The Doughty 500

From Hell To Hero

2011-11-29T19:10:00.000-06:00

Here's a You Tube video that accompanied the story on Dan Doughty's POW experience that appeared in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram on November 6th.

Scenes From A Small Town

2011-08-10T16:41:00.001-05:00

More pictures from in and around the town of Merrill, Wisconsin. Bridge County Courthouse State Park Old Mill Classic House Ice Cream Store Library Lincoln House Old City Hall

Everywhere The Signs

2011-08-02T12:59:00.000-05:00

Last week's 2011 Doughty 500 was based in the bustling metropolis of Merrill, Wisconsin. Merrill is a town of about 10,000 souls that straddles the Wisconsin River in the north-central part of the state. Jay and I only really had one day to poke around the town, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a number of architectural items of interest including some vintage signage. While the

Quote of the Day

2011-07-26T07:18:00.001-05:00

"The art of cranking a car is one that is not given to all men. Some of our greatest and wisest stand helpless before the task." -P.G. Wodehouse in Three Men and a Maid

Last Call

2011-07-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest, greatest, and last update on this year's 500 from Dan: MONDAY 25 JULY 08:30, -WE WILL LEAVE FROM 4554 EASTLAND CT. LUNCH AT THE ABBY CAFÉ IN CURTIS. TUESDAY, 26 JULY 09:00 – TOUR THE HARRISON HILLS AREA EAST OF TOMAHAWK. LUNCH AT THE HARRISON PUP & GRILL OR NUT ZEES INN. WE WILL TRY TO SPLIT UP BETWEEN THEM. THEY ARE ABOUT A HALF MILE APART. WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 09:00 -

On The Horizon

2011-06-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

2011 update from Dan: IT IS GETTING CLOSE, ONLY 6 WEEKS FROM TODAY. WE WILL LEAVE FROM 4554 EASTLAND CT AT 08:30, 25 JULY 2011 DESTINATION, AMERICINN, 3300 E. MAIN ST MERRILL, WI. CALL 715 536-7979 OR 800 634-3444 FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS. RATE IS ; 49.50 PLUS TAX. BE SURE TO MENTION DOUGHTY 500. NEED VOLUNTEERS TO COVER HAPPY HOUR FOR TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY EVENING. IF YOU CAN COVER IT PLEASE

Loaded for Bear

2011-06-13T16:23:00.001-05:00

A couple of nuggets from a Wall Street Journal review of the book "The Big Roads" brought to mind the Doughty 500. As the Lincoln developed, so too did other regions of the country begin building their own versions, like the Jefferson Davis Highway (intended to reach from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco by way of New Orleans but never completed), the Lakes to Gulf Highway (Duluth, Minn., to

Photo Follies

2011-06-12T16:13:00.000-05:00

This edition brought to your courtesy of Jay (so blame him): "And here Chad and Jay* believed Bernie when he said Model T’s don’t shrink when they get wet." *No, that's not really us.

Making Book

2011-05-04T15:12:00.000-05:00

As previously announced, I'm trying to put together a brief photo book to capture the 25 year history of the Doughty 500 (so far). I'm going to use the pictures that I've collected over the years and from the My Heritage family site. If you have other pictures that you think would be interesting to include or have stories, anecdotes, or history to share send it my way. So far I received some

2011 Tour Information

2011-03-07T12:33:00.002-06:00

THE DATES AND LOCATION FOR THE 2011 DOUGHTY 500 HAVE BEEN SET. DATE: 25th – 29th JULY 2011 LOCATION: MERRILL, WI HOTEL: AMERICINN 300 EAST MAIN ST, MERRILL 715 536-7979 OR 800 634-3444 25 ROOMS HAVE BEEN BOOKED WHEN YOU CALL ASK FOR; DOUGHTY 500 RATE IS $49.50 PLUS TAX = $55.74 FOR THOSE WHO WANTED AN EARLIER DATE; MAGGIE’S WEDDING DATE, 23 JULY, WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR.

Survey Says

2010-10-08T09:33:00.002-05:00

The 2011 Doughty 500 will be the historic 25th anniversary of the event. Dan is the tour coordinator director and he's looking for input on dates and locations. If you haven't done so yet, please complete the following survey and send it to him at: dntdoughty@yahoo.comSurvey for the 2011 5001. What dates would you prefer?A. 18-22 JulyB. 25-29 JulyC. 1- 5 August 2. The following destinations have

2010 Tour Update 2.0

2010-07-26T15:26:00.002-05:00

The most important parts of the Doughty 500 itinerary--Happy Hours--have now been finalized: Monday: The Rapids Gang Tuesday: D3 Air and Space (funded by stimulus dollars) Wednesday: Twisted Sisters Thursday: Dinner and auction fundraiser MCed by Bernie's Boyz Dinner will be at the (Mr.?) Belvedere Supper Club at 5pm. Please RSVP to Brendan and Karen by JULY 26th (hey, that's today) if you will

2010 Tour Update

2010-06-04T16:53:00.001-05:00

Brendan and Karen are hosts for the 2010 Doughty 500, which will be based in Marshfield, Wisconsin.Dates: Monday, August 2, to Friday, August 6Lodging: Comfort Inn, 114 Upham Street, MarshfieldPhone: (715) 387-8691Email: gm.WI400@choicehotels.comWe have a block of 19 rooms reserved for "Doughty 500." Rates are $76.49 + tax and up, with an assortment of rooms available. Please reserve early; the

Golden Valley Memorial Day Parade

2010-05-31T13:01:00.005-05:00

A couple of pcis from today's Memorial Day parade in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Bernie's driving his T with Nathaniel, Isaiah, and Chad in back. A good time was had by all as we helped honor the fallen.

Where The Streets Have Our Name (Update)

2010-05-19T09:16:00.002-05:00

Streets bearing the family moniker have been previously spotted in metropolitan locations such as Ladysmith and London. You can now add Brooklyn to the mix:

Clamping Down

2010-03-17T12:58:00.000-05:00

For all your film, TV, and theater industry needs the place to go is Doughty Engineering. Wonder if family members get a discount?

2010 Tour Dates Announced

2010-03-02T15:34:00.004-06:00

Brendan and Karen are hosts for the 2010 Doughty 500, which will be based in Marshfield, Wisconsin.Dates: Monday, August 2, to Friday, August 6Lodging: Comfort Inn, 114 Upham Street, MarshfieldPhone: (715) 387-8691 and (715) 387-3001Email: gm.WI400@choicehotels.comWe have a block of 19 rooms reserved for "Doughty 500." Rates are $76.49 + tax and up, with an assortment of rooms available.

The Toll of the Bell

2009-09-16T16:48:00.001-05:00

The old farm bell is back and looking better than ever. Photo and bell restoration courtesy of Brendan.

In The Black

2009-08-10T15:04:00.003-05:00

Now that expenses for the 2009 tour have been finalizied, we can provide an update on the financial picture.$892.4 Beginning balance$700 Expenses incurred on 2009 tour including: Water bottles provided by Danette and appetizers and drinks at the auction happy hour. $192.42 Adjusted balance$1102 Proceeds from this year's auction.$1294.42 Adjusted balance$163 Further expenses

Survey Says

2009-08-06T14:07:00.002-05:00

So far I have received only a dozen completed family survey/information forms. If you filled one out at the Five-Hundred but didn't have a chance to press it into my clammy paws, you could mail it to my attention at: 7200 Glenwood Ave Golden Valley, MN 55427Or if you didn't have a chance to complete the survey yet, you can get a copy of it here. Fill it out and mail it to me or send it via e-mail

Going For A Steam

2009-08-06T09:40:00.004-05:00

We all have heard the old saying that oil and water don't mix. On this year's Five Hundred we also learned--courtesy of Tom--that oil is not a good substitute for water either (or anti-freeze for that matter). I predict that Tom will hear the end of this one by 2032, 2033 at the latest. The 2009 tour has only just ended. The mockery has only just begun.

Auction Action

2009-07-30T18:28:00.004-05:00

The numbers from last night's auction have been tabulated and audited by the firm of Doughty and Doughty. The official total take as is follows: Cash receipts $741 Checks received $361 TOTAL $1102 Thanks to everyone who participated. After Mike submits his expenses for this year's tour (personal bar tab excluded), we'll have an update on where we sit from an overall financial perspective. We're

Sounds Like A Plan

2009-07-21T09:57:00.003-05:00

Less than a week away from the 2009 Doughty 500 kickoff and things are starting to come together nicely. We still need a host for Thursday's happy hour, but other than that the details have been flushed out. Here's an itinerary update straight from the horse's Mike's mouth:MonHayward via Weyerhaeuser and Ladysmith Depart 0830Lunch: Burdie's Bar & Grill in WeyerhaeuserArrive: 1530Happy Hour Hosted

Two Drink Minimum

2009-07-20T11:35:00.001-05:00

The 2009 Doughty 500 planning sub-committee unanimously approved a plan to release funds from the rainy day account to jump start activity at Wednesday evening's auction. The plan calls for each person in attendance at said event to be provided with two vouchers that may redeemed at the bar in exchange for various and sundry beverages. The impact of this stimulus plan is expected to be felt

2009 Logistics Review

2009-07-03T08:57:00.003-05:00

Attention, attention please. We've just received the official orders for Operation Doughty 500 2009 from the joint chiefs of staff. Please review and pass down the chain the command as appropriate. This is not a drill. Doughty 500 – 2009 (Mike, Sean, and Tom)July 27 – 31Hayward, WILatest News:-Hotel: 21 rooms are booked! (1 more than the block). Some rooms are still available. The name has

The Soul of the School

2009-07-01T09:06:00.000-05:00

Bill Kauffman reviews the book "Small Wonders" which examines the rise and fall of the one-room schoolhouse: Decades after consolidation had obliterated one-room schools, researchers discovered their advantages. The child in the small school is not just a statistic on a government chart. She receives "individual attention and recognition." She works at her own pace. She has, most important, a

Look For The Doughty Label

2009-06-16T14:20:00.001-05:00

Danette is wondering if there is any demand for Doughty 500 water bottles again this year. If so, she needs to order the labels soon. Drop a note in the comments to share your thoughts or send her an e-mail at: dennissmithlan@centurytel.net

Fordlandia

2009-06-07T13:35:00.001-05:00

Review in Friday's Wall Street Journal of the book Fordlandia by Greg Grandin (sub req): Ford thought he could do better: He would create a vast rubber plantation in Brazil, thus ensuring a reliable supply of latex for his new Model A as well as for his Ford trucks and tractors. In the process, he intended to show the world that his system of production would also elevate the lives of his workers

Romantic Fools

2009-06-01T10:04:00.001-05:00

PJ O'Rourke on The End of The American Love Affair with Cars: The American automobile is—that is, was—never a product of Japanese-style industrialism. America's steel, coal, beer, beaver pelts and PCs may have come from our business plutocracy, but American cars have been manufactured mostly by romantic fools. David Buick, Ransom E. Olds, Louis Chevrolet, Robert and Louis Hupp of the Hupmobile,

100K For A Good Cause

2009-04-17T10:52:00.001-05:00

DeeAnne is cycling 100 kilometers to raise money to fight diabetes. You can find out more about this event and donate here.

Aught-Nine Tour Information

2009-04-17T10:47:00.001-05:00

(Courtesy of Mike) The Doughty 500 2009 basics have been established. Below are the dates and hotel info. Doughty 500 – 2009 (Mike, Sean, and Tom are the cruise directors) Date: July 27 – 31 Location: Hayward, WI Hotel:Ramada Hayward10290 Hwy 27 SouthHWY 27 S & CTY RD BHayward, WI 54843 US Phone: 715-634-4100Fax: 715-634-2403E-Mail: ramada-hayward@cheqnet.net 20 roomsRate:

One Hundred Years

2008-10-01T06:38:00.000-05:00

An article in Saturday's Wall Street Journal called This Car Changed America (subscription required) celebrates the upcoming 100th anniversary of the sale of the first Model T (Oct. 1 1908): One could start a lively debate among historians about which car is the second most influential in American history. Perhaps the Chevy Corvair, which launched Ralph Nader, the consumer movement and the

Cooking By The Book

2008-08-19T11:43:00.004-05:00

The accounting firm of Doughty, Doughty, & Doughty* has just released the latest Doughty 500 financial statement:August 2007--Income from the 2007 auction $1017August 2007--Expenses for operating web site for one year $200August 2007--Expense for design of label for water bottles $70December 2007--Interest income for 2007 $12.68August 2008--Interest income for 2008** $14.13August 2008--Income

2009 Tour

2008-08-15T13:55:00.003-05:00

It's never too early to start thinking about next year's tour. In what will be a historic passing of the command baton from generation to generation--and despite deep-seated reservations from more sober-minded family members--Mike, Sean, and Tom will be in charge of the strategy, tactics, and logistics in planning and executing the 2009 Doughty 500. They will obviously need all the help they can

From a small acorn...

2008-08-12T16:37:00.004-05:00

Lots of news and lots of updates on the way in the next few days. But first, an important item of business. One of the difficulties in maintaining this site is the amount of time it takes to post photographs that people send me, keep family contacts updated (which I haven't been doing), and keep up on the latest family news. It requires far too much manual intervention. In order to help make all

Nyuck, Nyuck, Nyuck

2008-07-23T17:39:00.002-05:00

Sean (Larry) e-mails to step up to the happy hour challenge: Without consulting Mike (Moe) & Dave (Curly) I am volunteering the three of us for the Tuesday happy hour. Tom will not be there so I am drafting Dave as a stand-in. I do not know what the theme will be but I am reminded of a quote from Mike just last week. When faced with making a cocktail decision he said "Go HARD or go home. I'll

The Countdown's On

2008-07-21T16:38:00.003-05:00

Only a week to go before the official kick off of the aught-eight Doughty 500. A couple of items of business to attend to quickly: - The exact date and time of the auction will be determined on Monday night. There will be separate (but equal) auctions for kids and adults. Please bring items appropriate for either or both. While we realize that embarrassing photos of family members are priceless,

Happy Hour/Event Schedule

2008-07-14T06:29:00.000-05:00

Here's a preliminary schedule proposal: Monday July 28th--Drinks and dinner at the Chetek Airport hosted by Paul & Bernice Tuesday July 29th--Open (let me know if you want to host it)Wednesday July 30th--Mike and Tammy host Thursday July 31st--Graduation party happy hour (hosted by Sonja & Danette) and auction after dinner

Blame It On Henry

2008-07-13T06:18:00.001-05:00

Danette heps us to this story from NPR: This year is the 100th anniversary of perhaps the most famous car ever made. The first Ford Model T--also known as the Tin Lizzie--rolled out of Detroit in 1908. It put America on wheels and helped forge a manufacturing revolution. At Ford's Piquette Avenue Plant, in a room about 12 feet by 15 feet in size, Henry Ford and a handful of engineers worked to

Gimme Some Water

2008-06-28T11:53:00.002-05:00

Official licensed Doughty 500 water will once again be available on this year's tour. The water is derived from the finest Wisconsin springs and comes in a bottle bearing the official Doughty 500 logo. A case of this pure liquid refreshment is available for a mere twelve dollars. What a bargain. Pre-order yours today by dropping Danette an e-mail at: ddtj@triwest.netCome the tour, the weather

What About The Children?

2008-06-24T14:42:00.002-05:00

DeeAnne e-mails with a suggestion: I would also suggest that we have a separate children's auction if we do it again this year. People can bring items for either the adult one or the children's. Also, no adults can bid on the children's items. Sounds acceptable to me. I am assuming that the definition of children will be based on mental maturity meaning that Sean would be eligible for the

Now Three, Will You Give Me Three?

2008-06-17T17:26:00.003-05:00

Brendan has asked that we conduct a poll to determine if we should have an auction at this year's Doughty 500. He has also suggested that we try to limit the value of the goods donated to $15 if we do agree to a reprise. Should we have an auction at this year's Doughty 500?Yes, it was a lot of fun last yearNo, I don't like fun I was pretty loaded last

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Day

2008-05-27T16:11:00.003-05:00

We will once again be continuing the tradition of rotating happy hour hosts at this year's Doughty 500. Since Paul and Bernice are the official tour planners, they get a day of their choice. I also understand that one happy hour will be used to celebrate this year's graduates (alcohol free those under twenty-one of course). That leaves two openings, which will be determined by a drawing. If you

Banner Day

2008-05-27T16:07:00.002-05:00

Bernie is planning to use some of the funds raised from last year's auction to purchase official Doughty 500 banners. Unless anyone has serious objections (no Dave, we can't use ALL the money for beer) twenty-five such banners will be ordered at $6.25 each and distributed at this year's tour. That is all.

Ambulance Chaser

2008-05-27T15:59:00.003-05:00

We are happy to report that Brendan is out of the hospital and at home recovering as well as can be expected under the circumstances. If you see him at this year's 500, be sure to ask him about his excellent ambulance adventures. It turns out he would have arrived at the hospital much sooner in the back of a 'T' or hitching a ride on a horse and buggy. The journey only seemed like five hundred

Get Well

2008-05-05T14:30:00.002-05:00

Brendan Doughty was hospitalized last Friday and remains at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin. His daughter Molly provided this update yesterday:He is in St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield and will probably be there for another week at least. He was taken by ambulance on Friday and had to have surgery on his "innards" and he had a temporary pacemaker put in. He is doing O.K. now,

Raising The Bar

2008-05-02T10:16:00.002-05:00

Bill Moen, co-author of Badger Bars & Tavern Tales: An Illustrated History of Wisconsin Saloons, offers a list of local shows featuring bar paraphernalia: LaCrosse, WI--HEILEMAN/CITY BREWERY SHOW Sat. May 3--9 a.m. to 3 p.m.North Star Chapter's and Heileman At Large Chapter's show at the former G. Heileman brewery in LaCrosse, next to the brewery's gift shop. A fun time for all! Contact Dave

Room At The Inn?

2008-04-24T17:11:00.001-05:00

Rumor has it that the rooms are going quickly and only a handful remain under the Doughty 500 reservation. If you haven't gotten your room yet, hop to it else you may be left out in the cold.

How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm?

2008-04-09T10:37:00.001-05:00

Today's Wall Street Journal has an article on old tractors that are fetching Maserati prices (subscription required):An auctioneer barks out numbers in rapid-fire rhythm. In a standing-room-only crowd, proxy bidders hunch over their mobile phones and cover their ears. Auction-house assistants fan out and move close to bidders who seem most intent on winning.What's at stake isn't contemporary

Motel Update

2008-03-28T16:17:00.001-05:00

In the previous post with tour details, the phone number for the Super 8 Motel in Chetek was incorrect. The correct number is (715) 924-4888. You can find out more about the Super 8 here.

A Taste Of Wisconsin

2008-03-28T15:41:00.003-05:00

David, the official marketing director of the Doughty 500, e-mails to report that Leinenkugels'--the unofficial sponsor of the Doughty 500--has finally reached the Sunshine State: We got it goin' on in Florida.

A Model T Milestone

2008-03-20T09:12:00.003-05:00

The Ford Model T will celebrate its 100th birthday this year and the company is planning a year long celebration: Celebrations will officially commence at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Amelia Island, Fla., March 7-9. Ford has many other regional events in the works for a year filled with celebrations, including a special Model T display at the West Coast's largest Ford enthusiast

Saints Begora!

2008-03-17T17:23:00.001-05:00

A couple of years ago John J. Miller made the case that Americans should honor a different Irish saint: This time next week, many Americans will wake up wondering why they had partied so hard the night before. A better question might be why they honor St. Patrick at all, because he is not the most fitting patron saint for Irish America.The problem isn't that Patrick is objectionable in any way.

Those Were The Days

2008-03-14T13:29:00.002-05:00

James Lileks digs up an ad from a bygone era at the Bleat: Let's have an old ad. I used this illustration from the 1927 Minneapolis Auto Show. Many brands, few of which remain. A flapper to make it sexy.

2008 Doughty 500

2008-02-12T10:32:00.009-06:00

Breaking news on the dates and location of the 2008 Doughty 500. According to a press release hot off the desk of one Paul Doughty, the 2008 Doughty 500 will begin on Monday, July 28th and wrap up on Friday, August 1st. The 2008 Tour will be based in beautiful downtown Chetek, Wisconsin a.k.a. The City of Lakes and home to the Fish-O-Rama. Now, they will also be able to lay claim to the 2008

You don't know what I got

2007-10-29T10:51:00.002-05:00

Brendan has a car for sale: I thought I would give everyone a FYI on the T that I will be selling.Model T coupe Two passenger--bummerFamily discount. $8,500

All That's Old Is New Again

2007-09-14T18:47:00.000-05:00

The Onion reports that Ford Is Reintroducing Model T Line That Made It Great: DEARBORN, MI--Still reeling from a $12.6 billion loss last year and a steadily declining customer base, the Ford Motor Company announced plans Monday to invest its entire third- and fourth-quarter manufacturing and advertising budgets into reintroducing the Model T, one of history's best known and most innovative car

Bidness Matters

2007-09-03T17:03:00.001-05:00

A couple of items of to note: 1. I sent Danette some money out of the Doughty 500 funds to cover the design and label printing costs for the bottled water she brought this year. She plans on getting some more for next year's 500 and will be taking pre-orders. 2. Brendan and Bernie both have suggested that we use some of the auction proceeds to buy new banners for the cars. I think that's a great

Click, Take A Pic

2007-08-30T08:58:00.001-05:00

Dan has kindly forwarded this link to Walgreens Photo Center where you can go and view his photos from this year's Doughty 500.

Blast From The Past

2007-08-20T08:01:00.001-05:00

One of the nice things about being in Ladysmith for this year's five hundo was seeing some of the old sites again. Like the high school (now middle school) that my dad attended: And the creamery where he worked: Last but not least, on my way out of town I just had to stop by the site where the flea market still takes place: Other than the empty tables, it doesn't look all that different from the

In The News

2007-08-19T10:44:00.001-05:00

The 2007 Doughty 500 is covered in the Ladysmith News: The Model T Ford, the car largely responsible for putting America in the automobile age, brings the de-scendants of Herb and Ruth Doughty together every year for a family reunion unlike any others.The Doughty family brought 18 "Tin Lizzies" to Ladysmith Monday (July 30) and drove them on the "back roads" to various destinations each day,

Move Over Sotheby's

2007-08-06T22:07:00.001-05:00

The first ever Doughty 500 auction held last Thursday night was a smashing success. Brendan, Karen, and Dixie did a nice job running the show. The items that were donated far exceeded expectations. The auction itself was a lot of fun and we got a taste of the business acumen of the D3 brothers as they bid on just about everything possible (often against each other) driving the prices through the

Teed Off

2007-08-05T11:20:00.001-05:00

John Paul Newport on annoying golfers in Saturday's Wall Street Journal (sub req): The lesson, I guess, is that when it comes to annoyance, the annoyee is often just as much the problem as the annoyer. A character in one of P.G. Wodehouse's marvelous stories claimed to have been distracted before a poor shot by "the uproar of butterflies in an adjoining meadow." I doubt those butterflies were

You Are What You Mix

2007-08-04T09:36:00.001-05:00

The process of gathering notable quotes from this year's 500 now begins. The first one that comes to memory is from Tuesday night's happy hour: "It was just too fruity for most people." - Mike Doughty on the drink concoction that HE had mixed up

2007-08-04T09:09:00.000-05:00

A Glimpse Of The Future? On Wednesday, we lunched at a resort on Fish Trap Cove. The resort had eight cabins set on a placid lake along with a full service restaurant and bar. Throw in a sandy beach for swimming, pontoon boat, fire-pit, lake jumping with fish, surrounding woods and it had all the best that Northern Wisconsin has to offer. Opinion was pretty much unanimous that such a resort

A Very Happy Hour Indeed

2007-07-31T23:29:00.000-05:00

A Very Happy Hour Indeed I arrived in Ladysmith tonight in time to catch the tail end of a very happy hour (or three). From what I understand, Monday's event was equally impressive. A high bar has been raised (no pun intended).

It Has Begun

2007-07-30T13:33:00.000-05:00

The 2007 Doughty 500 officially kicked off earier today as a caravan of Ford Model Ts started the journey in Eau Claire. From a weather perspective, it should be a great week. Check out the daily highs/lows and chance of rain: Mon Jul 30 Sunny 87/62 0% Tue Jul 31 Sunny 90/63 10% Wed Aug 1 Sunny 89/63 10% Thu Aug 2 Partly Cloudy 82/55 20% Fri Aug 3 Mostly Sunny 82/60 10% A little

Rule of the Road

2007-07-25T17:03:00.000-05:00

Rule of the Road One rule that I would like to implement for this year's Five Hundo is that you can't ride in the same T every day. Exceptions will be made for small children (and Jay) of course. Part of the appeal of the tour is spending some time with extended family members who you don't get to see all that often. Riding around with your immediate family all day might be fun (right), but you

Be Happy

2007-07-25T16:54:00.001-05:00

Brendan would like everyone to know that the first happy hour begins at 5pm or when the crew arrives at the motel on Monday. He also was suggesting that perhaps pizza could be ordered, eliminating the need for anyone to have to drive for dinner and allowing happy hour to be to enjoyed to its fullest extent as the Good Lord intended.

2007-07-24T17:01:00.000-05:00

The Countdown's On Less than a week to go before the start of aught-seven Doughty 500. It's important to make a thorough list to assist in your trip planning: - Beer? Check - Gin? Check - Swim suit? Check - Gold clubs? Check Let's roll.

2007-07-09T16:07:00.000-05:00

AgendaQuick schedule update:Monday July 30thStart in Eau Claire. Leave Dan's at 9am. Meet up with Hal and crew in Colfax. Lunch at Gilligan's.Brendan and Karen host happy hour at the motel in Ladysmith.Tuesday July 31stLeave motel at 9am. Lunch at the Turtle Club.Sean, Mike, and Tom host happy hour at the motel. Be afraid, be very afraid.Wednesday August 1stLeave motel at 9am. Lunch at Fishtrap

2007-07-04T07:57:00.000-05:00

The Rockets Red Glare Have a great Fourth of July! Fly the flag, fire some 'works, and celebrate America's birthday.

No Room At The Inn?

2007-07-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

No Room At The Inn? Rumor has it that the AmericInn in Ladysmith on 800 College Avenue (Wisconsin has colleges? Who knew?) is full up and all the reserved rooms for the Doughty 500 have been taken. But if you (like me) haven't made your reservation yet, fear not. For there is another AmericInn very nearby. Right across the highway in fact, within easy staggering distance. If you still need to

Double Booking?

2007-07-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Double Booking?The link that I posted on the sidebar last week was to the wrong AmericInn in Ladysmith (who knew there were more than one?). The correct AmericInn is the one on College Avenue. Sorry for the confusion.

3-2-1 Contact

2007-06-26T15:44:00.001-05:00

Making Contact Since my family contact information is grossly out of date, I decided to start from scratch. What I need from everyone is your e-mail address, where you are currently living, and the names of your children (at least the ones that you know about).Send them to me at rightwinger23@hotmail.com and I'll create a family new directory.

Family Business

2007-06-21T21:21:00.000-05:00

We Don't Discuss Business At The Table Word on the grapevine is that Tom, Sean, and Mike have started up their own company and even have a website for it. I tried the obvious URLswww.threeblindmice.comwww.threestooges.com But had no luck. Just tonight, I finally happened upon D3 Air & Space Operations. Check it out. I notice that the elder (and therefore wiser) brother has been named president.

Prep Work

2007-06-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

Be Prepared Word has it that Bernie is busy feverishly preparing for this year's Doughty 500. The planning of an event involving logistics of such a magnitude is not to be taken lightly and no detail is too small not to be carefully evaluated. All possibilities must be considered. All contingencies must be planned for. All systems must be vigorously checked and double-checked for redundancy.

Speaking Of Auctions...

2007-06-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

Speaking Of Auctions...Getting Them All, Saying Goodbye (WSJ-Sub req): Richard J. Solove spent 38 years and millions of dollars on a singular obsession: owning a model of every Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost produced from 1907 to 1915. Now, just months after completing the collection, Mr. Solove is reaching for his next dream: selling all the cars at auction."I'll have to bring along a big box of

The Tiki Torch Is Lit

2007-06-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

The Tiki Torch Is Lit The happy hour schedule is now complete. On Monday, we learned that: The Swienton group along with Jill will host a cocktail night. On Tuesday, the last slot was filled when Sean finally figured out how this new fangled e-mail thing works: Mike, Sean, Tom are volunteering for a Happy Hour night. We are kicking around different themes and would like to know what themes have

2007-06-11T17:09:00.000-05:00

Like A Rented Mule Eric Felten, the Wall Street Journal's resident mixologist, focues his attention this week on one of Jay's favorites, The Moscow Mule (subscription required):Hopper's error didn't derail the cocktail's progress, which Martin and Morgan promoted by having mule-engraved copper mugs made. They hyped the thousands of cups stolen by over-eager customers; Smirnoff would later sell

2007-06-04T17:18:00.000-05:00

New Logo & Tour T-shirts Now Available There are now men's and women's t-shirts, baseball jerseys, and kids shirts available to purchase that feature our brand new official Doughty 500 logo: The ones that say "2007 Tour" also feature a list of all the 2007 tour stops. You can check them all out at the Doughty 500 Store at CafePress.com. Prices start as low as $8.99 for a basic T-shirt for the

Let's Opening The Bidding...

2007-05-29T16:44:00.000-05:00

Let's Opening The Bidding... It has been confirmed that the first ever Doughty 500 Auction will take place after dinner on Thursday, August 2nd. All proceeds will go toward upkeep and maintenance of this site. Bring something decent to auction off and be ready to bid.

Over There

2007-05-29T15:52:00.000-05:00

Over ThereThey say that you can find just about anything you want on the internet (and a lot of things that you don't want). Proving that there's more out there to surf than you can possibly image, I came across Royal Herbert Doughty's draft registration card from World War I at Ancestry.com's Military section: You can click to enlarge the image. It's still a little hard to read, but everything

Memorial Day

2007-05-28T19:10:00.000-05:00

Memorial DayPeter Collier recalls some true profiles in courage at OpinionJournal: The POWs of Vietnam configured a mini-America in prison that upheld the values beginning to wilt at home as a result of protest and dissension. John McCain tells of Lance Sijan, an airman who ejected over North Vietnam and survived for six weeks crawling (because of his wounds) through the jungle before being

1 dollar bid, now 2,now 2, will ya give me 2?

2007-05-24T08:27:00.000-05:00

1 dollar bid, now 2,now 2, will ya give me 2? Brendan e-mail with an excellent idea from his better half: Karen had an idea. Why don't we ask people to bring something to the 500 that can be auctioned off one night...an "at the auction" night? All proceeds would go to upkeep of the web site. Items could include a bottle of something good to drink, jewelry, clothing, travel items, bar

2007-05-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

Rooms To Let Fifty Cent...Lodging info for this year Five Hundo from Bernie: Motel information. We will be at the America Inn on Collage Ave. Ladysmith. check in on July 30th. check out on August 3rd. Phone 715-532-6650. Room rates, 61.90 single, 6.00 ea. additonal person. Call before July 8th. and mention Doughty 500. I have 20 rooms blocked.

Baby On Board

2007-05-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

Baby On Board Isaiah Chad Doughty Born May 3rd at noon 7 lbs 3 oz 20 1/2 inches Mom, dad, and baby are all at home doing fine.

Hit The Bumps, Then Have A Couple of Bumps

2007-04-30T14:25:00.000-05:00

Hit The Bumps, Then Have A Couple of BumpsAfter a long day of cruisin' the bumpy, dusty trails of the Northwoods, changin' tires, and askin' "where the hell are we going now? twenty-nine or thirty times, nothing hits the spot like the first cocktail of the day back at the hotel (unless you're David in which case the first cocktail of the day come just BEFORE you leave in the morning). The hotel

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2007-04-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

When Life Gives You Lemons......make beer with lemonade. If you haven't had a chance to try Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy yet, I urge you to get yourself to a beer store toute suite. The newest addition to the Leinie family is refreshing, tasty, and very quaffable. It will no doubt be my beer of choice at this year's Doughty 500.

The Shop Is Open!

2007-04-24T19:12:00.000-05:00

The Store Is Open! For the best in all officially licensed Doughty 500 merchandise, be sure to check out the Doughty 500 store at Cafe Press, your one stop online shop. At this point, there are two items available for purchase, but I plan to add more soon. We have two t-shirts available with a small picture on the front showing a Model T and a road sign saying "Rough Road." On the back is an

2007 Tour Stops Set

2007-04-24T16:11:00.001-05:00

In addition to the home base of Ladysmith, here is a list of towns that the 2007 Doughty 500 will be hitting: ColfaxChetekHay Stack CornerLorettaWinterRadissonExlandJump RiverMedfordPerkinstownSheldonConrathBruceStone LakeImaloneStanleyEau ClaireGroupies get ready! For those towns passed by this year, fear not, there's always next year. By the way, free beer would definitely improve the odds of

New E-mail For Dan & Terry

2007-04-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

New E-mail For Dan & TerryWe have a new e-mail address. It is;dntdoughty@yahoo.comThe old one will still work for a while.

2007-04-02T13:36:00.000-05:00

Ladysmith Links A little history from Wikipedia: The city was founded at the intersection of Soo Line rail line with the Flambeau River in 1885, as "Flambeau Falls" after the Ojibwa name for the area Gakaabikijiwanan ("of cliffed rapids"). Robert Corbett, a logging and lumbering entrepeneur, held the dominant influence on city in its early years, first renamed as "Corbett", then to "Warner" in

T-shirts and Lids

2007-03-19T16:19:00.000-05:00

T-Shirts and LidsOkay, here's the deal. Bernie is going to order some Doughty 500 hats, with each family getting their own color (unfortunately he ignored my suggestion that Sam's boys get bright pink). I don't want to shell out for shirts as well. But, since there has been some interest, I think I'll create a couple of designs and then set it up so you can order them off the internet at some

Where The Street Has Our Name

2007-02-21T08:59:00.000-06:00

Where The Street Has Our Name Check out this great ad on a "world without America" from the guys at 18 Doughty Street.

2007-02-16T16:09:00.000-06:00

Sheets & Shirts More info on this year's tour from Bernie: Motel information. We will be at the America Inn on Collage Ave. Ladysmith. check in on July 30th. check out on August 3rd. Phone 715-532-6650. Room rates, 61.90 single, 6.00 ea. additonal person. Call before July 8th. and mention Doughty 500. I have 20 rooms blocked. I'm considering ordering up a batch of t-shirts for this

Extreme Thrashin'

2007-02-05T14:08:00.000-06:00

Extreme Thrashin'Brendan brings us this picture of the Black brothers out in North Dakota:

2007 Dates Set

2007-01-24T11:33:00.000-06:00

2007 Dates SetFrom the office of the 2007 tour director:The 07 Doughty 500 will be July 30, 31 Aug. 1,2,3. We will leave Eau Claire at 9:00 Monday July 30, for Ladysmith. Tour for three days around the Ladysmith area then leave to return back to Eau Claire at 10:00, on Friday Aug. 3.Developing...

Confusion At The Polls

2006-12-04T16:24:00.000-06:00

Confusion At The PollsSean e-mails: I am confused by the question posed on the website. Can you please clarify the difference between "More drinkin'" and "More family fun time" and "More free time"? I say we use more free time to drive the Model T's to the liquor store to buy booze for more drinkin time which leads to more family fun time. A Floridian having a hard time understanding a ballot?

The Field Narrows

2006-11-28T17:28:00.000-06:00

The Field NarrowsRumor has it that the two finalists for hosting the 2007 Doughty 500 are Ladysmith and Hayward. Developing...