Arbuckle in the D 

Into each life, some rain must fall
Too much is falling in mine
Into each heart, some tears must fall
Someday the sun will shine

Thus sang Ella Fitzgerald and the Inkspots in 1944. The song’s lyrics were based on a 19th-century Wordsworth poem and have resonated through the years right up to July 19, 2024 when a crazy worldwide computer glitch shut down great swaths of the internet including Delta Airlines. So it was that the four Arbuckleans awoke that morning to learn that return trips for at least two players had been scrambled. Schedules were upended and chaos could have ensued; instead the sun did shine on what became a most memorable stretch of time henceforth to be known as the great Arbuckle in the D day.

Specifically, the Cat’s flight that day was canceled. After a bit of consternation; it was decided to spend the morning in Ann Arbor and then sojourn into the Motor City for a day of discovery and celebration. Highlights included:

• Breakfast at Ann Arbor’s venerable Fleetwood Diner
• A couple of hours at the Ann Arbor Art Fair
• A visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts including much time spent at the Rivera Court and gazing at DIA’s six Van Goghs.
• A musical side trip to the Detroit Historical Museum for a live musical act and movie at the Concert of Colors and a performance at Roosevelt Park. A brief tour of the newly reopened Michigan Central
• And last but not least, the celebratory dinner of Buddy’s pizza and Boston Coolers at the home of Walter Shapero and Kathleen Straus.

As seen at the DIA

As for the golf, Peter Straus repeated as champion. After a close front nine on Day 1 at Leslie Park, where Straus and Badman Ron Braun were tied at the turn, with Stanley Pesick and the aforementioned (Little) Cat, Rick Last lurking; Straus pulled away on the back nine (actually holes 1-9 as the course had been reversed for the day) and left with a commanding lead. Throughout each day of the tourney, the players all had their moments, but Straus was consistent throughout and a birdie at the signature fifth hole at the UM Stadium Course on the second day pretty much sealed the deal.

Franklin Hills

One last golf note: day one was a practice day at Franklin Hills Country Club. The course was in magnificent shape; Straus and Pesick got to share a caddie, which was great fun,  and all had a fine time. Great thanks go to Walter Shapero for hosting us.

But this year’s event was dominated by the unlikely foursome of Diego Rivera, Vincent Van Gogh, Bill Ford and Don Was. It was Arbuckle in the D; appreciating all that America’s comeback city has to offer

Under the infamous William Street Bridge

Hat swap

Washtenaw Dairy

Before & After at Michigan Central

Taking in the tunes at Michigan Central

Ford Motor Co. invested over $6 million
in the renovation of the station

 

 

 

 

At the Concert of Colors

Ode to Arbuckle 24

Ode to Arbuckle 24

by Walter Shapero

On the occasion of the annual Celebratory Dinner, July 19, 2024

Here's a great story of old Detroit School buddies four

Who have had for many years their own special golf tour

They long ago eschewed the tennis racket

For pursuit of their own special Green Jacket

The name of this ongoing event?

Is the annual Arbuckle Golf Tournament.

So today our hats to those four we should doff

Guys who, at least between themselves, don't get teed off

Though one can suppose you might hear one of them mutter

If he misses an easy 20 incher off the blade of his putter.

(Though that missed putt would not by him be considered a flub

As all the blame surely and purely was the fault of the club).

They play golf courses all over - some easier and some tough

And hopefully, land their shots in the fairway not the rough

Always thinking about whether they should

For the upcoming shot use an iron or a wood

And maybe thinking this or that hole is a snap

Until that next shot unfortunately lands in a trap.

The game of golf to be sure is the strong tether

For this continuing annual guys get together

And as long as they are able it seems quite clear

Together they will keep pursuing that little white sphere

As charter and the only members of  an enduring organization

Known as the PPGGA - the Past Prime Guys Golfing Association.