GONE  BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally built in 1929 and named the Arena.Only Madison Square Garden was larger than the Arena.A 13 story building could have been erected inside the Arena.As a kid lets say eight to sixteen are 1946 to 1954 I saw the following at the old Arena.
*** Several Police Circus and they had special guest appearances.I especially remember seeing Roy Rogers,Dale Evans,The Sons of the Pioneers and of course Trigger.
I had an Uncle Bob who loved sports and treated me as a son
***He took me to see the St Louis Flyer's a hockey team that played from 1929-1953.
*** The St Louis Bombers of the NBA and I am pretty sure one night we saw the great George Mikan play for the Minneapolis Lakers.
***Several boxing matches including Jersey Joe Walcott who I believe became heavy weight champion after Rocky Marciano. 

   In 1967 the Blues began their life in the National Hockey league and the old Arena was renovated in and out and began looking like my pictures and eventually was named the Checker Dome. 
From 1954 till 1994 I was fortunate to attend the following.
***Many Blues games including several NHL play off games.
***St Louis Hawks NBA basketball occasionally played at the Arena.
***Spirits of the ABA basketball played from1974-1976.
***Steamers indoor soccer was played from 1979-1988.
***Storm of the MISL indoor soccer played from1989-1992.
***St Louis Ambush of the NPSL indoor soccer played from 1992-1994
***St Louis University played basketball off and on fro 1968-1994.
***St Louis University hockey played from 1970-1979. 
***St Louis Vipers indoor roller hockey played from 1993-1994. 
I am pretty sure I saw at least one game of all the teams that played at the Arena/Checker Dome. 
Now for the really big events I witnessed at Arena/Checker Dome.
***January 1958 Nancy and I saw the NBA all star game.
***173 I saw the final four NCAA college basket ball and then on Monday night I saw John Wooden and his UCLA team win the NCAA championship game.
In 1978 I saw the final four double header NCAA college basketball.
In 1982,1984,and 1993 I saw the Midwest regionals of the NCAA college basketball.
*** Last but not least Nancy and I saw two concerts Kenny Rogers and several years later Neil Diamond.  
 Yes the old Arena/barn is gone but oh!!! so many great memories we cannot forget. The Checker Dome closed in 1994 and was demolished in 1999.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

BILL K.THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!!!!!!!

Saturday found Nancy and I headed to Sikeston MO to attend a mini family reunion on the McCoy side of her family.After a pot luck dinner and family fellowship we headed for Reelfoot Lake TN for reasons that you will understand as this blog develops.

Bill is Nancy's cousin on her mothers side of the family and has encouraged me for three years to visit Reelfoot in the winter time. Bill you were so right it was unusual,different and above all more beautiful than visiting in the summer time.

In the first photo Nancy is holding two replicas of Flat Stanly.If you are readers of children's books you will know the story behind Flat Stanly.Nancy tutors reading in our local school and her two girl students have made their very own dolls like Flat Stanly and Nancy wanted them to visit Reelfoot Lake.

 

In the first two photos hopefully you can tell the lake is frozen. I really thought the ice was thick enough for me to walk on but Nancy would not let me.

Sunset Saturday night at a frozen Reelfoot Lake. It simply was surreal.

The sun setting behind the great Cypress trees of Reelfoot Lake.

I am standing on a deck on the spillway side of the lake.looking at what was a beach  in June of 1962. Our daughter Terri was  fifteen months old and went swimming with her dad for the first time.There is also a family legend that developed about Grandma McCoy,Terri and I and a slide that went into the water.The houses in the background were not there in 1962.

Sunday morning found Nancy and I on an eagle watching tour. I was fortunate to capture this photo by positioning my camera into the eye piece of a scope.

This is the water  that  cousin Bill taught me how to water ski in the summer of 1959.I have been known to say 'that the thrill of coming up and on top of the water is my second greatest thrill in life."

Reelfoot lake is known for its wild duck population.

This was my third eagle watching tour but obviously at Reelfoot lake you get significantly closer than at Grafton IL.

.

I am not sure that it gets any better than seeing the beautiful American Bald eagle in the wild.

I hope to visit Reelfoot again next winter as the lake and the area was vastly different than it is in the summer time.

NORMAN ROCKWELL VISITS

Last Tuesday found grandson James participating in a biography program at his school and as you can see he chose to be 'Norman Rockwell.Be sure to notice his gray hair and pipe.

The program consisted of a group activity and then he stood by his poster and as you visited he would tell you about Norman Rockwell.

Great job James and grandma and I are so sorry that we had to be in Henderson Tn that night.

NEIL ANDERSON CHRISTIAN LEADER 2011

Selected by Freed Hardeman University!!!!!!!!

Monday found Nancy and I traveling to Henderson TN to be present when our friend Neil was given the 2011

"Chritian Leader of the year award" from Freed Hardeman University.

Neil asked us to come about three months ago and I jokingly replied we will be there unless there is a BLIZZARD> Little did I know.

Nancy and I took over six hours on Monday to make a normal four hour drive in blizzard like conditions from north of Sikeston MO. to Henderson TN.At times it was stressful and dangerous.

Our return trip today was only slightly improved as we drove over five hours for a normal four hour drive in a blowing snow storm. The opportunity to be there for and with Neil and his family made the trip worth extremely worth while.

First photo is Neil,Glenda,Neila,Nelson,and grandson Clayton. Grandson Conner was at Harding University. Kerry and his family were unable to attend as they have several health challenges at this time.

Four friends after the award presentation.

I clean up pretty good as it is the first time wearing a tie since out 50TH anniversary party.

Kerry sent a video honoring his parents and Nelson did an outstanding job speaking about Neil from a family perspective.

Neil making his acceptance speech.

SATURDAY THE FAMILY HELPED KAYLEIGH CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY #10!!!!

On her actual birth date we all gathered to watch her open gifts and of course sample her birthday cake with some ice cream.

She gets ready to blow out 10 candles and then she blows out her candles.

Photo 4 Kayleigh has on her new outfit from grandma and grandpa.

Kayleigh we hope you had a great birthday celebration.!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEIGH!!!!!

Today Kayleigh enters the double digit world of birthday numbers.

Kayleigh and grandpa 2/05/01

Kayleigh summer of 2001

Photo-3 is the 2006 variety of Kayleigh

Photo-4 is the 2007 Kayleigh

Photo-5 is the 2010 Kayleigh

Photo -6 Does she not look like a junior princess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kayleigh

Grandma and I hope you have a great birthday and we look forward to seeing you at your family party.

We Love you

Grandpa and Grandma

1962 WAS A GOOD YEAR!!!!!
My younger readers will find this hard to believe but in 1962 I made $7,500.00 per. year and Nancy was a stay at home mom.We lived in a house that today would sell for around $160,000.00 and my payment was $89.17 per month including taxes and insurance.
WE HAD
***Window air conditioners
***Black and white television
***Good friends
WE HAD NO IDEA OF
***Cell phones
***Fax machines
***The Internet

Terri at Grandpa's farm 5-5-62

Terri's first swim 6-17-62 in the St.Francis river

In honor of the weather I have chosen three mystery guest from 1962 plus where was the photo taken