The North Olympics Mustang Club held its 24th Annual Mustang and Cougar show on a cool and overcast day.  The predicted rain held off for the show, but we hit a few showers well to the east of town on the way home.  I counted 129 cars in the show field around 11:00, but only 6 were Cougars.  Eighty-eight Mustangs were there, including five 2007 Shelby GT-500s, a 2006 Shelby GT-H, and a new Roush Boss 302.
            Every Cougar took home a trophy.  Jim and Janice Murphy’s green ’67 standard took first in the ’67-’68 class.  Bridgett Schoolfield won first place in the ’69-’70 coupe class with her black ’70 XR7.  Jim Compton took second place with his white ’69 XR7.  The ’69-’70 convertible trophies went to Dennis, Mary, and Sarah Welch with their blue ’70 XR7 (first) and to Dave and Kimberley Nashif with their aqua ’69 XR7 (second).  Scott Ferguson and Heather Whitaker won first place in the Specialty Cougars class with Scott’s green XR7-G.  Scott and Heather also brought Jeff Bingaman to the show.  Karl and LaDonna Gehlhaar drove up from Olympia for an afternoon visit.
            The CCC won some other awards.  Jim and Janice Murphy won the Hard Luck Award for a problem the night before the show.  Someone broke off their locking gas cap and left them with just enough gas to get to a gas station.  Jim assures us this problem can be fixed.  Jeff Bingaman and Jim Compton won prizes for having a Cougar keychain and for wearing Cougar caps at the show.  The Club Participation Award went to Kitsap Mustangs with 13 entries.  The Long Distance Award went to Dale Eisenweis (?) for driving 401 miles from Florence, OR.
            After the balloting was completed, Karl was able to troubleshoot and determine why Scott’s newly installed fog lights wouldn’t work.  The 2 problems were an inadequate ground connection and two wires reversed at the switch (not Scott’s fault – honest).  Karl was planning to complete the repairs on Scott’s car the following day at the Bingamans’ home in Federal Way.
            The CCC and the host NOMC also enjoyed a Good Luck cake in honor of Dennis Welch.  Dennis’ Army National Guard Unit deploys for Iraq in May for a 1-year tour of duty.  He received a big round of applause when the PA announcer mentioned this during the awards ceremony.
            Please start planning to come over here for their 25th annual show next year.  Those coming over on show day can take part in a cruise from Fife or a ferry trip to either Kingston or Bainbridge.  Those coming over on Friday have a choice of several good restaurants in Port Angeles or can make a dinner stop in Sequim at the Highway 101 Diner on Washington Street.  The Highway 101 is a ‘50s-style diner with a motif split between cars and movies.  You’ll like the food, too.  Shoppers can also walk 3 blocks from the show to the Retroville store with its collection of old objects, or visit any of the other fine antique and unique stores in Port Angeles.  You’ll also have the option of driving west of Port Angeles to photograph your Cougar or Mustang next to Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.