July 6: Mr. P.T. and Happy Birthday USA

Larry Dean Brown
1947 - 2009

Mr. P.T. Our Mr. P.T. The best Mr. P.T. ever. What can you say when you've lost a great representative of our hobby and a truly good friend. Larry Brown was all of that and not just a good friend to me but to all he met. He was always upbeat, happy, positive and enthusiastic about the little P.T. Cruiser. He won the title, Mr. P.T., in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and was absolutely thrilled with the title. We all had a great time getting him ready for the fashion show, where he modeled the latest in rain wear, which we have always needed at this particular car show. Riding in the parade (where he sat atop the back seat of his convertible); and of course the big question and answer part of the contest where we told him to say, no matter what the question was, his answer was to be "All I want is world peace!" Larry was a hoot and loved every minute of it - no matter how funny we made him look (note the Wal-Mart bags on his feet) - he really, really enjoyed it.

Larry was described as a gentle giant. He led our club as president for several years and did it with quiet dignity. Every suggestion was taken to heart and he made sure everyone was heard.

His funeral was Friday, July 3rd. There were 16 P.T.Cruisers that traveled 20 miles east of Wichita to Augusta and 5 other cars joined us there. We were a pretty impressive sight especially with Larry's car being driven right behind the family car to the cemetary. We all hope we did him proud - we even sounded the ahooga horns in his honor.

Larry was a friend to all of us in the club and his loss will be an emptiness in our hearts. BUT, I'm pretty sure he's cruizin' with his wife, June, in a P.T. Cruiser - and heaven should be big enough for them to cruise for a long time--and they won't be a needin' the top.













Part of Saturday and part of Sunday was spent trying to help Rebecca put up our old swimming pool. Some parts are missing so we didn't get it completed - maybe next weekend. Please note my extremely great supervisory skills. No one, and I mean no one, can sit in a lawn chair, suck down a Pepsi and point at what needs to be done as well as I can.


Saturday evening we drove to Winfield where we celebrated the birth of our nation with a big fireworks show and BBQ with an old high school girlfriend, her family and friends.



Sunday we went to another fireworks show in Goddard. One of our members had several fireworks stands in Goddard and he gathered up all the leftovers and had professionals come in (see the picture of them putting in more black powder in already made cylinders) and blow them all up, pretty much it seemed all at once. However, one of the big ones went off early or wrong (again, refer to the picture of the home made fireworks) and injured one of the workers. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance but will be OK. He was injured around the eyes (wore protective goggles thank goodness) and was shot with sand from the explosion. This happened right at the end so I don't think we missed much. It was as if someone dropped a torch on top of a semi full of fireworks and they all went off for about 15 minutes non-stop.

























We celebrated the life of a good friend and the birthday of a great nation. As they say, "Life goes on" but it sure gets lonely when you loose the people you love.