PSSA Articles: January 2002, by Jerry Mueller
SNOWSEEKERS PROFILER/HEY HOCK!
Among the things that make a club successful are some special members, who it would seem, are always on the lookout for things that make the club, as a whole, function better. Our club is lucky enough to have a hand full of these individuals who take it upon themselves to make things happen. This is especially important when a club operates/owns a clubhouse, a place that needs all the essentials such as heat, light, plumbing, water, sewerage, bath and shower rooms, a kitchen and all the other comforts of home. Also included at some of these club properties are additional buildings for storage, work areas and shop/garages to work on and sometimes store snowmobiles, and sometimes, additional riding property and some club maintained trails to get members and the public access from state and federal trails to and from the club.
It's no easy task and workloads must be spread among members to meet these needs. I will attempt from time to time to profile some of these very important members who sometimes are retired individuals, who, instead of sitting around home, spend a lot of their time planning and doing hands-on work for their club, whether it be teaching our youngsters safe snowmobiling, cleaning highways, serving on state associations, taking care of club charities, attending various trail, forestry and snowmobile related meetings at all levels, and in general, thinking of their club and its needs.
Our club, the Pennsylvania Snowseekers Snowmobile Club, Inc., is blessed with a handful of these special people, and I will attempt to name a few and highlight them over a period of time.
One such person who comes to mind from the get-go in the Snowseekers Club is Harold, "Hock"
Hocanson, a member since early in club history. "Hock" is a retired union carpenter. He and his wife Caroline have four off springs, three boys and a girl. They live in the Beaver Valley area, in the proximity of the greater Pittsburgh Airport. Hock has been retired about 9-10 years now and gives much thought and hour upon hour of his time to the betterment of our club, mostly in the general up keep and maintenance of the clubhouse and it's buildings and grounds. He spends many hours each month traveling to and from our mountain club, where he spends, normally four-day stretches cleaning and maintaining any and all things on the properties. He also does all the fine tuning of the grounds, trimming, mowing, raking, that keep the outside looking good. He likes things shiny, clean and organized, whether it be peeling paint, ceiling tiles needing replaced, lighting, electrical, plumbing, window cleaning and replacement, shelving and storage areas, and the list goes on and on. In a large facility with many people using appliances, sweepers, etc., something always needs fixed. Hock takes it upon himself to fix the problem, or finds someone who will.
"Hock doesn't ride snowmobiles any longer due to bad knees and back, but no job is too big that he can't pick away at it till the problem goes away. He also knows most of the clubs local citizens who can provide services we need, along with supplies and who should or should not have access to the clubs buildings and grounds.
He also takes it on the chin when we tease, good naturedly, about things needing done, and when cornered, can straighten you out quickly and to the point. He still keeps a couple sleds maintained for his family, helps in the kitchen and elsewhere during bear and buck seasons, golf outings, canoe trips, trout camp and all clubhouse related functions. Something you need at the clubhouse, ask "Hock". If he doesn't know exactly where it is, he will find it, if it's there.
I've seen him on his hands and knees, scrubbing and waxing floors, inside refrigeration units, cleaning, fixing faucets and commodes and even with mask and gloves on, using acid to clean shower stalls.
In a large clubhouse like the Snowseekers own, small things can crop up like lighting needing replaced, furnace filters needing changed along with water filters, ice machine filters, etc. Hock knows when it needs attention and sees to it. Also, almost every trip, he cleans up litter on the roads adjacent to our property.
Thanks! to Hock for taking care of our place and for having broad shoulders to take the teasing that goes along with it. You, my friend, are a "Special Snowseeker".
Jerry Mueller, Publicity
Note: Don't be angry if you didn't see your name here, you may be next, if you earned it!
This is Hock's nest (his tool room). It get's plenty of use!
Hock At Work
