JVD's BBQ Off

[vandornjim]

Quote:
Originally Posted by FU
Let'shave some racing...drag , auto X, Pizza , seminars. Party at JVD's !
Ron I sent you a pm on this.

Party at JVD's and not have another get-together at the exact same time because we want to continue to divide the group.

Quote:
Originally Posted by WARP TEN
I am all with Frank. Drag racing if possible, auto X and party at JVD's. Let's support JVDs and not split the group.
--Bob



When I look back at one of the first Gatherings after we made the move from California. I remember the many old friends came over to see us and it was great to once again meet those who were separated by great distances. During the good ‘ol days we met people from all over we went to Carlisle with or the many races we participated in with Pirate Racing. Well, we couldn’t get rid of a few and ended up cooking a steak or two, and they liked it enough some ate 2 and even 3 steaks! So, every year afterwards we were “forced” to cook for our annual visitors. J Well, one year we decided to cook for the group if anyone was interested and the turnout was incredible. It took a lot of work, an auto shop is not a usual place for a cookout . Having people walk around the equipment, stepping over things is not a good idea so a complete “safetyizing” took a few days. A day or two of cleanup wasn’t too much of a problem because early arrivals came over and grabbed a rag or mop and went at it. It is always fun watching people get involved.

Well, over the next few years we had a blast! If someone needed help, we made it a “seminar” and allowed people to get right up front and personal as we fixed whatever problems they had. We came up with the famous “Bow Tie Burger”, using a Slim Jim formed into a Chevy emblem shape as a mold. We did some smoked meats and ribs, pepper & potatoes, and whatever else we could think of, and we never got tired of the compliments on the food. We had lots of locals who volunteered their help and who were darn good at what they did. And it showed.

One year I had a broken ankle but I couldn’t help it. I’m paying for that now but it didn’t matter because of what you folks said. One guy came up and asked how I cooked that BT Burger. He said it was the best hamburger he’d ever had. Really!? (Just good meat, plenty of garlic pepper and don’t squeeze the juice out of it!). One time a guy came up to me later and apologized for coming back for fourths of our smoked Boston butt! I guess the ultimate compliment was how many of you came up and said our BBQ was the highlight of your visit to the Bowling Green event. I never dreamed we could actually put on a complete dinner and presentation in this little place for over 200, but that’s what we did in 2010. People were eating off the forklift! But this popularity also made someone very jealous....

At some point, we were approached by the Registry’s (then) leadership and asked if we would officially make our BBQ part of the ZR-1 Net Registry’s schedule. We were again told it was one of the highlights of the Gathering and they would really like to offer their assistance and even offered $300 to help out. Well, in case anyone needs to know, the BBQ had costs of approx. $2,000 depending on attendance, drink, employee wages, loss of revenue, table & chairs rental, and of course the food. (We don’t serve Chicken Masala) J Ironically, the rental of the tables and chairs alone was about $300 so we accepted the Registry’s donation. We also asked that in the future, we would appreciate putting us on the Registry’s registration form so we could get a more accurate count.

The night before the 2012 BBQ, the Registry Events Director gave us a number of 50-60 and said that the Gathering attendance was really down and not to expect much more. So, we decided to cook for 80, then 120 showed up. Many of our guests that had RSVP’d, made donations, etc., didn’t get a plate. Worse yet, some of the un-registered walk-ins went for seconds before others even got their first. We were blamed immediately and I didn’t see any real need to tell what really happened…until now. That really pissed me off.

Under new management, it was also voted not to contribute to a “vendor’s” event, and at last year’s gathering, some of the leadership group pitted against our BBQ for whatever reason(s) and were obviously absent. This year it looks like more of the same on the current schedule. Now please understand, it’s not like we couldn’t continue to host all of you here for your annual trek to Bowling Green but I said long ago, once you take the fun out of something, well, it ain’t fun anymore.

Many of our friends do not attend the Gathering anymore for their own reasons, but I’ll bet the loss of the fun factor is a major reason for their decision. We did this for you and we hope you enjoyed the company. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the scheduled “Parking Lot BBQ” just as well. :-)

(Just note: We don't consider ourselves a "vendor" and never have. We offer a safe haven when away from home when the unexpected happens. Many of you have enjoyed the use of our tools, equipment, knowledge and hopefully our hospitality. I consider us a participant in the ZR-1 hobby and will continue to be in whatever capacity that is positive and productive.)

I do sincerely want to say how much we truly enjoyed hosting you all when you visited Bowling Green in these years past. We made a lot of friends and helped a few of you get your ZR-1’s fixed or had other stuff done while you were here. In some cases we did those things for a drink at the banquet or a donation to the NCM. We helped some needy people, and some very appreciative troops in Harm’s Way. Your contributions made it possible for us to send some comfort and support to some very appreciative troops. I thank you and they Thank You!

BTW. Army First Sgt Eric Egelstad is still on this list and is teaching officer candidates in WA and Donna retired from the Army not long ago. Eric still remembers his guys anxiously greeting him when he returned from patrol and the mail had been delivered (by the Air Force of course). J Me? I’ll never forget the look on all of your moist eyes when we did the surprise video slide show and ended it with a voicemail from Eric to his family who were in attendance and completely stunned. Remember when his daughter, little Jordyn, yelled out “IS THAT MY DADDY!?!?” Yeah, it got to me too….

Those are real moments folks. Real moments that some remember for their lifetimes. Moments that are real, not imagined by someone’s ego or imagination.

AND WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU! Maybe we just don’t have to let Strowbridge clean the shop for 2 days. Maybe we can get some work done! J If you need something done, we can handle that too. Or, if you any other ideas just let us know! J