C C Rider

Capitol Corridor riders give festive train attendant his day

For 12 years, Herman Davison has been a train service attendant – but he would tell you his other calling is haberdashery.

In his Amtrak dining car, he amuses riders with his elaborate hats, particularly a well-worn collection of fedoras. The decorations he buys and tacks up on holidays also have earned him many fans, along with his old-fashioned manner.

"He doesn't have to do anything, but he does it all – with a smile," said Veda Federighi, a longtime patron.

Another faithful rider, Chuck Robuck, felt that Davison himself is cause enough for celebration. And so, Wednesday came to be "Herman Davison Day."

Led by Robuck, the CC Riders (for Capitol Corridor) are a lively and loyal assortment of commuters on the Sacramento-Auburn train.

They have rallied around Davison's festive spirit, jumping at any chance to throw parties in his dining car, even pulling bystanders into the revelry.

With the conductors' permission and Davison's year-round ornaments, CC Riders have playfully hijacked that section of the train on special occasions, such as Cinco de Mayo, Halloween and winter luaus.

"We're so tight-knit that we call ourselves 'Cheers on Rails,' " said Robuck, director of facilities and general services for the Sacramento Superior Court.

As a tribute to Davison, dozens of CC Riders surprised him with a party where he transformed from quiet enabler into the guest of honor. CC Riders mobbed the 5:25 p.m. train leaving from Sacramento, to thank Davison, christen him the "Duke of Décor," and present him with an Amtrak service award.

Gone was the usual tapestry of decorations, except a few pictures hung up of Davison. But camaraderie remained on display during the half-hour ride to Rocklin.

The CC Riders kicked off Herman Davison Day by taking a group picture. Once aboard, the group gave Davison presents they knew he would like, including a jigsaw puzzle of their faces and a golden spike with their signatures on it. The cake was misspelled with an extra "D," but Davison didn't seem bothered.

CC Riders paid the expenses. They raised $500 in contributions by furtively passing around a hat on the previous weeks' rides, Robuck said.

When the train stopped in Rocklin – and the party with it – Davison couldn't help but tip his own hat, a fedora, of course, to the CC Riders.

"This is one of the greatest days I've had in my life … I feel like somebody now," he said.

Dryer sails to victory in Double Handed race | Grand Haven Tribune

Denny Dryer sailed Frank Lloyd Starboard to victory in the Grand River Sailing Club’s annual Double Handed Distance Race on Saturday.

Dryer and his crew finished the race in a corrected time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, 53 seconds.

Second was Avanti, captained by Buzz and Sherie Russell, in a time of 1:27.47. Tom Morell’s Surface Tension was third at 1:42.48, while John Campbell’s Peggy Dash II placed fourth at 1:50.10.

Fifth was Atomic Dog at 1:50.57, while Jack Kelley’s CC Rider was sixth at 1:59.14.

DRYER, KELLEY TAKE TOP HONORS IN DAG CUP

Dryer’s Frank Lloyd Starboard was the top boat in the Spinnaker Fleet of the Dryer Architectural Group Cup, while Kelley’s CC Rider topped the Main and Jib Fleet.

Frank Lloyd Starboard finished with six points in the final standings of the Grand River Sailing Club’s season-opening four-race series. Second was Surface Tension with 12 points, followed by Heart Throb (13), Stingray (14), Monkey Wrench (19) and JetStar (23).

CC Rider edged Avanti by a single point in the Main and Jib Fleet, seven points to eight. ChoZen was third at 12 points, followed by Far Niente (15), Peggy Dash II (22) and Blue Lady (23).

The GRSC begins the North Shore Marina Cup this Wednesday.

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