Keels & Wheels an Event for the Century!

"Relic", a '39 Century Sedan from Green Bay, WI.

During three days of the most pleasant Keels & Wheels weather in recent memory, WBA members and their ACBS friends , with great participation by Century Club members across the country, put on a great show at Keels & Wheels in Seabrook, April 29-May 1, 2011

Craig Stanfield's Century Arabian, K&W's featured boat.

A number of WBA members came home with Silver and Best in Class trophies. This year's theme for the boat portion of the show was Century Boats, giving WBA Century stalwarts like Phil Wolff and Jim Wolfe an extra source of pride! See a slideshow.

White Rock Lake Centennial Deadline Approaching

We're getting down to the wire on commitments for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to show your boat in the White Rock Centennial Celebration on White Rock Lake, June 24-26, 2011. Events include an open house on the first night, boat show on Saturday and Sunday, and the "Beach Party of the Century" going on all day and all evening on Saturday, complete with catered lunch and dinner food, at the historic Bath House. If you haven't already let David Kanally know that you will be there, please do so today. Call David at 940-395-2742 for rate code if making hotel reservations online. Our friends at For the Love of the Lake are counting on us! See their website. Check out the parade route.		Make your hotel reservations before May 24!

Borrello Presentation Recalls Club's Early Days

A special word of gratitude is due Seb Borrello for his April meeting presentation of vintage club videos from the early '90s. The videos showed members past and present enjoying a number of "Rendez-vous" events at area lakes.		Those simple, inexpensive, carefree and fun events helped define us as the "hands-on boat club". Help us figure out how to bring them back! Thanks, Seb, for reminding us of the vision of our founders!

White Willis Restoration Nearing Completion

Lew White, with help from Bob Adair, is making great progress on the restoration of his very rare 1956 Willis 14' runabout. They pulled it out into the sunshine last week and she really sparkles! She should be ready for the White Rock Centennial.

A bit more varnish here and there, some hardware installation and some period gauges are still in the works. A major restoration of the Johnson 35 hp motor that came with the boat is underway. See more photos!

In Lucas, Yellow Jacket and Capri Done, Super Sports Progress

Troy and Robin's Yellow Jacket "hybrid" was completed in time for a trip to Keels & Wheels, where it brought home the Silver Award for its class! Their Capri is also done, but the Bilge Pump staff photographer didn't get a picture this month.

Marc Hill and Mark Wilson continue to make progress on their Super Sports. The 5200 bottoms are ready for final planking, after a lot of new frame work and installation of plywood underlayment. Robin provides tech advice from time to time.

WBA Loses Longtime Member, Friend

We regret to announce the passing of our dear friend Larry Hill, who died on April 30 following a 1 1/2 year battle with cancer. The photo at left is of Larry at the WBA 2009 Holiday Party. We'll remember Larry during these happier times, as a loyal member and friend.

There will be a memorial service for Larry on Wednesday, May 4, at 2:00 at New World United Methodist Church with a reception afterward. The church is located at 5134 Northwest Hwy, Garland, 75043.

Memorials may be made to the church in memory of Larry.

Next Monthly Meeting is May 19, 2011--Don't Miss It!

Join us at the Midway Point on Thursday, May 19th for the next monthly meeting of the WBA. We'll be finalizing details of the White Rock Centennial (June 24-26), and putting the finishing touches on the Ride 'n Show at Lake Ray Hubbard (Aug. 26-28). The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19th at the Midway Point at LBJ and Midway Road.

Join us for a light meal and moderate libation at 5:30 p.m. at the Midway Point prior to the meeting.

Join us for Ray Harvey's Season Kickoff Bash, Friday, June 17!

Don't miss the WBA Season Kickoff Bash, to be hosted for the third year running by Ray and Carol Harvey at their beautiful home in Dallas, Friday evening, June 17. This event will take the place of the June meeting! Mark your calendars now! E-vites with directions and RSVPs coming soon!

Shop Talk and Musings:

Ride 'n Show details are falling into place fast! This year's event will take place on the docks of Rockwall on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, August 26-28. We're talking with Scott Self about a club cruise on the 40-foot wooden catamaran, Sea Wolf. Elizabeth Webster has done a great job of arranging for a special $103 rate at the host hotel, the Hilton Bella Harbor. Make your reservations now, and be sure to mention that you are a part of the WBA event to receive the special rate.

I would be remiss if I didn't confess how moved I was, seeing the videos of WBA events from the '90s that Seb Borrello brought to our April meeting. In addition to seeing some of our founding members who are no longer with us, I saw a bunch of guys enjoying our hobby to the fullest without paying for hotels, fancy banquets, registration fees or any of the other "line items" that seem to accompany our current shows and events. How refreshing is that!! While I wouldn't give up one bit of our exciting plans for the White Rock Centennial or the Ride 'n Show at its lovely new venue, I can't help but wonder if we may have lost a bit of our straightforward, simple fun along the way. Let me or our other officers know what you think.

And, finally:

Please take a look in the shed or garage for the leftover parts or other saleable items you can donate to the club. Bring them to any WBA meeting, or contact Phil Wolff at myoldboats@gmail.com for pickup.