The Octagon 

NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC  CLUB

Vol. 46                       No. 12                    Issue 555                     December, 2009 

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:  It is the third Thursday, December 17^th at 7:00 PM, BUT NOT AT THE MAITLAND SENIOR CENTER.  This is our special Holiday Meeting and Driving Tour of Lights.  We will meet at the McDonald’s Restaurant in Casselberry, along Semoran Boulevard (Highway 436), just North of Howell Branch Road.  From there we will depart on a magical journey (that Dody will devise) which will feature as many holiday lights and displays as we can see in approximately 45 minutes of low speed touring.  As in years past, we encourage you to drive your favorite Little British Cars and to decorate them for the season.  Maybe we can get our Club Treasurer to spring for a Free Dessert for the winner of the Best Decorated MG!  As with all of our Meetings, when we conclude our business, we will have dinner.  Tour Master Dody will select a suitable dining establishment; based on our ending location and the Dinner Destination will be disclosed at the assembly point.  I will endeavor to find out ahead of time and publish a Bulletin with that information, in case some of our group is unable to do the Tour, but still want to dine with us.  Another option would be for you to call Your Editor’s Cell Phone #(407-252-2005) at the last minute, or if you get separated from the group.

NOVEMBER EVENT REVIEW:  On Saturday, November 22, 2009, about 50 lovers of old sports cars and chili gathered for the Annual Flankey Mini Car Show and Chili Cook-Off.  A wonderful time was had and there were a number of interesting styles of Chili to sample and more than a few lovely vintage cars to ogle at!  Our hearty Thanks to Jim & Camille Flankey (and their whole Family), who were so hospitable.   This reporter was asleep at the switch and can’t recall who the winners of the Chili Cook – Off were, but I know that the happy consumers of the Chili were all winners!

HOLLIDAY GOINGS-ON:   Our traditional End of Year Holiday Party and Gift Exchange will be held at the home of Al and Kathy Cook, 8554 Amber Oak Drive, Orlando FL 32817 on Saturday December 12, 2009 with appetizers and fellowship starting at 3:00 PM, and Dinner planned for 4:00 PM.  THIS IS BEFORE THE MONTHLY MEETING!    As we have done in the past, the Club will provide the Main Course with our Members contributing their Specialties in the areas of appetizers, salads, side dishes or desserts.   Would you please RSVP by calling Kathy at 407-678-6814 to let her know you are coming and to coordinate the food (remember the 15 Zucchini Casseroles I threatened you with last month? – they could appear if we don’t coordinate things).  After dinner we will conduct our (in) famous Chinese Gift Exchange.  If you wish to participate, bring a wrapped, but otherwise indistinguishable gift to exchange.  The rules of the exchange are never written and seem to be somewhat flexible, but one thing is for sure, we will have a great time!  Maybe we will see the re-emergence of the baby-food Christmas tree lights or the infamous Naked Lady Vase!  Who knows what devious and creative gifts we will see?   Plan on lots of fun and friendship!   But, above all, call so we know you are coming.  Otherwise, how will we know how much Kibble to buy?

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST:   GOF South, Mark 44 will be hosted by MG Classics of Jacksonville and will be held on April 9-11, 2010 at Jekyll Island, GA.  The hotel is the Oceanside Inn and Suites and it isn’t too early to make both your overnight reservations and to register for the event.  For more information, go to their web site (www.mgclassics.org/gof2010) or get information at one of our monthly meetings.  This is the Gathering, which is organized by the three Florida-based clubs.  Please do all we can to support, encourage and participate in this fine tradition.  You can do this by sending in your registration NOW!

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.

A SAD GOOD-BY:  On Friday, December 04, 2009, a good number of our group traveled to Merritt Island to attend funeral services to say farewell to Patsy Nauman, who passed away on November 30 from the cancer she had fought for so long.  Patsy and John, who passed on a few years ago, were known to many in the club as very special people.  They will be missed.

NEW YEAR’S DAY INVITATION:   I plan to get the olde smoker our on New Year’s day and cook up a mess of ribs.

Show up at our house (551 Gilbert Rd., Winter Park) around two in the afternoon. for snacks and hors d’ouvres.  The ribs should be ready about three.

Please RSVP by calling 407 671 6888. As you can assume, we need a head count.

See you to celebrate the start of what hopefully will be a great year for all.