IN MEMORIAM

Alden R "Gib" Giberson
Jan. 1, 1926- Oct. 2, 2010

Mr. Alden R. Giberson, age 84 of Newaygo, passed away on October 2, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 1,1926 to Edgar and Etta Mae (Thomas) Giberson and is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Donna (Hardacre), son Kurt (Heather) Giberson of Newaygo, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Alden, known to all as "Gib," was a long-time resident of Dearborn, Michigan. He retired from the Ford Motor Company in 1976, where he worked as an automotive designer and manager. Gib was well known for having named the Thunderbird car in the early 1950's and he was a member of the Thunderbird Hall of Fame. He also played an important role in the design of many iconic Ford cars of the 1950-1970's, including the 1967-1971 Mustangs and many of the Thunderbirds.

HOLIDAY PARTY

Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland

HOLIDAY PARTY

Saturday, December 11,2010
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
Roasf 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 $27 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.

CTCC VISITS HISTORIC CEDARBURG

CTCC VISITS HISTORIC CEDARBURG

Sometimes the weather does cooperate with our tours, but Mother Nature really outdid herself on Sunday, Oct. 17th as 28 T-Bird members met at the Lake Forest Oasis for a tour to Historic Cedarburg, Wis. After a light snack we were on the road arriving in Cedarburg just before noon. A group of 21 hungry T-Birders dexcended on the almost empty Morton's for "LUNCH"; the "appetizer" - in a glass- was enjoyed by almost everyone before lunch was served. The Hasceks and Eisenhours discovered the Anvil Pub & Grille that up until 3 years ago was a working blacksmith shop. Ohters went right to shopping. Annie Luginbill was seen hitting all the bead and craft shops. Gail and Laura Hascek & Mike and Mary Keil purchased tickets for the wine tour and tasting. They discovered the building was built before the Civil War and was a working woolen mill until the 1960's. The introduction of synthetic fabrics and rising costs closed the doors. In the 1970s the building was sold and that is when it became a winery. The thick stone basement walls keep temperatures perfect for storing wine.

Photo caption- The Anvil Pub & Grille- Modern Fare in an olde world setting

After tasting ALL the wines in the store, someone had to back up his SUV to pick up the purchases. The Morton group then descended upon the shops. While the ladies enjoyed the chocolate. coffee, craft, kitchen and antique shops, the men relaxed on the benches along Main Street, solving world problems and enjoying the balmy weather. Cedarburg and Morton's are usually very crowded in the fall. This year we found a minimal amount of people, so we are sure that the businesses appreciated our group's visit.

There were 8 Classic 'Birds, 3 Retro 'Birds, a '46 Ford Street Rod (Balogh's) and 2 other vehicles.

Attendees were: Bill & Jane Balogh, Bert & Jane Eisenhour, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Gail Hascek, Laura Hascek & Mike Cielinski, Bob & Helen Hoge, Larry Johnson & Sue L'Hommedieu, Larry & Karen Kelly. Len & Mary Keil. Pete & Marylu Kramer, Dan Mrozek & Judy Butler, Doug & Soon Yee Rogers, Ken Smizinski, Bill & Bonnie Thelen, Len & Irene Vinyard.

By: Mary Keil

Washington Island Tour Report

WASHINGTON ISLAND TOUR REPORT

After a delicious breakfast at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, five "Little 'Birds' departed for Northport Pier to catch the ferry that would take us to Washington Island. Before boarding, a couple of guys decided that they needed a snack for the long six-mile trek across Lake Michigan. The air was brisk, but we enjoyed a pleasant ride to Washington Island. Once there, we met Janet who would be our tour guide on the Cherry Train. She didn't know how lively nine T-Birders could be! Our first unscheduled stop on our adventure was the Red Cup. Their wide assortment of delicious coffee, teas, and hot chocolate was a hit for all on the Cherry Train. Tom graciously treated Janet to her favorite cup of coffee.

We began our tour at the Double K-W Ostrich & Exotic Animal Farm. We were given information about the characteristics of an ostrich and all had a chance to hold an ostrich egg that was quite large. Animals on the premises included a camel, a bear, a potbelly pig, and some other animals as well. All visitors have a chance to purchase an ostrich stick (resembles beef jerky) as they leave.

Our next stop was the Schoolhouse Beach with its distinctive all-white limestone rocks that are totally smooth. One can enjoy this unique beach along with the crystal clear water of Lake Michigan. Just don't try to remove these precious stones-a fine of $250 for each rock taken!
Our journey continued on to the Washington Island Farm Museum that was founded for the enjoyment and education about farm life on the island. Some of the original six buildings include a log cabin, blacksmith shop, weaving shed, and sawmill. Very old farm machinery and primitive hand tools were displayed in an old barn. The farm sits on three acres and there are also some live animals on the premises. The final stop on our tour was visiting Stavkirke (Church of Staves). It was designed to look like one built in Borgund, Norway in 1150. This is a very unique church of Scandinavian heritage that was built and constructed by craftsmen under the guidance of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Services are held here each Wednesday evening during the summer. The prayer path, or walkway, to the church consisted of all wooden planks.
We were running a few minutes behind our scheduled time to return, but the ferry waited for the Cherry Train to return to the port before departing. Jokingly, they told us "It was time for us to leave!"

Those on the tour were Len and Mary Keil, Tom and Judy Bruin, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Bob Sroka and Lloyd and Joan Schellin.

Joan Schellin

CTCC FALL TOUR- 2010

T-Birds in Door County - CTCC FALL TOUR

A bright, almost fall day greeted 15 baby 'Birds, 1 retro 'Bird and 2 serviceable vehicles for our Fall Tour: Destination Door County. MaryLu and Pete Kramer met 14 cars at the Lake Forest Oasis. Four of our flock would meet the caravan as it passed Highway 5O.

Our information packets contained a spiral binder with a really clever cover and a bookmark hand crafted by MaryLu. I hope Bert is able to include the cover in the Bird-News. The Kramers certainly outdid themselves!

We drove to Manitowoc for our obligatory Culver's lunch and then on to Green Bay and our tour of Lambeau Field. As we were escorted through the stadium, a very nice gentleman told of the history and founding of the Packers and explained their unique operation as the only NFL team without a single owner. We sat in one of the skyboxes as we learned more of the Packers and viewed the field from the prestigious space. Did you know their field is "sewn" together? Well, it is. Ask any of us and we'll be happy to pass along some Packer facts interesting even to Bears fans. We also got to enter the field through the tunnel the Packers use, complete with game day audio to enhance our experience and see the stadium from the end zone. The Lambeau Leap isn't as high as it looks on TV but, alas, visitors are forbidden from trying it as some knucklehead injured himself during a failed attempt. (Probably a Packer fan.)

Our drive was sunny and uneventful until we arrived at the unique garden shop, The Flying Pig. The power brakes on the Ekstoms' '56 had an issue. Ken analyzed the situation and disconnected the errant brake.

After arriving and checking in at The Landmark Resort, Ken and several others went to work on Pete's car while Larry and I went to get supplies for the hospitality suite. We unloaded our purchases with the help of a luggage cart. As Larry parked our car, a cry came from the group of mechanics: "GET BEER!"

In the hospitality suite we sipped wine, beer and other beverages, snacked and thought 'how are we going to fix Pete's car?' Ah hah! Bob Wenderski and Gary Smithe were driving Gary's retro 'Bird to meet Sue, Debbie and the group the next day. Sue called Bob, Ken explained the situation to Bob and they were able to find the needed parts and deliver them late Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, Ken and his able assistants went to work. Problem solved.

Saturday we caravanned to Bailey's Harbor, on the Lake Michigan side, to enjoy their Autumn Fest and antique car show. As we viewed the car show, we all realized something was missing: cars. About ten of us decided to enter the show. We looked like the Cavalry as the baby 'Birds swooped into the lot to add a little needed pizzazz. Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill took home a second place trophy! The rest of the day was spent individually driving Door County, gathering answers to questions for our poker run. That evening, we had a delightful dinner at The English Inn, then back to the hospitality suite.

Sunday morning, most of the group drove to Sister Bay for breakfast at Al Johnson's, famous for their Swedish pancakes and goats on the roof. We were all on our own to tour the towns as we wished. Some shopped, some went to the pro shop of Bay Bridge golf course to watch the Bears game (the closet or closed Bears Fan Club), and some took the ferry to Washington Island. I believe it's just a rumor that Washington Island has started to pre-screen its tourists and has no relation to our group's visit.

Sunday evening two trolleys picked up our group for our Tour of Haunted Door County. We went into a haunted house and visited other sites where sightings and paranormal activity have occurred. The only "strange" occurrence experienced was a bunch of grown people singing "Ghost Busters". However, the next day, skeptic Larry Kelly discovered the date on his watch had moved forward two days and the Kramers viewed a photo on their camera that wasn't the same as when they snapped it. (Insert eerie music here.)

Monday morning sunshine escorted us to Villagios Restaurant for a private omelet breakfast. Pete Kramer announced the awards for the poker run. The Vinyard's came in third, new members Jerry and Doreen Michna took second and the winning hand was dealt to Dan Mrozek and Judy Butler. After our group photo, we headed south after a truly fun weekend. Thank you , Pete and MaryLu for showing us Door County!

- Karen Kelly

ON-THE-SCENE: Tom & Judy Bruin, Pete & Lisa Ekstrom, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Maryann Graziano & Paul Ureche, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Len & Mary Keil, Larry & Karen Kelly, Sandy & Joe Kraatz, Pete & MaryLu Kramer, Jerry & Doreen Michna, Dan Mrozek & Judy Butler, Jerry & Pat Peterson, Joan & Lloyd Schellin, Gary & Debbie Smithe, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Bob Sroka, Dan Tinder & Susan DeSantis, Len & Irene Vinyard, Bob & Sue Wenderski. »

Side Note- The flock of T-Birds that entered the car show at Bailey's Harbor did, as Karen accurately describes, add a new dynamic to the show. The organizers of the show decided to award one of the 'Birds a trophy in appreciation of the spontaneous participation. All the registration forms were put into a hat (all deserving of an award) and Joel and Annie's car was drawn. It is on behalf of all the birds that participated that we will be the care taker for this trophy.