Upcoming Events

• 
  Saturday 2 May, Wheat State Chapter Truck Show at the Oilfield Museum, ElDorado.
  Wednesday 13 May Wheat State Chapter/ATHS meeting, 6:30pm and Fields Enterprises, 828 S. Main, Hutch.
  28-30 May ATHS National Convention, Huntsville, AL. It’s a day’s drive if you start very early.
  Saturday 13 June, Tired Iron Show, Lathrop MO
• Sunday 14 June, Lake Afton All Wheels Car Show, 11-4, supposedly the biggest Free open show anywhere.
  *Saturday 20 June, Wheat State Truck Show, Doonan’s Peterbilt/GMC, Great Bend.
  Friday-Saturday, 26-27 June, Buddy Sombart’s Truck Show, Amorett, MO
  *4 July, Hutchinson 4th of July Parade, with Wheat State Picnic following on the State Fairgrounds.

  Revised Friday PM:  The club is assigned to GROUP 2 (enter at B & Monroe after 8 am) I would assume this is going to kinda be where we are for the Christmas parade. Easiest way would be from Bondo's shop go north to F ave and hang a left and following around turning into Monroe Street and then up to B and hang a right and go on down where ever we can go. We will still plan on meeting there at 8am to 8:45am and then go on over to stage.

       Approximate route from Bondo's to the staging area and on to the fairgrounds, courtesy Google Maps - Don

  In past years we have lined up on Washington Street between about E Avenue and B avenue. This is one block west of Main Street. I suppose we will plan to meet at Bondo's from about 8 am to around 8:45am. Parade line up in the past has started at 9am with the parade starting at 10am. Bondo's shop is on South Main in Hutchinson and just a few blocks north of there is E Avenue. You will want to take a left there and go 1 block west to Washington. From there turn right and you should see us somewhere along there.  The BBQ will be at the Kansas State Fairgrounds right after the parade. I hear Jim is cooking for us. You will want to go into the Poplar Street entrance. Should be by the Fair Office Building. You should see us as you enter. It will not be by the pond this year as there is something else going on there.  Todd Wilson

  
  *Saturday 1 August, Goessel Threshing Days, Goessel.

• Aug 14-16th - Platte County Steam & Gas Assoc Show and ATHS Antique Truck Show, this year's featured truck will be Chevrolet.
  *Saturday 12 September, Wheat State Truck Show, Laird-Noller Motors, Hutchinson.
  Saturday ?? October, Tired Iron Show, Santa Fe Trail Center, Larned.
• Saturday-Sunday 24-25 October Sedgwick Street Rodders Swap Meet, Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutch.
• *Saturday ?? November, Wheat State Annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner/Meeting/Elections.

Wednesday 14 January, Wheat State Chapter Meeting, 7pm, back room of the restaurant at Plazago Truckstop, K96 and US50, South Hutchinson.
Saturday 24 January, Wheat State Chapter Trip to visit the Herr Machine Collection in Washington, KS. Leave Newell’s Truckstop, Newton at 745am; leave Duane Ely’s, 701 E 56th Ave in Hutchinson at 730am. I don’t know the exact location of Herr’s, so if you’re not going with a group, allow enough travel time to find out for yourself. We’re scheduled to meet at Herr’s at 10am. No one’s said anything specific, but I’m guessing we’ll meet for lunch afterwards. I’ve heard of this collection; it’s reputed to be very good. Since the last newsletter, Wayne Montgomery sent an e-mail about the Herr collection which, as he recalls, has “every model of IH truck between 1918 and 1928, including 1918 fire truck, Model KL, model F gas truck, 1921 model 61, 1926 nidek 63 - 3 ton used on Hoover Dam construction, 1928 wood one ton, four speed, special with spokes, two 1949's KB 5's with one of them as a wrecker, and many others. His collection includes many tractors, but two items of special interest are a 1920 Bi-wing open cockpit plane and a 1918 Buick Racer. The first model T truck model from 1926.” I intend to have the next newsletter in your hands on Monday, 2 Feb. It will have our ’09 activity schedule, as it stands. The next meeting is Wednesday 11 Feb, 7pm at Newell’s.

I’ve heard of this collection; it’s reputed to be very good.

• Friday-Saturday 6-7 February, 34th Annual Sunflower Swap Meet, Kansas Coliseum, I-135 on the north side of Park City. 8-6 Friday, 8-4 Saturday. The biggest in the region, 98% indoors.
  *Wednesday 11 Feb, 7pm, Wheat State Chapter Meeting, back room at Newell’s Truckstop, US50/I-135 x31, Newton.
  *Saturday 21 February, Wheat State Chapter Trip to visit the Roger Morrison collection in Salina. “You guys are in for a treat when you see Roger Morrison's collection in Salina. My jaw hit the floor when I saw it!” (Mike Berry, Wichita on Wheels)
  ?? March – Pratt is a no-go. The Board is considering alternatives.
• *Saturday 21 March, Wheat State Chapter Meeting and Cook-out, noon at Floyd Wild Trucking, US50 and Cow Palace Road on the west side of Newton. Big Jim cooks, and I hope someone told him. Bring yer trucks, eh?
  *Saturday 18 April, Wheat State Chapter 6th Annual Old Truck Show, Newell’s Truck Stop, Newton.

News

ElDo Truck Show – I think we had a total of 15 trucks turn out, and there was a fair turnout of spectators. Again, I think the weather forecast hurt us but not the actual weather, which didn’t arrive ‘til we were ready to leave. Buddy drove in from Amoret, Don Grier drove his Dodge from Pratt, and Bill Peirson trailered from Great Bend. My favorite truck was a WWII vintage GMC CCKW which at been used to move houses around ElDorado. The Newsletter is late this month. The hard drive on my computer is crashing, and with it is going my e-mail address book. As of yesterday morning it looked as if there would be no newsletter this month. I was venting my misfortune on Chapter Board member and computer guru Todd Wilson, and he offered to handle all printing and distribution if I’d just produce the newsletter. If you’re reading this, it’s because Todd came through for us. Huntsville Convoy – As of our meeting on the 18th, the plan was to convoy to Nevada, Missouri to meet with Buddy. The latest I’ve heard is that Buddy may instead join the convoy in Joplin or Springfield, with everyone to continue to Memphis on 60 and 63. I just got off the phone with Lenny, who told me the convoy would leave Newell’s after breakfast on Monday (the 25th), and couldn’t be more specific. Obviously, neither can I. For those who need specifics, I think they’ll be worked out by our meeting on the 13th. I can tell you something about the proposed route, 60 and 63 across Missouri and Arkansas, which is how I usually took a truck to Memphis. It’s not Interstate – you’ll have to actually drive your truck – but it’s not bad: there’s a minimum of traffic lights (except for West Plains, where they built a bypass and then cluttered it up), and only about 45 miles of mountain road in Arkansas, starting at the state line. Once you get past that, it’s four lanes all the way to Memphis. LTL trucks do it, so can you.

Minutes of our Meeting 21 March at Floyd Wild Trucking, Newton. Big Jim cooked, 24 attended, called to order at 12:48pm by Pres. Goering. Minutes and Treasurer’s report read, accepted.

Chapter caps – Jim Voth from Goessel showed some shirts and caps. Caps available in high- or mid-profile, Velcro or snap adjustment. Embroidered 7.50/ea, 1 dozen minimum. Add 2.50/ea to have the chapter name on rear or side. Lots of discussion followed his presentation. We finally ordered 1 dozen in blue and tan with the ATHS emblem on the front and Wheat State Chapter on the side. There may’ve been another dozen ordered in black, but I can only write so fast before I become illegible even to me. Other orders were made by individuals.

ElDorado and Great Bend Show Flyers were available, provided by Board Member Todd Wilson. - ATHS Spring Board Meeting was reported on by ATHS 3rd VP Lenny and RVP Danny. In short, we are very solvent, and appropriate action has been taken to assure we remain so. - ATHS HQ Open House was reported on by Pres. Goering. - Ehinger’s Private Collection tour in KC was discussed. Scheduled for Saturday 11 April. We made no arrangements.  - Name Tags – Mike is ordering them.  - Meeting Adjourned 1:31pm.
What really happened: Sandy Wiens drew her own number in the 50/50. Fer real.

The Rev. James West Jr. passed away Saturday, 4 April. Jim had been a member of the ATHS and our chapter since June of ’06. At that time he had a Model A Ford; more recently, he’s had a cream-colored ’51 Studebaker, which he had on display at our ’08 Hutch National, and you’ll find a picture of Jim and his truck in Show Time. I did not know Jim well, but I do remember talking with him when we had our trucks on display in Florence a couple of years ago. He had an interesting life, a small portion of which was spent with the Army at the German POW camp in Concordia. Jim’s memorial service will probably be over before anyone reads this, but tributes may be sent to his family at www.dlwichita.com. Pres. Goering called as I was writing this and informed me that Treas. Paradis has already arranged for flowers.

Chapter Caps – as per the meeting minutes, caps were discussed. A few of us placed orders for a number of different styles. Those caps will be delivered by the time you read this and will be available at our 18 April truck show at Newell’s.

From VP Duane Ely: “I have just come from walking through the welding training center at Hutch Community College. The instructor, Dave Fitzgeralds, was a member of our club when we were in the early stages. Several of you guys are acquainted with Dave and have taken classes under him. Dave and his classes made our ATHS/Kansas 2008 truck cutouts we had for table decorations at the 2008 National Convention here. They have recently completed a large expansion of their shop and capabilities. They are being supported very well by local businesses and industry. If any of you have a desire to learn welding or improve upon what you already know, here is the place to go. They offer quite a range of classes and schedules.” Duane included an attachment, a scanned brochure for a “Basics of Maintenance and Repair Welding Seminar” to be held at HCC on 30 April. I would include that attachment with this newsletter but I know from experience that attachments cause problems. If you are interested in this seminar, or would like to learn more about course offerings, contact Dave at 620-665-3502 or fitzgeraldsd@hutchcc.edu, or check their website: www.hutchcc.edu.

About attachments and problems – I normally “copy and paste” when I e-mail the newsletter. Last month, I chose to send it as an attachment, to preserve the format of the truck show poster (page 2). Unfortunately, a number of you have problems accessing the attachments I send, and some of you couldn’t even open that e-mail. In the future, when an attachment is appropriate (or would be if you could open it), I’ll send it in a separate e-mail. That way, you may not know what you aren’t getting, but you won’t miss it. Unless, of course, you let it keep you awake.

- and more problems – If you’re not getting your newsletter, or you know of another chapter member who isn’t, I’d like to know about it. I can’t fix it if I don’t. I’m Dana, 316-283-2985/dmshifflett@iwichita.com.

Printed with the original mistakes intact at the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking. Trust me.

Minutes of our Meeting, Wednesday 14 January ’09, Plazago Truckstop, South Hutchinson. Called to order by Pres. Goering at 704pm. Minutes and Treasurer’s report read, approved.
TV/DVD Player – One has been purchased for $100, primarily for showing dvds at meetings.
2009 Schedule – Updated by RVP Coonce and Sec Shifflett, will be shown under Trip Sheet.
Territorial Magazine – The Board is discussing placing an ad in the Territorial. Pres Goering reminded us of the support and coverage provided by the Territorial and urged members to subscribe.
Fund-Raiser for ATHS – Open discussion on donating to HQ, possibly for digitalization. Could we challenge other RVPs/Chapters to match it? 3rd VP Wild proposed foregoing local charities for now and challenging other chapters to match our donation up to $500 to the ATHS to pay down the mortgage, with the challenge to be made at the March KC Board Meeting. The proposal was accepted as a motion, seconded and passed.
-Meeting adjourned 733pm.

Just Docked – Robert Lindeman of Hutch, drove 45 years to get here; Lawrence and Cara Herrs of Washington.

Our Excellent Trip to Washington – No, not the inauguration. Saturday the 24th several of us met at Herrs Machine in Washington, Kansas for a tour of their shop and their 40+ year collection of fine antique trucks, tractors, and cars (see Todd’s pix at www.chargerfever.com/herr09/index.html). The Herrs are ATHS members and, as of this visit, Wheat State members as well. After lunch the Newton and Nickerson contingents went to Belleville to visit the sprint car museum; one of the race cars on display is a coupe built 50 years ago by our own Tom Barclay. On the way home we went a couple of miles out-of-route to see what’s left of Camp Concordia, a WWII German POW Camp a few miles north on Concordia. We made several stops along the way to check out old trucks. It was a good day.

Rumour Control – “We have a Ford Econoline…(something incoherent)…which was a…(more of same)…better vehicle than the Chevrolet, which hurts me to say that.” (Lenny Wild, commenting on Gary Crow’s Econoline pickup. He looks uncomfortable. See for yourself on the Hutchinson National Convention DVD, available for only $20 at chapter meetings or $20.50, I think, by mail from HQ)…. West Kansas Wheat State members: plan for our 20 June Truck Show at Doonan’s in Great Bend. Here’s a chance to get together and a good recruiting opportunity, too, so spread the word…. Where’s Dan Potter? He moved, and the PO stopped forwarding his mail. Drivers: if your contact info – address, phone, e-mail – is changing, please let me know. Hit the reply icon or use the return address, give me the changes and the effective date, and I’ll do the rest…. Treasurer Mitch Paradis has a new phone: 316-841-2166. That was quick....

Printed Free Of  chaRge at the Newton, Kansas offices of FloyD Wild Trucking

Minutes of our meeting, Saturday 22 November, Newell’s Truckstop, Newton. I wasn’t there; the minutes, as reported to me by President Goering, are as follows: “This was our Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner, 47 attended, and those present voted to keep officers and board as-is for another year.” Guess that’ll teach me to miss meetings….

2009 Dues …are now due. Annual dues are $12/year payable in January. You can pay at the meeting or send your check to Treasurer Mitch. His address is shown under Chapter Officers, below.

’09 Calendars are here; Lenny, Scott and Mitch have them, contact info below. Production cost was @$13.50 each, so figure $15-20 to buy. We’ll have them at the next meeting.

Just Docked: Jim and Carol Partridge, of Nickerson. Jim is retired from Dillons Transportation (43 years! Dude!), has no old trucks but lots of experience. They actually joined in October but I just discovered their application in my briefcase.

Rumour Propogation Department: A bad economy means poor ad revenues for newspapers. Poor revenues means tight budgets. Tight budgets means reduced /eliminated features, which means Wichita on Wheels in the Wichita Eagle may not be on the surest of footings.

No one outside the chapter has done more to support us than Mike Berry has with Wichita on Wheels. We can return the favor. The Eagle’s website (www.kansas.com) features a gallery of extra photos of the previous Saturday’s WoW feature cars, Sunday through Wednesday. If you have access to the internet, be sure to view this gallery every week. The Eagle tracks its internet traffic, and every “hit” on this Gallery supports Mike’s efforts to support us and all the other automotive enthusiasts in south-central Kansas. And if you want to see it in print, look for Wichita on Wheels on the back page of the sports section every Saturday (NOT Sunday!) morning.

Chapter Officers (Board Members next month)
President Scott Goering scottg@pixius.net 316-283-0130
Vice-President Duane Ely duaneely@cox.net 620-665-7517
Treasurer Mitch Paradis mitch@kustomkarriers.com 316-529-1273, 2801 Acacia, North Newton KS 67117
Secretary, Newsletter Dana Shifflett dmshifflett@iwichita.com 316-283-2985
Kansas RVP Dan Coonce dcoonce@cox.net 620-665-9739
3rd VP, Nat’l Exec. Board Lenny Wild oldchevy6@hotmail.com 316-283-7423

Printing donated by the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking

• Minutes of our Meeting, Wednesday 8 October 08, Plazago Truckstop in South Hutchinson. Called to order at 7 something by Pres. Goering. Minutes of 6 Sept meeting read, accepted. Treasurer’s report read, accept. Member Fred Teft’s first meeting (‘bout time!), he has ’52 & ’59 Chevys.
• Fall Board Meeting (National) next week in Huntsville AL. 3rd VP Lenny, RVP Danny, Andy and Bondo will go, room for two more available.
• Thanks again from James and Connie Wiens for our support of Goessel Threshing Days.
• Winter Trip to Washington (Kansas, that is – it’s way north on K15) – Lenny is working on a Chapter trip to view another private collection.
• Inman Tractor Show – not many of us made it, were much appreciated.
• Tentative ’09 Activity Schedule was read by Sec Shifflett (and posted under Trip Sheet).
• Our Website update – in short, don’t worry about it. See it at www.athskansas.org.
• Meeting adjourned 7:44pm
• What really happened: RVP Danny arranged for a private buffet. The food was very good, the best I’ve had there. I counted 29 attending. That includes Fred.

Several of us had a look at the Jerry Toews collection on 25 October – didn’t make a head count but we were well represented. Jerry has several old tractors and engines and has either the talent or the contacts to custom make parts needed for their restoration. One especially interesting engine, which originally ran on coal gas but now goes with hydrogen, utilizes what Jerry called a “flame transfer ignition”: instead of a spark plug there is a pilot light, and a sliding valve (a metal bar with a cavity in it) literally scoops flame from the pilot light to the cylinder where, if all’s gone well, it ignites the intake charge.

Jerry also has an engine that runs on black powder. The manufacturer’s instructions suggest standing behind a barrier when you start it. Jerry didn’t. Start it, that is. The close proximity of the rest of his collection may’ve had something to do with that. It would’ve been interesting, from a distance.

Wheat State Chapter Elections – We’re supposed to elect chapter officers for the coming year at the Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner, but I don’t think the subject occurred to any of us before a couple of weeks ago and no one has done any scheming or maneuvering to try to rope anyone else into a position of responsibility. Given the late date, your Board has decided to do it this way: We will all be glad to stay in office another year and will do so unless someone else wants to give it a shot. Interested parties will have the opportunity to nominate themselves at the Dinner. If that happens, and the current office holder isn’t paying attention and therefore can’t immediately abdicate while he has the chance, the membership present will then vote their preference.

There will be no December newsletter or membership meeting. The next newsletter will go out the first full week of January.

Wheat State Chapter’s Annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner

Saturday, 22 November

Newell’s Truckstop, I-135/US50 exit 31, Newton

Social Hour 5:30, Dinner (steak!) at 6:00

$15/person includes tip

Video of the Hutch Nat’l Convention and Antique Truck Show

RSVP with Dana (316-283-2985, dmshifflett@iwichita.com) nlt 18 November

Don’t throw it away yet, there’s more on the other side.

• This Saturday, 25 October, at 1pm , the Wheat State Chapter/ATHS will see the Jerry Taze collection (tractors) in Goessell. Jerry’s place is the first on the left after you turn off K15 in Goessel – look for the red sheds. There’s plenty of room for parking on the north side of the street.
• Also this weekend, a swap meet at the state fairgrounds in Hutch. It’s much smaller than the Sunflower meet, but over the years I’ve bought more here. A couple of years ago, I found a dual carb manifold for an IHC 6 for $70, but couldn’t reach anyone I thought would be interested.
• Don’t forget our Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner and November meeting at Newell’s truckstop on Saturday, 22 November. The newsletter will be out @ Wednesday the 12th.  - Dana

Minutes of our Meeting, 6 September 08 at Laird-Noller Motors, Hutchinson, in conjunction with our L-N Motors Truck Show. Called to order at 1pm by President Goering. Minutes of our 2 August meeting were read, accepted. Treas. Paradis reported our balance (it’s still there) and payment to the State of Kansas of $129.16 for Convention sales taxes; accepted. Pres. Goering thanked Russ Singleton and L-N Motors for hosting our show and providing the food and drinks. Scott had previously given Russ a couple of our Convention commemorative truck models.

Buddy Sombart drove in from Missouri for the show and meeting with a Power Wagon in tow. It belongs to the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association.

Scholarships – Pres Goering briefed the meeting on the Board’s consideration of establishing a scholarship for students of select courses of study at HCC and McPCC. No decisions have been made.

’09 Calendar – 3rd VP Lenny Wild is already working on our Chapter calendar. He would prefer submissions to be pictures taken by the Convention photographer. Four months have been spoken for.

Schedule of Events for fall ’08 was read. Consensus was not to support the upcoming Hutch Car Show as a Chapter.

Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner – motioned, seconded, voted to use the back room of Charlie’s in Newell’s Truckstop. We may for the first time have a speaker, a Haliburton driver back from Iraq.

Meeting adjourned 1:25pm.

What really happened – it rained/drizzled/misted all day and we still had a decent turn-out of membership and trucks. As some one put it, if Buddy’s coming from Missouri, the rest of us better make an effort. There was a decent showing by the public, too, but I doubt L-N Motors had anywhere near the floor traffic they got from last year’s show.

Long-Distance Members – Buddy isn’t the only one who’ll go the distance. Wheat State’r Mason Borthwick drove from Garden City for the Goessel show and meeting in August. He brought his hand-cranked dump truck with him, a REO as I recall. I meant to recognize Mason in last month’s newsletter but he slipped my mind, which puts him in rather sizeable company. At any rate, thanks for coming Mason, it was good to meet you and yeah, the truck is neat.

Rumour Control – The vacuum tee on my 77’s intake was loose, and apparently had been since a shop fixed a burnt valve in the early ‘90s. Close proximity to the oil pressure sending unit prevented me from tightening or removing it. The sending unit took a 9/16th, but it was tight and too close to the firewall. What I needed was an open distributor wrench, if there was such a critter.

The Newton Bumper to Bumper I normally deal with was closed so I called a Saturday Morning Store (as I call them). “We’ve got ‘em”, said the voice. “Open, not box, right?” “Sure” sez he, “I put ‘em on the rack this morning.” When I got there, the voice took me to the rack, pulled a wrench off and handed it to me. “This is a box wrench” sez I; “I need open.” “Huh?” “Open, I need an open distributor wrench.” The voice looked at the full rack and said “Well, it’s been really busy this afternoon”. So busy that someone even bought the space where the wrench had hung, and the placard too. I bought a crow’s foot wrench set, but the sending unit was too large for it to work and I will return it. I was thinking of the wasted 15-mile round trip when I put the heel of my palm against the vacuum tee and gave it a shove. It snapped right off. I spun the remnant out and went about piecing together a new vacuum system with parts already procured from Bumper to Bumper. It’s farther to that store, but the miles and time have never been wasted.

Second item: After the show at Goessel, we will head for Ninth and Main in Newton to take part in the Parade which opens the Harvey County Fair. The parade starts at 6pm, and the organizers want to have us in place nlt 515pm. We plan to be there nlt 5pm, which will hopefully be in plenty of time.

Please pass this on to our off-line members.   Dana

Minutes of our Meeting, 16 July 08 at Newell’s Truckstop, Newton. Called to order at 7pm by Pres. Goering. Minutes of our 18 June meeting were read and accepted. Treasurer Paradis reports we have a balance (not reported here because we don’t want to embarrass other chapters) and a check is still due to ATHS for library digitalization; accepted.

Our Western Orphans – RVP Dan Coonce talked of promoting the ATHS in western Kansas and said he would like to have a meeting/show in that region to give our western members an opportunity to participate. Someone almost immediately suggested the Tired Iron Show in Larned which is very close to the center of that portion of the state west of I-135/US81. Sec Shifflett said he would contact the organizer right away; Pres. Goering gave him authority to schedule the chapter.

Goessel – RVP Dan Coonce proposed Wheat State support Threshing Days in Goessel as a chapter activity. No vote taken, but there was wide general agreement. James Wiens, an organizer for Threshing Days, was heavily involved in running our National Convention.

Buddy’s Show in Missouri – AndyF, Bondo, Lenny, Scott and Mitch made the trip.

Hutch 4 July Parade – 25 trucks took part; do not know what percentage was ours, but we were well-represented. James Wiens motioned we compensate Big Jim for the barbeque; seconded, passed.

National Level News – 3rd VP Lenny Wild and RVP Danny Coonce report new computers are up and running; Executive Director Bill Johnson will go to the IFTA meeting in New Orleans where he will continue to work on classifying our antiques as RVs rather than as commercial vehicles; 5200 library photos have been digitalized; no BETO Junction Show this year due to scheduling and sponsorship conflicts.

Adjourned at 7:33pm, so the staff could serve our meal without interrupting.

Just Docked: George Wiedemann of Burdette, KS; and Wendell Doonan of Great Bend, our untraceable new member from last month (DuaneE found him).

This newsletter is posted on our chapter website (www.athskansas.org) and is available by e-mail. Contact me at dmshifflett@iwichita.com.

Rumour Propogation Department:
- Big Jim catered two events on 4 July, our post-parade picnic and then a wedding, with very little time between them. He was stopped by the KHP enroute to the wedding due to the excessive amount of smoke pouring from his grill/trailer as he motored down the highway. I don’t know the outcome of this, but he is reported to have told the KHP that he only set fire to two wheatfields in all of last year. With my crop, it would’ve been a favor.

- Two new members this month, plus the 125 total I reported last month, equals 132 total. For real.

- “There were people who saw the trucks in the transporter parking area and thought that was the truck show”- Wheat State’r James Wiens, dockmeister at our National Convention.

Hutch 4 July Parade Video – Someone filmed and posted about 2 minutes of it, including most of the Wheat State trucks, on youtube. Thanx, Todd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VCOaZ3srNg

Minutes of our Meeting, 18 June 08 at Bondo’s shop, Hutch. Called to order at 7:08pm by President Scott Goering, who began with thanks to everyone for work done on and for the Convention. Minutes of the 10 May meeting were read and accepted. The treasurer’s report included the following: all bills are paid; 50% of the Wednesday BBQ revenue goes to digitalizing the Library at ATHS/HQ; we have a balance (not reported here because we wouldn’t want to disillusion those who think we’re rollin’ in it); we have commemorative shop rags, models and chocks left to sell. Report accepted.

Motioned by AndyF, to price the models at $20 to members, $25 to non-members. Passed. Lenny will take models (and shop rags and chocks) to Buddy’s show and Gretna.

Hutch 4 July Parade – We’re in it. BBQ (Big Jim) at Lake Talbot immediately following, for chapter members and everyone else who helped with the Convention.

Prez Goering gave another, longer attaboy to all of us for the Convention. This was followed by a lengthy discussion of community response to and support for the Convention.

Meeting Adjourned 8: 05pm, even though the pizza hadn’t yet arrived.

Rumour Propogation Department: Our Convention pumped over $900,000 into the local economy.

Just Docked: Bud Gaines of Parker, CO; Galen McDonald of Mullinville; Dean Ashby, the Oklahoma RVP; Dean Brigman of Hutchinson; John Munds of Hutchinson; Jim Doerksen of Marlow, OK; Johnny Riley or Chickasha, OK; Danny Downs of Topeka; Gary Knott of Wichita; and Carl Staub of St John. That’s nine new members, all in the month of May. It would be ten if Wendell Doonan could prove that he exists – all I have for him is his name. As it stands, we number 125.

Member Contact Stuff – In the last couple of weeks before the Convention, I sent a few e-mails to keep members up-to-date on a number of things. The problem with this, of course, is that not everyone is on-line and almost half of our members were not informed directly, if at all, because I didn’t have time to phone or mail everyone else. If someone in your home has an e-mail account and checks it regularly, and doesn’t mind receiving e-mail for you, it may mean the difference between being up-to-date and alone-at-the-gate. You’ll still receive your newsletter by regular mail if you wish.

FYI, 72 of our 125 chapter members receive their newsletters by e-mail. They collectively save the chapter $30.24 in postage with each newsletter for a total of $332.64 per year. It takes a bit over 5 minutes to transmit all their newsletters; they can be sent at any time of the day, night, or week; they arrive within minutes; and the paper saved could be burned with much less hassle while still in the form of a tree somewhere in California.

The 53 newsletters that go by regular mail require a couple of hours to print, fold, tape, address and stamp, they can only leave Newton once a day (in the evening) and not at all on Sunday, and they’ll be at least overnight enroute. Logistically, that’s not bad at all, and if I have and use all nine digits of your zip code (which, thanks to the miracle of technology, will automatically get your newsletter sorted to your side of the street on your block), transit time can be reduced by a day. The printing is provided free by Floyd Wild Trucking and so is the workspace, and sometimes Big Jim is cooking.

My point is not to harass you off-line members. I’m glad you’re here and I knew the job was dangerous when I took it. But I do want everyone to know that those members who elect to receive their newsletter by e-mail collectively cut expenditures for both the chapter and Floyd Wild, and my workload, by at least 57%, and I appreciate it.

No, I won’t polish your tanks.

E-Mail Issues – I’ve had a recurring problem in assuring that new members are entered in my computer’s e-mail address book. The computer listed members alphabetically by FIRST name, not last. Comparisons of the address book with a data base, either Duane’s or mine, could be done, but the process was awkward and it was easy to miss members and I often did. I recently found a way to re-structure the address book so that members are listed by their last names. I think this problem is solved. It only took five years.

Pix of the 4 July parade and BBQ are at http://www.chargerfever.com/athsjuly42008/index.html.

Shop Rag Newsletter of the Wheat State Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, June 2008

Minutes of our Meeting, 10 May 08 at Bondo’s shop, Hutchinson. Called to order at 1210pm by President Goering. Pizza ordered first.

RVP Lenny Wild reports 150 show truck models on hand in red or white, and chapter shop rags available in red and white.

Pres. Goering updated us on fairgraound layout and volunteers. Meeting called for 17 May 2pm at fairgrounds for final orientation. Chapter trucks can start moving in on Tuesday 20 May at 8am. Monday 19 May at 1000am members and volunteers meet at the AT&T Pavilion to put out direction signs.

Treasurer Mitch Paradis we are still in the black with no outstanding invoices. Approved.

Meeting adjourned 12:35pm.

Check the Trip Sheet for our 4th of July Parade and BBQ Plans

About our National Convention:

- “Since I’m the one who got us into this project, I think I should say a big THANKS!! to all of you guys and to our whole chapter membership and the other chapters and groups who have helped us to put on what I would consider to be a successful show. I heard a lot of compliments and no complaints that we had any control over. I had a question from Tom Dooley, assistant manager of the Chamber of Commerce, saying that he had been asked by several attendees and numerous local merchants if this is a program we can have every year. I suggested that plans have been made for at least the next 4 years, and that we might consider it if we were encouraged by other chapters. Thanks to all of you guys who picked up the ball as fast as I was dropping it. I’m sorry that my old knees just wouldn’t hold up. THANKS!!!!!! “ Duane

- Red Hoffman, Hugh Bass, and Floyd Wild Trucking all received 50 year awards at the Banquet. Ludwig Truck Line was also supposed to get one but there was a snafu of some sort and it didn’t happen. I believe it may be presented during the Labor Day celebration in Florence.

- “The Hutch show was a good one with 580+ trucks registered. The Kansas State fairground was one of the best venues we have ever had and the Wheat State Chapter did a super job.” (From 2nd VP John Vannatta’s trip report to B-W Chapter members)

- Two known complaints: The highway signs in Emporia were hard to follow, and the tractor-tram didn’t stop near the trucks someone wanted to see.

- Bondo and Coonce were flying around the Fairgrounds in their golf carts throughout the week, trying to get volunteers in position along with any other essential stuff that needed to be done. Danny refueled his cart 13 times. Bondo talks as if the golf carts need air-ride. I think he said he also put 68 miles on his Chevy wagon just hauling things around the Fairgrounds.

-Wheat State’r Todd Wilson posted links to pix of the Convention every day on the aths.org forum, and the total must run in the hundreds. Such near-real-time coverage has apparently never before been available, and the posted response was enthusiastic.

- Having discussed the incident with an Autocar pilot, I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for fragging the turbo on one of Lenny’s trucks a couple of years ago (Sorry ‘bout that….)

- We made the KSN evening news – they apparently had a crew covering us Thursday afternoon. And Mike Berry of the Wichita Eagle’s Sunday Wichita on Wheels gave us a really great spread in the 1 June edition. I didn’t see them, but the Territorial Magazine (a chapter member!) was there and will feature us in an upcoming issue. The Hutchinson News even did a couple of articles on the Convention.

- Much of Hutch seems to have been unprepared for our show. Skaet’s wasn’t the only restaurant to run out of food, and some spectators arrived expecting nothing more than a couple dozen trucks and a few old f*rts sitting in the shade around a beer cooler (What? In our group?). By one account, our Convention was the biggest non-fair event ever at the Fairgrounds.

- We paid our own way. To my knowledge, we neither asked for nor received any funds or free services from Hutch, Reno County, or the Fairgrounds. That said, all were very supportive of our event.

- Numbers I’ve heard: 580+ trucks, 1500 or so members registered, 15,000 spectators.

- Our profit from the Wednesday evening cookout, $700 and change, will be donated to the ATHS for the digitalization of the Library.

- Treasurer Mitch sez we’re in the black, he just hasn’t yet figured out how.

Regarding our Chapter – We began with Gary Crow, Jim Siemens and Duane Ely sitting around a table and saying “why not?”. Duane sent a letter to Kansas ATHS members, and several of us got together in the meeting room at the Hutchinson Airport in September of ’03 to make plans. On the 29th of October we met again at the airport; there were more of us this time, and we were joined by ATHS Managing Director Bill Johnson and Missouri/Kansas RVP Wes Seyller. In short order we had a chapter and a name.

Today we’re 120 strong, we’ve just hosted a successful and well-received National Convention, and a Wheat State’r is 3rd Vice President on the Executive Board. That would be a pretty good showing for anyone, and we haven’t finished our 5th year.

The most important element of our success has to be enthusiasm. I haven’t seen anyone who’s in it for anything but fun. Our meetings sometimes border on the chaotic (I’m the one who has to take minutes, right?), and the only thing we take seriously is the question of how many of what pizza to order. Truth is, we’re really there to see what’s going on in Bondo’s shop.

- Convention Headquarters, and the Volunteer desk, will be in the south end of the Sunflower South building. When you are ready to volunteer to help run the show, that’s where you need to go.

- Monday 1000am, we need anyone available to help put up direction signs. Meet at the AT&T Pavillion.

- Tuesday 0800am, Wheat State Chapter Truck check-in. This time is reserved for us. If you can’t make it, no sweat, you can check in at any time when registration is open throughout the convention.

- Trucks enter from Plum Street by the treeline at the far north end of the fairgrounds. Those who need to unload proceed west to the docks. State Fair Road separates this area from the main part of the fair grounds. Trucks ready to register report to Gate 7, which is toward the east end of State Fair Road . Do not block State Fair Road. If this is confusing, don’t sweat it, just ask for instructions, follow the signs, and get in line.

Saturday, 17 May, 200pm – We meet at the AT&T Arena on the Fairgrounds. This will be a dry run for registration/parking/set-up procedures, with final orientation. Monday, 19 May, 1000am – Volunteers meet at AT&T Arena to put out direction signs. Tuesday, 20 May 800am – Wheat State Chapter trucks start moving in. We will be the first to register/check in/park. Others can in-process after we’re done. Please note, chapter members are not required to check in at this time, we can come in at any later time, but this

As of last Saturday, pre-registrations included 810 members, 370 trucks, and over 100 rv/camping reservations. We seem to be on-track to have over 700 trucks. I haven’t heard of anyone’s travel plans other than those of the Colorado contingent – I believe they’ll roll east out of the Denver area at 7am Tuesday, which means they’ll be here that evening.

Dana: I don’t know if you had followed the Wichita Eagle story clear through, but if you will click on the message in the “gallery” box, you will get a good story about the Newton show. You might want to send this out to all e-mail members of the club. Thanks. Duane Posted on Sunday, Apr. 27, 2008 Keep on truckin' By MIKE BERRY Duane Haltom and his twin brother, Dwight, learned to drive in a 1929 Ford Tudor sedan. So when Duane, a former Reno County deputy sheriff and Kansas Highway Patrol trooper, decided to restore an old vehicle, he found himself another 1929 Ford. But this one was a pickup. Read More...

Our Fifth Annual Truck Show at Newell’s was our biggest yet with 43 trucks on display. If you’re on-line, you can view Todd Wilson’s pictures at www.chargerfever.com/newton2008/index.html.

We had a membership meeting during the show, someone did take minutes, someone else misplaced them, and you don’t see them here. I wasn’t there. I was working. That’s my excuse. I’ll use it again.

Our Members and Volunteers Cook-out at the fairgrounds was well-attended. We talked, Dan cooked, we ate, Vern locked himself out of his truck, and it rained. The Johnsons were in Hutch’ all day, working up the final lay-out, and it looks to me as it most of the issues raised at our Board Meetings have been addressed and resolved. One of the more persistent issues has been… Volunteer Assignments – For a number of reasons, chapter members have been reluctant to volunteer for specific jobs and shifts. At the last Board Meeting, we decided to take a different approach: When you get to the convention and you are ready to volunteer, go to the Convention headquarters/control desk in the Meadowlark building. Andy F will be there, and he’ll be glad to tell you where to go, as always. Wheat State Member Vic Munsey is still driving trucks in Iraq, I believe for four years now. At its last meeting, the board voted to continue his chapter membership for free.  Networking – (I’m not at all sure that I have the details straight on this story, but Scott had such a good time telling it to me that I think you’d all enjoy it, too) – At our chapter truck show in ’06, someone showed Lenny a picture of a truck and asked if he would be interested in buying it. Lenny declined, saying he had enough trucks (?!) but would be glad to take his name, number, and picture and ask around for him. The name and phone number soon sank out of sight in Lenny’s office but the picture stayed somewhere close to the surface.

Roughly six weeks later, after the Colorado Springs National, Louisiana/Arkansas RVP David McNeill stopped by Lenny’s and at some point the conversation turned to trucks. David knew what he wanted but couldn’t find it. The aforementioned picture picked that occasion to bob to the surface. The truck in the picture was, of course, exactly what David wanted, but the contact info couldn’t be found. Lenny thought the truck was somewhere around Great Bend or Larned, but no one could remember anything like it.

Sometime later, David was on the phone with an ATHS member in Australia. At some point, most likely the beginning, that conversation also turned to old trucks. David told him what he was looking for, and described the truck in the picture. The Aussie, of course, knew the exact truck by David’s description, and also knew where it was: in eastern Colorado, not exactly Great Bend but the Arkansas River does run through both and that’s close enough.

David went to Colorado and showed the picture to everyone who would look. No one recognized the truck, but one fellow did recognize a fence in the background of the photo. It was in a nearby town. The truck was right beside it.

Lenny hauled the truck to Newton. They pulled it fifty feet and it started, on twenty-year-old #2 diesel. David then drove it four miles to this year’s truck show at Newell’s – it’s the green R-model in #19 of Todd’s pictures at www.chargerfever.com/newton2008/index.html.

It ran out of twenty-year-old #2 diesel on the way back to Lenny’s. If you don’t try, you’ll never know how good your luck can be.

The Convention is Almost Here. Trucks are already arriving from out of state (Buddy’s really ready to roll). Come on out, chip in, and have a good time. Hope to see all of you there.

Minutes of our meeting, 12 March at Newell’s Truckstop, Newton. Called to order at 7:04pm by Pres. Goering. Minutes were read and accepted with a correction: the Red Hat Ladies are still with us for the Convention. Treasurer Paradis reported 83 paid-up members and a balance and we accepted that, too. We had one visitor, Larry Voth, who invited us to show again at Goessel Threshing Days, first weekend of August.

Beto Junction – The Three Trails chapter and Buddy Sombart have asked for scheduling input from us for the Beto Junction show. It was in August in ’07, same weekend as Gretna and Goessel. We have yet to reply. Discussion: need to avoid conflict with Gretna, Goessel, Adrian (MO), Laird-Noller, 3-I, the National, Newell’s, and Labor Day events in both Hoisington and Florence. No decision made, open.

KC Board Meeting – RVP Lenny reports Wheat State was well represented on 8 March, too well for me to keep up with all the names he rattled off. Some items from the meeting: an internet chapter is in the works; upgrades are planned for the ATHS website forum; the ’11 Nat’l will be at Notre Dame, IN, and the ’12 will be in Springfield, MA. He also reminded us of the ATHS Open House on 15 March, starting at 10am with lunch at noon. A convoy will leave Newell’s at 6:30am.

Hutch’ National – we now have two street rod clubs from Hutchinson that have volunteered to help; we will host a BBQ at the Fairgrounds at 4pm on 26 April for volunteers, both local and those from out-of-state who can make it; we have a proposal from Nightlife Sounds to provide an outdoor sound system (under consideration by the chapter board and HQ); we are working on a sign to acknowledge supporters; Mike Berry of the Sunday (Wichita) Eagle’s Wichita on Wheels will do a pre-convention feature on our chapter (look for him at our 19 April Truck Show at Newell’s); James Wiens and RVP Lenny are printing shop rags for sale as a fund-raiser (real shop rags, though I’m sure lots of folks the world over would jump at the chance to buy reprints of the newsletter).

Meeting adjourned 7:42pm.

They’ve moved on – The only difficulty I encounter in doing the newsletter is having to report a death in our ATHS family. This month there are two. Wheat State member Gus Meschke of Hutchinson died in February; he’d been with us for three years. George Schroyer, the ATHS National Secretary for several years, died on 9 March; several of his trucks were recently featured in WoT. In Chairman Dovre’s words, he was a real gentleman and supporter of the ATHS. Cards for both families were signed by those present at our March chapter meeting. We’ll miss both of these Drivers.

Our Trucks – Mitch has taken delivery of his ’54 Diamond T 921, and I think already has a full trailer (a Pike?) to follow it; Lenny picked up a ’47 IH wrecker; Dan Coonce has a ’68 KW; Bill J has a ’73 long nose GMC and a ’47 Chevy farm truck waiting in Iowa; San Nikkel bought…. Um, I’ll bet most of us don’t know San because he hasn’t been to meetings because he wasn’t aware of them because SOMEONE neglected to add him to the mailing list. San showed up at Laird-Noller last September with a late-40’s Studebaker winch truck that he drove in from Moundridge. He made it only half-way home that afternoon before the engine blew. He has since rebuilt it and picked up a ’48 KB8 (also a winch-) so that he wouldn’t be caught without on short notice, not that a Stude would ever do that to you. Lastly – my parts truck is a-part, the remnants being a farm trailer, a 300 six to rebuild, a T-18 which (according to the shop) looks like new inside, some glass, a door, and a large box of parts. Missing from that box is the instrument cluster housing. Ford molded it in a plastic that cures with age to the point where it has the structural integrity of dried flour-and-water paste. I have only ever managed to salvage one of these intact, and I dropped it on the garage floor. The housing in the parts truck had already crumbled away from its mounting screws. None of this will happen to the housing in my ‘77 unless I try to peel the duct tape off.

Printed at the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking

Cyber Trucks - This from Wheat State’r Todd Wilson: Several years ago I found an old oil field Dart in a boneyard at Pratt. A friend of mine bought it and it ended up in Iowa. I was talking Darts at a chapter meeting one time when Gary Crow got involved in the conversation. He said he knew of 2 Darts in Pratt. He had photos and 8mm video of them in action. After looking at my photos he thought his footage was of my friends Dart. He got the 8mm converted to DVD and I got to watch the video today. Amazing to see the truck in action! I snapped some still photos of the video tonight as well as adding photos of how I found the truck a few years ago. There is a possibility this Dart will be at the ATHS 08 in May here in Hutch! Enjoy! http://www.chargerfever.com/dart/index.html.

Others to check out:

http://www.youtube.com/user/1947dodgewf32

http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/ATHS-3-Trails/Cline Work Day 12-08-07/

http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/ATHS-3-Trails/Cline Work Day 12-15-07/

http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/ATHS-3-Trails/Cline Work Day 2-23-08/

protruck@msn.com

Not good news: http://otw.live.mediaspanonline.com/story/021208salvageyard

Minutes of our meeting, Saturday 23 February 08 at Fields Enterprises, Hutchinson. Called to order at 12:21pm by Pres. Goering. Treasurer Paradis gave his report (accepted), passed around one of the laser-engraved chocks (donated by Kustom Kabinets of Wichita), and reported 81 paid-up members out of 112 on the roster. Sec. Shifflett read the January meeting minutes (accepted).

National Convention – several items, most covered by Pres. Goering:
- We lost the Red Hat Ladies and Old Time Band; Dan Coonce is looking for replacements       
- Outdoor concessions chosen – Scott will contact.
- Nitelife Sounds and Commercial Sound Systems will both bid to provide outside sound systems.       
- 2-way Radios – Salt Fest Organizers have ten, may supply to us.
- All fairgrounds restrooms will be available. Booked 6 porta-pottys for unloading and other areas. 
- RVP Lenny Wild has three trailers promoting the Convention: I-135 at exit 22, Wilhite’s on US50 in Burrton, and the Floyd Wild terminal in Newton (which will move to roadside I-70 in Salina).
- Luminous Neon Will provide billboard signs at 3rd & Main in Hutch, on K-61 north of 30th St (Hutch), and on US50 in Dodge City. ATHS buys the canvas (each 12x24).
- Ambulance service is available to us. Area is available on-site for a minor emergency clinic.    
- Night time security is a possibility; Scott is talking with the Reno County Sheriff’s Auxilliary.
- An internet service station will be set up. Wheat State computer guru Don Grier will have a digital video camera, will post videos on-line.   
- A washing station will be set up at the loading/un-loading area.
- VP Ely suggested we all pre-register, to set the example.  
- Treasurer Shifflett will approach KAKE news, KPTS, the Wichita Eagle, and the Kansas convention and tourism office about publicity and news coverage.

Member’sTrucks – Treasurer Mitch Paradis is buying a ’54 Diamond “T” (pictured bottom left, page 14, ’07 SHOWTIME). He’s keeping his Autocar cap. A motion by Dan Coonce allows Mitch to have both the “T” and an Autocar, should one be available. The vote was unanimous but probably not enough to over-ride a veto. Gary Crow has picked up a Ford N750, and his long-nose ’50 GMC is undergoing re-constructive surgery with Justin Fields (Jr).

Pizza arrived at 1:04 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 1:05pm.

Minutes of our meeting, 26 January 08 at Floyd Wild Trucking, Newton. Big Jim served lunch, and the meeting was then called to order at 12:37pm by Pres. Goering. Sec Shifflett reported on the last meeting for which minutes were available and not yet reported (November ’07) (accepted); Treasurer Paradis gave his report (accepted).

BETO Junction – Buddy Sombart (who deserves a long distance award for driving in from Amoret, MO) reported poor turnout at the BETO Junction truck show last August; he requested suggestions for dates with minimal conflicts.

RVP Lenny Wild announced his nomination for 3rd VP on the Executive Board, and Dan Coonce’s nomination for Kansas RVP. He went on to thank everyone who drove some distance to make the meeting, and reported having sent a letter to Kansas ATHS members in late December ’08. On the subject of the ’08 Hutch National: We need members to sign up for support positions; Pres. Scott and RVP Lenny attended a meeting of the 2 Cylinder Club in Hutch which will pull trams and set up a display during the Convention; golf carts will be allowed but not ATVs.

Hutch Support Staff – It was proposed that the cap color for support staff should be orange, in mesh, and that they use orange vests instead of a specific shirt. Motioned, seconded, passed.

Fund Raisers – New member Matt Mock won the 50/50, and new member Wayne Reece won the raffle for an International Transtar belt buckle that 1) was donated by Red Hoffman, 2) has a most remarkable history (provided by Dan Coonce), and 3) isn’t in Lenny’s collection. Believe it or don’t.

Meeting adjourned at 1:19pm. When I left (after 2pm) a few bull sessions were still in progress and several members were in the Floyd Wild yard, checking out Lenny’s collection. I counted 41 attending.

Wheat State’r Don Grier is one member we rarely get to see. I hardly know the fellow, and I don’t think I’d recognize him if I saw him. He has nonetheless been one of the more influential members of our chapter due to his work in establishing and maintaining our chapter website (www.athskansas.org) . Don’s mother recently passed on. I hope we can all find a moment for our friend and his family, and that we can see him again soon.

The ATHS wasn’t what I thought it was when I joined, that being an Old Truck Club. It’s my good fortune to have stumbled on something much more. In my defense, I would point out that the “T” in ATHS stands for Truck, not Trucking, and I simply assumed too narrow a focus. I’m not the only one to have had a blindered view of our Society, and it’s not hard to see how it might happen, given its stratified character. At the Personal level, the ATHS can be as simple as Me and My Truck and an outstanding magazine. At the Local and Regional levels it becomes the Old Truck Club I was looking for: friends, garage parties and truck shows. At the National level, the ATHS is something different altogether, not just an Old Truck Club but a Historical Society, the National Archive of Trucking. We maintain and preserve the records and artifacts of the trucking industry and trucks in industry, and the stories of the people who were and are part of it. It is a big organization with a big mission.

If you read the meeting minutes, you already know that RVP Lenny Wild has been nominated for the position of 3rd Vice President on the ATHS Executive Committee, and that Wheat State Board Member Danny Coonce has been nominated to replace him as RVP for Kansas. Both have been with our Chapter from the start and have been exceptionally involved in its development. I think both know the multi-faceted nature of our Society and both will serve it well, as they already have. Like all the others on the ExCom and Board of Directors, they will fulfill their duties on their own time and their own dollar with no compensation for either, making these offices an honor that few can afford. We are fortunate to have, within the ATHS and our chapter, members with the necessary talent, resource, and commitment to serve our Society at that level. Without them, it could be just Me and My Truck. That wouldn’t be enough.

Page Filler – Don Grier (who, with Todd Wilson, manages our website) has put up a message forum area on the Wheat State web site http://www.athskansas.org/ - Todd Wilson sent a number of websites for to check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB7i7SLdRV4 ; http://www.mytrain.com/ ; http://www.chargerfever.com/blizzard78/index.html (trucker stranded in blizzard)

Hello Drivers, another year is here and it’s going to be a big one for the Wheat State Chapter. Three years have passed since our crew offered to host the ’08 National Convention. We are now less than five months from the big event. The Chapter Board has been meeting regularly and frequently since the Colorado Springs National and we have progressed well, but we are just about to the point where we need everyone’s involvement. If you haven’t already volunteered for a part in running the Convention, please take the opportunity to do so at the next meeting (see Trip Sheet, below) or contact RVP Lenny Wild. Some members have said to just assign them to whatever is open and we can certainly do that, but it sounds better if we can say you volunteered. Which we probably would anyway.

We had our annual Chapter dinner at Mr. C’s in Newton back in November. We didn’t do any business and I was too busy eating to take minutes anyway so you won’t find any here. The food was good, the friends were great, and the 50/50 drawing was excellent (I won, again).

On the back of the newsletter is a Wheat State Chapter Membership Application. I know you’re probably already a member, but please take a few minutes to fill it out anyway and either bring it to the next meeting or mail it to Mitch (address on the form). Treasurer Mitch, VP Duane and I will then spend untold hours with this info to update the Wheat State databases (yes, there’s more than one; confusion is more effective when you have company). Bring it to the next meeting or mail it to Mitch, and don’t forget to include a check for $12 (made out to Wheat State Chapter) to cover ’08 chapter dues, which are due as of 1 January.  (download the membership form)

Minutes of our meeting, 10 October ’07 at Newell’s Truckstop, Newton, 7pm (almost).

Shirts and caps – James Voth of Ratzlaff Draperies in Goessel was on hand to discuss chapter shirts and caps, which he can provide. Short sleeve embroidered starts at $22-25, and he can do your own shirt for @$7.00. Knit shirts are the same price. Caps are $8-10; low-profile caps would be a bit tight for our logo, but high-profile caps would present no problem. Delivery would take @two weeks. He left catalogs.

Minutes of our September meeting were not read because there aren’t any. I didn’t take any. The meeting was part of our show at Laird-Noller Motors in Hutch on 8 September, and we were really there to show our trucks anyway. Motioned, seconded and voted to accept this excuse.

The Treasurer’s Report was more precise. We don’t reveal the balance in the newsletter, but Mitch did report a balance and the report was accepted.

Chapter Dues The Board proposed raising chapter dues to $12/year, pro-rated for new members at $1/month. Dues are due 1 January; a late notice will be sent 1 March, and non-respondents will be dropped after 31 March. Motioned, passed.

Fall National Board Meeting Report by RVP Lenny Wild - A proposal was made to raise national dues to $42; this will be voted on at the spring board meeting. The Board was impressed with the state fair grounds as the ’08 convention venue. The ATHS now has @24,000 members.

Christmas Cards – a proposal made to send Christmas cards to all the Chapters with an invitation to attend the ’08 Hutch National. Motioned, 2nd’d, passed.

Meeting adjourned 7:51pm

The next newsletter will be sent out @ 7 January ’08.

Chapter Board members: Lenny has suggested we hold a Chapter Board Meeting on the evening of wednesday 3 October, instead of or perhaps even in addition to the meeting already scheduled for the following wednesday. Given the decisions to be made before our deadline (15 October), it seems a good idea. I'll send notice of location when one has been chosen. For those of you who haven't already heard, the Fireside Restaurant in Burrton has closed for business. - Dana Shifflett

Printed after hours at the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking

A genuine, authentic, un-retouched and not-physically-enhanced representation of our bumper sticker, in glorious color or black & white, depending.   Available at our next meeting.

Shop Rag   Newsletter for the Wheat State Chapter/American Truck Historical Society, August 2007

Minutes of our meeting, 18 July 07 at Newell’s Truck Stop, Newton.  Called to order at 7:03 by Pres. Goering.  16 May minutes read, accepted; July postage was $15.99 for 39 newsletters.  Treasurer reported balance and 5 members not paid up for 07; accepted, and Pres. Goering will call those members.

Goessel Threshing Days – Saturday is show day for chapter, use west entrance.

4 July Post-Parade Picnic in Hutchinson raised $240 for the 08 Nat’l.

Hutch Tractor Show Scott Goering and Bob Wilhite hauled tractors for this show.

Hutch 08 National: We have 08 brochures; RVP Lenny discussed volunteer shifts, suggested 4-hour shift length; Lenny will get some give-away WoTs for our upcoming shows; Lenny (last time!) has ’08 Hutch commemorative keychains, $5/ea or 3 for $20 which would be a bargain for someone.  A question was raised regarding Hutch C of C info bags, the reply being we can get all we want.  Publicity: VP Ely reports that there is a new editor at the Hutchinson paper and we may find a warmer reception than in times past; Sec Shifflett reports Mike Berry of the Wichita Eagle has supported/promoted us in the past and has been informed of the 08 Nat’l; The Territorial Magazine is a chapter member, they are doing a spread on the 07 National and will for 08 as well, they sponsor/organize the 3-I show, they promote us and we should do the same for them, Richard Thrasher suggested using our trucks to help promote them.

Upcoming meetings – Bill Pierson reports Bennett GMC in Salina is interested in hosting a meeting and our trucks; VP Ely reports same for Laird-Noller in Hutch.  After discussion, we chose to ask Laird-Noller for Saturday Sept 8, to take advantage of the State Fair, and to ask Bennett for Saturday 20 October.  Sec Shifflett will attempt to arrange something similar in McPherson.

Meeting Adjourned 8:05pm.

Page Filler  From Todd: Hutch tractor show pix http://www.chargerfever.com/tractor07/index.html ; truck rescue & recovery pix http://www.chargerfever.com/07rescuemain.htm ; AndyF & Bondo’s Pike’s Peak Pix http://www.chargerfever.com/aths07pikes/index.html....  Lenny caught an unusual truck on auction at Colorado Springs.  It’s an International Sightliner I think, a cab-over with a view-out basement….  I went to the Gretna Classic Truck Show on 4 August.  They had over 85 trucks registered, including a ’38 Chevy school bus that took my mind off Fords for awhile.  AndyF and Bondo were there with the Pre-Hemi Dodge to pitch our ’08 National.  Also saw them the day before at the Smith Collection Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, three big floors of antiques, street rods, race cars and tons of old speed equipment and well worth the $10 admission.  It’s open for a daily guided tour at 2pm, Monday through Friday, May through September.  Info: 402-323-3166, www.museumofamericanspeed.com.

Shop Rag    Newsletter for the Wheat State Chapter/American Truck Historical Society, July 2007

Minutes of our meeting, 16 May 07, Newell’s Truckstop, Newton KS.  Called to order at 7:13pm by President Scott Goering.  Minutes of the April meeting and the treasurer’s report were accepted as read.

Pres. Goering reported on the Board Meeting of 9 May, primary purpose of it being to quickly develop a brochure about our ’08 National to take to Colorado Springs.  He also gave us some figures on our 21 April truck show at Newell’s: 32 trucks, 9 new members.

Meetings and activities: We will host a barbeque at the Fairgrounds immediately following the Hutchinson 4^th of July Parade.  VP Duane Ely will check to see if Laird-Noller Motors still wants to host a show.  The first weekend of August will see the Threshers show at Goessel, the Iowa-Nebraska Truck Show at Gretna, and a classic car show at Lindsborg.  Bill Pierson is working on a Saturday show/meeting in Salina.

’08 Hutch National: Bill Pierson is still working to recruit Governor/ATA President Bill Graves for the Convention, and reports that the Governor has the date penciled in.  RVP Lenny Wild reminded us that he has volunteer forms.  ’08 is the 100^th anniversary of GMC; they have 18 antique trucks available for display and we hope to have all of them on display in the North Sunflower building.

Guests: Matt Wheeler of Hays (Studebaker) and David Griesen of Salina (works for KDOT).

Chapter Jackets – a new subject.   Vern and Sally had a couple of chapter windbreakers made up.   Lots of interest in the jackets, but not in the price ($90/ea).   No action taken on this item.

Meeting Adjourned 7:56pm.

Page Filler

Duane picked up a KB11 on auction at Arlington…. Dan Coonce took 273 photos in Colorado, see them at www.chargerfever.com/aths07/index.html.  See also www.imageevent.com/luckys/2007aths.... Todd got pix of the 4^th Parade/barbeque:  www.chargerfever.com/athsjuly42007/index.html.... Pres. Scott wants to get more of our member’s trucks on the web site. Currently Don G is the only one to have his trucks on the site. If you have a picture of your truck or a series of photos on a restoration send them to him in email. Lots of people are going to be visiting the web site due to the flyers passed out at Colorado and the 08 show coming to Hutch!  Our website is http://www.athskansas.org/Our_Trucks.htm.   If you have no digital pix, feel free to copy one from Todd’s picture links of our shows and send it with some info to Don, Todd, or me.  Todd’s picture link is http://www.chargerfever.com/newton2005/index.html.... Wilson, one more time:  Todd took his original/barn-condition ’47 Dodge (with the original paperwork in the glovebox) to a Mopar car show and collected a couple of top trophies.  Those Mopar guys know class when they see it, even if they wouldn’t give him Best Paint.

Minutes of our meeting, 18 April at the Fireside Restaurant, Burrton. Called to order 7:22pm by President Goering. Minutes of our 14 March meeting read/accepted. Treasurer Paradis updated us on our finances (accepted) and reported our new tags are almost paid for already. We had a round of self-intro’s, and then:

New Wheat State Tags – VP Ely has ‘em, $10/ea, order from Treas. Paradis. RVP Lenny also has tags, and bank bags and t-shirts as well.

21 April Truck Show – Scott, Lenny and Richard will rope off the area in Newell’s east lot Friday pm. Duane and Bondo have a few WoT magazines for the show, and Newell’s has current issues on sale.

2008 – RVP Lenny has developed a volunteer sign-up sheet which he passed out. We don’t have a theme for the convention yet; the only one proposed thus far is “All Trails Lead to Kansas”. Benchmark Co. is working on a t-shirt. HQ is still recruiting Gov/ATA President Bill Graves to be the Keynote Speaker. Posters and bumper stickers are being developed by Graphics Co. in KC. Ball caps have been ordered.

2007 (Colorado Springs) – Motels are filling fast; blocks are discouraged, so you’re on your own for lodging. As of this meeting, 14-15 of us plan to go. Lenny says we may be able to park as a group, but probably only if we arrive together (see Trip Sheet).

Magnetic Dash Plaques – Prez Goering has ordered 500 (Lenny hazza lotta trucks). They don’t commemorate any particular event, just our chapter and the ATHS.

Board Meetings – The Board will meet every month @ one week prior to the chapter meeting. This decision was made to allow Board Members to schedule time for the meeting, and to ensure progress in preparing for Hutch ’08.

Salt Fest – Prez Goering and Dan Coonce asked those of us who won’t be going to Colorado Springs to support the Salt Fest in South Hutchinson.

Meeting Adjourned 8:04pm

Just Docked: Paul Minkevitch, Newton; John Kelliher, Wichita; Tom Willems, Moundridge; Mark & Jean Ellingson, Halstead.

Page Filler: Our 21 April Truck Show at Newell’s drew about 32 trucks. I had to work that day and by the time I got there all but six trucks had left, and they were in the process. A couple of truck drivers wandered over and were disappointed to have missed it. I told them about our chapter and show and the ATHS, and showed them where the current issue of WoT was on sale in the store. Next day, WoT was sold out. RVP Wild has been supplying WoT to Newell’s; he had been buying back the left-over copies and donating them to area schools so that another generation could come to love the smell of diesel in the morning, but he says lately that hasn’t been necessary.

Shop Rag News of the Wheat State Chapter/American Truck Historical Society, April 2007

Minutes of Wheat State Chapter ATHS meeting, 14 March 07, in Duane Ely’s shop, Hutchinson. Called to order at 7:18pm by Pres. Goering. Minutes of February 07 meeting were read by Sec. Shifflett (approved). Treasurer Paradis reported a change of banks because 1) state law now requires us to have a business account, 2) Bank of the West has a minimum balance requirement for business accounts, and 3) Bank of America doesn’t; the 2006 financial report is done/send to KC; and we have a bank balance (approved).

RVP Lenny Wild reported he, Bondo, and VP Ely attended the KC Board meeting in February. A couple of items from that meeting: Katie Cramer Eck, our Acting/Assistant/Interim Managing Director, has resigned, and after ten straight months of growth we now have 23,680 members. Lenny also attended the 3 Trails Chapter meeting at Yellow Roadway Corporation Headquarters, and reports they will host a work day at HQ the first weekend of every even-numbered month.

2007 National – We will have a booth. James Weins offered a 10x20 canopy.

2008 National – Lenny is now recruiting for specific job assignments (loading/unloading, registration, etc). Kate (at HQ) is working on a poster and flyer. There is an effort underway to sign former Kansas Governor and current ATA President Bill Graves to be Keynote Speaker, and (if I heard correctly) to recruit Martina McBride for a concert. Finally, the fall ATHS Board meeting will be in Hutch at Grand Prairies.

A round of self-introductions uncovered a guest, John Martens of Inman - he has some early Broncos.

Regarding Our 21 April Truck Show at Newell’s – Sec Shifflett reported receiving inquiries about the availability of a dock/ramp for unloading. Treas. Paradis offered the dock at his shop, @ 1 mile south of Newell’s on Spencer. Contact him at 316-283-1060/mitch@kustomkarriers.com for information.

Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm.      What Really Happened: Plenty of good food and trucks and almost enough chairs. Good show, Duane.

Our November 06 Meeting – As you may recall with some appropriate disgust, I misplaced the minutes for this meeting. I found them while sifting the office for burn barrel fodder (tax prep, y’know) and, for those of you desperately grasping for the mundane, here they are:

Minutes of Wheat State Chapter Meeting, 18 November, Mister C’s, Newton. Called to order at 7:45pm by Pres Goering. Minutes of October 06 meeting were read by Sec Shifflett, accepted. Treasurer’s report was given by Treasurer Siemens, accepted.

Elections: President/VP/Secretary – incumbents all volunteered to continue. Jim Siemens motioned to nominate them, seconded, voted, passed. Treasurer: Andy Fields was nominated, did not accept at that time, position remained open. Todd Wilson was nominated to replace Dan Coonce as Activity Director on the Board. No vote required.

RVP Lenny Wild reported 3 Trails will host an Open House with dinner at ATHS/HQ in January.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58pm.  What really happened: This was our annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner. We ate (great buffet), we had a 13 minute business meeting (good job, Scott!), we visited.

Minutes of Wheat State Chapter ATHS meeting, Feb 10 2007. The meeting was scheduled for 1:00 pm at Wild Trucking office in Newton, KS. We started with another of Big Jim Groneau’s feeds. This time it was sausage gravy on biscuits and hot links. Jim, you continue to outdo yourself. Thanks!

The meeting was formally opened at 1:30 pm by VP Duane Ely, who presided in the absence of Pres. Scott Goering. We had a very good turnout (and due to the failing memory of VP Ely, we failed to pass around a sign-up sheet). We had self-introductions and had several guests and new members. Ely promises to try to do better next time.

Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as printed in the last Shop Rag. The treasurer’s report was given by Treas Mitch Paradis, and it was approved as read. Mitch is requesting that all new money that comes to him be identified as to category. In other words, if you are paying for calendars, or license plates, or bank bags, or some other commodity, please identify your payment by telling him what the payment is for. Mitch also is asking that your 2007 local dues be paid as soon as possible and to include a completed “Membership Information Update” form. This is to be sure that we have an accurate record of your payment of dues and also to provide us with pertinent information about you, your address, phone no., e-mail address, spouse’s name, your truck info, etc.

ATHS Managing Director Bill Johnson made a few remarks concerning the ATHS home office in Kansas City, some discussion about our upcoming 2008 convention and show, and took questions from members about various subjects. He also invited any of us to come into the home office anytime we would like during Mon-Fri office hours. He also suggested that they would have a special opening time for us if we wanted to attend as a group some Saturday.

ATHS Archivist Lee Young made a short talk about the items he has available for our use any time we want to come to the home office or by phone call or e-mail. Lee has a need for any materials we may have that we think will be of importance to others in the future.

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at approx. 2:15 and we were then free to shoot the bull with others. (Submitted by VP Duane Ely, acting Secretary in Sec Shifflett’s absence)

Below you'll find what I hope will be a reasonable copy of our truck show poster. I simply copied and pasted it to the newsletter, a process which has been less than successful in past years. I tried to scan it in and succeeded, but the resulting file was so large that my computer, after almost 2 hours of trying, kicked it back as being too large to e-mail. One of our chapter members seems to agree: he reported me to AOL for abuse (whether me meant BY me or was requesting it be heaped ON me was not made clear by AOL). As a result, the newsletter seems not to have gone out, so I'm trying again.

Sorry for any inconvenience, it was not intended, just incompetent.  I'll have hard copies of the poster at our next meeting.

Meeting Adjourned 8:08pm.

Shop Rag    News of the Wheat State Chapter/American Truck Historical Society, January 2007

Minutes, meeting of ?? November 06 – As one might conclude from the date, I’ve misplaced my notes and I’m not going to look for them now.  There wasn’t much to record anyway, other than that this was our annual Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner, it was in a private dining room at the Super 8 in Newton, it was catered by Charlie’s (Newell’s Truckstop), the food was good and so was the company of course, and the business (ossifers for ’07) was very brief: Jim Siemens (treasurer) and Dan Coonce (Board) had asked for relief; Todd Wilson was appointed to replace Dan; no replacement had yet been found for Treasurer.  Other officers and board members will continue from ’06.   We came, we ate, we departed, and had a good time.

The Office of Chapter Treasurer has been offered to, and accepted by, Mitch Paradise.  The general consensus seems to be that officers and board members now in office will serve through our ’08 Hutch National.

From 3 Trails Chapter Newsletter: Plans are being finalized for the proposed truck display pad that will be constructed at ATHS headquarters. This will be a great addition to the property, and is enthusiastically supported by the ATHS Executive Committee. Three Trails Chapter will present a proposal to host the 2011 ATHS Convention and Antique Truck Show to the Board of Directors at their February 24, 2007 meeting. If accepted, this would be the second convention hosted by the Three Trails Chapter.

From Intermountain West Chapter Newsletter:   Speakers for the 2007 Convention are locked in.  They include “The first 30 years of PIE” by Don Chew and “The History of the Quickway Shovel” by Matt Anderson.  There will also be programs on GMC Detroit Diesel and Hall-Scott engines.

Shop Rag   News of the Wheat State Chapter/American Truck Historical Society,  November 2006.

Minutes, Meeting of 18 October 06, Newell’s Truckstop, Newton.  Called to order at 7:06pm by President Scott Goering.  The Treasurer’s report was accepted as given by Jim Siemens.  Minutes for the September meeting, read by Sec. Shifflett, required correction: RVP Lenny Wild informed us that donations of trucks for our ’08 Hutch National must be made to the ATHS, not to our chapter as stated at the September meeting.  Stipulation could be made by the donor as to how much of the proceeds from a truck’s auction would go to the chapter.   With that correction, the minutes were accepted.

The Wheat State Chapter ’07 Calendar is here.  It looks sharp, and it’s only $15 (cheap!).  Get yours at the next meeting.

VP Duane Ely has talked with State Fair Manager Denny Steckline about the possible use of the racetrack for our -08 Nat’l.   He sees two potential uses for it: as a fund-raiser (run your truck); and for exhibition runs by the Kansas Antique Racers club.

Chapter Elections - Treasurer Jim Siemens asked about plans for chapter elections in November.  After some discussion, a motion was made for President Goering to appoint a nominating committee; motion was seconded and passed.

Tired Iron Show – We had five trucks on display at Larned.  Free admission and food coupons were provided for exhibitors.  The Santa Fe Trail Museum is a good one with fine exhibits, including a Studebaker that’s considerably older than anything in the ATHS.  There was a demonstration of anvil shooting, which is something of a pleasant madness: One anvil is precisely positioned on top of another with some amount of black powder between them; the charge is detonated (remotely, of course), and the upper anvil goes, well, up, a hundred feet and more.  There are organized anvil shooting competitions – what we saw would be Traditional, and then there is a class called Super Modified which, from the sound of it, may require FAA and Homeland Security clearances.  After describing this to members who weren’t at the show, there was talk of inviting the anvil shooters to launch one at our ’08 National.  Some doubt was expressed as to whether insurance coverage could be had that would allow this.

The Colorado Springs ATHS Board Meeting was scheduled for 27-28 October.  RVP Lenny, Treasurer Jim, VP Duane, Bondo, and Prez. Scott were all planning to attend.

Lenny Informed Us of several trucks for sale near Iola, and one near Hesston.  See Save The Truck.

Meeting Adjourned, 7:43pm.

Just Docked: new members Joe Harper (Marion’s brother or cousin, I forget which), Jason son-of-Al Fry, Dan son-of-Ron Ludwig, and John Carlson of Larned.

Colorado Springs – our delegation has returned, and Lenny has given me a brief update.  Expect a thorough and interesting report at our 18 November dinner and meeting.

Convoy to Colorado Springs - I’m working on a convoy across Kansas on old US40.  The plan of the moment is to rendevous in Junction City and roll west from there.   By the end of the year I hope to have road conditions, clearances and bridge weights.  For ’08, I’m contemplating something similar from both east and west along the Santa Fe Trail, and from the north and south on the Meridian Route/PanAmerican Highway.  I don’t see these as fund-raisers; the idea is simply to put old trucks on old roads, enjoy the scenery and the company, and get some exposure along the way.

Local History – at least as far as I can figure it.  US50 originally left Reno County to the east on what is now Illinois Avenue.  At some point (1928, I think), the alignment shifted a couple of miles to the north.  That route is paved and easy to follow:  At the Harvey County line on the west side of Burrton, go north on Woodberry Road  one mile, west on Avenue G six miles, north on Kent one mile, and west on 4^th Avenue.   US50 followed 4^th Avenue west almost all the way across the county to Netherland road (you can see the remains of a curve at this intersection), where it turned south to Sylvia.  Just south of current US50, there is some old brick paving which may indicate that the road turned west again at that point.  Along the way, look for a mile of fine old cottonwoods between Huntsville and Netherland road, and a monument to Warren G. Harding’s campaign on a hill west of the river basin and Hutch.  Also look for small concrete road markers dated 1928 on the northwest corner of Avenue G and Buhler road, and in the weeds on the east side of Woodberry road between current US50 and Avenue G.

Printed with (once) moveable type set firmly by falling anvils at the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking.   Look up, dude.

SHOP RAG – the proven slipper-upper.  News of the Wheat State Ch/ATHS, October 2006

Minutes, meeting of 20 September 06, Fireside Restaurant, Burrton.  Called to order at 7:04pm by President Goering.  Treasurer’s report given, accepted as read.  Minutes of 16 August meeting read, accepted.  We had one guest: Dan Ludwig, son of chapter member Ron Ludwig.+----

Old Business - Chapter Calendar: Pictures and money were due at this meeting.  The calendar is full, but room could be made if someone wanted to participate.  Beto Junction Truck Show: 22-23 September.  Lenny will go Friday, most of the rest of us will go Saturday, with a convoy from Newell’s at 9am.   The Two-Cylinder Tractor Club  in Hutch has previously offered to exchange help in running their (July ’07) and our (’08 National) events.  We’re still in favor of this and will begin sending a member to their meetings to help coordinate our efforts.

New Business –

New-Member-in-limbo Rick Knox – After hearing of his attempt to join our chapter, members present voted to accept him even though we can’t find his application.   

’08 Hutch National – According to RVP Lenny Wild, we will have an auction.  Donations and consignments will be encouraged and accepted.  Donations will be tax-deductible, with 90% going to our chapter and 10% to ATHS; consignments will give 10% to ATHS, nothing to our chapter.  Lenny is pushing for Donations because he would prefer to profit by them and not by taking a cut of concessions, the idea being to keep costs down.  As of this meeting (and this writing), there is no plan to have an auction at the ’07 Colorado Springs National.

Omaha Studebaker National – 23-24 September.  Lenny and Vern will be driving their trucks up Saturday.

Reverend Jim informed us that he had several items stolen from inside his Model A while it was on display at the Florence car show, including his registration paperwork if I heard him correctly.  (The rest of us should take this as a warning to keep important items secured or at least out of sight)

Upcoming Events were discussed – see the Trip Sheet.

Western New York Chapter Letter and Survey – This was received in the mail by Pres. Goering.   Copies were made and distributed to chapter officers prior to this meeting, and copies were made available for attending members to read.  After considerable discussion, the survey was turned over to the officers to be completed and signed as intended by its originators.  This would be done immediately after adjournment.

Meeting Adjourned 7:46pm

Just Docked: New member Karl Gandy of Newton.

Lenny’s RVP Letter – It was done, but Lenny, who appears to be my equal as a digital dummy, apparently hit the delete button and couldn’t recover it.  He had previously given me the only hardcopy of the letter in existence, but I was unable to find it in my office (I can’t find the cat, either, not unless she moves and disturbs something).  So, Lenny had to start over.  He told me this evening it would be ready after Larned and he won’t let me anywhere near it.  He may be a slow writer, but he’s not a slow learner.

Printed with petroleum products recovered from oil-soak swept from the floors of the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild TruckingYahoo! Mail - donaldwgrier@yahoo.com

SHOP RAG

Meeting Minutes, Wednesday 16 August, Newells’s Truck Stop, Newton KS.  Called to order by President Scot Goering at 7:06pm, which is pretty good for us.   Minutes of the July meeting were read, changed to correct the date for this meeting (which may explain why only 12 showed up, not counting those who came two days later), and accepted.  The treasurer was out of town, and no report was given.

-After a brief discussion, members agreed that dollar amounts should be withheld from the treasurer’s report as printed in our newsletter.

-Upcoming events were discussed.  Consensus was to focus on turning out for BETO Junction and the Tired Iron Show in Larned.  We see the Tired Iron show in particular as being a good publicity opportunity, and the show’s organizers have invited and actively encouraged us to attend. 

-We’ve learned that the ATHS can host our website on theirs.  Our website managers will be asked to consider this.

-A letter from President Klenske regarding the former Managing Director was circulated and discussed.

-The meeting was adjourned at 7:37.  We spent the next half-hour watching an early ‘50s IH truck video.

Just Docked: Richard Harner of Liberty, MO; Peter Wild of Newton, KS; Larry Johnson of Halstead, KS; and the Territorial Magazine, organizers of the 3-I shows.   We may also have Rick Knox of Grain Valley, MO, if we can locate his application (No disorganization here: we thrive on adversity and need to manufacture a sufficient amount).

Former Managing Director Bill Johnson has been re-hired and returned to work on Tuesday, 5 Sept.  His status is not yet permanent, but will be as soon as the lawyers finalize the details.

RVP Lenny Wild is finalizing a letter to be sent to all Kansas members.   It will be in the mail soon.

Chapter Publicity – We are working to improve contact with ATHS members throughout Kansas.   The first step was our website, which makes our chapter accessible (virtually) to anyone who happens to find it.  The second step, now being built, is an e-mail directory open to any Kansas ATHS member who wishes to be included, this for the purpose of disseminating newsletters, RVP letters, event information, and other chapter/ATHS communications.  The third step is to make the first two known to the ATHS at large; to that end, a posting was made on the ATHS discussion board, and Kate (Fields, the chapter liaison at HQ) has updated our chapter page on the ATHS website.

Florence Labor Day Celebration – Several of us went, and there was quite a turn-out.  Lenny’s ’48 Studebaker pickup took 2^nd in class.  If there’d been an award for Best Pipes, Vern would’ve had it.

Yer Wheat State Chapter Arficers – Summer’s come and gone.   You may’ve forgotten they exist.  They may’ve forgotten it.  If you feel the overwhelming need to remind them: President Scott Goering, 316-283-0130; VP Duane Ely, 620-665-7517; Treasurer Jim Siemens, 620-665-9751; Secretary/Editor Dana Shifflett, 316-283-2985; RVP Lenny Wild, 316-283-7423; Board Members: Danny Coonce, Lenny Wild, Andy Lussier, James Wiens, Justin Fields, Duane Haltom.

Page Filler - Save The Truck – Think of this as a Chapter charity intended to find new homes for old trucks and give us first shot at ‘em.   Listings in the newsletter (usually on the back side) are free to anyone, space-available.  Trip Sheet is our calendar of events, to include chapter meetings.  This month it’s on the back.  Lenny put radials on his ’48 and we rode together in it to the Chapter Board meeting at Burrton.  It is a fine, well-finished truck inside and out, and it is quiet and smooth at 60-65, which is more than I would’ve expected from a 185ci flathead six.  He’ll drive it to Omaha for a Studebaker meet in a couple of weeks.  Todd sez “Got this old 47 WF-32 Dodge home today!   Runs and drives, Solid. Gauges work, hydraulic dump works. Lights work, Windshield still opens. Heater works, has original jack and lug wrench and engine hand crank under the seat.   Owners manual in the glove box.   I have some brake issues to deal with and it could use 2 new front tires before it ventures too far.   237 Flathead runs like a champ. Optional oil filter and has the oil bath air cleaner.  Its just a complete old truck. Upon looking thru the original owners manual tonight back in the Memo's section a line was hand written in pencil: "Bought March 20,  1947"  See his pictures at http://www.chargerfever.com/47dodge/index.html.  “Old Betsy” is a ’24 Autocar that earned it’s keep into the 1980’s. It has a Ford 392 V8, so if “purity of build” were an ATHS criteria, it could not have been featured in the March/April ’03 WoT, and it could not be (legally) entered in our shows.  I’d enjoy conning my way in with it (“Of course Autocar had a V8….”).

Printed with moveable type made from die-cast letters borrowed from the hoods of trucks parked behind the Newton, Kansas offices of Floyd Wild Trucking.

Results of ATHS national election

For those of us who, like me, didn't get to Baltimore, I have word from RVP Lenny Wild: all five TeamATHS candidates were elected. The new Executive Committee is:

Chairman Terry Dovre (carryover)
President Terry Klenske
1st VP Jim Parise
2nd VP James Suttles
3rd VP John Vannatta
Treasurer Mike Colton
Secretary George Schroyer (carryover)