Happy Holidays!
Ann and I are sad to see the warm weather end for the year. This is also near the end of my current tenure as chairman, and this will be my next to last Chairman's Steering Column.
The driving season is officially behind us, ending with the last club-sponsored drive, the Cruise to the Rock on Thanksgiving morning. Dean Swanson suggested getting together at the Kmart on Rt. 83 in Willowbrook to caravan, and nine cars showed up. When we arrived at the rock, Jake and Ann Snyder were waiting for us along with several other members. I apologize for forgetting to get an exact MG count, but I estimate that there were approximately 15 participating cars.
During an off-the-cuff interview for a cable television show, Ann Snyder knowledgeably discussed the historical significance of the site, and the people and cars involved in the 1895 race to Evanston and back, at a hair raising speed of about eight miles per hour.
The Christmas party is on Sunday, December 10th this year; I hope you got your reservations in on time.
The first big social event of 2007 is the annual AMTRAK trip organized by Jake and Ann Snyder. They have planned a trip to the NEW Studebaker Museum. Ann and I are giving this trip to each other for Christmas, since we had such a fun weekend last year. The dates are January 19 – 21st, and we are looking forward to another great trip. Watch the web site and the "Driveline" for details.
I don’t put my B away for the winter, but rather drive it on every nice snow and sleet-free day. It may be cold, but the “warmer” works just fine. This is just the slow time of year. We miss the driving events with other club members. These cars are just made to drive and enjoy. They make traveling the back roads and seeing our country really special. Even those breakdowns are fun to look back on (NOT). Fortunately the roadside repairs are becoming fewer and fewer.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support and assistance during the last two years. I have had a blast. Ann and I have made many wonderful new friends. We look forward to each event knowing we will have the opportunity to spend a day or two (sometimes more) with really fine people. Our longest excursion was two and one half weeks spent mostly with Oscar and Diana Gonzalez and Roger and Shirley Goebbert. We have also spent lots and lots of hours cruising through the countryside towards our destination of lunch or dinner with our friends, both old and new, in MGs. The Chicagoland MG Club’s members are the best, and we have really enjoyed your companionship.
I want to assure you that I am not leaving the club. I will be around next year in my role as “past president.” After that, who knows! I will probably run for office again. Since I enjoyed these past two years so much, I was tempted to run again, but the club will benefit from fresh ideas and new perspectives.
By popular demand, Ann and I are planning Wine, Cheese, and Beer Tour 2007. We are on a roll and enjoy putting the tour together almost as much as driving it with our friends. I love looking around for MG roads. There are lots of them around. I want to write a rally next year and help with the Abingdon Weekend. Kim Tonry and I are discussing bringing the Abingdon Trials Endurance Rally back to Abingdon in 2007.
We have decided not to drive to MG 2007 in California next year. It is just too close to Olympia. If anyone wants to go, I would be willing to help with the route and provide pointers for a cross country trip. We are planning to go to Philadelphia in 2008, so mark your calendars and plan to join us.
To all of you who thanked me for the 30th anniversary glasses, you're welcome. I guess if I was running for office again it could be construed as "buying votes", but since I'm not, please accept the gift in the spirit in which it was intended--a sincere heartfelt thank you from the club staff to all of you who are active, loyal, Chicagoland MG Club members. I will continue to support the Chicagoland MG Club, hopefully for many, many years to come! Remember that additional glasses can be purchased for $6. a piece. Unfortunately we are unable to ship the glasses and they must be picked up at the meetings.
The ballot for next year’s officers is in this issue. They must be received by Kim Tonry no later than December 31. We have filled some staff positions for next year, but still need an Archivist and Driving Events Coordinator.
Don’t forget to send your dues. They are still just $20. That has got to be the best value you will find anywhere. Checks need to reach the treasurer by January 1.