CADILLAC & LASALLE REGIONAL UPDATE October 2017 The VOICE of the Iowa CrossRoads Region
OFFICERS & NEWSLETTER CONTACTS IOWA CROSSROADS REGION, CADILLAC & LASALLE CLUB Steve Fox (Director) 3422 NE Briarwood Drive Ankeny, IA 50021 foxenterprises@yahoo.com Maurine Edmond (Secretary) 6900 Forest Court Windsor Heights, IA 50324 mre.edmond@yahoo.com Karen Pittman (Membership Chair) 4408 74th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 jim@pittmancpa.com Steve Fox (Activities Chair) 3422 NE Briarwood Drive Ankeny, IA 50021 foxenterprises@yahoo.com Steve Fox (Photo/Newsletter Editor) 3422 NE Briarwood Drive Ankeny, IA 50021 foxenterprises@yahoo.com Jim Pittman (Regional Representative, National Board of Directors, CLC) 40 Omega Place, 8525 Douglas Ave. Urbandale, IA 50322 jim@pittmancpa.com David L. Twombley (Treasurer) 2305 Linda Circle Urbandale, IA 50322 allante1@mchsi.com Gary Wright (Regional Webmaster) 17618 Hubbard Road East Moline, IL 61244 hastatusopifex@gmail.com Dean & Vickie Stoltenberg (Activities) 21270 50th Avenue Walcott, IA 52773 deanstoltenberg@msn.com Jim & Karen Pittman (NL Distributors) 40 Omega Place, 8525 Douglas Ave. Urbandale, IA 50322 jim@pittmancpa.com Website Addresses: National Cadillac & LaSalle Club: www.cadillaclasalleclub.org Iowa CrossRoads Regional Club: www.iowacrossroadsregion.org Willis Cadillac: www.willisautocampus.com
IOWA CROSSROADS CLC DIRECTOR S COLUMN On a beautiful weekend in September (September 9-10, 2017), seven members of the Iowa CrossRoads Region of the CLC participated in the 18 th Annual Des Moines Concours d Elegance to benefit the Children s Cancer Connection of Iowa. Those members who participated included Jim Caffrey, Marj and Russ Bees, Paul and Linda Wold, Andy Flagge and myself, Steve Fox. The event started with a Saturday (September 9) morning road tour of the Newton Speedway and Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines. The Welcome Reception and Exhibitor s Banquet were held at the Wellmark Building in downtown Des Moines on Saturday evening. As always, the food was excellent and the enthusiasm of those in attendance was high. The guest speaker for the evening was Jim Wheary, the great-grandson of Charles W. Nash (the founder of the Nash Motors in 1917). This year, the Des Moines Concours d Elegance honored the Nash automobile with its own class for its 100 th Anniversary. Beginning at 7 a.m. the following morning (Sunday, September 10), the show field at Pappajohn Sculpture Park was open for exhibitor parking. This year, 154 show-quality vehicles were distributed among 14 different classes: The Antiques (1899-1927), Professional Cars (1899-1970), Preservation Cars (1916-1969), Nash 100 th Anniversary (1917-1960), The Classics (1918-1947), Early Collectibles (1928-1942), Star Cars (1932-1955), British Sports Cars (1933-1980), Police Cars (1935-2017), Atomic-Age Collectibles (1946-1957), Space-Age Collectibles (1958-1967), American Muscle Cars (1964-1975), Camaro- Firebird 50 th Anniversary (1967-2017), and The Exotics (1976-2017). Jim Caffrey and I served as class chairs for the Space-Age Collectibles Class. While judging the class, we were accompanied by Cooper Weeks (grandson of Carl and Edith Weeks, builders of the Salisbury House in Des Moines) and Matthew Hines (one of my Eagle scouts). A completely-restored, back-to-original 1960 Cadillac Sedan Deville (which was once used to haul grain and farm animals in Nebraska) won 1 st Place in our Space-Age Collectibles Class and the Best of Show Award went to a beautifullyrestored silver 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (the very same one we witnessed undergoing a frame-off restoration at Okoboji Classic Cars this past May). Let s just say that Cadillac fared very well at this year s Des Moines Concours! Enjoy the pics from this fine event (sorry Paul, somehow I didn t get a pic of your 63 Studie).
Above: 1914 Willys-Overland, 1918 Roamer Touring Sedan & 1922 Model T Truck. Above: 1929 Packard Dual-Cowl Phaeton, 1931 Ford Model A & 1932 Cadillac Conv. Above: 1933 Alfa Romeo, Bees 1933 Packard 1002 Coupe & 1934 Packard Super-8. Above: 1934 Buick Convertible Coupe, 1937 Nash Ambassador, 1938 Packard V-12.
Above: 1941 Lincoln Continental, 1948 Chrysler Carnoir & 1953 Packard Caribbean. Above: 1954 Hudson Italia, 1956 Ford Sunliner & 1957 Jaguar XK-140 Roadster. Above: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (Best of Show), 1958 Cadillac Hearse (Best of Professional Cars) & 1960 Cadillac Sedan Deville (Best of Space-Age Collectibles). Above: Bees 1962 Daimler, Caffrey s 1964 Cadillac Coupe Deville & 1965 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine.
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL FALL GATHERING IN THE AMANAS! Event: Our annual trek to the Amana Colonies. Those who are travelling from western or central Iowa will meet on the east side (1 st Street) of the Jasper County Courthouse (located on the NW corner of 1 st Avenue and 1 st Street) in Newton. We will then begin caravanning along Highway 6 eastward to Amana. Lunch: Our fall luncheon will be served at the Ronneburg Restaurant. We will be ordering off of the menu. The Ronneburg is located at 4408 220 th Trail in Amana, Iowa; phone (319) 622-3641. October Meeting: A short meeting will occur at the luncheon to discuss possible November dates for our tour of the Kinze Innovation Center and the Kinze Factory in Williamsburg, Iowa. Since the factory tours are only available Mondays through Thursdays, this will be a weekday touring event. Tour: After lunch, many club members plan to tour Amana and take in the fall beauty of this old Mennonite, German-style town. Amana highlights include the Amana Woolen Mill, Heritage Museum, Ackerman Winery, Little Red Wagon Toys, Amana General Store, Chocolate Haus, Amana Furniture Shop, and so much more! Questions/Comments/R.S.V.P.: Questions or comments should be directed to our Activities Chair, Steve Fox at (515) 491-2624 or foxenterprises@yahoo.com. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Members of the Iowa Crossroads CLC can look forward to 15 scheduled touring events in 2017 to place upon your home calendars! Please note that all events listed below are subject to change. Look for upcoming event flyers throughout the year that detail finalized plans for each event including actual times, dates, and locations. Please place these fine events on your calendar without delay! January: Traditionally, the Iowa CrossRoads CLC has not held a January event so as to better enjoy our winter solace in the comfort of our own home. I saw no need to break with that restful tradition in 2017! February: This year, 13 members and one guest attended our traditional Valentine Luncheon at the Lemon Tree Teahouse and Restaurant in Newton, Iowa on Saturday, February 11, 2017. This event is an annual regional club event to honor the ladies of our club! March: Our scheduled tour of the Iowa-80 Trucking Museum for Saturday, March 11, 2017 was cancelled due to lack of planned attendance. April: Ten members and one guest met for lunch at Robert s Bakery Treats and Treasures, followed by a Spring Antiquing Adventure in Walnut, Iowa on a chilly, wet afternoon on Saturday, April 29, 2017. This event was proposed by fellow club member, Nora Schlenker. Mid-May: Fifteen Iowa CrossRoads CLC club members and two guests participated in overnight event up at Lake Okoboji in beautiful NW Iowa from Friday, May 12 to Saturday, May 13. Weekend attractions included the Okoboji Classic Cars Museum & Jim Caffrey s Car Collection in Milford, Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum in Arnold s Park, and a tour of John Van Der Haag s huge truck, tractor, car and memorabilia collection in Sanborn. This weekend event included dinner at the Gingham Inn followed by an overnight stay at the Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast. This event was proposed by fellow club members Eric & Patt Anderson, Jim Caffrey, and Jim & Karen Pittman.
Late-May: Some club members attended the ATHS National Truck Show at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on a very wet Saturday (May 27, 2017). This touring event was proposed by fellow club member, Dean Stoltenberg. June: On Sunday, June 25, seven club members participated in our traditional, annual classic-car show n shine to be held at the Olmsted-Urban House Ice Cream Social & Open House. Club members showed off their magnificent automobiles at this very tranquil, 1920 s style homemade pie and ice cream social that features an old-fashioned Dixieland band trio and a tour of the 1904 Olmsted-Urban House. July: Our July touring adventure was a trip out to Adams County in SW Iowa on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Eight club members participated in the event which included lunch and tours of Johnny Carson s Birthplace, the Corning Opera House and R&S Collectibles Showroom. This well-liked touring event was proposed by our membership chair, Karen Pittman. Early-August: This year, the CLC Grand National was hosted by the Potomac Region and took place in Washington, D.C. from July 31 through August 5, 2017. Fellow club member Jim Caffrey was in attendance. If you have never attended a CLC Grand National, you don t know what you are missing. They are fabulous! Mid-August: Fellow club members Gene and Betty Upstill hosted a joint potluck lunch gathering with the Buick Club of Iowa at their farmstead in Gilbert, Iowa on Saturday, August 12. Thirteen club members were in attendance. Late-August: On Saturday, August 19, three Iowa CrossRoads club members toured the show field of the AACA Mississippi Valley Region Central Fall Meet that was held at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. This touring event was proposed by our webmaster, Gary Wright. Above: Photos from the AACA Meet in Bettendorf. Left to Right: Andy Flagge s 1916 Cadillac Touring Car, the iconic 1959 Cadillac Convertible, and CLC member Richard Hansen s 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Photos courtesy of Gary Wright.
Early-Sept: Seven Iowa CrossRoads club members participated in the fabulous Des Moines Concours d Elegance, the annual celebration promoting the art and design of the automobile. This year s event was held on the weekend of September 9-10, 2017. Exhibitors were invited to attend an optional driving event on Saturday morning and the exhibitor s banquet at the Wellmark Building in downtown Des Moines that evening. On Sunday, September 10, a display of 154 fine automobiles lined the streets at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines. The Best of Show award went to a beautifully-restored, silver 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. This is an annual Iowa CrossRoads regional club social event. Late-Sept: The LaSalle marquee was featured during the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Museum s Fall Festival at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan on the weekend of September 22-24, 2017. This is an annual weekend touring event hosted by the West Michigan Region of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club. October: Iowa CrossRoads CLC members will be returning to the Amana Colonies for our traditional fall luncheon and gathering. Excluding travel time, but including lunch, this will be a 2-3 hour touring event. This fall gathering in the Amana Colonies is an Iowa CrossRoads biennial event. November: For November, we plan to tour the Kinze Innovation Center and the Kinze Factory in Williamsburg, Iowa on a date yet-to-be determined. Since the factory tours are only available Mondays through Thursdays, this will be a weekday touring event. Excluding travel time, but including lunch, this will be a 3-4 hour touring event. This touring event was proposed by our regional director, Steve Fox, and comes recommended by fellow club member, Dean Stoltenberg. December: This year, our annual Christmas Luncheon will be held at the Ankeny Diner in Ankeny, Iowa. Fellow club members, Lyle and Lori Dahl dine there often and have arranged a private dining room for our Christmas luncheon. This is an annual Iowa CrossRoads regional club social event. Many thanks goes out to Lyle and Lori for making these arrangements! Until next time, may your sails be taut and the wind always remain at your back! Note: Any questions and/or concerns regarding these scheduled events should be directed to our Activities Chairman, Steve Fox, at your convenience. He can be reached by phone at (515) 491-2624 or by e-mail at foxenterprises@yahoo.com.
ALFRED P. SLOAN Alfred P. Sloan was a major player in the automotive industry, helping to shape the growth of the General Motors Corporation. He was born in 1875 to an investor (also named Alfred P. Sloan), who had money in several different businesses including a coffee and tea import company. He was the first of five children. While Alfred Jr. was born in New Haven, Connecticut, his father would eventually move his family to Brooklyn, New York and set up their life there. Alfred Sloan Jr. would grow up to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a degree in electrical engineering by the time he was 20. Shortly after he graduated, he was hired by the Hyatt Rolling Bearing Company as a general assistant. While he would eventually leave the company to attempt other ventures (perfecting electrical refrigeration), his father maintained an interest and invested in the Hyatt Rolling Bearing Company. Of course, this was done on the promise that his son, Alfred Jr., would assume control. In 1899, Alfred Sloan Jr. assumed presidency of the Hyatt Company and grew it to become an important supplier for the automotive industry. In 1916, the Hyatt Roller Company was purchased by the head of United Motors (Billy Durant), and Sloan Jr. again became president of that company as well. By 1918, United Motors had merged with General Motors and Sloan took on the role of Vice President of the rapidly growing GM Corporation. By 1923, he worked his way up full Presidency and was appointed Chairman of the Board in 1937. During this time, Sloan was accredited with much of GM s marketing success, branding the quote a car for every purse and purpose.
Alfred Sloan Jr. finally retired in 1956 and went on to write his own book. It was called My Years with General Motors. Published in 1964, the book documented his story as President of the firm, giving readers the inside scoop to the General Motors Company. He remained an Honorary Chairman of the board until his death in February 1966 at age 90. It should also be noted that General Motors was not the only success story of Alfred P. Sloan Jr. In 1934, he also founded the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation a nonprofit organization that develops grants for research and education related to technology, science, and economics. The goal of the organization is to improve the quality of American life. The organization is still in operation today. Sloan also co-founded the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as well as the MIT Sloan School of Management. So it is safe to say, that although he has long passed, the legend and impact of Sloan still lives on today and we can all thank him for his contributions not only to the automobile industry, but also to the overall good of American life. For further reading: http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=alfred_sloan_06 http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alfred-p-sloan-3574.php http://www.economist.com/node/13047099 https://www.britannica.com/biography/alfred-p-sloan-jr https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/sloan,_alfred_pritchard,_jr Many thanks to our webmaster, Mr. Gary Wright, for authoring another very fine and interesting article! Note: Gary is asking our membership if they have any suggestions for topics of articles to include in our newsletter. Please forward your suggestions to Gary at: hastatusopifex@gmail.com
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS Happy Birthday to Members Linda Wold (October 2) Gary Wright (October 6) Vickie Stoltenberg (October 16) Steve Fox (October 31) Happy Anniversary to Members Dave & Karen Kroeger (October 19) Health Updates! As you may recall from last month s newsletter, fellow club member Betty Sorenson was recently hospitalized at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames for a stroke she suffered. Betty is home now and is doing much better. Here is a note from Betty that she sent to the club in a Thank You card: Thank you so much for thinking of me during my recent health problems. The flowers were, and still are, lovely. I am enjoying them so much. I am doing very well and hope to be back to regular activities soon. Please keep Betty, Ed, and their family in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to improve. A note from Gary Wright about his wife Karen who has been battling Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Karen has received her first Rituximab infusion and she will have another this coming Tuesday in Iowa City. The infusion prevents her body from manufacturing a blood compliment (don't really know what that means, but the doctors do). So she isn't making any more, but her body must break down the ones she already had that were causing many of her symptoms. As they break down, she should be feeling much better. They said 4-6 weeks before she notices a difference. We're hoping and praying that it works. We just buried her dad last week, so that has her down a bit, but we'll get through that too! Please keep Karen, Gary, and their family in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to battle this disease. Also, our heartfelt condolences to the Wright family on the loss of Karen s father.
For all new members, please fill out the form below and mail it to: Karen Pittman, Membership Chair, Iowa CrossRoads C.L.C., 4408 74th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322. Note: If your dues are not received by February 28th of the calendar year, you will no longer receive the newsletter and your regional membership will be dropped. Also, please take note as to when your national dues are due and pay them at the appropriate time, as this will vary for each member. Personal Information National Membership Number (Required): Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Spouse s Name: Your Birthday: Work Phone: E-Mail Address: Anniversary: Spouse s Birthday: Cadillac/LaSalle Vehicle Information Year: Model: Make: Body Style: