Be Aware

The World Health Organization has just declared the Swine Flu a pandemic, as we predicted over a month ago. Of course, that does not mean it is any deadlier than before - so far, most cases are mild, although 144 folks have died.

But here is a repeat of a warning I gave months ago:

The pandemic of 1918 started this same way - in the spring, which is unusual, and mild. But by fall, when the season was ripe for the flu, it had mutated, become much deadlier, and killed roughly 60 million people. In addition, that outbreak, like this one, killed the otherwise healthiest people - the young adults, rather than the elderly and infants, which is more common.

So, just a heads up, since no one can foresee the future: it would be a good idea to prepare for a much worse flu season this coming fall. If it does not materialize, great. But if it does, I do not want to be losing any friends from it, so please be ready.

Bill

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Postponed

The presentation of the Car Buff of the Year Award is being postponed until next Tuesday.

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Award Presentation

The award ceremony for Car Buff of the Year at Cumberland House of Pizza, scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) evening may be getting postponed until the following Tuesday, due to the probability of bad weather. If planning to attend the presentation, please check in here beforehand to find out the status - I will post by 3:00 pm Tuesday afternoon if it's a GO, or if postponed.
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Shawnee Peak Winners

Shawnee Peak pix are now up, courtesy of Steve Flynn.

Here are the 1st place winners from Shawnee Peak ( I feel like I'm posting results from Pimlico or the Preakness):

"Per your request, below are the 1st place award winners from today's car show, 6/7/09. We are very grateful that we had a wonderful day (weather wise )and hope everyone enjoyed the show. Thank you, Bill and Linda"

Linda Kelley
Secretary/Treasurer
Pleasant Mountain Chapter
Maine Obsolete Auto League (MOAL)


Class A, Special Interest
Roxanne Gerry, 1980 AMC Eagle

Class B, Best of 50's
Al Lappin, 1959 Chevy Impala

Class C, Best of 60's
Sid Page, 1965 Chevy Impala

Class D, Best of 70's
Alan Aaskov, 1973 Ford Torino

Class E, Best of 80's
Tom Carro, 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo Super Sport

Class F, Street Rods 1934 & under
Glen Thurlow, 1930 Plymouth, 4 door sedan

Class G, Street Rods 1935 & up
Leo Campbell, 1936 GMC Pickup

Class H, Trucks 4x2
Frank Berry, 1959 Chevy Pickup

Class I, Trucks 4x4
Bob & Pam Reed, 1976 Ford F250

Class J, Camaros/Firebirds to 1984
Dan & Margie Libby, 1968 Chevy Camaro

Class K, Mustangs/Cougars to 1984
Wayne & Nan Penley, 1965 Mustang Fastback

Class L, Mopars to 1984
Howie Johnson, 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner

Class M, Future Classics 1985 to present
Tom Hoeman, 2003 Mustang

Class N, Antique Cars/Trucks Pre-1932
Clifton Whitney, 1925 Ford Woodie

Class O, Antique Cars/Trucks 1932-1949
Norm Walker, 1940 Ford Convertible

Class P, Corvettes 1953-1982
Steve Flynn, 1965 Corvette Stingray

Class Q, Corvettes 1984-present
Drew Halfin, 2005 Chevy Corvette

Class R, Foreign
Jim Senior, 1975 Triumph TR6

Class S, Motorcycles
Joe Eidemiller, 2004 Harley Fxstdi

Class T, Cars Custom/Modified
Ron Hayes, 1951 Ford Radical Custom

Class U, Trucks/Vans Customized
Richard Tellier, 1964 Chevy C-10

Class V, Cars Chevrolet 1955-56-57
Mike Lowell, 1955 Chevy Belaire

Class W, Kit/Reproduction Cars/Trucks
Ira Ball, 1952 MGTD

Class X, Musclecars 1964-1972
Norman Gray, 1967 Chevelle SS

Best of Show
Ron Hayes, 1951 Ford Radical Custom

Best of the Best & Other Stuff

I have just completed posting the pix of the 1st Place winners, for casting your votes for Best of the Best. Good luck! The Winner's Circle is also up and show pix are up. Also, a new Feature Vehicle of the Week.

And don't forget to check out the latest FUNNIES - a couple of new ones.

Oh, and our good friend Steve Flynn (Corvette guy) went to Shawnee Peak, and sent in a bunch of pix that I will be posting, but probably not until tomorrow. He also provided a list (no pix) of the winners, which I will also share with y'all, right here, tomorrow.

And for those who missed it, there is a brand new, intriguing show on the calendar for next Sunday, June 14th - the Auburn PD Car Show, 50 award categories, at Kohl's parking lot. See Main events page or Calendar for details. VERTICLE OUTLAWS Motorcycle stunt guys will put on 3 shows that day! Don't miss it.

Unfortunately, I will miss it, due to earlier committment at a church in New Hampshire that day. But HotKarz will still be represented at that show, courtesy of my wife, Robin, daughter Criss and Connie Peacock. So winners will still be able to rack up votes for Best Of the Best.

Bill

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Auburn Show - Snubbing A Nose At Adversity

When we first arrived at the Edward Little School, I was immediately disenchanted with what appeared to be a major malfunction of organization. What a mess! And everyone was saying similar things.

But things are rarely as they seem. While there was, indeed, serious disorganization early on, it seems that it was justified. First, their WalMart location left them high and dry, and it wasn't until three weeks ago that the Edward Little School volunteered to let them use thier lot. Talk about short notice!

But to ad more adversity, the school hosted graduation last night, so the show folks could not set anything up. And the next morning, the school hosted an after grad breakfast for the students who participated in an all-night lock-in for partying safely, which tied up the parking lot until after 6:00am.

I cannot imagine trying to organize things when you cannot even begin until after cars start arriving. The fact that they did as well as they did is a testament to their dedication, and we should all applaud them for it.

And as it (eventually) turned out, it was a pretty good day, and a fine show. Certainly, there were a few disparities, such as having a half dozen tuners show up, with no tuner class. But by and large, all worked out rather well.

Now, I don't often ask much of anyone, but I am going to ask a small favor of each of you now. The Edward Little School came to the rescue, offered their facilities for free, to help save this show at the last minute. For that, they deserve to know that we appreciate their contribution. So, I would ask each of you to click on the following link, and choose someone in the administration to send a brief letter of thanks and appreciation:

http://www.auburnschl.edu/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=1793&PHPSESSID=79fb3068dbca5373d0749e1f97bb1d90

After all, you never know when someone else will need to be rescued...

Bill

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