The Octagon 

 NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC   CLUB

Vol. 48                       No.8                    Issue 575                                 August, 2011 

MAINTAINING THE BREEDFOR OVER FORTY EIGHT 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 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, August18th at 7:00 PM at what has become our new location, “the Cottage at Lake Lilly” in Maitland.    Directions: from Horatio and Orlando Ave. (AKA 17-92), Go West on Horatio to Maitland Ave. Then left (South) on Maitland Ave. to the curve in the road (where you have to turn to keep from driving into Lake Lilly). Turn right (West) onto Lake Lilly Drive, a restricted usage road that curves around the lake.  The destination is a small white house on the left, about .2 mile.  Park and come in.  The address is 701 Lake Lilly Dr., Maitland FL 32751. We will discuss the upcoming events for the next couple of months.   

JULY EVENTS FOLLOW UP :  On Saturday July 23^rd we met at the home of Kathy & Al Cook to enjoy the sun, the friendship, the gossip and the wonderful food provided by our members.  Thanks to Kathy, we even kicked around ideas for the up-coming GOF that we will host next March.  We are not yet up to speed with plans for GOF 46, but are moving in the right direction now, thanks to stalwarts Paul Plasschaert and Kathy.

AUGUST DRIVING(?)  EVENT:    On Saturday, August  20th,  at 12:00, Noon, we will hold our (kind-of) Annual Irish Beer Drinking, Car Showing,  and Darts Tournament at Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub in lovely downtown Winter Park.  As we have in the past, we will open the event up to all lovers of British autos and hope for a respectable turn-out of friends driving non-MG autos.  All are invited to enjoy the air conditioned atmosphere in a newly-renovated Irish Pub, the many varieties of unusual beer and the companionship of other old car nuts who might challenge you to throw a round of Darts (or whatever that is called).  Maybe we will see a reversal of the trend over the last couple of years which has seen rank amateurs dominating the play over those who might be expected to prevail.  Could this be a secret plot?  Is there some dysfunction that comes from working on old British autos?  Or could it be that the ladies are just better at subtraction than the guys?  Come and see if the answer will be revealed!

We will see you at 12:00 Noon.  Fiddler’s is located at 544 West Fairbanks in Lovely Winter Park, FL.  The phone # there is 407-645-2050 although all you have to do is show up and have FUN!

  LOOKING AHEAD: 

Now is the time to get going and make your reservations for the Brit Bash on October 29, 2011 at Riverside Park in Vero Beach.  For information and registration information, go to www.mgcarclubflorida.org.  Do it now.  At the August meeting, we will decide on whether and how we will travel over there for the event.

Our club will be inviting the good folks at the MG Car Club Florida to join is for our traditional October Overnighter which will, this year, involve a summer beach jaunt to the Tuckaway Shores Condominium Hotel in Indian Harbor Beach.  We will stay overnight on Saturday October 1, 2011.  Those coming from the Orlando area will plan to caravan over to the coast.  Those coming from closer can make their own arrangements.  When we arrive, we will take in the scenery, the beach, or simply wire back on any pieces that fell off on the way.  As dinner rime approaches we should gather in their Club Room to plan dinner.  Please bring some snacks and maybe a favorite beverage to share as we decide where to go for dinner.  Please call now to make your reservations.  This isn’t a large place and they may sell out, so call today.  The #s are 321-723-3355 (local) or 1-800-820-1441 (toll free).  If you want other information about the facility, visit www.tuckawayshores.net.  Be sure to mention that you are with the MG Group to receive a 15% discount from the “rack rate.”

FOR SALE:  Apparently everyone is happy with what they have.  Let us know if you get restless and we will publish your offerings.

NEW ARRIVALS:   For the “lucky dog” award, your editor nominates new member Bill Bray, whose son bought him an exceedingly rare 1952 MGTD Right-Hand drive model for his birthday.  Bill winters here in Winter Park (naturally) and sent some photos of his new “baby” that will be stored and driven while Bill is in town.   He promises to look us up and come to the next meeting, when he is in town, but in the mean time, here some photo.  (Oh, by the way, his son is NOT up for adoption.  I know, I tried).