WRC guys, and gals,

As we drove down to the Hinckley meet, I kept hoping the morning drizzle would subside and we might get a peek at the sun! It didn’t detour our dedicated members! Peggy and I arrived about 9:15, only to find the parking lot already full. I was told later in the day that most of our members were already there at 8 o’clock!  Although we were just coming out of a long winter of short days and long nights, the damp 43° temperature made it feel so much cooler than it was.

Moving on, the reason of the day; whether you brought something to sell or you were looking forward to finding that one thing that you couldn’t live without! Like Rick Whitman grabbing the PowerMatic 12 from Dave Deck! Of course Jay Miller, Kerry York, Dan Curran and my encouragement probably helped a little!  It was fun to watch some of the guys go through the two boxes of free parts to find that missing part they needed! As one of the guys used to say that’s the best sign they could find on a box of Outboard parts. Reynoldsburg Dave, a.k.a. Dave Mettle cornered the market on gas tanks while Larry Muniak happily took a box of parts off my hands. (one last thing to take back home). Thank you, Larry! My other Big reward was delivering my Mk 30 to Jay Miller! Don’t forget me big guy!

I know there were many more transactions that I missed, but going into the cabin where there was a nice warm fire going, took the chill off. Thanks to TJ‘s pyrotechnic talents! Nice and warm inside I was able to catch up with some of our members on what their latest projects were. John Reed said his latest acquirement was a Scott Atwood 5 hp. Wow! John, I thought that you were a Johnny rude kind of guy? Now you will join John Hagerman, Greg Schnelzer, and me in the search for the unattainable and elusive water pump impeller that fits the smaller Scott Atwaters!

The latest news about the Lake Erie chapter is, as they say in the media, under new management! One of our brave members (Randy Wilcox) has taken the reins and has already signed up 11 new members!  If you are interested in joining the Lake Erie chapter, their dues are $10 for the first year and probably five dollars a year after.  Randy was contacted by previous management asking if he would be interested in taking over the lake Gary chapter? When Randy called me to ask my opinion, I said absolutely You are a super choice! Our treasurer, Bob Joynt, echoed my answer and even went several steps beyond telling Randy he would take on the position of treasurer for the lake Erie chapter until Randy can find someone to fill in the position! Very generous of you Bob.

Lilly and her ‘pet man’ Bill Mohat always enjoyed this meet because it’s a chance for Bill to show off Lilly’s table manners where Lilly gets to munch on chicken drumsticks very politely while sitting on the picnic table bench! She is one of the most lovable dogs you’ll ever meet! As usual, TJ, Jim Fordosi and Chip Rabbitt provided a great luncheon meal that no one can walk away from unsatisfied!

Unfortunately, we didn’t have quite as many members to show up today, maybe because of the weather or maybe because they had other events to attend to. As a result, the coffee can (tip jar) did not quite reimburse the hosts the cost of the food. Bob Joynt told me he wrote a check for $75, the remainder of the cost of the food!!! We had two gentlemen in our club that also stepped up to help compensate. Bill Mohat told Bob he wanted to add more money to the coffers and Karry York said he would cover the extra loss! While these two gentlemen were willing to help out, that is why we pay our dues to our chapter. The other cost the treasurer covers are the cost of running this facility and other facilities we need to cover the meets.

So I am telling everyone this because sometime things are taken for granted and people don’t realize the work and cost that goes into hosting meets.

Credit and a huge thanks go to TJ Fitzgerald, Jim Fordosi, and Chip Rabbitt for organizing the meet! Thanks to Peggy Orloff and Leslie (Bob Joynt’s lady friend) for helping dish out the food at lunch. And those that added to the menu.

Go to our website, wrcoutboards.org for pictures of this event and past events.  A big thank you to our photographer John Hagerman for his phenomenal eye for for shooting the right pictures!  Also, look on the events tab for upcoming meets.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the next meet!

Gary & Peggy