Westmont Cruise Night

Westmont Cruise Night- Vettes vs T-birds

Beautiful weather was enjoyed by 17 members at the Westmont Cruise Night on July 24.Pete and Marylu Kramer had arranged for us to sit at the front row of  patio tables at J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious restaurant, across the street from our row of T-Birds. Everyone had a nice meal.

The balance of the evening was spent walking the three blocks of Cass Avenue admiring the 183 cars in attendance, shopping at the vendor booths, listening to the live band and chatting with each other. The Theme for the night was Vettes vs T- Birds. While the T-Birds were way outnumbered by the Corvettes, in this totally biased reporters opinion, the T-Birds were the winners!

Experiencing the extraordinarily lovely evening were Pete and Marylu Kramer, Bob and Barb Sroka, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Haig Garabedian, Ron Pavlak, Gail Hascek, Laura and Mike Cielenski, bob and Helen Hoge, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko and Bill and Liz Werth.

Liz Werth

Board Report

BOARD REPORT

In lieu of the Presidents Report, this month we are presenting a report from the Board.

We have had a pretty full calender of events so far this year.  This started with our largest Tech Session, when 34 members and friends gathered at the garage of  Bob Wenderski where, among other things, we heard a presentation on car care from Jim Heidel, a spokesman and representative from Turtle Wax. After lunch, a number of members finished the day by viewing a private car collection which Bob arranged for us to tour.

Beautiful weather prevailed for our Spring Tour - a four-day outing to Springfield, Illinois, coordinated by Len and Mary Keil. Our large turnout was augmented by participation from several neighboring clubs and representatives from CTCI honoring us with their participation. While this was our clubs fourth trip to Springfield, we always find something new and different to see and experience each time we go there.

Cruises and car shows have occupied many weekends and evenings. After spending a Saturday driving around the community of Crystal Lake, which included a visit to a downtown shopping center, members in eight cars showed up at a surprise 80th birthday party for Cora Claypool. (Her family had contacted the club via the Internet about providing her with the opportunity to cross a ride in a 1957 Thunderbird off her bucket list.) While she got to ride in both a 1957 and a 1956 Thunderbird, which thrilled her immensely, the rest of us put on a show for the other party guests.  From there, it was off to the Dog and Suds opening car show of the season where we were joined by additional club members.

Mike and Laura Cielenski coordinated a lunch at White Fence Farms on Route 66 in Romeoville, giving members an opportunity to get together once again.

Our club was also contacted by the management firm for several shopping centers in the southern suburbs of Chicago, requesting us to do a couple of car shows. The first  one we did at the Orland Park Crossing drew over a dozen members and several T-Birds from non-members. This presented us with an opportunity to recruit new members; although that has not panned out yet, contacts have been made. Unfortunately, our second show, at the Kensington Center in Plainfield, for which 15 members signed up, was cancelled due to thunderstorms that morning.

The Board has purchased 25 grill medallions with the club logo. It was initially decided to give one to any member who participated in both of these car shows. However, with the second show being a rain-out, we will have to rethink what we want to do with them. The balance of the medallions were to be made available to club members at cost.

For our next event, 20 members and 10 cars are scheduled to go to Bristol Renaissance Faire this Saturday, July 19th. This will be the fourth year we have visited the Faire. Other members who will not be able to go with the club have purchased our discount tickets and will be going on their own later in the summer as their schedules permit.

Club members and their Thunderbirds have been participating in numerous local car shows so far this summer.

The calendar for the remainder of the driving season is just as loaded with activities for club members to do together. Included are our annual picnic and Fall Tour. Check the Calender of Events on the web site or in the Bird News for details.

Joel Greenberg

White Fence Farm

White Fence Farm

It was a warm and bright sunny Sunday  June.  We all congregated in the parking lot of White Fence Farm  and then proceeded in to enjoy lunch.  As we ordered drinks and waited for our lunch to be served, Ken held a brief meeting. Ken went over the upcoming calendar of events for the club. Pete Kramer spoke about the upcoming cruise night in downtown Westmont on July 24th. While  Joel Greenberg and Annie gave an update on Bristol in July.  Annie also handed out items for the ladies in the club who were going to be attending the Faire. Pete Eckstrom spoke about the upcoming fall tour to East Troy and said he and Lisa were going back up in July to plan the details. Ken ended the meeting with a drawing for a $50 gift certificate for NPD.  The winner of the drawing was Laura Cielenski.

Lunch was served and all enjoyed either chicken, shrimp, steak and much more.  Of course there always is excitement for the club and sometimes things don't run as smoothly as you would like especially when it came to the separate checks. Sorry to all those who attended for the mishap. But I think everyone still enjoyed the afternoon.  Some club members stayed on to view the antiques and classic cars in the restaurant museum area , as others either visited the petting zoo or talked around their cars and then went home.

We had 34 in attendance and we Thank all those who came.  Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len & Mary Keil, Len & Irene Vinyard, Doug & Soon Hee Rogers, Pete & Marilou Kramer, Joe & Sandy Kraatz, Kami Woody, Pete & Lisa Eckstrom, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Larry & Karen Kelly, Dan Mrozek & Arlene Figlia, Bob & Barbara Sroka, Jim & Jane Wilson, Bud & Cindy Kryszak , Haig Garabedian, Ron Pavlak, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Gail Hascek and Mike & Laura Cielenski.

By Laura Cielenski

Bristol Renaissance Faire

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!  My Lords and Ladies  The Queen is Coming

An event where you adorn yourself with your Sundays best.  A once in a lifetime experience, July 19^th, we all enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of her arrival at the Bristol Renaissance Faire  Those attending were:  Tom & Judy Bruin, Bill & Liz Werth, Jim & Jane Wilson, Bob & Barbara Sroka, Len & Mary Keil, Bob & Helen Hoge (A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HELEN), Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, and as late arrival were Len & Irene Vinyard with family.

As we entered the gates, 16^th century Old England awaits.  Step back in time to meet the Queen and here court as they travel to Bristol to escape the summer heat of London.  We were able to view her arrival as the parade past by.  A full compliment of servants, entertainers, ladies in waiting, Royal Guard and Beefeaters formed the procession.  Behind these were the soothsayers, jesters, witches and peasants.

All were able to eat, drink, and make merry while roaming amongst, jousting knights, and saucy wenches.  Entertainment included, knife throwing, archery, whip demonstrations, female sword fighting, Bagpipes with Scottish dancers as well as many games and stages of the improv troops performances.  There were also Shoppes exhibiting all kinds of hand-crafted items, costumes, glass, pottery, Jewelry and much more.

With all this frolicking and cavorting it leaves one in need of food and drink.  A bountiful supply of refreshments from the giant turkey legs to ice-cold sassafras, beers and ales were always just a step away.  You could rest around the Maypole where the Steampunk costume contest showed us all an imaginative array of apparel.

We finished our day by viewing a standing room only arena while watching the Knights joust to the final victor becoming the Grand Knight.

Thank you to all that attended, and a special thanks to Joel and Annie for arranging an excursion that we will all remember.  HUZZAH!!!

Barbara Sroka

Orland Park Crossing Show

Orland Park Crossing Display

 

Saturday, June 14, was a bright, sunny 48 degree morning ideal for a drive in a Thunderbird.  Hearing horror stories about traffic tie-ups due to Kennedy Expressway construction I left home at 6:35 AM and was the first to arrive at Orland Park Crossing.   I saw the parking lot blocked off with barricades and Joel Greenberg came soon afterward.  When all had arrived we had 13 members participating in the event.  Haig Garabedian came from LaGrange with a white 1956 TBird.  Ken Smizinski,  Len Vinyard, Larry and Karen Kelly,  Doug Rogers,  Lee Bakakos,  Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko, Pete Kramer drove Thunderbirds.  Tom Bruin came in a Shelby Mustang and Bob and Barbara Sroka in their 1937 LaSalle. Also, 2 non club members came in their 2 seat Thunderbirds

 

Ken Smizinski has a Midtronics battery, starting, and charging tester.  Both Len Keil and Vinyard tested OK.  The tape for my car read Replace Battery.  Better to know now!

The Club provided a 4 foot long submarine sandwich, chips, and pop for lunch.  Ken kept slicing  the sub until we all had plenty to eat.

 

We were visited by several General Motors vehicles during the day as there was a Pontiac show at the bank across 143^rd  St .  Phil Bianco Jr. parked his 100% stock restored 1956 Chevy BelAir hard top with a Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige paint scheme and reminisced with club members about the old days.  A radically customized orange early 50s Chevy (The only way one could tell was the roof line) parked with the TBirds for a time.

A 1969 Malibu and stray Pontiacs cruised through the lot.

 

The shopping center people were most appreciative and want our Club to do more displays.  I steered clear of LaGrange Rd. and I 55 upon leaving and encountered no serious traffic on I 355.

                                                                                    

 By Jim Wilson 

Bristol Renaissance Faire

BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE- JULY 19, 2014

Get ready for something different this year:...
STEAMPUNK WEEKEND at Bristol!

What is Steampunk? Per the internet: "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction
that portrays a world where steam is king: without higher technologies to replace it, steam
is the dominant source of power, leading to the creation of strange, new technologies which
dominate an entirely new society. It is wildly cool, featuring tons of intriguing little things that
reshape the world entirely. Even style is different in this steam-oriented world featuring
steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western
civilization during the 19th century. Books are often set in an alternative history of the 19th
century's British Victorian era or American 'Wild West', a post-apocalyptic future in which
steam power has regained mainstream use, or a fantasy world that employs steam power. It
features anachronistic technologies or retro­ futuristic inventions as people in the 19th
century might have envisioned. Technology may include fictional machines like those in the
works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. Steampunk may also incorporate elements
from fantasy, horror, historical fiction, alternate history, or other types of speculative fiction,
making it a hybrid genre. The term Steampunk was first used in 1987 (but now retroactively
refers to many works of fiction created as early as the 1950s). It also refers to the artistic
styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures that have developed from the aesthetics of
Steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, art nouveau design, and films from the mid-20th
century."

In other words, the costumes will have to be seen to be believed, so plan to come on July
19th! Tickets are $15 and are good for the entire season. If you can't come on the 19th but
want to experience Bristol between its opening on July 5th and its closing on Labor Day,
parking is $5 (it's free for us on the 19th -- and we get VIP Parking in front).

Please join us for what promises to be a VERY interesting day at Bristol! We'll leave the Lake
Forest Oasis at 9 AM to meet folks from the North/Northwest at the gas station on Frontage
Road at 9:20 (we'd like to catch Bristol's 'pre-­show show' starting at 9:45 AM).

Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill
Phone: 773-348-3233/e-mail: jlgrnbrg@sbcglobal.net

Spring Tour- May 2014

 CTCC Spring Fling- May 2-5, 2014

8:00 AM Friday, May 2, 28 CTCC members departed from Rte. 53 and Butterfield Road in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on the first leg of our Spring Tour. Driving Little 'Birds' were Len and Mary Keil, our tour organizers, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko, Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill, Bill and Liz Werth, Len and Irene Vinyard, Lee Bakakos, and Bob and Barb Sroka. Bob drove a tastefully retro-rodded '37 LaSalle with a dashboard he designed himself. More Thunderbird drivers were Doug and Soon Rogers, Larry and Karen Kelly, Dan Mrozek and Arlene Figlia, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, and your scribe. Driving Retro 'Birds were Bob and Sue Wenderski and Mike and Laura Cielenski.

We left the Interstate at Rte. 47 to avoid major construction on I-55 over the Des Plaines River in the Joliet area. At Love's Travel Center, further south on Rte. 47, we met Art Hahl driving his Ranchero, Tom and Judy Bruin, and Lloyd (feeling the Love) and Joan Schellin. After our lunch stop in Lincoln, Tom Bruin heard a loud pop, as if he had a tire blow out. I looked to the right and saw he was still rolling. Turns out that his overdrive went out. Tom spent the rest of the tour at 55 mph, and a transmission rebuild will happen sooner, not later. At Lincoln's New Salem Village, where Abraham Lincoln was a resident for six years, we visited 23 historically reconstructed cabins. It was here that we met Ken and Kathy Smizinski, who had come from their lake home in Missouri, Joe and Sandy Kraatz from Valparaiso, Indiana, Madeline Zambon from Crete, Illinois, and Sandra Hood and Geraldine Nuckels, who had come from Dallas, Texas.

After a walking tour of New Salem, it was off to our final destination, the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Baby 'Birds and a '63 Sport Roadster from Wisconsin were already there when we arrived. The Vander Zandns and the Schermitzlers came from Green Bay and Jewel and Judy Meetz from Brillion. Cyril and Nancy Leick were also in attendance. A contingent from TARTC, Bob and Sandra Lewis and Gene and Linda Nelson, arrived soon afterward. (TARTC is the Detroit area chapter of CTCI.) Bob Young came from  Des Moines, Iowa. John Smith from Kansas City, Missouri joined us as well as Charlie Gouveia and Mitch and Pat Mitchell from the Central Illinois chapter of CTCI. By the time of the pizza party that evening in the hotel hospitality room, our number had grown to 69 people from seven states! 

At the party in the "Capital View" room, Len Keil went over the agenda for the days to follow. Tom Bruin handed out rules and a sign-up sheet for "Horse Play," which he and Doug Rogers devised for Saturday, which was Kentucky Derby Day.

Saturday, May 3, we were off in a caravan, bright and early, for Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Charles, our guide, pointed out how the tomb was constructed and modified over the years as well as interior details of the current monument and told of how a plot by Chicago mobsters to steal Lincoln's body was foiled due to the bungling of the crooks. Lincoln's wife and sons are also buried in the tomb, with the exception of son Robert, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

After visiting Lincoln's Tomb, we paid our respects at the World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials. Next stop was The Cozy Dog Drive-In, home of the original 'Hot Dog on a Stick,' a Rte. 66 original. (At the Texas State Fair, they call them 'corny dogs.') After Cozy Dog, we traveled to the original Rte. 66, now Illinois Rte. 4, to visit Auburn, Illinois, where we drove on a brick road. We stopped at Becky's Barn, which handled antiques, collectibles, and Route 66 information. Some purchased Thunderbird and Rte. 66 related signs and T shirts. The proprietor was quite cordial and made sure that we each left with a Rte. 66 brick from a pile of discarded bricks. 

Back in the hospitality room at the hotel, 4 PM was time for the Derby party. The ladies not only sported their most outlandish "Homemade Hats" but modeled them in an equally provocative manner. Kathy Smizinski was the winner by popular acclaim. The "Horse Play" racing game then commenced. Stick horses were used like golf clubs to get a small ball into a bucket across the room. Six racers at a time held onto their horse-head and hit the ball with the stick. There were a number of heats and the fastest finishers from each heat and the slowest finishers participated in a final run-off to determine the top three finishers as well as the slowest three finishers. It was frenzied as the racers hit each other's ball across the room, trying to get theirs into the bucket. Doug and Tom tallied the scores with trophies to follow at the Saturday banquet. While finishing the meal at the banquet, big winners of the "Horse Play" were announced and trophies awarded. I was seated at the table with two winners; Gordon Gluff received a trophy and Bob Lewis was the big winner. He stood up and everyone cried out, "Bob! Bob!" His trophy aptly showed the rear quarters of a horse.

Sunday, May 4, we departed the hotel at 8:30 to tour Lincoln's Home. This is the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned and it is furnished in original and period antique furniture. Several other houses in the neighborhood are restored with some open for tours and some used as State offices. All of the Thunderbirds were able to park along Lincolnshire Blvd. as we toured the Old State Capitol. Charles, our guide from the Tomb, was again escorting us through the Capitol, showing us where Lincoln served in the Illinois General Assembly, Supreme Court chambers, State law library, and every other room. After the Capitol, we visited Union Station, where the movie sets that were used in the movie 'Lincoln' are located. Our next stop was a tour of the Lincoln Museum. This is a place that I experience more every time I see it again. On leaving the museum, we drove in a caravan to Quaker Steak &  Lube Restaurant from dinner. The automotive-themed restaurant featured a '55 Thunderbird hanging overhead as well as a later model Corvette.

Monday, May 5, we said our goodbyes and headed for home. Len Keil led a group on the state highways and Rte. 47 while Ken Smizinski led a group on I-55. We encountered no delay at the river bridge, and by 1:30 I was home mowing the lawn!

Thanks to Mary and Len Keil for leading another memorable tour.

By Jim Wilson

8 Thunderbirds flock to the party.

WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

Often, what we take for granted, other people dream of. Such was the case of Cora Claypool. About a month or so ago, I received an email thru the club's website. Jill said her mother was turning 80 and they were planning a surprise party for her (she is also a 3 year survivor of pancreatic cancer). One of the items on her bucket list was to take a ride in a 1957 Thunderbird. Was there anything we could do?

By coincidence, the club was planning an outing in the area of the party on the day of the party. We arranged to stop by at a preset time and give Cora a ride in a 1957 Thunderbird. People at the party were amazed when 8 Thunderbirds pulled up in front of the house (1 1955, 1 1956, 5 1957s and 1 1959). Cora was absolutely ecstatic. Len gave her a short ride in his 1957. Then she got in Bob's 1956 (with the top down) and they were gone for 15-20 minutes. While people at the party were looking over the remaining cars, Cora was having a dream come true.

The family was very appreciative of what we did. When I asked Cora why she wanted a ride in a 1957 Thunderbird, she replied that she always thought of it as THE American sports car. She was very excited and thrilled about the opportunity. If we had more time I am sure she would have loved to go for a ride in each of the cars. About a short hour later, we were on our way. Everyone was happy about what we did- but no one was happier than Cora. I think we helped make it a special day for her.

Joel Greenberg

Crystal Lake and more

Crystal Lake Excursion, A Happy Birthday and A Smokin' Dog & Suds

The  Saturday of Memorial Day week-end was a sunny, blue sky day;  the kind of day to which T-Birders look forward.  An initial group of CTCC members started the day at the Foundry in Barrington including our 
leaders, the Bruins (top down), Jim Wilson, the Werths, Joel Greenberg and Ed Levin and Rose.  The Kellys brought up the rear with their '59 as both the last to arrive and official outing tail gunner.

We drove to down town Crystal Lake where the Keils and Hoges joined the group.  The ladies explored the shops on main street while the guys quickly found the candy/ice cream shop and a place to sit and enjoy their purchases, (Tom Bruin tried the chocolate covered bacon), and Larry Kelly managed to find the only bar in town.

There was a lot of browsing, but not much shopping until the kitchen store.  That's where Liz Werth and Mary Keil purchased a little, round gizmo that makes potato chips in the microwave.  Now, this is a rough
estimate, but if they start zapping now, we may have enough for the Fall Tour!

Our next stop was a definite highlight of the day.  The children of a woman about to turn 80 found our club on the internet.  Their mother always wanted to ride in a 1957 Thunderbird, a bucket list kind of
thing.  They contacted Joel Greenberg and asked if there was any way we could help them surprise their mom on her Birthday.

We were only to happy to oblige.  (We don't like showing off our cars much, do we?)  So off we went!  We drove the short distance to the Claypools' for operation birthday surprise.

Mrs. Claypool was thrilled and received her ride in a '57 driven by Len Keil.  Afterwords, one of her grandchildren remarked, "Don't you want to go in one with the lid off?"  So, Bob Hoge and his top down
'56 took Mrs. Claypool on another ride around the neighborhood.

Mr. Claypool and his family could not have been nicer.  We were given a very warm welcome complete with hugs and many thanks.  They had no idea we would bring so many cars!  And we were happy to have added to Mrs. Claypool's birthday cheer.  Mr. Claypool didn't think he'd stop hearing about it any time soon.

Now, it was on to the first cruise night of the season to meet even more T-Birders at the Fox Lake Dog & Suds.  The evening was so popular most of us had to park in the train station lot across the street. A
couple of our group arrived early enough to secure two spots at the drive in and at least one member was in the adjacent lot. Thunderbirds were represented well with 19 cars, though not all from our club.  We received a shout out from the disc jockey thanking the
Thunderbirds for coming out in force.

We gathered at picnic tables and set up chairs to listen to the oldies and enjoy our Dog & Suds eats and treats together.

As the sun and temperature started to dip, the Kellys walked to the train lot to pick up sweaters from their car.  There, parked two cars in back of them was the Michna's car with a swirl of commotion surrounding it.  Other car people saw smoke billowing from the
Michnas' 55  and popped the hood to disconnect the battery afraid of a fire.  The Kellys said they knew the owners, called Tom Bruin on his cell so some one could alert Jerry.

Most of our group came along with the Michnas to check out what exactly was happening.  It seems an announcement was made that a black T-bird was on fire.  Oops!

Good thing the Smizinskis like their rootbeer! They were among members meeting at the Dog & Suds.  Ken looked at the engine and was able to start it.  But, the fire department had been called and they had to check all was well. Larry Kelly asked Jerry if he had a fire extinguisher and Jerry replied he did.  Larry then asked where it was and Jerry said it was in the trunk.  Larry advised he'd better get it out.  The young fireman laughed.  Actually, all the firemen were
young, but nevermind.

Well, we hope Jerry and Doreen and their T-bird made it home safely. And we hope everyone had just as memorable time on Memorial Day!

Karen Kelly

Tech Session- 2014

Thirty-four CTCC members and guests gathered at Bob Wenderski's on Saturday, April 26 for our annual Tech Session and Spring Dust-Off event.  Dick Murray from AACA reported that he sold his '49 Cadillac four door and was looking for another older model with four doors!  We drank coffee and munched rolls before our guest speaker, Jim Heidel, from Turtle Wax began his presentation.

A tire was brought in to show application of Turtle Wax Tire Shine. Itwas sprayed on and let dry for a few minutes before reapplication for a greater shine. Jim cautioned that it must be allowed to dry between coats or lines would show on the tire. Turtle Wax & Dry was discussed next. It should be wiped off with microfiber or terrycloth  and not applied to glass as it will leave a residue. He discussed carnuba paste wax and headlight lens restorer. Free samples of "Ice" car wash concentrate and interior wipes were given out.

After the guest speaker Ken Smizinski discussed Marvel Mystery Oil which is similar to Pyroil, providing top end lubrication but should not be mixed with Sea Foam.  Disc brake conversions were discussed.  They are not maintenance free and can lead to bearing problems and oxidation of pads.  If the speedometer is shaky, the cable can be lubricated with graphite.  Slick 50 or Marvel Mystery Oil can be used to keep the diaphragm softened in vacuum wipers.

Most of us went to lunch at the Tap House Grill in Highwood and afterward drove to Highland Park to view the Richard Sacks Car Collection.  Rich was an amiable host, describing in detail each of his twenty cars.  The Collection was eclectic, featuring postwar British, General Motors, and a Lincoln four door convertible.   Rich discussed the one Thunderbird that he had owned, a '57 "C" 'Bird with a 292 and 3- speed, which he felt was underpowered!

By Jim Wilson