Hard Hat Brotherhood Goes To Toledo, Ohio

(LEFT - We took a few moments to get a snap shot of one of our new banners. Andy, the Head Hard Hat is featured. Note the new bump cap. Lighter and more comfortable than a standard hard hat and when the temps are in the 90s like this day they are a lot cooler as well.)

The Mud Hens were made "world famous" when Toledo native Jamie Farr appeared on the hit TV show M*A*S*H wearing a Mud Hens jersey. They were mentioned many times during the shows long run.

(RIGHT - Once you go inside the ball park you notice that all surrounding venues are spotlessly clean, air-conditioned and with wide cushioned seats pure heaven. I have never been in such a fun, safe and friendly game stadium such as Fifth Third Field.)

Photo was taken by Andy while getting a liquid refreshment and his second or third hotdog.

(LEFT - It never seems to amaze me how going to something like a baseball game brings out the armchair quarterback, err, or should we say armchair coach in all of us. Here we see Nomad Foreman Scott Smith (red hard hat) and Foreman Tom Doppke (yellow hard hat) discussing baseball strategy. Note Foreman Scott not three minutes earlier knew what a batting average was and asked Tom when was half-time?)

Also featured to their right are some of Tom's friends who are joining the Hard Hat Brotherhood. Note the very cool orange THWACKERS.

(Right - The other thing that I enjoy when going to a night game is the transformation of the ballpark from the lightness of day to the sharp contrast of night. Those huge multi-light spotlights kick on which then gives the appearance that the entire city has gone dark and we are the only one with a generator.)

Photo was taken by Andy while getting yet another liquid refreshment and now realizing that in three innings he will be dining in Tony Packo's restaurant. Hmmmm, maybe one more slice of pizza...

(LEFT - After watching a fantastic baseball game and fireworks display the guys next stop is at Tony Packo's Restaurant. Can you say deep fried pickles? The food is outstanding and you better be ready for some heartburn. Everything is wonderfully spicy, hot and delicious. The Head Hard Hat personally loved the hungarian hot dogs (sausage) topped with chili. I can see why Jamie Farr is such a fan of the place.)

Tony Packo's was mentioned six times on the program M*A*S*H and once, the interior of the cafe was recreated for a scene in which Klinger (Jamie Farr) dreamt of home. The restaurant features Hungarian specialties (meat-filled cabbage rolls) spicy, chili-topped hot dogs, a Dixieland band, and celebrity autographed hot-dog buns hanging on the walls in individual plastic bubbles.

(RIGHT - One funny situation happened when we were at Tony Packos. All of us were getting ready to have our photo taken with the banner. It was then when a mountain of a man who was obviously a biker (including the leather jacket in 95 degree heat) reads our sign and yells out “Amen Brothers”! We all laughed and thanked him for his kind words. I guess bikers are just another form of Hard Hat Brothers.)

(LEFT - Well it was a fantastic event and we all thanked Foreman Tom Doppke for coming up with it. It is our hope that we get even more people to join up and either come along with us to the next one or start having their own.)

Just before we left we gave Tony Packo's General Manager Gina Staelgraeve one of our t-shirts and our thanks for a great meal. Maybe we can trade off and get Andy, the Head Hard Hat's autograph on Tony's wall too.

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