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STI - A Visionary's Dream - For all To See

Hoss

Full Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2003
Messages
1,223
Savannah - Tybee Island, Georgia

Began as a remarkable Get Together that came about as a vision and dream of one man who relished in the fact that a place of common ground could host an event, meeting, and gathering of truck enthusiasts, friends and family who all share common interests and values in a vehicle we drive.  Truly meaning to be a GTG for owners and enthusiasts along with their families to come together without any one club, site, or partisan view as an umbrella hosting the event.  IT WAS AND IS FOR EVERYONE WHO WISHES TO COME, ENJOY, AND PARTICAPTE. :welcome:

The one-man dream has evolved into what is known as annual event that people are excited about and plan yearly to attend ? Savannah Tybee Island Get together (STI).  Simply put, STI is an event to bring the family to and enjoy.  It has and always will be an annual event my wife (Mama Jo) and I attend.

A history lesson for those who would like to know or those who don?t remember; the torch of this event was gifted / passed on and publicly announced over a year ago from its founder (TINMAN) to an honorable highly respected and passionate member (HUG-R-AV) who proudly took the reigns and said ?GITTY - UP? (Not really) :kidding:.  It was gifted with honor, dignity and respect.  The man, your friend, my brother, who the torch has been gifted /passed onto to ensure it continues is one who has more heart, integrity, and passion than most of us combined.  I personally have nothing but praise, honor, gratitude and above all - the utmost respect for the man who carries the torch and shouldered STI-IV.   
This dream was a gift, and the giver is who has made the choice of whom he wished to see it through. It has been an event to embrace and welcome ALL AV enthusiasts, club members of any site and their families. It will continue to be just that - for everyone!  It?s not the club, it?s not the truck ? IT IS THE PEOPLE. 

The mere foundation of groundwork behind this single yearly event has more blood, sweat, and tears than many of us can imagine. Personal sacrifices and commitments to bring this together as well as others year after year truly test those who roll their sleeves up and choose to step forward.  My heart-felt thanks and gratitude go to each and every one of you who have had a hand in this event from its inception. 

The personal attacks and recent shades of negativity for whatever reasons are uncalled for, unhealthy, and unprofessional in any term of the word.  Thank you to those who acknowledged this and removed it.  I stand by Mike as many others do, and everyone who helped with this event and look forward to future STI?s.  Positive observations and improvements foster continued success and are exactly what is needed. 

Attending all FOUR STI-GTG?s, I can attest that this year without a doubt, brought more new attendees, set not one, but countless new records and accomplishments for STI. Here are few.

1. Most new attendees
2. Most Georgia attendees
3. Most trucks in attendance
4. Most trucks on River Street Cruise
5. Kids Movie night
6. Kids Ice Cream Party
7. The entire Sweet/Sour-Mash family in attendance (We all love you)
8. Dedicated (By OPBR) roped off parking area (First time ever)
9. Mod Area located within event parking area (First Time Ever- Never happened before) Was closely aligned for safety of children and involvement of spouses)
10. Trolley to River street ? First time ? (Didn?t happen before)
11. Attendee discounts at local beach wear stores ? (First Time)
12. Over a 50% decrease in accommodation and complaint issues with the hotel- even though renovations were in progress.

The ONLY failures in this whole event ? FOUR
1. My Inverter (blew two Fuses) :laugh:
2. Diamond Pete?s Canopy ? Not rated for winds above 3MPH :beating:
3. Sasquatch?s Blow up chair (had a leak from the graveled parking lot)
4. Frogerator Rupture: (Too potent ? ate the plastic) LOL Just kidding

In summary, Move Forward, be positive, Step up ? I encourage everyone to be a part of this whether it be helping, supporting, or simply attending. Come join us next year for STI V, it will prove to be even better, foster more family & friendships, and bring more great things for everyone in attendance. 


Respectfully,

HOSS,?TBG?


 


 
Big Guy.... let me be the 1st to say...
Spoken so well, respectful, truthful.. and positive...
You are definitely a reason for STI to move foward!
Your knowledge, compassion,  your genorosity.. and trust make you so important to Hugz and I.

Oh yeah... the fact that your wife is my BEST friend does help you too!!! Seee you both reallllllllllllll soon!

we love you both

VIC
 
Very well stated Mike! ?I fully agree with every word. STI II & III were great, but this was the best ever to me. How could I not be looking forward to STI V ?:D

RB
 
well put, HOSS.  Hopefully I will be in a postion to help out next year.  I feel honored to be a part of it for the past 2 years, even if it was only by attending.
 
Thank you both,

You both are awesome peeps who give more than you realize!. Is it next year yet..
 
I couldn't agree more Hoss. Well said!!!

Glad I could be a part as well!
 
Well said Big Guy You cant please all. Mike (and everyone else who helped) did  a great job putting this together. He did it for no pay, little help, from 200 miles away. Some of the complainers act like he a paid travel agent,he's not he's just a friend trying to bring friends together,providing some entertainment along with the modding.  Great job Mike looking forward to next year  :love: Jerry

PS pick a date so we can make reservations

 
Hoss said:
Attending all FOUR STI-GTG?s, I can attest that this year without a doubt, brought more new attendees, set not one, but countless new records and accomplishments for STI. Here are few.

1. Most new attendees
2. Most Georgia attendees
3. Most trucks in attendance
4. Most trucks on River Street Cruise
5. Kids Movie night
6. Kids Ice Cream Party
7. The entire Sweet/Sour-Mash family in attendance (We all love you)
8. Dedicated (By OPBR) roped off parking area (First time ever)
9. Mod Area located within event parking area (First Time Ever- Never happened before) Was closely aligned for safety of children and involvement of spouses)
10. Trolley to River street ? First time ? (Didn?t happen before)
11. Attendee discounts at local beach wear stores ? (First Time)
12. Over a 50% decrease in accommodation and complaint issues with the hotel- even though renovations were in progress.

The ONLY failures in this whole event ? FOUR
1. My Inverter (blew two Fuses) :laugh:
2. Diamond Pete?s Canopy ? Not rated for winds above 3MPH :beating:
3. Sasquatch?s Blow up chair (had a leak from the graveled parking lot)
4. Frogerator Rupture: (Too potent ? ate the plastic) LOL Just kidding

Don't forget most NC attendees  :love: Really gave me a warm feeling to have so many from NC there this year.  Hmm...think our leader from over in Advance had anything to do with that? Absolutely  :yourock: Think it's about time I pitch  in an help with the next one instead of just attending.

David
 
Very well put!!

STI III was my first. STI IV was my second. And as long as we continue to have this GTG I will be in attendance.

I do enjoy showing off the truck,  and I do enjoy adding new mods and seeing all the mods that everyone else has done, but the reason I came this year was to see family. I even came and stayed the whole week to have more time to spend with everyone.

If there's anything I can help do in planning next years event just let me know.

I know there was alot of time and effort spent making STI IV the huge success that it was, and I for one want you guys to know that I greatly appreciate all that you did.

It's not about the trucks, It's all about the family!!

Pete
 
Steph and I and even Skittles wanted to be there but we had to work. We did donate a Honeybaked Ham for the Raffle. (By the way Who Got it?)

Mike did do a Great job with this event.. And I wish him great success with next years.. Hopefully we will be there in my new Av..... >:D
 
Very well said Hoss.  This was our first time, and we will be there from now on.  The family atmosphere left both Lori and I feeling very welcome, and Miss Lauren had a blast.

Huge thanks to everyone involved for putting this together, and making STI the success it is.

:cheers:
 
I enjoyed my first STI. It was great meeting members I haven't had a chance to meet before. I had a great time and hope to be able to meet everyone next year! Thanks to everyone who made STI happen!
 
Hey Big Buy,
Don't forget to look in the mirror, cuz when you do a great man will be looking back at you!!!? You are an amazing person Hoss, there are not enough nice words to describe the person that you are!!!? Thanks for everything!!  I enjoyed meeting and spending time with each and every one of you at STI, you all hold a special place in my heart forever!!

Tell Momma Jo Hi and giver her a hug for me!!!


Miss you both bunches
Heidi
 
SpikeAV said:
I enjoyed my first STI. It was great meeting members I haven't had a chance to meet before. I had a great time and hope to be able to meet everyone next year! Thanks to everyone who made STI happen!

Ditto that! ?Being new to this GTG and having everyone just sort of come up to me and welcome me and drag me around, (I'm a little shy sometimes) to make sure I got to talk to most of the folks, was great. ?Wish I could've been there longer than just the few hours I was there. ?Next year, I will be there longer. ?Even Mo coming around in her state of mind and being considerate and friendly to a person she had never met personally, was great. ?(The friendly hug when I left was BETTER!!)

HUGZ, hey, what can I say. ?I've only been around the guy twice, BUT within the first 2 minutes of logging onto this site as a member, he welcomed me and made me feel welcome here, then at the Helen GTG he was typical Hugz and Babydoll was typical BBD, then I show up at STI, don't know ANYTHING about Tybee Island, know that Medico was there and I talked to him on the cell phone, but I pull up, remember I'm a little shy, and there's Hugz. ?I roll up, roll down the window, and he's seems genuinely excited to see me. ?Then goes out of his way to make sure I have my name tag, etc... so that I'm not lost in the shuffle. ? This guy is TREMENDOUS! ?He and BBD are family. ?They just are. ?You know when you meet a guy and his girl twice and they are they way these two are, they are just instantly family. ?So many of you are like extended family to me. ?It's amazing that a site I logged onto in hopes of finding out some useful info on my truck, turned into so much more. ?I guess it's just an Av thing, others wouldn't understand!

And Hoss, I didn't have the opportunity to talk much, see previous mentions of my dispostion, but I did see the way you carried yourself and how you interacted with people.  I also know how you have responded to my pm's, and after seeing you at STI, I have an idea of how you intend your remarks.  Which is in the most favorable way I can imagine. 

So many folks, so much family.  How can I explain it to others?

 
CodeBlue'sWife said:
Hey Big Buy,

Thank you Hiedi for setting the reocord straight!? ?
I'm easy :love:>:D:love:- But not Cheap! ! ! :love: :laugh: : just kidding- nothing but? :love: for ya!?

"......Don't forget to look in the mirror, cuz when you do a great man will be looking back at you!!!? You are an amazing person Hoss, there are not enough nice words to describe the person that you are!!!? Thanks for everything!!? I enjoyed meeting and spending time with each and every one of you at STI, you all hold a special place in my heart forever!!

Tell Momma Jo Hi and giver her a hug for me!!!

Miss you both bunches
Heidi"

This is me - right, wrong, or indifferent (it is a word) - this is what we do for family!
Everyone here is part of that - now you guys are as well.? Our door is always open!

Consider your request done.? :love:

You all are the awesome ones. That's what makes this what it is.





?
 
Hoss said:
Thank you Hiedi for setting the reocord straight!? ?
I'm easy :love:>:D:love:- But not Cheap! ! ! :love: :laugh: : just kidding- nothing but? :love: for ya!?

"......Don't forget to look in the mirror, cuz when you do a great man will be looking back at you!!!? You are an amazing person Hoss, there are not enough nice words to describe the person that you are!!!? Thanks for everything!!? I enjoyed meeting and spending time with each and every one of you at STI, you all hold a special place in my heart forever!!

Tell Momma Jo Hi and giver her a hug for me!!!

Miss you both bunches
Heidi"

This is me - right, wrong, or indifferent (it is a word) - this is what we do for family!
Everyone here is part of that - now you guys are as well.? Our door is always open!

Consider your request done.? :love:

You all are the awesome ones. That's what makes this what it is.





?



HOSS!!!!! Your easy?  ummmm... hmmmmm..  NEVERMIND!
LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!

VIC
 
tHANK YOU ERIC FOR YOUR KIND WORDS..  meeting you and your family in Helen was our privledge.  you are kind, and generous.
We throughly enjoyed seeing you again... But next STI you promised i can see lil miss beautiful and i WILL hold you to it!!!
:love: :love: :love:

thanks again..... Vic
 
WOW!  What else could be said.
 
We have not been able to make the STI event yet but are looking forward to attending sometime in the future. I have met Hugz a few times, spoke with him on the phone and PM'ed him many times. I agree with all of the praise being handed out to him, it takes a lot of work to put on a large event! Mike is a straight up honest guy who wants nothing more than to promote the love of the Avalanche and friends, all clubs included! I am glad that I missed any negative comments............

Butch
 
Hoss, I don't think you could have said it any better.

We traveled @1100 miles one way to visit with old friends and make some new ones, to kick back and relax and maybe mod a little.
I may not be able to make every STI GTG, But I'm sure going to try.

Vetman
 
You have a great way of putting things Hoss.? I saw Hugz do a lot of work.? However, you did also.? And so did the other coordinators.? You all operated well as a team, with Hugz as the leader.  Tinman helped me do my first mod on the Av by showing my how to install ambers.

We met some very nice people there and made new friends, shared new experiences, and learned some new lessons.? You guys are no longer just "screen names".? I can put real faces and personalities with them...although everyone is now playing musical screen names? :rolleyes:

Yesterday I went to a little GTG for zr2usa.com here in town.? It was nice and fun meeting some new people...but definitely nothing like STI.? That was something else.?

I think the STI should just be a week long event...then you could drive down on Saturday and back the next Saturday.? That way there would be plenty of time for mods and to do other activities as a group.

Thank you,

Tom?
 
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