NEWSLETTER FOR THE REDWOOD EMPIRE MODEL T CLUB Watch REMTC.org for an October or November flash tour! REMTC meeting October 3rd, Thursday Fall Color Tour October 26nd. Saturday Happy Halloween October 31st. 1
Published Monthly by The Redwood Empire Model T Club (REMTC) P.O. Box 1058 Forestville, CA 95436 (An Official Non-Profit Chapter Of The Model T Ford Club Of America) VOLUME 23 NO.10 *ESTABLISHED 1990* October 2013 President...Steve Vining* Vice Pres...Judy Konvalinka Secretary...Cindy Vining Treasurer...Ted Shimkowski Tour Chairman...Andy Clary Newsletter Editors...Pete & Ginny Rich* Club Historian...Jean Nelson Sunshine Lady...Pam Johnson Membership...Bill Newlin* Librarian...Pete Rich Special Events...Vince Gregoire Webmaster...Steve Vining Andy s Garage Day The first rain of the season didn t dampen everyone s day. The light turnout at Andy Clary s garage day got the full measure of explanation of the electricl system of the Model T Ford and often misunderstood wiring system. Andy always puts on an entertaining presentation and thanks to all who turned out for the rainy Saturday. 2
Ed s Notes It is time to start thinking about the toy drive for 2013. Please select unwrapped toys appropriate for a boy or girl ages 1 to 12. There are many children in the Sonoma County area who will not receive Christmas gifts because of economic or other circumstances beyond their control. This is the 19th year that REMTC has participated in Holiday toy drives to help the Fire Departments of our area have toys to distribute to needy and deserving children. You can bring your unwrapped toys to our monthly meetings or drop them off at Pete & Ginny s or Chris & Joan s homes. Our addresses are in the roster. REMTC TOYS FOR TOTS 2012 Overheard on the Carson City Tour: The full breakfast, included in the room price, started the days tours off just right. First time I ever rode a steam train; what fun!. Wonderful museums and loved the town of Genoa. I will never look at a round-a-bout without remembering seeing 18 Model T s going the wrong way. What a great couple Jan and Bert were. So much fun and hope they come to our Christmas party. Thanks to Steve and Cindy for a well planned and fun tour for all! Thanks to Chris & Joan for the snack packs, box lunches and the banquet planning. Thanks to all the REMTC members who attended and special thanks to all the vintage dressed ladies and gents who took the time to put their outfits together. 3
REMTC General Meetings for 2013 The meeting place is Round Table Pizza on Marlow Road. 6:00 pm for dinner and 7:00 pm for meeting. We meet on the first Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted. REMTC Tours for 2013 October 26th Fall Color Tour Rich Family November Great special event month - Any ideas? December 7th, Christmas Party Union Hotel, Mission St. S.R. Mark your Calendar for 2014 July 30th - Aug. 3rd, 2014 Bill Konvalinka Memorial Tour Comfort Inn in Fortuna More information to follow. Hosted by The Konvalinka and Clary families. Club Logo Jackets We will be sending in another order for jackets next month. If you wish to order, please contact Ginny before Nov. 1st. If you ordered jackets already, I will bring them to the Oct. 3rd. meeting. Ginny ginnylee@sonic.net or 707-887-9585 November 2nd. Set clocks back Model T s For Sale 1926 Tudor Sedan $6000 1923-24 Touring $4500 Both cars have Ruckstell rear ends and Rocky Mt. brakes Call George 707-888-8022 1925 TT closed cab truck, Kept inside for 20 years, new tires. 8,000 or best offer. Roland is anxious to sell this truck. Call Roland Hoehne 707-367-3445 or cmtt@saber.net Parts For Sale Fenders for sale Eight new aftermarket Model T fenders for 1915 touring cars. 4 rears and 4 fronts. $700 for all. Vern Tardell 838-9879 Right front fender for a 1930 Model A $50. 4 stock, wood wheels and tires off a l915 Touring - $390. 4 1930-31 wheels & tires, brand new $550. Call Bob at 714-608-1874 or 4
Fall Colors Tour Saturday, October 26th. Meet Time Tour Destination Lunch Pete & Ginnys 9:00am coffee & breakfast treats 9:30am Destination revealed in maps! 1:00 pm lunch bring picnic lunch & drinks dessert provided! Please RSVP: 707-887-9585 ginnylee@sonic.net October Birthdays Patrick O Halloran 01 Robin Summerfield 05 Fern Newlin 05 Don Weese 08 Diane Graves 09 Pete Rich 10 Dick Winterhalder 10 Judy Smith 18 Jackie Ruelle 19 Frances Faraudo 19 Judy Kimball 20 Jeanette Harm 23 Jack Mulkey 29 Vince Gregoire 29 Bobbie Mazzucchi 31 Desserts for 2013 Dessert should be enough for 40 and bring paper plates and plastic forks. If you can t make the meeting, switch for another date or call a substitute. October Ginny Rich November Gwen Brown December Judy Konvalinka October Anniversaries Newlin, Bill & Fern 07 Weese, Don & Suzan 08 Winterhalder, Dick & Annemarie 10 Faraudo, Constant & Frances 24 Cavelli, Steve & Debbie 25 5
Carson City Tour We arrived at our destination, the Gold Dust West Hotel and Casino. Our hosts, Steve and Cindy were set up in the RV area in their big toy hauler. This was to be our hospitality area as the hotel did not provide a room for gathering. The weather was warm and the smoke from the fire was evident but we heard that it was to clear in the morning. There was plenty of room for parking and room to put the trailers close by. There was the usual excited anticipation of the 3 days of touring to come. Model T s were unloaded and brought to the hotel parking area close to the rooms. The accommodations at the hotel were very nice and the staff was cheerful. Steve and Cindy introduced Jan and Bert Shull, Steve s sister and brother in law, who were to be our trouble truck drivers and all around go to folks for info on the area. The Shulls live in Carson City and helped Steve and Cindy set up the tour routes. Day One We woke to sunshine and warm weather on Thursday, had breakfast in the hotel dining room, great breakfast and all included in the room price. The driver s meeting was set at a reasonable 9:45 with departure at 10:00 am. Cindy s tour packs spelled out what was to happen each day with very good turn by turn directions. (maps included) Today would take us to the Bower Mansion by way of Washoe Lake and finally to visit the Nevada Railroad Museum. The Vinings did a great job of keeping us off of major highways. After a scenic drive around the East side of Washoe Lake, we arrived at the Bower Mansion. Docents were waiting to inform us about the history of the mansion and then we would tour the inside of the Georgian Revival and Italianate architecture building, built in 1863. Inside, the furnishings and adherence to details were a joy to behold. Every room was beautiful and so detailed with furnishings and accessories of the era. 6
After the tour, we headed to the picnic grounds on the Bower Mansion property. Our box lunches were handed out and the sandwiches, salads and cookies were delicious. As usual, we are always counting Model T s and one was just coming in on the trouble truck. Vince O Briens beautiful 1910, all original touring lost the battle of the wind coming along Washoe Lake and his top was ripped off. The ducks were now all on the pond and we gathered to leave the mansion for our next stop, The Nevada Railroad Museum. The tour was comprehensive including stories of the iconic steam engines, passenger cars and history of Nevada s railroads as they contributed to the growing nation of the late 19th and early 20th century. There are extra pages of photos on the website Five members that toured provided the pictures: Ted Shimkowski Steve Cavelli Gail Mulkey Ginny Rich John Girman The tour lasted 2 hours and not to be left out of the fun, are REMTC members trying their hand at the hand cars. 7
Dave & Ted trying to get some serious speed! How many Model T ers does it take to move a hand car? 8
On the way home from the Railroad Museum, we were asked to stop by an Assisted Living Facility for a brief visit with folks that remembered these cars. They were thrilled by the amount of Model T s and we went home feeling pretty good that we could provide a high spot of their day. This gentleman wanted a dance with Dianna after his ride in the Model T. Drivers meeting at 8:45 this morning, as the tour will be 55 miles to explore Genoa Day Two and Gardnerville. First stop was Genoa with it s famous bar and then to Gardnerville. Both towns had wonderful museums and the docent was a fifth generation Genoan who was very entertaining with her stories of history and folk lore of this once thriving community. Genoa was first founded as a Mormon trading post in 1850. Along with it s colorful history, it had Nevada s first bar which was patronized by many famous people. We enjoyed Genoa and then left for Laura springs Ranch where the docent from the museum had prepared lunch for us. We dined on barbecue chicken and salads either in the barn or out around the trees. Gardnerville was our next stop and we toured the museum and cultural center. The town had shops for exploring but the highlight was the extensive exhibits at the museum. The Indian exhibits at both museums were my favorite with wonderful original Indian baskets and dioramas of the Overland trail and life style of the times. Back to the hotel and dinner on our own. Jan & Bert suggested a place in town and most dined out, came back to the motel and headed to bed for a good nights sleep. Tomorrow will be exciting. A steam train ride to Virginia City... 9
Pete & Ginny and Jack & Gail Dave, Mal, George & Con engaged in contemplating something on the ground. Pete & Lloyd relaxing Gwen shopped, Mal waited. Bert, Cindy, Jan and Steve Our Hosts Pete & Willie 10
We enjoyed seeing vintage motorcycles on tour. Lunch at Laurel Springs Ranch. George, Malcolm, Con & Gail Sherry & Patty Sandy 11
We were all anxious to ride the steam train to Virginia City. On the way to the Carson City Station, we were to enter a roundabout. Steve was leading the pack in his 1926 Day Three Roadster Pickup and we saw him enter the roundabout but he appeared to come out going the wrong way. Being dutiful little Model T s, we all followed. It was then that we saw Steve make a U-turn and reverse direction. This made for a comical scene to the rest of the regular traffic. Seeing the T s all U-turn and head back to try again. A fun memory for us but Steve was a little chagrined. We arrived at the Carson City Station and parked in the parking lot along with a good crowd of people. The train had 2 passenger cars and had added another open car in the front of the train behind the engine. The conductor asked who wanted to ride in the open car and many hands shot up. We went to the front of the line. While waiting for the departure, we were treated to a Wild West skit by a couple of local fellows who liked to shoot their guns! All Aboard! We sat in the bench seats in the open car and half of our group sat inside the closed car. We had a docent who worked for the train company and really gave us lots of attention as we asked questions. The smokestacks huffed and puffed and the mighty black engine started out up the hills and through 2 tunnels. We learned about the history of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and the many mines and towns that sprung up during the gold rush. The train arrived at Virginia City in about an hour and a half. We departed and were to spend the day shopping and eating in Virginia City. Some folks took the tours available. Also, the camel races were running and Chris and Joan took a carriage tour of the city that they really enjoyed. The train left promptly for Carson City at 3:00 PM and we again chose the outside car. This time we were treated to wild horse sightings and were followed a ways by a Club of Track cars or Speeders, as they are called. It is quite a Club with each one a little different and outfitted to suit the owners. This is one of the few tracks they can travel on. Left the train and headed home with thoughts of our banquet and how much fun the three days of touring had been. Again, Steve and Cindy put on a wonderful tour and Jan and Bert were just delightful. Chris & Joan did a super job with the food and banquet setup. The Model T s performed admirably and they always bring a smile to those that watch, The Fords Go By. 12
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The Banquet Our tour concluded with a delicious buffet dinner. Choices of roast beef, salmon or chicken with lots of salads and side dishes. Chocolate cake for dessert was yummy!! Thank you s were said and gifts for the hosts presented, then Cindy had a, what did you see, game. Prizes were handed out. The Vinings didn t miss a beat in preparing for this tour. Congratulations on your first overnight tour. There are as many ways to arrange these tours as there are places to go. The one thing in common is the Model T s and the members desire to have a good time. This tour certainly filled the bill. Service dog in training, nine month old, Izzy. Izzy participated in all the events and was the perfect lady. She endured noisy gun shots, taunting people noises and hours riding in a Model T. What a Pup! We hope to see Izzy and Jasmine on more tours. 14
The Banquet Fran & Dianna Sherry & Gwen Debbie & Steve John & Patti 15
Bert, Jan & Steve Robin, Cindy & Dianna Pete & Ginny Pat & Sandy 16
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