Anybody Home?

So who checks into my blog? Let me know who I'm talking with.

Oh...and have an awesome day!

Rocky Downing

No Powder Puff Schedule Here

This Friday night the Hanover Wildcats will have their second straight “Colossal Battle’! Last week it turned out to be a two part mini series against B&B. Friday night’s game near halftime was called due to lightning and the threat of more weather moving in. So the Cats and Falcons came back Saturday night to complete a match-up of the two number ones from 8-Man Division I and 8-Man Division II. B&B went on to win that game 28-14. Now the Wildcats turn right around and go head to head with another state ranked TVL team…the Clifton/Clyde Eagles. This is an Eagles team that made it to the state title game last year and eventually took a runner up finish to B&B. The Wildcats and Eagles have truly had some epic battles…expect nothing different this coming Football Friday in the TVL!

Rocky Downing

Thank You

Last Tuesday morning I received a call from a very good long time friend of mine; Rick Fajen. We grew up together and he is now the Benton County Sherrif...when he calls at 7 a.m. you know something is probably not right. I know it was a tough call for him to make; my Dad passed away just over a week ago while working on his tractor; he would have been 83 this month...Rick; thank you.
My first call was to my wife; Baby thank you for taking care of me in this tough time...I don't know what I would do without you.
To our kids; Zach and Amira; your hugs mean more and heal more than you'll ever know.
They say life changes fast...sometimes we have no idea.
I had to make two more life changing calls to my Sister and my Brother; Sis and Cliff thank you for being such a great family...as tough as this time is; it is wonderful to have family like you to lean on. I am so blessed to have you guys.
To all of our families in our homes and extended families who did everything in their power to help; thank you is not enough.
The list can go on and on; great friends from where I grew up; great friends in the KCLY Community; to all of you thank you for a handshake, a call, a hug, a kind word, a card and for so many kind thoughts and prayers.
To our crew at KCLY; thank you for stepping in and doing whatever it took as I left at the drop of the hat to go back 'home'.
To so many; thank you for the cards, flowers, plants and memorials.
To those who shared stories of my Dad; conversations, events and memories; thank you! Those are simply priceless.

To my Mother and Daddy; I Love You Both So Much...thank you for being who each of you were; for loving each other, for loving us, for loving life and for showing us such strong character in your lives.
I hope I've paid attention.

Times They Are a Changin

Recently Bob Dylan was found wandering around an Atlantic City motel without ID and was stopped by a 24 year old policeman who had no idea who he was; Bob's words run true, "The Times They Are A-Changin". Change in the sports world is certainly the one constant you find. Who was hot last year doesn't mean they'll be hot this year. In professional sports players change teams as often as they change their clothes.
This year for Clay Center Tiger Sports; 'The Times They Are A-Changin'. There have been two head coaching changes already made and one more yet to take place. Football and Wrestling have new leaders for their programs; boys basketball will before the start of their season.

As Football Fridays get closer to kicking off; excitement certainly grows and preparations for being on the air with the KCLY Grid Iron Gang takes up more and more of my day. Todd Rice takes over the Tiger Football program this year. I enjoyed the chance to meet with him a few minutes; I have enjoyed the positive comments I hear about what he has been accomplishing thus far and I look forward to building our relationship in the Tiger Sports family.
I will also miss though working with Former Head Coach Paul Lane. He along with Larry Wallace Jr. and Mike Hays gave up their coaching positions following last year's season. They gave an enormous amount of their time, energy and passion for football and young people to this program. As a broadcaster (and a junior high football coach) I appreciated them accepting me into their football family as one of their own; as a friend I appreciate their work in developing good young men and putting those kids first; and as a parent I'm glad Zach had the chance to be under their direction during his high school career. I know they are looking forward to seeing the guys they coached with that are on this staff and the new members of the staff having great things happen with Tiger Football; Tiger football and the young men who play it are what they are all about. I too am fired up to get this season going...but Coaches Lane, Wallace and Hays I'll miss working with you and seeing you on the sidelines; thanks for all you've done for Tiger Football!
The Voice of the Tigers,
Rocky Downing

Countdown

22 Days Till the First Football Friday...just sayin.
23 Days till Bill Snyder returns to The Bill...Wow!
This Saturday night KCLY has the first pre-season Chiefs game on the air; 6 p.m. pre-game...Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL!!

Taste of Home Cooking School

KCLY is bringing the Taste of Home Cooking School to Clay Center on October 27th; tickets will go on sale September 15th. We hope you come join us; if nothing else you can see Flip Kasper and myself make complete fools of ourselves on stage...

The Taste of Home Boys will return!

Salma Hayek and a lot Shoot 'Em Up

Last night I hosted (really my wife did all the work) Men's Movie Night. A few guys once a month get together and the host provides some food; people bring their own beverage and the host picks the movie. Last night was my night. First; my wife made her now world famous bacon wrapped beer brats; she also put together cheese dip and some peanuts and M&M's. So the food part was good. Originally I was going to show "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"; then opted for one I had in house "Bull Duhram". Well turns out; the case for Bull Duhram was available...the actuall DVD is AWOL. So; I had to make an audible on what to show; I had Caddyshack; now that would have been an easy one...but really it was too easy! So I went with the Robert Rodriguez film Desperado. Antonio Banderas stars as a Mariachi who is out for revenge with a guitar case full of mass destruction. Robert Rodriguez is a bit of a Quentin Tarantino protege; in fact Tarantino has a small part in the movie. Those who hadn't seen the movie last night thought it was ok, someone offered "different"; now as for their thoughts on Salma Hayek...let's see; I may have heard a remark or two about how she 'enhanced' the film...
By the way; my wife asks the question, "Men's Movie Night; is that equivilant to Ladie's Chick Flicks?"
Yeah; probably so.
Have a great day.
Rocky

From Clay Center to Back Home!

You will hear Phil 'Flip' Kasper on the air tomorrow morning...thanks Flip; by the way he LOVES getting up to do the morning show...
I get the chance to go back home for the first time in quite a while; I will be spending a couple of nights with my Dad and some friends in Warsaw, MO. Be nice to Flip tomorrow and I'll see you on Monday!!

Let's Count it Down!

Football Fridays; Tailgating on Saturday and NFL Sundays after church...its' CLOSE!
September 4th; the first KCLY Road Trip with Phil Kasper takes the air followed by Clay Center Tiger Football; September 5th; Bill Snyder returns on KCLY and Pre-Season football kicks off for the Chiefs at home against Houston on August 15th...
Are You Ready For Some Football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fair Time

It's a busy time for a LOT of people in the area; Fair Week has wrapped up for some; in Clay County it's officially here; and others are anticipating being in the thick of it.

It's hard to believe temps are in the 80's...my wife and I sat out on the patio with a fire going last night; is it really July!

At least the funnel cakes will still taste just as good.

Have a great day!

Good Morning

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! Our family had a wonderful weekend. It started actually on Thursday...it was our Four Year Anniversary. My wife Kim and I had a great celebration with our kids Zach and Amira! We also had a great 4th of July at the Annual Carlson Pool Party. So many great friends; Chet and Suz thank you so much. By the way; "Rotten" Carlson and I will take on all horshoe challenges...

Oh; and welcome Bella! Our neice is staying with us till Wednesday...she is wonderful!!

Have a great day!

Rocky Downing

Harvest Tour!!

Hot, sunny and as my wife has come up with 'spicy'; that's what the weather is like this week. Personally I enjoy the hot weather; but it can grind on you a little. Speaking of the grind; The KCLY Community Wheat Harvest is at full throttle this week. You can follow it by tuning to 100.9 FM and following the KCLY Harvest Tour. Duane Toews along with Joyce Beck and Robin Sherbert will keep you up to date; and for those working the harvest; they'll have cold pop and water for you.
Be careful out there!!

Back In The States

Hola!
The first week of June our family flew into Cancun and then stayed on the Riviera Maya; what an amazing vacation we had. Kim and I had been to Peurto Vallarta two years ago (my first trip to the ocean) with two close friends and had a wonderful time. But after visiting the other side and seeing the white sand and goergous water...WHEN we go back it will be to this area again...it was absolutely beautiful.
For Zach and Amira it was their first trip out of the country and to the ocean as well. Amira I think could hang out in the ocean 24/7. We ate, swam, ate, tanned, ate, swam...you get the picture. Actually I think it seemed we ate more than we did; we were on the move or on the beach a lot. We did dine at a Brazilian resteraunt that served SEVEN meats during the meal; each brought out to our table and sliced off by one of the chefs; everything but the Green Sausage (that's really what it's called; and what it looked like) was delicious; what a cool experience to really 'Fine Dine"...OK the hot towel before dinner to wash hands---and outside in on all that silverware...right?
The highlight of the trip came on a guided snorkel trip. It was the 2nd largest Coral Barrier Reef in the world...and it was amazing. If you've not done a snorkel tour before; we highly suggest it. Be ready for a decent little workout...with a view of things I've never seen in my life. WOW! We were really glad we took the time to do it.
And of course a highlight was also getting back home...we had such a wonderful time; but there is something about getting back home isn't there!

Have a great day; Rocky Downing

A New Phase

Z-Dogg is a High School Graduate! What a long yet very rewarding weekend we had in our home. From the Graduation Party at our house Saturday...and our awesome family and so many wonderful friends celebrating with us; to church Sunday morning and the wonderful moments shared; to the graduation itself and again family and friends with us. Zach and his friends had an awesome weekend...and what great friends he has; we are truly blessed with the group he's close with.
Now; he prepares for college and we prepare for the New Phase in our lives.

Z-Dogg; your Mom and I; Amira, Smudge and many more are very proud of the man you've become!

Rocky Downing

Three Coffee Mugs

I'm sitting at my desk right now and looking at three coffee travel mugs. Now the one I filled up this morning before leaving for work makes sense...but the two that have accumulated from Tuesday and Wednesday I would have sworn I took home. I'm sure it crossed my mind; I think I might have even picked them up to take with me at one time; but here they sit; I'd better get them home today or I'll be spilling coffee all over my truck tomorrow morning from the 'cup' I'll have to use. Do these things ever happen to you?
I hope my wife isn't looking for one...I doubt she'd think to look on my desk.

Let's Play Two!!

86 degrees and Sunny...What else can you ask for?
After battling COLD and WINDY days at the ballpark; this is the stuff you dream of. I know high school track, golf, softball and tennis are breathing a sigh of relief when they hear the forecast...let's hope it stays a while!

Like Dennis Quaid's character in The Rookie says, "You know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play two!"

March Madness

Well; what else would I be blogging about this time of year? I mean; 'duh...go to school'! By the way that's become a popular phrase around our house; it does simply sum things up at times.
Sooo; how are your brackets holding up? No 'real' shockers thus far; I suppose Arizona getting to the Sweet 16 is a surprise; not the name but that they did it as a 12 seed.
The Big 12 has three still alive; pretty good. KU withstood a fun North Dakota State team and then ran away from Dayton; Aldrich and Collins are doing all they can. I did pick a Big 12 team to win the whole thing in my bracket...Oklahoma. I just have a feeling about Blake Griffin; that guy is a MAN! If they can hit any decent percentage of 3-pointers; they are really a difficult match up for anyone. I even have them knocking out the the Tar Heels (those who know me will understand that I grew up rooting for Dean Smith and the Heels).

Oh; and let's hope the Lady Cats can finally get past Vanderbilt and make their own Sweet 16 trip!

Should be a lot of fun to watch the remainder of the tournament...well of course it will.
Duh...go to school.
Rocky Downing

Still With Us

Still With Us

It’s been three years today since my Mom passed away. In moments it seems like really quite a while ago; at other times it feels like just moments ago. Every once in a while our family will have something exciting happen and for a fleeting moment I will think I should call ‘Mother’ and let her know…kind of funny isn’t it.
There are a lot of things that come to mind about my Mom. The way you could hear her laugh from anywhere. Card games…she loved to play canasta and pitch…she was even our poker partner when we were in high school and college up to all hours of the night with the boys. I think about her singing next to me in church…the way she prayed; the way she was at ‘every’ activity that I was a part of; her love of the St. Louis Cardinals. But above all else; and I’ve said it before; My Mom was one of the great ‘huggers’. What I’d give for one of those right now.
I know all of you have losses you are forced to deal with and find ways to move forward. It sure is nice to look back; embrace and celebrate those who mean so much to our lives.

Hopefully you’ll also embrace and celebrate those still with you that mean so much in your lives right now.

Someday We'll Find It...The Rainbow Connection

I said I would disclose the Elks Big Show 'after' the fact; well it's come and gone with Clay Center's version of the Muppet Show. (It's time to start the music; it's time to light the lights) Thanks to any of you who might have made it to the show this past Saturday. Those of us on the committee and those on stage hope it was a fun time.
As much fun as the show is and the people I get to work with are; it's nice to have a few more nights open; in fact Zach and I will be at Bramlage tonight to watch the Cats go for six straight wins! (Thanks Tim for the tickets).

You know what...you should go have a great day!!

Rocky Downing

BIG SHOW

It's a crazy time for a lot of people in Clay Center right now. Saturday night marks the 18th Elks Big Show. There's been a committee working toward this night since October; hopefully it will be a fun night for another sold out show. What is the Elks Big Show; well it's a chance for ametuers (some of us with very little talent) to step on stage in front of people and grab the spotlite for a while. There have been shows put on at the Clay Center Elks that have spoofed, Johnny Carson, WKRP, The Wizard of Oz, Cheers, Saturday Night Live...it's a long list of themes and characters portrayed.
There are some amazing people to work with; and somehow it comes together for that one night and people appear to enjoy the majority of it...hopefully the crowd---AND the Cast---will have some fun.
I can't share anymore than that; maybe we'll discuss what all happened in the show next week.
Have a great day,
Rocky Downing

The Vinyl Years

Last night on The Vinyl Years (if you haven't checked it out before; hope you get a chance to; it's on from 6-9 pm on KCLY; Phil Kasper and I look back at the 60's, 70's and 80's in music); anyway; we had a couple of songs during the 60's; Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" and Matha and the Vandella's "Dancing in the Streets". Both of these songs have been covered by Van Halen; most successfully; and many others. Flip and I were talking about younger audiences hearing songs today that are covers and having no idea of the original artist. Now you may not like remakes or cover versions...but consider this; more often than not the younger listeners will find out about the original and might even give it a chance; and who knows they may be turned on to a classic artist that otherwise they would have given no creedence. I thought it was interesting.

My apologies to Flip for delving into Rock n Roll away from his Vinyl Years blog (thevinylyearsrock.blogspot.com) you guys should check it out...my apologies; but I think he trusts me with the topic.
By the way if you tune to the show; starting on Monday it's gaining an hour...we'll be on through the 9 o'clock hour with tunes from the 90's.


Have an awesome day everyone.

Rocky Downing

TOURMAMENT WEEK!!

Hopefully you could gather the OUT LOUD voice in today's title; it is tournament crazy across the state of Kansas. On KCLY; it's Twin Valley League Tourney time; 10 games Saturday; 8 more Monday; two today; four on Thursday and Friday and 10 more on Saturday...now to my family let me say; "I WILL be home again...someday." Washington County is hosting this year and doing a great job; Joe Woodyard and I will know them all well by week's end. You can add to the TVL this week: the Eisenhower League tourney featuring Wakefield; the Pike Trail League Tournament has Southern Cloud and the Trojan Classic in Hillsboro puts Riley County, Republic County and Wamego in action. This is also Salina's Invitational Tournament the SIT. The Clay Center Tigers come in as a number 2 seed and currently ranked # 8 in the State with a (8-1) record. We hope it's a fun week ahead. Abilene is the #1 seed and the tourney also features Concordia. It's a busy, crazy and fun week. If you want to see the TVL schedule of games; or listen to games already played this year; visit kclyradio.com.
And Ben; yes the Hawks did it again...the Cats may want to reconsider that 18 point lead they spotted them; hopefully there are better things to come.
Gotta run; there's a tournament I need to get to.

Rocky Downing

Go Cats!!!!!!!!

OK; Jayhawk fans the deal is; it's my blog and I'll title it how I want to...and root for who I want to.
Seriously don't you think this year's game is as 'up in the air' as it's ever been? Both teams are (11-4); both have had solid outings; both have laid an egg or two...both are thinking they can win this game. Yes; even the Cats I think believe they will go into Allen Fieldhouse (where they haven't won since 2006) and win. The Hawks have to think that at home they'll keep the streak going...looks like it adds up to a pretty good match up to me.

While you may be checking out the Sunflower Showdown; yours truly will be following the Clay Center Tigers into Wamego. Two really big match ups this week...(6-1) Tigers against state ranked Wamego and then Friday it's undefeated and state ranked Abilene in the Tiger's Den. And don't forget the top ranked Clay Center Tiger wrestlers hosting both Wamego and Marysville on Thursday...great week to be a sports fan!

Have a great day.
Rocky Downing

Blackhawk Experience

What a day; our Rotary club today had a Blackhawk sit down on the driving range at the Clay Center Country Club. Those big birds are IMPRESSIVE! Jason Hood's (from Clay Center) brother Steven was part of the crew and gave a presentation about their time in Iraq...none of us will ever be able to say enough how much we appreciate all of our service men and women; you do amazing work--Thank You! Also a thanks to the pilot for the blast of wind from the tilt he gave us at lift off; you'll be able to see pictures at kclyradio.com soon.

Hey; go have a great day!!

Rocky