WELCOME TO PAGE 3 OF CCC CLUB HISTORY
This is a copy of the first newsletter. A couple of interesting items are in it. The reference to CMA is the Connecticut Motorcycle Association. Don Pitsley (although not a CCC member) was involved with the CMA and went on to spearhead the No Helmet law in CT. Don’s passing is now memorialized every Memorial Day weekend with the “Pappy Pitsley Ride”.
There is also a reference to a mimeograph machine. That was a reproduction device that preceded the modern day copiers and the Club was pretty proud to have it. The process involved typing a carbon paper stencil and placing it on a hand-operated rotating drum filled with printers ink. It was very messy and very labor intensive. Newsletters continue today but are no less labor intensive. Although reproducing hundreds of copies today takes just the push of a button, preparing and mailing out 400 copies is very time consuming and expensive. Today members are encouraged to sign up for email to receive the newsletter or notify the Secretary that they will read it on the web site rather than require a hard copy be mailed.
The Hotel banquet shot : This photo was taken at a Club banquet at the
Hotel Central probably around the mid-1970's. Identified from left to right
are; Hank Tourtellotte, Jeff Bitgood, Carl Plassman, Archie Hart, Mickey
Soriero, Bob Utz, Dave Gorman, Don Osterlund, Jerry Robillard, Ted Dean,
Tom Laisi, and Gary Edmond. Club points were accumulated for participation
in events, not necessarily where you placed in an event.
The lone rider No. 26 is Tom Gaudreau riding a second generation Penton
motorcycle. This probably was taken in the Berkshires on one of many
Enduros that Club participated in, and is typical of a spectator spot along
the course. At the Salmon River enduro in CT, Tom's bike accumulated so
much ice the wheels would no longer turn. Four club members when and got
the bike by shoving a couple of sticks through the spokes and carried it
back to the finish much like stretcher.
Here's a nice portrait of the Ellis family. Although Jimmy was not a club
member, he was a fixture at our races. Jimmy and Club member Randy
Jernstrom could always be counted on to put on spectacular riding displays
and helped to draw large spectator crowds.
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