THE BLACK AND GOLD POST

It’s play-off time for the Steeler Nation and The Purple Goose Saloon is the place to be.

We will start the day in grand style with a Tailgate Party beginning at 12:00 noon. The Terrible Grill will be firing up hamburgers, hot dogs and kolbasi and the menu will also feature another delectable “surprise” (Jim Day would be proud).

There will be seat -savers available so you can enjoy the Black ‘n Gold camaraderie of the tailgate atmosphere without having to worry about losing your seat in the bar.

In addition to the Tailgate Party, it is also “Fan Appreciation Day” at The Goose. This is a special day held every season at The Goose where we name another deserving member to the PSFCOB Hall of Fame. Each PSFCOB location has their own version of Fan Appreciation Day and, if they don’t, they should.

The annual winner is that special individual(s) whose contribution to the Fan Club goes largely unnoticed but is one that the Club could not do without. SEE YA THERE (an’ aht).

It seems like just the other day we were at training camp getting geared up for the start of the 2004 season. None of us in our wildest dreams would have predicted 15 and 1 season. Sure we thought it would be a good year and most likely end with a playoff game, but the way things are headed, our expectations are much higher.

It has been a wild ride this season. From the low of walking out of M & T stadium (after getting whooped up on) to beating two undefeated teams back to back, we’ve endured it all.

Now as our STEELERS get ready for a run through the playoffs we will all be holding our breath? Three one game seasons, our New Years wish? Victory in each!

Don't forget There will be a Fan Appreciation/Tailgate party next Saturday at the club. Start time is set for 2:00 PM Jan. 15th. The annual Hall of Fame induction will take place at halftime, as well as the drawing of the Steeler Rug.

Just like the Super Steelers, we’ve had a great season at Shooters this year - many new members and lots and lots of celebrating. (Let’s play the Steelers Fight Song again and again!) Our thanks to Matt, Dave, Barry, and the entire Shooters staff for all they do for us.

Please join us for another great Shooters tailgate party at 1:30 PM on Saturday January 15th. Rob and Sherri always do a bang-up job on the cooking (dogs, burgers, kielbasa) and Shooters provides extra-special extras (potato salad, pickles, sauerkraut and, of course, ice cold beer).

We continue to wish Paul McPheron a swift recovery from the injuries he suffered at the Miami game. We hope to see him at Shooters again for the tailgate party.

See ya next Saturday at the tailgate party.

Besides the great fortune of having Hemingway’s owners Steve and Biana Arentz, who do so much to make Lola’s a great place to watch the games, we are also very lucky to have Mike Belasco as a member. Mike hails from Dormont and IUP, his professional career is with the U.S. Treasury Dept (if he tells you what he does, he’ll have to kill you); his avocation is catering; and his loves are his wife Tina and his two teenage daughters (when he doesn’t want to kill them).

It is Mike’s avocation that has been so special to the club. He has a huge ‘terrible black and gold BBQ cooking trailer’ that he hauls to Lola’s waterfront deck every year, (including this Saturday at 3). He stays up all night (with his Buddy Weiser) roasting the greatest pork and beef you ever tasted, and combined with all the wonderful dishes that the regulars bring …it’s always a ‘Gater of Greatness’.

Mike also donates his time and contributes in many other ways to the success of the club. STEVE and BIANA and MIKE… WE THANK YOU.

We are planning a Super Bowl tailgate party pre-game this year, everyone bring something, libations are on us!

Many of us at Krugs have discussed road trips for next year to visit the other chapters on a game day. Anyone who is interested in coordinating with us can email me, Daniel at: hopheadz@hotmail.com.

We welcome all of you to come to Krugs anytime. Let us know in advance, and we’ll save you a seat.

Now, as the “Raisins” sit at home sulking about their squandered season and watching the Steeler’s season continue, I say only this: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Finally, I want to thank our lovely cheerleaders this year, particularly Priscilla, Marissa and Katlin for all their raffle ticket picking services. (Forgive me if I mis-spelled girls.) GO STEELERS!!! GET THAT ONE FOR THE THUMB!!!

Return to the BLACK AND GOLD POST TABLE OF CONTENTS