You may be wondering if there is a story behind this car.  Those of you who know me well know that there is always a story. This is no exception.

 

My wife noticed this car hanging from the ceiling of a coffee shop in Llano, Texas.  Recognizing the Northern Natural Gas Company logo on the side of the car and expecting me to be interested she took a picture of the car.  She was right.  When I saw the picutre I was sure I knew exactly what it was.

 

My suspicions were confirmed at the 2012 ERA reunion in Phoenix.  Those gathered for the reunion confirmed that this had to be a Soap Box Derby Car.  Many of us remembered Dick Cline's family's active involvement in the Soap Box Derby program as well as several of his children's participation in the race in Akron, Ohio.

 

I worked with Dick in the Lincoln Area Office, the Des Moines Area Office (I think) and in the Midland Area when he was District Manager at the Hobbs plant and I was Area Engineering Supervisor in Midland.  Dick was one of many who I consider to have mentored me during my career and someone I learned a great deal from.

 

Moving right along.  Yesterday (8/16/12) I decided to drive to Llano to make an offer to buy the car to ensure it stayed with the rest of the NNG archives.  I explained who I was and what my interest was in the car expressed my interest to buy it for our archives in the event there was ever a reason to dispose of it. 

 

A gentleman in the coffee shop overheard this conversation and walked up to let me know that I he was sure the car was not for sale.  He knew the owner and told me this was his sister's car and that it had been driven in the Derby.  He went on to let me know that the owner was probably going to stop by in the afternoon if I wanted to meet him and then did one better.  He picked up his phone and called the owner who asked me to wait for him he would be right over.

 

About ten minutes later in the door walked Ken Kline.  For those of you who knew Dick I think you'll agree I had no trouble recognizing him when he walked in the door.  I don't remember ever knowing Ken but the next couple hours were consumed remembering NNG friends and families as well as some of the more picturesque locations along the pipeline.  Sunray, Hobbs, Mullenville, Liberal, Clark, Hooper and Bushton were just a few which came to mind.  

 

Ken settled in Llano about 35 miles west of my current resting place so I hope to continue this conversation soon.  You can find out more about Ken's current interests at his company's website http://sweet-mesquite.com.

 

This car in Llano is, in fact, Ken's sister's car.  The reason his is not hanging from the ceiling at a coffee shop in Llano, Texas is because Ken's World Championship car is on display at the Soap Box Derby Hall of fame in Akron, Ohio. 

 

The following is from Ken's website.

 

"KD Cline spent his early childhood in Texas and inherited his love of woodworking from his father.  Even as a youngster Ken was fascinated with woodworking and design.  He built several soapbox derby cars and competed in the derby in Midland, Texas until his family moved to Nebraska when he was 13.

 

He continued building cars and won the All-American Soapbox Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio in 1967.  His car, dubbed “the grasshopper”, was a completely new design within the soapbox derby and along with the world championship the car won the Best Design award.

 

Ken and his car traveled across the US, attending the World Auto Show in New York and the Detroit Auto Show.  He attended other media events, received the key to New York City from Mayor John Lindsay and the “Eyes on Nebraska” award for the most notable Nebraskan of 1967.  Ken’s car has been all over the world in auto shows and sports shows and is still considered the most revolutionary car in the soapbox derby’s 73 year history."

 

​

 

So that's the story. 

 

I think you'll agree that even if you follow it closely you never know where the pipeline will take you or who you might  meet along the way.   All you know for sure is that no matter where you go or who you meet there's a story behind every block valve, compressor station and meter run.

 

Dave Bowmaster

 

 

Latest Sports

Beyond Bounds: Hole-In-Ones — 83-Year-Old MN Man Tops Tiger Woods

July 11, 2012 6:52 PM

 

 

 

Herb Galliart (credit: Duluth News Tribune/DuluthNewsTribune.com)

 

Until Tiger Woods hits his next hole-in-one, he’s still behind an 83-year-old from Cloquet, Minn.

 

The game’s best player has 18 aces, but retiree Herb Galliart has 19.

 

Golf  Digest puts the odds for an average golfer knocking it home in one stroke at 12,000 to 1.

 

Given he’s has accomplished the feat 19 times, you don’t need to tell Galliart how rare his golf game is.

 

“I’m very proud, and very happy that I’m able to get that many aces,” Galliart said. “Some people don’t get any and they play a lot. I will keep trying, and if I get more, I’ll be happy as heck.”

 

Galliart’s summers are sweet – he hops on his golf cart and cruises the mile from his Big Lake residence to Big Lake Golf Club’s  par-3 course, putting in about 150 rounds during the sunny months in Minnesota.

 

Galliart’s winters are wonderful – he tallies almost 200  rounds while staying at Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort in Gold Canyon, Ariz.

 

Though impressive, he’s nowhere near Norman Manley of California, who has netted a record 59 aces.

 

Galliart’s first ace took place in 1979 at Pine Hill Golf Course outside of Carlton, Minn. His next 17 were celebrated in Arizona.

 

The most recent hole-in-one came on July 4 at Big Lake, with his daughter Rhonda Martinson witnessing him punch it in from 142 yards out on hole No. 9. Galliart has had a witness for all his aces, and the majority occurred on a hole that’s less than 100 yards.

 

A wedge or a nine iron had been his usual weapon of choice for hole-in-ones. But lately, Father Time has caught up with the golfer, who had a 5 handicap in years’ past, as his Independence Day triumph was with a 3 wood.

 

“When I take a full swing now, I’m happy if I hit 150 or 175 yards,” he said. “The accuracy is still fine — I’m down the middle. But the distance has decreased with age.”

 

 

 

Herb Galliart tallied hole-in-one No. 19 at Big Lake Golf Club on July 4. (credit: Herb Galliart)

 

Ever since retiring in 1985 as an administrative supervisor for Northern Natural Gas Company, Galliart has had some quality time on the green with family, friends and would-be competitors.

 

The most astounding part? Galliart’s left arm never properly formed, and so much of his swing’s power comes from his right arm.

 

When did you pick up the game? Why?

In 1955, I read an instruction booklet by Jack Nicklaus. I read it and applied it to my skills. I watched other golfers and tried to copy what they do.

What’s the strongest part of your game now?

I still get the chip shot in there nice and close. Chipping is my strength, and putting saves me.

 

Who do you like playing rounds with?

My wife (Sue), and my stepchildren — and all kinds of retirees when we’re in Arizona. We play league in the morning and then again in the afternoon.

How did you react to your first hole-in-one, compared to your 19th?

For the first one, I jumped up and down and screamed to the witness. On my 19th (hole-in-one), I was playing with my daughter (Rhonda Martinson), and while I jumped up and down, I think Rhonda jumped higher than I did. Each hole has had a witness, some have been more excited than I.

 

What keeps you playing day in, day out?

The quiet – it’s relaxing. It’s a challenge each time I go on the golf course. And I feel good about going out and getting the exercise. In Arizona, we walk the course. In Minnesota, we ride the cart.

 

Are you one of the better players when you’re down in Arizona?

I’ve checked the records and I’ve won all three flights there – the A-handicap (up to 4), the B-handicap (5 to 8) and the C-handicap (9 and up). I just recently won the C-flight, too.

 

How does it feel to know you’re one ace behind one of your favorite golfers – Jack Nicklaus (20)?

Ooooh. I will say, if I can pull 20, I’ll take it. Last summer, I was a hand’s width away from No. 20 on the No. 9 hole at Gold Canyon.