Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

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Evening all,

Had grandparents day with the youngest granddaughter that required us to leave early this morning. Then some errands on the way home and then my annual physical. BP 110/60, blood sugar normal range. No A1C taken. My Hdl cholesterol is and has been low the past 3 years, but my good/bad ratio is in the middle of the "normal" range. Ordering a sleep study and a full blown colonoscopy. No issues being experienced, but a low hemoglobin, which should be to normal 10 weeks after the knee replacement.

Had the grandkids mow this evening. Been working on my door decorations for the Halloween season at work. Wife making me participate this year.
 
Hello everyone.
Been busy finishing a few scratch built models in n scale. I'm hoping you guys will check them out - thread is coming...

I went to Slot and Wings Hobbies and what a bummer it was. Third generation guy running the place now. He seems capable, works hard, but seems like his heart is not into the hobbies part of the biz. In fact the name on the building has changed to "Hunters Haven and Slot and Wing Hobbies". The main thrust appears to be bow hunting/fishing equipment sales and service. The lights were not even on in the small section where all the classic hobby stuff was.
So, it looks like they have not made enough money on the hobby side to mess with it. They don't make money because they do not know
much about it. You can't buy mostly Bachmann from a middle man attach the list price and call it a day. Athearn is located 2 miles from them - not one product. No Kato. The only Atlas was 2 packs of trutrack... No distributorships means discount pricing is not an option.
Seems like its just a matter of time before the lights go out in the hobbies section forever. He said the intention was to remedy the situation, but I think that is unlikely to succeed - even if the lights come on.

Sorry about the rant guys, sniff, I just thought it would be your hobby shop that closed, not mine! I gotta go cry....
 
So like I said yesterday we are always delayed getting to the 10th tee because all of my friends have to stop and replenish their beer supply for the next 9 holes. The carts are empty because they're in the club house getting more beer. Willie would fit right in with this group. Swal

Dog_Wood_Beer_Run_01.jpg
 


Michael B said:
Hello everyone.
Been busy finishing a few scratch built models in n scale. I'm hoping you guys will check them out - thread is coming...

I went to Slot and Wings Hobbies and what a bummer it was. Third generation guy running the place now. He seems capable, works hard, but seems like his heart is not into the hobbies part of the biz. In fact the name on the building has changed to "Hunters Haven and Slot and Wing Hobbies". The main thrust appears to be bow hunting/fishing equipment sales and service. The lights were not even on in the small section where all the classic hobby stuff was.
So, it looks like they have not made enough money on the hobby side to mess with it. They don't make money because they do not know
much about it. You can't buy mostly Bachmann from a middle man attach the list price and call it a day. Athearn is located 2 miles from them - not one product. No Kato. The only Atlas was 2 packs of trutrack... No distributorships means discount pricing is not an option.
Seems like its just a matter of time before the lights go out in the hobbies section forever. He said the intention was to remedy the situation, but I think that is unlikely to succeed - even if the lights come on.

Sorry about the rant guys, sniff, I just thought it would be your hobby shop that closed, not mine! I gotta go cry....
Click to expand...

Are you talking about Slot and Wing Hobbies in Champaign, Illinois that used to be in Rantoul, Illinois outside of Chanute AFB main gate in the 70s and 80s?
 
RhB Michael said:
Are you talking about Slot and Wing Hobbies in Champaign, Illinois that used to be in Rantoul, Illinois outside of Chanute AFB main gate in the 70s and 80s?
Click to expand...
Yes.
It is on Bloomington Rd now, where a carpet store used to be right near the old Continental Motors, which has itself become a body shop, and a used car dealer.
It's sad. I'm rooting for the guy, but not betting on him.
The giant slot car track was sold 25 years ago, and do not know if it even exists today...
O gosh, I'm tearing up again....
 
When I wasn't studying or spending time with my then wife, I practically lived in that hobby shop. My quarters were on Old Main Road somewhat close to the gate. I bought many scale plastic model aircraft in that shop. I didn't have another layout until I got to Whiteman AFB. I was at Chanute AFB for only 9 months and was busy with schoolwork most of the time so no railroad.

I sure miss that hobby shop and the base. I hear it's terrible in Rantoul now. I never visited Champaign except to go to a party once.
 
RhB Michael said:
When I wasn't studying or spending time with my then wife, I practically lived in that hobby shop. My quarters were on Old Main Road somewhat close to the gate. I bought many scale plastic model aircraft in that shop. I didn't have another layout until I got to Whiteman AFB. I was at Chanute AFB for only 9 months and was busy with schoolwork most of the time so no railroad.

I sure miss that hobby shop and the base. I hear it's terrible in Rantoul now. I never visited Champaign except to go to a party once.
Click to expand...
It is terrible.
They erased everything that made Rantoul iconic.
The rockets, gone.
Planes on Rt 45, not a one.
They built a huge school complex on the other side of the tracks from the West Gate. BIG. To bad all that money dumped into it won't do a damned thing about the crime...
White hall is in shambles the last I heard.
 
chadbag said:
The worst part about tools is when the wife puts them away.

I need my battery screwdriver? Where did I use it last. There it is. Until the wife decides to put it away. It disappears into a box, a drawer, or onto a shelf. Never to be seen again. It’s not where I last used it.
Click to expand...
…coughs…yes have been guilty…
Although on our shelves I have cardboard boxes labelled miscellaneous screwdrivers,saws, etc….

But to be fair when I see leads for units I go get a label twist it around the lead label and write on it what ever it is meant to be with…so when it somehow becomes parted from the unit, people have half a chance of returning it to its ‘owner’ unit.
So many power cables do not say on them their brand name….grrr
 


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