Celebrating the original Ford Thunderbird
from 1955, 1956, and 1957
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Recent Events
Fall Tour
The Belvedere Oasis was the meeting point for thirteen CTCCers for the beginning of the fall tour on Wednesday, October 13. The morning was crisp and clear. Not for long! As we drove northwest, the weather changed and the skies opened. Although it didn’t last all day, Liz did accumulate a total of about two quarts of rain in her catch system – emptied twice during the drive. Also during our winding drive up to Chestnut Mountain Resort for lunch, Larry and Karen Kelly had a little dispute with a curve and ultimately had to be pulled out of a ditch. Both Larry and Karen were fine and the car, although a little banged up on one side, was drivable for the remainder of the tour.
We had been scheduled to take a chair-lift ride and a Mississippi River Cruise following lunch, but both were cancelled because of poor weather and high winds. After checking in at the charming Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, Dan Pritchett led us to their home for a pizza party. Yummy pizza and salad were accompanied by snacks and sweets and, of course, wine! Ken and Kathy Smizinski led us back to the hotel.
Thursday, we enjoyed the hotel breakfast before gassing up and driving to Platteville, Wisconsin for a tour of The Bevans Lead Mine and Rollo Jamison Museum. It was ninety steps down to the mine (and back up!). Those who chose not to go down, watched a video. Following the tour, we had lunch at the Potosi Brewery Restaurant and toured the National Brewery Museum there. Back at the hotel, some of us gathered on the patio to relax before being led by Dan to Timmerman’s Supper Club in East Dubuque, Iowa for another delicious meal.
Friday was a late check-out with time for relaxing and, after Dan paraded us through some of downtown Galena, a drive through beautiful country, including a waterfall, to the Highlands Restaurant at Eagle Ridge, Galena. Following lunch, good-byes were said, and Ken led us to the main route home.
It was a fun three-day, three-state tour, and we thank Dan and Melinda Pritchett for organizing and leading it. On the tour were: Len & Mary Keil, Larry & Karen Kelly, Sandy Kraatz, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Liz Werth and Madeline Zambon.
Johnsburg Parade
September 12, 2021
CTCC cars carried eleven Johnsburg Village Officials in the 50th Saufen und Spiel Parade on September 12. The day was bright, the sun was warm and the streets were packed with observers of the event. Mary and Len Keil once again hosted the participants for breakfast and lunch. Their immaculate garage served as the gathering place for both meals. The eight baby ‘birds, one retro, one mustang and one Chevy SSR pick-up traveled to the parade starting point after being safely ushered out of the Keils’ subdivision by several police cars. Each vehicle was given a large bag containing candy to be thrown along the route. Several spouses viewed the parade and took pictures. At the end of the parade, the drivers were given drink tickets and they enjoyed refreshing beverages before returning to the Keils’ for a lunch of brats, hot dogs, sauerkraut, potato salad and chips. After a year off, it was nice to be back in Johnsburg driving in the parade. Participants included Dan Anderson, Art Hahl, Len & Mary Keil, Larry & Karen Kelly, Dean & Beth Molburg, Jerry & Pat Peterson, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski and Liz Werth.
Pizza Party and Annual Meeting
September 9, 2021
In our first official meeting since March of 2020 (during which we elected Directors), on September 9 at the Annual Meeting, 21 members elected Officers. It was moved and seconded that the current roster of Officers continue for the 2021-22 year. The vote was unanimous; their names can be found elsewhere in this issue of Bird-News. Ken Smizinski updated the group on upcoming events including the Johnsburg Parade, the Turkey Dinner and the Christmas Party. Melinda Pritchett briefly discussed the Fall Tour. Those in attendance also enjoyed delicious pizza, beer and soda courtesy of CTCC. Our second outing of the year was a nice way to combine business with pleasure. Together that evening were: Dan Anderson, Pete Ekstrom, Art Hahl, Gail Hascek and Mike Detty, Katie and Peter Hauser, Len and Mary Keil, Karen and Larry Kelly, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Dan and Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Irene Vinyard and Liz Werth (who was present, but is not pictured).
Annual Picnic
It was a beautiful day for the Annual Picnic on the Schellin Farm as 27 club members came for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. There were plenty of appetizers along with delicious sides to accompany the BBQ Ribs and Fried Chicken. A handful of baby birds flew in for the festivities and lined the grounds. While we were all together Ken Smizinski went over a couple of upcoming dates along with mentioning the passing of club members Pete Kramer and Jim Elijah. After the brief meeting, Madeline Zambon handed out tickets for the raffle which offered a really nice Vintage T-Bird CD/alarm clock/radio along with a few other items to benefit the People's Resource Center. Once the raffle was done everyone enjoyed dessert and mingled outside by the shady trees. A big “Thank You” goes out to Lloyd and Joan Schellin who were our hosts and who made everything possible that day.
Those in attendance: Dan Anderson, Tom & Judy Bruin, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Barb Esdale, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Art Hahl, Gail Hascek & Mike Detty, Len & Mary Keil, Larry & Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Sandy Kraatz, Jerry & Pat Peterson, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Bob & Barb Sroka, Liz Werth and Madeline Zambon.
Mt Prospect Cruise Night
- by Liz Werth
A lovely night greeted 33 of us at Mount Prospect on Saturday, July 31st. Ken Smizinski had reserved 13 parking spaces for Thunderbirds, and all were eventually filled. Several members showed up with other types of cars to show. It was the first time many of us had seen each other in over a year. Ken and Kathy brought snacks to supplement the pop and water and the pizza which some people purchased from a nearby restaurant. The evening was spent looking at all the other cars and talking with each other. It was a wonderful way to kick off what is going to be a fun rest of the year. Those in attendance were Dan Anderson, Lee Bakakos, Bill and Jane Balogh, Tom and Judy Bruin, Lisa and Peter Ekstrom, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Len and Mary Keil (and Ray and Toni), Larry and Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Pete and Steve Kramer, Dan Mrozek, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Dan and Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Bob Sroka, Len and Irene Vinyard, Bob Wenderski and Liz Werth.
In Memoriam
Peter Kramer
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of long--time member and past President Pete Kramer on August 12th, 2021.
Pete and his wife Marylu joined CTCC back in January 2006. During their time with the club, they hosted brunch for the club at their home and a few club tours. Pete was President for a term with the club and helped in many other activities.
The Officers and Directors send their sincerest sympathy to Marylu and Steven. Pete was a wonderful man and will truly be missed by all of us.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, September 11th @10:30am. Sullivan Funeral Home, 60 S. Grant Street, Hinsdale, IL.
Jim Elijah
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of long-time member Jim Elijah on August 13th 2021.
Jim has been a member with CTCC since July of 2004.
The Officers and Directors send their sincerest sympathy to Jim’s family.
There will be no services for Jim per his request.
