Hoosick Grange News

On Wednesday, May 22, Hoosick Grange held it’s Baking Powder Biscuit Contest. Martha Babbitt was the winner. She now has to make them for the Rensselaer County Contest. It was an open meeting, and Kendal Baker was in charge of the program. He introduced his speaker, Mr. Gordon Fricke. Mr. Fricke told us he was a graduate of Hoosick Falls Central School. After graduation, he went to Germany during the 70s and the 80s. He studied Volkswagen cars. When he came back to the United States he worked a while and then went to college. Later he went in business with Barber, in the old Haynes Garage. He told us he has a Car Talk show on WAMC-90.3. People call in with questions regarding their car or truck, and he tries to answer them. He also writes an article for the Bennington Banner on cars and trucks. He writes once a month. He talked about the technology of cars and trucks – relating it to farm machinery. He said they all have transistors, electric switches and electronics in combines and tractors. They all have control modules – one runs the engine, one the heater and so on. He told us repairing cars and trucks is nothing like it used to be in the early years. With all the new things, you have less time getting greasy and dirty because computers are doing the work These computers are expensive but extremely reliable. He answered questions regarding hybrid cars. He doesn’t see many problems, but if you want economy you should drive them just so, the way they tell you.
The Lecturer thanked Mr. Fricke and Kendal for a very interesting program. Our next meeting is on June 12, and the Lecturer is in charge of the program. David Cornell is in charge of refreshments. The Grange had strawberry short cake for refreshments.