Thanks Patrick, That's not a real flare. I added it later to spice it up a bit. It was a nice clear day when I took that picture. I'm trying to get another nice day so I could take a similar shot for the Rickenbacker calendar.
If you find a bakery in the Springfield area that can make you a Ric cake, let me know, since I am also from the area and would like to have one myself.
Brian: I used to know of a bakery in Virden, my home town, where the baker could create the most fantastic cakes. I worked there one summer. It was the fattest summer of my life. Sadly, she's long gone and I know of no ma/pa type bakery in the area anymore.