Talk of the Town: Super Bowl rings appraise for $20,000

Hello, loyal readers. For those who are getting ready to watch the big game, I hope you aren’t nursing that nasty flu that’s making headlines, or you certainly won’t be in the mood to chow down on those chicken wings.

I pride myself on rarely being ill, but this bug bit me big time the other day and I actually took a couple days off away from the office to recuperate. It’s only the third day in nearly 13 years I’ve taken a sick day, by golly.

It’s difficult to write a column when even your eyeballs ache, so be patient, kiddos. Your stories are on the way. I’m trying to catch up as fast as I can.

Who says diamonds are a girls best friend? What about the boys? Those diamond encrusted Super Bowl rings don’t come from a Cracker Jacks box you know, and I certainly don’t see any women looking to make the team in the near future, either.

The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to players and coaches of the team that wins the league’s annual championship game.

These baubles are typically made of yellow or white gold with diamonds and usually include the team name, team logo, and Super Bowl number (usually indicated in Roman numerals).

Most of the rings also have larger diamonds or diamonds made into the shape of the trophy, that represent the number of Super Bowls that franchise has won.

The NFL pays up to $5,000 per ring, with up to 150 rings per team. If the rings are over the $5,000 limit, the team owners must make up the difference.

Recent rings have been appraised in excess of $20,000, but manufacturers keep this information confidential.

May the best team grab the golden ring this year!

Here’s a last minute Super Bowl snack that’s a snap to make, thanks to Food Network chef Guy Fieri:

Parmesan Taters

5 cups frozen tater tots

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons crushed garlic

3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the tater tots and the olive oil in a bowl. Toss to coat, spread on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 30 minutes.

Remove the tater tots from the oven, season with salt and pepper and transfer to a mixing bowl. To the taters, add the garlic, parsley and cheese. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

“How Romantic Is Romanticism?” will be Ann-Marie Schaffer’s topic of discussion for “Keyboard Classics and Comments” at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 4 in the Parish Hall of St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 600 S. La Canada.

In this season’s series focusing on the different stylistic eras, Romanticism serendipitously fell February - Valentine month, Schaffer says.

The one-hour talks start at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of every month. St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church continues to make its Parish Hall available to the community for these. The talks are free and open to the public. For information: Ann-Marie Schaffer 625-1609.

The Rotary Club of Green Valley met at the St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church on Jan. 22 with very special guests in attendance. The only living founders of the club were able to attend, renew their old friendships and hear of their club’s progress during the 37 years since its inception. The Rotary Club of Green Valley was founded by charter Jan. 21, 1971. The founding ceremonies were conducted Feb. 23, 1971, at the Ramada Inn in Tucson.

Rotary International was founded on the same date 66 years previously in 1905.

The first Green Valley Rotary Club Founders Day Reunion was celebrated Feb. 23, 1999, at the Canoa Center in Green Valley.

One of the club’s current board members, Donna Gallagher, was able to get her father, club founder, Raymond C. Marks of Texas to visit Green Valley and attend the meeting. The only other living founders of the club, Joseph H. Canfield of Green Valley and Warren E. “Toops” Culbertson of Sahuarita, were also able to attend with their wives, Donna R. Canfield and Mary H. Culbertson.

Special recognition was afforded to the founders by thanking them for starting the Rotary Club of Green Valley, which represents “service above self,” locally and internationally.

Each founder received a framed 37th anniversary certificate which included pictures of the current Rotary International president, Wilfrid Wilkinson.

District 5500 Governor Sandy Goodsite and club President Mark Dugan, signed the certificates of gratitude, which were presented to them by past club president Thomas C. Bunting, M.D.

The club members heard an excellent program about the services of Friends in Deed, which was given by its president, Dorothy Mayfield.

St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church will host its annual pancake supper starting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 5, in the Parish Hall, 600 S. La Canada. A donation of $5 per person which will go into the fund to send children to summer camp.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740