August 15th, 2010

A word or two from the President

Yikes, I’m President. Who’d have thunk it? Certainly not I!
It is an honor and I certainly have some big shoes to fill. From Lester Seal to Jim Gillis the club has continued to grow and remain true to its roots of enjoying good times behind the wheel of our beloved Miatas. Through twenty years the club has seen the Miata go through three generations but the love affair continues.

Though the club appears to run seamlessly it takes a lot of work from some dedicated people. Let’s all give Jim Gillis a standing ovation for the past two years of his leadership as the Club President. Jon Weinberg will be stepping up to the position as Vice President after doing a suburb job as the Club Activities Coordinator for the last two years. Jack and Judy Austin have agreed to stay on with the time consuming job of Membership Coordinator. Art Caira will look after our money as Club Treasurer, and Terri Lannin will maintain and keep records and documents as the Club Secretary. Geoff Findon is the Editor and Chief of our newsletter, and Bill Burns is the Tech Wizard that keeps our web site up and running. I’m pleased to announce that Lillian Orchard and Charly Busky will take over the important task as Activities Coordinators. The next time you see any members of the “pit crew” please take a moment to let them know that you appreciate the work they do to keep this club running.

Well it’s hard to believe but it is already August and the season is well under way. Why, oh why does the summer fly by when the winter goes by sooo slowly? We have had some great activities with more to come in the next few months.
M.O.T. was once again a huge success with over 100 Miatas and many trophies and prizes. We had a wonderful weekend trip through the hills of Vermont, and a few lucky members got to spend some time down south cruising through the Smokey Mountains. The ladies spent a weekend in Manchester Vermont, and after three tries we finally got to do a schooner trip out of Gloucester. Please remember that if you attended any past events and had a good time, volunteer to write up your experiences for the newsletter and web site.
In the weeks and months to come we still have many great trips and events to look forward too, so check the schedule and mark off your calendar. It’s not too early to start thinking about next year, so if you have any ideas let us know. I’m amazed that after 20 years we can still come up with new ideas for fun trips in and around New England.

While at lunch a few weeks ago I was enjoying a beautiful day at Columbus Park in Boston. At the park there was a young couple with a small dog. Well, this dog would run as fast as his little legs would take him to one end of the park and back to the couple. He would then circle around then a few times till he laid down at their feet and then rolled over for a belly rub. He would then get up and do it all over again, run, circle, rub, run, circle, rub. What was so enjoyable about watching this was the look of such blissful happiness on his face. He was with the people he loved, doing something he enjoyed, and the wind was in his fur. It made me realize that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best. Just like a day with the club, great people, driving wonderful roads in our Miatas, and the wind in our hair, or scalp in my case.

So, if you ever see me driving my Miata and circling around you till I jump out and lay on my back at your feet just rub my belly till I get up and do it all over again. You will make me so blissfully happy….

Les Barton
Mass Miata Club President

“When life throws you a curve…Go out and drive it.” (Thank you Janet for the idea)