Dennis Holland Lecture At Oasis Senior Center

 (image courtesy of the Orange County Register)

LECTURE ON A LOCAL LEGEND
There will be a lecture/presentation about my friend, Dennis Holland, on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus in Corona del Mar.  The event begins at 6:00 p.m., but viewing of Dennis' 1909 Buick Racer - we believe the 2nd automobile registered in Orange County - beginning at 5:30.  Here's the announcement:

THE PILGRIM
Dennis was one-of-a kind.  His biggest claim to fame was the construction of the Pilgrim on a lot in Costa Mesa covering more than 13 years.  We were there the day it was hauled from that lot down to Newport Harbor and launched.  That proud vessel can still be sailing Southern California waters.

 (image courtesy of the Los Angeles Times)

THE BUICK
I mentioned that Buick Racer.  Well, Dennis and my friend, Wayne Stanfield, drove that magnificent car in several iterations of The Great American Race - a time and distance rally across the USA.  The first race began at Knott's Berry Farm and the motor was not ready yet.  So, with the permission of the other drivers, we pushed that car across the start line and directly onto a trailer.  It was hauled home, the motor installed and hauled to Phoenix for the second leg.  Approximately 35 miles east of Phoenix it died and that was the end of that race for Wayne and Dennis.  However, they were successful over many years and the Great Race Logo featured an image of that car.  I'm sure Dennis, Jr. will have many stories to tell on Tuesday.  You can still see him tooling around the Newport-Mesa in that fantastic car.

A STORY WORTH HEARING
Please try to attend this event if you're interested in racing, sailing or just plain-old American spirit, which Dennis had in abundance.

FUN, FUN, FUN!

IT'S FAIR TIME AGAIN!
It's going to be a terrific weekend beginning tomorrow, Friday, July 13th. On that day the most recent edition of the Orange County Fair at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa opens it's three week run. This year, as usual, it promises to be loads of fun. You can read about the schedule of events, times, etc. at the fair web site, here. The Orange County Register also has a special blog for the event, which you can reach here and watch ace reporters Jeff Overley and Niyaz Pirani make fools of themselves on streaming video as they guide you through the fun and games.

The highlight of this year's fair will be the cattle drive through Costa Mesa streets on Friday, July 27th. I've been trying to get the city council majority to volunteer for duty as the clean-up crew with brooms and shovels, to follow the bovine contingent and perform a function for which they most certainly are highly qualified. So far no word if they're up for it.

Visit the web site and find out just how much fun you can have for the next three weeks.


THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE COMES TO ORANGE COUNTY - AGAIN


Then, on Saturday, July 14th, The Great American Race comes to Orange County again. This year the 25th Anniversary Great American Race completes it's 4,000 mile trek from Concord, N.C. to finish at the Promenade Center in Downtown Anaheim. This race, the largest of it's type in the world, is a test of stamina and endurance for more than 200 competitors in over 100 cars as they struggle to hit the "perfect score" and win the top prize. Last year's winners, Dave Reeder and his then 13 year-old grandson, Sawyer Stone, seen above, are in the thick of it again this year.

This event has a very pronounced Orange County flavor to it. Five time champion Wayne Stanfield is a Costa Mesa High School graduate and former long time Costa Mesa businessman. He and Newport Beach resident Dennis Holland ran the very first race in Holland's 1909 Buick Racer - the second car to be registered in Orange County. Stanfield retired from competition a few years ago, to the great relief of his fellow competitors, and joined some partners to purchase the race from it's creator, the late Tom McRae. Since that time he has been the Chief Operating Officer - the guy who puts the whole race together.

You can read more about the race at their web site, here. If you're an old car fan, or a hot rod fan - this year many '32 roadsters are competing in a special class - jump in your car and run up to Anaheim Saturday for a real thrill. Since it's inception the Great American Race has been a slice of Americana, playing to record crowds along it's route every year. You won't want to miss it this year.

Have a great weekend.