THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN…

                        Or

Musings of a man who needs adult supervision.

 This month I’d like to reflect a bit on why we are in a car club instead of doing something productive with our lives like solving world hunger or paying off the National Debt.

I can really only talk about my own reasons, but I would venture to guess that many of us share similar motivations, just as we share the title of “Car Guy (gal)” “ Motorhead” “grease monkey” or whatever.

 The social aspect is important – as a newcomer to Montana, I hoped the club would lead to new friendships, connections with folks who share some of my interests, opportunities to go and do things with my new Bitterroot neighbors. My hopes have been realized a hundredfold. The Bitterrodders and the car community as a whole are among the finest people in the world. Certainly we share a love of the car hobby, but these friendships have surpassed that basis and I consider myself truly blessed. Thanks, all of you.

The “brain trust” – One of the big benefits of a club like this one is that there is a wide range of knowledge and experience in the hobby. The depth of expertise in our group in all areas of the hot rod culture is astounding. No one can amass so much information that they can not learn something new from a club member. Our members are always willing to share their knowledge and to help a fellow car nut work on their project. The mistake we all make is not reaching out for this. I think we fear being a pest or fear being judged or maybe have never been in a group like this – so willing to help another. Just having this helps keep me motivated and gets me over the fear of screwing up. For instance, without the support of Butch and Bob, I probably would have chickened out on the idea of chopping my ’46 Chevy, but we thought it out, drank some beers, measured a lot, threw caution to the winds and got a good result! We all learned a lot, but I learned the most – like what you can accomplish with a little help from friends…

 

 

Inspiration by Butch Martindell

Intelligent guidance by Bob Woods

 

Photo by Geof “what the heck, if it don’t work we’ll make a roadster!” Wise

 

 

 

Then there are Car Shows and Rod Runs – One of the true joys in life is showing off your classic/hotrod/street rod/rat rod – pride and joy, both in a show and shine venue and in a driving venue or “rod run”. Our club has, in the past, engaged in two major show and shine events, one or more smaller show and shine events and at least one major rod run, as well as the summer picnic. In this year we will put on the two major shows and hopefully several rod runs. We hope to get all of our members involved in these – that is the real fun of this hobby and this club.

On another subject – we have a web page www.bitterrodderscarclub.com which is being revised. As a part of that, we are entitled to 100 private E-mail boxes. This is a service that has not been utilized, but which we offer to members at no cost. If you are interested, let me know by e-mail or whatever and I will get you set up. Your e-mail would be username@bitterroderscarclub.com and would be completely private. Your address would not be on any mailing list that you do not want to be on, you can use your current e-mail editor unless you are using one of the proprietary editors like AOL. My e-mail is set up this way on my web page – gewise@wisegunsmith.com.

 Lastly, I would like to know if there are members who would like to be on a committee to put on the “Rumble in the Root” rod run. I believe we should carefully consider how this will be set up and run and that the event is worth doing in some form. Three or four members are needed for this, please respond to my e-mail gewise@wisegunsmith.com.

 Thanks, all and happy motoring (or snow shoveling).                                         Pres. Geoff

            *************************

 

             NOW IT’S MY TURN

 

 

          Ok, it’s Jan. and time for the Publishers Disclosure: The facts printed here are the true and accurate ramblings of a senile mind. I used to take notes, but I forgot where I left them. If your name is mentioned here, it’s because I didn’t have my glasses on and hit the wrong keys. If it wasn’t for Spell Check, I’d be writing in early Italian or Klingon. The facts stated in this newsletter are toilet paper grade. That’s just above political campaign promises. The Proof Reader, my wife, makes me take out half of the things I say (about you) anyway.

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MEETING STUFF

          Our new President, Geoff, pronounced Jeff, not Goof (yet) Wise, gave an introductory speech. Boy is he loud spoken, but he wants a quite and orderly meeting with lively discussions. I’m confused. He also wants people to raise their hand BEFORE they speak and I agree with that.

          We also had introductory speeches from V.P. Rick Smith, who said he not sure what his job is, but he’ll work hard to do it right. Sec. Shirley Rowe stated that she

wouldn’t take crap from anyone and Treas. Donna Hasskamp promised to keep accurate records. Ya, I hope so.

          **********************

          The question of club T-shirts came up. The person who made them before went out of business. We’ll look for a new source.

          **********************

          We have a few awards that the club has won over the years and it was suggested that we try and display them at BJ’s in the meeting room. Pres Geoff spoke to BJ’s and they will go along with the idea. Pres. Geoff will get a shelf to put on the North wall for our display.

          ***********************

          We discussed the future of the club and the two car shows that make our donations to youth and children’s groups possible. 

          The first show will be the Mildenberger Motors on June 2, 2012 and be chaired by Wes and Debby Young. The second show, Daly Days will be around the end of July (we haven’t got a date from the Downtown group) and will be chaired by Pres. Geoff and Cliff Bailey.

          Our V.P. Rick will oversee both shows and make sure that everything goes smoothly. He may be quite, but he gets the job done.

          **********************

          Just a quick review of who we donated to last year: Emma’s House, Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding, Ravalli Co. Youth Rodeo, Grace Lutheran School and the Hamilton Food Bank.

          Not bad for a 60 member club with members spread across Montana and several other states. Read that as large membership, small work force. Those of you that made these shows a success, the club and community thank you.  

          **********************

CLUB EVENT

          Hey, we’re having our meetings on Sat through April, at a restaurant. Isn’t that an event.

          If you want more, then come out to Memories Café on Wed. mornings at 9 am for breakfast.

          **********************

DUES

          Dues are due. I love saying that. Some of you join for the fun. Some for the involvement in the community and others because your insurance company said you have to belong to a car club to get their best rates. What ever the reason, your dues are due. I will keep ya on the mailing list until April.

          When you renew, please use the form on the back of the newsletter and make any corrections. We do email and phone notices. If you haven’t been contacted, then we haven’t got the current info. After we send your check back, we don’t have a record of your membership. Use the form to help us.

          *********************

DATES TO REMEMBER

          FEB 4 Sat. CLUB MEETING, 2 PM  at BJ’s.

          I haven’t got any info, but the Shifters swap meet at Bitterroot Motors has been the last Sat of Feb.

          *******************

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:

          JAN 7 BARBARA JUNE

 

          JAN 8 RONDA BLATTER

 

          JAN 10 EILEEN RULE

 

          JAN 15 RAY DIECKMAN

 

          JAN 16 BRICKAEL HALE

 

          JAN 20 BILL RICHARDS

 

          JAN 24 WES YOUNG

If I missed your birthday it’s because it wasn’t on your membership form.

 

                   The Rust Bucket