The
PORT
NEWS
July / August 2007
by President Gary Cope
As I write this, our two-year
kitchen remodel is almost complete, thanks to Garrett
and Jerime (our boys).
They baled me out.
Thank
You!
Now we can get on with our car
projects…and we have a few.
“The
12 Port News” once had a page called “Planners.”
It had “works in progress” or
as our spouses referred to them “that unfinished car
taking up garage space!”
We would like to see some
articles on your projects.
I think they would inspire
all of us to move on with our own or at least give us
some fresh ideas.
Jo Ann has put up with me for 40
plus years…no easy task…so for our anniversary I bought
her a new Corvette!
(Well,
almost new and I did trade in her Suburban and I did use
her money, but it’s the thought that counts, right?
And,
she knew I wasn’t going to finish the ‘53 wagon in time
for San Antonio!)
So off to San Antonio we went to
break her in (the Corvette, that is!).
Have you ever packed a week’s
worth of shoes and clothes for a woman in a Corvette
trunk?
Left
me room for two T-shirts and a pair of Levis.
What
a trip!
Sonny
and Dixie and the rest of the Texans can make you feel
welcome as only Texans can.
Sonny
and Dixie’s Goat Farm was awesome!
They
have a ton of energy, and the shops, greenhouse, plants,
and cars are truly exceptional (and they do have
goats!).
No,
we had briskets and sausages instead!
Make
sure to put Texas on your “To Do” list. Luke Lucas and
crew had preliminary plans for the 2008 event in Iowa.
It looks to be a “must do,”
they’re even talking about a drive-in theater.
Wow, how cool would that be!
We
left Texas in the wee hours in a very angry
thunderstorm, headed north to old Route 66 and home so
we could make the “Rappin to Minden” event. Got there just in time
for Ed to put us to work as judges for the rappin
contest; one of the best jobs I ever had!
Also one of the toughest.
There was some real different
inlines including Mopars, Fords, a Hudson and a Packard
(I think?).
Some
of the best pipes I ever had the pleasure to listen to.
As we’ve completed our first year, I’m reminded that at the Denver convention we set a number of goals, one of which was to increase membership and hopefully add some youth. It appears we have started the trend. With the increase in costs, we are trying to prevent a dues increase. One way to help is to increase members, so we encourage all of you to try and recruit at least one new member this coming year. We have also formed three new Chapters. Good work people! Fixing our by-laws was another; we all owe Jean Weigt a thank you! We wanted to enhance our website, and we are well on our way with the appointment of Tim Tenold as new webmaster with Loren available until Tim is up to speed. We have added the position of “Racing Director” as a Board Member, with appointment of Harry Blecha as the “inaugural” Director. With help from Gordon Downing, we’ve added Inliner land speed records to the newsletter. We have made progress on developing “convention guidelines” (thanks primarily to The High Plains Gang), acquiring “event insurance,” credit card service, and we’re looking into first-class mail costs and options. We also reinstated membership cards upon renewal. I want to thank all of you who have helped! I also want to personally thank long-time Inliner Pat Ganahl for taking time to give us an update on a truly famous inline car (see May/June 2007 issue). Pat is famous in his own right, having edited and written for many magazines including Rod & Custom and the Rodders Journal, to name a couple. Thanks Pat!
Leo Santucci mentioned that the
Corvette Museum had a display of Corvette engines and
not a single “6” anywhere to be seen.
This might be a worthwhile
Club project?
Think about it!
And, one last thing.
Pat Swanson has informed me
that Joe Fontana has donated a Skinner Head to our
Inliners International archives.
We owe him a huge thanks.
Bill Goldman and the
Ferguson clan also lent a helping hand…many thanks.
The Club is always looking
for “display” heads; they don’t have to be functional
and are available for display at Inline functions.
Just let Pat know.
Gary, #0000093