What started 4 years ago with my solo trip to Togus has turned into the Caravan that was today, with at least 25 vehicles leaving the Lewiston Mardens parking lot and 10 more waiting along the way. By the time we got to the rendezvous point we were 50 strong and chomping at the bit. The meeting spot was filled to capacity on both sides of the street and then we went to do our best to make the residents and patients at Togus VA Hospital feel that some one actually was thanking them in a small way for their service.
With over 300 vehicles and over 150 Motorcycles in attendance we did just that and the veterans were more than thankful. With just about every veterans organization represented the food line went smoothly the entertainment was just right and the faces were all smiling.
The few that did not attend missed a very good day. Some that did not attend were expected to be there, as they have been in the past. Some had told me in advance that they weren't going to be there for a one reason or another and I realize that this event is not for everyone. The one that surprised me the most by not being there, should start thinking about his "All About the Veterans" motto. Maybe he can show up at Togus next year so the "Arizona" pinstriper can add some stuff to his new ride like he did today for other participants.
A few people needed a hand or two and funds were given to Toys for Tots for the Porta Potties and repairs were done to a fellow car lovers ride, because of a "Duh" moment.
Given a choice between a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy and saying thanks to the Veterans, I'll pick the veterans every time.
Besides try defending your country with that piece of trashy chromed plastic, faux marble and a best of crapola plaque.
8/15/10
8/10/10
Togus
If you have never been a little patriotic now would probably be a good time to make an attempt.
The Rusty Nuts are doing it again with assistance from us or if you prefer "We the People" in putting on the Annual Veteran's BBQ at Togus VA Hospital.
As always it not about us, this time its about them, the veterans. As it should be there is no show of ego, no competition, no Cheap Ass Plastic Trophies, just people who care and wish to show it by bringing their cars to let the patients at Togus view them.
With the count from past years creeping ever closer to epic proportions of Bikes Cars & Trucks it is the biggest gathering of Show Cars in one place that garners no awards other than good old American Pride in Your Ride.
With gathering points through out the state the crew from Lewiston will be leaving at 9AM sharp from the Lewiston Marden's, going up 202 through Augusta. Be there or get left behind.
The Rusty Nuts are doing it again with assistance from us or if you prefer "We the People" in putting on the Annual Veteran's BBQ at Togus VA Hospital.
As always it not about us, this time its about them, the veterans. As it should be there is no show of ego, no competition, no Cheap Ass Plastic Trophies, just people who care and wish to show it by bringing their cars to let the patients at Togus view them.
With the count from past years creeping ever closer to epic proportions of Bikes Cars & Trucks it is the biggest gathering of Show Cars in one place that garners no awards other than good old American Pride in Your Ride.
With gathering points through out the state the crew from Lewiston will be leaving at 9AM sharp from the Lewiston Marden's, going up 202 through Augusta. Be there or get left behind.
8/8/10
Another Take
A long weekend to be sure, but the question remains as to whether it was any fun.
Being in Andover was the pleasure of the weekend and traveling with the crew that showed up in the rear view was interesting. Andover was, as always, worth every minute. A parade, with real WWII tanks and vehicles, more fire equipment than what Andover owns, a bazaar of arts and crafts, a chicken bbq and one of the finest car shows I have been to in awhile.
Andover Olde Home Days and a Car Show run by the Western Maine Street Rodders was definitely the pick over Par Sem in this book. Word of advice to WMSR, buy a P/A and fill the Bullhorn up with a fecal like substance garnered from the local pasture.
Traveling to Biddeford to enjoy a Cruise Night with some old friends was our plan but having 6 other cars tagging along was to say the least, Awesome. With the 48 leading and the tail gunner being a Deuce 3 window we turn a few heads and a few miles into a fun daylong adventure. Maine Coastal Cruisers are great hosts and do a very good Cruise Night that would please anybody and seeing Fritz and Mac and the rest, made it all the more enjoyable. We even caught up with some folks from Canada, who run the Atlantic Nationals and were down for a slight break from the hustle and bustle of Moncton, New Brunswick Canada.
When the Alarm went off this morning it meant it was time to get our lazy asses up and out to Oxford for the New Balance Car Show put on by the Uptown Kruizahs. This is their 2nd year of putting on a Show and learning quickly seems to be a trait they are willing to use and have with a better show than last year, more cars than last year and a whole lot less bullshit than last year.
They had a few glitches and asked for help from experienced people who have been in this situation before. All the little fires seemed to be handled with the intent of the Participants satisfaction and a fair shake to all involved.
The only big problem I saw was the Classes themselves, with no 4X4 or a Tuner Class, with a possibility of more classes if needed. A little tweak on that will make this a better show next year and in years to come. The space available was well groomed and not filled to capacity, room for expansion is possible but only if handled carefully.
Well Done to the Uptown Kruizahs for a class effort and a great show. And thanks to all the participants for making it happen the way it did.
Answer? Yes It Was.....Fun
Being in Andover was the pleasure of the weekend and traveling with the crew that showed up in the rear view was interesting. Andover was, as always, worth every minute. A parade, with real WWII tanks and vehicles, more fire equipment than what Andover owns, a bazaar of arts and crafts, a chicken bbq and one of the finest car shows I have been to in awhile.
Andover Olde Home Days and a Car Show run by the Western Maine Street Rodders was definitely the pick over Par Sem in this book. Word of advice to WMSR, buy a P/A and fill the Bullhorn up with a fecal like substance garnered from the local pasture.
Traveling to Biddeford to enjoy a Cruise Night with some old friends was our plan but having 6 other cars tagging along was to say the least, Awesome. With the 48 leading and the tail gunner being a Deuce 3 window we turn a few heads and a few miles into a fun daylong adventure. Maine Coastal Cruisers are great hosts and do a very good Cruise Night that would please anybody and seeing Fritz and Mac and the rest, made it all the more enjoyable. We even caught up with some folks from Canada, who run the Atlantic Nationals and were down for a slight break from the hustle and bustle of Moncton, New Brunswick Canada.
When the Alarm went off this morning it meant it was time to get our lazy asses up and out to Oxford for the New Balance Car Show put on by the Uptown Kruizahs. This is their 2nd year of putting on a Show and learning quickly seems to be a trait they are willing to use and have with a better show than last year, more cars than last year and a whole lot less bullshit than last year.
They had a few glitches and asked for help from experienced people who have been in this situation before. All the little fires seemed to be handled with the intent of the Participants satisfaction and a fair shake to all involved.
The only big problem I saw was the Classes themselves, with no 4X4 or a Tuner Class, with a possibility of more classes if needed. A little tweak on that will make this a better show next year and in years to come. The space available was well groomed and not filled to capacity, room for expansion is possible but only if handled carefully.
Well Done to the Uptown Kruizahs for a class effort and a great show. And thanks to all the participants for making it happen the way it did.
Answer? Yes It Was.....Fun
8/5/10
More Minion Meetings
As you sit at the Car show du jour this weekend, think about what you have done to deserve being kept from being able to drive your vehicle. Think about what you have done to be punished for modifying your classic car to your liking. Think about what you have done to stop the forces that are at the State Capital as I write this, that want your car off the roadways if it does not comply to their regulations.
Today I sat down with some of the same people that were at last weeks meeting. This time however the noise complainers of Southern Maine were not in attendance but more car people were. They all wanted an answer as to how we were going to make all the road noise go away. After a little discussion and some minor debate, we agreed that the road noise issue was going to take a little more than a piss ant law that is virtually unenforceable without a major amount of monetary outlay, training and equipment.
We have established a working relationship with the powers that be in the State Police and a few of the major Municipalities. That has given us a better understanding of the problem as well as giving them a better understanding of our concerns. We also came to an agreement that 90% of the problem is operator related and education and self policing seems to be working toward keeping the sound complainers at bay for now.
A more technical wording of the rules and law may be needed at some point if they start to really push for a more stricter rule of compliance, but at this time the 95dba level is holding firm and everyone in attendance agrees that it is good start.
The problem hasn't gone away, but the focus at this point is more on 2 wheels than 4. We must stay very aware of the surroundings we are in and behave ourselves. We are under a microscope and a flaming asshole will bring down the focus on all of us.
We all need to step up. We all need to get involved. Before some haircut with a gun tells us to park it. They want to. We can't give them an excuse.
Today I sat down with some of the same people that were at last weeks meeting. This time however the noise complainers of Southern Maine were not in attendance but more car people were. They all wanted an answer as to how we were going to make all the road noise go away. After a little discussion and some minor debate, we agreed that the road noise issue was going to take a little more than a piss ant law that is virtually unenforceable without a major amount of monetary outlay, training and equipment.
We have established a working relationship with the powers that be in the State Police and a few of the major Municipalities. That has given us a better understanding of the problem as well as giving them a better understanding of our concerns. We also came to an agreement that 90% of the problem is operator related and education and self policing seems to be working toward keeping the sound complainers at bay for now.
A more technical wording of the rules and law may be needed at some point if they start to really push for a more stricter rule of compliance, but at this time the 95dba level is holding firm and everyone in attendance agrees that it is good start.
The problem hasn't gone away, but the focus at this point is more on 2 wheels than 4. We must stay very aware of the surroundings we are in and behave ourselves. We are under a microscope and a flaming asshole will bring down the focus on all of us.
We all need to step up. We all need to get involved. Before some haircut with a gun tells us to park it. They want to. We can't give them an excuse.
8/2/10
Busy Busy Busy
We have the Car Show equivalent of an orgasm coming this weekend and a variety that Heinz would be jealous of.
On Saturday we have the Par Sem Car Show in Parsonfield, sponsored or organized by the Seminary Alumni. This show is always decent and well attended by the mob of usual suspects and will prove to be a good show I'm sure.
The 2nd Annual Sock Hop and Car Show in the metropolis of Gardiner is also scheduled for Saturday. Don't know much about this one so if you go drop us a line with your take on the festivities. Another show is the Sidney Historical Society Show, again on Saturday and again not much is known.
One of my Favorite Shows is the little show in Andover. Put on during the Andover Olde Home Days it gives the variety you find at a county fair within the area of your backyard. Put on by the Western Maine Street Rodders it has proven itself to be a fun, most of the time fair, with moments of brilliance.
If an adventure is wanted you can follow us from Andover to the Maine Coastal Cruisers Cruise Night in Biddeford. We will be taking a back road route with a few stops, to get there in plenty of time to have fun with the Boys and Girls in the area.
Sunday we have a changed date/location show and a 2nd attempt at a new/revised show.
Litchfield Volunteer Fire Dept. Car Show with a Big Rig Class has moved from the Fairgrounds to I believe the Middle School. The details on this have somehow been lost in the Shuffle and I will take full responsibility for not paying that much attention to this show. In other words I really don't give a shit about this one and really didn't pay attention until reminded today. My Bad.
New Balance is the place to be with High Heeled Sneakers and an appetite for home cooking as the Uptown Kruizahs do the best they can and with the help of a few others should pull off their 2nd Show without the need for pissing contests and other attitudes that frequented the area last year. Although much maligned last year their first attempt was good enough for them to try it a second time.
If your in the mood for a long ride there is another show in Calais. Put on by the Downeast Cruisers in Downtown Calais, with 14 classes and 5 dollar (Foot Long?) entry fee it might be worth the ride.
Til next
On Saturday we have the Par Sem Car Show in Parsonfield, sponsored or organized by the Seminary Alumni. This show is always decent and well attended by the mob of usual suspects and will prove to be a good show I'm sure.
The 2nd Annual Sock Hop and Car Show in the metropolis of Gardiner is also scheduled for Saturday. Don't know much about this one so if you go drop us a line with your take on the festivities. Another show is the Sidney Historical Society Show, again on Saturday and again not much is known.
One of my Favorite Shows is the little show in Andover. Put on during the Andover Olde Home Days it gives the variety you find at a county fair within the area of your backyard. Put on by the Western Maine Street Rodders it has proven itself to be a fun, most of the time fair, with moments of brilliance.
If an adventure is wanted you can follow us from Andover to the Maine Coastal Cruisers Cruise Night in Biddeford. We will be taking a back road route with a few stops, to get there in plenty of time to have fun with the Boys and Girls in the area.
Sunday we have a changed date/location show and a 2nd attempt at a new/revised show.
Litchfield Volunteer Fire Dept. Car Show with a Big Rig Class has moved from the Fairgrounds to I believe the Middle School. The details on this have somehow been lost in the Shuffle and I will take full responsibility for not paying that much attention to this show. In other words I really don't give a shit about this one and really didn't pay attention until reminded today. My Bad.
New Balance is the place to be with High Heeled Sneakers and an appetite for home cooking as the Uptown Kruizahs do the best they can and with the help of a few others should pull off their 2nd Show without the need for pissing contests and other attitudes that frequented the area last year. Although much maligned last year their first attempt was good enough for them to try it a second time.
If your in the mood for a long ride there is another show in Calais. Put on by the Downeast Cruisers in Downtown Calais, with 14 classes and 5 dollar (Foot Long?) entry fee it might be worth the ride.
Til next
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