Getting Good Write-Ups

Someone sent an email today, complaining we have not mentioned the Kora Show on Sunday, and claiming it is because there is a better chance to win a trophy at Ossipee.

The letter set me off.

First, I mentioned the Kora show at Twitchell on Monday's blog, so the writer was wrong on that count. And trophies do not mean much to me - though we like winning - everyone does - it's not that important. What IS important is that people win or lose FAIRLY. We have won over 150 trophies in the last 4-5 years, and they are all sitting out in the shed collecting dust. Because they are not important. So, I took exception to the writer's insinuation, and the writer was wrong on that count, as well.

But I do understand that the writer was concerned that I did not give Kora the big write-up I give to some other shows. I told her a show has to EARN that kind of write-up.

So, for those of you who missed it two years ago in my blog, or have forgotten, I would like to take a moment to recap:

Two years ago we attended the Kora show. It was big, to be sure. The cruise was great. But we had serious issues with the complete lack of honesty and integrity.

First, they let anyone register in almost any class, and that caused a great deal of anger among some participants who were suddenly faced with very unfair competition. For example, a brand new Chevy Truck and a Corvette in Special Interest, even though there were truck and Corvette classes - I believe there were 3 Corvette classes!

But the absolute worst part was when two judges were judging our daughter's car, and stated straight out that "This car could never win here, because it has New Hampshire plates." Our daughter, sitting there, overheard it, as did several other people, and it really broke her heart and made her cry.

NOTE: If you make my daughter cry, you earn my ire. No exceptions!

Now, we do not mind losing. But we certainly DO mind bigotry, prejudice and such pure arrogance. We DO mind being treated unfairly.

At the award ceremony, it was so obvious that the "locals" were taking home most of the trophies, so the prejudice apparently is not limited to out-of-staters.

And that is why 1) we no longer attend the Kora show, and 2) I don't give it a big write-up. If the Shriners would like a better write-up, or stronger promotion, they are going to have to drop the dishonesty and instill a little integrity into their show. Until then, I have little interest in assisting them in their obvious rigging of their show.

Yes, I know they support a good cause. But that does not justify the actions they take, and does not give enough reason for me to support THEM. Don Corleon (The Godfather) supported good causes, too, but I would never support him.

So, for those of you who like going to Kora, that's fine. But don't jump on me because I don't. When I attend a show, it is not because of the "cause" it supports. I go to have a good time with friends. And it is difficult to have a good time when the show organizers flat out tell you that you are not welcome because you have NH plates. It is hard to enjoy yourself when you know you are being cheated by obvious class-jumping that borders on the absurd.

And one more thing - Kora did not have any place to get a cup of coffee in the morning! And that is almost as unforgivable as making my daughter cry.

Someone comments below that they would like to "hear the other side of the story" i.e. the judges at Kora saying a NH vehicle would never win. Frankly, that is an assinine comment, since that IS the story, and several people heard it - there are no "sides" to it. They said what they said. Furthermore, the EMT that was there, who was a shriner, told us the same thing to our faces during the award ceremony - he was not being facetious - he was just trying to let us know the mentality of the judges. Now, judging from how the commenter spent so much time and effort slamming the Ossipee show (I would like to hear "the other side" of THAT story), I get the impression he or she is simply a big fan of the Kora show, or is a Kora Shriner. That's fine. Just don't expect me to share your enthusiasm for the Kora show.

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