Holiday Party 2009

Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland
Holiday Party

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. - Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

CHANDLER'S
at the Schaumburg Golf Club
401 N. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
847-490-7074

MENU

Breast of Chicken Marsala:
Boneless chicken breast sauteed with mushroom and marsala wine.

or Roast Sirloin of Beef
Tender slices of sirloin topped with mushroom bordelaise sauce.

or Orange Roughy
Topped with a citrus buerre blanc sauce.

All entries are $22 and are served with soup, salad, potato, vegetables, dessert and coffee or hot tea.

CASH BAR

Please send checks with entree choices by November 30 to:
Ken Smizinski
157 Oaksbury Lane
Palatine, IL 60067
847-397-3747

This special CTCC price is good for member and spouse or one guest.

Art Hascek (1916-2009)

I am sorry to report that Art Hascek died on Friday evening. Please pass the following information along to our fellow CTCC members.

Laura Hascek said that Art's T'Bird will be displayed at the Service on Wednesday and CTCC members are invited to bring their 'Birds.
Services for Arthur J. Hascek (1916-2009)
Tuesday 10/20– WAKE
3-9 pm
Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17w201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Wednesday 10/21- FUNERAL at church
Lay in state- 9-10am
Services– 10am
Messiah Lutheran Church
130 W Butterfield RdElmhurst, IL
With a procession to
Chapel Hill Gardens for graveside burial
17w201 Roosevelt RoadOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

From there to a luncheon at
Alpine Banquet House
11141 W. Roosevelt Rd
Westchester, IL 60154

Editor's Notebook Oct. 2009

The Editor's Notebook
BERT EISENHOUR

WITH THE OFFICIAL ARRIVAL OF FALL, IT SIGNALS THE time for the CTCC Fall Tour to take wing - Oct. 2nd - 4th. Look for the story and photos in the November issue! The CTCC Election of Officers found the incumbents retaining their posts, as there were no nominations made from the floor. See page 6 for Bill Werth's photograph of the (smiling) group!

Photo- CTCC Officers for 2010- Standing: Pete Kramer- Vice President, Len Keil- President. Seated: Liz Werth - Secretary, Bob Hoge- Treasurer

Having been involved with the Meadowdale Race facility during its hey day, I have devoted a page to the 50th Anniversary of the now abandoned road course. See page 3 for the memories. The shrinking CTCC Calendar reflects the fact that "T-Bird Season" is fast disappearing! The November 12th Meeting will feature a photo review of the 2009 activities to-date, a Power-Point production by Liz Werth. Also, voting for the BERT EISENHOUR AWARD for 2009 is on the agenda, with the presentation scheduled for the Holiday Party in Dec.

We have learned that long-time member. Pat Giffin, has recently suffered some health issues, but we are happy to report that he is now at home during his recovery.

While the Calendar (page 2) now includes a reminder for CTCI members to plan for the International Convention in June of 2010, it is not too early to start preparing T-Birds for the Concours event! The relatively close proximity of the Convention should encourage a good turnout from our CTCC membership. Check EARLY BIRD for detailed info.

Speaking of 2010, the CTCC Board has decided to eliminate the Spring Tour from our schedule, since the International Convention will attract so many of our members.

Meadowdale Raceway

HALLOWED PAVEMENT

MEADOWDALE RACEWAY
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Meadowdale Motorsports & Memories
See photos for pictures

Following a near rainout in 2008, the event was re-scheduled for Sept. 19, 2009. It was designated as: Inaugural Event September 2009.

In sharp contrast to last year's dismal weather, a picture-perfect day unfolded for this year's celebration! While promotional releases indicated that storied drivers Augie Pabst, Jr., Don Devine and Harry Heuer would be in attendance, we were disappointed to find that Augie could not be there. Don and Harry were kept busy reliving their racing days and signing countless autographs throughout the day. My copy of the Official Entry Form for the May 31-June 1, 1969 race was signed by Don & Harry. (I have donated original Race Forms from two of the 1969 Race Events to the Meadow-dale collection.)

The event drew about 200 vehicles of all types! The display was staged on the actual blacktop that was once the track's main straightaway. There were 4 - T-Birds in the impressive line-up: Gordon Gluff ('56) an Elgin resident ('57), an "M" Sports Roadster and my '57 "E" 'Bird. The Race Cars included two of the legendary Scarabs, a famous Nickey (with the backward "K") Chevrolet Corvette as well as several other vintage racecars.

The track opened in September of 1958, however, a number of factors led to its closing in 1969. While the silo still stands at the west side of Rte. 31 in Carpentersville, only a few sections of the track still survive.

The sounds of powerful engines has long since given way to on eerie silence, broken only by the cries of high-flying birds and the wind rustling through the trees.

It was an unforgettable day as drivers and visitors shared in a salute to the past glories of this once-proud road course. Who can forget the high-banked Monza Wall, Doane's Corner, etc.? For me, the visit brought back memories of when my Inca Gold '57 circled this track for 50 laps! (It was an Economy Run, not a "racing" competition.)

For more information,see: MEADOWDALE RACEWAY.HOMESTEAD.COM

NOTE: IT WAS GREAT TO SEE AL TOURANGEAU, A FORMER CTCC MEMBER, TAKING IN THE SPECTACLE! - Editor