AndyC3J

T-minus 21 hours (give or take a few min.) and counting.....

Why does Yorktown start so late when it's on a Saturday? Just curious...... Correction to my earlier post....it appears that the Boonton, NJ parade will be on September 5, and not Aug. 29. Still competing with something else, but...... Did I ever mention that there are not nearly enough Saturdays in "buff season"?

The weather forecasts I'm hearing so far sound pretty good. Hopefully we get a nice chunk of "walk-up" business, and have a good show.

The show is a week away. As of this past Thursday's meeting, the number of advance registrations that have been received is "not very encouraging". Not beyond the realm of possibility that the car show may outdraw the Main Event in terms of participation. Hope THAT doesn't happen!!! There were also some questions raised between members as to how many mailings actually went out, as there seems to be a nice supply of them still sitting around, but I digress...... In any case, I would like to say that any fire company/department who wishes to participate, with either a truck, a team, or both, is more than welcome to do so. As are privately owned rigs. Register upon arrival. We are hopeful for good weather and a better turnout for the Muster itself, to combine for a successful event.

Verona, possibly? Hearing conflicting reports if they're getting KME or Pierce, but they are due for a new aerial, to be wet down in October, in conjunction with their 100th Anniversary celebration.

Does Woodstock run more than one tanker, or did something happen to the one you got a few years back?

There's probably close to a dozen KME rigs headed for the Orange/Ulster/Sullivan area in the next few months. Not sure exactly how far along which ones are, but the blueprints for the bunch of them were on display at the Middletown Expo a couple of months back. Modena was one of them.

Another fun day, despite the gloomy skies. Not all that much of a crowd (probably due to the weather) but 13 teams and however many rigs there were - I didn't get a chance to count them - turned out to support the event and have a good time. Great job by all involved. Hopefully our upcoming muster will do just as good!

The people I rode with last year used "Route 202 and Warren St" in their GPS and it worked just fine. Let's hope the weather is just as good as last year!

As per a "majority vote" at our most recent meeting, there will now also be a car show being held on the property, in conjunction with the muster.

East Meadow (Nassau Co.) has a Pierce Lance engine with a Bulldog right up under the windshield where it would normally be on a Mack CF, as that's what the Lance replaced. Nice touch.

Up until this year, I've been using a Toro push mower that my dad bought new in 1985. Doesn't look half it's age! Still runs like a champ, most of the time. Over the winter, through his brother in law, he acquired a Poulan tractor for "free" that needed some work. Engine had mouse nest remnants in it, and a blown head gasket. He fixed and cleaned it up, and now it runs great. Sharpened up the blades, and made me mow the lawn with it. I didn't want to, but did it anyway, just to humor the poor guy, after all the work he put into the thing. It takes a little getting used to, and there's a couple of "scalped" spots (deck doesn't fluctuate the way it should.....oops!) but not a bad little machine for the price. I like the way the Toro works better, and it's not like I don't need the exercise, so I will likely continue to use that, at least when Dad's not around. Maybe alternate the two for every other use, etc. I don't know.

Channel 5 and Channel 9 have been sharing news footage for a while as well. Will the aerial/chopper footage now be strewn across three channels?

Thanks for adding the flyer, Brett. Much appreciated! I don't have any way to shrink it down on this 'puter, or I would have. Mark, yes the FWD "lives" there, and will be present. I believe it is also going to be on the dash plaque as well.

The 33rd Annual Antique Fire Apparatus and Muster, presented by the Catskill Fire-Cats (Catskill Chapter, SPAAMFAA) will take place on Saturday June 6, 2009 from 9 AM to 4 PM, rain or shine. Location will once again be the grounds surrounding Andrew Leider's warehouse, which is located at 2618 Route 302, Middletown, NY 10941. This site is located approx. 1/4 mile south of NYS Route 17 at exit 119. Numerous antique and classic fire trucks will be on display, including a portion of the over 240 piece collection that is housed at the site. All fire apparatus are welcome to attend, however only those 1984 or older are eligible to be judged for show awards. In addition, there will be firemanic team competitions (hose rolling, bucket brigade, midnight alarm and a tug of war), a firemanic flea market, 50/50s, raffles and more. Food, refreshments and T-shirts will be available. To request registration info, send me a PM through the board, or call muster chairman Bob Reynolds at (845) 343-4746. The forms can also be downloaded (PDF file) from our new website at http://www.catskillfire-cats.com We hope you will consider joining us. Bring a truck, a team, or just yourself. It should be a good time!

TR54......wow, I was standing right next to you for some of those shots! Too many other things on my mind, combined with the heat getting to me (TOO EARLY in the year to say that!), it never occurred to me to ask either of "those guys" if they were involved with one board or another. As Homer Simpson would say...."D'OH!!"

An online buddy sent me a link to a news story in Pennsylvania that the American LaFrance (LTI) plant in Ephrata, PA will be closing at the end of May. Discussion of the subject on Firepics.net reveals that the Hamburg, NY (RD Murray) plant will do the same soon. Is this the end of American LaFrance, in it's current incarnation, or are they simply consolidating everything back into the South Carolina facility?

They were actually going for the "retro" look, based on the design of one of their 1930's (or was it 40's?) era pick-up trucks. I've yet to see one in person, but from the numerous pics I've seen, it's starting to grow on me. The interior is pretty sweet, too. As for a fire apparatus, it's already in the works, courtesy of Rosenbauer. For some reason, my browser keeps crashing when I try to access the link, but they have a pumper-tanker in the works for this chassis, which is set to debut in September.

Have they legalized cloning yet? How am I s'posed to be in two places at once? LOL! Hey Ang, will there be water flowing here? Might try to head down there after we get done @ Rockland's FTC.

For the benefit of those who may have missed it earlier, the Arena family's episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will air on CMT tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 4/14) at 3 PM Eastern. Set the VCR, TiVo, DVR....what have you....and enjoy!

Even though the weather sucked, I took advantage of a golden opportunity to shoot Middletown's two new arrivals the other day. Both are 2009 KME Predators. Not sure of exact specs (at least one seems to have foam), but will try to find that important stuff out and get better pics once the weather improves.

The muster is June 6 from 9 AM to 4 PM at the same location (2618 Route 302 Middletown, NY 10941) Flyers and registration forms are at the printer, and should be available in a week or so. More info will be posted once they are in hand. Thanks for asking.

Yes, Middletown is a combination department. Drivers (chauffeurs) are paid, manpower and officers are volunteer. I like the colors of E-6, too. When I first heard the idea for the color scheme, I was skeptical......thinking "That's either gonna be really sharp, or really fugly!". Luckily, it came out for the better. Was somewhat disappointed in the lettering on 4. Was hoping they'd have gotten some nice gold leafing. But, I guess they wanted to keep it "simple". Engine 4 was placed in service Friday night. I don't think 6 is yet, but should be soon.

Middletown's drivers ("chauffeurs") are career. Officers and manpower are volunteer. Engine 4 is about to be replaced. The new one was on display at the Expo. Twin to E-5, basically, but all red. The white 1957 Ward LaFrance pictured above is a recent acquisition into the Andy Leider collection. The ex-Franklin, NJ 1981 Hahn is co-owned by a couple of our members.

Hmm.....Jerry Springer. Stamford, CT. There's GOTTA be a joke in there someplace! (Stamford is also the home to the world headquarters of World Wrestling Entertainment).