PDA

View Full Version : 5th Anniversary on MM.Net



Bluerauder
02-28-2009, 07:22 AM
Today is the day .... 28 Feb and my ....

5th Anniversary on MM.Net

Wow, what a ride over the past 5 years. Time really flies when you are having fun and the Marauder has been a large part of that experience for the past 5 years.

Bought my ’03 Mercury Marauder on 4 October 2003 after much thinking and quite a bit of prodding by my youngest son. Some may remember the S-O-B. ;) I held off for more than a year before taking that first MM test drive. Came home with a Blue MM that same day. Had never heard of a "Blue" one. I knew that the MM was “special”; but had no idea how special at the time.

I stumbled around on the internet browsing for information and came upon the MercuryMarauder.Org site first. Registered there and enjoyed reading about the MM but the real focus of that site was more on the classic Marauders from the ‘60s & the ‘70s. Eventually, I was pointed toward the MercuryMarauder.Net. I lurked in the shadows for several months trying to figure things out. MM.Net had existed for about 18 months and there was already a rather large contingent of owners who were already well into the modification game and seeking the best HP gains for their MMs. As a “Newbie”, I just lurked in the shadows and read and absorbed the wealth of information being discussed.

On 28 February 2004, I finally registered with the site and became MM.Net Member #1891. Lots of folks were here ahead of me. Less than a month later, Merc & MAD 3-R invited me to a gathering of the Northern Virginia Mustang Club (NVMC). There were not enough Marauders in the local area so they tagged on to an existing club. A couple weeks later, Ray the Dealer invited us northward to participate in his annual Spring “Support the Troops Cruise”. What the heck, I decided to make the trip and see what this was all about --- some 18 MMs had signed up from all over the area.

That was the beginning for me. In Philly, I met the core of the Capital Area Marauder (CAM) club. That first long distance outing included Haggis, Ladyhawke, Merc, BigDogJim, MarauderMark, GordonB, Murader03, reddog69, and many others. I have been hooked ever since. I love my MM as much today as I did more than 5 years ago. Over those years, I would guess that I have personally met nearly 250 MM owners. What a great group of folks. Every gathering has been fun and every member is immediately welcomed into the MM family. CAM has grown alot over the years.

Of course, there have been Ups and Downs along the way. Some long time members have moved on, the failed experiment with “The Dark Side”, and the big Marauder Schism of 2006. There has been drama and supercharger wars. Oil threads and pinion angle debates. But for the most part it has been a terrific experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Some of the Events over the Years

Northeast L/M – Philadelphia, PA
Big Bat’s – Kent Island, MD
Mason Dixon Dragway – Hagerstown, MD
Washington Auto Show -- Washington, DC
Bert’s 50s Diner – Mechanicsville, MD
Medieval Times – Arundel Mills, MD
MV III/WDC -- Detroit, MI
Red Brick Station – White Marsh, MD
Jacksonville VFD Car Show – Jacksonville, MD
Safford L/M – Burtonsville, MD
Sandy Point State Park – Annapolis, MD
Tom Doan’s Annual Pig Roast
Kentmor Inn -- Kent Island, MD
Cowles Parkway Ford Show – Woodbridge, VA
MV IV – Orlando. FL (missed out –sick)
Prince William Cruisers BK, Manassas, VA
UPS Car Show – Laurel, MD
MV V – Hagerstown, MD
KCKlinger’s – Hanover, PA
3rd Annual Bourbon Run – Louisville, KY
All Ford Weekend – Carlisle, PA
Car Show at the Glen – Lake Ridge, VA
Labor Day Car Show – Clifton, VA
Marauder Weekend – Gettysburg, PA

Countless other local gatherings all over the VA, DC, MD, PA and NJ area ……

There are probably many members here who have only experienced MM.Net from their keyboards. If you get a chance to get out and meet other members --- Just Do It --- when the opportunity presents itself. Make the effort. Make the drive. You won't regret it.

THANKS GANG FOR THE MILES OF SMILES !!!

Ms. Denmark
02-28-2009, 08:11 AM
Congratulations Charlie! You are a BIG reason that I continue to enjoy this site. Your enthusiasm and participation are infectious. Mr. Man and I enjoy your company and value your friendship. Plus there's that great car AND that great wife into the bargain. Best wishes on your 5th. May there be many, many more.:burnout:

SC Cheesehead
02-28-2009, 08:24 AM
:congrats: Charlie!

You are one of the best, and I'm proud to say I know you.

Here's to the next five! :beer:

MyTMerc
02-28-2009, 08:45 AM
Great recap Charlie. It has been a blast. I bought my 04 in July and took the same route through the org to the net. My first CAM meet was at Big Bats in September of 04 where I met many of the CAM members I count as friends today. We've been lucky it seems with our local membership.... very little drama and no poison arrows.

You are dead on about coming out and meeting your fellow internet buddies. We usually have good turnouts even though we cover a large area. Mixing up the locations and travel times brings out new members and keeps everyone's interest. It also keeps the flame count down. When you have meet and shared some sea stories, your less inclined to fire for effect over a perceived slight.

It's been my honor have you, Bernie and the SOB in our lives. Diane and I have really enjoyed our friendship.

rayjay
02-28-2009, 08:53 AM
Congratulations Charlie! You are a BIG reason that I continue to enjoy this site. Your enthusiasm and participation are infectious. Mr. Man and I enjoy your company and value your friendship. Plus there's that great car AND that great wife into the bargain. Best wishes on your 5th. May there be many, many more.:burnout:

A big +1. Charlie was the 1st person I met at MVV and I immediately felt welcome. Congrats on 5 years!

freakstatus
02-28-2009, 09:26 AM
Awesome story. Refreshing to read. Congrats on 5 years!

Joe Walsh
02-28-2009, 10:41 AM
Well said Charlie!

I am about 2 weeks behind you on my join date and will celebrate 5 years soon!

I, like you, checked out the '.org.' website as soon as I bought my Marauder in December '02, but didn't enjoy the site too much and drifted off.
I started modding my Marauder on my own for about a year and then by chance did another "Marauder" search on the internet and found MM.net.
As soon as I checked out this site I said:

"WOW! I wish that I'd found this site sooner!"
"These are my kind of people!!"

I lurked for a few months before finally joining in March of '04.

I reviewed your list of events and I was at almost every one of them!
My first CAM meet was at Big Bats and I drove my '96 Blazer!!!...:eek:
The first people that I met were Phil & Tasha and no one gave me much flack about not having my Marauder there.
(I had pulled the engine to rebuild it after an unfortunate oil pump experience at the drag strip...:()
In fact I attended quite a few CAM events WITHOUT my Marauder.
Gordon and Chris were certain that I did NOT own a Marauder...:lol:

I'll just add a few of my own memorable CAM events that weren't on your list:

Kaufmann's dyno day -- Dillsburg, Pa.
Old Dominion Brewery -- Ashburn, Va.
Hamilton Car show -- Baltimore, Md.
Ocean City Fall Cruise -- Ocean City, Md.

I am looking forward to another fun 5 years+

Seneca
02-28-2009, 01:45 PM
It was charlie and Mark (MarauderMark) Who invited me to my 1st meet At big bats. Thanks for sending me notices of the upcoming meets, Charlie Your a big part of this community! Seneca and Emma

Pat
02-28-2009, 03:18 PM
Congradulations Charlie on the big 5.0. It's been a real honor to know you and your lovely wife, Bernie. As retired warriors we share many of the same experiences.

I......think I'm gonna cry.

Nah, gonna go find some poor unsusecting Charger.

All the best.

Pat and Patricia

Blackened300a
02-28-2009, 03:43 PM
Glad you stick around Charlie! Always a pleasure talking to you at the various meets we run into each other at.

DEFYANT
02-28-2009, 07:28 PM
Your one of the good ones. Funny thing is... you always call me Charlie #1 in your PMs. You came first - in a number of ways, so - you are Charlie #1

Respectfully Submitted,
Charlie #2

Bluerauder
03-01-2009, 07:18 AM
I'll just add a few of my own memorable CAM events that weren't on your list:

Kaufmann's dyno day -- Dillsburg, Pa.
Old Dominion Brewery -- Ashburn, Va.
Hamilton Car show -- Baltimore, Md.
Ocean City Fall Cruise -- Ocean City, Md.

I am looking forward to another fun 5 years+
I forgot all about the Old Dominion Brewery trip. :o Missed the other ones including the Hooter's Halloween Show--Towson, MD; but am gonna try to do the fall Ocean City thing this year.

Also forgot to include the meet at:

Udvar-Hazy National Air & Space Museum -- Dulles, VA