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Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region

By Howard Wasserman, HWasser@ix.netcom.com
NOR'EASTER Online - July 2000

Last month's question: For 25 points, what was the first automobile in Ft. Lauderdale? For an additional 25 points, whose car was it?

Davis Pan submitted the only answer, a very interesting one:

A Maxwell owned by Dr. John DuPuis.

Well. It's a long shot, but I figure the first auto in Ft Lauderdale arrived before there were major roads (in 1916). The first car in Ft Lauderdale probably did so before the Model T which, first shipped to customers in 1908. So, whoever owned the first auto was probably well off and had a good reason to go to Ft Lauderdale. It seems plausible that the first car in Ft Lauderdale (before it was dredged), would be a doctor who had patients in Ft Lauderdale.

But even with the train, pioneers like (Dr. John G.) DuPuis moved into modern times at a stumbling pace. Like most South Florida pioneers, DuPuis either walked, used a horse and buggy, or rode a bicycle along sand trails and wagon ruts. "In the early days I pushed the bicycle about as much as I rode it. However, in later years when rock roads had been built, I thought nothing of riding it as far as Fort Lauderdale, Pompano and Arch Creek." The doctor recalled buying his first automobile in 1906, a two-cylinder Maxwell that cost him $975 and had a top speed of 35 miles per hour. Only 300 cars were registered in the state.

Well, as I said, very interesting but not correct. The first automobile in Ft. Lauderdale, still an unincorporated town on the banks of the New River, was a Glide, purchased in 1906 by Reed Ryan. Reed, his brother Tom and his father Philemon built the town's first hotel, which survives today as the Old Ft. Lauderdale Museum of History. Palm Beach, already an internationally acclaimed winter resort, had even fewer cars because Flagler, who developed the posh watering hole, banned the use of autos in his town. Visitors to Palm Beach traveled by foot, bicycle or by a strange contraption consisting of a wheelchair powered by an attached bike. Because the bicycle was pedaled by a black man, the conveyance was called an Afromobile (a term that most certainly would not be used today).

Half way through the year, Davis Pan leads Darice Wareham in the 2000 Natpucker Trivia Championship by a score of 180 to 80 points.

Ramblings
Battle of the Sexes (continued)
Slogans for Women's T-shirts

1. So many men, so few who can afford me.

2. God made us sisters; Prozac made us friends.

3. If they don't have chocolate in heaven, I ain't going.

4. At my age, I've seen it all, done it all, heard it all...I just can't remember it all.

5. My Mother is a travel agent for guilt trips.

6. Princess, having had sufficient experience with princes, seeks frog.

7. Coffee, chocolate, men . . . Some things are just better rich.

8. Don't treat me any differently than you would the Queen.

9. If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen.

10. Dinner is ready when the smoke alarm goes off.

11. It's hard to be nostalgic when you can't remember anything.

12. I'm out of estrogen-and I have a gun.

13. Guys have feelings too. But like...who cares?

14. Next mood swing: 6 minutes.

15. I hate everybody...and you're next.

16. And your point is...?

17. I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now.

18. Warning: I have an attitude and I know how to use it.

19. Of course I don't look busy...I did it right the first time.

20. Do NOT start with me. You will NOT win.

21. You have the right to remain silent, so please SHUT UP.

22. All stressed out and no one to choke.

23. I'm one of those bad things that happen to good people.

24. How can I miss you if you won't go away?

25. Sorry if I looked interested. I'm not.

26. If we are what we eat, I'm fast, cheap and easy.

27. Don't upset me! I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.

The Man's Perspective
A man was walking along a California beach and was in deep prayer to the Lord. He said, "Lord, you have promised to give me the desires of my heart. Please give a confirmation that you will grant my wish."

Suddenly the sky darkened and the Lord, in a booming voice said, "I have searched your heart and determined it to be pure. I think that I can trust that you will not disappoint me. Because you have been faithful to me, I will grant you one wish.

The man said, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii, but I'm deathly afraid of flying and I get very sea sick in boats. Could you build a bridge to Hawaii, so I can drive there whenever I want?"

The Lord laughed and said, "That's impossible! Think of the logistics. How will the supports ever reach the bottom of the Pacific? Think of the concrete and steel! Your request is very materialistic and disappointing. I could do it but it's hard for me to justify. Take a little more time and make another wish, one you think would honor and glorify Me.

After much thought, the man said, "I've been married 4 times. My wives always said that I was insensitive to their needs. So I wish that I could understand women. I want to know how they feel and what they're thinking. I want to know why they cry and how to make them truly happy. That's my wish, Lord."

Then, after a few minutes, God said, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

July
A four-part question, each for 15 points:
1. What was Bill Voiselle's number?
2. Why?
3. What was Bud Clancy's claim to fame?
4. Explain the term Coefficient of Restitution (COR).

Please send your trivia answers to me at 6930 N. Woodridge Drive, Parkland, FL 33067 or, if you prefer email, via HWasser @ix.netcom.com or HWasserman@Compuserve.com. They must be postmarked or emailed by the 14th of the month of publication.

Porsche Club of America The Northeast Region

Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region