Message from the President Nov 2025
Remembering Walt Huffman
Esteemed Pushrod member Walt Huffman passed away on his birthday, October 21, 2025. He was 81 years old.
Walter was a lifelong car guy. He loved to wheel and deal and especially enjoyed making the annual trip to the Portland Swap Meet with his buddies.
He will be missed.
Details of his services will be announced as they become available.
Annual Christmas Meeting and Party
Our annual Christmas Meeting and Party will be held Saturday, December 6, at the Hoquiam Elks, beginning at 3:00 PM.
Please remember to:
- Bring your favorite side dish to share for dinner.
- Bring a new, unopened, and unwrapped toy for both a girl and a boy for our Toys for Tots drive.
If you haven’t made your dinner choice yet, please contact Kelley Callaghan and let her know whether you’ll be attending and what food you’ve chosen.
October 31 is the deadline to respond.
Lot Improvement Project
The Pushrods are making slow but steady progress on our lot improvement project.
The City of Hoquiam has fill dirt available that we can use, so our efforts will continue.
Can you help? We can use volunteers and anyone who can lend a hand as the project moves forward.
Club Secretary Update
Chris Weedmark announced at our last meeting that he will be moving soon and will need to step down from his position as Pushrod Secretary.
Larry Stott has stepped up and agreed to take on that responsibility.
Thank you, Chris, for your service, and thank you, Larry, for stepping in!
Community Donations
The Pushrods of Hoquiam recently made two community donations:
- $500 to the Alzheimer’s Association through member Monica Ewing, who participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising event in Seattle on October 4.
- $2,000 to the local Boots for Bears program, which provides shoes and clothing to children in need.
Both are worthy causes, and we’re proud to support them.
2026 Pushrod Calendars
I have 2026 Pushrod calendars available for sale.
They’re great Christmas gifts!
Only $10 each.
New Life Members
Don Richardson and Denny Bickar are the newest life members of the Pushrods.
We welcome them into an illustrious group of longtime life members. Congratulations to both!
A Little Car Story
I have a little car story for you.
I’ve had my ’37 Chevy on the road for 12 years, and the steering has always been a little touchy. I decided that this year I would finally put some time and money into fixing and updating the car.
I took it to Richardson’s shop, where Don found that my 1974 Mustang II power rack had a loose tie rod, causing the wheel to move on its own.
Twelve years of worrying about that steering problem!
A new rack, and now it steers just like it should. Don also fixed my trunk and found an electrical problem.
I’m a happy camper and looking forward to next year!
Thanks, Don Richardson!
For Sale – Club Classifieds
Have something to sell? Looking for something? Let us know!
For Sale – Contact Todd Wilson
- 1940/41 Ford running boards – Several sets available.
- Hot rod bench seat – Frame, springs, and mounting hardware. No upholstery. Small enough to fit early pickups and cars. Contact Todd for measurements.
For Sale – Contact Denny Bickar
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Weed sprayer for a 4-wheeler | $100 |
| 150-lb. anvil | $400 |
| Treadmill | $300 |
For Sale – Contact Jim Daly
- 30-gallon Sears 5 HP, 220V air compressor, mounted on a 100-gallon tank – $250.
2026 Club Dues
There are still some members who have not paid their 2026 club dues for one reason or another.
If you still want to be part of the Pushrods, please get your dues paid.
We want to keep you in the club!
A New Way to Remember Our Members: Emeritus Members
Todd Wilson has suggested creating a list of Emeritus Members.
The term Emeritus is a way to honor people whose presence, contributions, and memories remain with us.
Those members we’ve lost this year will not be forgotten.
The current list includes:
| Member | Year |
|---|---|
| Walter Huffman | 2025 |
| John “Tarheel” Livingston | 2025 |
| Don Hoffman | 2025 |
| Dave Anderson | 2025 |
| Trish Halekakis | 2025 |
I’m sure I’m forgetting someone. Please let me know who should be included so I can update the list.
I would also like to add past members, but I’ll need help gathering their names and the years they passed away.
Let’s make sure these members and their contributions are remembered.
February Dinner Cruise to Lake Quinault Lodge
I’m planning a dinner cruise to Lake Quinault Lodge for club members in February, using the van from Five Star Motors.
I believe the van holds a maximum of 16 people.
How does Wednesday, February 18, 2026, sound?
This would be something different for the club and a little payback for the hospitality shown to us by the lodge this summer.
Jim Daly, please check whether the van is available that day.
I’ll need reservations so I know how many people are going, and I also have a menu available.
Let me know if you’re interested!
Washington Hot Rod Hall of Fame Banquet
The Pushrods of Hoquiam had a great representation of members travel to Spokane for the Washington Hot Rod Hall of Fame Banquet and garage visits.
More than 400 rodders from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon attended.
We sold our calendars and received some wonderful comments about them.
The pedal car built by Fred Scott and Don Richardson brought in $750. Great job, guys!
Our newest member, Hale Tolleth, made the trip as well. Talking with him was a real treat. This guy is an old-time hot rodder who knows many of the hot rod pioneers from Southern California.
Take some time to talk with him!
Next year’s banquet will be held in Spokane on September 17, 2026.
Keep rollin’!
— Denny
November Calendar
| Date and Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday, November 7, 12:00 PM | Lunch Run – Two Gringos BBQ & Grill |
| Saturday, November 15, 6:00 PM | Dinner Run – Breakwater Seafoods |
Two Gringos BBQ & Grill
409 7th Street
Hoquiam, WA 98550
Breakwater Seafoods
306 S. F Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Joke Corner
A little hot rod humor to finish things off!
What do you call a hot rod that’s feeling down?
A low-rider!
What did the hot rod say when it won the race?
“I’m wheely good at this!”
Why did the hot rod always carry a pencil?
It liked being sketchy and fast.
What do you call a hot rod that’s having a bad day?
A cranky rod!
Why did the hot rod refuse to go to the party?
It didn’t want to burn out on the dance floor!
Why did the hot rod refuse to join the gym?
It didn’t need any more “body” modifications!
Why did the hot rod refuse to take a vacation?
Because it didn’t want to cool down!
