I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy John Penton Day. The story of how January 23rd was declared John Penton Day by the Mayor of Amherst, Ohio is rooted in the fact that the then newly formed Penton Owners Group hosted a dinner party in Amherst that evening. It was truly a gala event and the excitement was way off the excitement meter for a number of reasons, with several listed below.
The Penton Owners Group was pretty much freshly organized and more and more of the folks who were involved with Penton Imports and Hi-Point back in the day were planning on being in attendance. Some of these folks had become like family back in the day and getting to be with them once again was an exciting prospect.
Of course, the fact that AMA President Ed Youngblood, and his assistant Will Stoner would be in attendance, promising an announcement that was guaranteed to make one and all happy surely helped to generate much excitement. Ed was also there to present John with his Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction medallion as John was not able to attend the actual Hall of Fame Induction Ceramony.
As the evening got underway, words of greetings were spoken and old friends mingled as dinner was enjoyed by one and all. In due time John Penton spoke and was heckled by his sister Pat Leimbach who got the crowd into an even more festive mood.
Soon enough, Will Stoner and Ed Youngblood took to the podium. Ed and Will announced that not only would Penton be the Featured Marque at Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000, but John Penton would serve as Grand Marshall. Yes, the excitement meter was now of no use as everyone was thrilled beyond words at this news.
Soon enough, the Mayor of Amherst took to the podium and with Proclamation in hand, declared that January 23rd. would be from that day forward known as John Penton Day in Amherst, Ohio.
So, there you have it folks, here we are 27 years later with John Penton having reached 100 years of age before he recently passed, and with all of you folks helping to keep all things Penton going strong we are celebrating John Penton Day once again. As I sat here trying to think of something to say as to how one can celebrate this occasion, a smile came easily as I pictured John, possibly that is the answer I was looking for.
I remember that day,Dorothy and I traveled to Amherst just to attend that dinner, I still have my invite with his picture hanging over my 125le in the living room. Met a couple of good friends thats lasted all 27 years Kip Kerns and the man thats keeping this web site going with all his posts Paul (steel tanker) Danik. Was a great night.