Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866

OOPS! ---- "Back in the Saddle Again!" Yup, I guess that's it, but I ain't no Gene Autry, (and some of us --- well, most of us, are old enough to know who I'm talking about)!

Let's see now, what can I say and still remain politically correct? Can't say anything stupid like Columbus discovered America …. as a matter of fact, can't say anything about history ( 'cuz I'd want to be accurate, and tell it like it really was! ) …. but current public sentiment wants to tear down statues and re-write documents leaving certain words and events out! Ain't happenin' with us Clampers! In other words . . ."READ MY LIPS":

IT IS AN HONOR to return as your Humbug - - - BUSY, but a real honor!

I want to thank my Widder, Jayne, and Ptimbo's Widder, Judi, for all of their help and efforts in making the 2023 Widder's Ball a real success! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Nicole Kirkland, Manager of Homewood Suites, and XNGH Jim "Bullseye" Bailey for all that they do for us each year with the hotel and catering!

Two weeks after the Widders' Ball, on Saturday, February 18th (President's Day weekend) we will once again be marching in the Whisky Flat Days Parade up in Kernville. Then immediately thereafter we might invade a few of the local Bistros or Pub's. Sorry folks, but all of the hotels and motels in the area, and the Campgrounds that are still open in the winter are booked up with all the vendors and helpers for Whisky Flat Days. We have already registered, but I have to be there to sign us in and get a parade number at 0830 on Saturday, February 18th, and if you would like to march with us, Redshirts and Widder's must be there in line by 0930 (9:30 am), the parade will start at 1000 (10:00 am) sharp! Your best red and black attire or any old thing Clamper will be appropriate (as long as it really is, "appropriate"!)

Then, April 14 thru 16, 2023, for the Spring Doin's we will be Clamping once again at Camp Hamilton Memorial Park in Bakersfield. I want to thank XNGH Dale "Top" Turner for handling these arrangements! And, as you know, we try to do two plaques a year, and try to arrange to do the plaquing during the Doin's. Because I didn't know until Oct. 1, 2022 that I would be asked to be the Humbug again in 2023, I hadn't had time to plan for any plaques for 2023 yet. I really want to thank my Vice-Humbug, Kelvin "Dr. Klapper" Swanson, for offering to give up one of his plaques to me. I am still negotiating with the Famoso Raceway/Dragstrip folks --- but hopefully we will have their OK soon, but probably not soon enough to get the plaque done by the Spring Doin's, hopefully we will have the proper approvals so we can do a plaquing later this year.

May 19 thru 21, 2023 will be the Annual Grand Council meetings up in Sonoma, CA. It was canceled in 2020, then restricted in 2021. Hopefully they will once again allow several of our brothers to join us again this year, but I'll have to get back to you, once I find out for sure.

July 2023 will be the Annual TRASH TREK. I don't have the dates yet, but we will be going to the "Hastings Cutoff" (of Donner Party fame), and Fort Bridger to Salt Lake.

July 2023 will be the Annual TRASH TREK. I don't have the dates yet, but we will be going to the "Hastings Cutoff" (of Donner Party fame), and Fort Bridger to Salt Lake.

Our Fall Doins' will be scheduled for September 22 - 24, hopefully at Fort Tejon. But, they don't allow scheduling more than 6 months in advance of the event, so I will be trying to get us on their schedule in April 2023 for those September dates.

I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but we did a joint plaquing with the Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter at "Road's End," in Tulare County, up just beyond McNaley's, in 2005, but the plaque has been totally destroyed since then. XXNGH Charles "Al Vll" Topping has been trying to get permission to do a replaquing at the site, but the U.S. Forest Service has changed regimes 3 times since then. I have contacted the daughter, and a son, from the last two families who owned or operated Road's End, and have some rewording and other suggestions from them, and I have met with the District Forest Ranger in charge of that area. He seemed in favor of the replaquing plans, but must now get the approval of his Supervisor before we can continue. Hopefully we will have an OK back shortly. I'll keep you advised.

The final item on the schedule for 2023 will be the Annual Business Meeting, again at the La Sierra (actually I wrote it down the first time as "La Siesta"), in Frazier Park, on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

I'm sure Kelvin "Dr. Klapper" Swanson will have his dates "carved in stone" before he takes over as Humbug in 2024. I want to thank so many brothers for stepping up and filling the much needed positions with me, and FOR YOU in 2023, and believe me when I say, IT IS A VERY LONG LIST!

Brother Ptimbo, now an XXXNGH, is at the very top of that list, he's going to be a real tough act to follow, and I really want to thank him for volunteering to also come back (if only until we can find some other poor soul) to be our Clamp Chef.

 

Oh yeah, Redshirts, tell your PBC's that the Humbug really loves good Irish Whisky. MGM got him hooked on "Powers", but it's hard to find, so Jameson's or something close would be an appropriate "bribe". I'd also like to remind you, "No retreads" during the HOCO.

And my MANY THANKS to all of you for allowing me to try to "do it right this time"!

 

Per our GDR, Dale "Top" Turner, the Registration for the 2023 PXL Widders Ball is now closed. No further registrations will be accepted and there are NO WALK-IN's. The meal order has been sent to Homewood Suites.

As for those of you who signed-up, we hope to see you a week from this coming Saturday. Be there at 1:00 pm, for a short business meeting in the hotel conference room, with hospitality to follow at 3:00 -- because the party can't come soon enough!

Per our Humbug Erectus, Al "Quackster" Price, we're still on track to March in Kernville's Whiskey Flat Days Parade, Presidents' Day Weekend, Saturday, February 18, 2023. if you would like to march with us, Redshirts and Widders must be there and in line by 0930 (9:30 am). The parade starts at 1000 (10:00 am) sharp! Your best red and black attire is encouraged, but any old thing Clamper will be satisfactory and appreciated. The most important thing is to come on out, have a good time and show the public a little PXL spirit.

Unfortunately the Toppings will be unable to host the previously announced post-parade BBQ, but there will be plenty of places for us to eat and wet our whistles in Kernville after the parade. - - MGM

 

Our Widders' Ball is happening in Bakersfield on Saturday, February 4th. If you plan to attend ad haven't done so yet, you need to sign-up by this Friday. Don't put it off! Keep reading down into the CLOG for details, or click on the Widders' Ball link in the links box to get the flyer and registration form. - - MGM

 

Clampers,

If you plan on going to the 2023 Widders Ball your Registration and Rub is due by next Friday 20 January 2023. You can use this link to download the Registration form. Then pay by Snail Mail or Zelle your rub to our email link. The information is on the form.

Also, we still have room for dinner at the Broken Yolk on Friday Night 3 February, but to attend your name must be on the reservations list.

The cost will be $25.00 per person, with "CASH" due at the door. There will be NO WALK IN's. Social Hour from 1700 to 1800. Dinner at 1800. To reserve, or if you have any questions or concerns give me a call 661-714-7203

Clamp On!

Hello Cloggites, and welcome back to this PXL Clog! Today we're going to talk about our Widders' Ball, November's business meeting, the upcoming year's Clamping calendar, and, not to forget, all the pics from our recent activities -- because you all look so debonair - especially after a little Photoshop "rinse and repeat." By the way, I think "debonair" is French for "smells gud" - though I could be wrong about that.

At the end of this post, I've included a "thank you" and a few concluding thoughts from our outgoing Humbug, Timbo Gillespie, so stay tuned for that as well.

First off, let us congratulate our incoming Humbug, Al "The Quack" Price, his Vice, Kelvin "Dr. Klapper" Swanson (whose birth foretold the arrival of the frozen T.V. Dinner), and all of Al's officers and functionaries. - Good luck, and may St. Virus keep you dancing outside of the pot and away from the guys with all the matches!

As many of you know, due to unforeseen obligations on the part of our previously intended victim, we had to rehang the drapes again this year when it came to the Humbug, but we were fortunate to be able to call upon the Quackster - Al "The Quack" Price - for his help and diligent leadership. By the time of the November meeting, Al had already locked down nearly all parts of our regular calendar for next year. So if you've ever griped about not knowing the date for the next PXL Clampout or event, this one will be mostly easy. And no more excuses about not knowing when to put in for time off.

The only loose end so far has been the Fall Doin's. Al had lined up a weekend at Camp Whitsett, complete with a commitment on the part of the management not to drain the lake, but due to rule changes imposed since our last trip, alcohol and burn barrels are no longer allowed on the premises. Needless to say, that didn't work out, and no amount of begging would get them to make an exception for adult libations. Other than that, I've listed the firm dates below.

Of course, the most firm date of all is the Widders' Ball set for Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Homewood Suites in Bakersfield. To get the flyer, click on the Widders' Ball link in the links box or the flyer icon below. This is a prepay only event, with attendance capped at 80 guests, so make sure to sign-up by January 20th to secure your reservation.

The ball is a "thank you" to our Widders so we never expect to make money on it. Unfortunately prices did have to go up this year due to increased costs, but you still get a nice dinner with a choice of entrées, dancing into the evening, and an afternoon hospitality with an open bar throughout the event. You can also take advantage of a reduced room rate at the Homewood Suites, which is the smart thing to do, and it's way less expensive than a 502. Just make sure to call Nicole before the deadline as space is limited. See the flyer for details.

Also, over the last few years (pre-Covid), XNGHs Dale "Top" Turner and Jim "Bull's Eye" Bailey have hosted a private get together for those who are in town on Friday and would like to socialize over dinner the day before the Ball. Their last offering was a Mexican Style buffet, but they need a minimum number of attendees to make it work, and if you are interested you need to contact Top as soon as possible:

 

While I don't have the latest edition of Peter's Procs, I will put it up just as soon as I get the finished product in hand. Now normally we would charge $100 for such a valuable publication, but because you are a Cloggite we're making the first electronic copy of our chapter's newsletter a free gift to you! Use a sturdy magnet to attach it to your fridge. Or better yet, print it out before posting. That is especially important if you intend to use it to dispose of fish guts or other stinky stuff. It avoids complications at home. Your Widder will thank you for it.

As for other issues brought up at the business meeting, while I don't have the Procs for you today, you can find the new officers and their contact information posted on our Indignitaries Page. I had intended to hang all these beautiful mugs up at the nearest post office, alongside the "most wanted" posters, but I had a run-in with the postmistress. I explained to her that I was an "X" Humbug, but she said she had had her own "X," and he bounced twice when she tossed him out the door. Luckily I got out of there before anyone got hurt.

I did post six sets of photos, including some taken by our own Max "The Flash" Felser at the Fall Doin's up at Bald Eagle Ranch. I had to leave Saturday morning, but Max was able to complete the job so thanks to Max for that. I also posted photos from the Bear Valley Springs and the Saugus Café plaquings (thanks to Mark Mutz and Craig Baker for the Saugus pics), also from the November Business meeting in Frazier Park and the Fall Work Party in Santa Clarita. So if you don't look good, sorry. It's not my fault. I'm a realist.

At the meeting we also scheduled a work party for November 19th, so thanks to everyone who came out to help put our trailers in order. We cleaned out and rearranged the kit hauler and prepped the old Hawker trailer for sale. We'll be taking the store back to basics and won't be needing the old trailer anymore. If you are interested in buying it or know someone who does, speak to the Humbug.

This coming Saturday, January 7th, is the first Saturday of the month, so you are invited to the monthly Red Shirt Getaway at the Elks Lodge in Santa Clarita, 17766 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country 91351. Drop in to our informal get together from 12 noon until 4 pm. Even if you are a heavy tipper, a hot dog and a brew won't set you back $10, plus you'll find the camaraderie priceless. All chapters are welcome, as are prospective PBCs.

While you are there, speak to GDR Dale "Top" Turner about Feed to Bear, our yearly voluntary assessment in support of Peter Lebeck chapter. The money is used for things like insurance and vehicle maintenance, and durable goods like awnings and kitchen equipment. $50 gets you a membership pin and your first annual hanger. Then show your support by buying a hanger yearly.