Pat and I just got back from the United in Portland, ME and we really enjoyed seeing everyone there. It was a great, memorable event. The chance to see old friends and make some new ones. To spend hours on end with our collective heads under the hoods of cars learning, evaluating, planning. A great drive in the Maine woods to see a fabulous auto collection. A Concours by the ocean and a fun Autocross.

At the United, Ed Esslinger was awarded our Club's highest honor, the Lord Rootes Trophy, for his dedication and tireless energy benefiting the Club. My congratulations and thanks to Ed for a well deserved recognition.

These Uniteds don't just happen. It takes a lot of time and energy from a number of dedicated members to make it all come together. I want to say thank you to the team that worked so hard in putting this United together David Kellogg (Autocross), Stu Brennan (Awards), Rande Bellman (Concours), Phil Perron (Parts Room), Pat Morrison (Registration), Steve and Janet Towle (heavily involved in the early planning but had to slow down due to a health issue . . . . we wish you the best) and to all the others who contributed. And a special, extra big thanks for the man who took charge of the entire operation and did a marvelous job as Event Chairman, Robert Jaarsma. Robert had many things going on, including other duties for TE/AE helping his wife as Treasurer, during the time when he was in charge of this United and was stretched pretty thin. He worked many late nights and long hours to be sure all was in order for your United. He deserves our thanks . . . and a long rest! A tip of the Sunbeam cap to you, Robert.

At this United, we tried out a new method for the Concours similar to what was used during SUNI III. My thanks to the SUNI folks for allowing us to use their system as a point of departure for ours. The new method has a more consistent system for what gets judged on each car, varying by class. It also allows each participant to receive a copy of their judging sheets, with quite a bit of detail, to see the strengths and weaknesses of their car. No system is ever perfect, but I believe that this will be a step forward for our Club in defining how our Sunbeam Concours should be done. We have posted the information on this new system on our website wwwteae.org under the "Concours" tab. Take a look and let us know what you think. Each month I have been giving you an update on my 347 stroker motor and 5-speed installation. Once again, there is no update this month. The engine builder is still running way behind schedule. My goal now is to have it in and debugged in time to drive it to the SOS event in Birmingham, AL on the 6t' through the 8' of October, but that looks increasingly unlikely as each day without a new engine passes. Hope to see you there!