Tony (Divotmaker)? Mystery solved!

[Libohunden]

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! 

 

[SuperDave]

A couple of big name regular contributors have been noticeably absent which leads to lots of speculation.  I've seen nothing posted. 

 

[Libohunden]

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.

 

[old sarge]

I've tried with a few PMs and got no reply.

 

[SuperDave]

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!

 

[SconnieQ]

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.

 

[Libohunden]

Greg is one thing.  DM being absent is a whole nother ball game...

 

[SconnieQ]

Gregg is a huge asset to the forum too. Looks like he has been posting about once a month.

 

[Libohunden]

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.

 

[NDKoze]

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)

 

[old sarge]

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.

 

[SconnieQ]

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

 

[SuperDave]

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. 

 

[NDKoze]

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.

 

[Libohunden]

I agree with all.  I hope my comment earlier is not misunderstood. 

 

[JustChillin]

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.

 

[RG 2.0]

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.

 

[SuperDave]

Sent an email to Steve and he responded.  He is truly MIA.  He will let us know if he hears anything.

 

[ibbones]

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.

 

[old sarge]

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.