The Newsletter of the Southwest Florida Section, MBCA No. 1 January/February 2013 Breakfast Meeting at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers, November 10, 2012 Harruff says Fiddle with it SWFL Section President Tom Harruff, shown here with Anne, his delightful wife and our Secretary, asked that our newsletter begin to incorporate the MBCA style guidelines and standards, helping to give consistency among the many Sections, and nationally. To that end, you will start to see colors, type font standards, paid advertising and more. We hope you find the slightly tweaked Sunshine STAR as enjoyable as always. Your comments are welcomed, of course! Mario Puente s 1986 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth SWFL Section at Mimi s Breakfast, Ft. Myers, 10/13/2012 Inside This Issue Issue:: Breakfast Meetings 1 Officer Listing 2 President s Column 2 Musical, 9 to 5 3 StarTech 2013 3 Ladies Tea at the Ritz 5 April M-B Car Show 5 MBCA Info 7 New & Renewing Members 7 2012 Holiday Party 8 Calendar of Events 10 Peter and Sandy Blackford s 1978 450SL and SWFL members, breakfast at Perkins in Naples, 11/24/12 Monthly Breakfast Meetings Ft. Myers area... Mimi s Café 2nd Saturday of most months. Next Meetings - January 12, February 9 Naples area... Perkins on Pine Ridge 4th Saturday of most months. Next meetings - January 26, February 23 *(Ceramic mugs available from MBCA.org Store) Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 1
President Tom Harruff s Column January 2012 Greetings to all and welcome our new members, 2012 was a good year for our SWFL Section but 2013 will be even better! Our Section membership currently stands at 293 members (as of 12-28-12). Our Section has had 62 new members so far in 2012. Please keep up the good work and renew your individual efforts to bring in a new member. If you are happy with your Section, our Section activities, and the benefits of Club membership, you will be the best spokesman for recruiting new Club members. Membership applications are available at each Section event and by Email if you desire. 2013 brings about a number of changes including the format of our newsletter, The Sunshine STAR. Thanks to Section member Jerry Kinderman for all of his work in changing our newsletter. Our thanks to our advertisers who want to serve our members. We also want to thank Section member Peter Blackford for working with MBCA to establish a SWFL Section Web Site at: www.southwestflorida.mbca.org. Check us out! Finally we also want to thank Section Member Mario Puente for establishing our very own Facebook Page. Log into Facebook and search for SW Florida Mercedes Benz to find our page. Like us and you will be notified of any updates. All of these things are new and are growing in content as we learn how to best utilize their capabilities for the benefit of our members. Volunteer yourself like these members have done to help improve our Section experience for all of our members. We have a list of six or seven proposed events that have been offered by various members at our breakfast meetings that we are trying to work into our schedule for 2013. We will keep this list as a running list of proposed future events that you want to have considered. We solicit your input to these changes as well as into our calendar of events. Most months we will have at least three events planned including our two breakfast meetings. Tom Harruff, President, SWFL Section MBCA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: President: Tom Harruff tharruff1813@comcast.net Vice President/Treasurer: Glen Sholl 239-272-1328 gsholl@comcast.net Secretary: Anne Harruff AnneHarruff@comcast.net Membership Chair: Tom Harruff tharruff1813@comcast.net Section Directors: The Officers Named Above, and Chet Young 239-288-4121 chetyoung30@gmail.com Southeast Regional Director: Scott Suits 727-460-5739 Suits@ij.net Sunshine STAR Publisher: Tom Harruff 1943 Empress Ct., Naples, FL 34110 tharruff1813@comcast.net Newsletter Editor: Jerry Kinderman 239-592-0926 editor.swflmbca@yahoo.com Webmaster: Peter Blackford 239-592-9813 priuspete@gmail.com Facebook: Mario Puente Southwest Florida Section MBCA Now On The Web! http://southwestflorida.mbca.org/ And... There are so many reasons to become a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. For a nominal membership fee of $49 a year (U.S.) or $59 a year (Canada and International countries), Club members receive an impressive return on their annual investment. Some Member Benefits: The Star Magazine, Discounts on parts, service & accessories at participating Mercedes-Benz dealers, Loyalty Rewards Program, 15% discount on parts from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, Discounts at Brooks Brothers, Sears, MedJet Assist, Forums and Interest groups on the MBCA website, and... this great newsletter from your own Section! Call your Section Officer at, or our National Business Office at 1-800-637-2360 M-F 8am-5pm MT. Or visit www.mbca.org Sunshine STAR Newsletter design, Jerry Kinderman, 1/1/2013 Questions? Call your Section Officer at, or our National Business Office at 1-800-637-2360 M-F 8am-5pm MT. Or visit www.mbca.org Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 2
WORKING 9 TO 5, WHAT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING Tumble outta bed, And stumble to the kitchen, Pour myself a cup of ambition, Yawnin, stretchin, try to come to life.... Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, a great cast and choreography, 9 to 5, the Musical came to life at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Saturday evening, November 17th. Thirty SWFL Section members and guests attended the final performance of the musical at this location. The included dinner was diner s choice of served or buffet, either one a great option. Thanks to Tom and Loretta Starrett of Toucan Travel for arranging this event. John and Bobbie Nack Peter and Sandy Blackford and friends SWFL VP Glen and Linda Sholl w/ guests Tom and Anne Harruff and Friends Chet Young- Bob Heinrich and Guests STARTECH May 18-22, 2013 DON T MISS MBCA s Next National Event StarTech 2013. Join us in Birmingham, Alabama May 18-22 for VIP tours of Mercedes-Benz US International the only U.S. factory that produces every ML, GL and R class for the entire world. Meet and learn from nationally-known experts in the art of restoration, modification, maintenance & repair inside MBUSI s on-site training center. Drive laps around Barber Motorsports 17-turn road course; tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center; ex- plore the rarely-seen restoration area inside Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Dozens of unique, non-tech events also scheduled. See the November issue of The Star or contact Liz Roberson at lizroberson2013@gmail.com or 205-822-8460. The local Hilton number is 205-967-2700. The special Hilton MBCA web page shows the special rate for May 18-21 of $111.00 for the Standard room. The Hilton said that the same rate also should apply to Friday and Tuesday nights when you complete your reservation. ~ Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 3
Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 4
The Southwest Florida Section Mercedes-Benz Club of America Proudly Announces a SWFL Ladies of Mercedes Event Tea Time at the Ritz On Saturday February 16 th, 2013 we invite you to an event at the Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort, Naples, FL, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, for Afternoon Tea in their Lobby Lounge especially for the Ladies of our Section and their friends. The Afternoon Tea is an event that has been one of the traditions of the Ritz- Carlton Naples Beach Resort since they opened over 25 years ago. It is an event that is steeped in tradition, one that all will enjoy, and take with them as a treasured memory. The Lobby Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort in Naples will be the location of our Afternoon Tea at 2:30-4:30 Saturday February 16, 2013. Gentlemen are invited to attend with their Lady and will have lunch at the Ritz-Carlton s Pool Side Cafe. The cost for this event is: Afternoon Tea, Royal Classic - $56.70 including tax and service charge To be charged to your credit card using the enclosed form -- bring the completed form to the Tea with you. Complimentary Parking Mention the Ladies of Mercedes Tea Please contact Anne Harruff at or by Email to anneharruff@comcast.net to confirm reservations as soon as possible so that we can confirm our date and numbers to attend the Afternoon Tea. Final date for receipt of Afternoon Tea reservations is February 6, 2013. Southwest Florida Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America Annual Car Show for Mercedes-Benz Automobiles Classic (1987 and prior) and Special Interest (Newer) M-B Automobiles Show your favorite Mercedes at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Myers 15461 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL. Dealership phone number 1-800-493-3940 Saturday, April 6, 2013-10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. - Lunch provided by Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Myers All Section Members and their guests are invited to join us at the show whether or not you are showing a car. This is a chance meet other Section Members, see these Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and maybe meet someone with a Mercedes of the same model as yours. At last year s show we had 20 classic and special interest Mercedes automobiles on display. Come, support your club, meet some new friends, have fun, and join us for lunch. You might win a trophy! It will also give you an opportunity to meet the sales and service staff at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Myers and to see the latest new models in their showroom and on the lot. All registration fees shall be donated to charity (Salvation Army, American Red Cross, your choice) Trophies in Multiple Award Categories: Best Looking Mercedes Not Silver Best Looking Silver Mercedes Oldest Mercedes in the Show People s Choice Award Drove Furthest to get to the Show Highest Mileage on the Odometer Dealership Choice Award Registration: Southwest Florida Section, MBCA, Annual Car Show at Mercedes-Benz of Ft Myers Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. All show registration fees will go to charity; Salvation Army or American Red Cross, your choice. Name(s) of those attending: Contact address and phone number: Year(s) and Model(s) of Mercedes to be shown: Pre-Registration fee before event @ $10.00 per car shown: Cars X $10.00 = Contact: Tom Harruff, Home, Cell 239-398-8578, Email: tharruff1813@comcast.net Registration checks to be made out to: (Selected Charity) and mailed not later than April 2nd, to: Tom Harruff, 1943 Empress Ct, Naples, FL, 34110 Show car registration the day of the show will be $20.00 per car Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 5
Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 6
Welcome! New Members and Associates, to the Southwest Florida Section, MBCA Larry Bock, Stephanie Borden, Guy and Joan Burgess, Chris and Ann-Marie Ciceri, William Flack, Joachim Kantenwein, Karen Maxwell, Michael Middelmann, Barbara Nolan, and Michael Thompson and Laura Abbate, David Kasper, Stuart and Deborah McCulloch, Roger Borg, and Linda and Roy Higgens. - and Thank You! to our 18 Renewed Members for your continuing MBCA membership. It is easier to keep a member than recruit a new member, especially if your Section leadership continues to respond to the members with events of interest. We are now at 293 SWFL Section members as of 12/28/12, including 33 members with dual section memberships. Our Section is continuing to grow but You are our most important recruiter. Your positive experience with the MBCA and the SWFL Section makes you our front line membership recruiter. Help us in 2013 to further expand our Section by each of you recruiting an additional member. Let s double our new member growth in 2013. Contact a neighbor or a friend to join MBCA. Classified: For Sale: 1978 Mercedes 450 SL Mint, 59,500 original miles, one owner family. Showroom condition, Interested parties please contact Dennis Kacy 239-649-8159 or 248-496-7097c March 8-10, 2013 The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach SWFL Section Members at the Naples Museum of Art exhibit Out Of This World costume display 12/15/12 PERFECTION You appreciate it in your automobile, that s why you drive a Mercedes-Benz. We strive for it with every trip or vacation we arrange for our clients. Whether a cruise, tour, airline ticket, hotel or car, we promise to provide the best service, value, and price for you, our valued client. TOUCAN TRAVEL Trips, Ships, Tickets, & Tours 2825 Tamiami Trail Suite B1 Punta Gorda, FL 33950 941-347-7119 Tom & Loretta Starrett, Owners and proud members of the MBCA Southwest Florida Chapter!! Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 7
SWFL SECTION 2012 HOLIDAY PARTY On Sunday, December 2nd, seventy nine Section members and guests attended our annual Holiday Party at the Vanderbilt Country Club in Naples. The food was excellent, the conversation stimulating, the decorations festive, and every couple went home with at least one gift. Mike Cozza, Service Director of Mercedes-Benz of Naples won the drawing for the SWFL Section provided gift basket. We heard lots of positive comments about the evening including the vocal entertainment by one of our newest SWFL members, Stephanie Borden. Tom and Loretta Starrett were named SWFL Section Members of the Year for their active SWFL Section participation this past year in planning and hosting the Car Show at Punta Gorda s Oktoberfest and the Broadway Palms Dinner Theatre production of the musical 9 to 5. Congratulations to both Tom and Loretta Starrett and thank you for your support of the SWFL Section. The Southwest Florida Section Sunshine Star newsletter is published on odd-numbered months. It is mailed electronically or via post to all members of the Section and appropriate members of other Sections and MBCA executives. All copy for inclusion should be received no later than the first of any even-numbered month. Any technical tips, automotive experiences or interesting items relating to Mercedes-Benz are encouraged and welcome. Members may advertise to buy or sell, free of charge, any personal MercedesBenz auto, part or accessory. All insertions in the Sunshine Star are the opinions and statements of the writers, advertisers, etc., and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this Section or MBCA. Call concerning commercial advertising rates. No authentication is given or implied as to the validity of any expressed opinion or statement. Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 8
Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 9
Calendar of Upcoming Events of Interest to Our Members Southwest Florida Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America DATE EVENT CONTACT Jan 12 SWFL Section Breakfast at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers Jan 26 SWFL Section Breakfast at Perkins Naples Feb 9 SWFL Section Breakfast at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers Feb 16 Cars on Fifth FCA-Naples Feb 16 Ladies of Mercedes Afternoon Tea, Ritz Carlton Naples Feb 23 SWFL Section Breakfast at Perkins Naples Mar 9 SWFL Section Breakfast at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers Mar 16 AACA Naples Depot Show April 6 Annual Mercedes-Benz Car Show, Mercedes-Benz, Ft. Myers Mar 23 SWFL Section Breakfast at Perkins Naples Apr 13 SWFL Section Breakfast at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers Apr 27 SWFL Section Breakfast at Perkins Naples May 11 SWFL Section Breakfast at Mimi s Café, Ft. Myers May 18-22 StarTech Birmingham, AL 205-822-5460 AACA Naples-Marco Island MORE PICTURES FROM THE SWFL SECTION 2012 HOLIDAY PARTY Mike and Linda Cozza and Linda Sholl. The Cozzas won the annual gift basket at this year s Holiday Party Please update your Email addresses! Since the club and our Section use electronic communications and we are now sending electronic newsletters, please let the NBO know of any changes to your email address to ensure up to date information with both the NBO and your section Newsletter editor. Email changes to Renee@mbca.org or call 1-800-637-2360. Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 10
This form has been created for the members of The Mercedes Benz Club of America to allow you to have a third party, The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort charge Afternoon Tea to your credit card. Please provide all the information requested below to ensure prompt processing of your application. We ask you to please sign and date the form before submission. Please bring the completed form to The Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort on February 16, 2013. Cardholder Information Name as it appears on the credit card: Card type: Visa MC Amex Diners/CB Discover JCB Account type: Individual (personal credit card) Corporate Company Name: Account number: Exp. date: Address: (where statement is mailed) City, State and Zip: Phone number: Fax or alternate number: Restaurant Charges Mercedes Benz Club February 16 at 2:30 p.m. Royal Classic Tea $45.00 Service Charge 20% Sales Tax 6% Please call Laura Crawford at 239-598-3300 Ext 5767 to inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions. Total: $56.70 per person I certify that all information is complete and accurate. I hereby authorize THE RITZ-CARLTON, NAPLES to collect payment for all charges as indicated in the Rate Information and Approved Charges section of this form by processing a charge to the credit card listed above. Charges must not exceed **$56.70 ** for Afternoon Tea. I certify that I am the authorized signer of the credit card listed above. Cardholder name: (Printed) Cardholder signature: Date: Sunshine STAR - Southwest Florida Section MBCA January- February, 2013 11