Silver Valley Sun Club    

 Annual MASH Labor Day Bash

M*A*S*H* Weekend Review, By Benjamin Franklin Pierce

Does anyone remember all those Dear Dad episodes MASH did? Well I was thinking about the weekend festivities at the second annual SVSC MASH weekend and thought, like last year, I better finish it off by writing a “Dear Dad.”

Dear Dad,

Nurse Dish and I pulled into camp about 1800 (Army talk) and were greeted by Col Flagg (Al) and Nurse Karolyn sporting their newly painted Olive Drab golf cart. Now did that ever fit the part! Frank and Linda came from about as far away as Tokyo (okay, Florida) and it was a real pleasure to have them here! In the next tent it was also a real treat to see BJ (Denny) and Nurse Kelly (April) and Col Pennopscot (Doug) and of course, Hot Lips (Jerri). Those folks really spiffed the place up, they made a 4077^th flag for the flagpole, a big red cross; they put up all the camo netting and even painted a cross on their tent (RV); wow, it was really neat.

Friday rolled around and the set up continued about the camp, we had to spiff the place up because ‘ol one-eye Col Potter (J. Dulle) was on the inspection trail, Henry Blake (Boatjonn) was even up early! Well, folks continued to roll in all day long and the martini (beer) glasses stayed full. Klinger (George—who else--) had brought up his new golf cart and it seems it’s the same cart as mine Dad. Well, I couldn’t let this go by without a race, after all there were so many witnesses in the pool. “Okay!” I bellow over to Klinger, “rear bumpers up against the gate; I’ll draw a line in the road in front of the pool and we’ll go for it!” Klinger (sucker), took me up on the deal. Well down to the electric gate we go and it opens (lucky for me) because of the weight of our carts. As luck would have it, Frank and Linda were over at the corner of the lake. After I holler over to Klinger (the abovementioned sucker), to make sure he had his key in the “F” position, Frank went “Ready, Set, Go!” and at full speed I burn rubber backwards into Silver Valley Road and off Klinger goes.

Well after we all stopped laughing (at me) we tried it again, this time we were both in “F” and yours truly had Klinger for lunch. Friday ended up with Terri showing up with her brand-new shiny (not for long) golf cart followed by John and Kathy from up there in Truckee.

Saturday began with John and Kathy putting this automatic-hot-tub-cover-remover-whachamacallit on the hot tub and a neat awning—hey thanks! Everyone else continued to roll in throughout the day—did I mention—Capt. Tucker (Floyd), showed up on Friday? No, I couldn’t of—I imagined it. Anyway Maj. Winchester (Bill S.) arrived at the Swamp with an EMPTY martini glass and had me fill it with straight vodka . I even recall Henry Blake was up early on Saturday too, now that’s a new record: “2.”  

Saturday afternoon found lots of folks in the pool and a golf cart re-match out in the desert. This time Greg (Sucker#2) wanted to participate so Klinger, Greg and myself went out to the desert. The race was on and to make a long story short those two were toast.

Well the final heat had to take place with the newest, now-less-shiny cart (Terri) and as God is my witness, I was gaining on her but you know how far that gets in NASCAR; she beat me by a cart length.

After a wonderful dinner all hands were found on the patio dancing to the live band. The raffle went well even if I don’t remember it . I think the night went on rather late because my next recollection was Sunday.

Before I go on to Sunday Dad, I could have sworn I saw Capt. Tucker (Floyd) all decked out—costumed—like death warmed over—but I think it was my imagination. Sunday went on the same as Saturday excepting golf cart racing (dead batteries), with everyone just relaxing and socializing.

Sunday night brought on just what I was waiting for Dad, the coveted Tri-Tip-Cookoff . Klinger was already over at Jerry’s tent cooking up—now get this—Linguica and catfish, on the same grill . Now, I don’t care who you are but the Linguica tasted like catfish and vice versa. I’m not saying that was bad---far from it—but it was interesting to be sure!

The cookoff started and Klinger had about 400 (well 10) Tri Tips for the club and it was Terri, Barb and yours truly in the coveted competition. The judges had a real problem Dad, all three were so good they couldn’t pick a winner ; they came out to get more samples and recruited more judges from the camp’s ranks. We all now gathered in the clubhouse and all hands were served Tri Tip and various potluck items, you know we continue to outdo ourselves!

Time was at hand to announce the winners and they sure had a hard time. As it came out Barb took third, Terri took second and yours truly took first. Well Dad, that bubble was popped real fast when my Nurse Dish (schmuck) leaned over and whispered in my ear “Klinger’s was better”.  Monday found camp breaking down for a bug out Dad, (MASH means mobile), and we found ourselves saying goodbyes and giving hugs. Everyone sure had a great time; a well needed R&R to be sure. Well Dad, bye for now, talk to you next year.

Love, Hawkeye