March 20, 2010

Spring roared in this morning with thunder, lightning, cold wind and temperature but the sun saved the rest of the day.  At 4 p.m. Welding Tech 101 started in Jack’s shop.  Twenty welders and eager students put on hoods and gloves and got down to the basics of cutting & welding steel.  Instructor Artie shared his knowledge with all, discussing cutting with Jack’s brand-new Oxy-Acetylene torch, and demonstrations of welding including MIG (with and without shielding gas), and arc or “stick” welding.  Artie also demonstrated the use of his Plasma cutter by cutting a hole in the floorboard of Jack’s 1969 Jeepster Commando body...a long-term project vehicle.  After the demos, several members tried their hands at various techniques.  Artie sure makes it look easy!

In the kitchen, 11 cooks were working on dinner.  With the beans done earlier in the day, Bunny showed us how to make her chicken “enchilitas”.  We set up an assembly line and in no time had 72 in the oven to warm.  Alma made her delicious salsa in 2 minutes then started on Spanish rice.  She made it seem effortless.  The dinner bell brought the welders out of the shop and into the house since it was too cold to eat outside.  It was a little crowded with 34 people but everyone found a place to set their plate and enjoy dinner.  Bunny’s tres leche cake topped off this month’s club meal.  Thanks to Nancy for washing the dishes!

Members and guests attending:  Jason Z., Val & Vallery, Larry with guests Chris & Linda, Mike & Amanda, Lee, Bunny & Artie, Shawn, Brett & Cheryl, Jim & Sheila, Tony & Nancy with JJUSA staffers Tom & Carina, Justin, Josh & Alma, Gene, Geoff & Chris, Scott & Christine, Robert & Sue, Jack & Connie with Jack’s parents, Jim & Pauline.

Larry enjoyed his dinner!