[1969] '69 e-Group Treasury

[Thompson, Ed]

OK, I'm "coming out."  Like many of the rest of you, I was a big fan of Mark, and knew him since the early 80's (mostly via US mail correspondence, remember that communication means?), which, I think is about the time his activity in Corvairs was going into  a decade long hiatus.  We started corresponding again, still via US mail, as he and Dave Newell were collaborating on the first edition of the 1969 FTF, I received my first copy in late 1996, and still refer to it (updated version) often.  The first time I remember meeting Mark was at the Virginia Vair Fair in Richmond in late April/early May of 1999.  I was a couple years younger than Mark, but we had been in the Army at about the same time, and had some fun w/ that.  I was immediately in awe of his knowledge and passion for all things Corvairs, especially, of course, the '69 models.  The last time I saw Mark was at the '07 CORSA Convention in Detroit.  I corresponded several times w/ Eve after Mark's passing two years ago, and I now always pick up every penny I see on the ground, looking for that elusive 1969, knowing it will be a message and gift from Mark!

OK, where's the $$?  Marvin Crooks did an outstanding job in "recruiting" me as Treasurer in the months after Mark's passing, and Sarah Beltrami to a lesser degree.  I told Marvin I did not like keeping "books" of any kind, and if I took "the job," I would not also act as a record keeper/secretary; Marvin said that was OK, so I relented.  Notice went out to the list around March of '09, that interested persons could send their "dues" to me, in whatever amount they felt comfortable.  Checks came in pretty steady for a couple of months, in varying amounts, many w/ touching notes about Mark.  (My '69 connection?  I had #3753, a white over frost green convertible, 110-glide, from 1980 - 89.  I've owned a LA-built '66 Monza sedan, 110-glide, since early 1992, it still has its original A.I.R.; ironically, many '69 model year Vairs no longer have that equipment.)

I deposited the checks and communicated the names and addresses to Editor Ken Amick; per my "deal" w/ Marvin, I did not make any attempt to keep that data.  Some checks came in as late as around June of '09, which I never deposited, and I do not know where they are now, but whoever wrote them need not be concerned, they will ever be negotiated.  I don't know how much I collected, but am pretty sure it was around $750, or $850 tops.  I wrote and sent reimbursement checks to Ken for the two issues he produced and mailed, as well as a check to a North Carolina trophy shop at the request of Scott Good, for trophies awarded at the '09 Convention in Jacksonville (for special '69 model judging that year), which I attended.  The final check I wrote was to Wade Lanning for his costs in producing and mailing (what I believe was) the last '69 newsletter, about a year ago, or early this year.

So, how much is left, I don't know?  Remember, I never wanted the job, and accepted the position, "kicking and screaming," so to speak.  I'm fairly sure the "balance" is less than $250.  Unless a convincing "argument" is made otherwise, I will make a donation in that amount to the CPF by the end of the year, and advise the group when I have done so.

I dread thinking of the e-mail traffic on this subject that will likely follow, please be gentle, Mark, and Eve, would want it that way.  I will make no more than one or two further posts to the list on this matter.  Do not send address or any other update info to me; like many of you, I'm sure, I'm on constant e-mail overload.
Mark, we luv 'ya...

Ed
Milwaukee





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