Posted Saturday, March 17, 2018 by Dave Saunders
AND JUST LIKE THAT, IT HAS COME AND IT HAS GONE.....my how time passes so quickly....................The Norman Swap Meet is one of my personal "BIG " favorite events each year. To be sure, I look forward to our various weekly coffee locations, the annual cRc charity car show, the Christmas party.....but the three day event twice a year is just plain fun. It is not about all of the junk that is piled high and deep in the 3 spaces the club rents. It is not about the various old tires and obsolete Hemming's magazines, and odd and end cars and parts from a 1949 Desoto that fill the arena twice a year. For me, this is what the swap meet IS ABOUT:
Watching Lawrence Terry arrive at the crack of dawn each day and essentially "run" the sales tables. Herding customers to our space, he shows them the parts and then works to get top dollar for the member(s) who provided the part. Lawrence also wanders out into the show and often finds an old radio or two for Floyd. He knows the ropes......if it is not almost FREE, Floyd is not interested. Generous members this year donated enough parts to pay for the fall swap meet and to have enough left over to provide nice goodies for our upcoming "10th anniversary car-b-q", more info to follow!
Harlan Butler, our strong silent right arm is always backing us up - quietly behind the scenes, Harlan arrives with his big insulated coffee urn, already filled with morning coffee he and Kelley brewed a few minutes before. Harlan is always mildly chiding whoever does not turn off the coffee spigot and lets it drip all over our floor. "This is not your mother's house" he gently says as he grabs a paper towel to mop up the spill.
Ron, Vinny, Juan, Koy, Ray W. Terry, and Ray L. are present for almost the entire time. All know their cars and their parts. For me, they always provide a laugh or two as does Floyd and most of the rest of the club. Keeping the money straight for the members remains a mystery to me, but there is a system and we seem to do it with no problems. Some goes to the club, some goes to the parts owner - the system works.
Ken works as part of Dan's Swap Meet gang of 12, but spends his off time at the booth, checking things out and being sure all is well with the club. Like Harlan, quiet and effective.
New members Amanda, Abagail, Jennifer, and John spent a lot of time this year in the booth, just hanging out and occasionally selling a cRc hat or patch or VW part. Jennifer brought in some delicious homemade muffins on Saturday which were eaten with gusto. Marilyn's rum cake was an equally popular and a welcome treat. On Thursday and Friday, we had an abundance of great donuts, all courtesy of our club members.
During the day, members come out and "check in" at the booth. Ed and Gene from Mastertech, Keith Reames, Dale and Kaye, Jim and Carol Hoffman, Mike, James, Al, Pete, Glenn, Kelley, June, Pat, Dan, Bill, John, Ron and Austilene, Bob, Bill, Jim, and many other regulars from the club. Standing around and visiting, passing a few fun hours - for me, it is a perfect way to enjoy the club, its members, and our unique group of folks.
Am I already missing the getting up early, drinking way, way too much coffee and eating far too many sugar laden treats for my health? Probably. Fortunately another swap meet will be here before we know it. I better do a little dieting in between. Thank you - Dan and Twila for continuing to bring this event to Norman. We wish your daughter Morgan and her soon-to-be-born child the best!
Thank you to everyone who made this special for me,
Dave
