Special GOF Edition

The Octagon 

NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC  CLUB

Vol. 47                       No.4                    Issue 559                                    April 2010 

MAINTAINING THE BREED FOR OVER FORTY YEARS

PRESIDENT:  Jim McSweeney.  3516 Seaford Ln., Casselberry, FL 32707.  Phone 407

695 2981  E-mail jimspeedmaster@aol.com.

EDITOR:   Al Cook, 8554 Amber Oak Dr. Orlando, FL 32817.  Phone 407 6678 6814- E–mail arcpa@mpinet.net.

WEBSITE:  www.classicmgclub.com  WEBMASTER:  Paul Plasschaert, E-mail: webmaster@classicmgclub.com.

 MEETING:  As usual, it is the third Thursday, April 15th at 7:00 PM in the Maitland Senior Center, 145 S Maitland Ave. in (can it be?) 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.  We will discuss our successes at the GOF, plans for the second event in April and plans for upcoming months. 

MARCH EVENT REPORT:  Our March event was an expedition to Mount Dora’s First Annual Classic Car Festival held on Saturday March 20, 2010, combined with our own Picnic d’ Elegance, a favorite from many years past.  Some of our members participated in the show (Lester’s TF won a prize!).  We met many of our non-MG friends as we walked around, but the Big Event for most of us was the Picnic!  This event brought out both the creative and the gourmet side of our members.  The prize went to Pete and Sherry Rogers who blew us away with a Damask tablecloth and Silver wine holder!

IT’S HERE!:   GOF South, Mark 44 is being hosted this year by MG Classics of Jacksonville and will be held on April 9-11, 2010 at Jekyll Island, GA.  The only thing worse than registering and showing up late, is not going at all!  You can register on-site and you still (probably) can secure a room at the Oceanside Inn and Suites and, if you haven’t already done so, you NEED to CALL NOW!  For more information, go to the  MG Classic’s web site (www.mgclassics.org/gof2010). 

 After much discussion, at our last meeting and, with the help of John Camichos, we have firm plans to travel, as a group to the GOF, leaving Friday morning, April 8, 2010 from the Publix Shopping Center in Maitland (along US 17-92) promptly at 9:15 AM.  John has a route that will take us north of St. Augustine where we will pause for lunch at the King’s Head Pub and have us to Jekyll Island in time to check in, relax, and check out  the First Timer’s show before dinner around the pool.  Some of our friends who live outside of the Orlando area plan to meet our group along the way.  Our route was sent out by an earlier email, and if you didn’t get it, or just forgot, you can call John (407-894-1957) and let him know when/where you will join us on the journey. 

For those of you who cannot make the GOF, our own local British Car Breakfast Club is holding it’s 26^th Annual All British Car Show on April 10, 2010 at Mead Gardens in Winter Park, Fl.  Our Club is participating by handling their registration.  For more information, contact President Jim or visit the web site at www.allbritishcarclub.com.

BONUS APRIL EVENT:  At our last meeting we decided on an additional event for April and, with the investigative talents of Sherry Rogers, we have decided to ride back in time to the era when our cars were new and long trips were by train and not airplane.  Think of traveling with trunks of stuff and with plenty of legroom and space to move around.  Think of a lovely meal served to you as you travel.  Nostalgic?  Come with us to ride the rails on Saturday, April 24, 2010, as the Citrus Sun departs for a luncheon tour from Eustis to Tavares and back.  This is a one and a half hour tour where we ride along in a vintage (1948) train as a chef prepares our lunch as we travel.  The cost is $29, which doesn’t include tax, tip or any beverages you might order from their bar.  You have to reserve your trip ahead of time because they have to know you are coming in order to know how much food to bring.  They suggest you reserve at least 10 days in advance, so for those mathematically challenged, that means you should call by April 14^th.  Please don’t forget the power of the dollar (or begging) and call at any time, but as soon as you can!  The number to call is 352-589-4300.  For you folks who use GPS devices, the departure point is 51 West Magnolia Ave., Eustis, FL 32726.  The train leaves at 12:30, and you can board 15 minutes prior to departure.  There is a web site.  It isn’t much, but you can see some photos, get a feel for the trip, view the menu, etc. The address is www.inlandlakesrailway.com.

When you register, please let your Editor, or someone else who will come to our next meeting know.  We will probably organize a tour from the central Orlando area up to Eustis so that we can enjoy each others company along the way up, but to do this most effectively, we need to know who to include.  We come from all over Florida, but the goal is to know who will be there so we can plan to sit together on the train ride and lunch.  Obviously we will have to have a Special ‘Train Ride’ Edition of The Octagon to deal with this later.

CLASSIFIED ADS:  Note: space permitting, we will run your ad for cars/car services or car parts for sale/needed, for one month.  If you want the ad modified or placed in the OCTAGON for another month, let us know.  Send all requests to your editor.