Holiday Party- 2015

2015 - Holiday Party Report

Beautiful weather greeted the fifty-six people who attended the annual Holiday Party at Parkway Banquets in Ingleside.  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 decorated with festive centerpieces and along the wall was a table bearing a lovely "village" scene.  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/hors d'oeuvres hour and the bountiful and delicious buffet dinner, President Ken Smizinski made a few announcements including the winner of the Bert Eisenhour Award - Bert & Jane Eisenhour. The award plaque is filled and is being retired this year. It is fitting that the founder of the Club and his wife be the final recipients. Ken and Kathy Smizinski drew names for the door-prize raffle. Everyone went home with several gifts. In addition to lovely poinsettias donated by the Burhops, included in the raffle gifts were several large, framed reproductions of the Santa picture featured on the last page of the December Bird-News. These were donated by Madeline Zambon who found them in a local store! Good eye and thank you, Madeline!

Many thanks to Ken and Kathy Smizinski for planning the party, obtaining the oil filters and many of the door prizes - including many bottles of wine, to Pete Kramer and his son, Steve, for the Year-In Review show and DVDs, to Liz and Bill Werth for the cookies and to all those who donated items for the door prizes. It was a fun night in a beautiful new venue with good friends. Mark your calendars for next year's party - December 2 at the same banquet facility! Let's hope we have the same terrific weather!

Liz Werth

Fall Tour- 2015

  CTCC Fall Tour October 16-18, 2015

The Thunderbirds were already parked in a row when we arrived at the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 Friday, October 16.  The group already inside included Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Len and Mary Keil, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill, Len and Irene Vinyard, Tom and Judy Bruin, Liz and Bill Werth, Larry and Karen Kelly.  Jerry and Pat Peterson, Bob and Barb Sroka, Bob and Helen Hoge, and Madeline Zambon soon arrived at the Oasis. Madeline parked her Thunderbird Blue retro Bird next to ours, appearing as twins in the parking lot.

After a brief rest/gas stop in Orangeville, Illinois we cruised to our first destination, New Glarus, Wisconsin.  The group had time for antique shopping and downtown sightseeing before lunch at the historic New Glarus Hotel. An addition to the traditional Swiss and German food was Larry, our accordion player. Larry played traditional, sing-along songs.  We sang and clapped, Larry remarked that we were the best audience he had ever had.  Bert and Jane Eisenhour from Iowa City, Iowa arrived as we were finishing lunch.  At that point, we had participants from three states on our tour as Madeline now lives in Indiana.

Our next stop was the Epic Campus in Verona, Wisconsin.  The campus is valued at half a billion dollars.  Epic is the provider of health care software to hospitals and clinics. Kaiser Permanente Health System in California is a major customer.  The Google Model campus has been designed as a themed playground for the employees.  Buildings were interesting, on many levels, and artwork was all over.  The cafeteria featured healthful fare for employees, many of them biking to work.  Computers were accessed in multiple private offices.  Three Epic guides led three separate groups on tours.  After leaving Epic, we checked in at our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express in Verona. Friday night was the Pizza Party in the Badger Room of the Holiday Inn.

Saturday morning after breakfast buffet at the hotel we toured the home of Jim and Marlene Korb in Madison.  Jim has standard gauge and O gauge Lionel model train layouts in multiple rooms on three floors of his home and an even larger layout in the carriage house.  As many as four trains ran simultaneously with lights and whistles on the different layouts which all had scale model buildings and scenery.  Walls were covered with shelves of complete trains.  Marlene Korb had more Hummel figurines than she could count, both large and very small.  The Korbs had lunch for us in their dining room.

Next stop was the New Glarus Brewing Company.  Some toured the brewery, others visited the store on the premises for spotted cow and other beer varieties.  Saturday night we met for dinner at Grays Tied House in Verona.  We sat at a long table in a private dining room.

Sunday morning we cruised 50 miles to Freeport, Illinois to visit the 101 year old historic Union Dairy for great ice cream selections.  Adjacent to the dairy is a park that held one of the Lincoln/ Douglas debates.  We read the plaques with information relative to the event and said our good byes as this was the last stop of the tour.  We left the caravan as we headed south on Interstate 39.  Joel had the repair kit but as far as we know, there were no mechanical hiccups. Thanks to Bob and Helen Hoge for planning and leading the tour.  

 Jim and Jane Wilson

Historic Auto Attractions

Day Trip To Roscoe, IL

One classic Thunderbird and one retro Thunderbird were among the cars that gathered at the Historic Auto Attractions Museum in Roscoe, IL on Saturday, September 19. Nineteen people enjoyed going through the various rooms of the 36,000 sq. foot museum. It truly was a journey through time. In addition to over 75 historic autos, we saw extensive collections of Lincoln and John F. Kennedy artifacts and memorabilia. Some in our group named one area, the "evil room" as everything in it was from horrible times in history. This is a place that needs to be visited multiple times because there is just so much to see. When everyone had finished the walk-through, we caravanned to Sophia's Family Restaurant only a few miles away. We sat at one long table and were served by a very nice waitress. The food was plentiful and delicious. A big thank you to Joe and Barb Esdale for planning this interesting outing. Taking part were: Tom & Judy Bruin, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Joe & Barb Esdale, Gordon Gluff, Gail Hascek, Larry & Karen Kelly, Pete & Marylu Kramer, Jerry & Pat Peterson, Lloyd Schellin, Ken Smizinski and Bill & Liz Werth and Liz's brother, Herb Cook

Liz Werth.

Johnsburg Parade 2015

Suafen und Spiel Parade

The weather was perfect on September 13 for the 43rd Annual Johnsburg Suafen und Spiel Parade. Twenty-five people gathered at the lovely home of Len & Mary Keil to enjoy a light breakfast of bagels, donuts, sweet roll and a Joan Schellin yummy almond cake. There was plenty of time to mingle and remove car tops before heading out to the Parade. Thirteen cars lined up at the entrance of the subdivision to await a police blockade which facilitated easy exit on to a busy road. While the cars were waiting for the Parade to start, the Parade watchers were finding a suitable spot to view everything. Most of the cars carried Johnsburg Village officials and displayed magnetic signs. All cars were given mass quantities of candy to throw along the route. The Parade ended at a field where the cars lined up for display. The Village treated the drivers to liquid refreshments. After meeting up with the Parade watchers, everyone went back to the Keils' for a monstrous buffet lunch of beef sandwiches, sausage and peppers, mostaccioli, salad, chips and several desserts including delicate cookies and a pineapple upside down cake made by Lisa Ekstrom. Some watched football while others just relaxed. Taking part in this year's Parade were: Dan Anderson, Lee & Gina Bakakos, Tom & Judy Bruin, Pete & Lisa Ekstrom, Art Hahl, Bob & Helen Hoge, Len & Mary Keil, Dean & Beth Molburg (Keils' neighbors - driving a Chevy SSR), Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len Vinyard, Bill & Liz Werth, Jim Wilson and Madeline Zambon. A huge thank you to Len & Mary for coordinating and hosting this event for the fourth year!

Liz Werth

Westmont- 2015

Westmont Cruise Night

It was a beautiful July evening for the Westmont Cruise Night. The theme for the night was Vettes vs.T-birds. Though we were out numbered by the Vettes, the T-birds drew the most crowds and attention.  This year Westmont closed off 3 blocks of Cass Avenue for the show and had two bands playing at each end. There were various vendors set up along the route selling anything from toy cars to popcorn and ice cream cones.  Westmont also allowed people to have drinks out in the street providing you had a wrist band and a plastic cup.  With our restaurant J Fleming across from where we parked, club members were able to get a drink and go out and mingle around their cars  At 6pm, we gathered on the patio of J Fleming Absolutely Delicious for dinner and more conversation.  Joining us for dinner was Tom & Judy Bruin, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Joe & Barb Easdale, Joel Greenberg, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Gail Hascek , Raleigh Kean,  Larry & Karen Kelly, Ron Pavlak, Len & Irene Vinyard, Liz & Bill Werth and Jim & Jane Wilson.  Afterwards, everyone strolled up and down Cass Avenue to view all the  cars on display and then returned to converse by their cars.

For the cruise night there were 14 t-birds on display, 2 retro and 12 baby birds.  Thank you to all who came out for the Vettes vs. T-Bird cruise night.        

  ----- Laura Cielenski

Motor Row Tour

            MOTOR ROW

July 11, 2015: The morning was a bit warm and a little hazy but still a great summer day to take a walking tour of the Landmark Motor Row Historic District.  Eighteen CTCC members gathered at 2222 S. Michigan Avenue for a tour arranged by Annie Luginbill and Joel Greenberg through the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

While we waited for the tour to begin, Ken Smizinski recalled a trip to Motor Row in 1989 to a now bygone speedometer store.  He was told of a 1955 T-bird on the second floor.  The shop was perplexed at the time as to how to remove the Thunderbird.  Ken wondered what became of the 1955 baby, or, even he was told a true story.

Our docent from CAF, Dan Lempa, a car guy himself, (evidenced by his woody print shirt) actually researched and co-wrote the tour he was about to lead us on.  He explained that Chicagos Motor Row is recognized as an official Historic Landmark District so the beautiful and architecturally significant facades will remain for future generations.  Dan told us the first automobile dealership in the area, the Locomobile, was located at 14^th Street and Michigan Ave. and that over 100 automobile manufacturers and dealers established themselves on Michigan Ave. between 14^th and 24^th streets during the very early years of the 20^th century.

Our walk took us a little north and then a couple blocks south to hear the history of the buildings where Chicagoans once shopped for their autos.  Many significant buildings in a variety of architectural styles remain, including the Hudson building and the Marmon.  Their ornate facades definitely remind one of the movie palaces of the period.  Ford, Thomas Flyer, FIAT, Auburn and Cord, Cadillac and more all had dealerships designed by some of the most prominent architects of the time.  Holabird and Roche, Alfred Alschuler and Philip Maher found the automotive industry a lucrative source of commissions.

Most of the decorative building fronts we saw belied the massive structures behind as they were not only show rooms, but factories and repair shops, too.  And all had elevators to accommodate the vehicles.

Dan certainly knew his history!  Having such a knowledgeable guide and one with such enthusiasm for the subject made the hour and a half tour so much more fun.  He carried a binder to show pictures, advertisements and renderings of some of the vehicles found at Motor Row.

 

As we walked back to our cars at the conclusion of the tour, we all stopped in a building that is now a gallery to catch a glimpse of yesteryear at Dans suggestion.  Ken asked a couple people inside and found that there indeed there was a 1955 T-Bird and it was now housed in a back garage!

We then drove to Mannys Deli for an ample lunch.  The half sandwich could be almost enough for two.  However this reporter was really disappointed in the potato pancake. (Just an FYI)

Thank you Joel and Annie for a fun and informative morning.

The CAF website lists and describes other tours of Chicago and its neighborhoods.  Maybe something to fill your summer days!

Our members who participated:  Bob & Pam DeLucas, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Larry & Karen Kelly, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken Smizinski, Len Vinyard, Bob & Barb Sroka, Bob & Sue Wenderski, Bill & Liz Werth, and Jim & Jane Wilson.

Here is some Chicago Automotive Trivia;

First auto on Chicago streets: 1892

First auto dealership:  1899 Oldsmobile at 239 S. Wabash

First Ford dealership outside Detroit:  1444 S. Michigan Ave.

Americas First Automobile Race held in 1895 and started in Jackson Park.  It went to Evanston and back for a 52-mile round trip. It took just less than 8 hours and averaged 6.7 mph.

Karen Kelly

Spring Tour- 2015

Spring Tour to Kokomo, Indiana

May Day brought everyone together at the McDonald's in Glen Ellyn for the start of the Spring Tour to Indiana.  As we headed out for our weekend adventure our caravan consisted of 16 cars of which there were 11 baby birds, 4 retro birds and a Ford Escape.

We arrived at Fair Oaks Dairy around 11 am and headed to the birthing barn to watch a baby calf being born.  After the birth, we hopped onto the Dairy Bus to see the inner workings of the Dairy. We rode thru the areas were the cows are housed and fed and also by the baby calves. We then went into the milking area and watched how the cows were loaded onto a carousal type system, prepped,  hooked up to be milked and then unloaded. The Tour Guide explained the whole milking process that went on at the dairy. He said that the milking process goes on almost 24 hours a day with only a few breaks. The Dairy can milk 72 cows every 8 minutes. The guide mentioned that the milk is shipped out raw to be processed. They ship the milk to Southern Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and a few other Southern States.  Kroger is the main chain that takes in the raw milk , processes it and then ships to their stores.

After the  Dairy Tour, we had lunch in the Dairy Cafe before our next tour. The Pig Adventure was next, so we rode on the bus to the Pig Farm.  After gathering in the visitors center, we were able to walk through the enclosed corridors of the Pig Barns. The Pig Farm consisted of three state of the art enclosed barns,  all of which you could view from above. There was the "Gestation Barn" where you could watch the pigs grow, learn how to eat out of the electronic feeding system and see how they perform modern day practices of impregnation on the female pigs. The "Farrowing Barn" was where the birthing process happened and where all the lil piglets were. The "Growing Barn" housed the 4-week old piglets to the adult pigs.  While we were there we were able to see a 2 hour old piglet and ask the handler questions about the piglet and the birthing process.  We were told that the  Pig Farm currently houses over 9000 pigs but that number keeps growing as more piglets were born.

When our Pig Tour ended, we headed to the Holiday Inn Express in Kokomo to check in and relax a bit. We gathered in the Hospitality Suite for Pizza, Snacks, Drinks and Conversation. During our time in the Hospitality Suite, Tom Bruin talked about the events for the Derby Party on Saturday. He also mentioned that those who chose, could participate in a $2 bet for win/place/draw for The Kentucky Derby race. Ken Smizinski reminded everyone about the upcoming Eddie Cash Show and Joel Greenberg talked about the Motor Row Tour in July. During the evening, Larry Kelly provided music for everyone, some of the ladies got up and danced and sang with the tunes.

Saturday Morning brought most of us together for the complimentary breakfast. Larry Kelly was very happy to see the hotel had a pancake machine, which Larry had mastered very well at another hotel on one of the other tours.  After breakfast we headed to the Kokomo Auto Museum to see the vintage cars on display. The cars in the museum are actually being stored by their owners and are on display, unless the owner chooses to use the car. The Auto Museum also had a Ford Thunderbird Display in the one corner. After the museum we had a few hours on our own before the Derby Party. Some members traveled back to the hotel, while others toured Kokomo, visited a museum, went to the flea market or had lunch.

The Derby Party brought out the finest of Derby Hats custom made by the ladies. Everyone enjoyed Mint Juleps, other refreshments and snacks. Tom Bruin hosted a pin the tail on the Race Horse Contest.  There were three contestants up at a time. Each was blind folded and wore a horse head hat. They were twirled three times and then let go to trot over to the board and pin the tail on the horse. Each contestants horse tail was measured  from where it was placed to where it was suppose to be placed.  After all of the rounds, the closest measured tail was the winner. Lloyd Schellin and Larry Kelly tied for second.  A run off was held, where Larry and Lloyd both were blind folded and had to trot over to the board, find a tail and then try and place it in it's appropriate spot. The winners of the game were:  1st Place: Jerry Michna, 2nd Place Larry Kelly and 3rd Place Lloyd Schellin.

While we waited for the Kentucky Derby Race to start, the ladies danced to 50's & 60's music as others mingled. When the race was over, the winner of The Kentucky Derby also produced 13 winners for our derby win, place and draw. Dinner that evening was at the Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery and then the remainder of the evening was back at the hospitality room.  Mary and Len Keil popped open a magnum size bottle of white wine they had received from former member Doug Rogers. Everyone took a glass of wine and we all toasted in honor of Doug Rogers.

Sunday as we packed and checked out, we all headed to Monon, Indiana to see the Railway Museum. The Museum also had set up a buffet lunch for us back in the main part of the museum. During lunch, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Mike Cielenski, who was celebrating his 40th Birthday that day. After lunch,  we finished browsing around the museum both inside and out and then departed to head home. Ending another fabulous Spring Tour.

A big Thank You goes out to Liz & Bill Werth for coordinating a fun filled Spring Tour!  Thanks Liz for being a great tour leader.

This year's Spring Tour participants were: Lee Bakakos, Tom & Judy Bruin, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Bob & Helen Hoge, Mary & Len Keil, Larry & Karen Kelly, Ed Levin &Rose Kovalenko, Jerry & Doreen Michna, Jerry & Pat Peterson, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len & Irene Vinyard, Bill & Liz Werth and Jim & Jane Wilson.

Respectfully Submitted by,

Laura Cielenski

2015 Tech Session

2015 CTCC Tech Session  April 18, 2015

29 CTCC members gathered at the home and garage of Joe Esdale in Highland Park.  As we gathered and enjoyed coffee and rolls we admired four of Joes collector vehicles. Parked outside was a 60 Willys forward control V-6 pickup and a 48 Diamond T pickup, of which only 2,500 were made from 1041-49, with many of them going to the military for WWII. Inside the garage our host had a 57 Lincoln Mark II as well as his red 57 Thunderbird.

Ken began the Tech part of the session. Fifty cases of Accel Motor Oil with lead additive are in and ready to be picked up.  Ken discussed the headlight switch.  The dashboard lights work with a rheostat which becomes oxidized causing them not to work.  A fix for this involves using a thermal connector, available at NAPA, which makes the dash lights bright all the time.  There is a button on the bottom of the light switch;  press down, pull the shaft out, and remove the bezel, to hook up the connector.

Kens next topic was the bellcrank linkage which is crucial on cars with automatic transmissions.  The linkage is on the driver side of the engine toward the rear.  The bellcrank wears out and the transmission will not shift or shifts at the wrong RPM.  Later cars rely on vacuum pressure but with the early Birds it is all mechanical linkage.  There is a spring that wears out and causes the shaft to go up, which does not pull the linkage to the carburetor.  The spring is available from T-Bird parts suppliers, 9736 Throttle Spring F/M Kickdown 55/57.  Replacing this spring solves 90% of shifting problems with the bellcrank.  If the spring breaks, a temporary fix is a 3/8 bolt which can be used to keep the shaft from moving.  Wear causes play in the slot on the linkage.   The bellcrank needs resistance to operate.  The 55 bellcrank is available from parts suppliers, but the 56 and 57 is not.  This is the most important part of the shifting mechanism.

Proper adjustment of the gas pedal was the next topic. The clearance on a 55 or 56 should be 4 1/4 inch height while a 57 is  4 7/8  This is the proper travel for the pedal to move.  The kickdown rod is another adjustment,  there is a locking nut that can be turned out or in.  The automatic choke should be open, with the car at operating temperature.  Pull out the cotter pin and extend one revolution out or in. The transmission should shift at 26-28 mph.  There are metering screws to affect the idle in gear.  The car should idle at least 800 rpm. or the generator will not charge.  With a 6 volt electrical system, especially, idling  the car at 550-600 rpm. will discharge the battery.  The harmonic balancer can slide back from age and rub the motor mounts.  There is a specialized tool to remove the harmonic balancer.

Ken opined that aftermarket carburetors are not worth rebuilding and Holley will charge $600-800 to rebuild.  At the conclusion of Kens presentation we went outside for group photos and saw Joes 62 Jeep Wagoneer engine running in the bed of the Willys pickup

.

Heading down the basement we viewed Joes radio collection.  We heard Victor Borge on a professional reel to reel recorder and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in The Caddy on a vintage Bell and Howell recorder.  Joe played a recording of the San Fillipo pipe organ on speakers from the late 50s weighing 300 lbs. He had a 46 Wurlitzer juke box that bubbled when warmed up.  Telefunken U-47 microphones and a McIntosh amplifier were from the late 50s.

We next drove to Bacchus Nibbles in Lake Zurich for a lunch of Italian specialties and sandwiches.  Lunch was followed by a visit to Phil Derrigs  sign and car collection in Barrington.  Phil reproduces vintage looking gas station signs in his work barn.  He had a 40 Ford Woody  station wagon,  a 1990 Allard, two recent vintage Morgans, a 62 Jaguar Mark V, 94 and 95 V-12 Jaguars, a retro looking MG on a Pontiac 2000 chassis, a one-off 1903 Baker powered by a Briggs and Stratton engine, and a 90 Chrysler TC by Maserati of which only 1,500 were made from 1989-91.

 Jim Wilson   

In Memoriam

It is with a deep sense of loss that we record the untimely passing of Doug Rogers on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

Doug and Soon Hee joined CTCC in July of 2004 and they soon became active in Club activities. In addition to serving as CTCC Treasurer for several years, Doug compiled a comprehensive Guide Book for members to use in organizing and hosting Club Tours. The publication also included guide lines to follow in leading caravans. Additionally, he and Soon Hee hosted several Club events in their home.

Doug was very proud to show off his beautiful Yellow 1956 Thunderbird and he enjoyed participating in the Annual Johnsburg, IL Parade, as well as Cruise Nights throughout the area.

The CTCC Board, Directors and membership extend their heartfelt sympathy to Soon Hee and her family as we share in their loss.

President's Report

Once in awhile, someone comes along who just naturally makes everyone feel just a little happier. Doug Rogers was that someone. Kathy and I join all of you in expressing our deepest sympathy to Soon Hee and her children during this most difficult time. Doug will be profoundly missed.

The fairly mild weather in January did not prepare us for the arctic cold blasts we have been experiencing recently. I trust that each of you has stayed warm and safe. I know many of you escaped to warmer  places!

Meanwhile, those who remained in town enjoyed free pizza and pop at the February Membership Meeting, where we gave preliminary acceptance of the 2015 budget. Our March meeting will include formal approval of the budget and election of three Directors. We also will have a presentation by Mitch Frumkin about prototypes and one-offs. I encourage you to bring friends and family members to this meeting. Remember to arrive early to enjoy dinner and socializing before the meeting and presentation.

Our driving season starts with the April 18 Tech Session,this year at the home of Joe and Barb Esdale. Also on April 18,the ladies will meet at Judy Bruin's home to assemble their hats for the Spring Tour Derby Party.

Bill and Liz Werth have finalized plans for the May 1-3 Spring Tour and I encourage you to reserve your hotel room now and to send your Tour reservation form and check to Liz as soon as possible.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on an outing to have lunch and see The Eddie Cash Show on June 7. We certainly enjoyed his show last year and he promises a completely different show this time! Let's fill the place up!

The calendar is filling in, but there is always room for more activities, so if you have an idea for an outing, let me know! Here's hoping we have an early spring so we can begin to enjoy  driving our Thunderbirds again.   I look forward to seeing each of you at meetings, events and car shows throughout the year.

Ken Smizinski, President

Pizza Party 2015

Pizza Party

Half of a banquet room was more than adequate space for the thirty-four people who signed in for the Annual Pizza Party at Pop's Pizza and Sports Bar in Roselle on February 15. Ken Smizinski conducted a short meeting before the arrival of the delicious pizzas. Highlighted during the meeting were the proposed 2015 Budget and many upcoming events including the March meeting at Fuddruckers, the April Tech Session and concurrent hat making session, the Spring Tour, the Eddie Cash Show outing, and the balance of summer and fall activities. The group sang "Happy Birthday" to several members. Pete Kramer announced that he has extra Year-In-Review DVDs for those who were not at the Christmas Party. Liz Werth thanked the group for their generous donations of personal care items to the PRC Food Pantry. The members then enjoyed pizza, drinks, mini cupcakes (thank you Marylu) and each other's company. 

Liz Werth

Dudes & Divas- 2015

We had nice weather and a great turnout on January 16 for the annual Dudes 'n' Divas Dinner at Palm Court Restaurant in Arlington Heights. Thirty-six people enjoyed the ambiance of a "private" room. Tom Bruin supplied red wine for the tables. Those with January birthdays wore hats or crowns and the group sang to them. The Board gave each lady a pink rose which Pete and Marylu Kramer distributed at the end of the meal. Once again, this was a terrific way to shake off the post-holiday doldrums and get together with great friends. Thank you to Ken and Kathy Smizinski for planning it.

In attendance were: Lee & Gina Bakakos, Bill & Jane Balogh, Tom & Judy Bruin, Laura & Mike Cielenski, Joe & Barb Esdale, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Gail Hascek, Larry & Karen Kelly, Len & Mary Keil, Pete & Marylu Kramer, Ed Levin & Rose Kovalenko, Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia, Debbie Powless, Doug & Soon Rogers, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Bob & Barb Sroka, Liz & Bill Werth, Jim & Jane Wilson.