Shep, Interesting to see that you posted that front cover shot of Ernie as I gave him a call yesterday but there was no answer, so now you've reminded me to call again.
I'll give you all a current update on Ernie as soon as I get through.
As of about three months ago, he was back to training and giving a thought to competing once again someplace.
I'll try to get those details this weekend and pass them on.
Only, looking at that Reg Park photo, I notice that the Gold Coast beneath DH is still barren so maybe that picture was actually taken way back then. I'll see if I can take a photo of that identical spot this weekend and show you all how much it has changed over the years.
SHep, I have stayed in just about every hotel on the LV Strip and have written a number of web site articles about the early days of that town. In fact, the Venetian is just about the only place on the Strip that I have not stayed in.
Actually we enjoyed ourselves best in that town when the "Boys" actually ran the place and all the better casinos. In fact, it was common knowledge that anyone in uniform would have a hard time loseing unless he started getting greedy.
A long story short, but back then most everyone was met at the casino front door by an official greeter and if you were in uniform or simply had that military haircut and introduced yourself as a Marine or a member of any of the armed forces, you were immediately led to a table and introduced to the "crew".
Someone would come up and "teach" you how to play the game of your choice and politely tell you when to quit after you got a few days' pay ahead.
"The drinks are on the house, boys! Get 'em at the bar!"
And you were wise to take that advice and count your chips at the plank!
This was not a rare occurance and it happened at most of the clubs.
I still go back a lot and always ask for for "Mo" or "Knuckiles", but those guys and those days are long gone now.
Just returned from a stay at Wynn Las Vegas and offered a toast to Bugsy on a number of different occasions.