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METRO PIGSKIN PICKEM IS BACK!

This is the 7th year for the McCarty Metro Pigskin Pickem Challenge. The challenge is open to all, and is a friendly competition to see who can pick the most NFL winners throughout the entire NFL schedule, culminating with the Super Bowl. The game is very easy... Every Tuesday during the regular season, I will select 10 games for the following weekend. Your job is to just pick and submit the 10 teams you think will win that weekend before the first game listed kicks off.

To be eligible for the playoffs, you must have picked at least 66% of the games during the season. As the playoffs begins, each of our contestants will enter the playoffs with their winning percentage adjusted to points. Any weeks not played during the regular season will count as a 5-5 record toward your playoff points for each week missed, adjusting your initial playoff starting point accordingly. 

At the end of the Super Bowl, the winner will be announced and declared the 2018 McCarty Metro NFL Pigskin Pickem Champion! Start playing today by clicking here!

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DATELINE: MCCARTY METRO FILM CONTEST - THE RESULTS

The 2017 McCarty Metro Film Contest took place from July 3-9. The event was open to all. We looked for people to write, act, direct and produce a short 4 minute or less movie and submit it to the McCarty Metro during that week in accordance with rules posted on our website on July 2. We received 5 videos that were sent out for judging. The three person judges choice was that "Come Meet The McNoses" submitted by Mac Daddy Productions was the winner. The runner up video was "Meet The Flix" submitted by Jim Matczak. Congratulations to our finalists and to all our submitters on another job well done.

Jerry’s World - A Happy Hair Production

Hey Coach - A Mac O Presentation

Sunny Acres - Submitted by Kelly McCarty

Come Meet The McNoses - A MacDaddy Production

Meet the Flix - Submitted by Jim Matczak

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DATELINE: GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

When the whales wouldn’t come to us, we went to the whales this summer.

Of course, the problem could be that whales don’t really like the fresh water Great Lakes, and there is the issue of getting them past Niagara Falls. But we had the chance to see some of those whales in July, when a contingent of the McCarty-Rzepka-Chapa clan headed east to spend a week on Cape Ann, where Charles Rzepka, the professor in the family, has a house on the western side of the peninsula.

Brad McCarty, wife Valerie, mother-in-law Laura Bain and daughters Olivia and Gray took over the house, which overlooks an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean and faces New Hampshire. It became the general activity and meeting point for all of us, as well as the place to eat lobster and look for sea glass on the beach. Kelly and Margaret McCarty, Margaret’s sister Marianne Rzepka, along with cousin Nancy and her husband Lee Chapa set themselves up at the Inn on Cove Hill, a bed and breakfast in nearby Rockport.

Inn proprietors Betsy and Frank were more than hospitable, even allowing Margaret’s brother Chris Rzepka, who was bunking in an AirBNB in nearby Gloucester to park in the lot next to their historical house. And Frank told us stories of his days working on his father’s fishing boat (he hated it) and of working for the U.S. Postal Service (he loved it). On Betsy’s recommendation, several of us headed out on our first rainy day there to a Gloucester restaurant overlooking the harbor. The rain got more intense as we ate our lunch, but we cheered up when we got the bill and found that the food was half price because of the wet weather.

The following day was much nicer, so Chuck and his wife Jane, along with Marianne, Nancy and Lee, visited the Beauport Sleeper-McCann house. Interior designer Henry Sleeper built the 40-room house on the rocky ledge overlooking Gloucester Harbor. (The McCann family later bought the house and left it mostly unchanged.) The nicest weather was on Wednesday, when some of us headed to Gloucester for an afternoon at sea, looking for those whales. If you’ve seen the movies “The Perfect Storm” or “Manchester-by-the-Sea”, you’ve caught glimpses of Gloucester Harbor. And Margaret, Marianne, Chuck, Laura, Nancy and Lee ventured out on the waves to look for some whales. Olivia came along too, but was so excited to be out on the boat that she wore herself out in the first hour and spent the rest of the trip fast asleep. She saw not one of the humpback whales we came across. One very nice woman who was working the nearby snack counter told us that she would keep an eye on the sleeping Olivia if we wanted to step outside and see the whales. At one point, a customer came to the snack counter, but she told him he’d have to wait because she was busy on her watch. We were lucky to spot a pod of whales made up of two females, Nile and Firefly, along with Firefly’s unnamed calf. The high point of the trip was when Nile – so named because of a marking that resembled the Egyptian river – crossed under our boat, surfaced about 15 yards away from the starboard side of the boat and, with her massive body under the waves, proceeded to slap her tail against the water. You know there’s something interesting going on when even the staff on the ship come out to take pictures, and Nile kept up the slapping until all of us – including a few of the crew - had a chance to take as many photos as we liked. There are various theories about why whales do this. Perhaps they’re knocking barnacles off their tails, or they are sending signals, or they are showing off to a bunch of people on a boat. In any case, we enjoyed the show, the finale of our trip, and headed back to port. 

We spent the rest of our stay with our feet on dry land. Chuck took a small group to see Dogtown, an abandoned settlement with a colorful history on Cape Ann. But much of the time was spent at the beach house, watching the lobster boats, paddling out in kayaks, walking along the breakwater or watching the sunsets. The inlet is a little small for whales, but a snowy white egret was seen fishing off the rocks and a seal was spotted flopping along the shore until he got himself back into the waves. And there was one dead seagull that was given a proper burial by Margaret and Chris in the sand below the tide line. We also seemed to spend a lot of time talking about what we would be eating every day. In fact, the group was split between those who wanted to eat lobster every day, and those of us who thought we should at least have a few vegetables. But if you just drove 12 hours to see whales, you might as well eat lobsters every day, too. You can eat your vegetables when you get home.

Bringing the lobster in from the bay - - Sunset from the back porch on the cove - - Chris enjoying some fresh seafood on Chuck's porch
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Boats in the evening on the bay - - Brad and Valerie go to Cheers - - Relaxing on the porchswing
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DATELINE: DETROIT, MICHIGAN

ED NOTE: Congratulations Rick on your second retirement!

  

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DATELINE: ITALY

Earlier this summer, Larry and Gina McCarty took a 10-day trip with friends Bob & Kim Lopez to Italy. After flying into Rome, they headed north by car making stops along the way at Orvieto, Pienza, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genoa, and Rapallo. Wine tasting at a vineyard, hiking in the mountains, attending cooking school with a famous local Italian chef, touring museums, and eating exquisite cuisine were among some of the highlights of the trip.  The last day and a half were spent in Rome touring the Vatican, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, The Coliseum, and eating more delicious Italian food.  It was truly a trip of a lifetime.  A good time was had by all.
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Robert, Kim, Gina and Larry Went To A Cooking School While In Italy. The Instructor Was Fausto The Chef
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Larry & Gina in Orvieto - - On The Spanish Steps In Rome - - and The Beautiful Tuscany Landscape

DATELINE: COLUMBUS, OHIO

Mike and Karen McCarty drove to the Columbus area in late August to visit Brad Mathers, who was Mike's classmate at George Ford Elementary and Mackenzie High. Two other Mackenzie High classmates, Mike Dakesian and Steve Truman, also drove in for the weekend with their wives, Diana and Pam. The Mackenzie foursome played 18 holes at a Marysville golf course while the women experienced downtown Dublin. We all stopped at a casino, had drinks at Brad's condo, great dinners at local restaurants, with lots of talk about this being the 50th anniversary of the guys' graduation from Mackenzie. All this, and Mike M. birdied a par 3! Really!

Buca di Beppo restaurant in Columbus. From left, Brad Mathers, Mike and Karen McCarty, Steve Truman, Mike and Diana Dakesian, Pam Truman.

DATELINE: GENE'S STORY

As mentioned in previous editions of the McCarty Metro, Gene's Story is about a man name Eugene (Gene) Skladnowski, who was given up for adoption as a baby. In search for his father, using the Ancestry.com DNA test, he has come up as a match as a first cousin to both Jerry McCarty and Kathy Unti. Since Gene has 2 first cousin matches on the McCarty side of the family, it is believed the father may be on of our McCarty uncles.

Gene is really trying to find out who his father is, and is willing to pay for an Ancestry.com DNA test for up to four first cousins. If any son or daughter of Uncle Jim's, Uncle Vince's, or Uncle Eddie's family would be interested in taking the test, you can coordinate with us here at the Metro, or better yet, you can contact Gene directly via email at eskladnowski@cox.net.

To learn more about Gene, check out our previous articles in the Metro Archives with "Gene's Story - DNA finds a new McCarty", and "Gene's Story - Continued".

DATELINE: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017

On August 21, 2017, the United States experienced a rare solar eclipse. The path of the 'total' eclipse went from the west coast to the east coast. The largest city directly in the total zone was Nashville, and Larry & Gina celebrated with a pool party. They sent some photos of the event.

     
The Brookfields are ready with their glasses - Larry, Gina, and friends gather around the pool- As it gets dark in the middle of the day, a quick look at the sun wouldn't hurt? 

DATELINE: OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ECLIPSE PHOTOS

Can't be too safe? I was surprised when my film was developed Phoney glasses?
DATELINE: THE DECLINE OF 9323 SUSSEX

It was 50 years ago that we called the house on Sussex our home. It was the only home I knew until the family moved in 1972. I always remember it as a nice home, and a great neighborhood to grow up in. Unfortunately, through vandalism, and extreme neglect, the home met its' demise and has become an eyesore. In 2014, I went by the old home and snapped a photo after a TV news report that the current tenant had tied a chain through the front windows and pulled the front off the house after a dispute with the owner. Margaret and I drove by again just a couple weeks ago, and the entire home still has no front, and is overgrown with trees, weeds, and bushes. You can barely see the house from the street. Neighboring houses look almost as bad. Although upsetting to see, I will always cherish fondly the memories of growing up on 9323 Sussex.

Our Sussex Home In 1967 - In 2014 After The Vandalism - In 2017 After 3 More Years Of Neglect


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Here are some of the recent travel destinations from our other readers.
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 Austin finished his 2 month work in Weisbaden, Germany
Bonnie joined Austin in Germany for two weeks in July
Chris flew from Oregon to Washington DC for a conference
Steve flew out to California for a quick visit with Jerry
Larry, Gina, Robert, and Kim spent 10 days in Italy

 Kelly, Margaret, Brad, Valerie, Olivia, Gray, and Laura traveled to Gloucester, Massachusetts for a vacation.

Did you go on a trip for work or vacation? Send us your destination and pictures to mccartymetro@gmail.com

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Dear Editor: My wife and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary and I thought a weekend in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge attending a magic show was the best way to celebrate. In my research I came across Wonders of Magic featuring Terry Evanswood.  One review caught my attention: "I would rather spend $20 to watch a hobo eat a sandwich than see another Terry Evanswood magic show." Based on this review and a ticket cost of only $16, I couldn't turn it down. How to you think my new wife will respond? - Shazam in TN

ED NOTE: Weee Doggies. Let me say that you sure know how to treat a gal. Compared to my marriage proposal in a bar parking lot, and Mike's honeymoon to Mystery Spot, I think Mrs. Shazam will love it... or maybe she'll have the magician saw you in half?

Dear Editor: I'm expecting to have some questions for you after The Great American Solar Eclipse next Monday.  I'm happy to know that this eclipse is occurring prior to your strict deadline of August 29th. Best Regards, - Wife of One-Who-Wants-to-Take-Me-to-a-Crappy-Magic-Show-in-the-Mountains-for-our-First-Anniversary

ED NOTE: Forget what I said in my last answer. The magician might be able to just make him disappear. If he can't, I know a guy... Let's just say... he can make people disappear as well if that helps? He's very discreet!

Dear Editor: I recently read Bob Hope Tweets From Heaven and chuckled several times. I've also heard Larry Fine calling in from heaven on Rick's Martini Bar. Any chance the two will get together for a special event? -Bored with time on my hands

ED NOTE: I'm sure Bob will be thrilled as I never remember him getting a chuckle from Joey Heatherton.... And on the Larry Fine question....  You never know what weird things might happen at Rick's Martini Bar, especially when Rick starts pouring the cheap stuff!

Dear Editor, I'm loving Guitar 101 and hope to be proficient enough to play with the Cockroaches some day. On last month's lesson on Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, I noticed the teacher place a capo on the 3rd fret because his voice could not go as high as the Beatles. My question, would he not been better off placing the capo on his ball sack, thus achieving the ability to sing higher? -Future Cockroach

ED NOTE: We tried that when Eddie Stein sang 'Bad Bad Leroy Brown' at the Cockroach 35th Anniversary Concert. Unfortunately it didn't allow his voice to get any higher, but I didn't hear any complaints from his wife afterwards! ... And nobody's the wiser!

Dear Editor: Week after week I find myself wanting to write and ask you a deep, thought-provoking question, yet, I discover there's nothing I really need to know the answer to. Is it possible that I have reached the pinnacle point in my great wealth of wisdom and knowledge where I no longer need questions answered? Or perhaps, I've gotten so dern old that I don't care what anyone thinks anymore? -Smarter-Than-You-Think

ED NOTE: I could possibly ask for a ladder to get to that pinnacle you speak of, but I'll probably just change the dd to a tt, and say it's the latter.

We appreciate our McCarty Metro readers and always want to hear your questions, comments, rants, or editorials.
Just submit them anytime during the month to to mccartymetro@gmail.com for inclusion in the next issue.

For those that do not speak the language, Le' Food is French for "The Food"! I would like to encourage our readers to submit their favorite recipes to the McCarty Metro at mccartymetro@gmail.com for inclusion in upcoming issues. This month we have some great dishes for to feed your family.
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BLUEBERRY LEMON BREAD
submitted by Gina

A recipe that is delicious and easy to make. Check out the list of ingredients...

6 tbsp butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp grated lemon rind
1 cup fresh blueberries

Glaze:

 

1/3 cup sugar

3 tbsp lemon juice

 

Cream butter, gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Combine flour, baking powder, salt; add to creamed mixture. Alternately with the milk – beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Stir in lemon rind. Gently fold in blueberries. Pour batter into a greased 8x4x3 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Combine glaze ingredients and heat over medium heat in small saucepan until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins boil. Puncture top of bread in several places with wooden toothpick and pour lemon juice mixture over warm bread, allowing to soak into the bread. Cool bread in the pan 30-minutes and remove to wire rack.

We all have seen articles in newspapers which we find humorous. If you see any, please send them to me via email at mccartymetro@gmail.com, and we will feature them in an upcoming issue of the McCarty Metro.

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AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR

Brayden showing why one day he may be a contestant on "American Ninja Warrior."

ED NOTE: Great Job Brayden! No way I could do that!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

A lost video from last years' 2016 McCarty Metro Film Movie Trailer Contest just submitted this past month!

ED NOTE: Great Job Sara, but I have to mark it down one full grade for being late :-)

KISS IN CADILLAC

An old video of the rock band KISS and their 1975 visit to Cadillac, MI, when Mike McCarty worked for the Cadillac Evening News. You can see Mike shaking hands with Gene Simmons at the 1:07 mark.

ONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY SINCE THE LAST ISSUE

Martin Landau, 89, actor (Ed Wood, Mission: Impossible, North by Northwest), Oscar winner (1995). George A. Romero, 77, film director and screenwriter (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow). Harvey Atkin, 74, actor (Cagney & Lacey, Meatballs, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit). Chester Bennington, 41, singer and songwriter (Linkin Park, Dead by Sunrise, Stone Temple Pilots). John Heard, 71, actor (Home Alone, Big, Prison Break). June Foray, 99, voice actress (The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, Cinderella). Patti Deutsch, 73, comedian and voice actress (The Smurfs, Match Game, Tattletales). Lee May, 74, baseball player (Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles), heart disease. Ara Parseghian, 94, football player and coach (University of Notre Dame). Don Baylor, 68, baseball player (Baltimore Orioles, California Angels) and manager (Colorado Rockies), World Series champion (1987), multiple myeloma. Ken Kaiser, 72, baseball umpire, American League (1977–1999), complications from diabetes. Glen Campbell, 81, singer ("Rhinestone Cowboy", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix") and actor (True Grit), Grammy winner (1967, 2015), Alzheimer's disease. Bryan Murray, 74, hockey coach and general manager (Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings), colon cancer. Dick Gregory, 84, comedian and civil rights activist, heart failure. Jerry Lewis, 91, comedian (Martin and Lewis), actor (The Nutty Professor) and humanitarian (The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon). Jay Thomas, 69, actor (Cheers, Murphy Brown, Love & War) and radio talk show host, Emmy winner (1990,1991). Jud Heathcote, 90, Hall of Fame basketball coach (Michigan State Spartans). Rollie Massimino, 82, Hall of Fame basketball coach (Villanova Wildcats, UNLV Runnin' Rebels).

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DATELINE: ABUJA, NIGERIA

Some horrible news from the capital of Nigeria... Prince Naharabum was found dead in his lavish apartment this past month. Authorities also found in his room 27 billion dollars. Apparently, Naharabum had been trying to give it away for over 15 years, but no one would return his emails.

METRO DATELINE NEWS WILL BE BACK ON YOUR CYBER-PORCH IN OCTOBER!

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The McCarty Metro - 9323 Sussex Avenue - Detroit, Michigan 48228

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