Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
I’ve been known to make up words occasionally, but I must give credit for this word to Derek Bieri from the TV show Roadworthy Rescues. I am very upset about what happened to the Motor Trend network because all of my favorite car shows have disappeared from my boob-tube. His show instantaneously became one of my favorite shows when I heard him refer to a carburetor as a “fuel make-it-happener.” I especially like these made-up words as they drive spellcheck crazy.
As a writer, I have a love/hate relationship with spellcheck. I find it handy when I struggle with how to spell a word, knowing that I can usually get close and it will automatically fix it for me. I hate it when it takes it upon itself to change a word without my permission. I often don’t even notice it as I typically stare at my keyboard while I type (yes, I’m a hunt-and-peck-er). These unsolicited changes do not just fix spelling; they often replace it with a completely different word that has nothing to do with what I am trying to say.
Now that Motor Trend network has abandoned me, I must get my Derek-isms from Facebook. I protest this move, as short tidbits on Facebook are not substitutes for that show. I like the word “make-it-happener,” so I will snitch it for my purposes. He used it to describe a mechanical part, but I will use it to describe my favorite kind of person, especially regarding leadership.
Last night I was visited by an old friend from my former town of Dixon, California. We chit-chatted about how it has changed in the nearly 5 years since I stepped foot in that quiet little town. It reminded me of the old Mayberry, Petticoat Junction, or Green Acres. It was a town that embraced being a small town and wanted to stay small for as long as it could get away with it. I really liked that aspect of the town, and was impressed when I was dragged out of my office on my first week and taken to the meeting of the Rotary Club. (I use the term “dragged out” with much love and appreciation)
I was introduced to the “movers and shakers” of the town and, as postmaster, welcomed as one of the go-getters of the community. The local haters called us “the good old boys.” This is where I use the word make-it-happeners. I like these people as they strive to make things better instead of whining about how bad something is. I’ve always felt comfortable around make-it-happeners as I believe I am genetically related to that mindset.
Ever since I moved out on my own as a teenager, I have felt that creativity runs through my veins. I was never the kind of guy who only did what I was asked to do. Perhaps that is another reason I am such a fan of Studebakers. Their motto was “Always give more than you promise.” They created a reputation for reliability by promising quality and overdelivering customers’ expectations.
One of Dixon’s make-it-happeners is Marianne MacDonald. She is semi-retired now and was a realtor who was active in the community’s development. She has also been a friend and was active in our Studebaker world. She’s responsible for selling my tiny house in Dixon in four days. Her son lives in Oklahoma, and she stayed in the Boyd Suite last night before she had to go back to California.
We spent the evening talking about Dixon and how it is changing from the town I left to more of a bedroom community for people who work in the Bay Area. I’m kinda glad I left before it gets too big. There’s lots of land available there so it can potentially become a big city. I don’t think I would like that.
We also talked about many of the make-it-happeners I miss from my 25 years as a Dixonite. We left a lot of friends behind and that is what we miss more than anything. Don’t get me wrong, there is no sorrow about moving to Sapulpa. We love it here and are enjoying making new friends, some of whom are also make-it-happeners.
