Friday July 8, 2016
Today
was the first day of the annual Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show &
Cruise In held in the Metro Place loop where I am employed. Since we have to
put up with traffic restrictions (we have to travel counterclockwise around the
circle for the duration of the show), they give us free parking passes and
wristbands to attend the show. Even though it’s usually hot and humid every
year, I figure, ‘why not?’ and walk the approx. 100 yards to where the show is
held.
I
would be lying if I said food wasn’t one of the reasons to attend. Even though
there’s only about a dozen or so food vendors, they’re all classics like
Schmidt’s (if you like German food), Papa John’s, Moe’s Barbecue, Bubba’s
Shaved Ice, etc. I went straight for my favorite, which was Weldon’s Ice Cream.
I decided to be greedy and order a double scoop cone. Someone should have
explained the laws of gravity to the young girl who made my cone because the
two scoops were just barely balanced on top of the tiny cone. It wasn’t five
minutes before I took my second lick and the whole thing ended up on the
ground.
I was quick to scoop it up and walked back over the booth and asked for
a bowl (and spoon). They probably would have given me a replacement cone if I
asked, but I was happy enough to have a receptacle to eat my rapidly melting
ice cream. Needless to say by the time I got back to work my face and hands
were all sticky, as was my hair because it kept blowing in my face. I was only
too happy to duck into the bathroom and clean myself up before returning to my
desk. That’s put me off ice cream for a little while.
One
of the highlights of the show this year was the ‘Model T Wicker Car.’ According
to the festival write-up: https://arthglr.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AutoShow2016/AboutTheShow/Attractions/tabid/746588/Default.aspx
“The
Basket Case was covered in wicker by hand in Menominee, Michigan, when the
Model T was new (1924). Menominee is the home of Lloyd Flanders, which was
Lloyd Manufacturing when the car was new. Lloyd manufacturing made wicker
furniture, baby buggies, etc., and was the origin of Lloyd Loom, a method to
make an artificial wicker for furniture.
The
wicker has only been cleaned and painted. I am repairing one section of wicker
that was damaged by the stress of people stepping on the entry running board,
as 1924 Model T Roadsters only have doors on the passenger side.
This
Model T has been in Jake’s family since at least 1935; they have a signed title
in the name of John Pinkowski, who was his mother's uncle, Jake’s great-uncle.
He has pictures of John and his wife in the Model T, with luggage on the
running board. John was apparently not literate, as the title bears "his
mark", witnessed.
Jake’s
great-uncle had one son, and when he died in 1991, his mother and his aunt were
the only surviving relatives, so his mom chose the car. His dad, Jacob J.
Kluch, worked on the Model T to get it ready for some shows. He
"freshened" the paint, mostly with a "shaker can" and a
brush. He had the bumpers and headlight rims re-chromed, put a new roof on it,
and four new tires. Other than that, the car was original. He was thrilled to
be invited to the Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village in 1992, and they
attended several times before he passed away in 1997.
When
they were preparing for the Ford 100th anniversary, the engine was damaged.
They were then invited to represent 1924 at the 100th anniversary, and the
anniversary committee said they should even bring it if it was not running, as
they would provide whatever support that was necessary to get it in place and
then back in the trailer. However, they got it patched up, good enough to get
to and from the show. Jake had the engine rebuilt then, along with the
transmission. Everything is original condition.”
Aside
from a station wagon I once saw covered in corks, this was definitely one of
the most unusual cars I’ve ever seen. I’m glad I went over and checked it out.
This
car was also one of my favorites:
In
the evening my sister, Karen, and I attended Hilliard Arts Council’s annual
summer musical called “Urinetown.” The plot revolves around the fact that
because of a drought, people were forbidden from using their own home toilets.
Instead, they had to ‘pay to pee’ to use a public toilet.
As you might imagine,
chaos ensues when the people rebel against this outrageous new law. Suffice it
to say, by the end of the play there’s a ‘change in management,’ and at least
one likeable character meets his demise, but it’s still a funny, decent play. I
can only credit the outstanding musical talent of the cast which was definitely
on par with an off Broadway production.
Saturday July 9,
2016
This morning we
were up early to run a 5K charity race (aren’t they all?) to benefit the Dublin
Arts Council, of which we’re both patrons from time to time (and are eager to
see their latest ‘Last Words’ exhibit). D’Art, the large ginger tabby and
resident cat of the Arts Center was on hand to lend his support and actually
take part in the race (while being pushed in a little zip-up tent on wheels). I
don’t know his official run time, but Andrew and I definitely finished well in
front of him and his human runner.
 | |
| D'Art wanting everyone to leave him alone |
 | |
| me with one of the race sponsors |
We figured perhaps
a couple hundred people would participate. The actual number was about half
that, but it was still a decent turnout, and I’m sure the Dublin Arts Council made a nice little profit.
The race took place
at the trail that runs behind the Dublin Recreation Center through a
residential housing development and in and out of a somewhat wooded area;
hence, quite a lot of shade. With the 77 degree temperature and low humidity,
it really wasn’t too bad. That’s not to say I wasn’t shattered afterwards, but
I survived. Andrew and I managed to cross the finish line together again,
though, for some reason, my time was a tenth of a second faster than his
(through no extra effort of my own I can assure you).
My race statistics:
Click here to see a
video of Andrew and I crossing the finish line:
Our unofficial race photo:
Andrew just after he got home from the race:
Okay, so I am one
of the youngest in my age group, I’m still quite happy with my results and
Andrew said both our paces have improved since the Four Mile race we ran in
November. At this point I don’t plan on running any more 5Ks until perhaps
sometime in the autumn. I definitely
plan to run the Road Runner 5K next spring. I’d like to do at least one 5K in
each season. Winter might be difficult, but looking forward to the challenge.
Have a good week
everyone!
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