March / April 2010
Here in North California, this winter has offered a wide variety of opportunities to cut up fallen trees; fix frozen pipes and leaking roofs; gather shredded blue tarps; try to get the dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, bats and rats out of the barns, sheds and old cars; and forget that the groundhog saw his shadow (or was it one of the Pittsburgh Steelers?). We forgot what the sun looks like! Yeah, I know all you Northerners, Midwesterners, Canadians and Norwegians are laughing out loud, but commme'on spring and global warming!
From the looks of last month's “12 port” activities and gatherings, we are alive and well. Congrats to Don Cummins and family on 20 years of inline tradition. And speaking of tradition, how about SoCal Chapter Head George Gerberick -- he's still racing his Buick Coupe. I think this is the same car he ran at our 1st Inliner drag race at Freemont in 1985! And, how about Bob Arana’s Chevy Coupe -- still going strong. Congratulations to Elmer Stange on the completion of his long-time affair with a '37 Dodge pickup. I had one in high school; love those trucks!
Thanks to Chuck Hamann and "Buffalo" Jones for great tech articles; please keep them coming. L-230, great story from Billy Hutson. I can’t wait to designate my Olds “Big Six” as an L-269. I hope that’s OK with Billy!
Special congratulations to Jr.Jr.Jr. Ferguson...or should it be "Sir" Jr.Jr.Jr. He is now President of SCTA!! And also to Pat Riley, SCTA's new Treasurer.
Can’t wait for June and the “road trip” to Texas. Al and crew have a lot planned; don’t miss this one! Times are tough, so bring some of those rare inline parts to sell or trade and make some gas money. I heard a rumor that the Albee’s already financed their trip with a rare swap meet find with the name Wayne on it! If we bring Jo Ann’s Cad we will have to bring stuff to sell. It loves gas, but it’s got lots of room for JUNK.
Thank you, Pat Swanson. I didn’t have time to shop at Turlock swap meet so Pat, Tim and Jerime helped me spend my allowance. Enjoyed all the Inliners who stopped by, enough that we probably had a forum! Also thanks to Larry DeMoss for buying the Webers and saving me all that money. And Deavelin and Mick, sorry we ran out of green beer; will do better next time!
We have lost many long-time members in the past few years, and I‘m very sad to report that Bob Toros has passed away. Bob was not only a long-time inline fan and one of our first Hall of Famers, he was the owner of Venolia Pistons and closely associated with Wayne Horning and Nick Arias. I had the pleasure of doing business with Bob. He was really one of the "Good Guys" and a good friend to Inliners International. He will be missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.
On a lighter note, I recently learned that the High Plains Chapter celebrated Kyle Duggan being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. This was the culmination of years of work and service to the community. Bet Kyle didn't use a blue tarp for a tent!
"Frozen" Pack Rat, G.C.