GMC project day report

Saturday June 25^th 2005 was our Great Mountain Classics workday. Member Craig Sentker took the photo above.

Member John Kennedy hosted this event at his very well appointed shop. "House of Customs" in Bountiful, UT. John is a highly respected Corvette interior and convertible top restoration expert. This keeps him very busy and he often travels great distances to where the cars are to do the actual installation.

I reminded him that he once reupholstered the front seat of my mom's 1968 Rambler American. I was hoping that this would get me on the exception list. But John now works exclusively on Corvettes even though many of us would love to turn him loose on our GMC coaches. Darn!

John was ready for us with chairs and tables set up in the space that is often filled with some of the most desirable sports cars that one could ask for.

Sharon Watson and Carol Southwick took on the task of coordinating the food and drinks to keep us going. It was very tasty.

The following coaches were there to get work done or to just "be seen". Keith Barnett showed up with his newly painted GMC Sequoia. Very pretty! Les and Sharon Watson came in their 77 Palm Beach. I was there with my 77 Palm Beach, too. Larry Foote came by with his 23' Birchaven.

So, counting John's coach there were Five GMCs on the lot.

There were also other members that came by to hang out and help out. Duane Clark, Reed Parr, Craig and Darline Sentker and Ray and Carol Southwick.

Duane and Ray spent quite a bit of time doing repairs and diagnostic work on Onan generators. This is a good pairing of talents because Duane knows the generation portion of the system and Ray knows the engine portion. Thanks to you both for getting mine started again. I also observed them working on Keith's Onan as well.

Reed asked what he could do to help me and I put him to work installing my new fresh water tank. This required relocating the straps that hold it in place as the replacement tank is slightly taller than the original. Reed you do first rate work.

Les Watson helped me install a set of body pads that will help things ride quieter. Les I sure appreciate your help and I will be very happy to help you install your pads whenever you are ready.

Next year we hope to do this again with perhaps even more participation.

2005 Officers

President: Mike Rice

Vice President: Mark Elmer

Treasurer: Keith Barnett

Secretary: Elizabeth Livingston

Activities Chairperson: Les Watson

Newsletter Editor: Mark Elmer

Webmaster: John Brewer

Membership

Bruce and Mary Jane Gray of Midvale have joined our group. They own a 76 Edgemont. I heard from Bruce a few days later and he informed me that they have joined FMCA as well. Welcome and congratulations to our newest members.

"Come if you can" dinners

The dinner held on Wednesday July 6^th was attended by:

Mark & Beth Elmer

Mike & Kris Rice

John & Susan Brewer

Lynn Clark

Les & Sharon Watson

Craig & Darlene Sentker

Duane & Janet Clark

Keith Barnett

Bruce & Mary Jane Gray.

The dinner held on Wednesday August 3^rd had the following in attendance:

Les & Sharon Watson

Lynn Clark

John Kennedy

Keith & Zelda Barnett

John & Susan Brewer

Bruce & Mary Jane Gray

Mark you calendars with these dates for the balance of 2005:

Wednesday September 7^th

Wednesday October 5^th

Wednesday November 2^nd

Wednesday December 7^th

Our Activities Chairperson, Les Watson hosts these dinners on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Golden Corral, 8860 South Redwood Rd (801) 561-5306.

These dinners are open to anyone with an interest in GMC motorhomes. Great Mountain Classics membership and GMC motorhome ownership are not requirements to attend. If you have friends who are interested in GMC motorhomes or know of GMCers who are traveling through the area please invite them to join us for dinner.

Meet Keith and Zelda Barnett

Keith and Zelda are long time residents of Centerville, Utah. Keith was born in Ogden, Utah on October 31^st while Zelda was born in Farr West, Utah on September 17^th. Keith grew up in Huntsville while Zelda grew up in Farr West and Ogden. (She even lived for a time in Ogden's 12^th street firehouse, as her father was the Weber county fire chief.)

After school they both attended Weber College for a time. Keith served a mission in the Netherlands for the LDS church. Upon his return they were married and Keith served for two years in the Army with a 120-millimeter anti-aircraft gun unit at Camp Hanford, Washington during the Korean conflict.

After their military service they moved to Salt Lake City. Keith attended the University of Utah and earned a Batchelor of Science degree with a major in accounting. A year later he graduated a second time with a masters degree in business administration. By this time they had two boys and Zelda had become a full-time mother.

After graduation Keith was offered a partnership with the Donald H. Pickett firm where he had been working while attending school. The firm later merged with another group and eventually became what is today Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. The firm is still going strong and Keith although retired still works full time during tax season.

Keith and Zelda's family of five children (four boys and a girl) has expanded with twenty -three grandchildren and two great grand children.

They have owned their GMC motorhome for more than five years. This has been a long-term project that is now finally really coming together. Keith's goal is to make both the GMCMI rally in Rapid City, SD and the Western States rally in Estes Park, CO in September.

For this past year Keith has served as our treasurer.

Zelda is a great cook and shares her recipe for a very tasty salad, which we had at our GMC workday.

Recipe Corner

Zelda Barnett's Chinese Noodle Salad

1 Large head Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage or bok choy)

5 green onions

2 pkg. Ramen noodles (do not use flavor packets)

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup butter

1 small pkg. slivered almonds

Sauce mixture:

1-cup oil

1-cup sugar

1/2 cup vinegar

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

Chop cabbage and onions. Chill. Lightly brown noodles (broken up) in butter with sesame seeds and almonds. Drain on paper towels. Approximately 20 minutes before serving combine all ingredients together. Shake sauce mixture well and combine with other ingredients. Toss lightly. Serves 12 to 15.

Upcoming GMC Rallies

The GMC Motorhomes International rally is being held in Rapid City, South Dakota September 11^th & 17^th. If you have an interest in this one and are a GMCMI member you should have the information. It is being held at the Heart Ranch Resort. Here is a link to their website: http://www.hartranchresort.com/

If you are not a GMCMI member and want to know more you can visit their website here: http://gmcmi.com

If you don't use the Internet you may contact GMCMI Vice President Emery Stora, at (505) 989-8157

I will be attending this rally and have been invited by Emery to attend a round table discussion to formulate a plan on how to draw the GMC motorhome community closer together. One problem of late is that many owners are getting older and they or their heirs are selling their GMCs and the new owners are unaware of the supportive organizations that can make owning a GMC such a rewarding experience.

I welcome hearing any ideas that you have that might help organizations like ours to build up our memberships and keep these coaches and their owners well informed.

For those of us that will be attending this rally it might be a good idea to go there in convoy fashion. Member Lynn Clark and I are likely leaving from here in Utah on Saturday September 10^th and stay overnight somewhere about midway and then arrive at the rally on Sunday mid afternoon.

Great Mountain Classics Fall Rally

Once again Bert and Barbara Wanlass have graciously offered to host us at their home in Woodland Hills, UT.

Those of you who have attended in the past know how much fun this is and what a nice place this is to gather.

Those of you who have not really owe it to yourselves to come and have a great time.

The proposed dates are: Friday and Saturday October 14^th & 15^th.

The way to get there is to take I-15 to the 260 Spanish Fork exit. Turn left onto north main street (UT-156) continue to follow north Main Street to where it becomes South State Road (UT-198). About one mile south of Spanish Fork turn on Woodland Hills Drive. Watch for the "Bert and Barb" sign in the yard of the first house on the right at 35 West Woodland Hills Drive. (801) 423-1860.

Let's have some fun. How about a Halloween theme? Bring your decorations, treats, costumes and spookiest stories to tell.

Officer Elections

We need to elect new officers for the coming year. I propose that we take nominations for the various positions at the above-mentioned October 14^th & 15^th gathering at the Wanlass home.

Then a ballot can be mailed out to all club members. That way more members will be able to participate in the election of our club officers.

GMC Classifieds

There are three of our members who wish to sell their coaches.

Mike & Kris Rice still need to sell their 26' 1978 Eleganza II. They have owned this very nice GMC for three years. You can contact them at (801) 268-4171. A complete description of the coach with pictures can be viewed at: www.bethunesales.com/listings/rice.html

Don Froscheiser of Tooele, UT still desires to sell or trade (up or down) his 26' 1978 Royale. 59,584 miles, 403 engine, dash and roof air, 6KW generator, parquet hardwood flooring and oak cabinets, 3-way refrigerator, floor furnace, built-in vacuum system, rear bath, front dinette and kitchen, all service bulletins, parts books, monthly newsletters, repair and maintenance manuals, records and history from date of manufacture. Original owner operated a GMC Motor home (72-78) dealership for many years prior to selling. Interior is original except; new carpeting and re-upholstered dinette area. Continuously stored inside. Asking $22,995. Trade items of interest: 59-67 Corvette, ATV, and snow blowers single and two-stage. Contact Don at: (435) 882-1719 home or (435) 512-6619 cellular or email him at: donfro@burgonye.com

Bob Moore and Rodger Greengo wish to sell the 26' 1974 Canyonlands that they co-own. Many new items including: Engine, 3-way refrigerator, microwave oven, front brake calipers, front shocks, air compressor, power converter, fuel selector valve, carpet, radiator, stove & oven, generator, front grill, tires, 3 batteries, windshield wipers, Onan fuel pump, fuel lines, misc. interior items.

It also has TV antenna, AM FM Cassette, Roof A/C (needs service), roof ladder, CB radio and antennas, tinted windows, roof pod and awnings over all windows.

Asking $13,000 Contact: Bob Moore, 159 Kimballfield Lane, Draper, UT (801) 572-2174 or Rodger Greengo, 3041 W 4900 S, Taylorsville, UT (801) 968-9521

Member Lynn Clark of Sandy, UT has 3 seats for sale out of his 77 Royale they are aftermarket seats in near new condition tan and brown in color. $150 each. He also has a new transmission cooler "expanded plate type" $30. (801) 255-9324 or (801) 541-2522