Smoky Mountain Classic

Transcription

1 Volume 7 Issue #6 November 1, 2013 CTCI CHAPTER #116 OFFICERS Smoky Mountain Classic Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Thunderbird Club Club PRESIDENT BILL JURKONIE H C T35SCB@AOL.COM VICE-PRESIDENT BOB WITT BWITT@WITTBUILDING.COM SECRETARY PARRIS PUMA H C TREASURER Birds of a feather in Des Moines. A CTCI GOLD MEDALLION and Multiple GOLD AWARDS Winning Newsletter RICK RAWE H C RAWERC@COMCAST.NET DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE BOB BLY H C BLY_CAPTAIN@HOTMAIL.COM DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE BOB GRIFFITTS H C RLGRIFFITTS@AOL.COM New meeting place. If this was your car, would you know what to do?? Attend Training! NEWSLETTER EDITOR BILL LONG VOL H VOL C TBIRDBILL@YAHOO.COM Look inside this issue for more stories/pictures Dottie struggles to select the best Piddle display! It s not Perry this year!!

2 Page 2 President s corner by Bill Jurkonie, club president Page 3 Meeting minutes by parris puma page 4 Destination: Des Moines by bob bly page 5-7 club picnic by editor page 8 Townsend fall festival by lou puma page 9 no meeting breakfast sept/oct by editor page 10 Tech Tip by editor page 11 Classified Ads page 12 A word from our sponsors page 13 Coming attractions page Events calendar page 16 SMCTC application/ctci application Pages Chapter #116 Meeting Date When: Thursday, November 21, 2013 Where: Silver Spoon Café Lovell Road, tween Kingston Pike & I-75 Time: 7pm mtg. come early for dinner Birthdays and Anniversaries for Bird Lovers December Birthdays Joan Ambs 3 Patsy Hamby 15 December Anniversaries November Birthdays Darla Sheafer 3 Tom Hamby 4 Doug Terry 9 Sharon Jurkonie 20 Phyl Morello 27 NovemberAnniversaries Steve Pribanich 19 Jere & Julie Krieg 1 Bill & Sharon Jurkonie 10 (2001) Houston & Dottie Ratledge 22 (1962) Bob & Dino Griffitts 29 (1950) Trey & Sahra Ratledge 30 Phil & Phylles Tippitt 31 (1967) Don & Darla Sheafer 18 (1992) Clyde & Donna Barcus 20 Tom & Katie Holvey 26 (1981)

3 Page 3 The President s Corner A regular report from your club President, Bill Jurkonie T35SCB@AOL.com Home: ; Cell: (Comments/questions/etc. should go directly to your President.) Greetings Fellow T-Birders It s fall and nearly the end of the year but it seems like our Bird events have accelerated rather than decelerated. Sharon and I have just returned from a wonderful river trip on the Blue Danube from Prague to Budapest causing us to miss, as I understand, a great (as usual) Club Picnic. 34 members attended. I believe 14 Thunderbirds were displayed on Frank and Donna s driveway. We also missed our club s participation at the Townsend Fall Festival. Lou Puma tells me the weather was great no rain. Huge crowds attended. SMCTC had 8 Birds displayed on the first day and 7 on the second. Breakfast at Mimi s in Knoxville 9:00 on the first Saturday of the month continues to be well attended. Come out and join us for conversation and laughs. The events for the balance of the year are as follows:. Fire Extinguisher school at the Tellico Village Fire House on 10/17. Volkswagen Plant Tour/Overnight 10/24. Veteran s Day Appreciation Breakfast at the UT Medical Center 11/9. Veteran s Day Parade 11/11. Club Christmas Party at Rick and Janice Rawe s home 12/7. Townsend Christmas Parade 12/8 Please watch for s from Frank Navratil, Activities Director, for specific details for these events. The November 21 st meeting at Silver Spoon on Lovell Road in Knoxville will feature our annual club elections. So come prepared to vote for our 2014 club leaders. Speaking of voting, please vote for our own Bob Witt who is running for CTCI Director at Large. Your ballot is in the Nov/Dec Early Bird magazine. In closing, remember to make your hotel reservation for the Mockingbird Run VI, May 2-4, 2014 at the Double Tree in the Secret City. Spread the secret. See you soon. Bill Jurkonie Plus one!

4 Meeting Minutes by Parris Puma Page 4 September meeting Sept. 22, 2013 PRESIDENT: In the absence of President Bill Jurkonie, the meeting was called to order by Bob Witt at 2:50 p.m., September 22, 2013, at the home of Frank & Donna Navratil. ATTENDEES: 33 Members & Friends Attended MINUTES: Parris Puma read an abbreviated version of the July 18 th Secretary Report. TREASURER S REPORT: Rick Rawe advised the current club balance was $ MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Membership remained at with significant others. NEWSLETTER: Bob Witt advised that at the recent CTCI Regional Convention in Des Moines, IA, Bill Long received a Gold Award for his efforts as editor of the SMCTC Newsletter, The Bird Word. SUNSHINE REPORT: Ann Bly reported that a Get Well card was sent to Jere Krieg. OLD BUSINESS: CTCI REPORT: It was noted that Bill Jurkonie and Frank Navratil each received both a Gold Award and a Gold Medallion award at the Des Moines, IA, CTCI Regional Convention. The 2014 CTCI Regional Convention will be held in Springfield, MO, July 1 st thru 6 th. Members will be staying at the University Plaza Hotel in downtown Springfield, MO. NEW BUSINESS: Mockingbird Run: Perry Anthony reported the 2014 MBR VI will be held in Oak Ridge, TN; May 2 nd, 3 rd & 4 th. Perry stressed the importance of obtaining Sponsors for our MBR VI 2014 to offset club expenses. Club Elections: SMCTC elections will be held at our next meeting to take place at the Silver Spoon Restaurant on Nov. 21, If you are, or know of someone who is, interested in running for office, please contact Bill Jurkonie. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: Frank Navratil recapped upcoming events: [See calendar at back of newsletter] OTHER: Sylvia Witt provided samples of jackets and vests which could be embellished with the club logo. If you are interested in purchasing one of the vests or jackets please contact Sylvia at or Meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM EDITORS CORNER The Bird Word publication is issued near the middle of the EVEN numbered month by The Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club. Send articles and items of interest to the Editor, Bill Long, at the address on the front page.

5 Page 5 DESTINATION: Des Moines! A TRAVEL LOG BY BOB BLY Tuesday, August 20, 2013 dawned warm and beautiful as our intrepid travelers consisting of Rick/Janice Rawe, Bill/Sharon Jurkonie, Bob/Sylvia Witt, Frank/Donna Navratil and Bob/Ann Bly gathered at the Love s Truck Stop on I-40 just north of Lenoir City for their trek to the CTCI Region 2 Convention, Thunder in the Heartland, in Des Moines, Iowa, August Under the firm, but guiding hand of Rick The Pathfinder Rawe, our caravan departed for the Great Plains promptly at 9:30am, or as soon thereafter as he could get Bob Witt out of the McDonald s. Because of the distance involved the only birds going were the Navratil s 57 and Jurkonies 57 and these were being trailered. The Pathfinder and Witts were in their civilian cars and the Bly s were traveling with the Navratils. On the way to Paducah the ever intrepid Pathfinder saved us from visiting the American Quilt Museum much to the dismay our women co-travelers. We continued on our way and crossed the mighty Ohio River into southern Illinois right on schedule. We arrived in St. Louis (right at rush hour) and the construction work made this part of the trip exciting and challenging. Finding the hotel we were staying at that night was also challenging. The exit was closed due to construction and while we could see the hotel, we could not get to it. The Pathfinder, however did not fail us and he found a way to the hotel. Wednesday, August 21, dawned bright and sunny and after a nourishing breakfast, we departed on the last leg of our trip to Des Moines. We stopped for gas in Hannibal, Missouri, the hometown of the famous author and humorist, Samuel L. Clemens, a/k/a Mark Twain. Once again, The Pathfinder kept us on schedule and saved us from an unnecessary visit to the author s home and museum. Bladders were starting to fill, but The Pathfinder was on a mission: lunch. He had arranged for us to take our lunch at a local eatery in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. While attempting to locate a place to park, Frank Navratil saw one on the other side of the street, so he did a U-turn and cut all of the wires between the truck and the trailer. With the assistance of the other travelers, particularly The Pathfinder, a repair was made. Of note, Mt. Pleasant is the home of the first licensed woman attorney in the U.S. and was also host to Abraham Lincoln and John Brown for speeches and meetings prior to the Civil War. Our appetites having been sated, The Pathfinder had us on our way across the flatland of Iowa toward its capital. We passed that other Knoxville -- Knoxville, IA, home of the Knoxville Speedway and something very dear to Bob Witt s heart, the Pella Plant in, where else, Pella, Iowa. As we approached the city, more and more businesses were spotted, one inadvertently by Bob Bly, the name of which proved to be particularly humorous to Donna Navratil. If you attended the picnic at Navratil s in September, you recall the gifts to Perry, which were purchased at one of these interestingly named establishments.

6 Page 6 DESTINATION: Des Moines! A TRAVEL LOG BY BOB BLY Finally, our destination was in sight, the beautiful Sheraton West Hotel in West Des Moines. As Bill and Frank looked for places to park their trucks and trailers, the rest went in and proceeded to check in. This was not to be the case; it seemed that our rooms were not ready. Of course you can imagine what a fun time everyone was having, many of whom had driven longer and farther than your intrepid travelers. The front staff was very friendly and kept their cool at all times. The author persuaded that one way to mollify everyone would be to give them a complimentary cocktail in the bar while they waited. Eventually everyone was checked in and subsequently enjoyed their drinks. For dinner, Frank Navratil found a steak place not far from the hotel, Nick s Bar and Grill. The Pathfinder and his assistant Bob Witt offered their cars for transportation so that Bill and Frank would not have to move or unhitch their trucks/trailers. A delicious meal was enjoyed by everyone. The two Bob s (Witt and Bly) had a Nick specialty, a Baseball Sirloin. This prompted The Pathfinder to inquire as to why it was called a Baseball Sirloin, and your reporter, responded that it was cut in a circle much like a filet mignon and it was the size of a baseball (as this is what he was advised by the waitress when he asked the same question). For some reason The Pathfinder was unconvinced of this explanation. Early on Thursday, Bill and Frank were already attending to their cars and giving them that last minute detail that anyone who shows knows can make or break you. Both spent all morning and most of the afternoon working on last minute details with assistance from Bob and Sylvia Witt, Rick Rawe, Bill Long and Bob Bly. Thursday morning, we found out that Bill Fearless Leader Long and Donna arrived quite late on Wednesday night after a long lay-over in Chicago only to find out that their room had been rented. Fortunately a lounge with a hide-abed was found for that night and they were moved to another room Thursday morning. Early Thursday afternoon found Bill Jurkonie, Bill Long, Bob Witt, Frank Navratil, Rick Rawe and Bob Bly at the judges meeting as all were judging the next day. On Friday morning the judging began. The guys were busy doing their duties. The women in our group were treated to a shopping and eating trip to the East Village area of Des Moines. They had lunch atop the Ruan Building. After lunch they went to the West End Architectural Salvage followed by a visit to the Jasper Winery, where they sampled wine, cheese and chocolate. Later that afternoon, we were all allowed to attend a CTCI Board Meeting which was chaired by none other than our own Bill Fearless Leader Long, the President of CTCI. The purpose of the meeting was selection of the location and date of next year s CTCI biennial convention. Since no local club had stepped forward to offer a place, the Board determined that a good place would be Springfield, Missouri, over the July 4 th week-end and CTCI would sponsor it. The title of the convention is to be: 60 Years of Kicks on Route 66. Because there is no local club sponsoring the convention, President Long put out a request for volunteers to assist with the convention. Several of our group indicated that they would be willing to go to Springfield a little early to help our President out. It is hoped that others in the club might be convinced to attend and help make it a success. The planned activity for Friday night was a dessert bar and 50s record hop. Our fearless band opted to go out for dinner and wound up at a familiar place, Nick s Bar and Grill. A return to the hotel caught us at the end of the record hop. The hour was late, the day had been long; so, we retired.

7 Page 7 DESTINATION: Des Moines! A TRAVEL LOG BY BOB BLY Saturday s tours included a trip to a private collection devoted to Chevrolets {Yea, it takes all kinds!} and a custom car restorer whose piece de resistance is to convert 2005, and later, Corvettes to look like classic 67 and 63 Stingrays: rather unusual for a group of Thunderbird owners, but quite interesting, nevertheless. As we were leaving, yours truly purchased a fender cloth for his non-ford car (all due respect to Houston) and the checkout was very slow. When boarding the bus the entire bus applauded (word has it that Bill Long may have put them up to this). The awards banquet started with a cash bar and eventually we went to our tables. All but Bill and Donna joined us. They had to sit with the various officials and other notables. [Ed. Note: anyone still reading at this point, see me at the next meeting for a free drink!] The evening started with a delicious meal of salmon, chicken or pork and was quite tasty. After we finished eating, the program started and was opened with some remarks by CTCI s president. Then the awards started to flow. Our newsletter was awarded another Gold Award.. Those of us who judged received our engraved tiles and finally it was time for the big awards. The tension could be seen on Bill s (Jurkonie) and Frank s faces. Their efforts were not to go unrewarded. Frank s beautiful Coral Sand 57 was awarded a Gold Medallion and Bill Jurkonie s equally beautiful Bronze 57 received its fourth consecutive Gold Medallion and was thus recognized as a Preservation Car. Afterwards, Bill and Frank hosted us on the patio outside the hotel with champaign and cigars. In addition to the toasts to Bill and Frank, a toast was also offered to Bob and Ann Bly who were celebrating their 45 th anniversary that day. We celebrated their joy and then retired to Bob and Sylvia Witt s suite for a nightcap. On Sunday, our journey home was to be without the company and services of The Pathfinder as Rick and Janice were going to visit family on the way back. His shoes were capably filled by Bob Witt. The return trip was uneventful, although we did stop at the Worlds Largest Truck Stop in Iowa, and it really is that big. As we crossed the mighty Mississippi into Illinois and travelled past the never ending corn fields on flat land, we passed three birds from the New Jersey chapter that had driven out to the San Jose convention, and returned through Des Moines. Sylvia marveled at how flat the land was and how you could see forever. Monday was the last leg of our trip and we were eager to get home. We decided that we would have lunch at the historic and excellent Boone Tavern in Berea, Kentucky. It did not disappoint and everyone enjoyed their lunch. Once we departed Berea, we were on the homeward stretch of our trip and everyone was glad to be getting home.

8 Page 8 A beautiful fall afternoon in East Tennessee was the setting for this year s annual Picnic. As I like to say, Just another ho-hum day in Paradise! The Navratil s opened their home for another outstanding Club Picnic. There was plenty of food to enjoy and 14 lovely early classics (most topless) and 1 late classic filling the driveway. Neighbors were stopping at the street for pictures. There was a quick meeting with tales from the Des Moines trip and an extensive review of upcoming events, too many to list here, see the calendar at back of newsletter. The weary travelers from the Des Moines trip awarded Perry a reminder of what he missed. He and Alyce were celebrating their 50 th anniversary (What a saint that woman is!) and were out of the country. We had a tour of the lake for some first timers and spun yarns of unusual proportions. We finished off the affair with the ever popular Piddle Contest. Heavy favorite and reigning champion, Perry Anthony, was dethroned by Bob Witt. I think he had to stop in Lenoir City to take on more fluids to get home! The cardboard couldn t catch it all!

9 Page 9 Townsend Fall Festival & Old timer s day by Lou Puma WHAT A WEEKEND! On a weekend that didn't have any rain for a change, Townsend held their annual Fall Festival and Old Timer's Day. The Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club was represented with 8 cars on Friday and 7 Cars on Saturday. Needless to say, they were all beautiful and that was the compliment we heard most both days. The sun shone brightly after the early morning fog burned off and because of the weather, record crowds turned out to attend it. Many photos were taken of our cars and of course the usual questions and answers about them. Thank you to all the members that participated to make this a successful event and hopefully next year we can have an even better showing. An inviting site! Ed. Note: A local newspaper photographer took a number of pictures that appeared in their website. He must have been hungry as most were of the Guacamole car!

10 Page 10 No meeting BREAKFAST SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2013 First Saturday of the month breakfasts at Mimi s Café are still a popular attraction as evidenced by September and October crowds. The Bly s and the Mabry s have served as hosts for those months. We are often joined by a potential new members and families come along as well. Even on game day, come and join in on the fun! The Blys made it a family affair. Cameron will have his cast off soon and Bob hopes doctors can remove the affliction from his ear soon as well. It s FOOTBALL time in Tennessee! Go vols! Jeannie claims to be a Georgia fan but we all know it s only because their color is the same as her car!

11 Page 11 BATTERY COVER I have seen the underside of a number of hoods damaged in the area of the battery. It may be from a bad voltage regulator, but when the acid or vapors escape and etch the hood, rust will begin in that area. I have found a very simple way to prevent that from happening by making an easily removable and low-cost cover. Begin by finding a section of an old tire inner tube. If you don t have one, any tire repair place would have an old one. You just need a piece about 4-5 inches wider and longer than the top of your battery. Then I cut a rectangular piece and notched the corners so the sides and ends could fold. Small slits could also be put along the fold line to make a sharper fold. I just used an ordinary stapler to secure the corners. The cover can then be trimmed to make room for the cables. I leave it on the battery whenever I m driving and can easily remove it when the engine compartment is on display. No more concern about vapors damaging my hood!

12 CLASSIFIED ADS Page 12 FOR SALE 2 SETS JACK STANDS [4 per set].--- $6.00 PER SET *GRILLE MOULDINGS [NEW] $40.00 MISC USED DOOR HANDLES, TRIM $1.00 EACH *CHROME HOOD SCOOP USED-GOOD $3.00 METAL CAR KITS NEW IN BOX CALL *OLDER,DRY FUEL PUMPS $5.00 GOOD 6V STARTER MOTOR $75.00 *USED WATER PUMP-[GOOD] $45.00 L TRIM-INTERIOR NEW $5.00 ea * 57 TRUNK HANDLE [NEW] $10.00 HARD TOP GLASS [ minor scratch] $25.00 *REAR GAS SHOCKS-GOOD [ 57] $ V REBUILT STARTER MOTOR $ * 55 FUEL SENDING UNIT [NEW] $ PLASTIC WHEEL MEDALLIONS- [NEW] $40.00 USED DRY AIR CLEANER TOP AND BOTTOM $15.00 ALSO AVAILABLE WHITE SOFT TOP COVER (ABOUT Make an offer! 15 YEARS OLD) BUT NEVER USED FAIR BACK WINDOW $50 TO SMCTC MEMBERS ONLY Perry FREE TO A GOOD HOME: New member Richard Ambs advises that he has a large volume of battery acid that he no longer needs* and will share for free. Contact him directly at richard@ambscallcenter.com to arrange pickup. * (I did not inquire about what he does with it.) DID YOU KNOW? If you are already a CTCI member and you sponsor a new member, you will get $5 free credit with CTCI! It s the place for all the technical manuals from Ford. Did you know that these laws are not on the books BUT are real? Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee. 2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. 3. Law of Probability- The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. 4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers. 4. Supermarket Law - As soon as you get in the shortest line, the cashier will have to call for help.

13 And now a word from our Sponsors Page 13 Are you not a member of CTCI?? Why not? You are missing out on the best resource available for Classic Thunderbird owners when it comes to: ++ Technical articles ++ Suppliers of parts and services ++ Answers to technical questions ++ Ads for previously owned classics ++ News of other T-Bird owners ++ Announcements of Shows and Events Find an application at the end of this newsletter. If you are already a member, please vote for your choice for Director at Large before the November 15 th deadline.

14 Coming attractions! Page 14 This could be the most important event the Club has ever planned. In combination with the TVVV Club, we will have a chance to learn from trained professionals how to handle a fire event with your car, or other situations, including how to properly apply a fire extinguisher (handson) to a live fire. *To reach the TV Fire Hall: Take hwy. 444, sw from hwy. 321 at the Fort Loudoun Dam, for about 7 miles to the traffic light. Turn right by the service station on Chota Drive and drive about 1000 yards to the Fire Hall. Factory Tour -- 2 Tours on October 24, 2013 (1 st at 11:30) If you are not on the list, contact Frank Navratil VOL Meeting place is Hardee s - Hwy. 72 (East of I-75 at exit 72) 9am Group will be split into 2 groups, one tours first and eats later, the other eats first and tours later. Frank has details. Shhhhh! The Secret is. It s a secret. Join us May 2-4, 2014 to learn about it! MBR VI Remember: Loose Lips sink ships!

15 Coming attractions! No Meeting Breakfast at Mimi s Café -- First Saturday The name says it all! - Come join us Everyone loves a PARADE!! Veterans day Parade Monday, November 11, We need a count! Contact Dorian Abernathy; VOL ; dorian49@aol.com Townsend Christmas Parade Sunday, December 8, 2013 Contact Jean Terry if you re interested VOL ; JCT5551@yahoo.com Page 15 put Saturday December 7 on your calendar! The Rawe s have again graciously offered to host the Club Christmas Party at their beautiful home. Construction should be complete so all wings of their estate will be open! Watch your s for information on the gift exchange and food. It is not too early to begin planning to attend next year s International Convention in Springfield, MO, on July 1-6, Watch our website for more details and forms (early Nov.). Don t miss the celebration of 60 years of kicks on Route 66!

16 Page 16 Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club 2013 Chapter #116 Event Calendar Month Event Date Time Host January Club meeting Jan pm Puleo's Grille-Alcoa February March April Club Meeting March pm Puleo's Grille-Alcoa East Tennesse Drive March Dick and Jill Burdette Tech Session April pm Houston Ratledge Breakfast April am Perry Anthony May June July August September October November December Club Meeting May pm Silver Spoons-Knoxville Mockingbird V May 4-6, 2013 The Rebel Club Cumberland Gap trip June 22, am Bob and Ann Bly Breakfast June 1, am Perry Anthony Club Meeting July pm Silver Spoons. Lovell Rd. CTCI Regional July 31-Aug 4 San Jose, Ca CTCI Regional Aug Des Moines, Ia SMCTC Breakfast August 3, am Lee and Barb Mabry Club Meeting At the picnic 2pm Navratil Home Club Picnic Sept 22 2pm Frank and Donna Navratil Townsend Days Sept TBD Lou and Parris Puma Fall Driving Tour TBD TBD Bob and Dino Griffitt Fire Training Oct :00:00 PM Frank Navratil Volkswagen Tour Oct :30 & 1:30 Frank and Donna Navratil Club Meeting Nov pm Silver Spoon UT Hospital Nov :30am Bob and Dino Griffitt Veterans Day Parade TBD TBD Dorian Abernathy Townsend Parade Dec TBD Doug and Jean Terry Christmas Party Dec pm Rick and Janice Rawe Scheduled Tenative Not planned Club Meeting COPY this page! Put it near your calendar OR put the data on your Smartphone. Thank you to our event sponsors. If you haven t sponsored one lately, sign up for one now!

17 Page 17 The Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club Brochure Location is Variable Call for correct location. Remember-- If you print out this brochure and distribute it, that the meeting location is changing in 2013! The new permanent location: Silver Spoon Lovell Rd. Just south of I-40-75

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