MARQUETTE

WRITTEN BY REX

TODAY THE GOAL IS TO FIND OLD FRIENDS WE WORKED WITH AT THE MISS MARQUETTE WHERE WE BROKE INTO THE CASINO BUSINESS.WE STARTED WITH LUNCH IN BALLTOWN WITH RANDY AND NOREEN. THEY HAD INVITED BOB KOTES AND HIS WIFE ALONG ANG WE ENJOYED CATCHING UP OVER A LATE LUNCH. ELOSIE KOTES HAD THE QUOTE OF THE DAY IN REGUARDS TO CASINO LIFE, “NOTHING CHANGES EXCEPT THE COLOR OF THE CARPET”. HOW TRUE, IN ALL THE CASINOS REPRESENTED, THE STORIES ARE ALL PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.ELOSIE IS STILL DEALING AT THE DIAMOND JO IN DUBUQUE, AND THEIR TOKE RATE DROPPED IN HALF WHEN THE DOG TRACK OPENED WITH TABLE GAMES. BOB TOOK HIS SOCIAL SECURITY AT 62 AND WORKS TWO SHIFTS A WEEK AT THE DOG TRACK DEALING CRAPS. RANDY AND NOREEN ARE BOTH EMPLOYED AT JOHN DEERE IN DUBUQUE.

FROM LUNCH WE HIT THE BOAT AND GOT LOT’S OF SMILES AND HUGS ALL AROUND. THEY HAD 925 ON BOARD BECAUSE THERE WAS A LASER LIGHT SHOW AND A BIG DRAWING. MORE NEW CASINO’S IN IOWA HAS ALSO LOWERED TOKES AT MARQUETTE, AND SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE MOVED ON TO WORK THE NEWER CASINOS.NEXT WAS THE WAUKON FAIRGROUNDS FOR THE WEDDING OF MIKE MEYER AND TONYA JONES. A BONUS COLLECTION OF OLD MARQUETTE FOLKS FOR US. SCROOGE AND MARY LOOK FANTASTIC AND ARE STILL WITH THE ISLE OF CAPRI IN BOONEVILLE, MO. TONY SMITH IS IN ELKADER AND WENT TO WORK FOR SWAN’S FOOD CO. MIKE MEYER IS A LINEMAN FOR THE COUNTY, AND TONYA IS IN A DENTAL OFFICE. MELLISA’S TWINS ARE IN KINDERGARTEN, AND VIKIC BODLEY LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE SHE DID WHEN SHE GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AS A FRANKVILLIE GIRL 15 YEARS AGO, AND SHE IS IN MPLS. WORKING RETAIL, AFTER A SUMMER OF WORKING AT THE TRACK WITH THE HORSES. DUANE GERLEMAN STILL TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, AND IS ONE OF THE BEST STORY TELLERS EVER.

TOMORROW IS THE PACKER GAME AT THE BADGER BAR (TODD’S BASEMENT), AND OUT COMES THE BIGG GASS GRILL FOR SOME HOMEMADE PIZZA AND SHOWING OFF.