For two years we have wanted to get up to the "big" cruise-in at Ainslie's in Gardiner. It's about an hour and 40 minutes from our home, so it is not a cruise we can go to often.
I called ahead - fine. I checked Weatherbug - they said rain, but it would be over before the cruise.
So, we headed out. But when we got there, we were told it was canceled due to rain. It wasn't raining, so we thought we would just hang out to see if others would show.
We waited an hour and a half - only one other vehicle arrived, and that was our own Tom Penney, of the Shapleigh area.
I got to thinkin' that maybe the folks up north are not as hardy as us in the south - a little moisture doesn't shut down many cruises here abouts. We just open the umbrellas :o) It just struck me that the only ones who showed were folks from down here in York County.
Well, to say we were disappointed is putting it mildly. We may not get another opportunity to get to Ainslie's.
On the way home, we did hit a downpour at Freeport, and the rest of the way home. And Weatherbug updated to say the same was happening as far north as above Augusta, so I guess it was just as well that they canceled.
And now it looks like rain for Saturday. If that changes, I expect I'll shoot up to Andover. But I gotta tell ya, if the weather looks "iffy", I'll not be making that trip - it's two hours, and that's too much to gamble. If clear, it's Andover. If it looks like a fair chance of rain, I'll just head up the hill to Parsem - it's close to home.
Whatever y'all decide to do this weekend, good luck to you all.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Casco Day Parade
Contributed by Cheryl Page:
"What a wonderful parade to go to !!! so many cars to see and all in the parade. After the parade, Stan went and parked near the concession stands so we could pick up his mom . Everyone wanted to see the car so he put up the hood . A lot of the Seeds Of Peace kids from all the torn countrys took pictures of the car sat in the car. That is what it is all about as far as I am concerned - to see the look of a child face from a torn and ravaged country what joy!!!!"
Thanks for sharing, Cheryl :o)
"What a wonderful parade to go to !!! so many cars to see and all in the parade. After the parade, Stan went and parked near the concession stands so we could pick up his mom . Everyone wanted to see the car so he put up the hood . A lot of the Seeds Of Peace kids from all the torn countrys took pictures of the car sat in the car. That is what it is all about as far as I am concerned - to see the look of a child face from a torn and ravaged country what joy!!!!"
Thanks for sharing, Cheryl :o)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Island
Fortunately for those intrepid fools who ventured out early this morning for Mackworth Island, the weatherman was 100% wrong, and we were not fools, after all. The weather could not have been more accommodating.
Having not been there before, I was impressed by the beauty of the area - the woodland walks, the shore - just grand! Thank you for sharing, folks!
While the show was rather small, it far exceeded my expectations. Fairly well organized. Pleasant and relaxing setting. Fine hosts. Good music. We had a good time.
The only thing that really raised an eyebrow is how a kit car (and there was a class for kits) was registered in another class, and (not surprisingly) took first place - as I have often stated, kits have a very distinct and huge advantage over the real thing, and should not be in the same class as the real thing. And while it was not surprising that it won, what raised the eyebrow was the fact that the judges were either unable to tell it was a kit, or did not care. In either case, it was a mistake to allow a kit to get away with a move like that. If a kit wants to play imposter in the wrong class, fine. But for judges to give it the nod is just wrong.
Otherwise, a near-perfect show. Thank you to the hosts!
P.S. Don't forget - the last scheduled balloting for the Super Cruise trophies (6 of 'em) will be held at Sonny's Convenience Store in Lyman tomorrow (Monday) evening, weather permitting. There is yet to be one "mystery" ballot location before the awards are presented at the Kiwanis Show in Standish on August 10th, but I will give you a hint - we plan to hold it this week sometime! Good luck to you all!
Having not been there before, I was impressed by the beauty of the area - the woodland walks, the shore - just grand! Thank you for sharing, folks!
While the show was rather small, it far exceeded my expectations. Fairly well organized. Pleasant and relaxing setting. Fine hosts. Good music. We had a good time.
The only thing that really raised an eyebrow is how a kit car (and there was a class for kits) was registered in another class, and (not surprisingly) took first place - as I have often stated, kits have a very distinct and huge advantage over the real thing, and should not be in the same class as the real thing. And while it was not surprising that it won, what raised the eyebrow was the fact that the judges were either unable to tell it was a kit, or did not care. In either case, it was a mistake to allow a kit to get away with a move like that. If a kit wants to play imposter in the wrong class, fine. But for judges to give it the nod is just wrong.
Otherwise, a near-perfect show. Thank you to the hosts!
P.S. Don't forget - the last scheduled balloting for the Super Cruise trophies (6 of 'em) will be held at Sonny's Convenience Store in Lyman tomorrow (Monday) evening, weather permitting. There is yet to be one "mystery" ballot location before the awards are presented at the Kiwanis Show in Standish on August 10th, but I will give you a hint - we plan to hold it this week sometime! Good luck to you all!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Lions Show in Gorham
What a beautiful day for a show. Seemed strange to get through a day without getting soaked. Tomorrow does not appear to be as promising, but we'll have to wait and see.
The Lions put on a fine show. Considering it was their first one on their own (they used to team with the Deering Lions), they brought forth a pretty good crowd. The high point for my wife and I was when the Awards presenter asked folks how they heard of the show, and some said "HotKarz.com".
Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and no major issues were raised except, once again, the issue of jumping classes. In one instance, one of the Lions asked a fellow to move his vehicle into a more appropriate class, but the man refused. At that point, I think he should have been asked to leave, or at least, not allow him to register.
Other than that, everything seemed to go very well. The shyow was fairly well organized in spite of this being their first year, so they really had no idea what to expect. The hosts were great, and always smiling and friendly. Very helpful.
Since I have been "off my feed" for a couple days, I did not have the energy to get out and around much. But I did get to see all the great cars, and talk with many friends, both old and new.
And we hope to repeat this tomorrow at Mackworth. I must say, I am apprehensive. We have never been to the Island show, and the stories we have heard have made us curious. So I hope the weather holds out long enough to check it out for ourselves. See y'all there!
And remember - every reader may email us with their own comments on shows. Simply send your letters to me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com. If we receive emails on a show, we will create a feedback page for that show and post it here. In the event no letters are received, no page will be created for feedback on that show. All letters will be unedited except that objectionable language will be deleted, and personal attacks will not be allowed. And remember - many show organizers may depend upon your comments to improve the show they host for you, so don't be afraid to write what you feel. All letters will be kept anonymous unless the writer specifically grants permission to be identified. Thank you.
The Lions put on a fine show. Considering it was their first one on their own (they used to team with the Deering Lions), they brought forth a pretty good crowd. The high point for my wife and I was when the Awards presenter asked folks how they heard of the show, and some said "HotKarz.com".
Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and no major issues were raised except, once again, the issue of jumping classes. In one instance, one of the Lions asked a fellow to move his vehicle into a more appropriate class, but the man refused. At that point, I think he should have been asked to leave, or at least, not allow him to register.
Other than that, everything seemed to go very well. The shyow was fairly well organized in spite of this being their first year, so they really had no idea what to expect. The hosts were great, and always smiling and friendly. Very helpful.
Since I have been "off my feed" for a couple days, I did not have the energy to get out and around much. But I did get to see all the great cars, and talk with many friends, both old and new.
And we hope to repeat this tomorrow at Mackworth. I must say, I am apprehensive. We have never been to the Island show, and the stories we have heard have made us curious. So I hope the weather holds out long enough to check it out for ourselves. See y'all there!
And remember - every reader may email us with their own comments on shows. Simply send your letters to me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com. If we receive emails on a show, we will create a feedback page for that show and post it here. In the event no letters are received, no page will be created for feedback on that show. All letters will be unedited except that objectionable language will be deleted, and personal attacks will not be allowed. And remember - many show organizers may depend upon your comments to improve the show they host for you, so don't be afraid to write what you feel. All letters will be kept anonymous unless the writer specifically grants permission to be identified. Thank you.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Caring For "Our Own"
HotKarz is going to ask a favor of every reader. We are asking for your prayers for Shirley DiMambro, a member of the car folk community who has been diagnosed as having a brain tumor.
Many of you already know Dan & Shirley DiMambro of the MAVReC Car Club of the Lewiston/Auburn area. Dan is the "Music Man" at several of the cruise night locations in the area, including the Big Dipper (Lisbon Falls) and Roy's Steakburgers (Auburn). Fine folks.
Shirley will be going to the hospital this Oct or Nov to try and have the tumor removed. They would very much appreciate all your prayers. It will be a very hard winter because they do not have insurance to cover this, and will not have her income for about 3 months - that's how long she will be laid up. So the only income will be Dan's disability.
We hope that each of you will keep Shirley and Dan in your thoughts and prayers. Perhaps you could also ask your Pastor, Priest or Rabbi to ask his or her congregation to also pray for her. There is a power to prayer that is not yet fully understood, but at HotKarz, we know from personal experience that prayer is a powerful thing.
Thank you.
Many of you already know Dan & Shirley DiMambro of the MAVReC Car Club of the Lewiston/Auburn area. Dan is the "Music Man" at several of the cruise night locations in the area, including the Big Dipper (Lisbon Falls) and Roy's Steakburgers (Auburn). Fine folks.
Shirley will be going to the hospital this Oct or Nov to try and have the tumor removed. They would very much appreciate all your prayers. It will be a very hard winter because they do not have insurance to cover this, and will not have her income for about 3 months - that's how long she will be laid up. So the only income will be Dan's disability.
We hope that each of you will keep Shirley and Dan in your thoughts and prayers. Perhaps you could also ask your Pastor, Priest or Rabbi to ask his or her congregation to also pray for her. There is a power to prayer that is not yet fully understood, but at HotKarz, we know from personal experience that prayer is a powerful thing.
Thank you.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
They Can't Let It Go
As a side note, it is interesting to note that the two "organizers" of the Belgrade show continue to send insulting and crude emails, and one of them even voted "NO" on having a Letters page - a childish reaction that makes one wonder what they are afraid of - why they don't want people to speak out. But when you read the emails about their show, it's no mystery as to why they are afraid of letting the people speak.
In one of their crude emails (I leave out the crude stuff) they claim that only the best cars won. However, among the emails we have received, two were from people who won at their show, and even they said the judging left a lot to be desired, to put it mildly. So, even some of the winners know the judging was deeply flawed. In another comment from the "organizer", Scott, he states I am fabricating it all - even though everyone can see the comments that others are posting (as administrator of the blog, hosted on GOOGLE, I can accept or reject comments, but cannot edit them. Google does not permit it).
To date, we have received many comments on the blog, and 19 emails from folks who went to their show. Of those, only one was positive - by someone who won at their show. All others were negative. This, in spite of the fact that a) we never asked anyone to send negative reviews, but b) TWICE we asked for folks to send positive ones.
This poor fellow is unhappy about the things folks are saying about his show (and he blames me for that) and insists that I gave his show a "bad rap" just to "get him". Strange, since I have no reason to "get him" - I had never even met him at the time. I really fail to see any reason or purpose for trying to "get him" for anything. I am sorry, but that sounds like paranoia.
He says he is the "better man", because he "gives" to the car folks, while I "take". He does not give any info on just HOW he "gives", except that he puts on a car show in order to raise money for some good cause. But he states he does not do that for the folks, but for the fundraising. Fair enough, but don't say it's "for the folks" when, in fact, it is for the money they bring.
Meanwhile, he ignores what I "give".
He ignores that I pay all the bills for HotKarz out of my own pocket, and I put in about 30 hours a week for free. I don't get paid for this. In fact, HotKarz has already cost me over $1100 this season alone.
He ignores that I have tried to help keep folks going to cruise-ins in spite of the price of gas, by sponsoring (and paying for) the HotKarz Super Cruise. I pay for the trophies. I go to all the cruise-ins within an hour's drive. And I do it to benefit the cruise hosts so they don't shut down (because of gas prices), which benefits the folks. If the folks cut back on the cruises they go to, some cruise hosts may have to stop their cruise nights.
He ignores that I sponsor events and trophies at other shows - out of my own pocket.
He ignores that the folks tell me what they want HotKarz to offer, and I do my best to make it so. I do all the work myself, at my own expense.
He ignores that I make Vehicle Safety cards (Spectator Code of Conduct) available FREE to all show organizers. All the costs come from my own pocket.
He ignores that HotKarz has been known to pay the admission of cars to certain smaller or newer car shows, to help those shows beef up attendance. All from my own pocket.
He ignores that some organizers have properly used the constructive criticism to make their shows better - and more profitable.
But he insists that he is the giver, and all I do is take.
He says all I do is complain. I guess he missed all those posts that praise the good shows, such as Durham, OOB, Dover, Stratham, Casco Bay etc. If his show had been better, maybe he would have noticed those posts. I'll be clear: I do not complain. I simply point out flaws, in the hope they will get corrected next year. And I make suggestions on exactly how that can be accomplished. This is what is known as "constructive criticism".
He says I know nothing about shows, even though I have attended, and even organized shows before he was even born. I was putting the gleam to chrome long before his mother put a gleam in his father's eye. I organized my first show for my Junior class in 1963. I have organized, participated in, or attended thousands of shows in many states over the last 45 years. Yet it is he who is the self-professed expert, and I know nothing at all.
He says I should take up a "different hobby, like BUILDING cars...". I built a '52 Chevy truck "street machine" in 1961. I don't believe he was even born yet. I restored a '65 Mustang just 6 years ago. Perhaps he should take up a new hobby, like getting his facts straight, and facing the truth.
But judging from his emails, I doubt he can handle the truth.
I really do not understand why those fellows want to keep pouring salt on the wound, and making things worse than they need to be. I guess Scott said it all when, just like the guy in Sanford he said, "If you don't like it, don't come." That is precisely the worst possible attitude and reaction to criticism. And to it I say, "Don't worry, Scott - many of us won't."
You and your friend can keep sending your vile comments, but it only proves that you are not worthy of my time in responding. And from this point on, I will not.
In one of their crude emails (I leave out the crude stuff) they claim that only the best cars won. However, among the emails we have received, two were from people who won at their show, and even they said the judging left a lot to be desired, to put it mildly. So, even some of the winners know the judging was deeply flawed. In another comment from the "organizer", Scott, he states I am fabricating it all - even though everyone can see the comments that others are posting (as administrator of the blog, hosted on GOOGLE, I can accept or reject comments, but cannot edit them. Google does not permit it).
To date, we have received many comments on the blog, and 19 emails from folks who went to their show. Of those, only one was positive - by someone who won at their show. All others were negative. This, in spite of the fact that a) we never asked anyone to send negative reviews, but b) TWICE we asked for folks to send positive ones.
This poor fellow is unhappy about the things folks are saying about his show (and he blames me for that) and insists that I gave his show a "bad rap" just to "get him". Strange, since I have no reason to "get him" - I had never even met him at the time. I really fail to see any reason or purpose for trying to "get him" for anything. I am sorry, but that sounds like paranoia.
He says he is the "better man", because he "gives" to the car folks, while I "take". He does not give any info on just HOW he "gives", except that he puts on a car show in order to raise money for some good cause. But he states he does not do that for the folks, but for the fundraising. Fair enough, but don't say it's "for the folks" when, in fact, it is for the money they bring.
Meanwhile, he ignores what I "give".
He ignores that I pay all the bills for HotKarz out of my own pocket, and I put in about 30 hours a week for free. I don't get paid for this. In fact, HotKarz has already cost me over $1100 this season alone.
He ignores that I have tried to help keep folks going to cruise-ins in spite of the price of gas, by sponsoring (and paying for) the HotKarz Super Cruise. I pay for the trophies. I go to all the cruise-ins within an hour's drive. And I do it to benefit the cruise hosts so they don't shut down (because of gas prices), which benefits the folks. If the folks cut back on the cruises they go to, some cruise hosts may have to stop their cruise nights.
He ignores that I sponsor events and trophies at other shows - out of my own pocket.
He ignores that the folks tell me what they want HotKarz to offer, and I do my best to make it so. I do all the work myself, at my own expense.
He ignores that I make Vehicle Safety cards (Spectator Code of Conduct) available FREE to all show organizers. All the costs come from my own pocket.
He ignores that HotKarz has been known to pay the admission of cars to certain smaller or newer car shows, to help those shows beef up attendance. All from my own pocket.
He ignores that some organizers have properly used the constructive criticism to make their shows better - and more profitable.
But he insists that he is the giver, and all I do is take.
He says all I do is complain. I guess he missed all those posts that praise the good shows, such as Durham, OOB, Dover, Stratham, Casco Bay etc. If his show had been better, maybe he would have noticed those posts. I'll be clear: I do not complain. I simply point out flaws, in the hope they will get corrected next year. And I make suggestions on exactly how that can be accomplished. This is what is known as "constructive criticism".
He says I know nothing about shows, even though I have attended, and even organized shows before he was even born. I was putting the gleam to chrome long before his mother put a gleam in his father's eye. I organized my first show for my Junior class in 1963. I have organized, participated in, or attended thousands of shows in many states over the last 45 years. Yet it is he who is the self-professed expert, and I know nothing at all.
He says I should take up a "different hobby, like BUILDING cars...". I built a '52 Chevy truck "street machine" in 1961. I don't believe he was even born yet. I restored a '65 Mustang just 6 years ago. Perhaps he should take up a new hobby, like getting his facts straight, and facing the truth.
But judging from his emails, I doubt he can handle the truth.
I really do not understand why those fellows want to keep pouring salt on the wound, and making things worse than they need to be. I guess Scott said it all when, just like the guy in Sanford he said, "If you don't like it, don't come." That is precisely the worst possible attitude and reaction to criticism. And to it I say, "Don't worry, Scott - many of us won't."
You and your friend can keep sending your vile comments, but it only proves that you are not worthy of my time in responding. And from this point on, I will not.
Robbing Us Blind
Maine has the highest per capita taxes of any state. So, it is hard to understand why our roads and bridges are in such a sorry state. With the taxes we pay, we should have the best roads and bridges in the nation.
To make matters worse - and even more questionable - the legislature is borrowing $210 MILLION dollars for the purpose of repairing roads and bridges. Why? Where have all those excessive taxes gone? Why does Maine have to borrow money to pay for things we already supposedly paid for? In mail received from Senator Jon Courtney, "The repayment of these ($210 million) bonds will come from highway money which had previously been (mis)appropriated for non-highway purposes." Why, we should ask, was highway money used elsewhere? And why should we believe the same will not happen yet again, resulting in having to borrow even more money?
Realize that you and I won't just have to pay even HIGHER taxes to repay that $210 million. We will also have to pay higher taxes to pay the interest on that $210 million. At even 5%, the interest would be over $10 million in just the first year, and a whopping $140+ million over the 20 year term. That works out to a new debt placed on Maine families of $350 million. And that is only for roads and bridges - which we already supposedly paid for!
Unless you like being milked and bled to death, you just may want to consider firing every member of the Maine government come election time, regardless of party. This will send a very clear and strong message to those we do elect - do the job, do it right, or you, too, will be fired.
The only reason you are being taxed so heavily and getting so little in return is simply because Maine voters tend to re-elect incumbents, 95% of the time. They have a stranglehold on the state and its citizens.
It's time to break it. It's time to send a strong message. It is time to take back the power, and once again make it a government of, by and for the people.
If we choose not to make changes, then we have no right to complain when our taxes place our families in jeopardy. Don't blame it on Bush, Baldacci or anyone but ourselves. We are the ones who keep putting these clowns in office. And we are the ones who do not hold them accountable, or fire them, when they mess it up.
No wonder so many folks and businesses are moving across the border to New Hampshire.
To make matters worse - and even more questionable - the legislature is borrowing $210 MILLION dollars for the purpose of repairing roads and bridges. Why? Where have all those excessive taxes gone? Why does Maine have to borrow money to pay for things we already supposedly paid for? In mail received from Senator Jon Courtney, "The repayment of these ($210 million) bonds will come from highway money which had previously been (mis)appropriated for non-highway purposes." Why, we should ask, was highway money used elsewhere? And why should we believe the same will not happen yet again, resulting in having to borrow even more money?
Realize that you and I won't just have to pay even HIGHER taxes to repay that $210 million. We will also have to pay higher taxes to pay the interest on that $210 million. At even 5%, the interest would be over $10 million in just the first year, and a whopping $140+ million over the 20 year term. That works out to a new debt placed on Maine families of $350 million. And that is only for roads and bridges - which we already supposedly paid for!
Unless you like being milked and bled to death, you just may want to consider firing every member of the Maine government come election time, regardless of party. This will send a very clear and strong message to those we do elect - do the job, do it right, or you, too, will be fired.
The only reason you are being taxed so heavily and getting so little in return is simply because Maine voters tend to re-elect incumbents, 95% of the time. They have a stranglehold on the state and its citizens.
It's time to break it. It's time to send a strong message. It is time to take back the power, and once again make it a government of, by and for the people.
If we choose not to make changes, then we have no right to complain when our taxes place our families in jeopardy. Don't blame it on Bush, Baldacci or anyone but ourselves. We are the ones who keep putting these clowns in office. And we are the ones who do not hold them accountable, or fire them, when they mess it up.
No wonder so many folks and businesses are moving across the border to New Hampshire.
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