Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866

Hello Fellow Red Shirts,

For all of you who "Fed the Bear" as founding members, your Charles Topping, special edition, "Bear Founder" pins are in.

You can pick yours up at the Spring Doin's, but better yet! Get your right away by joining us this Saturday, March 5th at our RED Shirt Getaway in Santa Clarita.

Yes, our informal, unofficial, monthly gathering up at the Elks in Santa Clarita is back on, and it's open to any red shirt in good standing from any ECV chapter. Were hosted by our Brethren who are members of the lodge, and admission is free.

You get the benefits of a cheap dog and a bag of chips, a brew or two and all the lies you can swap until it's time to catch up on the "honey do's." So come on up, and make sure to bring your prospective PBC so we can get a good whiff of him.

Time and Location: Santa Clarita Elks Lodge, 17766 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country, 5 March 2022, 12 Noon.

Hope to see you there.

-- Top

 

Hello Cloggites, welcome to Twosday,Twenty-Twenty-Tooth, and welcome back to the PXL CLOG. On behalf of Ptomaine Timbo Gillespie, our 2022 Humbug, I'd like to thank everyone who made it out to the Widders' Ball and pitched in to make it a success. Special thanks to Jeannie Johnson and Judi Hall Gillespie for their aesthetic in making our event look extra nice, and to "Top" Turner for his work organizing Friday night's pre-ball buffet.

Covid caused us to skip last year's Widders' Ball, so it was great to finally approach something akin to normal. Hopefully things will get even better as we advance into this coming Clamp year.

Our Spring Clampout is a "GO," and we're calling it "Operation Pine Cone." Starting Thursday, April 28th, we'll be gathering at Camp Hamilton in Bakersfield for our four day sleep over. So shake out your favorite blankie because we're putting together the particulars ASAP. Check back here soon for sign-up information.

XNGH Charles Topping is busy minting the various versions of his "I Fed the Bear" pins. I won't steal Top's thunder by posting the photos here, but you should peruse the March edition of the Feed the Bear newsletter to see what Charles has been up to.

Lastly, Timbo has written his opening statement for the 2022 Clamp year. He recognizes that the Covid hiatus has been a drain on the chapter and he's asking for your help. In all sincerity, he thinks we can go from being a good chapter to a great chapter. I've known Timbo for 20 years, so I think the Graybeards made an excellent choice of someone who can lead us through 2022. So without more here's Timbo in his own words.

 

In the immortal words of John Cleese -" Well, well, well. What's all this, then?"

Here we are in a new Clamping year, with new problems to solve and new pots of beans to eat. Most of you by now know that our Hawker has resigned and we are in need of a new one. We are also in need of a ClampChef who can uphold our high standards for nouveau Clamper cuisine.

We have many challenges to face, but nothing insurmountable. Clampers are like Weebles - we wobble a lot, but we don't fall down. Well, actually, we do now and then, but it is usually due to the influence of our patron Jack Daniel. So here's the deal - I personally don't give a damn what your politics are, and neither do your brother Clampers. If you don't like Biden, keep it to yourself. If you don't like Trump, keep it to yourself. We have always prided ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive group. Are we stifling your freedom of speech? No, we just don't want to hear it.

If you are unable to enjoy brotherhood without being in a group that thinks exactly like you do, go elsewhere. If you are so far to the left or right that you need to shout it from the mountain tops, go elsewhere. This isn't about "woke" or "cancel culture," it's about being able to assemble in a group and have good fun. We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time, so leave the politics, vaccine opinions, and religion in your truck.

I realize that at various times over the years we (and by "we," I mean the Chapter as a whole) have pissed off one faction or another of the Chapter. The Bakersfield crew feels unloved, or the Santa Clarita batch feels they are getting the short end. Get over it. We are all good guys, and as good guys, we should all be able to work together for the good of the chapter and not segregate ourselves into factions. Try to understand each other's concerns and talk about things rather than bitching about them.

If you have a problem with the way I'm doing something or the way someone else is doing something, talk to me about it so I can resolve it. The more of this crap that festers, the harder it is to get rid of. Don't go back to Sally's or the Elks or wherever you hang out and complain. Talk to me and let's fix it.

I've been a Clamper for a long time, and I have attended or more often been part of helping make some of the most memorable Clampouts around. So I know what it takes to make it happen. And when 10% of the Clampers do all the work, we don't all have a good time. It's all about organization and having the help to make it happen. When those two click, we all have a good time and no one is running around keeping their thumb warm.

I promise you good grub and a good time, and I will bust my huevos making that happen. But I'm not going to do it all by myself. Many hands, even if they are intoxicated hands, make light work. The 15 or 20 minutes you help us setting up or tearing down make a lot of difference to us and the overall good of the Chapter.

Now, on to much more fun stuff. Our Spring Doin's is set for April 28- May 1 at Camp Hamilton in Bakersfield, so keep an eye out for the upcoming flyer. Camp Hamilton is a private camp run by MGST Glen Denton, and honors our fallen. Top Turner, Pokey, and a few others from the Chapter have already helped with improvements on the place, including a PXL bench and picnic table for those who visit. So we have a great place to Clamp, some great grub, a cheap rub, and a date to hang with your buds. Such a deal!

Guarantees are few and far between in this world, but one thing I can guarantee is that you'll have my multi-award winning beans for grub. I got out of cooking after 20-odd years, but I will be at least partially responsible for cooking at our Spring Doin's and will need help. So if you know which end of a spatula is which, please step up, all the Brothers, especially this one, will appreciate it.

The last two years have been spectacularly sh*tty for a variety of reasons, and now that we are on the other side, let's keep the momentum rolling. We have the plaque rededication at Camp Hamilton coming up, a joint plaquing with Platrix Chapter coming up, a Fall Doin's to plan - the list is as long as our ambitions. Please be a part of it, and plan to be part of getting us back to where we are doing what we are about - History, Frivolity, Fraternity. I can't be everything to everyone but I am going to bust my heinie to get this fun wagon rolling again.

I hope to see all of you that can make it to Camp Hamilton April 28 through May 1. If nothing else, come for a bowl of Timbo's Beans. It'll save you gas on the way home.

  Ptomiane Timbo, XXNGH
       PXL - - NGH 2022

 

Just a quick post including a few reminders. Widders' Ball registration is closed and any walk-ins will be turned away at the door. The hotel needed a firm count this year so if you missed out, you'll have to wait 'til next year to party with the best.

The conclusion of our annual business meeting reconvenes at 11:00 a.m., on the morning of the Widders' Ball, in the Homewood Suites' meeting room. Since this is technically a carry-over from November's meeting, the agenda is pretty much the same, but I'm making it available here for download so everyone is clear on the discussion. We are still in need of a Clampcook, a Hawker and Hawker assistants. If you are interested, make sure you attend this meeting or contact Timbo who is the Erectus for 2022.

The January 2022 edition of the Feed the Bear newsletter is available now. I've posted it to the Proc's Page. You can get it there, but if this becomes a monthly thing as "Top" expects it to be I may have to move it to its own page.

Lastly, "Operation Pine Cone," PXL's 2022 Spring Doin's is confirmed for Thursday, April 28th through Sunday, May 1st, at Camp Hamilton in Bakersfield. That's a solid date so make sure to make arrangements. More on that soon, until then, enjoy the Ball.

- - MGM

Brothers, here is an update on the WIDDERS BALL.

The hotel needs a head count by 0900 on 20 January. Therefore, if you intend to come to the Widders' Ball please contact me ASAP by email at dalefmda@earthlink.net, or text or call me at (661) 714-7203. I need to know your meal selection, Chicken, Salmon or Vegetarian, and the names of those in your party. Remember, we only have room for 80.

DO NOT DELAY. There will be NO Walk In's. Pay for the Widders' Ball by Check or Zelle. For further details download the flyer and read down into the CLOG.

Next item. Friday Night Dinner at the Broken Yolk is ON! We have met the minimum. There is still plenty of room left. Remember 20.00 CASH per person is to be paid at the door. NO CREDIT CARDS OR CHECKS.

So bring plenty of Gold Dust. Doors open at 5:00, dinner at 5:30. Think Mexican Buffet. The manager, Kerry, would like to know if there is a special kind of beer that the Clampers prefer. Let me know ASAP so I can get that request to her.

Looking forward to seeing you there.
    Dale "Top" Turner, XNGH
    CLAMP CRIER

Happy New Year to all, and welcome back to the PXL CLOG! We have a lot to get through - the Widders' Ball, notice of our corporate meeting, "Feed the Bear," the Clamper Getaway, and a "Thank You" from our outgoing Humbug, so let's jump right in.

Our 60th annual Widders Ball is back on again after having skipped 2021, a year that came with its own blackouts and uncertainties. But there can be few better ways to shake out the Cooties than with our annual party and dinner-dance up at the Homewood Suites in Bakersfield. And, as always, it's set for the weekend before Super Bowl, Saturday, February 5th, so no excuses. You can download the flyer here.

We are limited to 80 guests, so sign-up now to assure your registration. As usual one price covers everything. Our Hospitality Lounge opens at 3 p.m., Dinner is at 6, and Dancing and dessert start at 7:30. It's all covered by one low price including adult libations from beginning to end. Clamper couples are $80, Redshirts are $40, and all other non-Clamper guests are $45. Additional details are in the flyer.

For this event, we're foregoing Paypal, due to its excessive fees, and trying a bank transfer app called "Zelle." You can sign-up through your bank using this link. Then once you're in, Zelle lets you send money directly to our bank by texting your payment to our designated email, paypeter@ecvI866.org. You can send us money anytime, even if we didn't ask for it!

So use Zelle or send us a check. If you need to pay at the door, give Mark "Pokey" Crawford or Dale "Top" Turner a call. I've also made the flyer fillable, so after you download it, fill it out on your computer and then either print and mail it or use email to send the completed form to Top as an attachment-- but do it soon.

XNGH Jim "Bullseye" Bailey has reserved a block of minisuites for us at the Homewood at a very enticing price, and they're much less expensive than a 502. At PXL we encourage everyone never to drink and drive so why not stay over?

To reserve your room for $79 plus tax per night, you must call the hotel directly at (661) 664-0400. When you call, ask for Nicole or just say you are a Clamper coming in for the Widders' Ball. If you don't get through try calling after the morning rush. Do not make this reservation on line because you won't get the Bullseye discount.

Also, for anyone who's in town on Friday night, Top and Bullseye are hosting a private Friday Dinner just for us at the Broken Yolk Café, 3300 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield. This will be cash only, $20.00 per person, to be paid at the door. The money collected will go directly to the Broken Yolk Staff to cover food and tips, so please DO NOT include this amount with your Widders' Ball payment. You'll also want to bring a little extra dust because adult libations are not included in the price. Top says that when we did this two years ago, everyone had a great time. The food was excellent and the drinks most satisfactory, but we need at least 20 guests to make it practical. So contact Top by phone or text at 661-714-7203, to make sure you're counted. Dress will be Clamper casual.

The conclusion of our annual business meeting reconvenes at 11:00 a.m., on the morning of the Widders' Ball, in the Homewood's meeting room. The topics will be the same as the agenda posted for the November corporate meeting. We'll be finalizing our officers for 2022, and expect to announce a firm date for the Spring Doin's, which we expect to be at Camp Hamilton near the end of April or begining of May depending on availability.

Our "Feed the Bear" campaign continues. In accord with Clamper tradition, PXL does not collect dues from its members, but voluntarily support is acceptable, and "Feed the Bear" is a way to support the chapter over and above whatever we collect at our events or what we make from the PXL Store. The yearly donation is $50, and is fully deductible. You'll even get an electronic newsletter written by the Bear, himself. You can also become a "lifetime" bear keeper for a one-time donation of $1,000.

"Uncle Mikey" Halloran was the first to generously feed the bear at that level; and since then, seven other brothers have joined him to keep the bear rolling in picnic baskets. As of December, the fund has 50 contributors in total, and for $1,000,000, we'll even let you name the bear whatever you want. (Your mother-in-law or ex-wife may not thank you after that, but we're sure they'll be using your name -- bigly).

This Saturday's "Clamper Getaway" scheduled for January 8, 2022 has been cancelled. The Santa Clarita Elks' Lodge has been closed for this entire week due to Covid19 and the flu (and yes, "Flurona" is a thing). If all goes well the Lodge will re-open on Sunday.

In normal times we are guests of the lodge every first Saturday of the month from noon until 4 pm. The beer is cold, the hot dogs are inexpensive, and the lodge features a full bar. All redshirts, regardless of chapter are welcome, and we usually number about 30 Clampers. It's a great place and time to bring your prospective PBCs so we can get a look at them and they can sample the camaraderie. Hopefully, we'll be back at the lodge in February for the next Getaway.

Our outgoing 2020 Humbug, Mark "Pokey" Crawford, wants to thank everyone for sticking with the chapter during these two years of tough Covid times. His hardest decision was to decide to do "nothing" when many Clampers were saying that the pandemic was a hoax and that we should Clamp on as usual. Pokey was even ahead of the Board of Proctors own decision to cancel Grand Council. In taking the heat our Humbug made sure his Brethren stayed safe from disease, and for that we owe him our thanks. But you just have to admit, it was a heck of a way to earn an extra "X."

Enjoy the playoffs and the Super Bowl. See you at the Ball.