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Home again

After a lengthy refurbishment, the Rocket has been returned to its perch outside the Glass Bowl at the University of Toledo. Many thanks go to the companies that donated time and materials to this project including Steve Grabke's Body Shop, Harmon Sign, Superior Towing, B&W Automotive Paint and Supply and PPG.

Photos by DANIEL MILLER
Dan Braithwaite, from Harmon Sign, helps guide the bottom stage of the UT Rocket as it is lifted on to the stand in front of the Glass Bowl, Monday, Sept. 20, 2004.

Dan Braithwaite aligns the two sections of the Nike Ajax missile as the rocket is reassembled.

The bolts holding the upper and lower sections of the rocket together are tightened down by Dan Braithwaite, Monday afternoon.

Toledo Head Football Coach Tom Amstutz watches from the balcony of the Larimer Athletic Complex as workers from Harmon Sign assemble the refurbished rocket outside the Glass Bowl.

The final strap is removed from the rocket after being lifted into position.

Toledo's Nike Ajax missile, which is the first thing visiting players see as they arrive at the stadium, sits on its mount as the university clock tower rises int he background.

The late afternoon sun glints off the upper stage of the rocket at the North end of the Glass Bowl.

Rocket Refurbishment

In 1961, the U.S. Army donated a decommissioned Nike Ajax anti-aircraft missile to the University of Toledo. After 43 years standing guard outside the Glass Bowl, UT Alumnus Pat Ryan noticed it was clearly in need of some work. He decided it was time for the icon to get a facelift. After making some calls Ryan found Paul grabke, a fellow veteran, at Steve Grabke's Body Shop who agreed to not only restore and paint the missile but also provide time and effort free of charge. So far, a body man/painter at the shop has been working on it full time for a month. In total, over $1,500 in materials have been donated for what Grabke estimated would have been a $6,000 to $7,000 project. The painting should be finished Thursday, Sept. 15 and the missile is slated to be returned to its perch on Monday, in plenty of time for the UT home opener against Temple.

Photos by DANIEL MILLER
Paul Grabke, from Steve Grabke's Body Shop, uncovers the freshly painted bottom half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004. The inert missile, which has been mounted on a pedestal outside the Glass Bowl on the University of Toledo campus, is being refurbished in preparation for the Rockets' first home football game against Temple University, Saturday, Sept. 25. Most of the materials and labor are being donated by local businesses.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, applies masking on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, lays on his back applying masking to the fins on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, sprays a coat of midnight blue paint on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, sprays a coat of midnight blue paint on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

The walls lights from the paint booth at Steve Grabke's Body Shop reflect off the wet nose cone of a Nike Ajax missile as Robert Deitz applies a coat of midnight blue paint.

Prison Dogs

Camp Canine is a Humane Society program that places dogs in the care of inmates at the Toledo Correctional Institution for obedience training. The program is designed to give inmates a skill they can use after release and to make the dogs more attractive for adoption.

Photos by DANIEL MILLER
Inmate Christopher Johnson holds his Golden Retriever mix Charlie as others stand behind him in the courtyard at the Toledo Correcional Institution.

A participant in the Camp Canine program left his books about dog breeding and training between the bars in the Toledo Correcional Institution.

Inmate Steven Kovach pets an appreciative dog named Harley in the courtyard at the TCI.

Inmate Rifat Abuhilwas pauses in the doorway with his trainee Abbey as they come back inside from the courtyard at the Toledo Correcional Institution.