William

Gotcha, I overlooked that one earlier in this thread. Thanks for clarifying 😊

👃

We'll see! Decorah, Iowa has opportunity as does Lacrosse,Wisconsin but if I can stick with the shorter commute that would be great.

Slowly compiling a little collection 😊

Sat on his butt too long 😁

Earlier in this thread you will see where Ron makes reference to boxed Sparklers

Ran into an old friend who is chief maintenance at Precision Stainless, formerly APN Inc., a steel fab company right around the corner from where I currently work. They used to produce things such as steel elbows, crosses, T's, nuts, etc; but switched over not to long ago too making and supplying steel tubing and fixtures for dairy, pharmaceutical, etc. I worked there for a few years, 2003-2006, until switching over to composites. Guess there's still some of the old gang there, naming them off. Possibility, familiar with the work and the people. Same distance, 17 miles. Other possible options would be alot further too bigger towns or cities (I'm right smack dab in the middle of small town USA) When it comes to winter driving in the early morning hours, the closer the better. This place did cross my mind before unexpectedly bumping into my buddy, who actually recognized me before I did him! (Been years since I saw him last, he had a good head of hair back then, now bald!) Oddly enough, I also ran into a lady I know about two weeks ago while stopping into a restaurant that's established back where these businesses are located. She has worked there since I was there also. Hot wings in hand, we chatted for about 10 minutes about each other, work, families,etc. She then stated "Bill, we bring you and a few others up in conversation occasionally, the good old days!" Hmmm. Two meetings in 2 weeks. One before and one after I received my news about the closure. Coincidence?

Don't know why this file keeps posting upside down but group shot

A group shot of all personnel from director of operations down to production. That's me in the back row with the white hat on. Fun days

I'm sure I'll find a way. A group of gentleman just did a walkthrough with the plant manager, R&D (research and development), the director of operations, and leading this group of businessmen was a woman who I recognized instantly. The same woman who had been traveling too China to train production workers there. Funny because that venture failed and we ended up receiving all the equipment from that plant not to many years ago. They seem to think it will work this time over there I guess. Anyway, seeing this today makes me wonder about that 18-24 month window. Especially hearing one of them state "we can't waste time"

Miken Sports, producer of top of the line composite softball and baseball bats, along with the Batting helmets you see on TV worn by MLB players, has been competing with Easton, Demarini, and others since 1998 too provide the best possible equipment for players worldwide. More often than not, you would see our bats at the top of the list for performance and design. Not too many years ago, Rawlings purchased Miken Sports from the Jarden Corporation, and most recently, Rawlings also purchased Easton. Rawlings has been trying to figure a way too merge Easton with Miken, combining all the knowledge into one company larger company instead of two "smaller" ones. Well. We had a company meeting yesterday and the powers that be have determined that a merger isn't possible for various reasons and my place of employment, Miken Sports, will be closing it's doors anywhere from 18 to 24 months from now. I've been there since 2006. They are giving us premium pay, effective this past Tuesday, and a severance for those who stick around until the end. I had planned on retiring from this great company, now at 53, I have to kick around the thought "what can I do for a handful of years when my time is up"? Just wanted too share my kick in the teeth from yesterday. Hopefully China enjoys making this product, because that's where it was said manufacturing will be based. No wonder the "Made in the U.S.A." decals suddenly dissapeared a month or so ago. Thanks for listening 😕

0.92

Never salmon fished. Would love to one day. My neighbor goes once a year up too the great lakes for a week, always brings back a nice haul.

That's some awesome stuff. Love the different varieties! $25 cup? Wouldn't have guessed 😊

Would if I could! It isn't designed or set up for stone. I do have equipment on a smaller scale such as the cutting saws, dremel and fixtures, belts for sanding/polishing/shaping, etc. But no time to give too projects like that anytime soon.

It doesn't have the tooling heads or the programming for wood or stone. That would be a pretty penny to obtain that stuff.

Here's a few boxes I have too some day play around with...

My cousin Jimmy had one similar back in Indiana when I was young, used to take me on some crazy rides into town over the hills!

If a tractor tire or a cow happens to lands in your front yard, you'll know I flipped.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yeah, I can see myself now....green skin, huge muscles, throwing big pieces of rusty junk around "WHERE MARBLE? WILLIAM SMASH!!!!!! 🤣

MARBLE ON! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️🦹‍♂️🦹‍♀️