Shifter’s Newsletter
Fall 2008
Well, how’s everybody doing? It has been awhile since I had a chance and sat down to type and put together a newsletter. I have been relying on the phone committee to get the word out on the happenings around the club and functions that have taken place over the months. The best way as always is the monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be on November 13, 2008 @ 7:00. We will be accepting nominations for two new board positions as my time and Dan Frankum’s terms are up. I encourage everyone to come to the meeting to make the nominations a smooth transition with lots of participation.
To start the “What’s Been Happening”, I am going to have to rely on my memory, so if I miss somebody or something that happened I apologize right now. I have participated in a lot of functions this year and made I think every event. I only missed one meeting due to a date change. I was either a week late or a week early. It just depends on if you are talking to Dave or me. Anyway, the day I showed up I was the only one there. Since it’s been a while I will try and go back and recap the high lights.
On March 30, we went to Benbow Inn for brunch. We had a decent turn out and the weather held out for a nice trip. On the way back some of group went looking for future camp sights. Part of the group stopped at “One Log House” to check out the store and the house. We only bought one ticket, but everybody donated to the cash box. I bet that screwed up the tally for the day? On the way back we stopped at the Shamrock Ranch were there was a car that somebody bought off e bay and was suppose to be a runner, NOT!!! Goes to show you to watch out on what you bid on. The seller was just trying to get their money back. Lou even passed up the deal the seller was pitching.
On April 20 was the garage tour. We went by Rea and Jerry’s storage shed to check out what they had along with a co-shop renters stuff. We headed over to Lee’s rented garage to check out his scooters and what ever else was in there. I think the hit was the Metzersmit car that he had just got. Another project for a raining day I guess. It was well organized to fit everything in there for the variety of scooters. Then we went to the Orr’s garage for coffee and to get a group opinion on a starter for lawn mower. I could not get the gear off. With the help of the group and a hammer, we did. Then we headed out to the Neff’s for lunch, which was great spread as always for the group. Duncan was working on I think his “38” Pontiac for a car show in October in S.F. Nice job Duncan!
May was the annual Community Car Show. Attendance was a little down from last year. The weather on Saturday was threatening rain and cool that might have scared a few people. The gas prices were also sky high and were taking a bite out of people’s budgets also. Sunday started out a little cloudy, but sky’s cleared with only a threat of a cloud that went around the park at 3:30 missing the festivities.
June we had the “Father’s Day Show” in Ft. Bragg, but due to one of our members getting married, Rich West, some of us were not able to go. I hear the weather was perfect that day on the coast. We also had scheduled in June was the Drive Inn in Lakeport, but was postponed then cancelled due to the smoke from all the fire that were burning.
July was the 4th parade and BBQ. It was a perfect day, not too hot or cold. Participation was low as a club and as a whole for the parade. Gas prices were still high. Horse power was a plenty running around. It was a special day for the Orr’s as we had four generation riding in my father’s Pontiac that day. My father, myself, my two boys, and two great grandsons were in the car.. When the Pontiac was entertaining the crowd, Jim M. “37” was also feeling peppy and while doing its show decided to throw a belt, unknown to Jim until a boy came running up beside him and handed him his fan belt. No broken rod award for Jim though, he kept going with just a little harder steering.
August 17 was a very busy day. We had the Shifter’s 50th reunion BBQ lunch. We had a great turn out at the Willits Senior Center were we BBQ on the back patio. It was a little warm, but thanks to the sun shades we brought there was shade for everyone but Dan Frankum doing the BBQ. Thanks Dan, great job. All the present Shifter’s brought something to share and the club provided the chicken and beef along with tea and lemonade. We had a cake made to look like a drag plate, but even to me the decorator was off on the color. It still tasted good. There was a good showing of the past and present cars in the parking lot to make a nice show. Check out the Shifter’s web sight as Dave has had the pictures posted of the event.
Also that afternoon, after cleanup, some of us headed down to the Elk’s for a car show. There sight is perfect. Lots of trees to sit under to have conversations and a cold beverage if you so desired. They also had a dinner, even though I was full from lunch, we all took part in along with desert.
Sept. 6 was the Roots Steam up which we were invited to bring down the cars. This was lots of fun to see the entire equipment running. I rode a speeder around the loop along with the boys. They had lots of raffle prizes to give away, but my number never came up at their BBQ. While I was walking around, I seen Wayne Colby who was walking his female Irish Wolf Hound, which was very large, and I was informed that she is ½ the size of the males. Wayne is showing his dogs now and has cut back on the cars. I thought these dogs were interesting as far as the history behind them.
Sept.12 – 13th was the Ukiah Car show. I only went by for a quick 2 hours after I got back from Santa Rosa. I seen Dick M. and conversed with him along with some old PG&E bosses that have sence retired and go to car shows now. I had seen Jerry Brown walking around also. Don’t know how anybody faired since I left before the awards.
October was a packed month for me. It started out with the Blind Fold Drive on Oct.5th. Mustangs were invited up to participate. Patrick, my son, and I made the awards to hand out. He did a great job. John Yde got first place with me as co-pilot with a time of I think 45 seconds through the course. Robin or Dave Madsen from the Mustangs won second. I was the only one that hit a cone due to my son detracting Julie. After a re start I did alright. When we got finished, John Yde co piloted me a few times for a fast time finally of 37 seconds driving the Pontiac with a standard transmission. I think it is harder than an automatic.
Oct.11th was the hospital fund raisers were the Shifter’s helped with parking cars in the Old Little Lake Products yard. It was interesting to say the least. Thanks to the Shifter’s (Jim M., Dan F., Bill B. Craig S., Robert M., Jim C., Dave B) and Max Myers for the help.
Oct.18th was a non car event, Willits Booster’s Auction and dinner at the Broiler. A must if you can next year. It was lots of fun bidding on the items that were extravagant and some were a must like Les Schwab Tires certificate which I got. Julie needed tires.
Oct.25th the Shifter’s were invited to a semi last minute word of mouth and club meeting announcement that the Mustang’s asked if we would join them on a Fall Run to Bodega Bay. I attended along with a couple of Mustanger’s, but we went to Guerneville for lunch instead due to a change in plans. The day was perfect and I led the way down to Healdsburg were we took Westside Rd. It was a great back road with lots of activities going on, along with a lot of bicycles. I went back into Santa Rosa after lunch, but some went onto Bodega.
Well, the up coming events are as follows.
Nov. 5th is the RSVP for the Mustang’s Chili Feed, Poker Run, and Canned Food & Toy Drive. Let the phone committee know if you are going to attend or I at 459-6441 and leave message with name and how many please for a head count. There should be a flyer attached.
Nov. 9th we are going to have our own Fall Color Run route yet to be finalized. Leave Little Lake at 10:00 am. Lunch is planned in Ukiah at Star’s.
Nov. 13th monthly meeting at 7:00 @ Little Lake, we will be looking for nomination for two new board members. All Shifter’s are encouraged to come and participate please. We would like to get new energy to boost the club’s spirit.
Nov.15th, Mustang’s Chili Feed etc., see flyer attached
Dec. 6th will be the Christmas Party at the Orr’s, see flyer attached. This will also serve as our monthly meeting (it will be short one).
Jan. ??, 2009 will be the installation dinner at the Broiler.
Well that’s it for now. Hope to see you soon.
Thanks,
Neil Orr
Shifter’s President
