MARCH

Ricky Joseph got these pics Saturday (March 13th) at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Whether or not it's appropriate to use The Great Pumpkin for a St. Patrick's Celebration we'll leave for someone else to decide. Bev did the driving and we must have carried at least 3-400 folks. Ed has some wonderul ideas for next years decorations. He and Lucy went on the trip all the way.

The Richmond coach is now running and is inside. It has one flat tire on the rear and we are trying to do something about tires soon. Lewis will be working on that.

FEBRUARY

We finished February off right. Our most recent arrival came Saturday. The 90 Flxible Metro from GRTC in Richmond was delivered to us at our facility around noon. We want to thank Bruce, Buddy and David for getting up so early to bring it to us.

We gave them the big tour around town (in the RTS), checked out Tanks Barbeque, and even managed to get a lot of cleaning up done around the "barn." Thanks to everyone who came out to help. A special thanks to Mark Williams for the pics.

This month's photo shows from left to right: Freddy, Bruce (behind the wheel), B.T., Bev, Buddy, and David.

JANUARY

What a January! But despite illness, cold, wind, snow, and ice, we've managed to accomplish quite a bit. The big news is that we are now prepared for the delivery of the 102 (GM '58 "old look") to our facility. It required moving the 179 out on to the lot. It was an effort pulled off by a hardworking crew who came out on a very cold Saturday to assist.

The 102 will be the first subject of our new Adopt-a-Bus program. Check back for additional details shortly.

The same Saturday also saw the floors being scrubbed down, buses being swept out, and an interview by Eric Saloo of Blue Ridge Public Television for the program Blue Ridge Excursions.

Speaking of the 179, the wheels have been sandblasted and repainted—another step towards its ultimate restoration.

The cold has made starting the diesel engines on all the buses a bit difficult. Anybody with a spare block warmer out there? Ah, but the warm weather of February is here. Things are looking up.

2003

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Thanks to Lewis, Mark, Dennis, and Ed for their time on the 27th of November. We had a great workday and the floor is clean enough to eat off of for now. You should have seen Ed with that floor cleaning machine, he was doing great. And we have plans for a caroling by bus trip on the 20th of December. All members and their family are invited. Contact B.T. or Bev for more information.