The Steering Wheel Our Mission Statement: To share the love of our antique cars and to show them off. To enjoy fellowship of other car enthusiasts.
MARCH 2013 Vol.13#01
Officers: President: Al Preisner (616) 874-9336 Vice-President: Carl Esakson (616) 677-5816 Secretary: Mary Chubinski (616) 774-2358 Treasurer: Leon DeLange (616) 878-3618 Board of Directors: 13/14 Gene Birdsall (616) 874-9049 13/14 Ken Bogardus (616) 534-3778 13/14 Chuck Swift (616) 13/14 John Wilson (616) 453-7025 12/13 Fred Brailey (616) 363-3947 12/13 Craig Chalmers (616) 361-2220 12/13 Jim Nyman (616) 949-7879 Committee Chairs: April Auction Al Preisner (616) 874-9336 Craig Chalmers (616) 361-2220 Christmas Banquet Sean & Cindy Smith (616) 937-4513
Club Historian Roseanne Lynch (616) 460-2161 Club Picnic John & Bonnie Woodman (616) 997-6413 Membership Al Preisner (616) 874-9336 Metro 28th Cruise Leon DeLange (616) 878-3618 Newsletter – Typing Bonnie Woodman (616) 997-6413 Newsletter – Mailing Marcia Rossman (616) 784-5274 Retirement Visits Cheryl Chalmers (616) 361-2220 Sick & Shut Ins Linda Biggins (616) 365-1371 Special Events Ruth Esakson (616) 677-5816 Cynthia Smith (231) 937-4513 Tours: Dust Off Sean & Cindy Smith (616) 937-4513
Fall One Day
1 Events Calendar ** Indicates a SPECIAL Event
Feb 26 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeter: Jim Nyman Entertainment: Leon DeLange on taxes …… Mar 12 Tue GRACC Board Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm
NOTE: Potluck tonight – eating at 7pm Mar 26 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeter: Carl & Ruth Esakson Entertainment: Spring Potluck
Apr 9 Tue GRACC Board Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm
NOTE: Auction Night Apr 23 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeter: Chuck & Judy Swift Entertainment: Yearly GRACC Auction
“Dates marked in BOLD, Underlined and marked with a double asterisk **, are SPECIAL Events and Visits. Please make note of these dates. These events and visits earn points toward the year end awards.”
** We will now have a 50/50 Raffle and/or a prize drawing at all membership meetings – this is to help offset the cost of the Awards Banquet.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hi All, Hopefully everyone is doing well during our winter weather. Please remember that membership dues are due now for the new year. This is the start of a new year for the club’s activities and events. It is not too early to start thinking about our April Auction, which helps support the club activities. Hopefully we will have some interesting events for everyone during the year. Hope to see all of you during our meetings and events. Your GRACC President Al Preisner
2 Board Of Directors Report
The Officers and Board of Directors for 2013:
Officers: President: Al Preisner Vice-President: Carl Esakson Secretary: Mary Chubinski Treasurer: Leon DeLange
Board: Fred Brailey Jim Nyman Ken Bogardus John Wilson Craig Chalmers Gene Birdsall Chuck Swift
With Board Approval, the following has been voted on and passed. Regarding flowers, fruit basket and/or donation when club member is ill or has a death in the family. For illness of a club member, a fruit basket will be delivered in the amount of $30.00. For a re- occurring illness, a basket will be sent only once during a year’s time, and cards sent out otherwise.
Upon the death of a club member or immediate family member (child or spouse), preferably a donation to a charity requested by the family, otherwise flowers will be sent in the amount of $50.00. For other family of a member, Sympathy cards will be sent to families.
NOTE: The proposed Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws passed by the membership vote in November. Labels have been created that you can place in your 2012 membership Directory. Bring the Directory to the membership meeting and request the labels.
A Reminder: the Board Meetings are open to all Club members. If you have suggestions for the club, please join the Board Members at one of the meetings.
$ Treasurers Report from Leon DeLange $
This is the Report for the year end of 2012: Treasurer's report Balance November 27th, 2012 $3,655.88 Receipts 1,474.06 Disbursements -2,313.33 Balance December 31st, 2012 $ 2,816.61 Note: a further detailed report will be available at the February membership meeting.
3 Committee Reports
Sick & Shut Ins Linda Biggins – Chair Thoughts and prayers for all our sick & shut-ins are greatly appreciated …… Long time member, Nancy Johnson passed Paul Nielsen – former long time member away last November. She was always a great passed away in November. He had a great joy to talk to. She’ll be missed. collection of cars and other historical items.
Please remember the following with a ‘Thinking of You Card”
Babe Averill – 10756 Osborn Rt #1 – Grand Haven, MI 49417 Forrest Scott – Fountain View Asst Living – 640 W. Randall St, Coopersville, MI 49404 Nancy Brailey – 4393 Valley Vale Dr NE – Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Ione Sheridan – 12645 Morning Dr. #89 – Dade City, FL 33525 Alyce Cooke – 13677 48th Ave – Coopersville, MI 49404 Sally Thelen – 3231 Dean Lake Ave NE – Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (recovering from knee Ruth Esakson – 0-719 Country Lane NW – surgery) Grand Rapids, MI 49534 – had surgery Elsie Waller – 5785 Becker St – Cedar Springs, John Rutka – 2145 Wildfield Dr NE – Grand MI 49319 Rapids, MI 49505
If you yourself or know of someone else in the club who has been ill and/or in the hospital, has had a death in the family, etc. Please call Linda and let her know – 616-365-1371
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Retirement Visits Brought to you by Cheryl Chalmers (616) 361-2220 Hello Everyone, Gearing up for a new year of Visits. Looking forward to seeing you all. Cheryl Chalmers
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
4 Special Events Brought to you by Ruth Esakson & Cynthia Smith (616) 677-5816
2012 Awards: Honorable Mention(1 to 4 points): Ted & Catherine Callendar, Carolyn Chalmers, Alyce Cooke, Mark & Elizabeth Gundlach, Ed & Chara Potyraj, Harold & Karen Ringler, Bob & Ruth Wood, Ed & Jeanine davies, Russ Doerfer, Casey & Ruth Meyer, Tom & Mary Chubinski, Bob & Julie Rinzema, Sean & Scindy Smith, Gene & Patti Birdsall and Bob & Cherle Giles 5 Points: Sally Thelen, Forrest Scott and Dennis & Linda Biggins 6 Points: Len & Judy Johnson and Al Preisner 7 Points: Dave Birdsall 8 Points: John & Barb Rutka and John & Judy Wilson 9 Points: Sig & Margie Baumgart 10 Points: Leon & Shirley DeLange, Fred & Arlene Eisen and Don & Ione Sheridan 12 Points: Roseanne Lynch 14 Points: Ken & Nancy Bogardus 15 Points: Jim & Penny Nyman 16 Points: John & Bonnie Woodman 17 Points: Dick Olmsted 18 Points: Cecil Chalmers 21 Points: Carl & Ruth Eskason 24 Points: Bob & Carol Diefenbaker 26 Points: Chuck & Judy Swift 29 Points: Roger & Frances Beard 33 Points: Craig & Cheryl Chalmers Thanks again, Ruth & Cynthia
We’ve already been contacted for two paying events. They are Sparta Moose Car Show on June 15th and the Greenville Danish Parade on August 17th.
5 NOTE: Parade organizers will not allow business advertising on our vehicles for Parades. If you have any on your vehicle, please be sure to cover them up. Thank you.
Membership Al Preisner – Chair
Dues are DUE and can be paid via mail or at the next club meeting. They are $20.00 per family for the year. They can be paid by check made out to GRACC and mailed to: Al Preisner at 7973 Ramsdell Dr NE – Rockford, MI 49341-8079. A friendly reminder to the following.
Tom & Betty Afton Jim & Theresa Duthler Dick Olmsted Sig & Margie Baumgart Mark & Elizabeth Gunlach Ed & Chara Potyraj Roger & Frances Beard George & Connie Hanson Dave & Debbie Roop Ted & Catherine Callender Hershel & Susan Landon Ted & Dorothy Seling-DeMeyer Tom & Mary Chubinski Roseanne Lynch Bob & Dorothy Wallace Mike & Susan Conway Casey & Ruth Meyer Clark & Julie Williams
Extra Newsworthy News
Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet – Boulder Creek Country Club Cannonsburg Hosts & Hostess: Chuck & Judy Swift Virg & Louise Phelps Al Priesner
On December 11th, 2012, we held our Christmas Banquet at Boulder Creek Country Club. We all had a delicious dinner and received a gift certificate or a center piece per member. We had a total of 48 people in attendance. Gale Snow was our guest speaker and did a great job. She talked about the Ramona Park. It was very interesting. We had a great time doing the Christmas party for the last few years. We are giving up the Christmas party, to give someone else the opportunity to volunteer. Thanks for all the help we received. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MARCH It’s time for all the cooks to get the cookbooks out and work up something grand for our March Potluck The date is Tuesday, March 26th. Bring a dish to pass and your table ware. Beverages will be provided. Come early to grab your spot. There will be a meeting after we eat. We usually try to eat at
6 7:00pm that night – hope to see a great turnout!! Be sure to bring the recipe of the dish that is brought so that it can be published in the next newsletter.
April Auction April 23rd - It’s not too early to start thinking of the April Auction. We will have a short meeting starting at 7pm, with a brief break following, then the fun begins with the auction. For those that are new to this, you may bring in stuff laying around the house (sorry ladies, no husbands), such as gifts you received and didn’t like, something that you haven’t used in awhile or you can request donations from businesses (such as restaurants’, oil change garages, car washes, auto parts stores, etc). We do have letters for businesses for any donations given – if a businesses would like one. Everyone receives a number at the door, then when the ‘auction’ begins, you just shout out your bid or hold up your number. Good times are had by all!!
A Note to the ladies – there will be a “Bake Sale” during the auction, so bring in some goodies to be purchased. Have them tagged with a price for selling. There will be a separate table set up for the baked goods. Remember all proceeds from both the Auction and the Bake Sale go to our ‘general fund’, which helps us provide the services we all enjoy. Come with a car load of goodies to sell and a full wallet to spend.
The following is our ‘Greeter and Treaters’ Schedule for 2013. As you can see we still have slots to fill. This is a good way to meet our members, especially our newer members. Please sign up at the next membership meeting. As a greeter, you should bring in a beverage and some kind of ‘goodie’ for treats. Turn your sale slip into the treasurer and you can be reimbursed. Note these are for the membership meetings unless otherwise noted.
February – Jim Nyman
March – Carl & Ruth Esakson
April – Chuck & Judy Swift
May – Gene Birdsall
June –Craig & Cheryl Chalmers
July –
7 August –
September –
October – Leon & Shirley DeLange
November –
** Auto Trivia Answer: Check next month’s newsletter for the answer to the ‘Trivia Challenge’ Visit our web site at www.clubs.hemmings.com/gracc
Cars/Parts For Sale and/or Wanted
nice, fun car. $8950 B/O. No trades. bought out FOR SALE: 1972 Buick Skylark Custom. Custom of Florida 7 years ago. Paint, ReManufactured Buick 350 w/4BBL Call: Bruce @ 616-560-0689 (02/13) Edelbrock w/ HEI ignition. (7K miles) Power Disc Front brakes, Power Steering, Locks, Pos-itraction, rear air shocks, new tires and front shocks. Very GARAGE Available – Call Al Preisner – (616) 874-9336
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Gilmore Car Museum 2013 SPECIAL EVENTS Spectator gates open at 9 a.m. for all shows ______Gilmore Car Museum’s Dust Off Car Show | Members’ Day Saturday, May 11 CCCA Museum Grand Experience Concours Sunday, June 2 Vintage Motorcycle Show Sunday, June 9 ALL Air Cooled Car Gathering Saturday, June 15 Antique Tractor, Engine & Machinery Show Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 28, 29 & 30 Deutsche Marques—A German Auto Event Saturday, July 13 Mad Dogs & Englishmen British Car Faire Sunday, July 14 Corvair National Meet Saturday, July 20 Mopars at the Red Barns Saturday, July 27 Gilmore Car Museum’s 47th & Henry Ford’s 150th Birthday Celebration Wednesday, July 31 Red Barns Spectacular Car Show & Swap Meet Saturday, August 3 8 Relix Riot Traditional Hot Rods, Customs & Motorcycles Saturday, August 17 Pierce-Arrow Gathering At Gilmore Sunday, August 25 Buick Bash Saturday, September 7 Muscle Cars PLUS Show & Swap Meet Sunday, September 8 Model A Ford Gathering At Gilmore Saturday, September 21 Cadillac – LaSalle Club Meet Sunday, September 29 Gilmore Spooktacular! Wednesday, October 30 Back Seat Drivers
MARCH Recipes
Beef Vegetable Cabbage Soup 1 ½ lb. beef stew meat 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes 7 cups water 2 cups shredded cabbage 1 can (10 ½ oz) beef broth 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 1 tsp. salt 1 ½ cup fresh cut green beans (or frozen) ¾ cup chopped onion 1 ½ cup diced raw potato ¾ cup celery, chopped 1 tsp. sugar ¼ tsp. pepper 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 bay leaf Cut meat into small cubes, discarding excess fat. Put in a large stockpot with water, broth, salt, onions, celery, pepper and bay leaf. Cover and simmer for 3 hours. Add remaining ingredients, simmer 45 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings. Remove bay leaf and serve.
Sweet Cornbread Loaf 2 cups cornmeal 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil 2 cups buttermilk 1 tsp. salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup white sugar Preheat oven to 350^. Grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan. Mix cornmeal, buttermilk, flour, sugar, oil, salt & baking soda in bowl until thoroughly combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with moist crumbs, about 1 hour.
9 Cookie Apple Cobbler 6 cups sliced peeled apples ½ tsp. ground allspice 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar Heat oven to 350^. In large bowl, mix apples, brown sugar, flour, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, the allspice and lemon juice. Toss to coat apples well. Spoon into ungreased 9 ½ inch glass deep-dish pie plate. Spoon cookie dough, by scant teaspoons, evenly over apples. In small bowl, mix granulated sugar and remaining ½ tsp. Cinnamon, sprinkle evenly over cookie dough. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until top is golden brown and apples are tender.
Sixteen Rules for Buying an ‘OLD’ Car
1. Buy what you like.
2. Don’t buy the best you can afford. But the best there is, or skip it. The best is cheapest in the long run.
3. Mechanical repairs are preferable to rust repairs. No repairs are better still.
4. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a potential purchase. The only one who thinks it’s a tragedy when you fail to close a deal (besides the seller) is you. Something else will come along sooner than you think
5. Buy original. Location, location, location, location? Originality, originality, originality. When original paint, chrome, and interior are in place, when the serial numbers all match, you can’t go wrong. However …..
6. Not everybody and not everything can be a virgin. There’s nothing wrong with people and machines that have experienced life’s rich pageant in all ways, short of crashing. But let someone else find out how expensive it is to restore your preferred model of car to a high standard. Profit from their mistakes, yet expect to drop some additional dough to smooth out the inevitable remaining rough edges. Someone else’s tragic, money-losing restoration is your lucky day.
7. Don’t be cheap. Travel to find the car of your dreams. Hire an appraiser familiar with the marquee to assess its condition. Spend a little, save a lot. Drive it home, or pay to have it trucked; it’ll be worth it. The cost of purchasing from rust-free climes afar will be a fraction of your potential exposure if you buy wrong and rusty locally.
8. Don’t expect to make money on old cars; prepare to lose a lot and be pleasantly surprised when you lose only a little.
9. Cut your losses. If you realize you’re in over your head with a particular machine, stop the madness without delay. Sell right away; then, next time, buy smarter. There is no shame in admitting defeat when the war is unwinnable.
10. Don’t be cheap, part two. Never delay repairs. An object at rest tends to stay at rest. With each passing month, another inactivity-related problem may rear its costly and time-consuming head – dead battery becomes flat tire becomes leaky rear brake cylinder becomes full brake job becomes frozen clutch becomes leaking rear main seal and so on and so on …..
10 11. Take a professional advice, before and after the purchase. Whenever there’s a job to be done, do it right, with the original or high-quality replacement parts.
12. Don’t lie to yourself or others in the sale or purchase of automobiles. Instant karma is going to get you.
13. Drive your car. You bought it, you drive it. Spend more time polishing then driving, and you’ve got a problem.
14. Join a car club, or better yet, cruise the internet; you’ll find the parts and knowledge you want without having to get up close and personal with the pocket-protected wing nuts who are the keepers of such things.
15. Standing water, weather, and bird and tree droppings kill cars. Keep it indoors or under cover on a hard, dry surface.
16. Make sure safety equipment is working properly. Use and, if necessary, install seatbelts. You may save someone’s life.
11