Smokin-It User Forum!
General Discussions => Anything Goes!! => Topic started by: Libohunden on October 15, 2017, 04:12:24 PM
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I haven't been real active lately and was just reading some posts. I noticed that Sarge mentioned something about Tony not being heard from in a while. I took a look at his profile and his last post was in March and the last time his account was accessed was in May.
It may be common knowledge to everyone but I'm curious, what happened to Tony?
Edit from DivotMaker... I am really flattered that everyone was concerned! I have locked this topic because this place is not about me, it's about the Q! So let's go smoke something! :D
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A couple of big name regular contributors have been noticeably absent which leads to lots of speculation. I've seen nothing posted.
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Very strange for DM to be gone for that long. He basically is the spokesman for Smokin-It and this site. Without him, I doubt this site would be what it is today. Without this site being what it is, I wonder how long it would have taken Smokin-It to get where they are now?
Very strange indeed.
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I've tried with a few PMs and got no reply.
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Good thing we are a well mannered group and can function for months with no moderator. I'm on some forums that would have blown up by now. LOL!
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NDKoze has also been less active this year. Although he does seem to patrol the sausage and charcuterie boards occasionally. I also saw him make mention of being very busy this summer, but trying to keep up on questions in those areas where he has the most expertise.
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Greg is one thing. DM being absent is a whole nother ball game...
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Gregg is a huge asset to the forum too. Looks like he has been posting about once a month.
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No doubt. I'm sure he's just busy. I can text him and find out. DM being gone that long isn't comparing Apple to apples.
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Yeah, I am not in Tony's league for sure. :)
I have just been really busy with work and out at the lake on weekends. So, just haven't had the time to spend on the board.
I have tried to monitor the Sausage board as best I can as that is the one that I feel that I can contribute the most.
A Summer/Fall hiatus has been pretty typical for me and I did the same thing for the past few Summers/Falls. So, I expect that I will be spending more and more time on the board in the coming months as hunting and more meat processing goes.
Rest assured, I have still been smoking food. But, I haven't really don't anything new for awhile. This weekend, I am going to be making a 25lb batch of Maple Breakfast Sausage Links (which will be a first for this recipe/sausage casing size/type) and will create a post on this. :) These sausage links will be fresh sausages made without cure, so they will be stuffed and immediately frozen (so they don't flatten in the Vacuum Sealer) and later vacuum packed for long-term storage. :)
Smoke on my friends.
Gregg (AKA NDKoze)
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Good to see you back Gregg. Rest assured that you are a very valuable member of the forum and your insught and helpful comments are much appreciated.
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I have just been really busy with work and out at the lake on weekends. So, just haven't had the time to spend on the board.
Isn't it nice to know you are missed? ;D
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Good to see you back Gregg. Rest assured that you are a very valuable member of the forum and your ins(i)ght and helpful comments are much appreciated.
+1
No forum is carried on the back of an individual member. Everyone has something valuable to contribute.
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Thanks for not sending me back to the Introductions page guys. ;)
A big +1 to the comments from David, Kari, and Dave!
This community prospers because of EVERYONE'S contributions and the ability to this community to hold onto the helpful family-friendly nature that seems to get forgotten on most other product/topic boards.
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I agree with all. I hope my comment earlier is not misunderstood.
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I don't think that your comments were misunderstood. We are all family that loves smoking great food and sharing our experiences. IMO, I think that we are just all hoping and praying that Tony's health is OK.
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I tried messaging him on Facebook a while back to no avail and a few days ago I posted on his wall trying to draw him out, no luck with either! I guess he has more important things going on and I wish him the best and hope all is well.
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Sent an email to Steve and he responded. He is truly MIA. He will let us know if he hears anything.
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Sent an email to Steve and he responded. He is truly MIA. He will let us know if he hears anything.
OK...now it's serious. Hope he is alright and just no internet.
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As I stated a few months back Tony assured me he was fine. Just a lot going on. Considering all the work he had done regarding the forum, writing the instructions and the Lazy Q book plus the testing of equipment and aiding in development, he was plenty busy and this in addition to his regular job. And the he got the news about his health and this he explained on the forum. Once one realizes they are not immortal it is natural to set priorities, what is important like ones health and family. So a complete break may have been required. I called Tony again yesterday and left a message. I suppose he will return when he is ready and only if he wants to. Until then, for those so inclined, maybe a kind thought and a prayer.
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I too appreciate what Tony has done for this forum and echo David's thoughts. Is it time to think about a new moderator? Do we even need one? Weigh in please folks.
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I too appreciate what Tony has done for this forum and echo David's thoughts. Is it time to think about a new moderator? Do we even need one? Weigh in please folks.
In addition to Tony (Divotmaker), BHamel (AKA-Ben from Ohio) is also listed as an administrator for this forum. Currently, things seem to be running smoothly on here and I don't see a need to abandon ship and try to find a new moderator just yet. I am sure Tony has a very good reason for being absent. Along with everyone else, I hope and pray that he is okay.
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I agree with Jimmy.
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I agree. BHamel doesn't seem to participate much anymore in the day-to-day posts, but is available as an administrator, and has been called on by Tony many times to resolve spam and other issues. Lets just keep posting and hope that Tony might return someday. If not, I've found this forum to be as polite, and friendly as ever in his absence, so no action has been required to police it by a new administrator. Some of us might need to STEP UP though to fill the gap of knowledge. Tony's input and enthusiasm will be missed TERRIBLY, if he decides not to return (can't image that he wouldn't at some point)!
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I know I no longer have an SI but I have always appreciated the kindness shown to me here by everyone, that's why I still check in. Tony is a class act and I know he wouldn't want us to worry. I'm sure he's fine and will at some point chime in.
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Always good to see you pop in Jason, SI or not.
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I, too, am worried about Tony, and sent him a private message the other day asking if he was ok. No response.
But I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone, but notably David and Kari, who seem to have stepped up to fill the void left by Tony. By their kind and thoughtful posts, they are educating new forum members as to the proper tone on this forum (and reminding longer term members). You are helping to keep this forum the relaxed and easy place to share information about an activity that we all enjoy.
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+1 on Eric's comments.
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+2 on what Eric said!
And SuperDave as well!
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+3 on Eric and SuperDaves comments. We should concentrate on helping others and wish Divot the best.
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I saw that he was "online" on FB messenger and sent him a message. No reply. I get that he's been through some difficulties but why shut everyone out? That, to me, is just bizarre.
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I reckon Tony had his reasons.
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I guess so. I just find it very strange. We are all "friends" of his and concerned. I would think he'd let us know how he's doing. Avoiding us like we're a bill collector strikes me odd :P
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I've always wondered if he was a paid employee or under contract in some way. Never really cared. He did such a great job and really cared about everyone here. His disappearance seems to give some support to this theory. He may be contractually bound not to interact. If so, I'm sure it's tough for him not to respond.
I like this theory better than he has severe health issues!
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I don't know for sure, but I do not think that he was paid. I think he did get some perks like the test units that he was able to keep as well as maybe some clothing swag once in a while.
Like Dave said, I am sure that he has his reasons for his departure, and I respect that.
On the other hand, I get where RG is coming from too. I do consider you guys as friends and while most of us don't get together for beers and talk about the football games and our wives, I do care about you all and if I ever had to leave for an extended time, I promise that I will check in and let you guys know.
As many of you guys know I usually check out pretty good for the summer as that is lake time for me with little time for reading forums. But, I do try to check in on the Sausage/Jerky/Venison forums once in awhile. I still smoke quite a bit of food in the summer, but just don't write about it as much as I haven't really tried much new stuff lately. I do need to start honing my brisket making ability though as I have only smoked a few of them and none recently. So, I may be asking some brisket questions in the future although most of the answers to my questions are already out there I think if I look for them. :)
I am still holding out for Tony to make his return to the site. His knowledge, unique personality, and effort has really helped shape this site and build it into what it has become. May God's Blessing Be With You, Buddy!
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I don't know for sure, but I do not think that he was paid. I think he did get some perks like the test units that he was able to keep as well as maybe some clothing swag once in a while.
Like Dave said, I am sure that he has his reasons for his departure, and I respect that.
On the other hand, I get where RG is coming from too. I do consider you guys as friends and while most of us don't get together for beers and talk about the football games and our wives, I do care about you all and if I ever had to leave for an extended time, I promise that I will check in and let you guys know.
As many of you guys know I usually check out pretty good for the summer as that is lake time for me with little time for reading forums. But, I do try to check in on the Sausage/Jerky/Venison forums once in awhile. I still smoke quite a bit of food in the summer, but just don't write about it as much as I haven't really tried much new stuff lately. I do need to start honing my brisket making ability though as I have only smoked a few of them and none recently. So, I may be asking some brisket questions in the future although most of the answers to my questions are already out there I think if I look for them. :)
I am still holding out for Tony to make his return to the site. His knowledge, unique personality, and effort has really helped shape this site and build it into what it has become. May God's Blessing Be With You, Buddy!
Very well said and I agree 100%. Tony is a good guy for sure and he was doing this out of his passion for the SI. That's what makes this all the more odd. HE LOVED those smokers and being on here. His knowledge was readily shared. You won't find a nicer person willing to help as he did. I do hold out hope that at some point he'll break the silence and come back and have fun with the rest of us. Hell, I don't even have an SI and I still hang out here, lol!
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I agree it was his passion for these smokers and this forum that makes it so odd. I'm hoping he'll return someday. Even in a more limited capacity. But he might be an "all or nothing" kind of person. He might feel he would need to dedicate the same amount of time to it, or he would feel bad about coming back. If he has made major diet changes for example, he might feel he can't participate in the same way he used to. Just speculating of course. :D
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For now it sounds like the best we can do is wish him well and hopefully we will meet again!
Greg
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For now it sounds like the best we can do is wish him well and hopefully we will meet again!
Greg
Agreed
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I think it is important to realize that Tony had a full time job and a family outside of the forum. He amassed over 10,000 posts as well as doing quite a bit of R&D on improving the smokers. In addition Tony dealt with some rather difficult people regarding their experience with the smokers. All of this and more. It takes a lot of time and effort. So as I have said earlier, Tony has his reasons, maybe personal. Just keep a kind thought and carry on in the spirit that Tony demonstrated. By the way I called him today and left a message. Time will tell.
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I hope he returns the call! I can attest that running a forum can be time consuming but it's not that bad. I had time to do it but it time that I volunteered, just like yourself David. I appreciate what he did in the past and I appreciate what you do now. We'll just move forward and hope he is doing well. If he does call you, let him know we all miss him and hope he's well!
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I think Tony's title has been moved from Administrator, to Global Moderator. Which seems to be a new position also held by me, gregbooras, swthorpe, and old sarge. So maybe there's hope that he's not out 100%.
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Hello everybody!! I am humbled, and honored that you all have thought so highly of me...I don't know what to say, except I'm truly thankful!
I'm coming up on a year since I faced some pretty serious health issues, and have needed the hiatus from just about all online activity to get my life straightened-out. Things are going really well, and I now have time to get back to being with you all!
Hopefully, I can get caught back up pretty quick, and back in the swing of things again! Sure glad to see so many of the "regulars" still here!! Again, I really, really appreciate the kind words and am humbled!
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He's back! Man that made my night! Glad to hear from you buddy!
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Thanks Dave! Good to be back!
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Thanks Jason!
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Glad you're getting things lined out for yourself! You can see--YOU WERE MISSED!!!
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Thank you, Bearsmoke! Glad to have you with us, too!
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Welcome back Good Man, Welcome back!
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I couldn't believe my eyes when I clicked on "new replies" and saw Divotmaker pop up on posts. Welcome back!
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+1
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Hi Tony! Glad to see you back in the saddle here. Cheers
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Welcome back Tony! I was expecting to see the same old messages about missing you when I clicked on this thread. Man, I sure was glad to see that you were back. I am glad things are going well for you and I am happy to have you back! WPS!
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Welcome back Tony! Your support and knowledge is always appreciated.
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Glad you're doing ok, and it is great to have you back, Tony.
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Again, I am humbled to be missed, and I appreciate all of your kind words! Great to be back in the saddle!! Now let's get to smokin' something!