Friend Encounters: Europa-Park's Ed Euromaus and Sitori

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I could say Europa-Park's mascot met Sitori, but she is too humble for that. She would say Ed Euromaus is the celebrity.

EE is the main mascot of Europa-Park. Debuting as "Kitty" in 1975, he was renamed in 1977. Along with Ed are Edda Euromausi, his companion. Friends include rooster Louis, ibex Bockli and Eurofant Olli. Also around is Snorri, a multi-tentacled creature repping the Rulantica water world.

Loyola University grad and former standout basketball player Sitori moved to Germany to lay pro ball there, along with her husband Parker, a pro volleyball player there.

I followed Sitori throughout her career at Loyola. I enjoy watching all the players progress in life, but Sitori is special. Not only was she great on the court, she was a real joy off court. I interviewed and talked to her several times and she is sweet and engaging. Parker and her are an amazing couple. It's fun watching them start their life together.

I hope to land Sitori for a Global Traveler interview about life in Germany. Until then, I am grateful for all of her consideration over the years.

Ed Euromaus and Sitori in Rust, Germany-2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #798: Ann Meyers & Paige VanZant

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Born in San Diego, California, Ann Meyers gew up to be a legendary basketball player. Her list of awards, accolades and achievements is too lengthy to list fully, but she was the first woman to sign a contract and get a tryout with an NBA team, she was the first woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame an she earned multiple medals on the international scene, just to name a few. She was married to the-late Don Drysdale and former NBA player Dave Meyers is her brother. Meyers tossed a ceremonial pitch (probably a strike) for the Los Angeles Dodgers o earn her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Oregon native Paige VanZant is a martial artist, bare knuckle boxer, professional wrestler, professional boxer, slap fighter, author, model and more. She also won a special edition of Chopped in 2017 and finished second on Dancing with the Stars in 2016. In 2023, she claimed she made more money from OF than in her entire fighting career, which is highly believable. VanZant appeared on the field at Dodger Stadium to get her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Jack Aker Topps 1965 & '75

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

Jack Aker was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1959. He made his MLB debut with the A's in 1964. He was drafted by the new Seattle Pilots in the 1968 Expansion Draft, but only played a few games with the team, before being traded to the New York Yankees. Midway through the 1972 season, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, who then released him after the 1973 season. The Atlanta Braves signed him for the 1974 season, but sold him to the New York Mets during the season. Aker retired after finishing the season with the Mets. For his career, Aker pitched in 495 games, going 47-45 with 12 saves and a 3.28 ERA.

Fot his efforts, Aker received cards from Topps from 1966 to 1974. That left out his first and last. When looking to create these cards, I saw two other master beat me to both of them. Lynn of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group beat me to the 1965 Topps card, while Gio of When Topps Had (Base)Balls site created the 1975 version. They are the best, each with thousands of beautiful creations.

Catching Up with Loyola Alum Jocelyn

At a recent Loyola Ramblers softball game, I spotted a few Loyola alums. Among them was Jocelyn Currie.

Jocelyn was a versatile infielder-outfielder during her four years. She earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors three times. She appeared in 130 games, with 78 starts. As a senior, she posted a career-best .378 average. She is now a Nursing Home Administrator.

I didn't want to bother the ladies in the stands, but at one point Jocelyn and I crossed paths by concessions. She shouted, "Johnny's Beat!" Yes, I know it is Johngy's Beat, not Johnny's Beat, but that's what a lot of folks say. I laughed at that. We hugged and chatted for a few minutes.

It was a quick exchange and probably soon-forgotten by Jocelyn. To me it made my day.

While I covered the team throughout her four years, I hadn't seen her since the 2024 season. Even during her career, I only spoke to her a few times, although I was at many games. 

Having a former player greet me so warmly and appreciate the coverage and support I gave her and her teams was a nice moment. These are the kind of interactions I really love.

Covering these teams allows me to see a lot of great sports. It also introduces me to a lot of great folks, who I never would have known.

I might never see Jocelyn again. That's okay. It's moments like these that make me think in some small way I am doing something positive for young athletes.

Jocelyn and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Finally Meeting Big Mama

About five years ago, I was helping Mad Man Pondo promote his Girl Fight Wrestling events. One of the tough women in that company was Big Mama. My interview with her is at On the Beat with Big Mama.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Big Mama is otherwise known as Tasia. After making her debut in 2009, Tasia has wrestled for several companies. She held the NWA World Women's Television tile and the NWA Women's Tag title (with Kenzie Paige). 

I followed her career since that interview, but I never met her. Once again, Squared Circle Expo changed that.

While roaming the rooms before SCX actually started, I saw a sign for Big Mama! Slightly, but pleasantly, surprised, I made note to circle back and finally meet her once the show started.

Again, to my pleasant surprise, Big Mama recognized me as I approached her table. A warm hug was followed by a nice chat. Neither of us expected to see the other, yet there we were.

Tasia was as nice as she had been as we set up the interview years ago.  With no disrespect to Tasia, there were bigger names at SCX, but seeing her was one of my top moments.

Look for Tasia on social media (bigbadmama06 on IG). Also, check squaredcircex.com for info on that great show.

Tasia Bachman and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Talking Travel with Dan Christian

I am not exactly a trend-setter. I usually am several years behind trends. Fortunately, when it comes to travel, I can turn to Dan Christian to learn all about travel trends.

Last month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Christian on Talking Travel for Global Traveler. After giving his bio, Christian gave his thoughts on several trends happening now and ones he expects. He also discussed the shortening of trends as society in general moves quickly. Christian was very entertaining and informative.

Go to the Global Traveler YouTube channel to watch Christian's interview and all the other great content and subscribe to it while you are there. Also, check traveltrendspodcast.com for all of Christian's content.

Coach Allie Lacey of the Chicago Snowballs

There is a new baseball team in Chicago. The Chicago Snowballs debut May 23.

The Snowballs are a coed sports entertainment organization. I had the pleasure of attending an introduction to the team held in the Rosemont Dome. One of the highlights was meeting coach Allie Lacey.

Lacey is the founder of The Ball Girl Baseball Corporation, a nonprofit organization aiming to grow girl’s and women’s baseball. She was also a ballgirl for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Assistant coach Lacey was very excited about the opportunities for women with the Snowballs. There were a lot of women at the tryouts, but I don't know how many will be on the team..

The Snowballs are similar to the famous Savannah Bananas, although there is no connection. There will also be another team who will play against the Snowballs. That team and city affiliation has yet to be named. It is assumed it will be around the Chicago area.

After talking to Lacey and watching the practice, I walked away very excited about the team. I enjoy covering new things, especially women's sports. The Snowballs aren't just women, but I think women will play a big role.

For more info on the team, go to ChicagoSnowballs.com. Check here for my coverage.

Allie Lacey and me in Rosemont, IL-January 2026.

Friend Encounters: Priscilla Kelly & Heather

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

At the Squared Circle VI, there was a meeting of two tough women wrestlers. Longtime friend and favorite Hardcore Heather Owens and Priscilla Kelly (aka Ggi Dolin) were in the same room and actually posed together. There's a lot of talent in that picture.

Prior to wrestling, Kelly already was getting into the entertainment world. She was in the first season of the reality show My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. After making her wrestling debut in 2014, she worked for several independent companies before being signed by WWE. She is currently back on the indie scene. Kelly credits her autistic brother for inspiring her to be a wrestler, to give him a beter life.

I first met Heather while we were with Resistance Pro Wrestling. Heather came in several times and always had a good match. Unfortunately, she never had a great chance at the title. I could definitely have seen a title run for her.

Heather has gone on to bigger things. Heather, her husband Ed and Adolfo and Carrie, are the promoters of Squared Circle Expo, a great wrestling convention.

The pair did not meet in a match at SCX VI, but they did pose together. While I would have loved to see a match, seeing them together was still a cool sight.

For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. Follow both Heather and Kelly on social media. Of course, always check here for more fun Friend Encounters and other pop culture bits.

Heather and Priscilla Kelly in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #797: Frank Caliendo & Aasif Mandvi

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams.

Frank Caliendo was born in Chicago, but raised in Wisconsin.  A comedian, actor, and impressionist, he also has made predictions on Fox NFL Sunday. He currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, which explains his appearance in an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey, which got him on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

British actor Aasif Mandvi was born in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, but raised in England and Tampa, Florida. Mandvi's resume is quite long, including movies and television. Most notably are his many appearances on The Daily Show. Mandvi tossed a first pitch, which seemed to be a strike judging by his reaction. I'm sure he was just as excited about being on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Today, is the birthday of my first niece. Although I won't see her tody, I salute her from here.

Laura is such a wonderful person. A dog-lover, Laura is like a step-mom to her mom's dogs. I know they love her as much as any of us.

Laura is brave, intelligent, funny, beautiful and a whole bunch of other great adjectives. She also does a great Russian accent, but that's another story for another day.

One of the coolest things we did was attend a Burn the Jukebox show. BTJ (now called American Vanity) is a teenage band we both liked from watching on social media. When they announced they were appearing relatively near us, we made plans to go (and we got Nancy to join the fun, although I am not sure how much fun she had, but that's another story for another day).

We had to drive 90 minutes on a Friday evening and sit through two mediocre opening bands. Laura also had some harmless, but slightly weird dud talking to her. When the band hot the stage, we high-fived.

This was bigger than us just seeing a concert together. I didn't even think the Pennsylvania-based band would perform in Chicago. After following them for a couple years, there they were and there we were. Mission accomplished and we are seeing them again much loser later this summer.

I know I'll see Laura before then and I'll raise a toast to her then. Still, from your favorite uncle, happy birthday Laura! I love you!

Laura, Nancy and me in West Dundee, IL-June 2025.