severngaspumps.com Blog

Well, last night I recieved an email from a good friend who lives in Oklahoma.  It seems that he and his family were vacationing in London.  Not too shabby,huh, until he mentions that he was robbed and needs cash fast!!!  Could I please forward him money, through Western Union, so that he can get home?  Now he is a good friend and I’d do anything I could to help so I called his cell.  You’ll never guess where I caught up with him? He was feeding his cattle at home in Oklahoma!!! I asked how London was? He said that I should still send money but to just mail a check directly to him since that way he could scam the scammers!  He told me that these folks had even broken into his Facebook account and were talking….LIVE….to some of his friends locally? Boy, that takes a lot of nerve, don’t you think?  Just wanted to alarm the masses, so to speak. Be careful out there!

In a Febuary post I mentioned seeing the economy start to turn around.  In a restoration/retail business like ours, you see things slow way down in troubled times.  This year has been much better than last, to date.  I am doing a lot more custom restorations for clients along with all the pumps that we do for our online sales.  In speaking to some of our vendors, whom we count on for plating and parts, their work load has increased too.  It’s been three years since the bottom dropped out of the economy, as we had grown to know it.  I for one am glad for the improvement.

We just linked our site with our friends at Man Cave Signs.com in Phoenix, Arizona.  Please have a look.  Wayne does a really good job on sign design and build.  He is a class act.

I had the opportunity, this past weekend, to fly out of BWI Airport on my way to Texas. As I was waiting for my flight, I was seated at the gate. I am one who likes to people watch. Very interesting way to pass time. I noticed several servicemen and women arriving. All were dressed alike in camo fatiques. All were Air Force, of which I was a veteran of the Vietnam Era. I was truely impressed with these people. All were not young. I spoke to a few and found a new Grand Father among them. All were heading overseas for another tour. Most had been there several times before. These folks were polite. They were pleasant to be around. All were driven by a sense of doing the correct thing in a difficult time. The stories I heard were of personal challenges. But all in all, they were where they felt the most needed.  These were some of Americas’ Best and should be applauded at every opportunity.

As some of you know, by reading this blog, I recently returned from the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, Az.  What I noticed is that the economy all across this country is slowly recovering somewhat.  It will take some time but I saw people out and traveling.  Last year there was very little of that.  I also saw the attitudes of folks being more positive about all things in general.  That was very encouraging…..Seems as though people are coming out of the dark into the sunlight!  What a wonderful thing to see!

I spent the better part of this month in Scottsdale, Az. working at the Barrett Jackson Car Auction. It was the Fortieth anniversary of this auction. Quite a feat if you consider the longevity of todays’ businesses? The attendance was up considerably from last year. Car prices seemed to be stronger too. Perhaps the economy is coming around again? I certainly hope that is the case? The public supported our items and all in all, I feel we did well. The weather was 74-78 daily with no rain. Truely beautiful and made me sorry to have to leave. Got home in time to shovel away 8 inches of newly fallen snow!  This is a must attend for the car enthusiast. Unbelievable autos, trucks,oddities,gas/oil items…..list is too long to mention…Great Fun though!! Here are some pictures of our display.

It’s the time of year when we take a trip to the Barrett Jackson Auction in Arizona. My cell is on if anyone needs to chat? As always, the shop is staffed. Talk to you soon, Paul

I’ve been blessed with the ability to meet many people from all walks of life. This restoration is for a friend who has a company that is widely known locally. Having done work for his brother, in the past, I was asked to supply and restore this G&B Model 106 Clockface gaspump for display at his new shop. You can see that we did a frame up job. All done in period correct ESSO Script.  Hope you like it? Paul

It’s October again and time for Fall Hershey! If you don’t know or haven’t heard of this show, you’ve been missing out….The Fall Hershey Antique Auto Meet has been going on since the Fifties. The show encompasses a huge area that surrounds the Hershey Amusement Park…..Hershey, Pa. I’m not sure of area size but do know that last year there were 9000 vendors. That’s a whole lot of things to see. You’ll have car parts, signs, auto tools, polishing equipment, tires, gas pumps, pump parts, coke machines, handtrucks, maps, bunches of old cars….etc. The list goes on and on! There is no charge to see the show. You only need to pay for off site parking. Plenty of food vendors too. Even an auction in the Giant Center of cars, automobilia and such. Definately worth the trip. Bring comfortable shoes as you’ll need to walk the area. No motorized vehichles are allowed due to pedestrian traffic. Come see us in spaces C4M1-9. See you there. By the way, the shop is open and staffed during my absence.

Since I travel so much for business, I look forward to getting away on vacation with my wife. I’ve been blessed with the most outstanding wife for the past 40 years. We enjoy spending time together with our good friends from Minnesota. Our friendship developed many years ago through this exact hobby. Odd how you can meet people and instantly feel at ease with them. Very rare but well worth the trip. Will be spending the coming week in Bar Harbor, Maine. Never been there so it’ll be fun. The shop is open and staffed. If you need me personally, please call my cell phone. See you in a week.