The "CRUISER" Newsletter

AS THE WHEEL TURNS!

BY ROGER BEAUCHAMP, PRESIDENT

In my younger days, much younger, we had a saying “Rain before seven done by eleven”. It meant if you woke up to rain, by lunch you could count on being outside, dry and having fun. It seems in Georgia you need to add “By one the clouds will dump on ya’ again”. I think last year’s the Wheel Turns was the same subject.

Yesterday, I did attend the Blue Ridge DQ cruise-in and what a great weather day! Blue skies, cool temps and tasty treats. There was a good turn out, for the people that know that event, the perimeter was full but room in the center for additional cars. We arrived about 4:15pm and the shady spots were taken up but did manage to park next to the DQ drive thru lane.

We attended Apple Country Friday night cruise to Poole’s BBQ, which has been taken over by Gilmer Rodders since Apple Country has disbanded. Turn out was smaller, the usual, but still a great Ellijay event with a discount for a BBQ dinner.

Last months Drive and Dine was canceled due to weather. We are planning for the drive this month, but the weather is not looking good for this event. (Ed.-the event was again canceled due to weather, see you next month) Last months Cars and Coffee at the Ellijay Burger King, weather was questionable and some members attended with daily drivers. We made our second cruise this year to Canton for Po Boys event; it was hot and a quick splash of sun tan lotion helped with the lack of shade. Karen and I have been researching some full day scenic drives into NC and TN. We are also considering a trip north to the Woodward Dream Cruise in mid August. We have friends in Michigan and they say it will be hot. Well, it’s hot here in August but maybe drier in Michigan.

Roger

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR JUNE, 2025

This calendar is dedicated to car events OTP (Outside The Perimeter) covering the North Georgia area.  www.ellijaymountaincruisers.com

---RECURRING EVENTS---

 
Sunday, 1st - Caffeine and Octane Car Show. Town Center at Cobb - 9:00 AM (Recurring event-first Sunday of the month)

Sunday, 1st - WORSHIP Vintage and Classic Car Event - 1135 Woodstock Rd.,Roswell, GA. Vehicles must be 18 years old or older. 8:00am - 11:00am (Recurring event-first Sunday of the month)

Friday, 13th - Apple Country Auto Club Cruise-In - Poole’s BBQ, 164 Craig St., E. Ellijay, GA. 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. (Recurring event-second Friday of the month)

Tuesday, 10th - ELLIJAY MOUNTIAN CRUISERS CLUB SOCIAL DINNER at El Reys Azteca. El Rays Mexican Restaurant - 6:00 PM (Second Tuesday)

Sunday, 8th - Dahlonega Car Club Cruise-In. 140 S.Chestatee St, Dahlonega,GA. 9:00am - 12:00pm (Recurring event-second Sunday of the month)

Saturday, 21st - Roo Mountain Winery Cars and Coffee. Roo Mountain Vineyards - 8:00 AM - ? (Recurring event-third Saturday of the month)

Saturday, 21st - Po Boys Cruise-In, Riverstone Plaza, 1447 Riverstone Parkway, Canton, GA. 3:00pm - 6:00pm (Recurring event-third Saturday of the month)

Friday, 27th - Georgia Mountain Classics DQ Cruise-In. 380 Progress Circle, Blue Ridge, GA. Blue Ridge Dairy Queen. 6:00pm - 8:00pm (Recurring event-fourth Friday of the month)

Saturday, 28th - ELLIJAY MOUNTAIN CRUISERS CARS AND COFFEE  Ellijay, BURGER KING - 9:00 AM (Recurring event-fourth Saturday of the month)

Tuesday, 24th - ELLIJAY MOUNTAIN CRUISERS DRIVE & DINE - Ellijay, GA. Meet at the Park & Ride across from Poole’s BBQ 11:00am (Fourth Tuesday of the month)

ADDITIONAL EVENTS FOR JUNE, 2025

Sunday, 8th - 2nd Annual Allatoona High Cross Country Car Show, 3300 Dallas-Acworth Hwy, Acworth, GA. 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Friday, 13th - Legacy Classic Car Show, 153 E. Kyle St., Cleveland, GA. 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Friday, 13th & Saturday, 14th - Southeastern Hot Rod Show @ North Georgia AG Fairgrounds, 500 Legion Drive, Dalton, GA. 8:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday, 14th - 1st Annual Car Show for Justice, 297 Old Dixie Hwy,NW., Adairsville, GA. 9:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday, 14th - Flag Day Ceremony - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1367 Main St., Ellijay, GA., 9:00am - 2:00pm

Thursday,19th-Friday,20th-Saturday,21st - Hiawassee Rod Run, 1311 Music Hall Rd., Hiawassee, GA 9:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday, 21st - East Ellijay Walmart Car Show, Benefitting Children’s Miracle Network, 9:00am - 12:00pm.

Saturday, 21st - Old School Cruiser Cruise-In, VFW @ 2632 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA. 10:00am - 2:00pm

Saturday, 21st - Exotic Car Festival, 915 Ridgeway Pkwy., Woodstock, GA. 9:00am - 12:00pm

Saturday, 21st - Jeep Show & Shine for Rose Charity Show, 17 Burton St., Jasper, GA., 11:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday, 21st - Faith Through Fire Motorcycle Show, 10:00am meet at Ellijay Billards, KSU 11:00am and ride to American Legion Post 82, Ellijay.

Saturday, 28th - 9th Annual Car Show, Miles Through Time, 583 Grant St., Cleveland, GA. 9:00am - 12:00pm

NEXT EVENT: Tuesday, 10th - ELLIJAY MOUNTIAN CRUISERS CLUB SOCIAL DINNER at El Reys Azteca. El Rays Mexican Restaurant - 6:00 PM (Second Tuesday)

7 Garage Necessities That Are Not Tools

By Kyle Smith

(REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF HAGERTY MEDIA)

If you participate in the project car economy, there are two things you spend a lot of time thinking about and money buying: Parts and tools. Those aren’t the only things you’ll need to be successful in your DIY endeavors, though. From solutions for inevitable injury to helping you stay sane while thinking through the next steps of your to-do list, there are plenty of items that don’t count as tools but should be included in any garage-dweller’s toolbox. Here are seven to consider.

First Aid kit

Busted knuckles and other dermatological abrasions are a reality of working with one’s hands. While electrical tape and a paper towel can handle some things, it’s not a universal fix. A proper, well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity. Make sure it’s easily accessible and not stuffed in the back of a cabinet—the last thing you want to do is have to search and move stuff to get to it. Also, if you keep a few first aid items in the garage, it will likely save you from at least a couple of “what did you do now?” glances from your significant other when you come inside with your hand covered with a greasy rag. Or maybe that’s just me.

Fire Extinguisher

In the same vein as the first aid kit, a fire extinguisher of appropriate size and rating could literally save not just your project but your whole shop. Keep your extinguisher inspected and in a clear and labeled location.

Broom and dustpan

Not every garage needs to be a spotless palace of horsepower, but it is good to keep dust and dirt to a minimum—they have a sneaky way of jumping off the floor onto a freshly greased bearing as it’s being installed. Or magically appearing inside an engine during assembly. A regular sweep will keep your projects and workspace cleaner, and that will likely make working on projects a little more enjoyable. Even if you’re working in the driveway, taking a little time to clean up where you will be sitting or lying helps.

Spill cleanup supplies

Cars are full of a variety of fluids, and just about every one of them is slippery when spilled. Cleaning up spills when they happen is safer for a variety of reasons, including reducing the fire risk. A couple of old bath towels, some oil dry or kitty litter, and maybe even a squeegee are great to keep on hand for those times when you put the catch pan three inches left of center and dumped two gallons of coolant straight onto the floor.

Step stool or ladder

Most of my projects, like my motorcycles, are shorter in height, and I spend more time trying to lift what I’m working on to have easier access. Conversely, on a diagnostic field trip to look at a friend’s SUV that wouldn’t start, we collectively realized how nice it would be to have a step stool to help reach into the depths of the engine compartment, even while the truck was on the ground. Add in that this allows easy access to keep a roof clean and waxed, and can be used as a sitting spot for projects where sitting on the ground is not the best option, and having a stool or two makes a lot of sense.

Pencil and paper

The bare minimum needed to take notes while working on a project is a few sheets of paper and a pencil. Use these to write down specifications during disassembly, or draw diagrams to help with reassembly, or just keep a running parts or to-do list. Step up to a binder, notebook, or whiteboard if you want, but even with all of those things in my shop, I still find myself reaching for old-school paper and pencil at least once a week.

A camera

If a pencil and paper can capture a lot of information quickly, having a camera might as well provide a superpower. Reference photos can make or break an extensive restoration when you arrive at the assembly phase. Even those with great memories will struggle to remember which direction a label was pointed, or become annoyed trying to figure out which bolt length went in which hole in the water pump. Writing it down is easy. Taking a quick photo is even easier.

Be sure to actually organize your photos, though. A photo you know you have but can’t find is even more frustrating than not having it in the first place. If you can, consider buying an old smartphone or keeping your old one after upgrading and using that. It will keep the photos from clogging up your main phone and still be very user-friendly—modern phones have great image quality for things like photo documentation.

NEXT EVENT: Tuesday, 10th - ELLIJAY MOUNTIAN CRUISERS CLUB SOCIAL DINNER at El Reys Azteca. El Rays Mexican Restaurant - 6:00 PM (Second Tuesday)

OUR CLUB SPONSORS

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to Ellijay Mountain Cruisers members for car parts,

service specials and automotive events.

Being a REGULAR member of Ellijay Mountain Cruisers

allows members access to special group discounts for club related events and shows

and other discounts offered by vendors and sponsors!

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