Saturday, April 29, 2017

Dunes Vintage Camper Rally 2017



This year there was a different turnout than in 2016, as far as the morning at least. I think the weather curtailed many plans. It was cold and breezy when I arrived in the morning, with a lot of rain coming in the afternoon. I am sure more will arrive after I leave.

Even with that, those who I saw at the camp grounds were enjoying camping. Weather is part of the adventure. Meeting people is part of the fun. Getting away from daily life and just sitting in the middle of the woods to unwind is a great feeling. Fires were burning to keep warm. Children were riding bicycles. Dogs abound were communicating (in a nice way), sniffing, and enjoying their walks.

Here are few photos I took of the those participating in this years event. I estimate the camp grounds were 85% occupied. The glamping was a small portion of that.








This event runs through the weekend. Go check it out!

You can check out last years event by clicking "here". For more information on this years event click "here".



Indiana Dunes State park
1600 N 25 E
Chesterton, IN  46304



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Saturday, April 15, 2017

Super Submarine



I had never had a sub from Super Submarine in Hammond before. Christi had brought some home for me and left it in the fridge. I cannot say I am a fan of refrigerated subs of any kind.

One day she brought one home from me to eat when I came home from work. It was good! So we went back on a Saturday and I had another.

Each person has a personal favorite they like to go to when it comes to food, movies, shops in NW Indiana. Much of it has to do with us being brought up in the region, spending time at these places, creating memories. Some has to do with us just taking a chance on something in the region and finding what we have missed out on all these years.

In the case of Super Submarine, Christi and her mom have gone there pretty near since they opened in 1977. The shop has developed a strong dedicated following over the years, and still is able to bring new customers like me, to the counter.

When you have a chance, go check them out . . .











This next photo was taken across the street where we parked.



Super Submarine
7010 Kennedy Ave.
Hammond, IN 46323
Mon - Sat  10:00AM to 5:30PM


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Saturday, April 8, 2017

Southworks Engineering and Robotics Olympics 2017


Southworks Engineering and Robotics Olympics 2017
Hosted by South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA)

I attended the first Robotics Olympics held at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL. I became aware of this event because the president of Whiting Corporation (where I work) put out a notice to the company asking if anyone wanted to attend, and that Whiting Corporation was sponsoring Homewood-Flossmoor High School (my Alma Mater). Needless to say I would have gone to the event anyway because of my desire to support the students. Having Homewood-Flossmoor High School in the competition was icing on the cake.

My background: I am the Quality Manager at Whiting Corporation. I have also been a Senior Application Engineer, Director of Continual Improvement, Product Manager, and Quality Engineer at Whiting. My experience at other companies include a Corporate Process Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, and Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Even with all of that, my experiences and education qualify me for more. Why? Because I became involved in college, as these high school students are starting to do in high school. 

While going to school at Purdue University I became chapter president and later coordinator for IIE, SME, and the SAE student organizations. We served our school, our local community, helped with incoming freshman orientation, and participated in the college mini Baja SAE car competitions. With all of that, I graduated with a bachelors and associate degrees from the School of Technology in both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering. I added associate degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Organizational Leadership. Along the way I made room for certificates in Leadership, Machining, Quality Control, Lean Six Sigma, and was awarded Who’s Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges, Outstanding Senior for Mechanical Engineering Technology, and was given the Purdue Alumni Association Calumet Outstanding Student award.

The point to be made is not my accomplishments at Purdue, but the accomplishments and contributions these high school students will make in society by learning now, before entering a college or university. By combining their fascination, their fun, with life meaning through engineering, math, technology, and science, these students are on the path to surpass me, by far. Though they feel their potential, wait until they realize their potential. I cannot help but smile just thinking about it.

What these students are on the cusp of, is how powerful sponsorship, networking, and support from all around can help to solidify their dream. The partnering of industry sponsorship to high school education is critical for today's education. It is critical for our region. It is critical to the student.

The following high schools were in attendance with the following sponsorship:



Rich East High School - Trialco Aluminum

Rich Central - Chicago Magnesium

Homewood-Flossmoor - Whiting Corporation 

Bloom Trail - SET Enterprises 

Harold L. Richards High School - Alsip MiniMill LLC. 

Crete Monee High School - Bimba Manufacturing 

Hillcrest High School - Mi-Jack Products 

Tinley Park High School - Panduit 

Oak Forest High School - Kocsis Brothers Machine Co. 

Illiana Christian High School - Kay Manufacturing 

Thornton High School - LB Steel 

Thornwood High School - Galagher Asphalt 

Thornridge High School - Ardagh Group


The following are the division winners:


Catapult – Crete Monee

Robo Pathfinder – Illiana Christian

Autonomous Racer – Oak Forest

Sumo Survivor – Illiana Christian

Vex Competition – Homewood-Flossmoor


Two of the most impressive schools who won their events were Crete Monee in the Catapult, and Oak Forest in the Autonomous Racer. Crete Monee hit their target time and time again. It reminded me of my Six Sigma project at Purdue. Oak Forest took an engineering marvel of somewhat old school, and slow pace, to win by a crawl with their combustion driven racer.

With that, here are some photos of the event, starting with Whiting Corporation's sponsorship of Homewood-Flossmoor High School.




The "Robo Pathfinder" track, where the robot had to navigate itself around the path and over the terrain.



The "Catapult" lane. It is not as easy as it looks!



The "Vex Competition" ring, where if it could go wrong, it probably will. The next few photos of the Vex are of the practice. The actual competition pits two teams against each other. This could be two different schools, or two different teams from the same school.




The "Sumo Survivor" ring, where if your robot touches or gets pushed to the yellow ring, your out. This seemed to be the most popular spectator event.





















In the next photo the ball is in the air. Hard to really tell. This is where Crete Monee High School repeatedly was hitting the center.



















The little engine that could, and did . . . Oak Forest High School . . .





























Each school received a plaque for participation, courtesy of Panduit.
















































This is the time where sportsmanship was at its best. The Thornwood team had problems with opening their claw in order to grab the ball. Instead of forfeiting, they participated, trying to at least knock a ball out of the center ring. Homewood-Flossmoor dropped just one ball in the basket, because that was all that was needed. Sensing awkwardness of just waiting for the time to run out, H-F placed one more ball into the basket for security, then attempted to place balls on Thornwood's closed claw, to help them get one in the basket. Needless to say the crowd enjoyed the sportsmanship of both teams! Another life lesson learned by our teens.

























Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle





School awards. Where schools had multiple teams and only one team won, the entire school was asked to line up for the photo op.








Photos of all the participating students and faculty.


See you next year?!

For more information on Southworks click "here".

For more information on SSMMA click "here".


At the bottom of this blog post are five buttons to click on: E-mail this, Blog this, Share to Twitter, Share to Facebook, and Share to Pinterest. Please take advantage of them and share this blog post with your friends.

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