[Spridgets] Ruminations on OSHITs and Frank

Fri Oct 22 20:13:18 MDT 2021

I had the privilege of attending one of the first OSHITs at Peter C's
Madison facility many, many years ago. I got to meet many of the list's
frequent contributors who, up until then, were only names on a post. That
day was all about working on a few projects and eating hometown specials
while enjoying the camaraderie of spridget enthusiasts. I remember having
scrapple, deep fried turkey, an octopus dish and cheese curds as well as
helping put some cars back in better shape...

I have met several folks from the list over the years and have had many
parts dealings with listers as well. I have always considered listers as
"friends that I just haven't met yet".

Recently I met a person that I had a transaction with that I kept in touch
with over many years. I always said that some day I would be in the area
with time to visit and would come meet him. I finally met him and I was
amazed how our lives ran on a parallel course. It was because of this
meeting that I finally have something on my bucket list!

When asked in the past about said list, I never really had anything that I
felt that I had to do before the great beyond. I have concluded that going
forward, as I do some more traveling, I will make the effort to come meet
any lister who is anywhere remotely close to my path. I enjoy camping out
of my van and plan to see more of the U.S. in the years to come. When I do,
I will reach out on the lists that I subscribe to so I can see if anyone
wants to meet after all these years.

It's not about the things in your life as much as it is the people in your
life that enjoy the same things! I hope to meet you all some day.

Kent

On Fri, Oct 22, 2021 at 9:12 PM George Marinos via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Very well said.  The single best way to honor someone who has passed is to
> talk about them.   I had the honor and pleasure to be friends with Frank.
> To call him and get a part or to get his call and to give a part. “Frank, I
> have a hard top I need to give you.”  “I don’t want it.”  “I’ll be down
> tomorrow and leaving it on the side of your garage.”  Miss him as we all
> do.  I got a call from British CAr Magazine wanting to do a feature on
> Sprites.  I called Frank.  Franks custom bugeye, another friends restored
> MKIV and my tired original MKII were on the cover.  He really liked being
> part of that.  A long time ago.  I still have 4 copies of that issue.
> Thanks for your posting Mark.
> George MArinos
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Oct 22, 2021, at 8:43 PM, Mark Haynes via Spridgets <
> spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > This'll be a little long, so bear with me or just delete as you see fit.
> > I was having a beer with a friend who got me into AutoX last night and
> he mentioned that he'd told his wife about how I travelled to Dodge City to
> help out Jim Johnson with his Sprite. he inferred that I did it because it
> was pay back, and I told him no, that I did it 'um, I'm not sure why'.
> > Today I was stacking wood for the winter, which is a kind of meditative
> process, and realized that the reason why I am willing to travel long
> distances to help  people that I've never met is Frank Clarici, and his
> motto "Pay it Forward".
> > This realization that Frank is still affecting my life and correcting my
> attitude was very powerful. That a man who I never met could have such a
> long lasting affect on me and my approach to others simply astonishes me.
> > The fact that OSHITs are still occurring is a testament to what he
> believed, that there is always someone out there willing to devote their
> time and skills to help others who are unable to finish a labor of love. I
> have found that I enjoy the sharing of the knowledge and skills we all have
> acquired, both ways, is one of the best parts of an OSHIT, not to mention
> the prodding and poking and general lack of any respect for one's person 😜.
> > The ability of everyone to come together from great distances and work
> toward a common goal for another is such a gift to all who are involved,
> not the least of whom is the car owner. My local British car buddies are
> great, but having the opportunity to come together with folks from so
> distant is a gift that I cannot express.
> > If you're still reading this, I'm sure that you too, knew Frank. If
> you've never taken part in an OSHIT, I would encourage you to do so, you'll
> meet like-minded folks, enjoy some laughs, make some memories, make some
> friends, drink some beers and most of all, create an enduring memorial to
> The Dean of Spridgets, Frank Clarici.
> > As always, PAY IT FORWARD!
> > Mark Haynes
> > It only goes one way- Pay It Forward
> > ------------------------
> >
> > spridgets at autox.team.net
> >
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> ------------------------
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-- 
Kent
1960 Bugeye
1983 Garage full of spridget parts!
2017 Home built shed full of excess spridget parts!!!
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