The Octagon

NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC               CLUB

Vol. 48                       No.4                    Issue 571                                   April, 2011

  MAINTAINING THE BREED FOR OVER FORTY SEVEN YEARS

PRESIDENT: Pete Rogers, 31104 Fairvista Dr., Tavares, FL 32778.  Phone 352-343-1855.   E-mail: pfrslot@gmail.com.

EDITOR:   Al Cook, 8554 Amber Oak Dr. Orlando, FL 32817.  Phone 407-678-6814. E–mail arcpa@mpinet.net.

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

MEETING:  NOT (QUITE) AS USUAL.  It is the third Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 PM at the Maitland Senior Center, 145 S Maitland Ave. in (can it be?) Maitland, however, we have been informed that we cannot “use the facilities” there.  Rather than change the meeting time or location, at the last minute, we will plan to meet at the Gazebo (call it “al fresco”) until everyone has arrived and plan to then go immediately to dinner at Carlucci’s Italian Restaurant where we can continue our meeting. Those who arrive late can go directly to Carlucci’s.  In the event of rain, plan to meet at Carlucci’s at 7:30 PM.  Directions to the Senior Center: 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.

Directions to Carlucci’s: 501 North Orlando Ave, Ste 145, Winter Park.  This is at the shopping center at the corner of 17-92 & Lee Rd. 

MARCH EVENT FOLLOW UP:  On Saturday, March 19, 2011, we found ourselves in Adorable Mt. Dora for their Classic Car Festival and for our Club’s (In)famous Picnic ‘d Elegance, held at the home of Ann and Lester Arial in downtown Mt. Dora.  Many of our group noticed that the Car Festival was of lesser quality this year, but no such comments were heard about the fun and fellowship of our Club’s event.  We don’t know who won the car show, but the Master of the Picnic was won by Ann & Lester, based, in no small measure, on the fact that Lester bribed the Judges (us) with delicious kabobs for votes!  Lester, your talents could be used in Washington, where we know you could “cook up” a solution to any of our problems. 

APRIL EVENTS: I. MEAD GARDENS BRITISH CAR SHOW:  April is just here, but all of our scheduled events have already occurred.  The month began with the 27^th Annual All British Car Show which was held on April 2, again at Mead Gardens.  It was well attended, with over 200 cars on display on a beautiful spring day.  Local Heroes Jim and Dodie handled the registration for the entire event, representing the Classic MG Club’s participation in the event.  Several of our members, including especially Xandra Roth, donated items for the Raffle that helps build interest (as well as revenues) for the event.  Your reporter was not in attendance at the event, and at the time of publication for this months Octagon, the results of the show were not posted on their web site, but they should appear soon at www.allbritishcarclub.com, if you want to check.

APRIL EVENTS: II  GOF REPORT:  Our own Gathering of the Faithful (GOF) version 45 (that’s Mark XLV for you purists) was held at Weeki Wachee Springs on April 8-10, sponsored this year by the Sun Coast Classic MG Club.  The event was well attended, with over 90 registrants.  The Display of Cars on Saturday had close to 80 MGs.  The weather was perfect and the Hotel was remarkable for its low prices.  There were, reportedly, lots of changes at the last minute, and some at the last second, but our hosts handled things with aplomb (that’s good).  Keeping with the spirit of the location, we were met at dinner on Friday by two mermaids.  One was stuffed, and the other was filled out just perfectly!  It was a nice Welcome.

The voters agreed with us that President Pete’s efforts at bringing his TD back to life were well worth the effort and he won Awards among the First Timers and took First Place among a strong field of  many TDs.  Paul Plasschaert and Ann & Lester Arial’s TFs both won awards, as did John & Sharon Spadaro’s lovely MGB and Art & Yvonne Floyd’s MGC-GT.  I probably have forgotten someone, so I apologize, in advance.  I used to have a name for what this is called, but I forgot.

The committee who is organizing the GOF for next year (Yes, it is our Club’s turn in 2012) was watching both the successes and challenges of the event and has made extensive notes of each.  We hope not to mix up the list!  Unfortunately, we were not able to announce a location for next years event, but we want you to reserve on your schedules the weekend of March 23-25, 2012.  The early date is the result of a very early Easter and the pre-arrangement made by our friends at the All British Car Club, who already have Mead Gardens reserved for the following week.  More information, as soon as possible.

A NEW MG FOR THE COOK FAMILY:  The Al & Kathy Cook family has been eclipsed by their Daughter, Elizabeth.  As many of you know, we are a 2 MG family, but we are proud to announce that Elizabeth now has 3 MGs!  Margaret Greco was born on Thursday April 7, 2011 and will join Madeline and Miranda.  Hopefully there will still be room in their garage for the third MG!

FUTURE EVENTS:    Our own Club will be Hosting a Poker Run over in the Ponce Inlet Area on May 21, 2011 organized by Jim & Dodie.  Check next month’s Octagon for details, but put it on your calendar now.

 Other events of interest include a British Car show, Wheels Across the Pond, to be held in Jupiter on April 23.  I am told that this will be one of the largest British car shows in Florida.  For information, call Neil Archer at 561-601-3212 or go to the web site: www.wheelsacrossthepond.com  

Please note that May 28- June 5 is the 2011 British Car Week International Classic Car Awareness Week.  For information, go to www.britishcarweek.org.

Also note the arrival of a new vintage British car parts company, Britannia Parts and Conversions Corp. out of NY.  Their web address is www.britanniaparts.com and they offer a 10% discount for Car Club members.  You can also call them for information at 1-866-758-2984.