Looks like HotKarz is going to have to postpone balloting at Riverside (Big Dipper) in Lisbon Falls. Heavy rains once again have interfered. Please stay tuned for the rain date.
Bill
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Belgrade Update
Just to keep y'all informed, thought you should know that (5) other people reported the same problems with the Belgrade show - most notably, questionable judging and the "good ol' boys network" at work. But many things, like the food, classes and set-up was good.
Here is yet another email:
"Just got back from the cruise-in at the Meeting House Market in Dresden. I had 2 couples and *****(name withheld by Editor) come right up to me and asked me how I liked the Belgrade show. I and they agree with the other e-mails you posted about it. It was a sham. They where set up well, good food, category's and D.J.. But the judging was way off and big time good ole boy network. Just figured I would let you know."
Perhaps the Belgrade organizers will take a hint and make changes in the judging next year. From what I am hearing, that is the main issue - otherwise, a good show. If they don't, they could end up sitting in the field all alone...
Here is yet another email:
"Just got back from the cruise-in at the Meeting House Market in Dresden. I had 2 couples and *****(name withheld by Editor) come right up to me and asked me how I liked the Belgrade show. I and they agree with the other e-mails you posted about it. It was a sham. They where set up well, good food, category's and D.J.. But the judging was way off and big time good ole boy network. Just figured I would let you know."
Perhaps the Belgrade organizers will take a hint and make changes in the judging next year. From what I am hearing, that is the main issue - otherwise, a good show. If they don't, they could end up sitting in the field all alone...
Monday, July 7, 2008
Belgrade
I was unable to attend either Belgrade or the Bikini Show (Waterville ME) this weekend. However, here are two emails I received regarding the Belgrade show that some may find interesting. Personally, I can make no comment since I was not present, but having received two separate mails saying the same thing is worth mentioning. If anyone (besides one of the organizers) has a flip side to tell, please do - we want to be fair.
EMAIL #1: "You missed an interesting show, the judging was inconsistent at best with one judge taking a first(although he claimed he did not judge HIS class) and some extremely nice cars losing to some extremely rough cars. I suspect there was a little of the "old boy" system at work, but, unfortunately this is what a lot of the shows have come down to."
EMAIL #2: "I did see the fellow the other guy is speaking of and he was judging cars. Also correct in stating he took first place in his category. Don't know if he judged his own though. I don't think he should of even registered his car if he was judging, his class or not. (just my opinion). From what I gathered, they were checking the cars on how they were presented. Straight body panels, cleanliness, alignment of doors, hood, etc. Even saw them check amount of tread wear on the tires. 2nd and 1st went to a couple of 2006 models. And bone stock at that! Had I known I would have gone to Enterprise and rented a new Mustang for the day. Ha!
"I feel we should have been judged on the work we've put into our cars and the things done to them to make them unique. First place in 90s to present went to a Monty Carlo that looked exactly like a spectators car in the parking lot. hehheh, not really but it could have very easily happened."
Again, these are only two folks who felt there were issues that need to be questioned. We would welcome any other comments, pro and/or con, from folks who were there.
Well, the weather has been great since I have not been able to go anywhere! That changes Wednesday, probably - scheduled for balloting at Riverside Dairy (Lisbon Falls) that day. Unfortunately, the weatherman says rain all day. It figures! But I'll wait and see.
Saturday evening it's balloting at Hodgman's in New Gloucester - hope to see you there! But don't forget the Super Cruise - Family Style earlier that day - it's bound to be an event worth checking out!
Sunday I can be found at the Fried Dough stand at Ossipee Valley Fair Car Show.
I hear Joe & "Betty Lou" showed up at Waterville. If anyone gets hold of him, PLEASE have him get hold of me. Thanks!
EMAIL #1: "You missed an interesting show, the judging was inconsistent at best with one judge taking a first(although he claimed he did not judge HIS class) and some extremely nice cars losing to some extremely rough cars. I suspect there was a little of the "old boy" system at work, but, unfortunately this is what a lot of the shows have come down to."
EMAIL #2: "I did see the fellow the other guy is speaking of and he was judging cars. Also correct in stating he took first place in his category. Don't know if he judged his own though. I don't think he should of even registered his car if he was judging, his class or not. (just my opinion). From what I gathered, they were checking the cars on how they were presented. Straight body panels, cleanliness, alignment of doors, hood, etc. Even saw them check amount of tread wear on the tires. 2nd and 1st went to a couple of 2006 models. And bone stock at that! Had I known I would have gone to Enterprise and rented a new Mustang for the day. Ha!
"I feel we should have been judged on the work we've put into our cars and the things done to them to make them unique. First place in 90s to present went to a Monty Carlo that looked exactly like a spectators car in the parking lot. hehheh, not really but it could have very easily happened."
Again, these are only two folks who felt there were issues that need to be questioned. We would welcome any other comments, pro and/or con, from folks who were there.
Well, the weather has been great since I have not been able to go anywhere! That changes Wednesday, probably - scheduled for balloting at Riverside Dairy (Lisbon Falls) that day. Unfortunately, the weatherman says rain all day. It figures! But I'll wait and see.
Saturday evening it's balloting at Hodgman's in New Gloucester - hope to see you there! But don't forget the Super Cruise - Family Style earlier that day - it's bound to be an event worth checking out!
Sunday I can be found at the Fried Dough stand at Ossipee Valley Fair Car Show.
I hear Joe & "Betty Lou" showed up at Waterville. If anyone gets hold of him, PLEASE have him get hold of me. Thanks!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Unusual
Good golly! Today started out sunny and breezy. As the day wore on, it remained sunny and breezy. And believe it or not, come around cruise-in time, it was still sunny and breezy.
What a pleasant and appreciated change. We trotted on over to meet friends at Blast From The Past (Waterboro). In spite of being July 4th, a LOT of folks showed up. The lot was nearly full. Just goes to show what good weather, good folks and a good host can accomplish when they all come together.
We conducted balloting for the HotKarz Super Cruise while we were there. And because there were so many great vehicles, we got a slew of ballots for many cars and trucks. This is going to be a real horse race, folks.
Next week, balloting will be held at Riverside Dairy (Lisbon Falls) on Wednesday, and Hodgman's Frozen Custard (New Gloucester) on Saturday, weather permitting. If you show up, you increase your chances.
Now on a more serious note, HotKarz is trying to connect with a certain individual, and we are seeking your help. The person is named Joe, and he owns Betty Lou, the '51 blue Ford, registered as MY PRAYER. He is a minister for a church in Lewiston. About a month ago he underwent surgery, and since we have not seen nor heard from him, we would very much like to learn how we can get in touch with him, so we can touch base. If you know how we can contact him, please email me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com. We are concerned. Joe is a wonderful gentleman, and we want him to know that he is missed.
Happy 4th, folks. Please take a moment to think about what America means to you.
Later!
What a pleasant and appreciated change. We trotted on over to meet friends at Blast From The Past (Waterboro). In spite of being July 4th, a LOT of folks showed up. The lot was nearly full. Just goes to show what good weather, good folks and a good host can accomplish when they all come together.
We conducted balloting for the HotKarz Super Cruise while we were there. And because there were so many great vehicles, we got a slew of ballots for many cars and trucks. This is going to be a real horse race, folks.
Next week, balloting will be held at Riverside Dairy (Lisbon Falls) on Wednesday, and Hodgman's Frozen Custard (New Gloucester) on Saturday, weather permitting. If you show up, you increase your chances.
Now on a more serious note, HotKarz is trying to connect with a certain individual, and we are seeking your help. The person is named Joe, and he owns Betty Lou, the '51 blue Ford, registered as MY PRAYER. He is a minister for a church in Lewiston. About a month ago he underwent surgery, and since we have not seen nor heard from him, we would very much like to learn how we can get in touch with him, so we can touch base. If you know how we can contact him, please email me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com. We are concerned. Joe is a wonderful gentleman, and we want him to know that he is missed.
Happy 4th, folks. Please take a moment to think about what America means to you.
Later!
Are Boomers "Unpatriotic"?
A liberal professor, Andrew Yarrow, has just published an "expert opinion" that states if Baby Boomers retire when they are supposed to, they are "unpatriotic". Wow! Leave it to liberals to come up with that tidbit.
He states that because Social Security is in trouble, we should refrain from "sucking up taxpayer money" until we are much older - he probably hopes we will die before we collect.
What he and his cohorts refuse to acknowledge is the simple fact that Social Security is not "taxpayer money" as is income tax. Social Security is OUR money. It is an insurance program, not a tax program. We pay into it for 40 years, then we get to draw on our little pension when we retire.
Yarrow, like most liberals, do not believe it is our money. They believe that socialism is the way to go (though it has failed in every nation that took that road). They refuse to acknowledge that in the 50 odd years the liberals held Congress after Social Security was created, that Congress misappropriated and wasted our heritage - they tapped Social Security for other pet projects and pork. And now, after wasting our money, they want us to refrain from claiming what is ours, and to keep working and PAYING in so they can continue with the pork-barrel spending.
Frankly, I am tired of liberals always creating problems, then calling people unpatriotic when we get in their way of collecting more taxes to spend on their stupid pork projects, just so they can "buy" votes in their district. Yes, pork is how politicians buy votes. They get on the stump and show how they brought all that money and all those jobs to their district. And that gets them re-elected over and over.
The way I figure it, pork should be outlawed completely. If a politician has to buy votes in order to get elected, he or she should not get elected. Let them run and keep their jobs on their merits, just like the rest of us - if they do a good job, we will re-elect them. If they don't - adios, amigo!
The amount that Congress has appriated in pork projects since the '40's is enough money that if set aside to earn interest, would fund Social Security well into the next century and beyond. Our leaders blew our inheritance. We trusted them with it, and they failed us miserably.
So, who is to blame? WE are. Those money-grabbing politicians could not have done this had WE not elected them, if WE had kept an eye on them, and if WE had held them accountable. Ask yourself, how often have you voted for someone without actually knowing where he or she stood on issues, or what their record actually was? All too often we cast our ballots for lousy candidates because we just do not bother to check their credentials. We are hiring them for a job, but we are not checking out their references. Should we be surprised when our employees rob us blind?
Though ultimately the fault lies with us as much as it lies with the politicians who have robbed us, it does not excuse Yarrow for claiming that we are "unpatriotic" if we attempt to collect what is owed to us, and what we deserve. What is ours!
Every time we go to the polls, we should be making a strong effort to remind the politicians just whose money it is that they are entrusted with spending wisely. It does not belong to them. It belongs to us. And when they whine and try to tell you that taxes no longer belong to us, but to the government, simply smile and remind them that WE are the government - OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people. So it is ALWAYS our money, and they need to start acting like good wards, and not fat-bellied thieves robbing the federal coffers.
And if Professor Yarrow is teaching our children, he should be removed. Our children should be learning how to be more responsible, and not how to escape responsibility by sweeping problems under the rug.
He states that because Social Security is in trouble, we should refrain from "sucking up taxpayer money" until we are much older - he probably hopes we will die before we collect.
What he and his cohorts refuse to acknowledge is the simple fact that Social Security is not "taxpayer money" as is income tax. Social Security is OUR money. It is an insurance program, not a tax program. We pay into it for 40 years, then we get to draw on our little pension when we retire.
Yarrow, like most liberals, do not believe it is our money. They believe that socialism is the way to go (though it has failed in every nation that took that road). They refuse to acknowledge that in the 50 odd years the liberals held Congress after Social Security was created, that Congress misappropriated and wasted our heritage - they tapped Social Security for other pet projects and pork. And now, after wasting our money, they want us to refrain from claiming what is ours, and to keep working and PAYING in so they can continue with the pork-barrel spending.
Frankly, I am tired of liberals always creating problems, then calling people unpatriotic when we get in their way of collecting more taxes to spend on their stupid pork projects, just so they can "buy" votes in their district. Yes, pork is how politicians buy votes. They get on the stump and show how they brought all that money and all those jobs to their district. And that gets them re-elected over and over.
The way I figure it, pork should be outlawed completely. If a politician has to buy votes in order to get elected, he or she should not get elected. Let them run and keep their jobs on their merits, just like the rest of us - if they do a good job, we will re-elect them. If they don't - adios, amigo!
The amount that Congress has appriated in pork projects since the '40's is enough money that if set aside to earn interest, would fund Social Security well into the next century and beyond. Our leaders blew our inheritance. We trusted them with it, and they failed us miserably.
So, who is to blame? WE are. Those money-grabbing politicians could not have done this had WE not elected them, if WE had kept an eye on them, and if WE had held them accountable. Ask yourself, how often have you voted for someone without actually knowing where he or she stood on issues, or what their record actually was? All too often we cast our ballots for lousy candidates because we just do not bother to check their credentials. We are hiring them for a job, but we are not checking out their references. Should we be surprised when our employees rob us blind?
Though ultimately the fault lies with us as much as it lies with the politicians who have robbed us, it does not excuse Yarrow for claiming that we are "unpatriotic" if we attempt to collect what is owed to us, and what we deserve. What is ours!
Every time we go to the polls, we should be making a strong effort to remind the politicians just whose money it is that they are entrusted with spending wisely. It does not belong to them. It belongs to us. And when they whine and try to tell you that taxes no longer belong to us, but to the government, simply smile and remind them that WE are the government - OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people. So it is ALWAYS our money, and they need to start acting like good wards, and not fat-bellied thieves robbing the federal coffers.
And if Professor Yarrow is teaching our children, he should be removed. Our children should be learning how to be more responsible, and not how to escape responsibility by sweeping problems under the rug.
Horseflies
You know what I'm talking about! You walk out into the fields, or down the trail and a few pesky horseflies insist on buzzing you like those biplanes that pestered King Kong. At first, you try to ignore them, but they keep making their kamikaze flights around your noggin. So you start to try brushing them away, swinging your hat at them. Still they persist. So you stop, let them land, then SPLAT! They really don't give you any choice.
Well, these last few days a few "horseflies" representing the Sanford Elks have been making themselves pesky. At first, I tried ignoring them. Didn't work. Then I published one of their dumb emails, hoping that would embarras them enough to "buzz off". Didn't work. The same bunch keeps spewing their drivel and insults, and refuse to accept that their show had issues. One told me that if the car folks don't like it, they should shut up. Another said their only concern was the money they could get from us, and hinted we should be "thankful" for what they offer.
So, now you might think the time has come for me to stop and do the SPLAT! thing. And perhaps I should. But I won't. It does test my willpower, I'll admit, but I like to think that at my age, I have become better than that. But I am sorely disappointed that such people represent such a venerable organization. I have been involved in numerous Elk's clubs and their events for many years, and I know them to be a very worthy organization. So, though they are represntatives of the Elks, I cannot and will not lower my regard for the organization. But my regard for those individuals is non-existent.
So, in spite of their incessant buzzing, I move on. They do not deserve any more of my concern or consideration. And if the Sanford Elks decide to keep those clowns on the Show committee for next year, I see little hope of any improvement.
So I will simply offer this little pearl of wisdom for anyone involved in putting together a show, or starting a business, or applying for a job, or even getting married as the rules are the same:
Success and wealth comes not from chasing the dollar, but from helping others to succeed. If you do your job well enough to make Mr. Boss happy, you keep your job, and maybe get a raise, because he NEEDS you. If you make your customers happy, they will keep coming back and throw money at you because they NEED you. If you make your spouse happy, your own peace and quiet is assured because the NEED your support. And if you make your car show patrons happy, they will support you in spades, because they NEED you. They need you because you are helping them to achieve success. What goes around, comes around.
But if the money is what you covet and go after, both it and success will ultimately evade you. You may do well in the short run, but as folks tire of your attitude, they will leave you in the lurch.
Success is a natural by-product of helping others. Failure is a natural by-product of thinking only of your own needs.
And that's a fact, Jack! If I can pass anything on to future generations, let it be that.
Nuthin' more to say on this topic. Time to move on...
Speaking of flies, an old friend stopped by this morning and said he was going fly fishing. I know he's gettin' old and all, and he's becoming a bit strange, but this really perplexed me. Fly fishing! Hell, I don't know why anyone would want to fish for flies, but if he really wants to, he can sit out on the manure pile out back and fish for all he wants. No limit. But for cripes sake, don't ask me to bait the hook...
Well, these last few days a few "horseflies" representing the Sanford Elks have been making themselves pesky. At first, I tried ignoring them. Didn't work. Then I published one of their dumb emails, hoping that would embarras them enough to "buzz off". Didn't work. The same bunch keeps spewing their drivel and insults, and refuse to accept that their show had issues. One told me that if the car folks don't like it, they should shut up. Another said their only concern was the money they could get from us, and hinted we should be "thankful" for what they offer.
So, now you might think the time has come for me to stop and do the SPLAT! thing. And perhaps I should. But I won't. It does test my willpower, I'll admit, but I like to think that at my age, I have become better than that. But I am sorely disappointed that such people represent such a venerable organization. I have been involved in numerous Elk's clubs and their events for many years, and I know them to be a very worthy organization. So, though they are represntatives of the Elks, I cannot and will not lower my regard for the organization. But my regard for those individuals is non-existent.
So, in spite of their incessant buzzing, I move on. They do not deserve any more of my concern or consideration. And if the Sanford Elks decide to keep those clowns on the Show committee for next year, I see little hope of any improvement.
So I will simply offer this little pearl of wisdom for anyone involved in putting together a show, or starting a business, or applying for a job, or even getting married as the rules are the same:
Success and wealth comes not from chasing the dollar, but from helping others to succeed. If you do your job well enough to make Mr. Boss happy, you keep your job, and maybe get a raise, because he NEEDS you. If you make your customers happy, they will keep coming back and throw money at you because they NEED you. If you make your spouse happy, your own peace and quiet is assured because the NEED your support. And if you make your car show patrons happy, they will support you in spades, because they NEED you. They need you because you are helping them to achieve success. What goes around, comes around.
But if the money is what you covet and go after, both it and success will ultimately evade you. You may do well in the short run, but as folks tire of your attitude, they will leave you in the lurch.
Success is a natural by-product of helping others. Failure is a natural by-product of thinking only of your own needs.
And that's a fact, Jack! If I can pass anything on to future generations, let it be that.
Nuthin' more to say on this topic. Time to move on...
Speaking of flies, an old friend stopped by this morning and said he was going fly fishing. I know he's gettin' old and all, and he's becoming a bit strange, but this really perplexed me. Fly fishing! Hell, I don't know why anyone would want to fish for flies, but if he really wants to, he can sit out on the manure pile out back and fish for all he wants. No limit. But for cripes sake, don't ask me to bait the hook...
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Thank You to Dick Fritz
Got a call from Fritz today. Seems his fingers get in the way when using a keyboard, so he would like to see it easier to find the worthwhile events. Many folks just go to the "SHOWS" section, and miss the events altogether.
I had not considered that before. So, with a tip 'o the hat to Dick, today I combined shows and events on the same page. However, on the calendar, date-by-date, each still has it's own section.
I hope this makes things easier for all, and helps to assure no one will miss out on the great events that take place throughout the season, like the Super Cruise - Family Style, and the Togus Veteran's Picnic among others.
I had not considered that before. So, with a tip 'o the hat to Dick, today I combined shows and events on the same page. However, on the calendar, date-by-date, each still has it's own section.
I hope this makes things easier for all, and helps to assure no one will miss out on the great events that take place throughout the season, like the Super Cruise - Family Style, and the Togus Veteran's Picnic among others.
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