The Octagon 

NEWSLETTER OF THE CLASSIC  CLUB

Vol. 48                       No.3                    Issue 570                                    March, 2011

MAINTAINING THE BREED FOR OVER FORTY 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 AS USUAL.  It is the third Thursday, March 17^th at 6:00 PM at the home of Al & Kathy Cook, 8554 Amber Oak Dr. Orlando, FL 32817.  NOTE THE EARLIER TIME!    Directions: from Horatio, going the other way from your usual (heading West) continue past Winter Park, past 436, and continue on Howell Branch Road to Aloma Avenue.  At that point, you continue straight (the road becomes Hall Road) and turn left into the subdivision named Miller’s Cove.  You will be on Amber Oak then.  Wind around, but do not turn until you reach 8554 Amber Oak at the corner, on the right.  It’s easy by GPS and if you are really lost, you can call the Cooks at home (407) 678-6814.  We will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in MG Style with Corned Beef & cabbage provided by the Club.  You provide the friendly company and a side dish if you are able.  Please call Chef Kathy to coordinate, so that we don’t end up with 15 Blood Sausage casseroles!  Her # is (407) 678-6814 and it’s best to call in the evenings between 6:00 and 9:30 P.M.  Bring your own favorite beverage for a possible “tasting” of beers from around the world!   In addition to the dinner, we will discuss plans for driving events for the Summer and Fall.  Come loaded with your ideas & suggestions.

Please, also bring any car-related donations you may have been collecting dust around your home or garage to contribute to the Silent Auction at the Mead Garden Car Show.   As you may know we participate, as a Club, in this event, and receive a share of the proceeds, so you are helping our Club when you help with this request.

FEBRUARY EVENT FOLLOW UP:  On Saturday, February 19^th 22 of our members turned out to experience the best that Florida has to offer, at our own Blue Spring State Park.  Led by Naturalist and long-time MG enthusiast Bill Partington, we viewed the delights of the St. Johns River and its interesting inhabitants as we enjoyed a 2 hour boat cruise.  The weather and the company were both perfect and, believe it or not, we arrived on time and without incident.  Afterwards we adjourned to a surprisingly good local BBQ restaurant for typical MG food and fellowship.  It was a great event and we can only hope that the current frenzy of budget cutting spares Blue Spring and our other State Parks, so that future MG friends can see the “Real Florida” as we did.

 MARCH DRIVING  EVENT - A REAL TWO-FER:  On Saturday, March 19, 2011, we feature a real two-for-one Bargain!  Our driving destination is Mount Dora and we will enjoy the charms of this lovely town while checking out the Second Annual Mount Dora Classic Car Festival.  It is being held on Saturday March 19, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Sadly, by the time you read this, you are either already registered, or not.  There is no registration “at the door.”  However, there is still a whole lot of lookin’ to do while in town!  For more information, visit their website: www.lakedoraclassic.com. 

Although some of us who are registered will have to arrive quite early, the Club will,  as a group, tour to Mount Dora, departing at a more reasonable time, to arrive in sufficient time to check out the show and then enjoy a picnic lunch at our Mount Dora Annex Location, A/K/A the home of Anne and Lester Ariail, 352 East 3^rd Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757.  Here is how we will do it:  For the Orlando-based contingent, meet at 9:00 A.M. at the Starbucks (in front of the Publix Grocery), near the intersection of Horatio Ave and US 17-92.  The group will leave, in caravan fashion, as close to 9:30 as is possible.  Follow the well-worn path of 414 to 441 to Mount Dora, or some similar route to arrive at Anne & Lester’s in time to park and stretch those legs in a short downhill walk to the center of town to view the show and sample the wares of the local merchants who are undoubtedly the biggest supporters of this event!  We plan to return to Anne & Lester’s after our walking tour to convene the Legendary (??) Annual Picnic d’ Elegance, an event well known to some of the more seasoned (small pun intended) members of our group.

For the benefit of our newer members, the Picnic d’ Elegance is a time for you to get out your best picnic attire, food, ambience, etc. and have lunch in style!  There will be judging by your peers and an award given for the best overall picnic attitude!  Needless to say there will be handicapping of the entries.  If someone comes in a Chevy mini-van, you won’t get many votes for your glass table and chair set and your chandelier, but if you brought that stuff in the back of your MGTD, that’s a different story!!  Needless to say, the key is to have a good time and share lunch with your MG friends.  The Club isn’t providing anything but the opportunity, so bring what you want to eat and drink for lunch.  After lunch and beverages, we may (or may not) decide what to do next!

 A NOTE TO NEW MEMBERS;   In the last few months, we have added many names to our electronic newsletter distribution list.  Don’t just sit there and enjoy the witty chitter-chatter of The Octagon, COME OUT and enjoy the company of your fellow car nuts.  We promise not to mock your ratty ‘ole car and will be on our best behavior (for a while, at least).  It doesn’t matter that your car isn’t running, either.  Heck, half of our members either can’t get theirs running or are “between cars.”  Seriously, don’t delay.  Come out.  This month’s meeting in Mt. Dora will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know your new friends in The Classic MG Club of Orlando!  

FUTURE EVENTS:    Our own local British Car Breakfast Club will be hosting the 27^th Annual All British Car Show on April 1-3, 2011, with the big show of cars on April 2.  Again it will be held at Mead Gardens which has served us well in the past.  For information, please check out the web site: www.allbritishcarclub.com .

GOF DEADLINE APROACHING!  The 45^th Annual Gathering of the Faithful will be held this year on April 8-10, 2011 at lovely Weeki Wachee, organized by the Sun Coast Classic MG Club.  You are encouraged to both register with the club and get your registration in to their host hotel, NOW!  Please get your forms and information at www.gofsouth.com and do it (you know).  You can also call Diana or Ron at 352-593-4168 or Ralph at 352-796-6984 for more information.  This is OUR event and your participation will help ensure the continuation of this fine tradition.  Remember, next year we are the hosts and hope to have our site selected (close to home!) in the near future.