A great article about Jeff

[ta0]

I was missing the contributions of jeffs, the official Elder of the board, and thinking of writing to him, when johnm sent me a link to the article below. I did write to Jeff and he told me he is doing fine, just that he has been "chronically lazy" and doesn't throw tops as often as he used to. At least he doesn't "go to the basement and have 1 or 2 hours of serious practice" anymore. Anyway, he still holds the record of learning to regen a top at 77 years old. But, as you will probably agree after reading the article, most likely Jeff has found another interest in to which to put his competitive energy: he must have left us for a new love 

The article talks more about his other previous interests (competitive bell ringing, cycling, etc) than tops, but has great photos of him with tops, including the cover, the index page (5) and the article that starts on page 19.  Jeff is a renaissance man!

LuxEsto - summer 08: Jeff Smith and "Sir Isaac Newton"

[Neff]

Sweet!

[MatiasStuntMan]

Very nice, seems like Tops are a component of the fountain of youth!!! Keep spinning and live long!!!!

[the Earl of Whirl]

I miss Jeff, but I am thrilled to hear he is doing well and staying active with other things.  By the way, I too enjoy cycling and handbell ringing!  I wish I knew that about him before so I could talk to him about those activities.

[johnm]

Jeff can be seen at 1:28 in this video showing us how its done.

youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwXhgC9RoHA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwXhgC9RoHA

[ta0]

That video makes me remember that I also miss Catherine (csam/Spin Queen) posts and Matt's freestyles. I missed W08 at the last minute due to an emergency (and ended up losing the plane ticket).

By the way, I too enjoy cycling and handbell ringing

I am not sure handbell ringing is very similar to ringing massive belfry bells with a rope. Of course,  Mike, you are one of the few lucky guys who has his own bell tower to practice! 

[ta0]

A article about Jeff appeared last month in a Kalamazoo magazine.  It is mostly about change ringing and his other musical interests, but it does mention in passing spinning tops as one of the many activities he has pursued and has a picture of him with a topdog at worlds. The magazine is online here.  The article starts on page 16.

[the Earl of Whirl]

Thanks for posting that.  I miss Jeffs around these parts.  He is also a hoot to have around at worlds.
We have a set of handbells at the church.  Maybe he will come to worlds again if I promise to take them to Orlando?

[Watts' Tops]

Great seeing friends do a fantastic job with the top.  Loved the show.