Editor–

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make this year’s derby what it was.

First and foremost I would like to thank all the drivers and their family and friends who entered this year’s derby, for without them participating there would be no event for the rest of us to enjoy!

There was a wide variety of vehicles that entered this year, and along with the vehicles we had a variety of drivers also. They ranged in age of 3½ to 17 years old. There were both boys and girls who entered and ran their cars, and I really enjoyed seeing that. So a big thanks from me to the participants.

The weather turned out to be a perfect day to hold our race, good for the participants and the spectators alike. This time of year one never knows for sure just what kind of weather we could have. Wasn’t but about a week before the derby we had 3.5 inches of rain!

I would like to thank the crew that helped me set up the course and helped run the event. I work with these guys every day on the county roads department: They are Dennis Fiske, Lenny and Stacy Deutsch, and Ted Dwyer.

Dennis and Lenny helped with all the set-up of the course, putting up the stage area and banner at the finish line.

Stacy and Dennis helped at the finish line with getting the cars and drivers ready for me to tow back up the hill.

Lenny was my go-to guy who ran back and forth on the ATV, shuffling paperwork for Ted and myself so we could keep track of who and what was going on. They were also the crew that stuck around and helped to pick up everything when the derby was over.

We all know who Ted Dwyer is by now; he did an excellent job this year and last of calling all the races and keeping us entertained between heats with his wide variety of music and commentary. I can’t thank Ted enough for taking time to fit our event into his schedule. I know I can’t expect Ted to be available to help out every year, but I sure will appreciate all the years he does MC our event.

I also had help from another person and his wife, Steve and Bliss Sawyer, I worked with Steve at Pine Mountain Lake for many years.

Steve and Bliss were kind enough to offer their services at the derby. Steve helped me at the top of the course to keep the drivers staged in the proper order and make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be. He also took a lot of great photos during the derby that I will be using to update our website.

I want to give a big thanks to his wife Bliss; she had a very hectic schedule that weekend and still was willing to give her time to help out. She sat at the table with Ted and did the paperwork to keep the winners and times in proper order. She also put together all the information I needed. She sure made my job a lot easier, and I expect Ted’s too.

I do want to mention to Bliss and Ted that I will have shade, or rain cover, for them next year should they volunteer!

Now I would like to take some time to thank all the organizations and individuals that were kind enough to donate money to help me put on our derby. I will list the organizations in the order which I received their donations: VFW men’s auxiliary, VFW ladies auxiliary, Coulterville Fire Brigade, Thom Jenkins VFW Post, IOOF Odd Fellow’s organization, and last but not least, the Coulterville Community Club.

All of these organizations were more than kind enough to give me cash donations that totaled $650. This money was used in most part to put together our cash prizes for the winners of the derby. I cannot thank these organizations enough for what they did to help fund this event.

I would also like to thank them personally for what they do to help make our community what it is today.

I know they put in a lot of time and effort to help form our area into such a great place to live.

I would also like to thank all the individuals who donated to our derby: They are Susan Zalaco, Debbie Cook, Betty and Harry Wheeler, Lynn Green, Arlie and Sid Hicks, Elaine Ksiazek, and a past resident of our area who preferred to stay anonymous.

Their donations helped me to put together a package of prizes and gift cards that I was able to hand out to all the drivers that entered our derby.

Thanks to Susan Zalaco, this packet included a Certificate of Appreciation for all drivers who took the time and effort to build a car to run in the derby. It also included a $10 gift card from the Sonora movie theater.

Our hard working Debbie Cook was kind enough to spend her time getting a gift packet I handed out to each driver. This packet included a $5 gift card from our local Moonshine Café. It also included many things the kids could use for school.

I want to thank Debbie for putting this together for me. A big thanks to Betty and Harry Wheeler for donating not only the hot dogs, as they did for last year’s derby. They also donated the buns this year. The sales of these hot dogs will go towards next year’s derby.

Lynn Green, a local resident, has donated to each of our derbies and I can’t thank her enough for that. People like Lynn are one reason I enjoy living where I do.

Chris and I cannot thank Arlie and Sid Hicks enough. Not only did they donate money to our derby, but Arlie jumped in and help Chris run the VFW’s catering trailer where they prepped and sold the hot dogs.

When Chris finally took a break to watch our grandkids run in the derby, Arlie got swamped with orders for hot dogs and all of a sudden there was Elaine who jumped right in and gave Arlie a hand with prepping and serving.

Elaine was a great help for Chris and Arlie at the derby, and for many others who live in our town. Thanks, Elaine.

I want to thank the anonymous donor who sent me a check. The two individuals that I received this from have always had my respect for the people they are and what they did for our community when they lived here, and receiving that check in the mail only added to that respect. Chris and I wish both of these people and their family nothing but the best in the years to come!

Last but not least, I want to say thanks to my wife Chris. This event would not be as easy to put together and run had it not been for her support.

She has been behind me 100 percent from the first time this derby was just a thought I had. When a husband and wife work together on such a project as this, it’s even more gratifying to see it develop. Thanks Chris!

I hope I didn’t leave anyone out. If I did, my apologies.

I am already working on next year’s derby. We might make some changes here and there to try and put on a better event next year. The changes won’t be anything drastic, but there were things brought up during the derby that merit some attention.

Every year I run this event I get firsthand knowledge on areas that I think we can improve on. I will be posting these changes on our web site and in future articles in our local papers.

Anyone who might have a comment or suggestion about our derby, please feel free to contact me at 878-3881. This invitation goes out mostly to the people who built their cars and entered the derby. They are the ones who make this all possible. I would like to hear from them on any changes they would like to see happen.

Once again, a sincere thanks to everyone!

Bernie Laursen