The Octagon

  NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC      CLUB  

          Vol. 46                       No. 4                   Issue 535                                         April 2008

MAINTAINING THE BREED FOR OVER FORTY YEARS

PRESIDENT:   Dan Stewart. 3901 Wimbledon Dr. Lake Mary, FL 32746, Phone 407 804 9205 

E-mail - Dan@MaitlandImports.Com.

EDITOR:  Send Articles to Tony Roth, 551 Gilbert Rd., Winter Park, FL 32792.  Phone 407 671 6888 - E–mail – ClassicMGClub@cfl.rr.com.

 MEETING:  As usual it is the third Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 PM in the Maitland Senior Center, 145 S Maitland Ave. in (you guessed it!) Maitland    Directions, from Horatio and Orlando Ave. (AKA 17-92), Go West on Horatio to Maitland Ave.  Then left (South) on Maitland Ave. to Packwood. Go right (West) on Packwood about ½ a block to the parking lot. Pull into the 1st driveway on the left.  The location of the post meeting will be the first topic of discussion. 

 EVENT PAST:  On March 29 we traveled to adorable Mount Dora where Hosts Anne and Lester Ariail welcomed us to their town and, more importantly to their oversized back yard.  The good driving weather brought out many of our MGs and there were no reported parts left along the road.  The town was busy as there was one of the periodic Antique fairs going on.  The plan was to park, meet, eat, antique and then take a ferryboat ride across the pond to Tavares where the Boat Show was being held this year.  The parking, meeting and the eating were superb, but there was a failure of an aquatic nature in that the water taxi service we had counted on to get us to the Boat Show was severely curtailed and we were faced with the prospect of an all afternoon effort to get there and back.  We conferred and decided to enjoy the local show where we could rely on our own feet to get us where we wanted to go.  Thanks to Anne and Lester for being our Hosts, to Marlene for organizing a wonderful (and noticeably colorful) luncheon and to the Cooks for (what else) cooking the ‘burgers and ‘dogs and bringing them to the site. 

 BRITISH CAR DAY:  On April 5 we participated in the 24^th annual Brutish Car Show put on by our local British Car Breakfast Club.  The MG Club was responsible for the registration and our own Paul Plasschaert was the “man behind the computer” who made it work.  We had a great turnout of MGs and people and, although the weather turned threatening later on, the rain held off till after the meet ended - good timing!  Overall it was a brilliant day; perfect to show our cars! Tony Geraci tied for first place in the T series class, showing a car that was new to him, but familiar to some of our older members.  I understand that Will Bowden had a hand in guiding Tony to get this lovely TF back in shape.  He tied with the grey beauty Glenn Lenhard brought.  Sylvia Thomas’ white MGA, Dave Houser’s MGBGT, Russ Niewold ‘s  Chrome bumper B and Cerezo Lizardo’s Rubber bumper B all were at the head of their classes. In addition to the big show of cars, there were many other activities to occupy you’re your time.  There was a large flea market, silent auction, guess the part contest, trivia quiz and valve cover racing.   Again, thanks to Paul for doing all the computer work on registration and all you that pitched in at the meet to do the necessary jobs we had to do at the meet.

 MAY EVENTS:  I will be in the hospital on April 30^th.  If all goes well, The Roth’s will once again host the Club’s Cinco D’Mayo celebration at their home, 551 Gilbert Rd., Winter Park on Saturday May 3.   The festivities will kick off at 2:00 PM and will last until the whistle blows.  Keep your eye open for an e-mail the final word that it is a go. We will observe the usual format – Club providing drinks, each member brings their favorite Mexican dish.  Call Xandra 407 671 6888 to coordinate food or directions if needed.  See you there 

DRIVE YOUR BRITISH CAR WEEK CELEBRATION will be on Tuesday May 20^th.  We will show off our cars on fashionable Park Ave in Winter Park before and having dinner at Panullos Restaurant.  This is always a fun outing, it will be held by the light of the full moon this year The driving event for May is the annual Sam Mazotta memorial Poker Run.   Jim and Dodie will serve as rally masters, with some assistance from Dean.  The date, time, and starting point will be announced at the next meeting and in the newsletter. Another item for your individual consideration (as opposed to club official participation) is the Casselberry 50’s and 60’s Concert and Car Show being held this year on May 10 at the Casselberry City Hall Complex.  This is an annual event sponsored by Casselberry’s Parks and Recreation Dept to raise money for their Arts Programs.  It features entertainment, beer and wine sales and a show of cars prior to 1975.  Registration is $15 prior to the event and $20 on the day of the event. Trophies are given for you trophy hounds out there!  A flier will be given out at the next meeting and e-mail for those interested. 

The 42^nd annual GOF (Gathering of the Faithful) was held in lovely Silver Springs, Florida, just East of Ocala on April 11-13.  We seemed to have the run of the Day’s Inn, just across from the Park.  There was a friendly welcome on their large sign on Highway 40, Silver Springs Boulevard.  We had the use of their spacious meeting room for the traditional Hospitality Room and to display items for the Silent Auction.  The Host Club, The Suncoast Classic MG Club employed many volunteers who were very noticeable in their green Host shirts.  They even had welcoming shirts made for the Hotel Staff!  The first evening began with the “First Timer’s Show” featuring about 15 cars whose owners haven’t previously brought them to the Gathering.  It was wonderful to see so many new cars! After dinner on our own, we gathered out in the back (parking) lot to view one of the classic Tarzan movies, many of which were filmed just across the street.  Our hosts served us popcorn and beer and the waitresses delivered the goods by roller skates.  Someone said that there was something funny about one of the waitresses, but those who had enough beer didn’t seem to notice!The traditional showing of the cars was on Saturday morning outside the park, just off their main parking lot, on the grass and under a canopy of trees.  We needed all the shade we could find, because it was a scorcher!  Our hosts brought cool beverages and a sound system and we listened and stood to attention as we listened to the British and US national anthems.  Close to 100 MGs were in attendance, ranging from a 1939 PA to a 2003 150ZS, which appeared to have a regular South Carolina tag!  After having our fill of kicking tires and ogling cars those who wanted could exchange their vouchers for tickets to see Silver Springs.  To amuse the masses, we answered questions and completed a crossword puzzle about out tour through the park.  We learned why the area was so accommodating when we observed all of the Octagon shapes built into the park.  Surely, some MG nut had had a hand in the design of many of the parks buildings, fountains and even hanging planters!The banquet was held later that evening at one of the banquet rooms at the park, since there wasn’t room for us at any of the hotel’s facilities.  The food was served “buffet-style” which is apparently French for “stand in line while they cook it!”  Our evening adjourned to the Hospitality room back at the hotel for some desert and some more beverages and then we gathered around the pool for announcements, awards and entertainment.  Local winners included John and Jean Camichos, and Lester and Anne Ariail.  Of special note was George Butz who won first in class for his newly restored green MG-TD.  An extra-special award was given to Will Bowden for (I’m not sure I heard correctly.  I think is was for “Eating and sleeping MG”). The entertainment featured a couple of young ladies who did a good job of filling in for the Andrews Sisters.  Elvis made an appearance and those who stayed (not many, I’m afraid) for the entertainment enjoyed it.  The injury report (of cars) was minor and all who started actually arrived.  The Cook’s threw a fan belt 3 miles from home, but were rescued by Tony Roth’s Repair Facility who had the correct replacement readily at hand.  Art and Yvonne Floyd’s TC had fuel pump problems, but that has apparently happened enough that Art had one on hand to change it out and keep going! 

The lasting impression was a good one.  The Sun Coast Club obviously took a lot of time and care to have everything on hand to accommodate us.  The ladies had baked and prepared many goodies for us to eat and we told everyone who would listen that they shouldn’t expect that next year.  It will either be BYOG(goodies) or Sam’s Club for us!  All our fellow MGers wished us well and pledged to see us again next year.