The Octagon 

Vol. 46                       No. 11                    Issue 554                     November, 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 editor@classicmgclub.com  

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

MEETING:  As usual it is the third Thursday, November 19^th at 7:00 PM in the Maitland Senior Center, 145 S Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751.    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.  We will discuss the Flankey Mini Car Show and Chili Cook-Off as well as out plans for end of year festivities.

OCTOBER EVENT REVIEW:  Murphy rules!  Careful plans and a proven and popular destination have no power like that of the Notorious Mr. Murphy, who intervenes to spoil the best-laid plans of mice and MG enthusiasts.  As it turns out, October 24 must have been the World’s Worst day for most or our members to drive to the beach.  Those who went had a lovely time, good weather and were greeted by out hosts (who remembered us and our “cute little cars,” but the attendance was poor, to say the best.  Oh, well, it’s still a good idea.  We promise to consult the Magic Eight Ball next time to figure out a better date.

NOVEMBER EVENT:  Our event for November takes place on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at High Noon when we gather for the ?? Annual Flankey Mini Car Show and Chili Cook-Off.  As we have done in recent years, we will extend an invitation to our friends in the other British Car Clubs in the area.  We will sample the Chili Contest entries and solicit votes for the winner(s).  The MG Club will provide drinks, corn bread, and the staples to go along with the meal and we invite you to provide your favorite appetizer, dessert or side dish to share.  Would you please call Camille Flankey at 407-886-3347 (home) or 407-247-2447 (cell) to talk to her and coordinate what to bring?  (We don’t want to end up with 23 versions of zucchini casserole.)

Directions to the Flankey’s: Their address is 8096 Gillam Road, Apopka.  From I-4 and Lee Rd., go west on Lee Rd. to the Orange Blossom Trail (Hwy 441).  Turn right and go north to Clarcona-Ocoee Rd.  Turn left and go west about 6 miles to Apopka-Vineland Rd.  Then turn right and go about 1 mile to Gillam Rd.  At Gillam, turn right and go 2/10ths of a mile to the driveway (horse sign on right).  The house is approximately 600 feet down the dirt driveway.  Note: Apopka-Vineland Rd. is CR 435.  You can take it South from downtown Apopka or North from Silver Star Rd. to Gillam Rd. on CR435.  Call Camille’s cell phone (407-247-2447) if you get lost.

 HOLLIDAY GOINGS-ON:

Plans are underway now for our traditional End of Year Holiday Festivities.  Our December Meeting (December 17^th) will include the traditional Tour Of Lights where we drive around to view some of the more colorful holiday light displays, concluding with a dinner in one of the better local eating establishments.  Details will be announced in next month’s Octagon.  The date and location of our Holiday Party and Gift Exchange will also be announced later.  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!  

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 information go to 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.  If you recall, last year we hosted the Gathering at the Plantation Inn in Crystal River.  Our time will come again in 2012, but in the mean time, we need to 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.      FOR SALE: 1970 MGB Roadster.  Restored in 2004.  $5,500.  Call Ivan Nietzel at 407-277-4673 (Orlando). Skip Whitlam has his 1977 MGB Roadster for sale.  Pictures of it show an attractive body and paint and a motor that needs to be reassembled and installed.  He reports that he would rather sell it as is to an MG enthusiast rather than part it out.  Sorry gang, the car was just sold this week. INFIRMARY REPORT:  Patsy Nauman is finally home after a long period in a rehab facility.  Her sons have installed a lift on the stairs so she can get upstairs.  She’s continuing rehab at home.  Her plans are to attend the Flankey event if possible.  Marlene Files is coming along.  She is able to walk without a walker.  She is getting dialysis three times a week. We are glad to hear both Patsy and Marlene are doing better.