Merzoian Tailgater 2007

The end of August cooperated quite nicely for Mark and Bob Merzoian and Dave Brown's annual "Merzoian Brothers Tailgater"...it was a nearly perfect weather day for folks from far and wide to come and celebrate our hobby and friendships.  Mark's Hummingbird Hollow wedding ranch is a great spot for the yearly get-together.  A large open barn housed the 40-plus attendees and all of their wares.  Glass and mud was brought for sale, purchase, and trade from all directions in California to the little berg of Porterville...even Nevada was represented.  Hall, Dale Huber, Pat Patocka, John Contreras, Lou and DeDe Hall, Ron Jenkins, Craig McLaurin, Bob McLaughlin, Christian and Maggi Willis, Richard and Pam Dawson, Don and Camille Rohde, and Jerry Buckland, Steve Marsh, and Glenn Adkins were but a few to spend a day at Hummingbird Hollow in the heart of California.

Breakfast foods for early arrivers were quickly consumed and the dealing began. The morning moved along as many fine-looking insulators changed hands...including a great looking gutter-top which Denny Hackthorne eagerly purchased.  Pete Fortier snatched a gorgeous H.G. Co. 145 narrow dome purple and Bob Merzoian swooped in on Bill Heitkotter's  dark inky-sapphire 162 Hemi...these only being a few of the "finds".

Stories were told, cash exchanged, and much laughter rang out as everyone enjoyed the fleeting day.  An expansive lunch of deep-pit beef and turkey barbeque, Bob's chili beans, garlic bread, salad, and wonderful Shirley Brown-made ice-cream filled up the bellies of the happy crowd. Each table guest received a custom-printed event shirt.  The afternoon highlight was the traditional drawing. Several excellent items were donated by the hosts and other generous friends...including insulators, a Richard Dawson case, another case from Dave Brown, lithographs from Diana Merzoian, and a weekend at Bob Merzoian's Cayucos beach house (which Don and Elaine Bayes were thrilled to win).  Next year two weekends will be entered into the fray.

By late afternoon the last of the crowd headed for their homes, satisfied with the day and assured that yet another tailgater will arrive next August...and Bob, Mark, and Dave spent the rest of the day cleaning up the joint. Oh well, sometimes that's the price of success. Hope you can make it to the next one.