A gold Buick Regal of the late 70's or early 80's vintage. A red white and blue necktie. Sunglasses worn on the back of his head. A penchant for statistics of years gone by. A walk that lasted 10,000 miles. An award received for his devotion to Cruises and Car Shows.
Thus William Pierce shall be remembered.
Here is an excerpt from his Obituary,
FALMOUTH -- William H. Pierce, 77, of Falmouth, died Monday, April 26, 2010, at his residence. He was born in Portland on Nov. 19, 1932, the son of Clarence G. and Eva T. Coulter Pierce (Cashman). He graduated from Westbrook High School in 1951 where he played basketball and ran track.Mr. Pierce worked 35 years for S.D. Warren Co. in photo and lithoplate departments, retiring in 1988. He also was a professional house painter with his stepfather, 'Patty' Cashman. He was a member of the Highland Lake Grange, a member of Highland Lake Church since 1941, and the AAU Racing Club. He was a former member of the MOAL Club. He also belonged to the Gorham Coin Club since 1976. Mr. Pierce was also known for walking 10,000 miles in the Maine Mall walk program. Mr. Pierce's hobbies included old coins, antique cars, and clocks. He attended many car shows and parades with his antique cars. He enjoyed race walking and earned many trophies. He ran the Portland Boys Club on Patriot's Day for many years.
4/29/10
4/28/10
This Rag
Not the normally oily one that hangs out of your back pocket or the dirty one that you use to clean engine parts and wheels, but this Rag, the words that you are reading. Most rags are published on paper and not posted on an electronic board. This started out as a printed Newsletter called the Road Scholars Lament way back when things were quiet and calm. Then that went the way of most newsletters and died only to come back with the same attitude and author years later.
In the hopes of keeping that attitude toward calling it the way I see it and stating all opinions that are in agreement or are contrary to my opinion we will go over the rules just so all of you out there are on the same page.
If I am at a show or an event I will write about it. If I am not at a show or have never attended said show it would be unfair for me to write about it. However if I didn't get to the show and you did, which will happen, your take on the event will be more than welcome. I do not edit content, just spelling. I find no great pleasure in showing other people any one's inability to spell.
Keep the profanity to an absolute minimum or your comment will not be published as you wrote it but will get the F--- Y-- treatment thus keeping it clean but leaving little to wonder about. No name calling, we all know who is being talked about and we also know they can be refered to as a rectal void rather than an asshole. No calling names, no profanity, everything gets published.
This is not a forum for any issues other than the Automobile Enthusiast Hobby, I won't do politics unless its something to do with the hobby. NASCAR does it own thing so I leave that to them. Sports and Religion are for those that know nothing other than Sports or Religion. At times my adventures with other things do get published, but humor is the reason.
Are we set now. The season is just days away. Lets have some fun.
In the hopes of keeping that attitude toward calling it the way I see it and stating all opinions that are in agreement or are contrary to my opinion we will go over the rules just so all of you out there are on the same page.
If I am at a show or an event I will write about it. If I am not at a show or have never attended said show it would be unfair for me to write about it. However if I didn't get to the show and you did, which will happen, your take on the event will be more than welcome. I do not edit content, just spelling. I find no great pleasure in showing other people any one's inability to spell.
Keep the profanity to an absolute minimum or your comment will not be published as you wrote it but will get the F--- Y-- treatment thus keeping it clean but leaving little to wonder about. No name calling, we all know who is being talked about and we also know they can be refered to as a rectal void rather than an asshole. No calling names, no profanity, everything gets published.
This is not a forum for any issues other than the Automobile Enthusiast Hobby, I won't do politics unless its something to do with the hobby. NASCAR does it own thing so I leave that to them. Sports and Religion are for those that know nothing other than Sports or Religion. At times my adventures with other things do get published, but humor is the reason.
Are we set now. The season is just days away. Lets have some fun.
4/23/10
Pay Attention
I recieved a plea of help from the MEDOMAK area today stating the Rumor Mill is saying $10.00/car at the gate. Let me state this as loud and clear as I possibly can.
BULLSHIT!
People see stuff and skim over the facts. The fact is that past history at Medomak has never had a set price. They ask for a donation at the gate to support Project Graduation, which is a more than worthy cause.
On the Road Scholars Calendar Page it states a "Suggested donation - $5 per vehicle/driver;passenger" but we all know that some cheap pricks will cut it down to $3 or $4. If you want to give $10, give $10. It will be a better bargain than the $15 you payed at OOB or Bangor last year.
Then we get the plea to list a show that has been listed for months and moved recently to another date. We won't go there. But if everybody would read the Calendar they would see at the top of every page of the calendar these words, "Contact Information is correct as far as we can tell. This holds true for the event information also. Please confirm this yourselves."
Guess you missed that too.
BULLSHIT!
People see stuff and skim over the facts. The fact is that past history at Medomak has never had a set price. They ask for a donation at the gate to support Project Graduation, which is a more than worthy cause.
On the Road Scholars Calendar Page it states a "Suggested donation - $5 per vehicle/driver;passenger" but we all know that some cheap pricks will cut it down to $3 or $4. If you want to give $10, give $10. It will be a better bargain than the $15 you payed at OOB or Bangor last year.
Then we get the plea to list a show that has been listed for months and moved recently to another date. We won't go there. But if everybody would read the Calendar they would see at the top of every page of the calendar these words, "Contact Information is correct as far as we can tell. This holds true for the event information also. Please confirm this yourselves."
Guess you missed that too.
4/19/10
It's Back
The season of the $15.00 Dollar Cheap Ass Trophy is just days away and we are all waiting with the anticipation of expectant Grand Parents to see what the season will bring us. This anticipation can only be described as pure joy and pleasure, an ecstasy of sight, sound and smell. The people we have not seen all winter will be there to greet us, like they haven't seen us in years. The joy we feel will be compared to some Holiday of our past.
The event will be new and different and strange to us as we all have that Deja Vu moment. Seeing the line at registration or at the entrance will be almost a pleasure, as we are entering our Zone of comfort.
The talk of upcoming shows and events will be like a constant hum in our brains. The list of modifications made to so and so's car or the paint job that someone got or someone seems to be thinner or fatter or shorter or taller will be heard from every corner. New shows and returning events will be a topic that will interest all, and changes made for the better or the worse to some of the old shows will be just as interesting.
The one thing that has not changed is our ability to have fun. Whether it be under our own canopy or someone else's, we know what is fun and how to have more than our share without looking foolish or silly. To take a serious look at our hobby, we end up watching reruns of Charlie Chaplin movies or perhaps the Keystone Kops for a truer perspective.
Those that take this hobby to seriously take away from it and spoil our fun. They compete for a minor gratification, the assemblage of faux marble, plastic chrome and a little plaque that says winner.
In the eyes of most of us the fact that the old relic of days gone by that just traveled the 50 or more miles to the event and the passing comments from total strangers tells us, we are the winners. The pleasure of driving the vehicle that we resurrected from the scrap pile is award enough.
We all have our favorite shows and events. We all are up for a few new venues, with most of us willing to attend, any and all. Most will enjoy these, and others, as well as our favorites. We will strive to have fun and ignore those that detract from our fun and perhaps call them to task for their complaints and whining.
All know it is but a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy, although in this economy the price has probably gone up.
But is it the Trophy or the Fun that drives us to the Show???
The event will be new and different and strange to us as we all have that Deja Vu moment. Seeing the line at registration or at the entrance will be almost a pleasure, as we are entering our Zone of comfort.
The talk of upcoming shows and events will be like a constant hum in our brains. The list of modifications made to so and so's car or the paint job that someone got or someone seems to be thinner or fatter or shorter or taller will be heard from every corner. New shows and returning events will be a topic that will interest all, and changes made for the better or the worse to some of the old shows will be just as interesting.
The one thing that has not changed is our ability to have fun. Whether it be under our own canopy or someone else's, we know what is fun and how to have more than our share without looking foolish or silly. To take a serious look at our hobby, we end up watching reruns of Charlie Chaplin movies or perhaps the Keystone Kops for a truer perspective.
Those that take this hobby to seriously take away from it and spoil our fun. They compete for a minor gratification, the assemblage of faux marble, plastic chrome and a little plaque that says winner.
In the eyes of most of us the fact that the old relic of days gone by that just traveled the 50 or more miles to the event and the passing comments from total strangers tells us, we are the winners. The pleasure of driving the vehicle that we resurrected from the scrap pile is award enough.
We all have our favorite shows and events. We all are up for a few new venues, with most of us willing to attend, any and all. Most will enjoy these, and others, as well as our favorites. We will strive to have fun and ignore those that detract from our fun and perhaps call them to task for their complaints and whining.
All know it is but a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy, although in this economy the price has probably gone up.
But is it the Trophy or the Fun that drives us to the Show???
4/14/10
Politics Suck Pt IV
Like a 400 pound Gorilla entering our lives the politicos in Bugusta are sticking their respective noses in our hobby once again. In an earlier posting in this rag I made mention of certain tax law changes that possibly could effect entry fees at car shows. According to Sales Tax Laws the Entry fee is a Sales Taxable item. However if we don't charge an entry fee and ask for a donation we will be safe from the Tax Man Cometh syndrome that hopefully we the voters will referendum out of existence.
Then we get the Green Weenie Tree Hugger Granola Eaters that want to follow in footsteps of Nazifornia in implementing emissions testing on all vehicles in all counties. This is the one time I'm glad the economy tanked, as it was an expensive proposition for the state to set up. Along with the fact that it would cost "we the people" a few more dollars than we wanted to spend and a few liberties to boot.
The latest is the Revenue generating aberration that the Minions of Government have decided to implement by using what seemed like a typographical error at the time. By dropping the letter R from the word FREE they have now imposed a FEE at certain state parks. One of which is Mackworth Island and yes they are putting on a car show. This in all likelihood will cause many to stay away from this car show and any other car show that happens to be on State operated lands.
Maybe if the State would charge a fee and actually pay sales tax on that fee as is imposed on us they could charge a fee for the use of the bathrooms in the Capitol Building and its offices thus alleviating the need to impose more taxes on us.
We all know the Politicos in Bugusta are full of shit.
Then we get the Green Weenie Tree Hugger Granola Eaters that want to follow in footsteps of Nazifornia in implementing emissions testing on all vehicles in all counties. This is the one time I'm glad the economy tanked, as it was an expensive proposition for the state to set up. Along with the fact that it would cost "we the people" a few more dollars than we wanted to spend and a few liberties to boot.
The latest is the Revenue generating aberration that the Minions of Government have decided to implement by using what seemed like a typographical error at the time. By dropping the letter R from the word FREE they have now imposed a FEE at certain state parks. One of which is Mackworth Island and yes they are putting on a car show. This in all likelihood will cause many to stay away from this car show and any other car show that happens to be on State operated lands.
Maybe if the State would charge a fee and actually pay sales tax on that fee as is imposed on us they could charge a fee for the use of the bathrooms in the Capitol Building and its offices thus alleviating the need to impose more taxes on us.
We all know the Politicos in Bugusta are full of shit.
4/11/10
Old Car Tour
When I get Information I Pass it on as time permits. If its a Car Show I'll post it on the R.S. site asap. The same holds true to any other event including this one, but I felt it needed a little more exposure this year. This is not special treatment due to friendship or business, this is what it is, the "Old Car Tour" from Bob Hatch
Hi I have some spots left for the Old Car Tour on June 19 & 20 2010 if you would like to go e-mail me back. Thanks Bob bobs58ford@hotmail.com
"We will be leaving the Ossipee Valley fairgrounds,in Hiram, at 9:30 am.on June 19 th. The motorcycle escort will be meeting with the tour participants to discuss details of the trip. This meeting begins promptly at 9:15 am, please plan to attend.
Our planned route for this year will take us from South Hiram to Cornish, to Baldwin, Hiram, Sebago, Naples, Raymond, and into Windham. In Windham, we will take a brief rest stop. From there we will continue on to Standish, and into Hollis Center, where we will be having lunch, catered by the Hollis Lion's Club.
After lunch, we will then continue on to the Nonantum Resort, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. After, for those interested, you can visit the attractions of downtown Kennebunkport, which are walking distance from our accommodations.
In the morning, there will be a buffet breakfast, which is included in the tour fee. Breakfast will be available from 7:30 am. until 9:00 am. At 9:30 am, we will be leaving for the Trolley Museum. After visiting the museum, we will travel to Shaw's Ridge in Sanford, for lunch, where we will conclude this year's tour."
So there it is, a tour, an escort, a dinner and a few spaces left.
Hi I have some spots left for the Old Car Tour on June 19 & 20 2010 if you would like to go e-mail me back. Thanks Bob bobs58ford@hotmail.com
"We will be leaving the Ossipee Valley fairgrounds,in Hiram, at 9:30 am.on June 19 th. The motorcycle escort will be meeting with the tour participants to discuss details of the trip. This meeting begins promptly at 9:15 am, please plan to attend.
Our planned route for this year will take us from South Hiram to Cornish, to Baldwin, Hiram, Sebago, Naples, Raymond, and into Windham. In Windham, we will take a brief rest stop. From there we will continue on to Standish, and into Hollis Center, where we will be having lunch, catered by the Hollis Lion's Club.
After lunch, we will then continue on to the Nonantum Resort, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. After, for those interested, you can visit the attractions of downtown Kennebunkport, which are walking distance from our accommodations.
In the morning, there will be a buffet breakfast, which is included in the tour fee. Breakfast will be available from 7:30 am. until 9:00 am. At 9:30 am, we will be leaving for the Trolley Museum. After visiting the museum, we will travel to Shaw's Ridge in Sanford, for lunch, where we will conclude this year's tour."
So there it is, a tour, an escort, a dinner and a few spaces left.
4/6/10
Adventures in Shopping 1 More Time
Today was a little slow at the shop so I took the opportunity to do some restocking of shop supplies. Some things you have to pay top dollar for at the Local parts store, as no one else has them in the quantity needed or the quality wanted. Other things can be purchased at well below the normal retail price charged by the Parts Stores.
Aerosol solutions are usually pretty pricey unless you buy a case at a time and even then a 20 oz. can of carb cleaner is in the $3.00 range so finding a bargain of $1.77 a can was a good thing. The other goods needed were also well below the going rate.
You guessed it right, Wally World was again the retail outlet in possesion of the needed merchandise. I'm doomed before I started.
Is it just me or did the earths axis change or waver from its normal point. As I walk thru the entrance of the Store a mother was attempting to put her child in the cart to go out the door. The Child was a screaming mass of snot spit and temper and was having none of what mama was giving. The real thing on my mind was not if the child was going to see its next birthday, but what the Fuck is that smell !!!!
The distraction at the door was enough for me to forget to grab a cart and the smell was enough for me to keep going in the direction that was mine. Finding a cart that was unused and in the middle of the aisle should have been a good thing. Pushing it, finding that it shook like an out of round tire or a California tremor and the damn thing pulled very hard to right.
Finding the needed products was the easy part, putting them in the cart even easier, getting the cart to the checkout was fun and nobody got hurt in the traffic circle that is Wally World. Now you have to understand, I have 9 items from one department and this has taken the total of 10 minutes.
Approaching the checkout you could see the lines slow to a crawl. Everything looked as though it was filmed in slow motion. Finding a checkout that wasn't busy was easy as the one I chose was just starting to ring up its present customer.
The belt was empty and not moving, taking this as a sign of it being my turn I put 3 items on the belt. Now as I have stated I have 9 Items, 3 of 1 item 6 of another. I took out the 3 matching items and put them on the belt. I then turned to grab the other 6 items and put them on the belt only to find the first 3 items trucking their respective asses toward the register. The other 6 items follow their cart mates by about 2 feet to a cashier who asks me "are these separate". No just different items, "Do you want them on separate slips", No just one will be fine. "Well you kept them separated on the belt" No you turned the damn thing on causing the separation and I'm not good at juggling 9 cans at a time.
She gave me the total and says to me as she hands me my change "I kept them in separate bags just like you wanted".
My mind asks but one thing, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SMELL !!!!
Aerosol solutions are usually pretty pricey unless you buy a case at a time and even then a 20 oz. can of carb cleaner is in the $3.00 range so finding a bargain of $1.77 a can was a good thing. The other goods needed were also well below the going rate.
You guessed it right, Wally World was again the retail outlet in possesion of the needed merchandise. I'm doomed before I started.
Is it just me or did the earths axis change or waver from its normal point. As I walk thru the entrance of the Store a mother was attempting to put her child in the cart to go out the door. The Child was a screaming mass of snot spit and temper and was having none of what mama was giving. The real thing on my mind was not if the child was going to see its next birthday, but what the Fuck is that smell !!!!
The distraction at the door was enough for me to forget to grab a cart and the smell was enough for me to keep going in the direction that was mine. Finding a cart that was unused and in the middle of the aisle should have been a good thing. Pushing it, finding that it shook like an out of round tire or a California tremor and the damn thing pulled very hard to right.
Finding the needed products was the easy part, putting them in the cart even easier, getting the cart to the checkout was fun and nobody got hurt in the traffic circle that is Wally World. Now you have to understand, I have 9 items from one department and this has taken the total of 10 minutes.
Approaching the checkout you could see the lines slow to a crawl. Everything looked as though it was filmed in slow motion. Finding a checkout that wasn't busy was easy as the one I chose was just starting to ring up its present customer.
The belt was empty and not moving, taking this as a sign of it being my turn I put 3 items on the belt. Now as I have stated I have 9 Items, 3 of 1 item 6 of another. I took out the 3 matching items and put them on the belt. I then turned to grab the other 6 items and put them on the belt only to find the first 3 items trucking their respective asses toward the register. The other 6 items follow their cart mates by about 2 feet to a cashier who asks me "are these separate". No just different items, "Do you want them on separate slips", No just one will be fine. "Well you kept them separated on the belt" No you turned the damn thing on causing the separation and I'm not good at juggling 9 cans at a time.
She gave me the total and says to me as she hands me my change "I kept them in separate bags just like you wanted".
My mind asks but one thing, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SMELL !!!!
Tank
Today we put to rest a friend, that went to soon. Though his life was short he helped make our's full by being, "Tank".
With Representatives from several Car Clubs and many friends, Gerry "Tank" Tancrel was escorted home for the final time.
See Ya "Tank"
With Representatives from several Car Clubs and many friends, Gerry "Tank" Tancrel was escorted home for the final time.
See Ya "Tank"
4/3/10
Beastly
Turning the key, it came to life with little to no struggle. Roaring to readiness as it slowly came into its zone of comfort, it tells you to tap the throttle to calm it down. You smell its warmth as you sit in the seat waiting until the language that only you can hear and understand, tells you to tap the throttle once again. Doing so, you slowly move the selector into a mode suited to your needs and press the throttle to again command the beast that you love into motion.
As you ease into traffic the surroundings immediately change from just another vehicle to awe, admiration and respect. You can feel the beast establish itself as the alpha beneath you and you smile at the Prius that moves out of the way like prey from the predator. People wave, point, smile and gesture as you work your way ever carefully to the open road.
You pick your spot and press harder on the throttle and the beast roars with glee as it knows you are in command and heading to where you and the beast are most comfortable, Highway and higher speeds. Open lanes appear before you and you move into them effortlessly and let the beast stretch it legs and clear its throat. The feeling of serenity covers you as you hunker down in the seat just a bit and drive the beast as if the months of waiting are years and this chance will never come again.
As you return to the home that the beast and you love, you are thankful for the beast and all it does for you every time your ass hits the seat. In return the beast knows that after today it will be a season of miles and shows and admiration from total strangers. It knows that you are the control and the reason for its being.
Today was a good day to unleash the beast and drive it like I stole it.
Damn it felt good.
As you ease into traffic the surroundings immediately change from just another vehicle to awe, admiration and respect. You can feel the beast establish itself as the alpha beneath you and you smile at the Prius that moves out of the way like prey from the predator. People wave, point, smile and gesture as you work your way ever carefully to the open road.
You pick your spot and press harder on the throttle and the beast roars with glee as it knows you are in command and heading to where you and the beast are most comfortable, Highway and higher speeds. Open lanes appear before you and you move into them effortlessly and let the beast stretch it legs and clear its throat. The feeling of serenity covers you as you hunker down in the seat just a bit and drive the beast as if the months of waiting are years and this chance will never come again.
As you return to the home that the beast and you love, you are thankful for the beast and all it does for you every time your ass hits the seat. In return the beast knows that after today it will be a season of miles and shows and admiration from total strangers. It knows that you are the control and the reason for its being.
Today was a good day to unleash the beast and drive it like I stole it.
Damn it felt good.
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