Pushrod News – March 2025

Spring Is Almost Here!

Spring is almost here! It’s time to dust off the cars and get ready to hit the road.

Annual Charity Auction a Success!

The annual Pushrod charity auction was a success! This was probably the best auction in 30 years, thanks to the number of quality items donated and the excellent organization of the project, headed up by Patty Rager.

A team of Pushrod members once again went out into the community, contacting local businesses and soliciting sponsors for our auction.

The economy must be in pretty good shape, judging by the amount of donations we received! Those donations put the club in a great position to make contributions to our community and help fund our activities throughout the year.

By all accounts, everyone who attended had a great time, spent a few dollar bills, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch provided by the Elks kitchen.

A big thank-you to Patty, our volunteers, sponsors, donors, and everyone who helped make this year’s auction such a success!

Annual Free Spaghetti Feed – April 13

Next up is our annual FREE Spaghetti Feed, Sunday, April 13, at the Hoquiam Elks.

Jim Daly oversees this event. He is a veteran of many spaghetti dinners worldwide, with glowing reviews!

We are also inviting all of our auction sponsors to dinner.

If you would like to help Jim with the preparation, please get in touch with him. Extra hands are always appreciated!

Tractor Supply Car Show

The Tractor Supply car show is shaping up!

This is a low-key get-together for car people. Entry is just $10 for everyone, and all participants are eligible for prizes.

Hot Rods in Hoquiam – June 27–28

Meetings will begin this month for our big show, Hot Rods in Hoquiam, scheduled for June 27 and 28.

Some major surprises are in store, so stay tuned!

Rodder of the Month

Monica Ewing

Monica is a trailblazer!

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Montesano, Monica learned early about cars, car people, and hard work.

Her father was Marion Bogdanovich, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, car collector, father of five daughters and one son, and a well-respected member of the community.

Education and Career

Monica attended the Montesano school system and graduated from high school as valedictorian in 1975.

She went on to Western Washington University in Bellingham, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Her first job after college was with the Edmonds School District.

Shortly afterward, she was offered a position back at Western as a graduate assistant, teaching physical education classes while completing her master’s degree in physical education. She then returned to Edmonds for another five years.

But something was missing.

Monica had always been fascinated by construction work, so she left teaching and went to work for a construction company. She became an apprentice carpenter, attended Bates College for three years, and completed all four steps of the apprenticeship program.

Unfortunately, Monica was injured on the job and had to leave her dream career.

She moved into banking, working as a loan officer at Timberland Bank. She later spent seven years with the Campbell Group, managing its local office.

When Hancock eliminated Campbell from its holdings, 93 people lost their jobs. Monica then went to work for Paul Willis.

In 1999, Monica opened Mo’s Gym in Montesano and operated her own gym for three years.

When Stafford Creek Corrections Center came to Aberdeen, she was hired to supervise its recreation facility, a position she held for five years.

Today, Monica is in the insurance business and has 20 years of experience in that field.

Family

Monica is a single mom with three sons: Jordan, 36; Tucker, 35; and Noah, 28.

All three of her sons are healthy, happy, and wise.

Her newest pride and joy is her grandson, Emmett, who is two and a half years old.

Cars and the Pushrods

Monica hasn’t owned a lot of cars, but she has loved the ones she has had.

Her first car was a 1964 Chevrolet Impala, which she bought from Blackie Zillyette for $400. She drove it for four years during college and eventually sold it for $450. Not a bad deal!

A car she received from her dad was a 2007 Saturn Sky, which she still owns.

But her favorite car of all time is her red 1955 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, which she bought from Norm Callaghan.

Monica has been a member of the Pushrods for five years. She loves the people, the cars, our activities, and the community service we do.

Always on the Go!

Monica keeps herself very busy.

She has been a competitive bodybuilder for 45 years and earned her professional (PRO) card along the way. In two years, she plans to compete again at the age of 70!

She exercises every day and eats right to stay in shape.

When she finds the time, Monica is also an actress in local theater. Over the past 25 years, the Driftwood Playhouse and the Bishop Center have seen her perform in five Nunsense productions, along with a dozen other plays and productions.

She is also involved with Hoquiam Loggers Playday and currently serves as chair-elect of the event. Monica has been cutting firewood for Loggers Playday for 17 years!

As if that weren’t enough, she has been an Elks member for 18 years and became the first female Exalted Ruler in the 107-year history of the Hoquiam Lodge.

Monica Ewing is an unstoppable force who just keeps going!

The Pushrods are proud to have her as a member.

March Schedule

Date	Event	Time / Location
March 5	Business Meeting	6:30 PM
March 10	Pushrod Lunch (Monday)	Clark’s (Cosy Hill), 12:00 PM
March 19	Board Meeting	Gil’s Shop, 12:00 PM
March 28	Pushrod Dinner (Friday)	Ranch House BBQ, 7:00 PM

See you all at the next meeting. Spring is coming, and there’s plenty to look forward to!