This had to be the year that I took Ole Red out of service thinking the winter of 2006-7 would be a perfect time to take him off the road for a little deserved maintenance. Everyone does it, thinking that the temps about to drop, it rains all the time and it gets too dark too early. Along with that comes the occasional suggestion of the need for a heater and lots of hope that the all things Lucas will align correctly so you can get out of the parking lot in a heavy rain storm after dark and make it home. A great time to do a little maintenance. UH!

Well for me anyway the fall and early winter of ‘06 hasn’t turned out quite that way and I’m not sure early winter ‘07 is going to get much worse around my neck of the woods. Oh mother nature has sent some rain and it's been quite fierce at times. Why she’s even thrown in a few tornado warnings and making like it’s spring just to the east of us where they’ve had a couple of touch downs with terrible results. But all in all the weather’s been rather mild however with no LBC to take out on the numerous good days Gene gets somewhat cranky. I can only take so much garage rambling when the weather calls for road rambling.

Well, maybe the busted knuckles from the winter hibernation will be all healed up by spring.

To report a little late, eighteen folks show up for the EMC’s Christmas Party December 2, 2006. A rather good turn out by our standards. It was great to get together to kick around the year gone and the year to come. Pat had a couple of new automobile additions that everyone enjoyed puttering around and he had completed the slot car track to test our driving ability before releasing us out onto the pubic highways on our way home. There was of course lots of food and plans were laid for 2007 activities.

Web guru David Crawford has updated the activity calendar so everyone take a look and get an EMC activity on your calendar for 2007.

JANUARY 20, 2007 - EMC Lunch at Archestratus / Clinton MS

Our first gathering for 2007 will be the yearly kickoff gathering at Archestatus Café and Grill in Clinton MS on January 20, 2007. There's lots of plans to be made for 2007 so we're looking for a good turnout. Please make your plans join us.

The gathering time will be 11:30am and bring a hardy appetite.

Here’s a list of other upcoming EMC events:

FEBRUARY 17, 2007 - Tech Session I / Eddiceton MS

Everyone needs to show up at Tech Session I to check out Faye’s new ride. We’ll kick off our Tech Sessions with numero uno at Jim and Faye’s. Jim’s attempting to makeup for lost time on his projects so wear your working dungarees. PS. The youngest EMC’r may also make an appearance at this gathering. Bring a dish and / or a box of chicken.

Wrenching begins at 11:00am with lunch break about 12:00pm.

Details: Jim or Faye Enzman (601) 532 - 6293

MARCH 17, 2007 - EMC Tops Down / Rocky Springs MS

Our annual rite of passage is on tap again this year. This trip down the Trace (or perhaps up) is a great way to ensure that the top of that LBC is permanently dropped for summer. Bring a dish and settle back for a relaxing day under the trees at Rocky Springs.

Lunch begins at 12:00pm.

Details: Keith Anderson (601) 829 - 2573

Check out the web-site for other EMC and regional events.

That’s it for for now...guess I’ll go back to rambling around in the garage.

Happy Motoring

Gene

In Memory

2006 closed out on a very sad note for the English Motoring Club with the sudden loss of one of our members, Mary Katherine Loftin, on December 8, 2006. Mary Katherine and her husband Dennis were active members of the EMC when I came into the club in 2001. Mary Katherine had assumed the role of the club Secretary/Treasurer earlier that year. Since assuming the wheel of the EMC in 2002, I could always count on Mary Katherine’s attention to detail and knew that we were on the proper course with her thoughts and ideas regarding club decisions. She will be missed tremendously by all that came in contact with her.