing" when it was on TV? My Government teacher has been showing us a few episdoes and I'm completely hooked on it. I even signed up for Netflix just so I can watch an episode whenever I get some spare time, which happens about once a month if I'm lucky.

Willy

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Posted by CANADIANPACIFIC2816 on Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:59 PM

"blueberry muffins and Coffee", Cannonball, that's an excellent combination! Now I kind of feel like baking blueberry muffins. I've been to mass at Calvary Cathedral, Episcopal Church with two of my sisters and their husbands and I got home from church within the last hour.

My brothers and sisters and I will be gathering later this afternoon at the home of one of my sister's for Easter dinner, I am guessing that Carol and Harley have a turkey in their oven right now. And I am getting ready to bake a couple loaves of cinnamon bread for our dinner.Chef

Happy Easter to Walt, Paula, Sarah and all the rest of you folks out there, and I hope you are all having a very good day!

Ray     ooo     ooo ooOOOOOo

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Posted by switch7frg on Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:28 PM

Paula & Walt , Church  over now , time for blueberry muffins and coffee. Then on to watch the kiddies trample each other and crush the hidden eggs.LOL Glad to hear the twister missed you folks . to some extent the rain is easier to contend with .There was a good rain here  Sat.  Now bright and clear at 50deg.   Hope ya'll keep warm and dry .

                                                         Respectfully, Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:16 PM

Here is our EASTER SUNDAY MENU for today:

1.  Smoked ham and 2.  roast, potatoes & carrot w/brown gravy

Side dishes to have with either the ham or roast:  cole slaw, shellie beans, deviled eggs, baked beans, banana croquets, Watergate salad (otherwise known as pistachio salad), fruit salad

I hope you all are enjoying your Easter and will enjoy your dinner!!

 

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by switch7frg on Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:15 PM

Quentin, progress  some good some bad . It is indeed sad to see those places go. Our short time in Muncie & Yorktown was from economics of the times.  These towns are special to Shirl & me as young Jim was born  here. Daleville is where we were married 54yrs. past . Dayton, Ohio has the same problems . GM & Chrys. are gone or going.  How we ended up in a cabin on the hill  here in Cordes  ( malfunction jct.)  is a close to a long trail . Life is still good, now better.  Thank you for the update on Muncie.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Respectfully, Cannonball

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Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, April 12, 2009 7:08 AM

....A beautiful Easter morning here but cold.  Frost and bright sunshine and 33 degrees.   Should warm up considerably today.

Seems we got a good start on Spring and lately we've been below our normal temps....Blossoms are pushing out rather well now, but should have been out a bit earlier.  But again, it's a nice Easter morning.  Church should be filled today....2 services.

Quentin

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, April 12, 2009 6:12 AM

Good Easter Sunday morning, everyone.  Looks like it's going to be a very beautiful day today, with plenty of sunshine!  Little chilly this morning, with a current temp of 41, going up into the mid 60s this afternoon.  Then, the next round of rain showers/storms comes in for tomorrow thru Tuesday.

Coffee, juices, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are ready.

On the warmer bar this morning:  blueberry muffins, pecan rolls, cinnamon rolls, and an assortment of doughnuts, along with bagels and bear claws.

Randy, don't worry about the smoke smell.  The smell of the ham smoking in the smoker grill is taking care of it.  

Everyone have a very good morning, and those going out for Easter Sunrise servies, and regular Easter Sunday services, be careful and take care.

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:49 PM

Evening all.....

Sorry if the place smells a bit like smoke, my dad and I were clearing brush and old grape vines out of some of our property.  Cut down about four trees and got rid of the vines and a few brambles, hope to have lawn growing there later in the year.  My parents have about 2-4 acres of overgrown former pasture that we are clearing, eventually we are going to build a pole barn to house our hobbies (dad's woodshop, my auto shop and our model railroad).

Had a DOT physical the other day, now have to go see a doctor about getting my blood pressure lowered before the three month card expires, minor detail right now.

See everyone later..... 

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:24 PM

switch7frg

Quentin;  have you ever had smoked channel catfish ???  That is really good , but it takes a while to get done .  If you use hickory chips you get a fine taste , ( no oily taste) . Years ago friends of us  seined some in the back waters of Missisinnawa river. We have smoked some through the years since then .  Happy Easter to you & yours . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cannonball

switch7frg
Quentin;  have you ever had smoked channel catfish ??? 

Cannonball.....Probably not smoked Catfish, but just not too long ago I finally tried Catfish over here at our Texas Roadhouse on McGalliard, and it was pretty good.

Best wishes to you and family on this special weekend...

Special Muncie news;

This past Thursday was a marked day here in the history of manufacturing in Muncie.....Borg-Warner Automotive...{formally Warner Gear}, ceased production at the local plant.....!  Actual shut down is to be April 24th, but production has now ended.  After 108 years of producing automotive power train products....the end has arrived.

2 years ago BWA wanted the local union to open up the contract {early}, to make some adjustments to compete....The union would have nothing with  doing that, so in a few months after that, the company released the word of impending shut down on the above day.  Operations would cease in Muncie.   How sad.  What a history here.

There remains 70 employees at the plant until the official shutdown.  Right before I was hired many years ago, employment was as high as 6100.

This plant had many firsts....including the first automatic transmissions installed in Ford vehicles.  Of course the shut down has effected many workers and that's sad...The customer at shut down was Ford....Transfer case assy. for 4 by 4 Ford products....especially the F-150 and SUVs...

Of course the famous overdrive manual transmisson was originated here and produced for the domestic automotive manufactures back decades ago.....many power train products were produced for the government for use in WWII.....That caused a rather large enlargement of the plant at the time....In the past there were 3 plants here in Muncie. 

Yes, the famous Warner Gear manual 4-speed transmission {T-10} originated here....installed  in many makes....Including the Corvette and later, modern 4 and 5 speed {T-5 overdrive}, units....later still, 6- speed manual {T-56}....and so on.....

I had about 37 years at the operation.  Retired 16 years ago and don't expect to be effected by it....It is sad to drive past the half mile long plant knowing what it really was, and now operations will be complete on the above date.

As I believe you know, the large "Chevrolet plant" here in Muncie closed and the plant was demolished over a year ago....

Progress in our times......I suppose.

 

 

Quentin

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:16 PM

Well, two sold-out "Easter Bunny" Trains today.  A few rough spots in the execution of the event itself, but train ops went well - except when one of the locomotives sprung an oil leak and was relegated to the status of "push platform" for our second trip north...

Only caught a few CSX and Amtrak trains at the Utica Union Station, but just as I was leaving for the day, a westbound came through with a Norange BNSF in the lead.

Headed to Syracuse for Easter with daughter and SIL tomorrow.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by blhanel on Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:06 PM

Hello from Prior Lake, Minnesota, where Joanie and I are visiting my parents.  I hope everyone here has a blessed Easter.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:26 PM

Howdy

we have returned from the corn city.as usual new friends and old friends came by.Csx was in a warbonnet mood today.Q383,q368 and q 381 all had them in their consists.Cn had a hopper car marked D&T.S.(detroit and toledo shortline).It was going south on the q 501.Cw thanks for the pizza tonight. We have an early rise in the morning so everyone have a Happy Easter.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:09 PM

A little different weather in the Maritimes. The temperature has not been much above zero Celsius, and snow is promised on Easter. Warmer weather is promised for Montreal.

Johnny

Johnny

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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, April 11, 2009 5:35 PM

Yes, Cannonball, we are also glad the twister didn't make it this far north!  

Here's our Pizza Fest menu for tonight:

1.  Two medium anchovie pizzas (in case Jay drops in, in particular, since I know he prefers anchovies on his pizza)

2.  Canadian bacon

3.  Goetta

4.  Hawaiian

5.  Pepperoni/mushroom

6.  Pepperoni/sausage

7.  Supreme

8.  Italian sausage calzones

And, instead of the usual dessert pizzas, we'll pop popcorn later on.  

 

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by switch7frg on Saturday, April 11, 2009 4:55 PM

CW, glad the eggs didn't get scrambled by the twister . For the past 2 wks. we had hard winds off and on again . Blew all the blossems off the peach trees . Now  today we got rain which is much needed.  See you down the line .

                                                                           Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by switch7frg on Saturday, April 11, 2009 4:42 PM

Quentin;  have you ever had smoked channel catfish ???  That is really good , but it takes a while to get done .  If you use hickory chips you get a fine taste , ( no oily taste) . Years ago friends of us  seined some in the back waters of Missisinnawa river. We have smoked some through the years since then .  Happy Easter to you & yours . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by diningcar on Saturday, April 11, 2009 11:46 AM

Rain mixed with light snow here at 5600 feet in the AZ mountains. Had thunderstorm last night before it turned cooler, however we will take moisture in whatever form. Sunny Easter is forcast.

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:52 AM

......It's a nice calm bright sunny morning.  looks much better than yesterday, probably lots of sunshine today.

Quentin

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Posted by bubbajustin on Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:02 AM

Mornin CW! B-fast is good! I to can say that the rain is moved out of our area, but not sure about our temp for today. My neibghors dog didn't really whine that mutch last night. That's a good thing seeings how we will have too keep him for 2 weeks. He is very cute hough. Liiking forward to the pizza fest tonigt CW! 

Everone have a really good day!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, April 11, 2009 5:51 AM

Good Saturday morning, everyone.  Rain has left our area, and we have a temp this morning around 46 degrees.  Going to be a sunny day, with temps in the low 60s.  No rain predicted until Monday night, into Tuesday.

Coffee, juices, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are ready.

On the warmer bar this morning:  bagels, bear claws, turkey bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, homemade buttermilk biscuits w/sausage gravy, and there's also plenty of pancakes with maple syrup, grits and toast.  

I hope you all enjoy your breakfast, and also hope everyone has a very good day today.  I'll be in the kitchen, baking cupcakes for tomorrow, and refreshing our supply of cakes, cobblers and pies.  Then, I'll be making up the pizzas for tonight's pizza fest.  

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, April 11, 2009 5:43 AM

Mookie
I know I couldn't get oysters on the half shell even in the same room with my mouth, let alone eat them, but what would fried rolled oysters entail?  And baked clams - what would they taste like?  (baked how or in what?)

 

Mookie, rolled oysters:  you roll the oyster in cornmeal, and then fry it.  Clams:  season however you want, and bake.  

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, April 10, 2009 10:12 PM

Mookie
fried rolled oysters entail?  And baked clams - what would they taste like?

J.....My serious desire for the listed seafood would be the oysters and scallops.  Like the oysters anyway, but probably fried with light breading and the scallops, the same way....Ummm good....!  As for taste....Scallops have a white fish like taste.....Oysters...Like nothing I can compare them to....Like them with crackers...and like them raw too....And i'm a sneakin eater of all things.  Can't really tell you anything about prep....I really am not skilled in any cooking as such.  You better try them....might like them.

In contrast to the above....Jean and I had lunch at Olive Garden yesterday.....There it was spaghetti with meat sause...{angle hair} type spaghetti.....and that was very, very good too....Darn, getting hungry writing about this food here....

Quentin

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 10, 2009 10:06 PM

bubbajustin
I also have been on MSTS being as close as I can be for now to be engineer. I damage the freight a lot.. Frustrating...Banged Head Any engineers out there got any advice? 

Easy does it is always a good thing.  Also, anticipate and plan way ahead.  Odds are you're having trouble with coupling - 4 mph is the max - 2 mph is better when coming into a joint.  If you're used to zipping around a model layout - there is no comparison.

You're probably running it from the keyboard, too, which is awkward as all get out.  Consider asking for a RailDriver console for your next major gift (they run around $175 right now).  One caveat - I'm not sure they've got drivers for Vista, if that's what you're using.

The RD console still isn't the same as running the real deal, but the controls are more intuitive.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by bubbajustin on Friday, April 10, 2009 9:00 PM

Evening all! Mom has been mesing around with the PC's virus blocker. I didn't want to get on-line and get a virus. Were all protected now though. I'm glad to chomp into youre dinner CW I've missed it a lot! I also have been on MSTS being as close as I can be for now to be engineer. I damage the freight a lot.. Frustrating...Banged Head Any engineers out there got any advice? Well see you tommorow! Also I got new glasses Thursday! Kind of weird but I am used to them now!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 10, 2009 8:18 PM

OK - I have a serious question - being from the center of the nation, I have never eaten oysters and have only tried clams in clam chowder.  (found grit in them, too!)

I know I couldn't get oysters on the half shell even in the same room with my mouth, let alone eat them, but what would fried rolled oysters entail?  And baked clams - what would they taste like?  (baked how or in what?)

I don't mind "rubbery" foods, won't eat any fish with a lot of bones and no fish that doesn't taste pretty much like Orange Roughey.  Any comments?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by cherokee woman on Friday, April 10, 2009 7:38 PM

cherokee woman

Here's the Friday Fish Fry menu:

FISH:

1.  Cod;  2.  Halibut;  3.  Haddock;  4.  Perch;  5.  Salmon patties;  6.  fried rolled oysters;  7.  Baked clams;  8.  Scallops

SIDE DISHES:

1.  Baked beans;  2.  Cole slaw;  3.  Fries;  4.  Fried breaded mushrooms;  5.  Cornbread

DESSERTS:

1.  Chocolate cake w/white icing;  2.  Yellow cake w/chocolate icing;  3.  Yellow cake w/caramel icing;  4.  Apple cobbler;  5.  Cherry cobbler;  6.  Peach cobbler;  7.  Pecan pie.

 

Everything listed above has now been refreshed.  Of course, the desserts didn't need to be totally refreshed, as they are kept in the cooler.

You all enjoy the supper, and have a good evening.  We're still getting rain; coming down a little bit harder now, too.  

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, April 10, 2009 12:30 PM

All of the fish food sounds very good......

Quentin

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Posted by diningcar on Friday, April 10, 2009 12:25 PM

Great, and appropriate, GOOD FRIDAY menu CW. THANK YOU!!! I shall have some oysters, Scallops, cole slaw , mushrooms and cornbread and then the cherry cobler. Probably need a nap then.

You may send any excess rain about 1300 miles west. We may get showers this weekend but it is not as predictable as the miswest. 

 

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Posted by cherokee woman on Friday, April 10, 2009 11:25 AM

Speaking of Walt, he and I just got back a little while ago, we had a couple of errands to run, and we just made it in before the round of thunderstorms hit.  (Almost sounds like it's coming down in buckets; where I'm sitting at the computer, I can't see out very well.)

Here's the Friday Fish Fry menu:

FISH:

1.  Cod;  2.  Halibut;  3.  Haddock;  4.  Perch;  5.  Salmon patties;  6.  fried rolled oysters;  7.  Baked clams;  8.  Scallops

SIDE DISHES:

1.  Baked beans;  2.  Cole slaw;  3.  Fries;  4.  Fried breaded mushrooms;  5.  Cornbread

DESSERTS:

1.  Chocolate cake w/white icing;  2.  Yellow cake w/chocolate icing;  3.  Yellow cake w/caramel icing;  4.  Apple cobbler;  5.  Cherry cobbler;  6.  Peach cobbler;  7.  Pecan pie.

Everyone enjoy your lunch, and have a very good afternoon.  Stay as dry as possible, if you're getting rain like we are, and everyone take care.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, April 10, 2009 9:35 AM

Overcast skies here....and we had overnight rain and a little earlier this morning.  47 plus degrees now.

Will stop in at the church about 4 this afternoon with an "open" ongoing "service" for several hours and take Communion as well....

Our weekend weather is to be nice like Joe indicated his area of Ohio will be.

Quentin

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