Holiday Party- 2014

2014 - Holiday Party Report

Sixty people attended the annual Holiday Party at Chandler's Chop House.  We were seated at tables of eight, all with great views of the "Year In Review" showing continuously. Guests received oil filters and a copy of the "Year In Review" DVD produced by Pete and Steve Kramer. The tables were set with two buckets of Hershey's kisses and colorful centerpieces topped with a bottle of wine from "Dougie's Nonsense Vinyard" sitting in a Thunderbird. Tom Bruin Presented Doug with a plaque honoring his contribution of nonsense to CTCC activities.  At each guest's place was a handmade Thunderbird cookie, purchased to benefit the People's Resource Center/Food Pantry to which the club members have continued to generously donate.

Following the cocktail hour and delicious dinner, President Ken Smizinski made a few announcements. Liz Werth read Bert and Jane Eisenhour's nomination letter and announced the winner of the Bert Eisenhour Award - Jim Wilson. Tom Bruin presented Ken Smizinski with the first ever Knucklehead Award, for excellence in Thunderbird Mechanics. Ken Smizinski and Joel Greenberg drew names for the door-prize raffle. Everyone went home with several gifts.

Many thanks to Ken and Kathy Smizinski for planning the party, making the name cards and obtaining the oil filters and many of the door prizes - including bottles of wine, to Tom Bruin for dreaming up and creating the wine and knucklehead awards, to Pete Kramer and his son, Steve, for the Year-In Review show and DVDs, to Liz and Bill Werth for the cookies and candy, and to all those who donated items for the door prizes. Once again, it was a fun night in a nice venue with good friends. 

Liz Werth

Cedarburg- 2014

Cedarburg Sunday

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, nine people met at the Lake Forest Oasis at 9:30 AM on Sunday, Oct. 26. Four little 'birds and one new 'bird caravanned to Cedarburg, WI. After parking in a nice big lot adjacent to very clean public restrooms, we visited some shops while waiting for others to open. The town was pretty deserted and we had many of the shops to ourselves. Eventually the ladies rejoined the men and we all headed to Morton's Wisconsinn. Many of us ordered the famous Bloody Mary and some had the French Onion Soup. We all enjoyed our meals and several kept an eye on the disastrous Bear's game. Following lunch and the "group photo", we visited a few more shops and then headed for the cars and the trip home. Thank you to Len and Mary Keil for planning and leading this fun last-minute day-trip. Also participating were Sue Wenderski and her sister, Carla Dusa, Debbie Powless, Tom and Judy Bruin and Liz and Bill Werth.

Liz Werth

Crandall's and more

Sunday, October 12 was a beautiful day for a drive. Thirty-one members met at Crandall's to enjoy a delicious buffet. Bob Hoge, the day's planner, filled us in on the schedule for the day. After our brunch, we caravanned to Richmond. At the four-way stop in Hebron, a local policeman stopped all traffic so that we could glide through the intersection without difficulty. In Richmond, the group split up and explored the shops, ate ice cream and fudge or sat on the small town square. The caravan to the Eddie Cash Music Hall in Genoa City, WI started out with the help of Bob Sroka who stopped traffic so that we could all get through a stop sign. Once at the Music Hall, some availed themselves of the caramel popcorn samples and others ordered Spotted Cow beer or some wine. Once in the theater, we were treated to two hours of wonderfully nostalgic music and stories about how Eddie met many performers. During the intermission, several of us spoke with Mr. Cash about a possible CTCC outing to the Music Hall. It was a great day and we thank Bob and Helen Hoge for planning it. Taking part in all or some of the activities were: Bob & Helen Hoge, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Lee & Gina Bakakos, Gail Hascek, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Bob & Barb Sroka, Doug Rogers, Tom Bruin, Pete & Lisa Ekstrom, new members Tom & Joanne Jacobi, Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia, Dan & Karen Anderson, Andy & Kathy Rominiecki, Len & Mary Keil and Bill & Liz Werth.

Liz Werth

Johnsburgs Sufen Und Spiel Parade- 2014

On a beautiful Sept. 7th Sunday morning, 11 T-Birds gathered at the Keil's for a breakfast of bagels & cream cheese, coffeecake & rolls, assorted breads, coffee and juice. The group, Dan Anderson, Tom & Judy Bruin, Joel Greenberg, Art Hahl, Bob & Helen Hoge, Len & Mary Keil, Pete Kramer, Jerry & Doreen Michna, Doug & Soon Rogers,  Ken & Kathy Smizinski, and Bill & Liz Werth, then departed for the Staging Area. The ladies took their chairs and, yes, plastic bags for candy, to a spot along the road to watch the parade.  Liz, with her trusty camera, took pictures of the fun.  All enjoyed the cars, tractors, fire department equipment, tumblers, bands, karate groups, scouts, and of course, local politicians as the parade passed by our group. After the parade, we gathered at the park for liquid refreshments and our cars were displayed for a mini car show--we were a big hit with everyone. The group went back to the Keil's for a late lunch of It. sausage sandwiches, sloppy joe's, hot dogs, baked beans, apple pie & ice cream. Johnsburg looks forward to the T-Birds being part of the parade again next year.   

Mary Keil  

Volo Mustang and Tbird show- 2014

 

Little Birds:

Len - 1st   '57 Willow Green

Bob H. - 2nd  '56 Peacock Blue

Andy R. 3rd  '57 Starmist Blue

'58-'63

Jim Elijah 1st   '59 Blue  CV

Pete Kramer 2nd '63 Red Roadster

 

Best of Show - Jim Elijah  '59 blue CV

This is the second year in a row that a T-Bird took Best of Show.  Pete won last year.   There were easily 250 Mustangs there and about 15 T-Birds.  They're going to stop inviting us if we keep taking the Best of Show trophy.

Andy Rominiecki

Day At The Hangar- 2014

Day at the Hangar

Ken Kresmery and Sons welcomed several hundred guests to Ken's hangars at the Poplar Grove Airport on Sunday, August 17. The day was overcast, but warm, so very nice. The guests who drove their antique cars parked them across the drive from Ken's Hangars so that all could admire them. Among those attending were twenty-four CTCC members, families and friends: Dan Anderson and Karen Anderson, Lloyd Schellin, Jim and Jane Wilson, Joe and Barb Esdale, Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia and Dan's family members, Len & Mary Keil and their family members, Bob and Helen Hoge and their friend from Florida, Gordon Gluff and Bill & Liz Werth. Ken's brats, hot dogs, sweet corn and ice cream from a freezer cart were seemingly unlimited as were the numerous side dishes and abundant desserts contributed by the attendees. Water, pop and beer on tap kept everyone hydrated. Quite a few people drove Ken's cars and enjoyed flights in one of his airplanes. This was Ken's 19th Annual Day at the Hangar and the seventh one CTCCers have been invited to attend. Thank you, Ken, for your generous and gracious hospitality! 

Mount Prospect Features TBirds

The Mount Prospect commuter parking lot was the location of the BluesMobile Cruise Night hosted by the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchant's Association on Saturday, August 16. CTCC (including one prospective member) contributed twenty-two vehicles to the display. Nineteen classic Thunderbirds lined up to present a wonderful tableau! The evening weather could not have been better. Those in attendance enjoyed pizza and drinks provided by CTCC. It was a wonderful night of socializing and seeing lots of antique cars. Thank you, Ken and Kathy Smizinski for arranging a super outing!

3rd Civil Affairs Group Family Day

Family Day at Great Lakes, Il.

Sgt. Major Miller contacted Ken Smizinski about having CTCC participate in Family Day for Marines, sailors, and families of the Third Civil Affairs Group.  Several of us met at the Lake Forest Oasis and caravanned to 2205 Depot Drive in Great Lakes, Il. for the first anniversary of the Marine Group.

Six Thunderbirds and Bob and Barb Srokas  1937 LaSalle with a 350cu. Chevrolet engine made up the CTCC contingent.  Bill and Liz Werth brought their Blue 1955 TBird.  The five 1957 TBirds were Dan Mrozek with Dusk Rose, Len Vinyard with Black, Joel  Greenberg and Annie Luginbill Inca Gold, Lee Bakakos with Coral Sand, and my Colonial White car. Dan Anderson and Gina Bakakos came later in the day.

Fire apparatus and antique military vehicles were on display and there was a K9 demonstration.  The Marines provided ample food and beverages.  We lined up and filled our plates with grilled hamburgers and brats, cole slaw, potato salad, and various kinds of bagged chips.  Water and Gatorade were passed out by the servicemen.

Colonel  Lee, First Sgt. Hidalgo, and Staff Sgt. Loebe all chatted with us, expressed their appreciation, and are interested in seeing us again next year.    

Jim Wilson             

2014 Picnic

2014 CTCC PICNIC

Joan and Lloyd Schellin welcomed forty-nine picnickers to their Garden Prairie farm on August 9. The weather cooperated beautifully. Those present enjoyed a multitude of appetizers highlighted by the huge salmon caught and prepared by Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko. Dan Mrozek, Jr. served as chief pork chop and hamburger griller while several men shucked the just picked corn (donated, we were told, by the Corvette Club). The serving tables groaned under the weight of the beans, salads and fruits. No one could have possibly gone away hungry. And let's not forget the many dessert choices on the table along with Mary Keil's version of Paul Mount's coconut cake. Soda, water, beer, wine and coffee rounded out the perfect buffet.

Ken called the Membership meeting to order at 5:25. He thanked Lloyd and Joan for their gracious hospitality. He then talked about the upcoming cruise night in Mt. Prospect. Joel Greenberg updated people on the next day's trip to Great Lakes. Pete Kramer talked about the September Annual Meeting with a program by Mitch Frumkin from the Chicago Auto Show. Pete Ekstrom talked about the Fall tour. Tom Bruin showed the group the CTCC grill medallions and those who attended the Orland Park car show received theirs while other members purchased them. Annie Luginbill talked about the Renaissance Faire. The group sang Happy Birthday to Kathy Smizinski. Doug Rogers gave Joan Schellin a "hostess gift" from the "House of Lloyd". Madeline Zambon talked about the many Jim Beam containers she is selling in preparation for her move. Ken and Liz raffled off six items donated by Madeline. Liz thanked the members for their generous donations of diapers and food for the Food Pantry. The group applauded the successful conclusion of treatments for Ed Levin, Larry Kelly and Bill Balogh. The meeting concluded at 5:55.

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 

Liz Werth

Westmont Cruise Night

Westmont Cruise Night- Vettes vs T-birds

Beautiful weather was enjoyed by 17 members at the Westmont Cruise Night on July 24.Pete and Marylu Kramer had arranged for us to sit at the front row of  patio tables at J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious restaurant, across the street from our row of T-Birds. Everyone had a nice meal.

The balance of the evening was spent walking the three blocks of Cass Avenue admiring the 183 cars in attendance, shopping at the vendor booths, listening to the live band and chatting with each other. The Theme for the night was Vettes vs T- Birds. While the T-Birds were way outnumbered by the Corvettes, in this totally biased reporters opinion, the T-Birds were the winners!

Experiencing the extraordinarily lovely evening were Pete and Marylu Kramer, Bob and Barb Sroka, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Haig Garabedian, Ron Pavlak, Gail Hascek, Laura and Mike Cielenski, bob and Helen Hoge, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko and Bill and Liz Werth.

Liz Werth