the festivities began with a Meet & Greet at the downtown Pony Corral restaurant
a very good way to get there was in the Simpson family's fine '51 Merc
once inside the Pony Corral lobby, one was greeted by this placard
it's interesting to note posters were made but there was no 1977 season
Bob Swanky, Donnie Chapman and Brian Hansell meetin' and greetin'
the older they get, the faster they were
from there it was off to the wilds of Transcona where this sign pointed the way
Bob Swanky arrives in style in Glen Simpson's Ford coupe and surveys the situation
inside the hall, meeting up with Bob Forzley and Bob Sterner
Brian Wheatley looking on
Bob Forzley and Bob Sterner sharing a laugh
Jim Hoglund, facing camera, and Bob Buccini, back to camera in white jacket
Jim Hoglund and Bob Swanky swappin' tales
the eyes have it
Bob Swanky, Bob Forzley, and Bob Buccini
great photo
and the band played on... Big Bob's Big Band, that is.
Richard Wood and company in foreground
several vehicles in the hall added atmosphere
Harry Prokop's modern era shoebox, built by Gerry Demski, showed how far hot rodding has progressed
that don't look like no flathead, son
other cars present included Len Penner's original Camaro race car along with a Vega
and, for those who believe real race cars don't have doors, Cam McCallum had a treat
not only did he display his current "Lost in the 60's" injected Hemi dragster
still proudly sporting Marquis Car Club decals, we might note...
but he also brought along a surprise
Cam McCallum, Howard Wiebe, Bob Buccini and Bob Forzley
pose with the chassis of Manitoba's first dragster
cheers, gentlemen
the sign tells the story
previously under the care of Howard Wiebe
image shows dragster frame as it was recently delivered to Cam McCallum
[ original dragster image and group photo stolen from Cam McCallum ]
you couldn't have the shirt off the collective backs of Hansell, Sherwin and Balicky
but you could buy a raffle ticket on this unique leather jacket
sorry don't ask no longer available
down in front and pass the popcorn, please
if you needed more visuals, Carlos James obliged with his productions of a TV slideshow
of a certain local website along with a compilation of home movies projected against the back wall
led by a distaff member of the band behind the podium, we have, left to right
Bill Balicky, Gerry Saunders, Larry D'Argis, Wayne Wedge, Brian Wheatley, Brian Scott,
Jim L'Esperance, and Richard Wood
same group, with Gord Forman now visible behind podium
it would appear that Al Swanky was about the only person to think to bring a camera
we are glad he did
thanks, Al
all's well that ends well
net proceeds from this event were earmarked for these 2 deserving charities
at a later event, Gerry Saunders proudly presents each of their representatives
with a cheque in the amount of $5,848.00
beaming faces all the way around
the motley crew
Gord Forman, Bill Balicky, Larry D'Argis, Gerry Saunders, Jim L'Esperance, Brian Wheatley, and Brian Scott
missing from photo are Richard Wood and Wayne Wedge
well done, all
