Since I was a kid my ultimate dream was to have a pinball machine. Anywhere I would go I was always drawn to the lights and the sound of a pinball game. They were everywhere at one time. Soda shops, arcades, 7-11’s, hockey rinks, pizza parlors, and restaurant bars. I knew I would someday have one of my very own. One favorite place to go was the Van Dyke sports center in Warren. Rows and rows of pinball games lined the walls.
Summer jobs were a must growing up and I was lucky enough to work at an arcade at Oakland Mall. I love the sound of an arcade, that sound would be the same as a casino. Working long hours was always fun at the mall. All the money I would make would be spent at a Harmony House record store that was also at the mall. Thanks to a gentleman who worked on the games, he told me of a warehouse where I could purchase my own pinball machine. I grabbed my best friend Dave and went with money in hand. Dave purchased a game called Black Knight and I went for the game called Haunted House. It was a beautiful game with an upstairs level and a basement.
I ran into a slight problem. I had nowhere to store the game so I kept it at my pal Don’s house till I got it working and cleaned up. At the time, I worked at a roller rink called, “The Rink,” in Shelby twp on Van Dyke, 23 miles. They put my pinball machine in their arcade for a while. I made all the money back that I had paid for it at the rink. Since then, the Haunted House traveled to Indiana with me for a radio job for 8 years then back home to Michigan where it is in my game room at home.
Screamin’s Pinball
They say collecting pinball games is addictive and you just can’t have one. There is nothing further than the truth as I have 5 pinball games in my collection. The Haunted House is my first pinball game and they say you always love your first game. I am happy to have great friends in the pinball community like my friend Eric Avedesian who helped keep it running all these years and my friend Joe Koliba at Free Play Pinball arcade.
Meet The Rescues- Screamin Scott's Pets
MOOKIE THE DOG
” MOOKIE THE DOG”
To start this is Mookie the dog. Mookie came from a house in Woodhaven, Mi. The owner passed away and the son just couldn’t keep the dog. So Mookie was scheduled to be put down until I stepped in and said “this dog is in her golden years!” No way could I let, ” Mookie,” be put to sleep. That was almost 10 years ago. She is now the Keith Richards of dogs as she keeps cheating death. Mookie also enjoys being an internet sensation online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
"JETT" The Rock Dog
Screamin’s pet Jett
Welcome our latest challenge, “JETT The Rock Dog”. Jett is a rescue from, Detroit. Jett was a little too wild for an expectant mother as the dog was constantly jumping on her belly. Jett is a 2-year-old Lab Sheppard mix. Boy, she is a lot to handle! She recently destroyed not one, but two lazy-boy chairs in less than a week. Loves to chew things and run in the backyard. Jett does have a quiet side and loves to greet company. As a security dog, she is tops and loves chewing on anyone she doesn’t know at night. Does have a terrible gas problem that can clear a room. Loves rock music and dances to Kid Rock in the kitchen with my wife.
Felix the Cat
Felix the Cat
Felix the cat came from a co-worker from my time at WRIF. Production master and friend, Mike Gagliano gifted me, Felix, after the loss of our cat Charcoal. Felix was a surprise birthday gift for my wife. Felix is the Queen of Kool around the household keeping all the pets in line with a swipe or a hiss. Felix is also pretty photogenic and loves the spotlight.
Charlie the Cat
Charlie the Cat
Last but not least here is, “Charlie the Cat”. Charlie is a little heartbreaker and so adorable. Saved from a shelter, Charlie’s markings reminded me of Charlie Chaplin’s outfit and mustache. Don’t let her cuteness fool you. She is a mixer as in loves starting s*** with the other pets. Always in trouble and mostly just having too much fun. She will play hide and seek most of the time at night. And she loves to find a hiding spot in the strangest places. Top of the washer-dryer stack, hiding in the cupboards, on top of my pinball machines. Just a loveable cat that I’m thankful to have.
