Arkansas Tin Lizzies Volume 11, number 2 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2 May 2015 Touring Season Begins in Bardstown Inside this issue: Spring Tour 2 Business Meeting 4 2015 Tours 5 Tin Lizzie Dates 6 Area Events 6 President s Message: The spring meeting and tour in Bardstown, KY went well. We traveled lots of excellent T roads, visited great museums for example Lincoln s Birthplace Historical Site, the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Swopes Cars of Yesteryear and Swopes Auxiliary Storage Garage. Then on Day 3 we went to Shaker Village. By the way, did I mention that 93 year old Bill Swopes gave us part of the tour and told the history of many of his old cars. We drove many, many miles on beautiful Kentucky roads in- SWOPE S MUSEUM cluding Cecil s Ridge Road which was a really great back road through the woods. Unfortunately, after about 5 miles we discovered after coming to a gate and turning back that the road had been closed 20 years ago (no signs said so.) A good time was had by 2015 Tin Lizzies Schedule of Events July 10-11, Summer Tour, Heber Springs, AR Oct 14-17, Fall Tour, Tulsa, OK all who attended. Among the eleven cars, there were cars from 7 states; Alabama, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. We had (continued on page 6)
V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 2 Bardstown Proved Excellent Tour Choice Bardstown is a beautiful small town in north central Kentucky. It is the second-oldest city in Kentucky. The settlers brought with them the skill of distilling whiskey. It is an industry that put this small town on the map and made for a thriving industry for the area. There are several distilleries in the area including Maker s Mark where our tour visited. On our fist day the tour took us to Maker s Mark Distillery. When you got close enough and the wind was blowing in the right direction, you smelled the product of the industry, bourbon. Maker s Mark Distillery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the structures date back to the early 1800s. There is an 1805 Still House that has a five-story continuous column still. Their gift shop was a treat in itself. Not only could you purchase everything from bourbon to clothing, you could also dip your very own bottle to produce the d i s t i n c t i v e red seal. After lunch Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site was on the route. This was a well done museum that started with a P A G E 2 has a memorial building that contains a symbolic cabin of the Lincoln home that was typical of the area. Visitors learn of the life and times of our 16th president and what made him one of our most esteemed presidents. Fort Knox and the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor was a great ride from the hotel. Not only did you see tanks and other military vehicles, we learned of his role as a leader of men. The collection has personal items of General George S. Patton from his childhood through World War II. One of the more interesting vehicles was his office van and living quarters that he used during the war. Our next stop was Swopes Cars of Yesteryear Museum. Bill Swope himself greeted us video of Abraham Lincoln s life. The exhibit area an gave us some of his personal information about his collection. This museum is owned by
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2 the Swope Family of Dealerships. It includes antiques from the early 1900 s to the 1960 s. His antique cars began with a 1918 Dodge Touring Car that he bought for $200. There now are all makes and models of antique cars in two separate locations. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed the museum of exquisite cars. Of course, there was a Model T in the group! The final tour was a treat for us all, Shaker Village at Pleasant Hills. It was another ride on fabulous Kentucky back roads to a restored village of members of the Shaker religious group. In 1805 a group of Shakers established a community in this central Kentucky area that they named Pleasant Hill. There are 42 buildings including dwellings, shops post office and farm buildings. It was an active community until 1910. They agreed to mutual and common ownership of property. They were skilled farmers, producers of better than ordinary brooms, marketers of fruit both fresh, dried and preserved. One year it is said that they made more than ten tons of preserves. The village had handsome large stone and brick buildings and shops. One could see that they were a prosperous groups. Though weather threatened to rain us out it never did and our tour was completed without incidents. Kentucky is a great place to visit and all on the tour will certainly agree. Thank you Paul and Patty Graham for a well planned and interesting tour. PAGE 3
V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 2 P A G E 4 Arkansas Tin Lizzies May 6, 2015 Business Meeting Minutes Paul Graham opened our meeting by welcoming all our tour participants. Paul noted that there were enthusiastic Model Ters from seven states that were ready for the tour season to begin. The minutes from the last meeting were accepted as written in the previous newsletter. The treasurer s report is as follows: Account balance as of 2/27/15 $1,874.22 Deposits as of 5/6/15 $655.00 Checks written as 2/27/15 $401.93 Account balance as of 5/6/15 $2,147.29 It was suggested that David be reimbursed for his expenses for changing our bank account from Regions to Arvest Bank. It was voted on and passed. Paul thanked Bill and Nellie Howell for hosting the annual technical meeting at their car barn. It was an informative meeting with presentations on transmissions, motors, front end restoration and a rear end rebuild. Paul reported that the rear end rebuilding was ultimately successful and proof was that the car was here at the tour. In old business, Paul mentioned that the Vintage Ford did not publish the tour dates though it was sent to them in time to be included. He also noted that the shirt for past president Mike Walker had been completed and would be given to him at our next meeting this summer. David sent a report on the tour planned for July 10-11 hubbing from Heber Springs, AR Holiday Inn Express. The following are stops for the tour: Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum housed in a replica of an old rural train depot; Pioneer Village, a 19th century community; Bakers Acres, a private pedal car collection and Jacksonport State Park, an 1872 courthouse and od river port with exhibits of the era and programs by park interpreters. Mike Bender gave further details of the Fall Tour October 15-17. Paul talked about stops and some changes in the present tour and as well as things to be aware of on our routes. The meeting was then adjourned. Respectfully submitted, by Nellie Howell for Tommie Mathis, Secretary/Treasurer *Note: David Ragsdale provided the initial funding for opening a Tin Lizzie account with Arvest Bank. Tommie advised that the reimbursement to him had already been made at the time of the meeting. MEETING SUMMARY 1. Sec/Treas. reports 2. Thank you gift for Mike Walker 3. Summer and fall tours discussed 4. Spring tour changes reviewed Note to members: Arkansas Tin Lizzie dues are due now. This will be your last newsletter if you have not paid your 2015 dues. Send your $15.00 to secretary/treasurer: Tommie Mathis 616 Bronzewood Lane Van Buren, AR 72956
V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 2 P A G E 5 Long Time Tin Lizzie Member Passes Away The family of Melvin Birks let us know that Melvin passed away on May 11. Melvin and Nadine have been members of the Tin Lizzies since 2007. He lived in Afton, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully at home. Melvin was a World War II veteran on a B-52 bomber. He opened the Birks Funeral Home in Afton in 1949. Melvin was an active participant in life with many hobbies as well as Model Ts. He also was interested in his community, serving on the city council, president of the Mount Hope cemetery board and was a member of the Akdar Shrine. If you would like to make a memorial donation, the family suggested the Mount Hope Cemetery, P.O. Box 250, Afton, OK 74331. 2015 Tour Information SUMMER TOUR: David Ragsdale has planned this tour for July 10-11. Our hotel is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1350 Southridge Pkwy, Heber Springs, AR, 501-887-9500. Make your reservations by June 19. Call David if you want to drive to Heber Springs with a group from Russellville. Also RSVP to David to reserve you spot on the tour, email: ragsins@suddenlinkmail.com or 479-970-3461. FALL TOUR: The fall tour will be October 15-17 in the Tulsa, OK area and planned by Mike and Brenda Bender. RSVP for a tour place to Mike Bender at tman1913@sbcglobal.net or 918-260- 2525. Possible destinations include historic Route 66; Prairie Song, a rebuilt early community; Claremore, featuring several museums and Bartlesville s Frank Phillips ranch/museum. The hotel will be the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 777 West Cherokee Street, Catoosa, OK, 800-760- 6700. Standard rooms will be $119; Ask for Arkansas Tin Lizzies 2015 for the group rate by September 15.
V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 2 P A G E 6 President s Message (continued) great weather and ate some (too much) good food! Thanks to Nellie; I was kept on track during my first meeting as president. See the meeting minutes for more detailed information on the agenda. I also want to thank Charlie Owens from Elizabethtown, KY for checking out our local routes. With his help, though there were gate changes at Fort Knox due to security measures, our entry went smoothly. Looking forward to our summer tour. Paul Graham, President Mike Walker Made Certified Gold Card Judge Our past president, Mike Walker has qualified to judge Model Ts in the MTFCI annual class judging at their National Tour in Branson, MO July 13-17. Mike took exams to demonstrate his knowledge of the Model T and passed all categories. He is now what they call a Certified Gold Card Judge. The Branson tour will be his first opportunity to serve as a judge. He says that he is looking forward to the experience. He will be part of a team that will judge the various classifications of Ts and the Stynoski Award competitors. Congratulations to Mike on his knowledge and achievement. Tin Lizzie Meeting Dates July 10-11 Summer Tour; Contact: David Ragsdale, 479-970-3461, ragsins@suddenlinkmail.com RSVP to David for this tour. Oct 15-17 Fall Tour; Oklahoma; Contact: Mike Bender, 918-260-2525, tman1913@sbcglobal.net This is an RSVP tour too. Reserve your place. Area Events of Interest June 4-6 MTFCA Model T Museum Homecoming Event, Richmond, IN July 12-17 MTFCA National Tour Cochrane, Alberta, Canada July 24-27 International Speedsters Trials and Reunion; Lincoln, NE; Rich Johnston, 402-323- 3181 or 402-598-2947; rsjohnston@speedwaymotors.com Sept 9-13 Hillbilly Tour; Springfield, MO; Contact: genekaygemmill1932@sbcglobal.net Arkansas Tin Lizzies Club Information If you did not get a copy of the By-Laws and directory of members when you joined the club, please email or call Nellie Howell and a copy will be sent to you. Email to nhh@whhnhh.com or phone 479-857-5757. Dues ($15) should be sent to Tommie Mathis; 616 Bronzewood Lane; Van Buren, AR 72956. Dues are accepted at anytime and are due for the year by February 1.
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2 PAGE 7 Model T Fun, Go Anywhere, Do Anything Magnetic Signs Available Again If you would like an Arkansas Tin Lizzie magnetic sign for your T, you can get one again. Paul Graham found a person in his area that will make them for us. The cost is $25 per sign and you can order one from our treasurer, Tommie Mathis, 616 Bronzewood Lane, Van Buren, AR 72956. Send her a check and Tommie will mail it to you. Website Updates If you have internet access check the Arkansas Tin Lizzies website, arkansastinlizzies.com, for current information about the club. It will be used instead of emails to everyone. Any changes to the tours or new information will be posted there. The website computer has been moved and this has presented problems which are trying to be resolved. It will be up again ASAP. Sorry!
ARKANSAS TIN LIZZIES 16508 WEST STATE HWY 155 DARDANELLE, AR 2834 Nellie Howell, Newsletter Editor Mobile: (479) 857-5757 E-mail: nhh@whhnhh.com Model T s: Half the Speed Twice the Fun! We re on the Web www.arkansastinlizzies.com Join the Model T Ford Club of America! Join the Model T Ford Club of America. The membership is $35.00 per member-family. You will receive 6 issues of Vintage Ford magazine and be a voting member of this organization. MTFCA s website is www.mtfca.com and their mailing address is P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126 2015 Club Officers President Paul Graham Vice President Roy Mathis Sec./Treas Tommie Mathis Director Mike Bender Webmaster Bill Howell Newsletter Editor Nellie Howell