Like it does every third Wednesday in February, Tortilla Flats hosted its awesomely fun Borgnine Night, celebrating the great Ernest Borgnine. Sadly this 21st installment was the first year without the beloved muse of the Podwits, as Mr. B passed away last July at the young age of 95.
But the celebration and all the fun and games went off as always, with such events as “Pin the Smile on Ernie”, the “Ernie look-alike contest”, and a reenactment of the Poseidon Adventure.
Mr. B’s son Cris stepped into his father’s shoes and called Tortilla Flats to chime in on the festivities, just like his father had done every year before. Here are some photos from the 21st annual Borgnine Night:
Pin the smile on Ernie
One event is the Ernie coloring contest, which then go up on the walls and ceiling of Tortilla Flats
Another inventive Ernie coloring entry
Ernie masks
Yorkshire Girl’s creative addition to one Ernie mask
Tortilla Flats owner Andy with the MC getting the night started
Artist and Borgnine fan Steven Mogck takes part in the annual ‘Ernie look-alike contest’.
After Podwit Dion made it into the semi-finals and the top 3 in the look-alike contest, the tie breaker was slapping back a PBR tallboy (they gave the lady a 10 second start).
Performing my civic duty and doing Ernie right
And though technically Dion won, they gave it to the girl because she poured the beer all over herself…
So alas, another great Borgnine Night! The Podwits would like to thank owners Andy and Joanne at Tortilla Flats for being so gracious to us. We can’t wait for next year!
And please tune in for next week’s podcast for some soundbytes of EBXXI!
Remember Ernie!