ABCS Insignia

The January 2000 Newsletter





CHRISTMAS INSANITY AND NEW OFFICERS:


December 9 Meeting Highlights

Chris Bordwine



There were 32 people in attendance at the last meeting of 1999; another great turnout for us.

New officers for 2000 were elected. Predictably, they were as follows:

OFFICERS:

President:    Allen Calcote

Vice-President:    Clarence Goodson

Secretary:    Margaret Calcote

Treasurer:    Al Bradley

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:

Drives:    Ben Bailey

Programs:    Rich Williams

Newsletter:    Al Bradley

Website:    Tom Buchanan

Following the election of officers, we started the Christmas gift exchange. This was done the same way as in previous years - each person placed their gift under the tree as they entered. Then, starting at one end of the table, each person picked a gift from under the tree.

As we continued down the table, if someone liked another's gift, he could take it in lieu of getting his own from under the tree. After the first round was thus completed, those having their gifts taken could then take someone else's gift or get another from under the tree. After all this, everyone had one more chance to take someone else's gift.

Among the more popular items that seemed to never find a final owner were: a Jack Daniels "tipsy cake"; An ABCS front tag and shield; two "Jaguar - the Legend" books; a portable halogen work light.

In spite of the way it must sound, everyone had a great time!

Prior to leaving, Dick Williams was heard to wonder aloud as to when the club's next drive would be held. Newly elected Drives Chairman, Ben Bailey, assured Dick that there would be drives conducted on the same 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday schedule as in the past. The times and places for rendezvous would be decided at the January, 2000 meeting.

Have your snow tires mounted and ready!





BEHIND THE SMILE
by Al Bradley


ADAPTED FROM JANUARY 1995

This came to me through "Chatter", the Austin-Healey club newsletter, taken originally from "Jaguar Journal", a publication of the Jaguar Club of North America. Michael Cook was then the Editor of Jaguar Journal.

Three Cheers For Cliques

by Michael Cook

It is common practice in our clubs to say "Of course' this club is run by a little clique, and nobody can break in." The connotation is overwhelmingly negative.

True sometimes.

However it can be said of most clubs that there is a core group of people who do most of the work. attend virtually all of the events, and keep the organization running.

They also form a clique - "A small, exclusive group of people" according to Random House. No negative connotation.

This type of clique doesn't want to be exclusive. They want others to join them. They want help doing all of the things they do for the organization. They want company at all of the eventsthey so faithfully attend. BUT, they will be there working, anyway. /P> Sure, there are cliques which jealously guard their control over a club and refuse to let other members penetrate their little organizational group, but there are few of those. In most clubs, the small group of people you see regularly on the list of officers and heading committees are really the most interested members.

This type of clique doesn't deserve jealous critcism. They merit your support. The real enemies of the organization are the members who don't volunteer but stand around complaining about cliques! If there isn't a core group of interested peopleto keep a club running, there will soon be no club. When the core group decides they have had enough of carrying the load, let's hope there are other members ready to step in and shoulder it.

Have you helped your club's clique lately?



While this may seem to you to be self-lauditory,
it is nonetheless true.

All of your club officers invest a good deal of time in its operation,
and your help is ALWAYS invited.

Tell us what is on your mind
and feel free to make
suggestions.

ACB





UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL:


Radiator Woes

Herren Floyd



A little over two years ago, I bought a new radiator for my 1963 MGB to replace the aging original that had been repaired several times. I ordered one from Moss Motors that they had at a special price.

The new radiator did a much better job of keeping my MG from overheating in really hot weather than the original ever had, but I noticed that I was still having to add a little water after every drive. I tightened all the hose clamps but still had to add water. I also noticed a little anti-freeze in the groove at the top of the radiator, but I figured I had spilled a little while adding it. I was thinking some water must be going through the engine since it has a lot of miles on it.

This Fall while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, we started seeing water sprinkling the windshield. The weld where the pipe for the upper hose joins the radiator body was leaking. I had to add about a pint of water every thirty to forty miles.

I called Moss Motors and explained all this to them, and told them that I suspected that the joint had been leaking slightly all along. I was hoping they might replace it even after two years and that I would not have to send them the old one before they would send a replacement.

Moss said they would send me a new radiator at no charge and that I need not return the bad one! I told them I must be trading with the right people.

I would encourage our members to support a company like Moss who tries to make all parts available to us, unlike companies who choose to handle only the faster-moving items and can therefore sell them a little cheaper.


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