Hurricane Helene Comes to Boone, Colts vs. Steelers, and Fever Podcast

Heleen, as in bean

Welcome to the Torg Stories Podcast. Today we’re going to talk about a quick trip home to Winamac to bury dad’s ashes, my drive back to Boone in the midst of hurricane Helene, discuss the Colts and wrap of the Indiana Fever Season.

Topics for this episode:

• A short trip to our hometown of Winamac for a private graveside service
• Driving back to Boone through Hurricane Helene
• Click here for our dad Martin Torgerson’s obituary.
• Click here for Bill’s post about his dad.

The trip to Indiana…

• The way places come back to you. Been over ten years since we’ve been in Northern Indiana, but we knew the way well and the trip up 421 brought back the memories.
• You wanted Bruno’s Pizza…
• You wanted Bolin’s doughnuts. Breakfast of a big soda and a doughnut.
• Me as relayer of the info between you and Mom.
• Sights we drove by: Hillcrest House, Columbia Elementary, the Happy Burger is no more, the big hill, Thornhope Rest Area, Pick up ball at Winamac outdoor courts, the house on highway 14

Notes on the drive from Indiana to Boone amidst Hurricane Helene.

1. We drove from Boone, NC on a Thursday all the way to Winamac and then back to Logansport.
2. Got back up and drove to cemetery.
3. Dropped you off at the airport around 12:30. How was the flight?
4. I chose a route to swing around the areas most impacted by Hurricane Helene. Anne, how much thought did you put into the coming of Helene?
5. Got off I65 to swing east early. Crossed the Ohio River in Madison.
6. Rain, wind, fallen trees starting in Madison.
7. Huge rainbow in Kentucky. Def thought of dad.
8. Plan was to go through Bristol. The big trouble surfaced on 421. Moving trucks, leader (mom, at least 15 holy cows!)
9. Boone is my favorite place in the country because of the water and the mountains.
10. We get to the Trade volunteer fire department. 16 miles to Boone.
11. I try an alternate route suggested by the phone. Long back up.
12. The first of two tries on 67.
13. Decide to sleep by the fire station. (flashing lights, rumbling engines, jolly workers, flag pole banging (flash backs to Maui)
14. Let’s go the long way back to Abington: Damascus to 58 (more backing up)
15. Okay, let’s try going to Watauga Lake again. We’ll go on to Mountain City and maybe get a hotel there. (after midnight now)
16. Decide to try 321 to Boone. (topped what I saw on 421 as far as destruction)
17. We crossed the state line. Got within 10 miles of home.
18. Then 20 miles to Newland. (intense destruction)
19. 5 more miles and then two stories of trees, poles, and power lines. (I’m 14 miles from home)
20. It felt like the apocalypse.
21. If you think “preppers” are silly…Meg wondered what was wrong with me…
22. Now I try all the way back to Johnson City, where I know I can get on 26, to 81 to 77 and then in on 421. That’s 300 miles. Would you have done that? Why I did it. Knowing what I know now, what should I have done? (mt. airy hotel)
23. Going on around my house.
24. To stay home or leave town… Charlotte.
25. No school.
26. Chain saw skills.
27. Lots of people checking in. Lots of devasting videos.
28. Am I forgetting anything, hurricane wise?

Colts versus Steelers notes:

• My set up on the 4 box: Bears vs Rams, Bengals Panthers, Indy Pitt, and Denver Jets.
• You played the 3-0 Steelers. What were your expectations going into the game?
• Enjoyed logging in with YouTube TV at the house rental.
• Colts start with a touchdown on a couple nice Richardson completions and Taylor runs. 7-0.
• Fields is fast and shifty.
• Flacco comes into the game. 7-0 Colts on Richardson injury fumble. First pass complete to Taylor! Anne, Flacco comes in and completes a pass. Richardson says, Coach Anne, I’m ready.
• Flacco TD pass. 39 years of age. 7th team,
• Colts 4th down stop in 2nd quarter.
• Do you go back to Ricardson if he’s ready to go?
• Fields runs for his second touchdown 24-17 with 11:23 to go.

• Richardson leads league in ints. You want flacco?
• Steeler Kicker Boswell, the most accurate in NFL history from 50 plus, hits one to close the half. 17-3. Totally confident?
• Mike Tomlin a pro for halftime interview. We’re not that concerned.
• Fields runs it in in with 2:53 to go in 3rd. 17-10.
• Nice drive back by Flacco. (gets rid of it, a big difference from Richardson) TD pass by Flacco to Ogletree. Mom, “that should do it.” Who is this woman?
• Tornado warnings late interrupted the football.
• 1:37, a mishandled snap 2nd and 22

The Fever

What worked great?

1. Clark delivered. I thought she would be good 12 pts, 5 assists, rookie of the year, BUT she was much better than that. I think she’s already the PG you want to start your team with. She ended up 19 pts, 5.7 rebs, 8.4 assists, 90% line, 34% from 3.
2. Chemistry between Clark and Boston.
3. Emergence of Lexie Hull could make a big difference.
4. An all star season from Kelsey Mitchell

What needs work?

1. Scoring / execution / better scheme vs. Clark being denied. For example, Clark really limited touches with less than 3 mins to go in the final CT game.
2. Options: Mitchell re-sign or go bigger and top defender? Good with NaLissa or Fagbenle or Dantas? Maybe Fagbenle is healthy she’s it? Smith gone.
3. Think bench production limited?
4. If they pretty much stay as is, how can they compete with the teams who are left?

Liberty vs Aces Keys:

1. Can the Liberty slow Asia Wilson? I feel like Jones and Stewart have a chance. I think Wilson really keep Jones in check. Less than 10 pts a game, 7 or less rebounds.
2. The play of Gray and Plum huge.
3. Three point shooting really important. Less three point shooting on the floor for Aces.
4. I tend to think Liberty and that Sabrina and Stewart are able to hang in there with the 1 player Wilson. A great series from a “secondary” player could make a big difference.
5. Really tough, champion kind of attitudes for both groups.
6. Plum and Spike getting into it. Plum hits a 3 out of a timeout. 12 pts in 3rd straight…as of 3:40 in 3rd

Sun vs. Lynx:

1. best player by far is Collier. Somebody probably wants to argue Alyssa Thomas.
2. Players I think of: Ionescu playing very well and coming off a big game, Stewart tons of championship experience and does what’s needed, Wilson best player in the league by a fair amount, Gray delivers in big games, Plum great effort, Jones Liberty MVP, nice pieces for Liberty
3. Big respect for CT defense. When they lose it’s because they can’t score enough. Mabry had some huge games vs. Fever. Bonner played really well. They may not do that again.
4. Sun could win. Two really good series to watch!

Thanks for listening everyone!