Tips/Comments
By Stan
I have been aware for a long time that most people want a personalized car. Everyone that restores an older Mustang wants to have it painted different or add ground affects to make their car different. It used to be that if you were restoring a Mustang there was only one way to go. It had to be put back as original. Even people that buy new Mustangs want it made to suit them. There are manufacturers that know this and they make a certain number of cars and call them a Special Edition. Carrol Shelby is noted for this. He comes out with new ones every year or two. There are only a few made and they are very expensive. Shelby is bringing back the GT 500 and the Hertz Rent-a-Racer.
Ford is now going to make the Second Edition of the Bullitt. Again, only a few are made and it takes more money to buy them.
Shelby is also bringing out the Terlingua. This is a new model based on the Terlingua Racer that was from the late 1960’s.
A.J. Foyt is coming out with a Coyote Edition of the Mustang. There will be only about 500 units produced. Then there are the Saleen and Roush cars that have been around for quite a while. These cars are of higher horse power and of course price. So most of us will know about these cars but we won’t be able to afford one.
This summer we plan on attending two national MCA shows. They are in Ohio and Ontario, Canada. We would love to have you travel along with us. Both shows are only one day’s drive.
Don’t forget about the Chili Potluck in Midland on Saturday, February 16th.
Remember don’t be a stranger.
Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
He who laughs last thinks the slowest.
CLUB MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS CLUB MEMBERS ANNIVERSARIES
05 Leif Johnson 02-14-1982 Terry & Sarah Hanson
09 Bill Hoard 02-18-1978 Richard & Suzanne Ford
12 Gary Riley 02-22-2002 Randy & Jody Borchard
16 Judy VanSickle 02-26-1993 Charles & Lova Reinhardt
22 Alan Haskell
23 Linda Riley HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!
27 Delores Mueller
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL!
THE PREZ SEZ
Happy Valentines Day! Wow, what a busy month it has been! Since my last writing, many things have happened in such a short time. Many of you are just becoming aware of the events that unfolded with the Treasurer situation, which I have written about in another part of this newsletter. Needless to say, this has kept me busy.
Don’t forget on February 16th at 11:00 am, MCMM will be holding our 3rd annual Chili Potluck. This year it will be at the Valley Plaza Resort in Midland. Make sure to contact Dick Lebsack with your reservations; I know I have!
At our February meeting on the 18th, Classic Designs Concepts will be in attendance. They will introduce us to some of their new products and have informed me they will be bringing a vehicle for us to see! So try to make this meeting, it should be interesting.
In January, the club picked our charity for this year’s show. They chose the Children’s Wish Fund, making this the 3rd year for this charity. The first year, they were able to provide people to work their booth, a short radio broadcast from onsite and other information about their charity. We hope that the same can done this year.
As you know our club is a “participating club” in the “Be Cool” car show and car cruise held in Bay City each year. Once again this year we are arranging the cruise portion, and plan to park on the main street, blocking off 3-4 blocks in the process. The cruise w8l once again be over 11 miles long. In the past the cruise has had nearly 200 cars and has been filmed by American Muscle Car (a show on SPEED channel).
Now I have some somber personal news. Just before Christmas, 2007 (but after the MCMM Christmas Party) my wife, Lova, the club’s Historian was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is doing well but will have to have a part of her right lung removed. However, the cancer is confined to a very small area and the prognosis is great! The doctors have told her that she should not expect to have any further treatments. She should be back to her normal self by early to mid April, just in time for the show season!
Until next time, keep your wheels turning and your gas tank full!
Charlie Reinhardt
2009 NATIONAL SHOW UPDATE
Well, as seen in the statement from Gary Strappazon, he has resigned from being Co-chairman of the National Show. This in no way affects the ability of this club to host a successful show. I have asked Gary to remain as a liaison to the city of Frankenmuth, as his contacts there will be invaluable in the coming months. Sponsorship packages have been developed and several sponsors are currently being approached as I write this. We look forward to having the amount specified by the club for sponsorships by the deadline! Tim Grahl has also reserved the web site www.greatlakesstampede.com for the use of the National Show and we look forward to seeing that up and running in the near future. Renee Waswick also stepped forward with a suggestion of a craft fair/show that she would “manage” as part of the National Show weekend. This would bring in more people, increase vendor spot sales and give the people that “get dragged along to another car show” something more to do. I would also like members to start thinking about charities. We will need to decide on at least 2, possibly 3, to disburse funds to. I expect we should be able to do that with a larger National Show. These charities will need to be picked by the end of May, so start thinking about them now! Have them ready for the April meeting or if you are unable to attend then e-mail them to me at: CHASREIN01@aol.com. We will need to “pare” down the list if we get too many. I would like to get down to around 15-20 for voting purposes and time constraints. I know this seems like it will be a long meeting in April but this is a “hot” topic that needs to be discussed for each show! Final voting will take place at the May meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Reinhardt
The Treasurer
Most of you are not aware of the situation that has occurred during the past couple months in reference to our Treasurer for 2007. Some may have suspicions that are unfounded or inaccurate. Let me set these straight. I, as your new President, failed to ensure that the Treasurer, Gary Strappazon turned over the books before Christmas, however that situation is now resolved. Gary Riley, the newly elected Treasurer for 2008 has his name on the account along with my name and the MCMM financial business is being conducted in a timely manner.
Now comes the difficult part. During the past year, there have been questions about “missing” checks. Some are member dues and several from our show that went missing. If you are one of those that has a “missing” check, it has been probably been submitted now for deposit. (37 checks were submitted for deposit on January 18, 2008.) If you would like to check to see if your check was one of those, please contact me, Charles Reinhardt at (989) 891-0414 or e-mail: CHASREIN01@aol.com or Gary Riley, Treasurer at (810) 631-6601 or
e-mail: riley_driver@yahoo.com or Ruth Bentley at
e-mail: rrmb3909@earthlink.net. We all have a list of the checks that were deposited on January 18th. There is another series of “missing” checks from the 2006 Christmas Party at the Bay City Yacht Club. These checks were made out to MCMM and sent to my wife, Lova who turned them over to the past Treasurer. These checks were lost and were never deposited by anyone. They now have been found but they are no longer valid. I am sure that all of us that attended the party had to make a correction to our checkbook during this past year, though we may not have known why. MCMM paid for the party out of the club account. If you attended the party, please resubmit a check to the current Treasurer for the amount paid by you in 2006. Gary Riley, the current Treasurer has the checks that were not deposited. I am sure that most people are still members and will be able to find the amount in their checkbook. It was $15 for adults and $8 for children 5-10 years with only a few exceptions.
The other discrepancy in the account balance occurred when a deposit was miscalculated and the bank did an adjustment of $200.00. This was a simple addition error on the deposit slip.
Let me make this clear, the past Treasurer made no attempt to make a profit or to defraud the club; it was simply errors that snowballed. He had hoped to find the Christmas party checks and resolve the issue during his term, but that was not the case. Gary Strappazon has done many fine things for this club and I hope that he continues to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Reinhardt
To: Mustang Club of Mid Michigan
I am adding my apology for my poor performance as Treasurer to Charlie Reinhardt’s information.
I also want to ask for your forgiveness. Nothing was done intentionally. I guess I had become burned out and did not want to do anything more that the minimum. Then I wanted to do even less than that. When I began to gather things together for Gary Riley, I found all the checks in question. I deposited those that were still good. Charlie has the others that are no longer negotiable.
I also want to ask the Club to accept my resignation as National Show Co-Chairman.
Thank you for your time,
Gary Strappazon
MCMM REGULAR MEETING 01-21-08
Meeting called to order by President Charlie Reinhardt. Those attending were: Rose Maier, Diane Williams, Quentin & Pat Levitte, Stan Bentley, Lon Hetchler, Gary & Linda Riley, Gary Strappazon, Tom Welsh, Bob & Gina Dillenbeck, Jim Jansen, Ricky George and his fiancée Ashlee Diemond and Rick’s Grandma Carlson. Proxy accepted for Dick Lebsack.
Treasurer’s report by Gary Strappazon and Charlie Reinhardt.
The Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Gary Strappazon for the co-chairman of the 2009 national car show via the internet. This is acceptable according to the by-laws.
Property: Gary Riley reported that in a previous meeting he had handed out a complete list of items housed in the Club cargo trailer. At this time there were no additions to the list. Gary also reported that there are two club jackets available for sale.
2007 Christmas Party: Lon Hetchler reported that the party was held at the Four Occasions Hall in Millington. He also stated that it had been very easy working with the Four Occasion people. Everything that was promised was provided and the food was very good. Even though Mother Nature was not very cooperative, we had a good turnout.
MCMM Chili Party: The 3rd annual Chili Party will be held on Saturday, February 16th, starting at 11:00 am at the Valley Plaza Resort and Best Western Hotel, 522 Bay City Road, Midland. There will be a $7 charge per family to offset the cost of the room. RSVP TO DICK LEBSACK AT (989) 631-9536.
MCMM 2008 MUSTANG AND ALL FORD SHOW: Quentin Levitte and Stan Bentley are co-chairpersons for this show and are working on the flyers for show. A motion was made and seconded to have The Children’s Wish Fund be the charity for the show. Motion carried. Stan has submitted the request for the insurance policy for our show to MCA. There was a lot of discussion about sponsors. The general consensus was we should have the money in hand before they are put on the flyers. Tom Welsh submitted a slightly revised 2008 club sponsorship flyer. Motion was made, seconded and carried to accept the flyer with the corrections.
2009 MCA National Show: We have until our April 21, 2008 regular meeting to have committed sponsorships of at least $8,000 for the club to go ahead with this project. The decision will be made at that April meeting.
Tom Welsh presented the club with a list of potential items to sell or to advertise the MCA national show. We may have sponsorships for the cost of the pavilion. Renee Waswick is putting a together a craft show to be held at the National Show.
KNOWN CLUB ACTIVITIES: May 17th Show & Shine in Saginaw and July 11-12 “Be Cool” Car Show in Bay City.
FEBRUARY MCMM MEETING: The next meeting will be Monday, February 18th at 7:00 pm at Captain Hook Restaurant in Frankenmuth, MI
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Williams, Secretary
SOCIAL CHAIRPERSON REPORT
Welcome new members:
Robert & Janice Field of Milford. They have a silver 2003 Roush – Stage I.
Ken & Gloria Smith of Oxford. They have a red 1992 GT convertible with white top.
We heartily welcome you to our club. We hope to see you at our club meetings and activities.
A speedy recovery is being wished for Lova Reinhardt. Lova is undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she travels down this rough road.
Congratulations to Ricky George on his engagement to Ashlee Diemond. Best wishes to both of you as you make plans for your life together.
FEBRUARY AGENDA
Call to order 7:00 pm Proxy Report
Introduction of Guests Treasurer’s Report
Introduction of new Members Reading of January’s Meeting Minutes
Roll call of full-time active members
GUESTS Classic Design Concepts (will be done before all other reports due to daylight requirements.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS OLD BUSINESS
Property: G. Riley MCMM annual Show Charity: M. Winter
Membership: L. Kabobel/R. Maier Chili Potluck: D. Lebsack
Historian: L. Reinhardt MCMM Sponsorship: T. Welsh
Club clothing/Merchandise: G. Riley NEW BUSINESS
National Show: C. Reinhardt Show & Shine: R. Loudenslager
MCMM Annual Show: Quentin & Stan “Be Cool” Show: Gary & Charlie
MCA Regional Director: S. Bentley 2009 Christmas Party: Need a host . . .
Two members to talk about their cars Any other New Business
Adjourn
50/50 Drawing: G. Riley
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY, 2008
16 MCMM 3rd annual Chili Potluck, 11:00 am to??, Valley Plaza Hotel, Midland
18 MCMM Monthly Meeting at Captain Hook’s restaurant, Frankenmuth at 7:00 pm
BOD Meeting at 6:00 pm
MARCH, 2008
7-9 World of Wheels Auto Show, Detroit
16 Time Change (Spring Forward!)
17 MCMM Monthly Meeting at Captain Hook’s restaurant, Frankenmuth at 7:00 pm
23 Easter
29 MOCSEM Spring Swap and Shop, Dearborn www.mocsem.com
APRIL, 2008
21 MCMM Monthly Meeting at Captain Hook’s restaurant, Frankenmuth at 7:00 pm
BOD Meeting at 6:00 pm
MAY, 2008
17 MCMM Show & Shine at Saginaw Valley Ford, Saginaw
19 MCMM Monthly Meeting at Captain Hook’s restaurant, Frankenmuth at 7:00 pm
BOD Meeting at 6:00 pm
JUNE, 2008
14-15 Bavarian Festival Corral, Frankenmuth
16 Annual Strawberry Shortcake Meeting
JULY, 2008
11-12 “Be Cool” Car Show and Cruise, Bay City
TIME IS RUNNING . . . . . . . . .
ONLY 15 MONTHS UNTIL JUNE, 2009
FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE
2004 Mach 1, only 12,200 miles. Garage kept and NOT used as a daily driver. Adult owned and like new. Competition Orange, 32 V 4.6L, automatic. $22,000
Mike Winter (810) 953-0542 or e-mail: myblack78cobra@hotmail.com
Mustang II parts, 74-78, fenders, doors, header panels, grilles, gas tanks, other misc. parts. Also 3-speed manual transmission with bell housing and flywheel for small block, 1968 FMX auto transmission.
Mike Winter (810) 953-0542 or e-mail: myblack78cobra@hotmail.com
Roush chrome wheels and tires from 2003 Mustang (4,800 miles)
Robert Field (248) 676-0762
Dear MCMM Member:
Because the treasurer’s books were not turned over to me until the middle of January I was not able to make a treasurer’s report for the newsletter. In lieu of the report I am listing the balance in the checking account as of the 12-31-07 statement. The balance is $6,429.97.
As your treasurer I will do my best to have an accurate accounting of the club’s finances each month. If in the future you have questions on any item listed in the treasurer’s report or any other treasurer related questions please feel free to contact me at (810) 631-6601 or e-mail: riley_driver@yahoo.com.
Respectfully submitted, Gary Riley, Treasurer
As you know all membership dues are due in the month of January. HERE IS WHAT IS DUE.
The dues are $20 a year. Please use the form below when sending in your dues. Thank you.
Arkwood, Blake Martin, Cindy
Babala, John Maxson, Michael
Baker, David Merchant, Aly
Bindig, Tom Miller, Robert
Blymyer, Larry Mueller, Emil
Brunner, Charles Nash, Richard
Burtt, Steve Nordin, Greg
Cabadas, Al Nutt, Bob
Cipriano, Madelyn Pallas, Seraphim
Condra, Chuck Rahamut, Ken
Cummings, Phillip Rehmus, Judy
Daenzer, Keith Rogers, Al
Decker, Gary Rondo, Dale
Esckilsen, Jeff Rutkofske, Don
Ewka, Connie Rys, Kelly
Frank, Ed Short, Camille
Hall, Wilson Steinborn, Paul
Harris, Jeff Svatora, Rich
Haskell, Alan Thompson, Jason
Heemstra, Ray Trombley, Jim
Hetzner, Randall Uhlmann, Richard
Hoffman, Dan VanWert, Larry
Hoffman, Rich Weslock, Trevor
Johnson, Steve Wesolowski, Al
Kosal, Jason Wilcox, Wally
Kunz, David Winter, Michael
Liacopoulos, Gary Zimmerman, Del
Mace, Tim
SEND YOUR $20 DUES TO: MCMM TREASURER, P O Box 324, FRANKENMUTH, MI 48734
Name__________________________________________________ Spouse Name _________________________________
Address _______________________________________________ City ___________________ Zip ____________________
Telephone ____________________________________________ E-mail __________________________________________
MCA Number (5 digit number on Mustang Times Label) ______________________________________________
Mustangs owned: Yr. __________ Body style __________________ Color ___________ Engine ______________
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME CHILI?
MCMM is having its 3rd annual Chili Potluck on Saturday, February 16th at the Valley Plaza Resort in Midland. It is located off US 10, the first Midland exit (Bay City Road) to Midland. This is a new location for this fun event. Bring a crock pot or whatever of your favorite chili, a dish to pass and your entire family. I have reserved a conference room at the Valley Plaza Best Western Resort for the entire day. Valley Plaza Resort offers free swimming in the hotel pool, a game room, a low cost movie theater, an indoor putt golf course and open bowling. I will bring a four lane Hot Wheels drag racing kit for racing 1/64th scale die cast cars. We (adults) can set up some small bets on your car. I will also have limited number of prizes to give away to the small children. All the information is listed below.
MCMM CHILI POTLUCK
Saturday, February 16, 2008
VALLEY PLAZA RESORT AND BEST WESTERN HOTEL
5221 Bay City Road, Midland
1st exit off US 10 to Midland
(989) 496-2700 www.valleyplazaresort.com
Room available at 11:30 am for early swimming, Chili served at 1:00 pm
WE HAVE THE ROOM UNTIL 6:00 PM
YOU BRING: Yourself and family
Chili and dish to pass
Swimsuit and $7 per family for room rent
Mustang stuff to trade etc.
I BRING: Napkins, plates, spoons, bowls, pop
1/64th race track and die cast cars
CALL FOR RESERVATIONS
DICK LEBSACK AT (989) 631-9536 OR E-MAIL rrl289@aol.com BY FEBRUARY 14TH
DEAR FELLOW MCMM MEMBERS:
Three years ago after purchasing a classic Mustang for Sandy, I met and struck up a conversation with a Mid Michigan Mustang Club member (Stan Bentley) who encouraged me to join. I’ve often told members since, it’s been one of the best things that Sandy and I have done. We have enjoyed meeting people with like-minded interests, creating one of many reasons we’ve enjoyed our classic car.
Summer days spent cruising Michigan with friends, and new-found friends has created memories and experiences you can’t put a price on. Car shows with friends have become weekend activities that we look forward to. The Woodward Cruise and fall color tours have become opportunities to enjoy our car and friends and to share experiences and ideas for new endeavors for trips or renovations.
But I believe I speak for most when I say, we as a club have a problem. The past few meetings have become very “aggressive” in nature and tone, and have even gotten to the point of near accusation and name calling. A once “looked forward to” event has become a head hunting gripe session for lack of a better description. We need to stop and take a moment to ask ourselves “what do I want as a club member?”
I know we all want good things for the cub. We all want the club to succeed in any and all endeavors we take on. We all take pride in being members, and want what’s best. I believe it’s like having a disagreement with a teenager at times. We both want the same goal. We don’t agree on the path to take, the frustration becomes the emotional drive, and what started out as a normal conversation becomes something neither party ever wanted. Things get said out of anger and frustration that were never intended to be that way.
As a relative newcomer to the club, I ask that we all take inventory of our expectations from the club and each other before the next meeting. I fear that if the current environment continues at future meetings, we are going to lose members, friends, opportunities and lasting memories.
Thank you,
Lon Hetchler
IN THE HERD SPOTLIGHT
Meet Tom Volpe, owner of two very nice Mustangs encompassing both ends of the collectability spectrum! The first is a 1965 red fastback 2+2 with about 57,000 miles showing on the 289 4V with 3-speed manual transmission. The other is a 2005 Special Model GT fastback, black in color with gold Le Mans racing stripes. With only around 6,000 miles on the car. It has been lowered 2” with a cold air intake made by Granatelli and has sequential taillights to really set it apart from the crowd!
Tom really enjoys Mustangs, having owned a 1969 coupe with a 351 Windsor and automatic transmission when it was new. He purchased it for the price of only $2,900
. . . .Ah, those were the days, right Tom? Tom retired last summer from the Saginaw School District after 20 years. Congratulations, Tom! He only has 3 more years until he retires from his other job, so he states that he “can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel”. I t sure has been a long time coming, but it has been great!
2008 SPONSORSHIPS
It’s that time again! It’s time for the new sponsorship drive. Every member can use the sponsorship form provided in this newsletter to get a sponsor for the club. The packages haven’t changed from last year, however, the sponsors need to be aware that their sponsorship does not start and their name/logo will not be on anything until we have a check from them. The only other restrictions that are in the packages are the trophy sponsor levels. We only have six available. If someone is interested in one of these please contact Tom Welsh at (989) 777-7225 or e-mail: trwelshii@charter.net. Once you have secured a sponsorship, the sponsor form and check should be sent to MCMM Treasurer, P O Box 324, Frankenmuth, MI 48734. The sponsor form will then be forwarded to Tom Welsh for the appropriate action whether that is show sponsor notification, trailer, website, newsletter or other. Be advised any show sponsors need to be approached and obtained SOON so the show flyers can be printed.
Respectfully,
Charles Reinhardt
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY