posted
Please post your constructive comments regarding the Bowling Green Gathering.
If you have compliments, please list them.
If you have criticisms, please list those with a solution as to how the issue/situation can be improved. If it's not constructive, with a suggestion as to how to change it, we can't pass it along to make it better for next year.
I'll dig out our list sometime this week (it's still packed in the SS).
posted
General comments: 1. This was my first time at the NCM. It's a real nice facility and pretty well suited for this type of an event. The staff seemed very helpful - and busy. 2. Only real disappointment - the disasterous Sat. afternoon 'scenic tour' AKA 'oval drag race'. I gave up after the second tire-smoking loop on the highway. Once the lights separated the line of cars, no one seemed to know where to go. Next year they should give each participant a map of the route or put up signs - duh. 3. The Fbodfather tried to do way too much himself. He was an MC, a coordinator for the various photo shoots, parking director at times, signed lots of stuff, ran the auction, spoke at the seminar, etc, etc. He needs to learn to delegate to help keep on schedule. I'm sure anyone would have been glad to help any way they could.
SSOA related comments: 1. I couldn't be there until Saturday so I don't know about Thursday and Friday but I was surprised to not see SSOA flags on lots of cars. Is that not what those are for - car shows? 2. It would be nice to have an SSOA section where we can all park together so we can get to know each other better. 3. Teri and Steve were really busy most of the time to. Teri was selling lots of Fbodfather t-shirts. I'm sure an SSOA member would have been glad to have helped if needed. 4. It was really great that you had the LE car production number sheet so we could get that number for our records.
Asking for feedback is a great idea.
-------------------- SSteve Wiltsie SSOA Member M02-3311 2002 35th Anniversary SS LE Conv. Stock except for: K&N filter; tinted windows; Mark's caliper decals 2003 100th Anniversary H-D V-Rod Life... This is NOT a drill Posts: 192 | From: Evansville, IN | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
This was my second year. The first year seemed to be a little more orginized, but then we didn't have as many cars there. This is a problem when there are so many cars. The scenic drives can be a problem with so many people. I agree about having a seperate place to park for the SSOA people. It would make a big impression and we would get to know each other better. Most of the time it was too windy to fly our flags. I had mine on one time and it blow off with the car just sitting there. All in all I think it was a great time for everyone. Iam looking forward to next year already. Made my hotel reservations at the Country Hearth Inn for next year before I left. I was really great meeting all the new freinds and seeing old freinds again. Its a shame we don't get to see each other more than once or twice a year. I think the name tags was a great idea. It made it easier for us to remember each others names. Steve and Teri did a fantastic job with orginizing the SSOA bash. Thanks Steve and Teri.
-------------------- http://community.webshots.com/user/sscamaro02 AMERICAN CAMARO ASSOCIATION 2002 SS (M02-2022)(Build Date 9/10/01) T-Top,Bright Rally Red,Ebony Leather,Hurst Shifter,SLP Options: 345HP,SS Grille,SS Floor Mats,Personalized SS Rear Deck Mat,17"X 9" ZR1 Type Chrome Wheels,SS Cover,Engine Plaque. Additional Mods:GMMG Chambered Exhaust,FLP LT Headers,SLP CAI,K&N Filter,Silver Hood Stripes, Silver Letters on Rear Facia and Spohn Performance LCA, Panhard,SFC and Adj. Torq Arm w/Drive Shaft Loops.384/rwhp and 381/rwtq
1969 SS396 Olympic Gold.Unrestored,L34(350HP),M21 close ratio 4-Speed,Cowl Hood,Spoilers Front and Rear,Console w/Gages.Second owner since Nov.1971. 1 of 2018 Produced Posts: 828 | From: Denver,PA | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by sscamaro: Steve and Teri did a fantastic job with orginizing the SSOA bash. Thanks Steve and Teri.
The credit for organizing SSOA Thursday goes to Art (poSSum) Schroeder. Cy (OBSSD) did the nametags. Steve and I were just extra bodies to help Art be 20 places at once. If it weren't for the great people in the SSOA and their cooperation in the event, it would have been much more difficult to pull off.
Here's looking forward to next year.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Highs: 1) SSOA Thursday - Museum and Assembly plant Tours. 2) SSOA Thursday - great dinner cruise & food at Bolton's Landing. 3) Shaker Museum lunch and tour. 4) Meeting and socializing with many of the SSOA members on this board. 5) Name badges prepared by Cy. 6) Fbodfather t-shirts. 7) NCM BBQ and dinner under the tent and associated entertainment. 8) SSOA winning the Club award. 9) Cruises in the beautiful Kentucky countryside.
Lows; 1) Overlap of events - wanted to take part in more events & sessions but did not enough time. 2) Tornado warning and subsequent rain. 3) Although Bowling Green is a central location, it was still a long drive for most of us. 4) No dyno testing. 5) Late start at Beech Bend Dragway on Saturday morning due to timing problems. 6) Few automotive related vendors were present. 7) Joey Red's pink cow suit ( - just kidding).
All in all, it was a great event and we had a great time.
Posts: 2359 | From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
1. SSOA events on Thursday was a great idea, have the dinner in a larger venue or have more tables together. Go around the group and let each person do an intro so we get a better idea of who everyone is.
2. Do an SSOA car show (like the recommendations above) - maybe on Friday - where we can all park together and mingle.
3. Name tags and shirts were a great idea, do the lettering a bit larger for old people like me!
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
I thought about having us do something like that at dinner, but we were served so fast, it didn't leave time. Next time we'll get people to stand up one by one, state their name, and identify their SS (or other Fbody).
Perhaps we can brainstorm a few ideas about how we can have a group meeting/introduction at a specified place/time before our SSOA Activities.
We're going to try and get a bigger block of rooms reserved at the Best Western (one whole side of the building) to group us together more.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: Please post your constructive comments regarding the Bowling Green Gathering.
If you have compliments, please list them.
I think it might be worthwhile to consider having an "opening social event" where people can mingle and get a bit better acquainted. I realize that this could prove difficult for everybody to attend, given the time and distances involved for a lot of people, but perhaps with enough notice... I have attended one of these weekend events where the very 1st event is the "Welcoming Cocktail (or wine & cheese)Party" at 6:00 pm on the evening of arrival (Wed. night in our case). Something to consider? Not having the Dyno available was a bit of a disappointment, and what the heck was with SLP's total absence from this event?!? I know... the party line was that "they were busy with a product launch" or something like that. Well, maybe so, but SLP has 2 divisions - one of which is called "Performance Parts" which is completely seperate from their Marketing and Sales Division, if I'm not mistaken. I would hate to think that SLP Performance Parts feels that a group such as ours is not a significant enough market for their merchandise that they should choose not to be represented. But of course, these are all things that would contribute to the weekend being absolutely perfect! And this past weekend came pretty darned close as it was! A great job and you've set the bar very high for next year!!
posted
Hello Teri! MY wife, son, and I LOVED it! It would have been worth the trip just to see THAT MANY F-Bodies all in one place! Our thanks go out to everyone who helped in planning and organizing these events. We plan to attend again next year, heck Im even gonna talk my wife into taking the SS for a pass or two down the track! She also would have loved to participated in the low speed autocross if she had known there was gonna be a womens class! Keep up the good work and maybe next time I will get to meet some more great SSOA members! The track day at Beech Bend was GREAT! Those that didnt come SHOULD HAVE! Constructive negatives: 1. PLEASE let us know earlier about the "special" activities planned for "us" SSOA members. By the time we found out about the special Thursday events my wife was not able to get off work since she had already put in for her vacation. 2. As others have stated, better organization on the scenic drag racing tours. Having a flashing lead car was a good idea,next time put another in the middle of the pack in addition to one in the rear. Give maps also for the planned routes so those that do get lost can meet up at the turn around point. Also, an off duty law officer at intersections holding traffic might be nice if possible. 3. Stretch out the activities a little more. The tours and cruises were a little too close together to be able to do everything we wanted to. 4. An SSOA parking area would be great if it can be done, might be tough though! I FORGOT my flag and left it at home, but I did have on my SSOA license plate bracket! We should have something to show our membership more prominately so we can find each other! The only other member I saw that I didnt know from the board here was entirely luck. His name is Bob Peters, from PA. I asked him in the motel parking lot if he was a member and he said yes, but he had never met ANYONE else that was! I said, "you have now!" Great guy. Dont let the negatives fool ya, WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME! Keep us posted on the SSOA motel block, I WANT IN! We were all in the same motel, we just got stuck on the backside!
Posts: 200 | From: Baxter, TN. 38544 | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
this was my first f-body gathering experience at the NCM. i had a blast. the museum staff was very helpful, and the show (for the most part) was very well organized.
things that could be improved on: 1. certain events were overlaped, such as tours and guest speaker talks. maybe the NCM could stay open one more hour each day, just for that weekend, in order to fit more things in.
2. unfortunately, Adam Boca worked so hard on the event and did not get to enjoy most of the fruits of his labor. it was mentioned that maybe one organization (such as the SSOA, etc.) could each take a day and relieve adam of some of the burden. however, if that were to happen, witch ever organization had that particular day, they would also miss out on that days events. so what i was thinking was, that when you register or when you pick up your registration material, you could sign up for a 2-3 hour block of time that you could volunteer. and after all said and done, adam or other NCM staff could fill in the times that were not taken.
3. drag racing on both saturday and sunday would be nice.
4. the dyno also would have been nice.
5. if we could have more 4th gen aftermarket suppliers there, that would have been great.
Posts: 1579 | From: Portland, OR. | Registered: May 2001
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posted
We had a great time. I thank everyone involved for organizing the weekend events, especially Art and the SSOA for the SSOA Thursday. Thursday was the best day in my opinion. I would also like to say thanks to Cy for the name tags.
quote:Originally posted by SSteve_35th: [QB]I was surprised to not see SSOA flags on lots of cars. Is that not what those are for - car shows? QB]
I was also surprised I didn't see more SSOA flags. I was expecting to be the only one without mine. I can't find it. I was out in the garage a 5:00am looking for it on Wednesday before I left. It's in there somewhere, I'll find it one day. I really enjoyed the scenic tours. It was awesome seeing the convoy of F-cars going down the road with all of the people looking. My only complaint was worrying about breaking from the group and really getting lost in the middle of no where. Next year I will have to get one of those walkie-talkie things. I agree about the off duty officer stopping traffic but, I know that costs money. They should have used the B4C to stop the traffic. I think the SSOA parking section would be cool, along with all of the other groups having their own parking section too, maybe arranged by the NCM with the registrations. I think Beech Bend should have tested the computers before we got their. I only got to see all of the cars go down the track once. I wanted to get back to the NCM to see Scott's presentation. Scott's presentation was great. A big highlight of the event. I only have 2 real complaints. 1. I would have like to see vendors and a dyno there. 2. The "dash plaque" is a magnent. Why would they call the magnent a dash plaque? I asked Adam at the NCM this on Sunday when I left. He said there were alot of complaints about it. I told him I was expecting a decal. I wanted a decal to put next to my SSOA decal on the windshield. He said next year would probably be something like that, not a magnent. I know it isn't a big deal but, that is what I wanted. A magnent would be cool if I had a '57 Chevy to stick it on the dash but we have cars with very little metal surface. We had an awesome time and made reservations for next year at the Best Western CI when we left. It was great meeting everyone, hopefully we will meet more members next year.
-------------------- Robbie-M97-2902 LaPlace, LA Bright Rally Red, 6M, All Chevy options except ASR (ASR not allowed with SS in 1997), Hurst, SLP performance exhaust, SS floor mats, SS cover, Torsen, Level 2 Bilstein, Oil cooler, Zaino, NOAH car cover, BMR STB, SLP !CAGS, !auto headlights, Valentine 1, T/A bezel. 22,xxx miles. My 97 SS
1985 Camaro 252,xxx miles
2004 Honda Accord EX with leather and Navigation, daily driver Posts: 254 | From: LaPlace, LA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Fbodfather
They don't make songs about Volvos.
Member # 1119
posted
many thanks for the feedback...it is important for us to hear the highs and lows so that we can make improvements for next year.
while I have not had time to put up a formal "thank you" letter to all of you...I want you to know that I am so pleased that so many of you came to B/G.
(and by the way...the dyno? It was in an accident on the way to B/G and that's why there wasn't one there...) Personally, there's nothing I like better than to hear a bunch of LT1s and LS1s roaring!
Posts: 749 | From: Detroit | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
My only complaint is I wasn't there. I think someone should get me a job so I won't have to miss anymore chances to see my friends. It is tough to listen to all the tales from my friends and how they met new friends that are added to the group and I missed it all. Kudos to Art, Marion, Steve and Teri and all the rest that did so much to make this work. Thanks, even from me who wasn't there. What a great association I am lucky enough to be part of.!
And Scott, you should quit smoking anyway!!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Great event all in all. I was not able to enjoy the SSOA events on Thursday, but had an awesome time, it was great to meet everyone!
The one thing I found very cool at the NCM event, is that there IS too much to do! There is no way in hell anybody could get bored! There is something for everybody going on at one time or another. Yes, you need to choose what you want to do carefully, but there is always next year!
A HUGE thank you to everybody involved in the preparation of the show keep up the good work!
I'll throw in my two bad comments, the timing at teh Corvette plant tours was VERY delayed! We were over one hour late! Ant the cruises, may want to have multple, guide cars, to keep the groups a little smaller.
Hey is SSOA going to buy a brick??? If so my donation will be $100 towards it!
Andy
Posts: 608 | From: Schaumburg, IL | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
...Like DanA mentioned, ...my only complaint was that, ...SCOTT IS STILL SMOKING !!!!, He's got to stop! ...You better start the Nicorest now, ...we're gonna' get you next year.
Seriously though, ...Bowling Green was a great gathering, we had a blast. Personally, ...hat's off to those who coordinated most of the events, all in all it went pretty smooth. Highs: - The facility is perfect for a car show. The staff, (ie. Larry, Adam) those guys were great... - The SSOA nametags were a great idea (Thanks Cy). - The Bolton's Landing cruise was great, ...and the directions were exact (seriously), ...even though we got lost anyway , (...you know we can't follow directions) - The race World (go-carts) was a lot of fun, ...definitely worth the $18. - The Shaker Museum tour, very nice trip through the Kentucky countryside.
Suggestions: -Include maps for all the cruises, ... in the registration packet. -Include/post a 'map' of the NCM parking lot area in consideration of an "SSOA" area. -"advertise" www.chirpthird.com, ...I was surprised at how many people I met that didn't know about it. Maybe in our (SSOA's) gathering area, have some info on this site. -Additional vendors would be nice. (ie. Zaino, SLP,...)
Question: ...How far is the Manmoth (spelling??) caves from the NCM, and would there be any interest by others to consider a cruise there??? ...as a group.
...You guys did a great job this year, it was lot to coordinate remotely, and it turned out well....
Posts: 1046 | From: Pine Bush, NY USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
I enjoyed everything! The cruises could possibly be a little better organized, like route maps provided ahead of time, and better use of radios amongst everyone. With such a long train of cars it's difficult to keep track of it all.
Eliminate the rain altogether.
Overall it was the best party I've been to all summer! Posts: 1632 | From: Rindge NH, formerly Boylston MA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
This was our first time at this event. A ton of things to try and do in a very short time.I wished I could have done other activities.The cruise into the country side was nice but at 70+ mph average,actually I did not see much...too busy watching the road and asking Betty (from the CLT if she was ok with the high speeds). I don't think adding more days to the event will help since several people I talked to did not attend because it was a 3 day event and to not miss anything,would have to take a extra day of two off work to attend. Still had a great time! Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
I heard the dyno was supposed to be there but didn't show. This was supposedly the 4th time the dyno hadn't shown up at an event they were supposed to.
I found out the Zaino distributor who was planning on coming couldn't make it.
Did the maps I posted links to and the directions for the SSOA cruise help folks get orientated with the area better. If my health had been better I could have gotten more done.
Hope I can make it next year.
--------------------
Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, BMR STB, BMR chrome-moly panhard rod, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley Power Shot filter, mallory polished MAF ends, 4.10 gears, PPC LT's. 336 rwhp, 345 rwtq
quote:Originally posted by Kevin V 2002 SS: Did the maps I posted links to and the directions for the SSOA cruise help folks get orientated with the area better.
The maps and directions were great (although we still got lost leaving Bolton's Landing - too many left handed people in the group ("No the other right" ). Thanks for making them available.
Sorry you couldn't make it to the gathering Kevin, but hope to meet you at another event.
Posts: 2359 | From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
It was nice to meet up with a few of you, some "again", but for most it was the first time. Chris L's (Scott's Bitch) Firehawk was especially nice for a Camaro wannabe, but not to single any one car out, they were all exceptionally nice, as well as the people. Some people I just didn't recognize but were "familiar" with them from the boards.
All in all it was a GREAT weekend, enjoyed all the activities that we were able to attend, and it was, other than the rain and the saturday scenic bruise, er cruise, picture perfect.
Some improvements that COULD have been made, but as in all cases, we learn along the way:
1) Maps.....for everything. Kevin did a good job of providing some here, but the scenic cruises would have benefited greatly if everyone sorta knew the route.
2) Vendor support? I guess we can't do much about this, but I would have thought there'd be more at a huge F-body meet. But alas, we are the Edsels of Chevrolet and Pontiac now, so we too, are tossed aside like yesterday's trash. SLP had no rep, which I hear they didn't show last year either, and Dave H. said something to the effect had he known earlier....well, Dave, plan the weekend of Sep 26th, '03. It would be good to see some supplier support. Really. Just show up, rub elbows with the clients and have a good time, that's all we ask. I'm not saying we have to have vendors, it's just that they were noticibly absent from a usual car event.
3)The plant tour was AWESOME. It was similar to when my dad worked there (except no Caddys and no soundbooth around the acceleration test stand back then), and even got to see his retirement photo on the wall in the corridor. That was pretty cool, since the last time I was in there he had just retired and they didn't have a wall of retiree's pictures back then.
4) I agree if we had more of a sectioned off area for SSOA members to mingle more. I hate to be a separatest here, but I think it would have shown a nice solidarity of our organization. Not like I'm an expert or anything....it just would have been nice.
5) I think it would have been fun too, if everyone got raffle tickets, randomly numbered put in each packet too, or just for the SSOA members on "their day"..... that way if we got some SPONSORS to donate some door prizes (like Zaino stuff, Maguiar's, SLP, etc.) it would make the opening day a bit more fun to actually get some goodies for showing up. I've seen it in the past at other car shows, and it is a crowd pleaser. Again, just suggestions.
6) For plant tours, ensure the rules of the tour are clearly spelled out in advance if possible, i.e. no open-toed shoes. That nearly got us but we were saved at the last minute. Thanks Mrs. Possum!
7) I don't think any of US had a problem here, but apparently some pin-heads think it's ok to display raw horsepower at a car show. NOT. We KNOW you have a fast car, and we KNOW you can do a burnout, so wait until we ask to see it, please? And not tearing up the NCM's pavement if you do! It's those kind of things that got a Mustang club kicked off the Indy 500 track lap a few years ago (I heard about it from a track official), and it's also the kind of thing that can keep the NCM from inviting us all back next time. I have no problem with Deputy Dawg showing up to keep the peace at the event. We ALL want to enjoy a Gump-free gathering.
Again, these are just suggestions. It was a marvelous time. However, I agree Teri and Fbodfather were running around doing too much, even after I had volunteered to do anything to lend a hand. Never got tapped though. Still think that sucked that there wasn't any "family tour" shirts being allowed to be sold inside the museum.
[ 30. September 2002, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: el ess1 ]
Posts: 577 | From: Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2002
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posted
I think everyone has touched on the issues that I thought needed to be addressed. Good Job Art!!! SSOA day was awesome
J.R. and I have discussed doing more Chirpthird advertising both BEFORE and during next years event. This message board could be much bigger if we could just get the word out that we are out here.
If you guys have any suggestions on things you would like us to do please let me know and I will make sure they get done.
quote:Originally posted by Xsta Z 28: Hey is SSOA going to buy a brick??? If so my donation will be $100 towards it!
Andy
Yup, we have a brick fund started.
You can send that check to: SSOA Brick @ NCM PO Box 2904 Hillsboro, OR 97123
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Mary and I had a wonderful time. It was a pleasure meeting so many "fanatics"!! And I thought I was the only one..LOL
You have already got several great suggestions to bring us closer together next year. Here is one that is a twist on previous posts.
Give the newbies an assignment. Tshirt stand, club material, flags, show judging, auctions ect. Let our senior members float. Everyone gravitates to them. They can be our "public relations officials"...making introductions, seeking members out and bringing us together..ect.
"Tailgating is fun" everyone enjoys hanging out by their cars, talking shop and having a "beverage". I would rather "hang out", than go to sit down dinners..MHO
One last observation: I know that Scott is a celebrity and all, but does he need to be surrounded constantly. And by the same people?
Hope I did not offend anyone, it was not my intention. I loved being there and seeing so many great cars and their owners. Posts: 339 | From: Philadelphia | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
I can't think of anything else to add, either. But I really like the ideas of introductions to all SSOA attendees and grouping the SSOA cars at the show.
Rich, if I do the name badges again next year, I'll be sure to use a bigger font for you Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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quote:Originally posted by OBSSD: Rich, if I do the name badges again next year, I'll be sure to use a bigger font for you
I thought that the chosen font size was so someone had to get close enough to read it and introduce themselves. Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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- just kidding).
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I would also like to say thanks to Cy for the name tags. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
I was out in the garage a 5:00am looking for it on Wednesday before I left. It's in there somewhere, I'll find it one day.![[Cool]](cool.gif)
My only complaint was worrying about breaking from the group and really getting lost in the middle of no where. Next year I will have to get one of those walkie-talkie things. I agree about the off duty officer stopping traffic but, I know that costs money. They should have used the B4C to stop the traffic. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I wanted to get back to the NCM to see Scott's presentation. Scott's presentation was great. A big highlight of the event. 
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