Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Mount Prospect Car Show

Thunderbird take-over of Mt. Prospect Cruise Night

We began gathering shortly after 4:00 Saturday, July 30, in a parking lot north of the Metra lot in Mt. Prospect.  Ken Smizinski had reserved parking spaces for the TBirds in the lot with orange cones and water bottles.  At 5:00 the lot opened and it was a scramble to park together as the lot was filling up fast.  When all were lined up, 21 little TBirds parked in a row

Two new members joined the Club at this outing:  Trevlin Utz and Melissa drove a Peacock Blue 1956 with the top off and Tom and Donna Mazzola, not driving their TBird this day.  Members driving classic TBirds included Dan Anderson, Lee and Gina Bakakos, Rich Blanchard, Gordon Gluff with Mary Ziemba, Joel Greenberg, Art Hahl, Len and Mary Keil, Larry and Karen Kelly, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko with grandson, Jerry and Doreen Michna, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Dan and Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Ken Smizinski, Len Vinyard, Bob and Sue Wenderski, Bill and Liz Werth, your scribe, and Tom Wolfe.  Rich Blanchard drove a Gunmetal Gray 1957 which he just got running and wheel covers on after being owned by Tom Han for many years.  Pete Kramer drove his Cashmere 2005 retro Bird.  Bill and Jane Balogh came in a 1946 Ford custom and Bob and Barb Sroka in a 1964 Galaxie XL.

Music was provided by a rock band, Peabody and the Waybacks.  As we walked down the assemblage of cars and trucks we came upon a birthday celebration for Gilbert Wittmann who was having his 93rd.  Cake was being offered to all who walked by.  Rich (no last name given) drove by in a 1957 Thunderbird fiberglass replica with two large dogs, a St. Bernard and a St. Bernard/Mastiff mix. The club provided ample pizzas, including veggie pizza, bottled water, and soft drinks. After the food line ended, Joel walked by the seated group, offering more pizza!

With darkness approaching, we drove slowly west through the crowd, looking forward to the picnic the following week.

Jim Wilson


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Annual Picnic- 2016

2016 CTCC PICNIC

On August 6, Joan and Lloyd Schellin once again welcomed CTCC picnickers to their Garden Prairie farm. The 60 present began by enjoying appetizers, including a huge salmon caught by Rose Kovalenko! Dan Mrozek, Jr. served again as chief pork chop and hamburger griller while others shucked the just picked corn. The buffet tables held beans, salads and fruits. No one could have possibly gone away hungry. There were many dessert choices including Mary Keil's delicious coconut cake and champagne cupcakes made by new member Melissa Kennedy. Melissa also brought collard greens and corn bread which was something new and delicious.

There was no actual business meeting, but Ken Smizinski thanked Lloyd and Joan for their gracious hospitality and the group sang to those celebrating birthdays in August. Ed Levin talked briefly about the Fall Tour that he and Rose are planning. The weekend will be October 7 - 9.

Members generously donated diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes. When they are repackaged, the diapers and pull-ups will benefit 88 families. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness.

As with the set-up, many pitched in to help clean up. The leftover pop and water will be used at future outings and tours. Thank you to Joan and Lloyd for hosting another wonderful picnic.


Liz Werth