Upcoming Events

Subject to Change

19 Jan 6:30 – Wheat State Chapter meeting,  at Bondo’s shop, 828 S. Main, Hutch. Canceled due to ice.
4-5 Feb – Sunflower Swap Meet, Kansas Coliseum Pavilions, I-135 & 85th St North, Wichita/Park City.
9 Feb - Wheat State Chapter meeting, 6:30 at Bondo’s shop, 828 S. Main, 
Hutch. This time for sure.
5 March – ATHS Spring Board Meeting at the KCI Hilton, I believe.
9 March -  Wheat State Chapter meeting, 6:30 at Curtis C’s in Newton.  
US50 to K15/Kansas Ave (1st exit west of I-135), north through traffic light
& bear left with primary road, in Cedar Village on left.
12 March – ATHS/HQ Open House & 3 Trails Meeting
26 March – Old Highway 56 Car Show Assc. Swap Meet, Johnson County Fairgrounds, 
Gardner KS
15-16 Apr – Wheat State Chapter Truck Show,  (download printable flyer)Newell’s Truck Stop, 
I-135/US50 exit 31, Newton KS, in the east lot.. Opens for registration 430pm 
Friday, meal for members and participants at 600pm. Saturday registration and 
show hours 9-3. Placards provided, dash plaques ‘til they’re gone. Chapter 
Meeting at 100pm. Loading dock one mile south on Spencer at Kustom Karriers. 
Trucks will be watched overnight Friday by chapter members. Info: Scott Goering, 
316-283-0130, scottg@pixius.net; Dana Shifflett, 316-283-2985, dmshifflett@iwichita.com. 
30 April Buddy Sombart’s Auction. Note: Guns are already gone.
6-8 May – Lawrence Swap Meet, Douglas County 4H Fairgrounds, E23rd/K-10 and Harper 
7 May – Wheat State Chapter’s Eldorado Oil Field Museum Show, 9-3.
12-14 May -  (Thursday-Saturday)  Chickasha Swap meet, Chickasha OK.  www.chickashaautoswapmeet.com/
26-28 May – ATHS Nat’l Convention and Antique Truck Show, South Bend, IN
8 June – Wheat State Chapter Meeting 630pm in Charlie’s at Newell’s Truck Stop, 
  I-135/US50 Exit 31, Newton. 
11 June – Route 56 classic Cruisers Car Show, 8-330, Memorial Park in 
Hillsboro, KS 
12 June – Lake Afton All Wheels Car Show, 11-4. “Largest FREE open car show 
in the world”. 
19 June - Goessel Father's Day Car Show
4 July – Parade at Hutchinson. Meet at Bondo’s shop, 828 S Main, at 830am.
16 July (Saturday) – Wheat State Chapter meeting and BBQ picnic, noon til ? at 
Carey Park, Hutch. As of this writing, we’ll be in the reserve shelter near the 
pool. For members, families, and friends. -- [Now that I have been there and 
seen where it is and not relying on directions on the phone here is where the 
Gazebo is located. It is located in the Southwest corner of the golf course. 
If you come in on S. Main into park keep straight ahead it becomes Carey Park 
Boulevard go under the RR bridge and by the pool and ball fields and continue 
to the south end of the park, Gazebo is on your left, big parking lot, restrooms 
and Play ground. From Plum St. continue into park on Plum Right turn on Emerson 
Loop East at Zoo continue to south end of Park and it will turn North Gazebo is 
a little ways north on right. From Blanchard St west to Zoo Left turn on Emerson 
Loop East and follow directions above from Zoo. - Andy Fields]

6 August – Goessel Threshers Show, on the museum grounds. Threshing demonstrations, 
antiques, the museum, and huMONGous engines. A good day out for the family. 
We will be showing ATHS dvds all day at Goessel, featuring the new and most 
excellent 40th Anniversary Commemorative dvd which has highlights from several 
conventions. - Don't forget your lawn chairs, and if you have portable shade we 
just might need it. - We will be in a parade in Newton saturday evening and your 
truck is welcome. The parade starts at 6pm, so I guess we'll need to form up between 
5 and 530. Those of us going from Goessel plan to park around the block on the west 
side of North Main between 9th and 10th streets and will most likely gather in the 
parking lot at Family Video and Little Caesar's; if you're not coming from Goessel, 
that's where you should first look for us.  Wheat State Chapter meeting at 1:00pm. 
6 August - 7th Annual Iowa-Nebraska classic truck show. FREE registration 7 - 9 
FREE show 9- 3 p.m. Gretna, NE. 8 miles west of Omaha, NE. I-80 exit #432. Its 
all FREE You show a truck or help out at the show you eat lunch and drink cold 
drinks all day for FREE ! first 25 entries get FREE grab bags. Trophies for 
oldest running truck and furthest distance travelled to show. More info Jim 
Ernst 402-895-8040 or Russell Spawn Jr. 402-896-2748 
12-14 August – Three Trails Truck Show at Platte County (MO) Fairgrounds in conjunction with the Platte County 
Steam & Gas Association annual show.
13 August – Sunflower IH Regional Show at Old Settler’s Days, Halstead 
9-11 Sept – Greenfield Swap Meet, Greenfield Iowa.  www.earlywheelsofiowa.com.  Been there.  It’s big.
10 September – Laird-Noller Motors Truck Show, Hutch  We started this show a few years ago 
because the State Fair had no room for us and Laird-Noller did. They advertise 
it for us in the Hutch paper where everyone including fair-goers can see it, 
and they grill free grub for all. Wheat State member Russ Singleton works here. 
Wheat State Chapter meeting at 1:00pm. The dealership provides free food, sodas, 
and most importantly, publicity (In years past, a color front-page ad in the 
Hutch paper). This event has been good for the dealership and us, and popular with 
the public, so let’s have a big turn-out. Bring your truck, lawn chairs, and 
portable shade if you have it – we may need it. 
23-25 September – Fort Scott Show, featuring IH tractors(and trucks?). No 
info/contact available.
7-8 October - Nevada (MO) Antique Show and Swap Meet, open to all. Organized be 
Ozark/4-State Chapter and SW Missouri IH Binders. 417-448-4198; 816-305-0828
8-9 October  Tired Iron Show , Santa Fe Trail Center, Larned KS
*19 October – Wheat State Chapter Meeting, 630pm at Fields Enterprises (
Bondo’s shop), 828 S Main, Hutch. Here’s your chance to see the Bonneville 
car. Bring your own lawn chair if you can.
22-23 Oct– Sedgwick Street Rodders Swap Meet, Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson.
*12 November – Wheat State Chapter Annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner and membership meeting, Charlie’s 
Restaurant in Newell’s Truck Stop, I-135/US50 exit 31 in Newton. $15/each, steak & chicken, dessert. Social hour 
(all 30 minutes of it) at 6, dinner at 630. RSVP asap to Scott (316-283-0130; scottg@pixius.net) 
*Coming soon – soon as we have the info: the Hutch Christmas Parade. I think you’ll have the November newsletter first.

Subject to Change

News

Coming to the Newsletter – Regular features of our member’s trucks and projects. You’ll find them on the address side of the newsletter (the mailed edition), in what is currently half a page of blank space. The Board, and the membership present at the September meeting, have both suggested we do this. You can look for it beginning with the January newsletter, assuming (1) our members send me something to work with and (2) I can figure out how to do it. E-mail submissions (to wheatstateaths@gmail.com, NOT to my personal email) would make the second part easier for the moment; snail-mail’d photos will be more complicated, so if you send them now it’s fine but you may not see them in print for a while. Also: if you don’t want your truck to be featured in one of our internet sites (website, facebook, youtube), make sure you let me know, as I plan to forward everything to Don and Todd for posting. One more thing: Look for our website to be included with the return address, also probably starting in January.

Rumour Control: Word is going around of a group trip on Rt 66 from Chicago to LA, supposedly starting 12 August 2012, and sponsored (if that’s the word) by Petro (the truckstop chain) to celebrate its 25th(?) anniversary. If you can’t do the whole trip, you could join in and drop out at your convenience. I’d finish Dad’s truck for this.

Minutes of our meeting, 9 March at Curtis C’s, Newton. Called to order at 646pm by Pres Goering. Minutes read, accepted with question: How do we verify membership? 2nd VP Wild will check with HQ. Treasurer Paradis reported our balance and 58 renewed with two new members: 3rd VP Dave Schroyer of Celina Ohio, and Jim Korwin of Sedgwick. New Roster Available, with copies at the meeting. Sec Shifflett (dmshifflett@iwichita.com, 316-283-2985) requests everyone check their info to ensure accuracy and contact him regarding any errors or changes. Our Truck Show – Andy Fields (andwinfields@hutchweb.net, 620-662-0570) is coordinating volunteers. We need security for Friday night, Friday evening set-up, signs, registration. James Wiens showed us his placard holder which we will issue to participants at registration along with grease rags and door prize entries. James will print placards at registration; 110 volts will be required for this. Show area will be the north end of Newell’s east lot, which allows us to expand north off the pavement if necessary. ATHS Headquarters Building – 2nd VP Wild reports a new tenant: Trinity Brokerage, which took possession 1 March. Meeting Adjourned 7:24pm.

About our Truck Show – Get your taxes done now so you can be there. We still need volunteers. Please contact Andy F (info in minutes, above) or Scott (trip sheet listing, below). As noted in the minutes, James Wiens has developed a computerized placard with a wood base, an item you’ll be able to re-use at other shows. We’ll have food, the Military Vehicle Preservation Society is planning to be there, we’re hoping for several firetrucks from various organizations, and I’m told there will be at least one die-cast model vendor. Advance publicity is the best we’ve had. In short, this is shaping up to be our biggest show yet. Join in, chip in, help make it happen.

About our April Truck Show: This is the Premier Event of the Wheat State Chapter, and this year’s show, our 8th, is shaping up to be our biggest yet. We expect to have a number of fire engines, both new and old, on display, and the Military Vehicle Preservation Society is supposed to be there as well. Advance publicity is our best yet, and we’ve added a Friday evening cook-out for chapter members and show participants. What we need now is membership participation in a number of areas:

* Trucks! Whether it’s finished or not, please bring it. * Organization - We’ll need members to help in a number of areas such as registration, sales, recruiting and parking. * Overnight Security – Participant trucks will be parked overnight in the display area and we are going to keep an eye on them. I don’t know yet how this will be set up – two hour shifts, perhaps – but I expect details will be worked out at our 9 March meeting (see Trip Sheet).

And speaking of our 9 March meeting – it’s our last before the show. I hope to see you at both.

Miles Back, Bill Johnson/s new radio show, is on XM radio channel 147, the Road Dog channel, at 8am on the second Sunday of each month. I know I mentioned this last month, but I didn’t have the channel. Thanx to ATHS 1st VP John Vannatta for filling that in.

Still More to Clarify – In last month’s newsletter there was a contact roster for Chapter ossifers and bored members. The print/snail mail edition mistakenly listed chapter founder and member-for-life Duane Ely as Vice President. The e-mail version correctly identified Bondo as VP.

It’s Time To Re-New – If haven’t already done so, please send your dues and updated contact info to our Treasurer, Mitch Paradis at 2801 Acacia, North Newton KS 67117. Dues are $12 a year and should be paid by the first of March.

SHOP RAG Happy New Year for the Wheat State Chapter/ATHS, January 2011 Minutes of our Meeting 20 November 2010, 6:30pm at Newell’s Truck Stop, Newton; called to order at 7:24pm by Pres. Goering who first acknowledged Agnes and Becky of Charlie’s for setting the dinner up for us and then gave a quick re-cap of the year. He reported Barb Orringsdorf, Duane Ely and Dave McNeill (RVP for Louisiana and Arkansas) as all recovering well (Duane and Dave were present). ATHS Executive Director Bill Johnson updated us on some noteworthy ATHS and Headquarters items which I’ll leave to be reported in Wheels of Time. Buddy Sombart – our chapter will remember and honor our late friend and member by providing a Memorial Trophy at the Adrian show, and with donations made in his name to the ATHS and his tractor club. No business was conducted or reported. Meeting adjourned 8:06pm. What really happened: This was our annual Holiday Dinner. We ate well, all 44 of us, and we had a lot of door prizes.

Miles Back – This is the name of a new show on XM Radio, playing at 8am on the second Sunday each month. Bill Johnson and Dave Nemo are collaborating on it. I don’t know which channel it’s on, but if you have XM and you’re into trucks you can probably figure that out on your own. Not-So-New Member Steve Unruh of Newton was at our dinner. I have now idea how long Steve has been with us: he is yet another member who somehow went without notice after joining. This has been a constant problem for us, but we are working on it even if our efforts aren’t readily apparent. So, raise your hand if you’re not here, okay? It’s Time To Re-New – If haven’t already done so, please send your dues and updated contact info to our Treasurer, Mitch Paradis at 2801 Acacia, North Newton KS 67117. Dues are $12 a year and should be paid by the first of March. Bad E-mail Addresses – my attempt to e-mail the November newsletter resulted in “undeliverable” messages for members Leon Stefan, Carl Staub, Mike Cowles, Gerald Anderson, Michael Fritch, Mark Ellingson, and Russ Singleton. If you are one of those named, please send me your current e-address to me at dmshifflett@iwichita.com. Rosters – I’ll have 20 available at our 19 January meeting.

Wheat State Officers and Board Members: Wanna sound off? Or, better yet, give away desirable spare parts, accessories, and large wall-mounted HD televisions? Here’s contact info for chapter officers and board members: President: Scott Goering 316-283-0130 scottg@pixius.net Vice-Pres: Bondo Fields 620-664-2202 Treasurer: Mitch Paradis 316-841-2166 mitch@kustomkarriers.com Secretary: Dana Shifflett (newsletter) 316-283-2985 dmshifflett@iwichita.com Board: Dan Coonce, RVP 620-665-9739 dcoonce@cox.net Andy Fields 620-662-0570 andwinfields@hutchweb.net Andy Lussier 316-820-0026 wtsp@embarqmail.com Richard Thrasher 316-835-2740 ret@kanokla.net James Wiens 620-367-8187 Lenny Wild, ATHS 2ndVP 316-283-7423 oldchevy6@hotmail.com Todd Wilson (historian) 620-663-9838 t1wilsn2@swbell.net

Minutes of our Meeting, 11 September 2010 at Laird-Noller Motors, Hutchinson. Called to order at 12:50pm by President Goering. Minutes of the August meeting were read, accepted. Treasurer Paradis wasn't present so there was no treasurer's report, but Pres Goering was able to report that we're not broke and the IRS is not looking at or for us, as far as we know. Our April Truck Show – some open discussion on this. We're still trying to gauge interest in expanding to Friday afternoon/evening and saturday. We're open to activity suggestions. Doonan's Show on 25 September will be from 10 to 2, not 9 to 3. Trucks on Facebook – We (Wheat State Chapter) have had a presence on Facebook for a year or so with a link to our website. Board Member Todd Wilson proposed expanding our presence, whatever that means. It would be free publicity, so we agreed to go ahead with it. Bondo said Red could use it to report not receiving his newsletter. (As of this writing I haven't yet sent it out , and I haven't heard from Red, so maybe we should. Or shouldn't.) ATHS “Yearbook” - a private contractor is calling members to market a yearbook for the ATHS. It's legitimate (and you can read about it in the new issue of WoT). Inclusion is free, the book isn't. Duane Ely, Wheat State Chapter founder and member-for-life, was present for the first time in a few months. He's recovering from a bout of something serious and we're all glad to see him. Dave Boyle was present with a new pacemaker and a big smile. Meeting Adjourned at 1:18pm. What really happened: The meeting was held in conjunction with our Laird-Noller Show. Chapter member Russ Singleton, a long-time employee of Laird-Noller, put the show together for us and provided free food and sodas. Leland Mock brought a truck I hadn't seen before, a sharp '57 F350 finished in what looks like U-Haul colors without the oxidation. It has me re-considering my '70 F350. And Dave and Duane smiled, a lot. Todd has posted pix at www.job-rated.com/athsfall10/index.html.

Doonan's Show on the 25th was our second September show. I didn't count but I'd guess we had about 10 trucks turn out, including a '57? Dodge with what someone said is a genuine Marvel Mystery Oil accessory reservoir and manifold feed mounted to the firewall. It looked like a square Mason Jar half-full of power steering fluid. Doonan's provided a great lunch and a dining area in the shop, a several new Petes to look at. Todd has pix at www.job-rated.com/athsict2010/index.html. Health Matters – Dave and Duane aren't the only ones on the mend. Barb Orringsdorf (did I get that right?) of the Territorial Magazine is undergoing treatment and I'm told the prognosis is hopeful. Every Wheat State member should know of the Territorial – no one has done more to cover and support our chapter. Then there's Louisiana/Arkansas RVP Dave McNeill, who (as I heard it) was just about to pull out of his drive on a trip to Scott's to retrieve a R-model IH when he was stricken by something that put him in the hospital for a while. Word from Scott this evening is that Dave is up and around and doing great. As for Dave's R-model, this is what I wrote about it in May of '08 and it's a good story for telling again: Networking – 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, but took the photo and contact info. He soon misplaced the info but not the photo. 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 and couldn’t find it but was able to spot a picture of it – that picture – in Lenny's office. 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 found 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.job-rated.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.

Minutes of our meeting, Wednesday 14 July, 630pm at Newell’s Truck Stop, Newton. Called to order 49 minutes later by Pres Goering (we’re so rowdy….). Everyone voted to accept the June meeting minutes that Sec Shifflett forgot to bring (with thanx to AndyF for taking and providing them). The Treasurer’s report was given and accepted. Dana Shifflett has been asked by the Board to re-assume the post of Secretary, which would suggest that they hadn’t really had enough of him the first time around (they said it just felt like it). National 2ndVP Lenny Wild reported on ATHS National and Convention news, including $870 raised by donation boxes constructed and placed at the Convention truck show by Kansas RVP Dan Coonce (the Board plans to reimburse Dan for the boxes). Upcoming shows were discussed: Pres G will invite surrounding chapters to Dodge City and Doonan’s; Sec Shifflett will get Doonan’s and Laird-Noller listed in The Eagle’s Wichita on Wheels; by consensus, Doonan’s will be restricted to trucks 25 years and older; by consensus, we are delaying a decision as to whether or not to attend Tired Iron (Larned) as a club. Bondo asked about ordering more caps, and another member asked if we could get some summer caps this time around, and the answer was yes; Pres G will order. Meeting adjourned 7:45pm. What really happened: Wanda Boyle brought brownies. Good brownies. 49-minute-good brownies.

Our Roster has been in sad shape. Chapter Historian Todd Wilson distributes the newsletter by e-mail and post and too many of them are kicking back to him. I’ve done the best I can with it, but I need feedback. SO –

* If you got the newsletter by e-mail, please let me know at dmshifflett@iwichita.com (or just hit REPLY) and include your address, phones, etc. Please let me know also if you could open the attachment. * If you get it by post: I would prefer you ask someone to e-mail me with your contact info, but I realize that may be asking a bit much. You can phone me at 316-283-2985, evenings after 3 August (I’m outta town ‘til then). You can also mail your info anytime to me (Dana Shifflett/Wheat State, 3915 S. Rock, Newton KS 67114-8793). Another option: see me at the next meeting. Hopefully, you can’t say you didn’t know about it.

About the Newsletter – I write it. Todd handles distribution because I’m a digital dummy and he has access to printing and folding equipment. We’re a bit out of step this issue because we want to make sure everyone has adequate notice of Goessel and Dodge City. The August issue will be timed to support the Laird-Noller show; September’s, to remind everyone of Doonan’s-Wichita. After that, our normal schedule will have the newsletter in the mail ten days prior to the next membership meeting so that everyone has at least seven day’s notice.

The meeting called to order by President Scott Gering around 6:30 pm. The treasures report was read by Mitch Paradis there was a motion and a second to accept as read, but I wasn’t listening to who made the motion, but the motion carried and pasted. The secretary’s report was read and accepted. There was a motion and a second for Mike Anderson to fill the Sec. Position. The chapter would like to Thank Dana for all the work he has done in the past. The attendance totaled around 20; we had a great turn out and plenty of conversation. Wanda brought two kinds of homemade bars. We all sure enjoyed them; Vern seemed to be enjoying them a little bit more than the rest of us. Thanks Wanda you can bring bars anytime. Andy was in charge of ordering the pizza which he does a fine job. When Vern finished eating his bar we all figured out he won the 50/50 pot. Meeting was adjourned 7:45pm

Old Business The show at Laird-Noller Motors on Sept.12th had a real good turn out Thanks for all that attended. Don Grier is working on a video presentation for the gang to take to California. Sounds like everyone had a good time at Lenny & Pete’s birthday party

New Business The presentation in California is Oct.2nd in hopes of getting the 2014 convention. The City of Hutchinson has been helpful with letters of support said Scott. Don Grier presented his ruff draft of the multi-media, Scott, Don & Todd are going to meet next week and collect more footage of the fairgrounds. The board will review the video Sept.23rd at Kustom Karriers around 6:30pm and finish up any loose ends. If you want a spot on the 2010 chapter calendar contact Lenny. Lenny’s Mayflower trailer made its debut on the movie Flipped by Rob Reiner. I sure hope that’s right if not ask Lenny or just to get more details. We are always updating or roster your help would be greatfull.

Wash & Wax for [what is this wash and wax of which you speak? - webmaster]: Sept. 26th Santa Fe Days Inman Ks Oct 3rd Buhler Days contact Duane for info Oct 10th Art Ediger Action Burtton Ks 10:00am Oct 10th Salina Flywheel Show Leave Newell’s 7:00am Oct 17th Walton Truck Show 10:00am Oct. 24th-25th Sedgwick Street Rodders swap Meet, Kansas State Fairgrounds Hutchinson Regular Meeting Oct.14th @ Newell’s Truck Stop 6:30pm

To update your information on receiving the newsletter or want something added just let me know mike@kustomkarriers.com 316-217-6029

You may think you missed the July meeting. Relax - the closest thing we had to a meeting was the barbeque picnic at the Fairgrounds following the Hutchinson 4th of July Parade, and I missed both, and having been out of town much of the time since then, I’ve also missed anything anyone had to say about them. Now you know, probably more than I do, and you read about it here.

I know for sure that you didn’t miss a meeting at Goessel Threshing Days. I was there. We didn’t have one. What we did have was a turn-out of trucks and chapter members, great weather, and the best home-made pie-and-ice-cream you’re gonna find anywhere. Wheat Staters James and Connie Wiens and their friends put a lot of effort into this annual event and it always shows. Todd’s posted some photos at http://www.chargerfever.com/goessel09/index.html . He also loaded a few videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYpMOL9Ns0M , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDADNGk8Up0 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBpedLuHwwE , and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9lHZmbQZUg . Some advice: do NOT try the videos on dial-up. Remember the cyber attacks of a couple of weeks ago? The ones the North Koreans supposedly launched? That’s not exactly what happened….

The June and July Chapter Board meetings saw some discussion on the possibility of starting a Chapter youth program, the idea being to generate interest in old trucks by teaching them restoration techniques. In July this idea morphed into something that everyone could learn by, that being seminars and work sessions hosted/conducted by members with their own trucks as teaching aids. As of this writing, it appears we will try to get this off the ground with a presentation of bodyworking techniques by Bondo at his shop after the 22 August meeting (also at his shop). Speakin’ of which, here’s what’s happening (subject to change, of course) for the next couple of months:

You should’ve noticed some differences in the July newsletter. Member (and now Chapter Historian) Todd Wilson, who began handling printing and distro this summer, shrank the margins and added some pictures, a first for us. I tried to do these things years ago and, being the aboriginal digital dummy, totally failed. Well, now I can do it, too (a fifth-grader on my bus gave me instruction, in writing), and if all goes well a picture with commentary from Chapter VP Duane Ely should appear below. Perhaps the kid can also teach me how to keep the computer from double-spacing when I hit the return key. Here's a truck Kent and I saw a few miles north of Bartlesville. The marking on the payload is "shipping weight 278,000". The tractor is a 2008 KW T800 with a 600 H.P.Cummins and an 18 speed. The push tractor (mostly hidden behind the KW) is a Freightliner with a 575 Cat. There are 36 total axles. The axles on each jeep are side by side in addition to front and rear tandems. Tractors are 4 axle with only 2 live axles. Each jeep has hydraulic steering rams which are operated by a driver on the platform above the jeep at each end. These drivers are required only when making turns sharper than "road curves", not for normal road travel. I didn't ask for gross weight, but it had to be close to 400,000. We estimated overall length to be 175-200 ft. The crew was waiting for repairs - I'm not sure what the problem was.      

“First off, it Rained”… - the first thing Scott said when I asked how the Doonan’s Show in Great Bend went. He then went on to say we had a very good turn-out, with 47 trucks on display. “…and the Doonan’s were tremendous!” - they had a welcome banner stretched between two of their cranes; drinks, popcorn, and a raffle; and their shop was open to everyone. To top it off, the Pickles prepped a chicken dinner for everyone. I don’t have any info on who was there from where, but I’d received calls from Colorado and Nebraska prior to the show. Afterwards, a nice lady in a Great Bend retirement home called to say she and a few of her friends had been left on their own for a couple of hours by husbands who had to go to the show. She said they had a very good time (on reflection, I’m not sure if she was referring to her friends or the guys, but I suppose it doesn’t matter).

Buddy’s Show – there’s a proper name for it but I can’t think of it at the moment – followed a week later in Amoret MO. Andy, Bondo, Pete, Dan & Vicki, Mitch, and Rick Knox (with a back injury, in a cabover) made the show. Scott says there were 56 trucks there.

Digital Drivers – Lots to look a this month: Todd’s Huntsville photos can be seen at www.olddodges.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=82&page=1 and Vicki’s at http://www.chargerfever.com/aths09/index.html ; Doonan’s/Great Bend photos are at http://www.chargerfever.com/athsgb09/index.html ; Hutch 4th Parade and Picnic photos are at http://www.chargerfever.com/athsjuly42009/index.html ; Amorett pix are at http://www.chargerfever.com/athsamt09/index.html .

About our newsletter – the last couple of newsletters were sent out using rosters that had some out- of-date addresses. We’re working on it, but there’s a particular lack of certainty inherent in trying to update a mailing list. The short of it is this: If you are aware of a member that isn’t receiving the newsletter, ask that person to contact me (Dana, 316-283-2985, dmshifflett@iwichita.com ). I’ll send the current newsletter, and send address corrections to Mitch and Todd.

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

The old newsletters are archived here