Cars and Characters, part IV: 'Fireball Fred'

Fred Ragland seldom runs at anything less than ‘warp’ speed. I like that, hard as it is to keep up with him at times. Presently he is in his element as the general chairman of the 40th annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show, to be held May 29 at the high school. Because of Fred’s experience as chairman for part of 2002 and all of ’03 and ’04, club members who have helped before are all preparing early for one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the Village. Fred finished his stint as car club/region president on December 31, turning over the gavel to DuMonte “Monty” Voigt, with Fred’s firm assurance to serve again as car show chief potentate, with Monty serving as chief judge.

Other ‘kitchen cabinet’ members for this show are Registration Chairman Glen Patterson, who was receiving applications as early as January; our club treasurer (and Glen’s wife) Louise, who is handling finances; John Waugh, who is in charge of the swap meet section (and he too has been receiving reservations for several months); and club Vice-President Marv Van Voorst, who is completing the field layout plans for parking the cars to be judged in the show.

Productions like the local show are seldom accomplished by amateurs. Ours is, and it is one of the best shows anywhere. It has become so popular that for the first time spaces will be limited to 330 cars, and also for the first time, all cars must be pre-registered. The number of show cars had grown to the point where it was impossible for the judges to check the cars and have the tallying done in time for awards to be presented by early afternoon. The show is special this year in that it will probably be the last car show at the school. The high school hopes to have funding within the year for the upgrade of all the sports facilities. As a result, we will not be able to show cars on the plastic turf that is planned for the stadium field.

Fred’s close contacts with Village merchants, who have supported the club through sponsoring the annual poster and subscribing to ads in the show program, have made it possible for the car club to share proceeds with 25 local youth and non-profit groups in Fallbrook. The club hopes for similar success from the upcoming show so that donations to the community can continue.

This year the poster, again coordinated by Fred with local artist Jack Ragland — no relation — will be for sale during the Avocado Festival, again at Peter’s Auto Center, where Fred has arranged for several dozen car club members to show their cars for the day.

We’ve had elk in Fred’s chili and shared other delicacies from his adventures. Since this fireboat captain retired from the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1994, he has become an avid deep sea fisherman and taken many trips to Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound in Alaska to bring home salmon, halibut and shrimp. Since 1996, frequent trips to areas off Baja for abalone have added to the frozen, canned and smoked fish in the Ragland larder. And he and his wife Connie share their gourmet ‘catches’ with family and friends.

Here in Fallbrook, so close to our ‘OORAH’ neighbors, we all know the ‘Once a Marine...’ bit, but ‘Once a fireman?’ Every fireman I have known has been a leader. Awed as I am that anyone would choose to offer himself for my safety, I expect that to be true when they are on duty. But this spirit seems to carry through into their personal lives too, always there to help before being asked. My husband Carroll and I have worked with Fred for several years in the car club and know he is this Gung-ho type I admire so much. We are glad he and Connie chose Fallbrook for their home.

P.S. — Fred called to say he had just offered to help by driving guests from the June Fantasy Wedding at the Grand Tradition to the Pala Resort for the reception. There he goes again...