Spring Tour- May 1-3, 2009

CTCC SPRING TOUR
May 1-3, 2009

Friday, May 1- Participants join a regional caravan or drive on own to the Belvidere Oasis
1- Join a group leaving Ken & Kathy Smizinskis at 9:00 AM
2-Join a group leaving McDonalds (Butterfield & Rt. 53, Glen Ellyn) at 9:30 AM
3- Meet everyone at Belvidere Oasis- westbound I-90 (Milepost 54.5) by 10:45 AM
11:00 Am- Leave Belvidere Oasis
(Drive west on I-90 to I-39 to US-20 West to Winnebago Rd. Turn Left.
Turn Right just past the Pilot Station. Turn left at Cannell-Puri Ct. to Culvers)
11:30 AM- Lunch at Culvers- 807 Cannell-Puri Dr, Winnebago, IL
1:00 PM- Leave Culvers- drive 70 miles to Stoney Creek Inn- 940 Galena Square Dr.
(possible brief photo-op detour to the newly reopened Apple River Fort)
3:00 PM- Check in at Stoney Creek Inn
5:00 PM- Stoney Creek Inn "Northwoods Room" open for socializing (wine & beer provided)
6:30 PM- Pizza Party (sponsored by CTCC) "Northwoods Room"- Until 11:00 PM

Saturday, May 2- Continental breakfast in the Stoney Creek Inn breakfast room.
9:30 AM- Gather in Stoney Creek Inn parking lot to caravan into Galena- bring parking pass
(see Galena map for CTCC parking lot location)
10:00 AM- Trolley Tour of Galena including guided tour of The Dowling House (paid in full)
11:30 AM- Lunch and afternoon on your own.
Lunch suggestions:
Durty Gurts (235 N. Main) (see flyer- we liked it)
Boones Place (upstairs- 515 S. Main) (see flyer- we liked it)
Green Street Tavern & Restaurant- DeSoto House Hotel
Fritz and Frites- 317 North Main Street
American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor- 102 North Main
One Eleven Main- 111 North Main
Vinny Vanucchis- 201 South Main (we liked it)
5:00 PM- Stoney Creek Inn "Northwoods Room" open for socializing
6:15 PM- Gather in Stoney Creek Inn parking lot to caravan to Dubuque, Iowa
(see driving directions and map)
7:00 PM- Arrive at Catfish Charlies (1630 E. 16th Street) and assemble for "Group Photo".
7:30 PM- Embark on American Lady for the "Sunset Dinner Cruise" (paid in full)
9:30 PM- Disembark American Lady and caravan back to Stoney Creek Inn.
(see driving directions and map)
10:00 PM- Stoney Creek Inn "Northwoods Room" open for socializing- until 11:00 PM

Sunday, May 3- Continental breakfast at Stoney Creek Inn (For those who cannot last until 10 AM)
9:30 AM- Gather in Stoney Creek Inn parking lot to caravan into Galena- bring parking pass
(see Galena map for CTCC parking lot location)
10:00 AM- Breakfast Buffet at The DeSoto House Hotel (separate checks)
12:00 Noon- Say goodbye to Galena and drive home (US-20 to I-39 to I-90 or I-88)

Tech Session set for Apr-25-2009

Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland

TECH SESSION - SAT., APRIL 25, 2009
BEGINNING AT 9:00 AM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE
BELL CRANK INSPECTION, LUBRICATION AND ADJUSTMENT
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
BY KEN SMIZINSKI - CTCC TECH CHAIRMAN
AT BOB'S GARAGE
265 N. WAUKEGAN RD. - Lake Forest, Il. 60045

*****R.S.V.P. BEFORE APRIL 20, 2009*****
DON'T DELAY - CALL A.S.A.P.
CONTACT: BOB WENDERSKI FOR REGISTRATION
TEL: 847-234-2394 EMAIL: (bsw60045@comcast.net)

AGENDA:
9:00 AM TILL 10:00 AM COFFEE AND ROLLS
TECH SESSION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 10:00 AM TILL 1:00 PM
AFTERWARDS LUNCH WILL BE SERVED

WEATHER PERMITTING GET YOUR "BIRD" OUT FOR THIS DUST-OFF EVENT
REMEMBER THE "SPRING TOUR" IS ONLY ONE WEEK OFF!
THE EXTENSIVE CTCC LIBRARY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BROWSING AND CHECK OUT
DON'T MISS THE GROUP PHOTO FOR THE "BIRD NEWS"

DIRECTIONS TO THE TECH SESSION:
TAKE (I-294) NORTH TO ROUTE 60 (TOWNLINE ROAD) - EAST ON ROUTE 60 TO WAUKEGAN
ROAD - TURN NORTH (LEFT) ON WAUKEGAN ROAD (APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE) TO
265 N. WAUKEGAN ROAD (WHITE MAIL BOX / BLACK ROOF) ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROAD.
IF YOU REACH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT DEERPATH ROAD, YOU PASSED US UP!

IMPORTANT PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:
T-BIRDS TO THE REAR - DRIVERS IN FRONT

President's Report- April, 2009

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

BAIL OUT - WHY NOT ?
We are all fully aware of the serious financial conditions of the American auto industry. This financial situation has made it necessary to request funds from the U.S. Treasury, although not as much as the banking industry was to receive. After much berating by the senators, funds were approved, along with many caveats to be instituted before the money would be forthcoming. That is, most senators voted in favor of the funding, with the exception of six southern senators who voted against funding. It must be noted that these states have large, foreign car plants. These plants were built in states that gave these companies the largest tax breaks; in essence, the general public is subsidizing these companies. It appears like these senators would like to have the American auto manufacturers go broke. Wonder why?

Immediately after the announcement was made, "Letters to the Editor" started to appear in all matter of print. Letters suggested that the American auto industry be allowed to disappear. Writers' claims of American cars being inferior to foreign brands - at one time, certainly - are no longer true. It seems that writers think of auto workers as being expendable. If the auto industry were to fail, human and monetary costs would be incalculable. Yes, there are problems in the industry, including salaries and benefits, but new policies and procedures are being established to address these issues. I would guess that many of these writers would have no problem attending sporting events where ticket prices are over one hundred dollars for a single ticket! In addition, a beer at seven dollars and a hot dog at five dollars are typical "add-on" expenses.

Most professional players receive at least 1-million dollars per year. Big names command 10's of millions - or more. Case in point: A pitcher for the New York Yankees will be paid $161 million for seven (7) seasons! This equates to $24.2 million per year. Starting major league pitchers will probably start 30 games a season, on average. Figuring 4 hours per game x 30 (games) equals 120 hours of actual pitching per season. Based on the foregoing, the payment figures to be $201.666 per hour! I don't see anyone complaining about these salaries. SO: Are we still complaining about salaries and benefits that the U.S. workers receive?

If it were not for the auto industry [production] during WWII, we would not be able to complain about anything!!!!

- Len Keil

The Editors Notebook- April, 2009

the editors Notebook
BERT EISEINHOUR

AS SPRING MAKES ITS OFFICIAL 2009 ENTRANCE, WE DO SEE some encouraging signs that will put our T-Birds back on-the-road! Moderating temperatures and no road-salt give us hope. Our hard-working Webmaster, Joel Greenberg, has indicated that he will be listing the routing for the Spring Tour about one-week prior to the event. If you are signed up for the Tour, be sure to check out the CTCC Website in advance of the departure date - May 1st.

As mentioned in this column last month, e-mail from member, Dave Zornig, mentioned the fact that he had found a brochure covering one of the several attempts to market Replicas! It was this note (in 2008) that spurred my interest in a 'review' of the efforts by six different firms. The information is presented on pages 9 and 10 of this issue.

The picture of the Pavlak's Studebaker Hawk (page 6) was taken at the CCCA Car Show at Oak Brook Shopping Center on Father's Day, last June. The Greater Illinois Region of the CCCA annual display of approximately 100 cars is a major fund-raiser for the Club.

The rear-cover photo was received at press-time, so details of the special T-Bird event will be published in the May issue. Perry Anthony reports that the outing found 33 members of their Smoky Mountain Club enjoying the Terry Evanswood Magic Show and party!

Will you and your T-Bird be traveling the Illinois Highways before April1st?