Friday, May 29, 2009

Margaret Davis Tops Two Lists in L A Marathon! She wins her division AND is the oldest runner in the race.

Margaret "Mahgy" Davis knows how to run a marathon. With her running partner and youngest daughter Colleen Heublein, they have run well over a dozen marathons and many half marathons since Mahgy began her running career at the age of 79. Although each race is a challenge, this past L A Marathon proved to be one of the toughest of her running career. Most people would assume that her age, 86, would be the issue. Usually people at that age are just trying to get to the bathroom in time, not looking for the finish line 26 miles, 385 yards away! While training for the Pasadena Marathon earlier this year, Mahgy suffered a severe shoulder injury which sidelined her training for several weeks. It also caused her to miss the Pasadena race. With the L A Marathon only two months away, they began training with their focus on the L A race which would be held on Memorial Day. Given the type of injury she had suffered, it was very painful to train. But with encouragement from Colleen and her family, she logged her training miles and was ready to go. In addition, Mahgy's granddaughter, Kristy Roblee and her husband Mike decided to run the race with her. Kristy had also been training very diligently and felt that she was in good condition to race. Mike, on the other hand, hadn't had time to train because of his work schedule, but was going to run anyway.

On race day, Mahgy and Colleen kept on their pace until Mahgy had a problem with one of her feet. They had to make a short pit stop but got under way again and finished well. They hadn't run their best time but ran fast enough to win. Mike ran a great race and finished in 4 hours and 30 minutes! It was a great time considering his lack of training. What am I saying, it was a great time even WITH training! Kristy's race turned out to be a nightmare. The night before the race, she came down with the stomach flu and all that goes (and I emphasise goes!) with it. She decided to run, even though sick and dehydrated. As she began the race, the medicine she had taken earlier that morning began to upset her stomach. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks on what happened next over the 26 miles of the race! But Kristy kept pushing, and would you believe, finished only 20 minutes behind Mahgy and Colleen! What a day!

There is one final note. Mahgy would be the first one to tell you that Colleen is a huge part of her success. Rarely does she even get mentioned when all the marathon stories begin. Colleen has run a very big race of her own, having been a cancer survivor since 1999 and told that she'd probably never run any marathons but could live a productive life. After the race on Memorial Day, SHE drove them back to the house from L A, hauled their bags out of the trunk of the car and took them into the house, and looked as though she could run another 26 miles if she had to! Colleen, YOU are a champion! The family thanks you for keeping Mahgy on track and getting her to the finish line over these past several years! We love you!


...waiting for their arrival.

VICTORY! And all in one piece!

Kristy and Mahgy....warriors.

Colleen, Mahgy and Kristy. Way to Go!!!!

These young kids can't keep up with the old folk....

Uncle Bill tending to some leg cramps. You
earned a little "TLC" Mahgy!

Dane checkin' in on Mom; Mom and Dad doing
a little rubbing on their daughter.

Colleen gets a little attention also. Great Job!

Mike gets a foot massage from his mother-in-law,
Debbie. (aka, the "D" in Dalcorp)

Some of the great grand kids with Mahgy. You guys
have know idea how high the bar has been raised!

Colleen with two of her grandchildren, Kassady
and Dillon.


CONGRATULATIONS!

Colleen givin' Mom a little squeeze...don't tell us
where! :)

Dalcorp goes back to school. Career day at Bradoaks a special time with some very special kids.

For the second year in a row, Dalcorp Racing and Erica Nocita were invited to Bradoaks Elementary School to participate in their career day activities. We always enjoy bringing the sport of drag racing out to the kids, especially the Bradoaks kids. As always, the three groups that came to visit Erica were polite, asked great questions and were very enthusiastic. Oh yeah, and the teachers were great, too! Thank you all for letting us be a part of this special day.


Erica's ready to meet the first class with her
Good Neighbor Pharmacy/BG Oil Chevelle.

Erica explains how her CROW Safety Equipment
keeps her safe and secure while she's in the car.



There wasn't a lack of enthusiasm with any
of the classes. We're talkin' energy here!!!

When it was time to listen, it was eyes front and
quiet.

One of the things the kids love to do the most
is try on Erica's driving suit and helmet.

...looks like a perfect fit!

....maybe in a few years!

Erica had writer's cramp by the end of the morning
but it was all good!

Dalcorp Crew Chief Pat Selders back on course...the golf course, that is.

It was another great turnout for the annual Don Montgomery Memorial Golf Tournament at Azusa Greens. Coming out of retirement for the special occasion was Dalcorp's own crew chief and head fabricator, Pat Selders. Joining "Pato" were ringers Keith Brown of KB Construction, Marv Good and Bill "Willie" Heublein. The 12 under par that the team put up was a good score, but not enough to take top honors. It was a good day for a great cause. Way to go, guys!


The late Don Montgomery.

The main man, Andy Montgomery with mom
"JoJo" and wife Corran. It is a family affair to
say the least!

Joanne Montgomery and her sister enjoying the
morning.

Marv and Pato ready to do battle....

"KB" Keith Brown...one of the "hired guns."

From left to right, Pato, KB, Marv, and Willie.
They put on quite a show....

Andy Montgomery (in the orange shirt..I think
that's orange) and his wrecking crew.

Monrovia Days Parade. "Your Town, USA"

It was a beautiful Thursday night in Monrovia on the 14th day of May when the annual "Monrovia Days Parade" began heading up Myrtle Avenue. With the street lined with families and friends of the city, entry after entry made their way through town enjoying the celebration. With the new library opening on Saturday, May 16th, the focus of the parade was on all the people who had helped bring this beautiful new addition to the city. Dalcorp had the privilege of driving one of the library's best friends, Louise Robertson, up the fabled route. It was a beautiful evening in a beautiful city.

Long time friend of Monrovia and "Iris Award
Winner" Donna Baker cruised the route in a
pretty cool BMW.

Louise practicing her "parade wave."

I know you're not suppose to talk on the phone
or text while driving. What about taking pictures?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Dalcorp takes to the Sky. Kimberly Nocita makes first solo jump towards certification.

Kimberly has always loved center stage. It's usually acting in a play, performing in musical theater or playing a recital. This time, however, center stage moved up a little...to 12,500 feet! Not many people know, that deep down inside, Kimberly is an adrenalin junky. After making a few tandem skydiving jumps over the past few years, it was time for Kim to take a leap of faith, or should I say, start her journey towards getting her certification in skydiving. So about a week ago it was out to Perris Valley to start the process which included 6 to 7 hours of classroom instruction, 2 wind tunnel sessions and her first jump. As you would imagine, your instructor plays a major role in your training, and Kim was so fortunate to be assigned Pat McGowan as her jump master. Pat has over 15,000 jumps in the past 20 years, has set numerous skydiving records and competed in national and international competitions for many, many years. His credentials aside, he is an incredibly patient man, a loving husband and father, and passionate beyond belief for the sport that he loves.

After a long day of classroom instruction, Pat asked Kim the question that every student is waiting for....."Are you ready to go skydiving?" After a few final words of instruction, Pat and Kim made their way to the plane and up to 12,500 feet. The wind was almost exceeding the 14 mph limit for jumping, but it stayed below the maximum just long enough for them to get into the air. After exiting the plane, Kim ran through all of her required moves and simulations with time to spare. Pat and Steve, her other instructor, had time to take her through a few extra maneuvers before it was time to deploy her chute at 5,000 feet. It was a little tricky landing with the gusty winds, but with Pat talking to her on the radio, she made it down safely with an ear to ear grin on her face. "Let's do that again!" were the first words out her mouth. So in about a week, it will be back out to Perris Valley for two more jumps in route to her certification. When Kim is asked the question why she's decided to do such a costly sport at this time in her life, she gives the same answer that her grandmother, Margaret Davis, has given to so many over the years. "If not now, when?" Kimberly, those words will serve you well.



Here's where it all begins.....

Pat McGowan, with over 15,000 jumps under
his belt, beginning the day of teaching. Over 6
hours of classroom instruction before it was
time to fly.

Practice, practice, practice.

Pat going over all the safety features built into
today's equipment. Dad's happy.

Suited up and ready for the wind tunnel.

The wind tunnel allows divers to work on body
position and maneuvers without the expense of
making actual jumps. It has greatly accelerated the
learning curve of new skydivers. Lookin' good, Kim!

Next to opening your chute, knowing where you're
going to land ranks right up there on "the important things
to know" list.

On the way to the plane.....

One final run through on exiting the aircraft.

Student and instructor share a little quite time...

....old "Sharky"

It's up and away to 12,500 feet! Check out the
other divers landing next to the runway. It almost
looked like they planned this picture.

Checking altitude with her "pink" altimeter.

....and pink goggles! Pat hooked her up!!

The instructors stay close to monitor a series
of practice maneuvers that Kim had to perform.
She finished them all with altitude to spare!

5,000 feet and Kim deploys her main chute.
"It's all REALLY good" now!

The instructors begin to break away.

Check out Pat on the left. Is he a "Rocket Man"
or what?

Lookin' good.

Coming in for her landing...flying the Italian colors!

The "Eaglet" has landed!

The proud instructor and a very happy student!
Thank you Pat for sending her home in one piece.
You're the Man!!!