The Octagon 

NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC  CLUB

Vol. 47                       No. 1                    Issue 556                     January, 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:  It is the third Thursday, January 21st at 7:00 PM, Back at the Maitland Senior Center.  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.    As with all of our Meetings, when we conclude our business, we will have dinner at some place determined by the whim of our hungriest members.    

DECEMBER EVENT(S) REVIEW:  On Saturday, December 12, 2009, we gathered at the home of Kathy and Al Cook for fun and food and the annual Holiday Gift Exchange.  I am happy to report that the Naked Lady Vase made an appearance and was the subject of much spirited maneuvering to see who would take her home for the next year.  Your editor got sidetracked with a particular imported intoxicant, and, as a result cannot report (or just plain can’t remember) who got Her.  Did I say that we had a good time?  Luckily no one had a camera and so the tabloids will have to keep after Tiger or whatever scoop de jure there is without assistance from our group.  We were also blessed by the return of long-missing member Marlene Files who had been MIA for quite some time.  Welcome Back, Marlene!

Our regular meeting date and time was replaced by an annual favorite, the Tour of Lights.  This year’s event took place on December 17^th, which turned out to be the first real day of winter, no matter what the calendar said.  It was cold and rainy (much like the weather we have seen since then).  A small but dedicated group of drivers showed up, and were treated to a wonderful tour of the decorated homes in the Domerich & Indian Hills areas.  Tour Meister Dody routed us on secondary streets, kept us from getting lost, and had the tour timed perfectly to arrive at Rolando’s Cuban Restaurant, in time to link up with those of our group who missed the meeting place or were too cold to take the tour.  Jim and Caroline Robinson get the Good Sport Award for showing up (in the rain) in an open MGB wearing Santa Hats, although, as usual, no one thought to award them anything for their efforts!

JANUARY EVENT:  Planned under the influence of cold weather and Sangria at Rolando’s, the Powers That Be, have decided that the January event will be a drive through the verdant countryside in Lake County concluding with (Surprise!) a stop at O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, a famed local watering hole near Tavares.  As is usual, we will assemble locally and then commence our expedition.  The meeting time is Saturday, January 30^th at 9:30 AM and our assembly point is the home of Ann and Paul Plasschaert, located at 1304 Wellington Terrace in lovely Maitland.  For directions, please call Paul at 407-331-7531.  For better directions, call Ann (at the same number).  If you have a break-down, get lost, or are just a poopy-head and don’t want to drive with us, O’Keefe’s is located at 115 S. Rockingham Ave. Tavares, FL 32778 (phone # 352-343-2157).  This location is just off the shore of Adorable Lake Dora and just off of East Main Street, which I believe is County Road 452.

Knock the dust off the ‘ole MG and free her from that garage!  In all likelihood, she is just like you; sittin’ too long in one place!!  Paul promises an end to the cold weather and “Perfect MG Driving Weather.” OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS :   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, in your own best interests, as well as a courtesy to our hosts, you need to make both your overnight reservations and to register for the event, at this time.  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! 

February 27, 2010, Vintage and Custom Car Show & Super Car Corral – Villages Vintage Car Club, Belleview, FL

March 6, 2010, Zephyrhills Celtic Festival & Highland Games British and European Classic Car Show, Zephyr Hills, FL

 April 24, 2010, Legends on the Green, Concours d’Elegance – Tournament Players Club, Sawgrass, FL  

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.