Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866

A peaceful and thoughtful Memorial Day to you, Cloggites. Please take some time today to honor those who have sarificed for our country -- men and women -- in more ways than we can imagine. If you've been trying to get in to see the latest photos from the Boyd Plaquing and all you were geting was an error message, not to worry. The privacy door that protects our photos on Peter's Picture Pages is working again. I've also posted the photos from the Spring Doin's, so please, have at it.

Due to "server side" changes by our web provider, Lunarpages, the door's PHP coding had to be updated to agree with the new syntax required by PHP 7.2. Since I don't know any coders, I reached out to Lunarpages' for help, but their bid to fix the door was $750.

Well I figured that the original coding donated by Brother Mel Bergman some 10 years ago was still solid, it just needed some spiffifying to meet the new standards. I don't code, but including research time it took me about four hours to figure it out and probably would have taken an experienced coder less than 30 minutes to do the job from start to finish. I'll let you do the math. Some other parts of the website still need to be looked over to make sure they're up to date, but Bro's, I'm in the wrong friggin' business!

--MGM

Hello, Brothers. The mucky-mucks, muck-lucks and diehards of the chapter are up at Grand Council this weekend to kowtow before the powers that be, so check back soon for a report from Humbug Al "The Quack" Price. As for everyone else, thanks to those who attended our Cinco de Mayo Weekend Celebration up at Sh*t Howdy Ranch and our plaquing in honor of Dr. Boyd at Bakersfield College on April 27th. While just a few of us made it up to BC for the plaquing, this memorial event was most welcomed by Dr. Boyd's family and well received by the college. As for our Doin's up in the Sierras, Jayne isn't making The Quack sleep in the bushes as far as we know, so we must have done OK.

Seriously, the weather and camaraderie up at Sh*t Howdy Ranch was most satisfactory, so many thanks again to the Prices for their hospitality. We never quite get as big a turnout when off the beaten path, but if you made it up to visit this trip was well worth it. I'm working on the photos now as well as doing some major remodeling on the website to get us ready for the fall, so bear with me as is our usual routine.

As for the photos from the BC erection, they are posted to Peter's Picture Pages. Unfortunately due to an upgrade made by our internet company, our privacy door no longer works because of obsolete coding that is well over 10 years old. I'm waiting for Lunar Pages to give us their estimate to fix the problem. In the meantime, if you know someone fluent in PHP 7.2, please let me know. I am determined not to start putting all of our photos on Facebook, but I have no idea what this is going to cost us. Either way, much thanks to Max "The Flash" Felser and Tom Gelder for taking those photos for us. The Wm. Harland Boyd Plaque is affixed in a prominent place at the entrance to the Humanities Building at Bakersfield College. It is an excellent example of what we do and adds to our reputation as a local civic organization. Click on the Icon to see a larger, readable photo of the plaque. - Huzzah!

--MGM

Peter Lebeck's Cinco de Mayo Celebration is here. So read on for a few last minute notes of hysterical interest.

Número uno. You need a free CalFire permit for ANYTHING that runs on combustibles. Burn barrels, space heaters, gas stoves, BBQs and even Coleman lanterns ALL require permits, but it only takes about 15 minutes to get one, and you can get it on your computer or phone. Just go to http://www.preventwildfireca.org/ watch the video, answer a few questions and it's all yours. Just make sure you have it with you when you come up to the ranch for our Cinco de Mayo Celebration because there is no cell service in Walker Basin.

You'll find the last reliable cell signals around Caliente and Bodfish. In case of Emergency ONLY, you or your Next of Kin may access the land line at the Ranch House which is 661-867-2414. But be polite! Our host is Jayne Price, who, given her high station in life, will kick the Humbug's donkey if you try to order pizza. Speaking of which, the closest market is 25 miles away so bring what you need for the weekend.

Weather is looking good for Thursday through Sunday. Burn barrels are OK, but watch for low to moderate winds. Dickhead Weather Central is predicting highs in the mid-70's and lows in the mid-40's with no chance of precipitation. Sorry. If you were hoping for snow you'll have to head to Mammoth. As a consolation prize make sure you show up to the Humbug's Meet 'n' Greet on Friday afternoon where Pancho Villa's ghost is expected to drop by for a cold one, and you may also find a margarita with your name on it.

Lastly don't forget you can download the flyer with directions from our Spring Doin's page. Just don't forget to close the gates behind because no one wants to see their cows go on vacation. See you at the Doin's!

Hey Cloggites! Here are some important announcements so read on!

First up, this coming Saturday is PXL's Spring Plaque dedication at Bakersfield College at 11 a.m., where we'll be unveiling our tribute to the late history professor and PXL Brother, Wm. Harland Boyd. Then join us for an informal lunch at Ethel's Old Corral. This event is open to all and families are welcome. The details, including a map, are posted below. Just read down into the CLOG.

Second, the prepay window for our Spring Doin's is closed, but you can still sign-up, just expect to pay the gate tax for you and your PBC. Sorry, only PBCs who have been preregistered are allowed and no retreading is permitted without special dispensation. That sed, we'll still take your dust, either on PayPal or at the door, but please preregister if you can. The closest market is 25 miles away on mountain roads and no one wants to hunt their own squirrels for dinner.

Lastly, CalFire and the BLM have informed us that individual campsite fire permits are mandatory if you want to use any device that uses combustibles. Burn barrels, space heaters, gas stoves, BBQs and even Coleman lanterns ALL require fire permits. Leave your permit at home and our fire marshal will have to hose your establishment. And who wants to be left out in the cold and in the dark?

Fortunately, permits are free on line at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/ All that's required is that you take a 15 minute fire safety course. Answer a few questions successfully and you can print the permit right from your computer. Just make sure you have it with you when you come up to the ranch for our Cinco de Mayo Celebration because there is no cell service in Walker Basin.

--MGM

Hello Cloggites! It looks like our Humbug, Al "The Quack" Price, is on a roll coming off of last weekend's Watering Hole Invasion at Randsburg. We had about 50 Clampers and their significant others show up for this celebration, and a good time was had by all.

Next up for our Quackster-in-chief is PXL's Spring Plaque dedication at Bakersfield College, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th, where we will unveil our tribute to the late professor of history and PXL Brother, Wm. Harland Boyd. Please join us at the patio entrance to the Humanities Building, in seemly decorum and in full Clamper Regalia, where we will explain to the public the significance of the man in the manner of ECV. Parking is free and you are most welcome to bring your friends so they can celebrate with us, and see what we do.

Following the ceremony we will retire to nearby Ethel's Old Corral to continue our satisfactory camaraderie and for suitable nourishment and libations. A map and directions can be downloaded by clicking the map icon on the right. --->

Dr. Wm. Harland Boyd passed away in 2002, at the age of 90, after a life of civic contributions to the Kern County community which he served with distinction. He taught history at Bakersfield College for 27 years until his retirement in 1992, and is remembered fondly by those of our members who studied under him at B.C.

Harland was one of the volunteers who founded the Kern County Historical Society in 1931. He edited the Society's quarterly magazine for over 40 years, as well as several books published by the society and its members. He was also an author in his own right, having published books on stagecoach travel, trains, and the folk histories of Kern County, among other subjects. The Beale Library also houses 60 binders of Dr. Boyd's personal notes concerning local historical topics.

Harland also sang in his church choir for 50 years, gave his time to no less than 12 other civic organizations, and the Brother still had time to go CLAMPING!

So please, no excuses, join us for this short celebration in honor of Dr. Wm. Harland Boyd, all around good guy and faithful Brother 'til the end. See you there!

Thanks to All who invaded ''The Joint'' in Randsburg this past weekend. Check out the photos posted on Peter's Picture Pages to see yourself or just see what you missed. Next up is our dedication of the W. Harland Boyd Plaque at Bakersfield College on April 27th, followed by an informal get together at Ethel's Old Corral. Complete details will be up shortly, so check back soon!

Greetings Cloggites! We have stuff to do so let's get you caught up. We have an upcoming "invasion" in Randsburg, plus news about our Spring Doin's, Clamper Get-Aways, Store innovations and a report back from the Whiskey Flat Parade. We've also added this event shirt link for the Randsburg Invasion, as discussed below, so read on!

In less than two weeks PXL will be invading "The Joint," a small but sufficiently moist establishment in Randsburg, California where on March 16th, we will be declaring it to be an ECV Watering Hole. "The Joint" is located at 165 Butte Avenue. Hydration begins at 1 p.m., and Lunch is available for purchase nearby for those with an appetite.

This is an "adults only" event because, after all, this is a "joint." But other than that, all are welcome. So bring the Widder and your friends, and your Widder's friends, and their friends' friends on up to this historic mining burg and let's make a day of it. Neil and Hollie Shotwell, who run "The Joint," have hinted that they won't eject us until the place has been well christened, and Randsburg itself is a picturesque town worth some sightseeing in its own right. Much thanks to Rick "Hardluck" Veiga for his work on this one. To get the flyer including directions, click here.

For those of you not familiar with its history, Randsburg dates back to 1895, and is one of two towns created to support the famous "Yellow Aster" mine, which proved to be one of the most productive gold strikes in California History. It all happened here in Kern County, and it has a remarkable back story.

Randsburg is sometimes described as a "ghost town," but since its founding it's never been without people though in many ways it does seem frozen in time. Clampers have also been known to wander these parts. Our monument from 1989's "4-Way Clampout" stands at the entrance to the center of town. Jim Adams was PLX Humbug at the time. We have a page dedicated to the Randsburg plaquing where you can read about this town's remarkable history by clicking here.

 

Sign-up for our Spring Doin's has officially begun. Just use the Spring Doin's Link where you can download the flyer, register electronically and even pay using PayPal. We'll even take your rub and registration the old fashioned way - by Snail Mail. In fact sending your dust by mail saves us about $2 in PayPal fees, but either way, it's time to start licking.

This time we're going to Sh*t Howdy Ranch for an extended Cinco de Mayo weekend, May 2-5, 2019. If you want to know why, the Humbug will explain it all to you, just read the flyer to find out. You'll also discover that you'll be able to purchase an event shirt for this Doin's if you so by April 12th. It's also not too late to order a PXL Name Badge. For one low price you also get the event hanger to go with. Pre-Pay deadline for both the name badge and the Doin's is April 19th. So what else can you expect, you ask?

At 3400 feet Sh*t Howdy Ranch is a gem. Located in Walker Basin, a mountain valley in the Sierras above Caliente, it's spectacularly green in the spring, and especially beautiful when the wild flowers are in bloom. Best of all, it's a great place for Peter Lebeck to hold our 2019 Spring Doin's, and you, our Brother, are invited!

Starting Thursday, May 2nd, we'll be the guests of Humbug Al "The Quack" Price and his Widder Jayne who have offered up their ranch for our semi-annual conclave. The accommodations are rustic, but what they lack in indoor plumbing, they make up for in atmosphere. We'll have the use of a grassy, oak studded meadow with plenty of room for RVs, tents and lots of PXL shenanigans.

Sh*t Howdy Ranch offers space that will easily accommodate 100 Redshirts and their PBCs. It's a place for relaxing camaraderie, especially when you're hanging out at PXL's centrally located libation center, our infamous "Tittie Bar." It's the only one of its kind in all of Clamperdom, you'll find it a great place to share what you brought, swap lies and make new friends. You might even find a Margarita or two there on Friday afternoon, though it's best to deny you had them. And why shouldn't you? After all, it's Cinco de Mayo Weekend, and you're encouraged to play into the weekend's theme so long as you do so with respect. Just leave your other Margarita at home.

Our gates open at noon on Thursday, May 2nd, for our set-up crew, the high flying "PXL Flying Circus," and those inclined to help out. Just keep in mind that we're about 25 miles from the nearest Piggly-Wiggly, so if you're coming up early, plan accordingly. You'll have a place to pee, but you'll be on your own food wise until Friday dinner. Also make sure to check the weather. You'll be traveling on well-maintained mountain roads, quite passable for RVs, but you'll want to wave at the cows, not wear them.

In early May the days in Walker Basin are typically pleasant. As for the evenings, it does get nippy so you'll want to bring your warm jammies and your burn barrel if you're so inclined. Just check the flyer for our fire rules because we're not Clamping on bare ground and Smokey Bear's our hero. He's also a Clamper, and we don't want to make him grouchy.

Clamping starts on Friday for Brothers not joining the Circus. If you've brought a PBC, you'll need to turn him over to our Hangman when you get into camp because we may want to put him to work, especially in the kitchen. Our Clampchef, Kenton "Airdale" Miller has promised a special Mexican themed dinner for our first official day of Clamping.

At PXL we are known for our food, and this Clampout will be no exception. Our Doin's are BYOB, but your rub always includes four full, hot meals starting Friday night, plus a continental breakfast on Sunday. Saturday's epicurean highlights include our Graybeards' Potluck Breakfast - - we have eggs, you bring meat, tortillas, etc. - - everybody wins. Then you get more meat for lunch. And if that isn't enough, for dinner you'll get your choice of a large rib eye steak, a quarter chicken or vegetarian roadkill, each served with all the fixxin's. And we never forget the BEANS! (Well. . . maybe once, but that's a long story).

Stuffed in the middle of this meat sandwich you'll find one of the best PBC interrogations and HOCOs in all of Clamperdom - - lubricated by the victims themselves. Just make sure that if you are bringing a PBC - - and we do encourage that very much - - that your sucker comes prepared! Make sure he gets a copy of our PBC Handbook ahead of time. You can download it from our Registration Page. Then make sure your would-be Brother brings us a bribe that will suitably impress all of us, and that he have a five minute hysterical presentation. You know the drill. If you do your part, by the end of the ritual we'll all be laughing our butts off and shouting "Satisfactory!" to the high Sierras.

So what are you waiting for? At PXL camaraderie comes first. We'd be honored to have you join us, and you'll be glad you did. To find out more, just go back to our Spring 2019 Doin's Page where you can get a copy of our infallible fillable flyer, sign-up electronically, and grab additional details, including directions. And whatever you do - DON'T LET THE COWS OUT!

 

Now about those event shirts. . . .

Until now PXL had almost always found event shirts to be too expensive to produce, but that also meant that someone wanting to show that they had been to PXL couldn't show off by wearing our shirts. Vendors doing screen printing required set up fees - one for each color. Art work provided to the vendor had to separate colors into layers, and in order to spread the cost, our chapter store had to buy dozens of shirts, carry surplus inventory and hope that the shirts would eventually sell out. As a small chapter, three or four dozen event shirts was never going to be worth it.

The advent of "dye sublimation printing" is changing that. The equipment and materials are still costly, but the advantage is that it's now possible to print multicolored graphics on a single shirt as cheaply as on twelve dozen; ten colors as cheaply as one. And that's where Paul Gleim our "T-Shirt Man" comes in.

When we took Paul in, Top knew Paul had a printing and embroidery business. In fact "T-Shirt" prints shirts for a number of non-profits, including veterans' organizations. Top figured we could buy from Paul and tap the brother for a discount.

No Eye has proposed taking that one step further. By using a special link, our members will soon be able to order what they need directly from Paul, pay for it through his site and then pick up the goods from our store at our next Doin's. That also means that because Paul does dye sublimation printing, they'll be no limit to how many event shirts we'll be able to do in the future. We'll even be able to store old designs and designs from past events for those who missed out.

Paul also does embroidery; so personalized hats, jackets and similar items are also possible, all without the store having to carrying gobs of inventory. The transaction remains at "arm's length." Paul negotiates the price, PXL gets a fixed amount from the purchase, and the Store makes sure that only Clampers get the merchandise. Elegant.

We're going to be trying this out for "The Joint" Invasion, and here's the link if you'd like to buy an event shirt fot this one.

 

XNGH Dale "Top" Turner, and the PXL Brother members of the Elks Lodge in Santa Clarita, continue to host the "Saturday Clamper Get-Away" most first Saturday's of the month. It's open to any Clamper and any prospect you wish to introduce to the Brethren, and we typically have Brothers from several chapters show up. This past Saturday's Get-away had about 25 guys magically appear to share a brew and a hot dog or two. Top sends out an email notice to those he thinks may be interested. I'm going to try and keep up with him and post reminders here and on Facebook, so keep an eye out if you'd like to come. Get-Aways usually start at noon and end by three, so plan to spend a little time if you can. Santa Clarita Elks Lodge #2379, 17766 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country 91351.

Lastly, our intrepid little group really wowed them at the Whiskey Flat Days Parade up in Kernville on February 16th. I'd show you pictures but everyone's hands were too cold to whip out a camera. The good news was that it didn't rain and the snow level didn't drop. For those of us fortunate enough to attend, Charles Topping and his Widder Pat hosted a neat little barbeque, complete with a little suds. Thanks to the Toppings for that one, and to everyone who marched in the annual parade.