Hello Everyone.

    I've been swamped in my time off with trying to get the Fire Department in Jamestown ready to move into our new Fire Station - so I apologize for not getting new information posted sooner.

    First of all, I want to thank Krista for doing such a good job on the website.  Make sure you look at the pictures she has posted.  It takes a lot of time to get all those on there.

    My subject for this posting - one we all have a love/hate relationship with - THE RISING PRICE OF FUEL.  We love to hate talking about it - but here is my two cents worth.  It keeps getting higher - and yes - it seems the oil companies really don't care how much they are drowning the American public with their profits.  It makes me sick to hear all the talk in the news about how we need to get interest rates down to save the economy.  COME ON!!!!  The 1% interest you can save on your home loan - is not going to make the difference in whether you lose or save your house from foreclosure.   That might save you $25 to $100 per month on a house payment - so what.  That's nothing.  My wife drives 100 miles a day going to and from work.  I drive about 25 miles going to and from work.  Our monthly fuel expenses have went from $400-$500 per month - to almost $800 per month some times.  And we are not driving any further.  The price of fuel is what is causing the economy to suffer - and the American public scared of what is going to happen.  So not only do you have the added burden of the extra cost to travel - but then you add the fact that many businesses are slowing down - and profits are suffering too.  Face it - Everything is hurting because of the high fuel cost!!!

    SO - As Paul Harvey would say - THE REST OF THE STORY.  Here we are sitting around - talking and moping around about it.  Does that help anything - no.  I'm bringing all this up because of what I'm hearing around the shop about tractor pulling this summer.  Serveral people are saying the same thing - "I'm only going to a couple of pulls this summer - it's just going to cost too much."  Well, I'm not disagreeging with them - but there is nothing we can do about it.  Dig in - and let's go.  We all take part in this sport because it is what gives us peace and relaxation when all the rest of the world is in turmoil.  If we sit at home and just complain about it - things are only going to get worse.  I know it ain't going to be cheap this summer - but face it - I would rather be sitting at the pull having a great time with friends and pulling with a smile on my face, and not a dime to my name, than sitting at home with a frown on my face because it cost me $20.00 more to go to the pull than it did last year.  The hook fees are the same, the food stands cost the same.  Keep in mind, that you are only paying more for the fuel that it takes to get there.  You still spent money on fuel last year.  On average - if you spent $100 on fuel - it is only going to cost you another $25.00 more to go this year.  You all know deep down - as soon as the grass greens up and we have our first pull - and you smell the first fumes of Turbo Blue and tear up the fresh dirt, its all over anyway - we can't resist.  Face it - CHEER UP!!, double up on hauling, pack your lunch, bring a water jug, and LET'S GO PULLING!!!!!!!