Young Frankenstein

CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB of CHICAGOLAND

CLUB WINTER RESPITE -   YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Our Club had a great time going to the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook on Sunday, January 26th. It was a cold overcast winter day, but thankfully, no snow. What else would a day in the Chicagoland area be at the end of January? To uplift our spirits, it was the perfect day to venture out and be with our fellow Thunderbird friends.

We were anxious to start out the late morning with a Bloody Mary, but regrettably, the bar wouldn't be open until noon — not to fear, after a little discussion with management, they opened the bar early for us and we all enjoyed the libations.

We were ready for the ensuing lunch and were seated in a private area of their dining room. The crystal chandeliers that abound throughout were as awesome as the sparkling white linen on the tables. Lunch was served starting out with a crispy garden salad, along with warm rolls and butter.

The entrees were a choice of Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy, and Salmon Filet with a Lernon Sauce. All were joined by herb roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables. Carrot cake was served for dessert, along with coffee.

After lunch we found our way into the theatre, which was only steps away. The theatre is a world class, proscenium style, sound-perfect auditorium that seats around 900 — and really not a bad seat in the house! The writer here, seated in the handicapped section that was the last row, had a great view of the stage!

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a funny story and the re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend based on Mel Brooks' classic comedy masterpiece; it was hailed by the American Film Institute as one of the funniest movies of all time. The story follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein as he attempts to complete his grandfather's masterwork, and bring a corpse to life together with his hunchback, but endearing helper Igor, and his curvaceous lab assistant Inga. Dr. Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster, but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications. This play had us all laughing for two hours straight. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all of us, and a nice break from the winter doldrums.

Those who attended were: Gail Hascek, Lorry and Karen Kelly, Len and Mary Keil, Pete and Marylu Kramer, Steve and Allison Kramer, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko, Jerry and Doreen Michna, Gary and Debbie Smithe, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Len and Irene Vinyard, Bob and Sue Wenderski, Liz and Bill Werth, Tom and Alice Wolfe.

 - Pete and Marylu Kramer

June Outing- White Fence Farm

In honor of 60 on 66 our June Event will be held at the

White Fence Farm

1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville

Sunday, June 22nd - 1pm

Dust off the birds and fly on down for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. We will have an area in the parking lot to park our birds and then congregate for Lunch and a Brief Meeting.

Come enjoy their Famous Chicken and Corn Fritters (or anything else you might have a hankering for). Also, view all the antiques, the antique auto collection and petting zoo


Please R.S.V.P. to Mike or Laura Cielenski by June 14th.

2014 Spring Fling Activities

2014 "Spring Fling" in Springfield, Illinois 

 Hosted by the Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland

IMPORTANT ITINERARY ANNOUNCEMENT 

Hello Everyone -
We have finalized the group events for our tour event to Springfield, Illinois. Attendance is your option, but we ask that if you do plan to attend, please complete the reservation form that follows, clip it and return it to us with your payment. We need all payments in advance and these reservation forms and payments need to be returned to us by April 15th (hey...you can mail your reservation form and tax returns on the same day!!!!)

                                                                                                   # Attending  Price Each  Total

Registration Fee    $10.00 per person                                            _____ x $10.00 ______
Friday 5/2/2014 Lincoln's New Salem $4.00 per person                    _____ x $4.00   _______
Saturday 5/3/2014 Lincoln's Tomb $4.00 per person                    _____ x $4.00   _______
Sunday 5/4/2014 Lincoln Library and Museum   $7.00 per person    _____ x $7.00    ___
(Optional Movie Sets at the museum $3.00 Add'l)                            _____ x $3.00   ___
Group Banquet-Saturday Night 5/3   $43.00 per person                    _____ x $43.00____
Please indicate your choice of entree (for you and spouse or co-traveler): New York Strip ___  Salmon__

Your Name: ___________________________________________
Spouse/Co-Traveler: ____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________
Home Phone:__________________________________________
Cell Phone: ___________________________________________
Email Address:_________________________________________

Please return this form with your payment
(MADE PAYABLE to "Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland ") to Len and Mary Keil,

In addition to these organized activities, there a number of other side-trips that you may find interesting, including the old Illinois State House museum ($4.00 pp), the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Illinois Air Combat Museum, a visit to Cozy Dog, "inventor" of the corn dog, and much more! We have left of plenty of free time in the weekend schedule for you to explore on your own.

LADIES-  SPECIAL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE BEST  'DERBY' DAY HATS

Pizza Party and Meeting- 2/16/2014

Sunday, February 16 was a bright, sunny day, fortunately between snow storms.

As 42 CTCC members gathered at Aurelio's Pizza in Addison for our annual Pizza Party and Membership Meeting. Ken Smizinski urged everyone to take a seat as numerous varieties of pizza were placed on a serving table.

 At each place was a blank entry form for one of three door prizes provided by Madeline Zambon. Club members who had donated toiletries for the People's Food Pantry were instructed to write their name on the paper and place it in the bag beside the prize of their choice.

After four groups of hungry Thunderbirders had filled their plates, the membership meeting began. Copies of the 2014 CTCC Budget for 2014 prepared by Tom Bruin were passed out. Ken then explained the calendar of events planned for 2014.

 Drawings were held for the door prizes. Ron Pavlak took home a l/50th scale model of a yellow '55 Thunderbird, Bud Kryszak a Thunderbird watch, and Rose Kovalenko a 1:18 scale model of a red 2002 retro 'Bird complete with hard top.

 We finished up the last of the pizzas, pitchers of Pepsi, and Slice and said our goodbyes until the next meeting on March 16.

By Jim Wilson

Riverview Park

RIVERVIEW PARK

Do you remember Riverview Park? Or do you remember hearing about Riverview Park?
Does thinking about the Shoot-the-Chutes, the Bobs, the Pair-O-Chutes, Aladdin's Castle,the Double Whirl Ride, the Aero-Stat, the White Flyer Roller Coaster or the Flying Turns bring back fond memories - or raise your curiosity?

CTCC members and their friends and family are invited to a special event on Sunday, March 16th at 2 PM at: Fuddruckers, 436 East Golf Road, Schaumburg, to reminisce about Riverview. Ralph Lopez, a former manager of the 22 man crew on the Shoot-the-Chutes ride, who now devotes himself to keeping memories of Riverview alive, will give us a presentation about the Park and its history.

Dudes and Divas Dinner

CTCC DUDES AND DIVAS DINNER

The deep freeze of earlier in the week gave way to rain on January 10. Twenty-nine CTCCers navigated the parking lot lake to gather and enjoy a delightful Dudes and Divas Dinner at the Palm Court, We were seated at five tables in our usual semi-private room and received excellent service. The conversations and jokes were lively and the food was delicious. Thank you. Ken and Kathy, for once again planning a terrific winter outing.

Attendees included Lee & Gina Bakakos, Tom & Judy Bruin, Joe & Barb Esdale, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Gail Hascek, Larry & Karen Kelly, Ed Levin & Rose Kovalenko. Pete & Marylu Kramer, Jerry & Doreen Michna, Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia, Doug & Soon Hee Rogers, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Bob & Barb Sroka, Bill & Liz Werth,

- Liz Werth

President's Report 2-14

PRESIDENTS REPORT

Hello Members-

WITH TEMPS REACHING 16 DEGREES Below, it is hard to think about out Thunderbirds. But with warm weather right around the comer (WE HOPE), the season is already set with the  Annual Tech Session. It will be held on April 26th.  Bob Wenderski has put together a great program, This will be a "dust off" as the Spring Tour to Springfield, IL will be the following weekend (May 2-5). Len and Mary Keil have put in a lot hard work and planning, including inviting clubs from around the country.

Also, don't forget about March16'" at Fuddruckers for the presentation on Chicago's famous Riverview
Amusement  Park. This program is open to your family and friends, at no charge. So, make a day of it
and start with lunch at Fuddruckers.

- Ken Smizinski

2013 Holiday Party

2013 Holiday Party  Report

Sixty-three people attended the annual Holiday Party at Chandler's Chop House, This year we were upstairs in a spacious room and were seated at tables of eight. Most guests received the annual "change your oil" reminder filters while some of those without cars received appropriate favors. Everyone received a copy of the "Year In Review" DVD. As usual, the tables were set with T-Bird centerpieces along with mini-candy bars personalized with "CTCC" At each place was a handmade Thunderbird cookie, purchased to benefit the People's Resource Center/Food Pantry, to which the club members have generously donated for the past few years.

Following the cocktail hour and delicious dinner, the group sang Happy Birthday to various members. President, Ken Srnizinski, made a few announcements and Len Keil talked about the 2014 Spring Tour, Ken announced the winners of the Bert Eisenhour Award - Pete and Marylu Kramer. Ken Srnizinski 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 Pete Kramer and his son, Steve, for the Year-ln Review show and DVDs, to Liz and Bill Werth for the cookies, centerpieces and candy, and to all those who donated items for the door prizes As always, it was a fun night in a nice venue.

- Liz Werth

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

PRESIDENT'S   REPORT

As the Holiday Party draws near, we close
another great T-Bird year, and award a
member for  outstanding service to  our club.
This year's nominee for the Bert Eisenhour
Award is Pete Kramer. Pete has stepped
down as President, but he is still very active
in the operation of CTCC. He and his family
have done a lot for the members of our club.

We are looking forward to another great year.
We are going to start our year with the Dudes
and Divas Dinner in the early part of January.
Pete and Marylu have put together a Drury Lane
Brunch and Young Frankenstein performance at
the end of January.

Our Pizza Party has a new location, and it will be
on a Sunday afternoon, making if easier for our
members to attend.

Our March meeting will also be on a Sunday afternoon.
We will have a presentation on Chicago's Famous
Riverview. This meeting is open to members, along
with their family and  friends, so watch your  BIRD-NEWS  
for details.
.
Enjoy your T-Bird and have a great year with CTCC.

Ken Smizinski, President

P.S. Remember to mark your calendars for  the CTCC
Spring Fling in Springfield, Illinois.  May 2-5, 2014.

This is an open invitation to T-Birders from around the
country. And it looks to be a fun, fun, fun, weekend.
Call Len Keil for details-(815) 759-8763

Havencrest Castle

BOB AND HELEN HOGES ONE-DAY OUTING REPORT
BY ANNIE LUGINBILL

Outing Date: October 27, 2013

Destination: Havencrest Castle, Savanna (Illinois, not Savannah, Georgia, sillies!)

Details: A group of CTCC folks including Tom and Judy Bruin, Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill, Len and Mary Keil, Larry and Karen Kelly, Jerry and Doreen Michna (accompanied by Doreens mom), Jerry and Pat Peterson, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Len and Irene Vinyard, and Bob and Sue Wenderski met Bob and Helen at the Wasco McDonalds bright and early Sunday morning and headed west to the eastern bank of the Mississippi to visit Havencrest Castle in Savanna; along the way we were joined by Debra Powless, who was chauffeured by Jared, her son, and then we met Pete and Marylu Kramer in Savanna.

The Hoges had arranged for a great tour of  the one and only Savanna Castle - Havencrest Castle, which had been originally called Hillcrest and was built in the early 1900s by Savannas Greenleaf family as part of a bet to see which of the towns elite could construct the fanciest home. The Greenleafs won, having TWO indoor water closets, hot and cold running water, and electricity in a time when these were uncommon. The family remained there until the 1940s, when Mr. Greenleaf and then his wife died, and their children moved away. The building went through a number of changes until in 1976 Alan and Adrianne St. George purchased the home and began a lifelong process of expanding and decorating it in what one writer has termed the manner of American Aristocracy. The couple were fulfilling their credo "Reality is for those who lack Imagination" and they increased the number of rooms from 22 to 63, with each having a theme such as The Fragonard Music Room, The Chicago Conservatory, and The Medieval Hall. They did all the work themselves without an architect or a designer; Adrianne was the inspiration while Alan was the creator of these rooms, which blend fantasy and reality. As rooms were completed, the two held extravagant parties, balls, and fundraisers (Adrianne was the founder of the areas Humane Society, and the building housed not only the couple but six of their dogs). The St. Georges were deeply devoted to each other, and in every room there are representations of the two, whether sculptured, painted, or created in stained glass by Mr. St. George. (Side note #1: We actually had the pleasure of being personally welcomed by Mr. St. George at the original entrance to the building, courtesy of Bob and Helen!) Mrs. St. George passed away in 2006, leaving her husband devastated. After a mourning/ healing period of five years, he returned to working on their beloved home and, in a completely different vein, created a room containing contemporary art as opposed to the period/fantasy themed rooms.

We split the day in half; first we toured a number of rooms, next we ate lunch in the castle dining room on their amazing dishware and then we completed our tour. We were able to view 22 of the home's 63 rooms (Mr. St. George and others also live there so there were rooms not open to the public) and were quite impressed by the details everywhere, from moving butterflies in the conservatory to a face in the painted clouds of a ceiling. Our primary guide was Michael Dunavant, the curator, a young man with a golden voice who has spent time performing on Broadway and who was persuaded to play the piano and sing for us; he was ably assisted by Mrs. Jean Ferris and their cohort Ryan. (Side note #2: Michael and Jean persuaded Alan to open his home to the public in July 2013, and the St. George dream of hosting parties, weddings, birthdays, and other events is being realized.)

The tour was truly an experience that we won't soon forget and our hats are off to Bob and Helen for a wonderful time!