As I write, it’s still January here in Spokane. My thoughts: this morning as I headed off to work, I noticed light, sunlight, in the east. This is a particularly exciting event for us living in the Pacific Northwest. January and February can be winter’s last hurrah here. It might snow or rain, or it’s possible that the first spring flowers will begin to pop up. It’s unpredictable. No matter though. When you see light in the sky, there is hope! Spring can’t be far behind.

There are three things that, in my case, always get me fired up. First, the newsprint publication of this year’s area car shows. They run the gamut, from big shows like The Good Guys show, to Mule Days in Reardan, WA. It doesn’t seem to matter how big or how small, it’s just fun to see the cars come out again. And there are always winter (or maybe winters) projects that show up for the first time. You can begin to decide which shows are worthwhile (you might win a $5 trophy for your efforts), which are fairly close to home, and which have some meaning to you.

Second, it’s time for baseball spring training in Phoenix. The baseball is great. It’s time to see the newest can’t miss-pitcher, the hit for high average outfielder, and the potential Hall of Famer. Third, along with the baseball, there is a wonderful Saturday car show in Phoenix that bills itself as the longest continuous running car show in the world. Every Saturday, year round, at this particular McDonald’s and the nearby shopping mall, car lovers of all kinds gather to show, look, and dream. There are maybe 150 or more cars to see. No trophies or awards of any kind. Just car lovers enjoying themselves. It’s the best day of all the days in Phoenix.

And speaking of car meets, I recently exchanged emails with Doug and Judy Badgley regarding this years’ NAOC Meet in Lansing, Michigan. It sounds like they have everything organized and are expecting a large turnout. The activities they have planned sound like a good time for all. It’s important, if you intend to participate, to get your registration in early so that they can finalize plans. My first meet in Lansing was the 105th Return to Lansing Meet. It was great! So, if you can make it, you too will have a wonderful time. Just being in the city where many Oldsmobiles were built and so many locals worked for Oldsmobile, makes the trip worthwhile. The first thing that you notice is just how important to the city’s culture Oldsmobile was. Everywhere you turn there is another reference to Oldsmobile.

And finally, let’s not forget to continue to recruit new NAOC members. They’re out there just waiting for us to encourage them to join a great club. The goal is for each current member to bring one new member into the club. New members bring new Oldsmobiles with them!

Happy Oldsmobiling.

—Larry Reid (#5069)
NAOC President