The "CRUISER" Newsletter

AUGUST 2026

AS THE WHEEL TURNS!

BY ROGER BEAUCHAMP, PRESIDENT

I’ll start this off topic. I am writing this on my old crappy laptop from 16 years ago. It was basically old tech that was not capable of keeping up with the new technically demanding programs. I spent the last week loading Linux getting it configured to to be usable again. And here we are using it again.

This reminds me of the 1983 Jeep Scrambler I purchased in the late 90s. It had been sitting parked for several years after getting it somewhat running I did the 40 mile drive home with it. Shut it off in the driveway and it failed to start, no spark. I found a simple computer located under the dash, cut it out and reconnected the ignition sparker wires and the jeep ran again, simple fix. 

Now when I purchased my newest mustang they recommended I buy the extended warranty for all the electronic modules. I’m sure the simple cut it out fix is long gone. I think a failed engine or transmission may be a easier fix then all these modules.

On Thursday Drive and Dine the group decided to change the location to the Cream Hut in Chatsworth due to threatening weather and low turn out. But the rain held off and we had a great drive back to Ellijay on 52 across Fort Mountain. On the trip back driving twisty curvy 52 I reached down and switch the steering to Sport mode to increase the road feel. Then I switched the transmission to Manual mode for the paddle shifters. All cool stuff, but all more control modules to fail at some time.

So how many modules are modern cars. Air bag, Traction control, Temperature Control, Auto Start, Thief Alarm, Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and Engine, Transmission, the list goes on. How about the hidden ones that maybe tacking your driving habits, the GPS and On Star. My mustang connects to the home internet when its parked in the garage for software updates. Software up dates what software? With the Ford app I get messages from it, my oil needs to be changed, my battery is low please start me, my tire is low I need air, what module is all that. My first 1965 Mustang told me the battery was low when it wouldn’t start or the tires were low when it steered funny, and for the oil change well ya just had to read the odometer. It didn’t have that Low Fuel light it just quit running. Zero modules just common sense easy fix, but ya know what, I wouldn’t trade back I like the Cool Stuff, till they break.

Please login to the Ellijay Mountain Cruisers website login and join us for future events.  

Roger

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR AUG, 2026

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

---RECURRING EVENTS---

(Some events may be seasonal; always check with the host group)

Sunday, 2nd - Caffeine and Octane Car Show. Town Center at Cobb - 9:00 AM (Recurring event-first Sunday of the month)

Sunday, 2nd - 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, 14th - Gilmer Street Rodders - Shane’s Rib Shack, 289 Highland Crossing, E. Ellijay, GA. 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. (Recurring event-second Friday of the month)

Tuesday, 11th - ELLIJAY MOUNTIAN CRUISERS CLUB SOCIAL DINNER at El Reys Azteca. El Rays Mexican Restaurant - 6:00 PM (Recurring event -Second Tuesday)

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

Saturday, 15th - Po Boys Cruise-In, Riverstone Plaza, 1447 Riverstone Parkway, Canton, GA. 3:00pm - 6:00pm (Recurring event-third Saturday of the month)

Friday, 21st - 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, 22nd - Pickens Freedom Crusiers Crusie-In, 104 N. Main St., Jasper, GA., 4pm - 8pm (Recurring event-fourth Saturday of the month)

Tuesday, 20^th - ELLIJAY MOUNTAIN CRUISERS DRIVE & DINE - Ellijay, GA. Meet at the parking lot next to McDonalds-11:00am (Recurring Event - Third Thursday of the month)

Saturday, 29th - ELLIJAY MOUNTAIN CRUISERS CARS AND COFFEE  Ellijay, BURGER KING - 9:00 AM (Recurring event-Last Saturday of the month)

ADDITIONAL EVENTS - AUGUST, 2026

Saturday, 1^st - GA Street Heater Car Meet, Yahoola Creek Park, Dahlonega, GA. 6pm-9pm

Saturday, 1^st - Benefit Ride, Roper Park, 2094 Refuge Rd., Jasper, GA. 10am-2pm

Saturday, 8^th - 2^nd Annual Car Show, Etowah High School, 6565 Putnam Ford Drive, Woodstock, GA. 10am-2pm

Sunday, 16^th - Cold Crank Canton Cruise-In, Panera Bread, 205 W. Main St, Canton, GA. 8am-11am

Saturday, 22^nd - Kingston Car Show, Kingston City Park, Kingston, GA 3pm-8pm

Saturday, 29^th - Car Show @ Woodstock High School, 2010 Towne Lake Hills Dr., Woodstock, GA. 9:30am-12:30pm

Four Levels of a Home Garage—Find Out Where Yours Fits In

By Kyle Smith

(Reprinted by permission of Hagerty Media)

The home garage is a space that has evolved significantly over the years. From simple repurposed stables, to sanctuaries filled with offerings to the gods of horsepower, the spaces we tuck our project cars and weekend drivers into for temporary (or at least intended to be temporary) safekeeping can be simple or special. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at the range that the home garage can have in four steps.

It Exists

Just having a garage is something to celebrate. The ability to place a driver or project car under a roof can sometimes be the difference between having a fun car and not. While plenty of enthusiasts manage alright with street parking or gravel driveways and side yards, just about anyone who enjoys cars wants a dedicated space for their four-wheeled friend.

A roof keeps most of the rain off, but more often it’s the sun that can be most damaging. A cover might hide a car from the UV rays, but nothing protects, and offers a space to perform maintenance and restoration work, like a real garage. The best garage, then, is one that exists.

It’s Well Stocked

This is the part where I have to admit there are varying levels of “best.” While anyone without a garage will dream of owning one, if you give a car person a roof… Well, it can get out of hand fast. From an empty space where a car can be parked, a garage will often evolve as more things join the floor plan. Tools, spare parts and additional projects all have a way of filling each nook and cranny that might exist in a home garage, or even a rental one. Tools, spares, and novelties multiply like gremlins inside a garage.

Organization and planning are rarely fun, but can be required if the garage space is even a single square foot larger than the footprint of the car that is going inside. The garage is a five pound bag, and anyone who fills their bag with car stuff knows that if you know what you are doing, 10 pounds can indeed fit.

It’s Self Sufficient

A storage space that evolves into a workspace is an impressive thing, and depending on the ambitions of the owner, it can expand far beyond the original expectations. Old tools can be more fun to restore than the projects they help work on, and thus multiply and slowly erode floorspace while ratcheting up capabilities and the scale of potential projects. Adding items like a drill press, a solid workbench, and shelves to allow for organizationcan turn a floor and four walls into an actual shop. With some experience, know-how, and a sharp focus, a home garage can tackle projects that range from oil changes to entire body-off restorations.

It’s Got Luxury

Work out a basic garage long enough and you’ll likely be wanting more, looking for what we’d classify as luxury. This can be adding heat and air conditioning, running water and a drain to allow for washing a car indoors, or a lift to work on cars without having to roll around on the floor; indeed, garage luxury comes in many forms and may not add outright capability, but instead the ability to do what you already can, but with less effort. An air compressor, parts washer or ultrasonic cleaner could all be classed in the luxury category, because they accomplish something that can otherwise be done with traditional manual labor. But ask someone who has made the investment in such equipment, and they’ll probably categorize them as necessary. Often having the proper tools may be the decision maker between taking on a new project, or taking a hard pass.

Does every garage climb the ladder all the way to luxury-shop status, complete with a TV and a leather couch? Of course not, nor do they need to. Any garage can be a sacred space to a car enthusiast. Regardless of what your garage looks like, or what kind of capability it may or may not have, it’s a space to be proud of.

PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS!

Local companies and club Sponsors offer discounts 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!

Visit: www.ellijaymountaincruisers.com and click CLUB SPONSORS for more details about each sponsor.

NEXT CLUB MEETING: Tuesday, 11th - ELLIJAY MOUNTIAN CRUISERS CLUB SOCIAL DINNER at El Reys Azteca. El Rays Mexican Restaurant - 6:00 PM (Recurring event -Second Tuesday)

OUR CLUB SPONSORS

Local companies and club Sponsors offer discounts

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!

Visit: www.ellijaymountaincruisers.com

and click CLUB SPONSORS for more details about each sponsor.

link to sponsors