Just when I thought I could start coasting I'm reminded (by those pesky Newsletter Editors) that I still need to provide a message from the President on a regular basis, a task made difficult this month by the demise of my computer. Don't you just love technology……NOT!

Read more on The Prez Sez…January 2012…

The meeting was called to order at 6 PM by President Steve Hudson at Spooky’s in The Dalles.  Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance began the meeting.  INTRODUCTIONS: None tonight.  OFFICERS PRESENT:  All Club officers were in attendance.  GUESTS: None.  GOOD of the ORDER:  Con Kilian had several clever examples of student’s absence excuses from school.  TREASURER’S REPORT:  Kathy Shebley reports that all bills are paid to date & gave the treasury balance.  A motion was made & seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report as given.  Motion approved.  MINUTES of PREVIOUS MEETING: Steve suggested that the minutes of the prior month’s meeting be read aloud at each meeting.  Reading of the December 2011 meeting minutes followed.  A motion was made & seconded to accept the December meeting minutes as so read. Motion approved. CORRESPONDENCE:  None.  MEMBERSHIP REPORT:  Dale Coles reports there are 68 paid members which include 3 or 4 lifetime memberships. Prompt payment of the annual Club dues is requested.  Members present at tonight’s meeting, 29.  HEARTS & FLOWERS:  We were sorry to learn that Myrna Kinner is currently battling cancer.  Our thoughts & prayers go out to her.  TECH TIPS/SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS:  Steve says that the chance of your skull meeting a sharp object or edge when working under a lift, will be greatly enhance by wearing a baseball cap.  He also recommends placing your keys on top of any item you really do not want to forget to take with you.  RECENT ARRIVALS:  None this month.  CARS & PARTS FOR SALE:  A ‘71 VW convertible is for sale by Bob Earls.  He wants to devote his time to restoring his Harley.  EVENT REPORTS (Past):  The monthly Lyle Lions Club breakfast was attended by 7 couples.  The Lyle breakfast is held the first Saturday of each month.  Lone Pine McDonalds at 8:30 AM is the meeting place.  UPCOMING EVENTS:  February 19th, 1 PM, is the Is It Spring Yet? Potluck at the home of Sandra Fritz.  CRUISE the GORGE REPORT:  The first meeting of 2012 will be Feb. 7th, 6 PM, at the home of Dale & Joan Coles, 502 Sunridge, Dallesport.  Colors for the tee shirts need to be decided upon.  OLD BUSINESS:  John & Barb Kiser were presented with a plaque as Members of the Year 2011 for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the Club. The Wednesday night informal gatherings at various eating spots around The Dalles are proving to be a positive experience.  The “roving” gatherings on Wednesdays will continue through March.  NEW BUSINESS:  The Prez suggests that perhaps one club member per month be responsible for planning an outing, drive or special event. Suggestions from members in this regard will be discussed further at the February meeting.  The Kiser’s, as Newsletter Editors, thought it would enliven our Newsletter if every third month it could be printed with a 2-sided color page. The cost would be approximately $400.00 for the year. This suggestion was discussed among members.  It was moved & seconded that they pursue this idea.  The motion passed with unanimous approval.  Barb Kiser will be contacting Club members with a “Car & Driver” information sheet with questions about their interest & involvement with classic and/or special interest vehicles.  This is a reinstatement of a former monthly article. DRAWING: Tonight’s drawing winners, Bob & Bonnie Earls, were present. ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.  

Read more on January 2012 Meeting Minutes…

Read more on 2011 Christmas Dinner Train…

December 20, 2011

The meeting was called to order by President John Kiser at 7 PM at Spooky’s in The Dalles followed by recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  INTRODUCTIONS:  Jim & Julie Dennis introduced their friend Bryan Mason.  He has a ‘67 Camaro & a ‘66 Lincoln Continental.  OFFICERS PRESENT:  Our Treasurer & our Vice President were absent tonight.  All other officers were present.  GOOD of the ORDER:  Once again Con Kilian entertained us with a humorous story.  TREASURER’S REPORT:  John Kiser reported the treasury balance & the fact that all bills are paid to this date.  MINUTES of the PREVIOUS MEETING:  It was moved, seconded & approved to accept the November minutes as printed in the December Newsletter.  CORRESPONDENCE:  Christmas cards to all Club members were received from the Shores, the Hageman’s & Florence Forrest.  A Merry Christmas to all our Club snowbirds!  MEMBERSHIP REPORT: There are 118 paid memberships.  Thirty-one members attended tonight’s meeting.  HEARTS & FLOWERS:  None tonight.  TECH TIPS/SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS:  No tips tonight.   RECENT ARRIVALS:  None reported.  CARS & PARTS FOR SALE:  Jim Dennis had information about a large 1950 Plymouth poster for sale as well as a ‘32 Plymouth spare tire cover.  Contact him for further information.  EVENT REPORTS (Past):  Lorraine McCurdy gave a brief report on the “Six Ladies Shop- Till-You-Drop Christmas Market Trip” to help revive the Euro in Germany.  Trip leader Bonnie Earls did a fantastic job of organizing a full & most enjoyable two weeks.  Thanks again, Bonnie!  The Christmas Dinner party aboard the Mt Hood Railroad was held on Dec. 17 with good food & good company.  The 5 hour roundtrip was enjoyed by all except for the mutually cold feet.  UPCOMING EVENTS: Chad Holloway of The Dalles Rotary has invited all car club members to an Open House at 5 PM on Dec. 21, at his home. Sandra Fritz has once again offered to host the Is It Spring Yet? potluck at her home on either Jan. 22 or Feb 12.  The date decided on will be announced at the January meeting and by email.  CRUISE the GORGE REPORT:  There will be no CTG meeting in January.  The first meeting of 2012 will be held on Feb. 7th, location to be announced.  Mark Fortin reports that the drag races, which normally occur the day after the Club car show, are in limbo due to the area being in other use at present.  The Dufur car show is set once again for the day after the CTG show.  OLD BUSINESS:  None. NEW BUSINESS:  John & Barb Kiser, Newsletter Editors for the coming year, have requested help in the form of stories and/or pictures for the monthly newsletter.  Steve Hudson, incoming Club President, suggested that the informal gatherings which occur on Wednesday evenings during the winter months, meet at various eating establishments during the months of January, February & March.  Dale Coles offered to look into the possibility.  Steve also made a motion, which was seconded & approved after some discussion, to change the monthly meeting time from 7 PM to 6 PM during the winter months of January, February & March only.  President John Kiser thanked all Club members on behalf of himself & wife Barb for all the help & cooperation from all Club members over his two years as President.  The Prez then turned the Official Gear Shift gavel over to Steve Hudson, incoming President.  Steve then announced that John & Barb Kiser had been unanimously selected as 2011 Members of the Year.  A huge Thank You to John & Barb for their above & beyond the call of duty contributions to the Club.  Barb Kiser also gathered recipes from the past year into a booklet which was distributed to all present.  Especially enjoyed was Harrison Bowlds recipe offering.  Way to go, Harrison!  DRAWING:  Tonight’s winners, who were present, were Jacquie & John Hashizume. The ornament exchange followed the meeting for all those participating.  ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.  A Happy & Healthy New Year to All.

Read more on December 2011 Meeting Minutes…

 FAREWELL from the PREZ

Well……where do I begin my last “Prez’s Sez” letter?   I would like to thank all of the members for giving me the opportunity to serve you and the Mid-Columbia Car Club.  It only seems like yesterday that my term began.  It’s been fun, a little bit of work, and I’ve had a great time these last 2 years.  It’s been my pleasure to represent the Mid-Columbia Car Club.

Read more on The Prez Sez…December 2011…

President John Kiser called the meeting to order at 7 PM, at Spooky’s in The Dalles.   The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.  INTRODUCTIONS:  Lee Dorich, current President of The Dalles Rotary Club, was introduced.   OFFICERS PRESENT:  All officers were in attendance tonight.  GOOD of the ORDER:  Con Kilian entertained us with several jokes with the theme “How the Fight Began”.  TREASURER’S REPORT:  Barb Thomas reported the bank balance after the contribution to Camp Baldwin.  MINUTES of the PREVIOUS MEETING:  A motion was made to approve the October minutes as printed in the November Newsletter.  Motion seconded & passed.  CORRESPONDENCE:  A thank you note was received from member Doug Stroh for flowers sent for his recently deceased mother. MEMBERSHIP REPORT:  Dale Coles reports 118 members.  Forty members were present for tonight’s meeting.  HEARTS & FLOWERS:  Jake Grossmiller thanked the group for the kind words & thoughts on the recent passing of his wife.  Larry Clark is at home & mending after his recent hospitalization.  TECH TIPS/SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS: Bob & Bonnie Earls have finished their shop & had pictures to prove it.  Jake Grossmiller has many years of car magazines to share with anyone who might be interested.  RECENT ARRIVALS:  Dales Coles has a new lift.  CARS & PARTS FOR SALE:  None tonight. EVENT REPORTS (past): Twelve club cars took part in The Dalles Veterans Day Parade. About 20 Club members attended the monthly Lyle Lions Club breakfast on Nov. 5th. UPCOMING EVENTS:  Barb Kiser reported about a movie social function & passed a signup sheet for those interested. December 17th is the date of the Christmas party aboard the Hood River train.  It departs at 11AM but it is recommended that we arrive an hour before in order to be seated together.  Will Call tickets will be available in the train depot. There is a charge for parking in the train lot of $5.00.  Members attending may want to carpool or park on the city streets nearby.  Thirty eight members have signed up at this time. Those interested in the party should sign up with John or Barb Kiser as soon as possible. Since the Christmas party aboard the train will not be conducive to conducting  Club business, a motion was made by Steve Hudson to hold a regular Club meeting on December 20th, 7 PM, at Spooky’s, with a gift/ornament exchange to take place then, for those wishing to do so.  Motion seconded & passed by the members.  A discussion of the annual The Dalles Christmas parade followed.  It is possible that 10 Club members with their vehicles decorated with Christmas lights/decorations will participate, weather permitting.  Prez John will look into the details regarding the parade & inform members via email.   CRUISE the GORGE REPORT:  Lee Dorich reported that The Dalles Rotary had written a check to the Rotary Foundation in the amount of $4000.00, proceeds from the August car show held at Sorosis Park.  This co-operative event between our Club & The Dalles Rotary is in its second year.  In appreciation of John Kiser’s time, effort, & involvement, Lee, on behalf of the Rotary, presented him with a framed, inscribed 2011 show flyer.  OLD BUSINESS:  The election committee, comprised of the current Club officers, met Oct. 25th at Spooky’s to nominate a suggested slate of Officers for 2012, to be presented at this, the November meeting.  The meeting was also open to other nominations.  Nominees are:  President, Steve Hudson; Vice-President, Ed Beardsley; Treasurer, Kathy Kilian; Secretary, Lorraine McCurdy; Newsletter Editors, John and Barb Kiser; Cruise the Gorge Chairman, Mark Fortin; Webmaster/Membership Chairman, Dale Coles.  Jake Grossmiller made a motion to accept the slate of Office nominees as presented to the members.  The motion was seconded & approved by the aye votes.   Next, Prez John reemphasized the importance of actively pursuing new Club members.  Ways & means of doing so were discussed.  A possible pizza party to be held in March was one idea mentioned.  Another idea was an ad in The Dalles Chronicle to announce our March 2012 season opening, with classic vehicles on display, each Wednesday night at Burgerville.   Other suggestions & ideas were also shared.  Discussion was tabled for the present, to be pursued at future meetings. DRAWING:  The drawing amount tonight was $40.00.  First member name drawn was the Kelvins, second, the Weirs, & lastly, the Risings.  None were present and the drawing amount for December will be $60.00.  You must be present to win.  ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. 

Read more on November 2011 Meeting Minutes…

Read more on Last Official 2011 Burgerville Cruise-In…