Weatherman Ineffective in Defeating

By Bill Sampson, Western Director

National Woodie Club

On March 5, 1776, after a lengthy and arduous effort, Colonel Henry Knox, one of his most trusted officers, completed Continental Army General George Washington’s daring plan to secretly install heavy artillery at Dorchester Heights, thus giving Washington’s rag tag band of citizen soldiers complete command over the British Fleet then in Boston Harbor and of General William Howe’s British regulars then occupying Beantown.  Both sides were ready for the assault by the rebels and the essential evacuation by the outmaneuvered British.  Instead, on March 6, 1776, a severe storm changed everyone’s plan with the British eventually evacuating later although the events were unreported on You Tube.  Precisely 234 years later, ‘General’ Wayne Yada was forced by anticipated rain to call off his Central Valley Woodie Club ‘troops’ and postpone their assault on Redwood High School in Visalia, also known as the Fourth annual Woodies in the Valley.  The other California woodie ‘tribes’ were notified, as is customary in this technologically backward area, by smoke signal. 

Naturally, on March 6, 2010, it rained almost everywhere in California except Visalia.  On March 12, 2010, the Visalia A&W Root Beer stand and its gracious owner Craig Van Horn, hosted the assembled woodies and their custodians for frolicking about the drive in and consuming the wonderful root beer many of us remember from our youth.  That was a perfect topper to the visit many of us enjoyed to CV Woodies Vice President Ernie Crotty’s antique shop earlier in the day.  Naturally, it rained that evening - nevertheless, a large number of woodies graced the restaurant.  Other vehicles were not permitted.

March 13, 2010 dawned slightly cloudy but beautiful.  The storm of the previous night cleared over the course of the day with nary a drop falling on the 29 beautiful woodies (plus a couple of ‘wannabees’) assembled at Redwood High.  An added benefit was that the delay caused the woodie show to coincide with the local St. Patrick’s Day parade which also included a pancake breakfast prepared by the local Lions Club and served in the high school cafeteria.  Mrs. Sampson, who needs another cook book as much as her husband needs another car show T shirt, availed herself of the opportunity to purchase a student-prepared grouping of local recipes.  However, I digress.

Over 200 items were available for the general woodie/car-themed raffle.  An unnamed source, but, if you read below you can probably make the same guess I did, donated several crates of local, delicious oranges.  In addition to the general raffle, a special ‘woodie owners-only’ raffle was held, consisting of six special items, including a beautiful Wavecrest quilt graciously donated (with permission from the maker) by non-woodie owner but local car enthusiast Pete Cowper.  Who says lawyers are bad guys?  As an owner of a prized quilt from 2006, I know how much they are coveted.  Thanks Pete.  I’m sure I speak for Rowland Baker, the lucky winner, who was obviously and completely stoked, when I express gratitude to Pete. In addition to the quilt, special raffle prizes included a woodie pedal car, his & her filled tote bags made by the club’s ‘first lady’ Mary Jayne Yada., an old-time decal-covered suitcase created by Ron & Janet Riegel, a coveted Ron Heiden surfboard mirror, and an NWC jacket.

Very cool hand-made ‘hula bobble’ trophies were presented to several participating woodie owners. Both ‘Longest Distance’ and ‘Owners’ Choice’ awards went to Rich and Carolyn Cravens from Vista and their ’51 Shoebox; ‘Club Choice’ went to Lawrence & Rosemary Pitman from Newbury Park with their ’46 Ford; Redondo Beach’s Phil & Helene Albright took ‘Best Original/Restored’ with their ’50 Chrysler T&C Newport; and ‘Best Modified’ was awarded to the ’37 Ford Tudor owned by Walter & Lorraine Baynes III from El Segundo.

In addition to the much-appreciated car care products stuffed in the Meguiar’s-supplied goodie bags, Central Valley Woodies again gave all participants a very cool 60’s surf/car music cd. Way to go! They also gave everyone an event plaque which included a photo of their woodie taken that day! We won’t soon forget this event!

After the last prize and award had been distributed, a 60-mile tour/cruise of the area ensued.  Mr. Van Horn also owns an A&W in Exeter, where the tour stopped for a root beer, courtesy of the proprietor.  Can you believe this guy apologized because the delay made it impossible for him to go on the tour due to other commitments?  If you haven’t experienced the hospitality of these wonderful Valley people, make it a point to come to this show next year.

Rocky Hill and Yokohl Valley were included once again on this year’s tour.  The scenery was ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ with green grass, blue sky, blossoms everywhere, and even snow-capped Sierra Mountains in the background. The local cows however weren’t sure what to make of the 20+ woodies caravanning through their territory!

The highlight [permit me poetic license here] of the tour, however, was the trip to orange grower Tom Meleo’s Chevrolet collection and reproduced 1920s era Hancock gas station located on one of his groves near the town of Strathmore.  You woodie people should know that it is the author’s opinion, shared by at least some other observers, that this collection of Chevrolets rivals the much-lamented Alexander Woodie collection that was so recently auctioned - different focus to be sure, but, both are/were spectacular.  To top it off, as noted at the 2009 show, the 1934 Chevy that Tom informed us was in restoration was now present in the ‘barn’.  I had expected to see a three window coupe.  The new car is not a mere coupe, but, is a Cabriolet, complete with rumble seat.  Indulge me here - it’s my favorite year for Chevys and I’m in love - can’t be helped. I’m hoping Pete can prepare papers for Tom to adopt me.

Have you seen woodie people eat?  Would you invite all of them to your home for breakfast after a show?  Ernie and Liss Crotty did just that.  The juxtaposition of our beautiful cars with their beautiful 1880’s Victorian-style home with its treasure trove of antiques of every imaginable variety was a spectacular topper to the weekend.  That’s right, gentle reader, they fed all of us.  It simply cannot get any better.  Headed either north or south, we were all treated to a spectacular, clear, warm spring day with the snow covered Sierra fully visible to the East.  To paraphrase Huell Howser, “California’s Gold doesn’t get any better than this.”  We all hope to see you next year. Event pictures can be seen at: WIV 2010 Pix.